Comedian Alex Stein says he’s noticed Palestinian rallies are usually more tense than other events such as Black Lives Matter or transgender youth rallies. “If you’re in New York, they had to create the SRG – Strategic Response Group,” he told Sky News host James Morrow. “And that’s a sector of the NYPD that is just for stopping protesters because they’re sick of it. “They’re sick of what they’re doing and shutting down streets, blocking roads, and people are trying to get into work. “So it’s kind of sad that a few bad apples can spoil the bunch.”

Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation’s Ran Porat claims Israel’s reported retaliatory strike against Iran was “very mild” and has sent a “strong message” to Tehran. Israel reportedly launched retaliatory strikes on Iran just days after an Iranian drone attack. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that explosions were heard near the city of Isfahan, a strategically important region for Iranian armed forces. According to ABC America, the strikes came from Israel, but Israeli officials have not yet claimed responsibility for the missiles. “(Israel) sending a clear message that if it wants to, it can definitely hit the most strategic target,” Mr Porat told Sky News host Steve Price. “But in this case, it is just an early warning to draw a line in the sand.”

Security expert Lincoln Parker says the United States, under President Joe Biden, is “going backwards”.  “It’s making the world less safe; it’s making the United States less safe,” Mr Parker told Sky News host Erin Molan.  “He has been a foreign policy disaster.  “Look at the wars that we have going on around the world, and we’re probably going to see another war very soon ... and it’s very scary.”  Mr Parker’s remarks come after Israel reportedly launched retaliatory strikes on Iran, which is suspected to escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Security expert Lincoln Parker says Iran is “quaking in their boots” following Israel’s retaliatory strikes on the country.  Israel has reportedly launched retaliatory strikes on Iran just days after an Iranian drone attack.   Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that explosions were heard near the city of Isfahan, a strategically important region for Iranian armed forces.  “Israel has just shown Iran that it can strike deep into their territory, very close to their nuclear facilities,” Mr Parker told Sky News host Erin Molan.  “So, Iran right now is quaking in their boots.  “Iran will be very frightened right now.”

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The global community is fearing an impending “ricochet of violence” throughout the Middle East, according to Sky News Political Reporter Cameron Reddin. It follows reports Israel launched retaliatory strikes on Iran just days after an Iranian drone attack. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that explosions were heard near the city of Isfahan, a strategically important region for Iranian armed forces. According to ABC America, the strikes came from Israel, but Israeli officials have not yet claimed responsibility for the missiles. “It is very much felt at the highest levels of Australian government that while there is only so much we can do to directly impact what might happen in the Middle East, it is important there is this united front, if you like, on the language of as much public condemnation of escalation as there can possibly be,” Mr Reddin told Sky News host Erin Molan. “And the government doing that again today to do as much as it can to just urge for peace and restraint in this region because it is a real tinder box at this moment.”

Over 100 students and other protesters were arrested and issued summons for trespassing at Columbia University on Thursday. At the numerous protests seen across the US, pro-Palestine student activists called for an “intifada”, as reported by Fox News. According to Fox News, the protesters were also heard calling for the Jewish state to be destroyed. Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib has criticised universities across the US and supported the protesters' efforts. Tlaib posted to X to praise pro-Palestine protesters who reportedly engaged in anti-Semitic behaviour, according to Fox News. “From UM to Vanderbilt to USC to Columbia, students across our country are being retaliated against for using their constitutional rights to protest genocide. It’s appalling,” Tlaib writes on X.

Conflict in the Middle East has reached a dramatic escalation, with Israel launching a limited missile strike on Iran. An explosion has been reported in the Isfahan province, about 400km south of Tehran. Iran media is reporting the air defence system has been activated over several regions. The strikes are in retaliation after Iran recently fired a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel. Sky News Digital Originals delves into the heart of the turmoil, unravelling the complex web of tensions that have culminated in Israel's decisive strikes against Iran.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is advising all Australians in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories to leave if safe to do so.  “There’s a high threat of military reprisals and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region,” the department said.  “The security situation could deteriorate quickly, with little or no notice.  “We continue to advise, reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and whether you need to remain in country.  “We urge Australians in both Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories to depart if it’s safe to do so.”

There is a major push from the government to crackdown on vaping, particularly around younger children. Nationals Leader David Littleproud has acknowledged that “everyone has come to this with the right intent” but has called for “better regulation” of vapes. Mr Littleproud believes the government “haven’t made inroads into this and particularly for the protection of children”. “The prescription model, which is a prohibition model hasn’t worked,” he added in an interview with Sky News Australia. The Nationals Leader urged the government to look at “what has worked” citing the “licensed point of sale” regulation for cigarettes which had an 80 per cent reduction in juvenile use of cigarettes.

Liberal MP Keith Wolahan says the Israel-Gaza conflict extending beyond borders is a “worst-case scenario” situation, as Israel launches attacks on Iran. US officials have said that Israel has carried out military operations against Iran, but have given no further details. “Israel has a right to defend itself in reaction to the horrendous attack that we saw over the skies of Jerusalem recently, but we want it to be in a way that’s proportionate and de-escalates,” Mr Wolahan told Sky News Australia in response. “I would imagine from here there will be quite high-level diplomacy to get both parties back from the brink. “That is the worst-case scenario for that region, that the Israel-Gaza conflict brings in wider regional actors, who have much more sophisticated weapons.”

Former US Army vice chief of staff General Jack Keane has urged the Australian government to “wake up”. This came in a discussion with Sky News host Andrew Bolt regarding doubts over whether Australia’s new defence strategy can address imminent threats. Mr Keane has urged Australia to look at what “Japan has done”. “They see the reality and the writing on the wall,” he added. “This is a serious threat. “The government in Australia has got to see it for what it is.”

Sky News Australia host Rita Panahi says President Joe Biden is a poor man who is "dazed and confused" and who produces "bizarre stories and debunked lies". "We need to speak about Joe," Ms Panahi said. "President Joe Biden's cognitive decline is hitting new lows. "The poor man is dazed and confused and when he appears lucid for a moment or two, we get bizarre stories and debunked lies." Ms Panahi said Mr Biden recently stated he made it clear to Israel to stay out of Haifa. "A little problem there – that's a major city in Israel," Ms Panahi said. She said President Biden has also been "spinning" a "bizarre variation" to the story relating to his uncle's death.

ANZ bank has announced it is getting rid of cheque books for new accounts from June 16. “Which I suppose is the way to do it because who wants a new account with a cheque book now,” said Sky News host Chris Kenny. “If people are still out there using cheques, write a few now – write one to me now because I reckon they’re not going to last long,” he said. Mr Kenny discussed the move with Stepmates Studio’s Mark Nicholson and The Daily Telegraph’s Tim Blair. “I thought this was just a move from the bank but this is a government direction here, they’ve got cheque-zero,” Mr Nicholson told Mr Kenny. “I had no idea."

Curtin University Dean of Global Futures Joe Siracusa says Donald Trump’s presidential campaign will “fall apart” if Melania “gives up” on him amid the hush money trial. Mr Siracusa joined Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power to discuss the former US president’s trial happening in New York. “Melania of course I think had just had Barron, etcetera, when all this nonsense was going on. “Michael Cohen says he lied to Melania about the president having an affair – whatever it is. “If she quits on him or if she gives up on him, or she is too embarrassed to stand next to him, his campaign will fall apart.”

Curtin University Dean of Global Futures Joe Siracusa says other countries around the world have “consistently ignored” US President Joe Biden. Mr Siracusa joined Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power to discuss the US’ impact on the Israel-Gaza war and Iran’s recent attack. “Sky had great coverage the day … [of the] American exit … it was a disaster leaving that Air Force base to try to remove those people at that point.” “It was quite clear that American policy kills lives over there and you can’t trust them” “Then, of course, we've got in Ukraine. I mean, Ukraine has always been on a losing hand here. It was never going to win a war against a nation with 11 time zones.”

CommSec’s Tom Piotrowski says the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have hit "one of the worst losing streaks" since October after they closed lower for a fifth consecutive day. “The S&P 500 down by a quarter of a per cent," Mr Piotrowski told Sky News Australia. “The Nasdaq down … by about a half of one per cent. “That means that we have seen five consecutive days of losses for those indices, which is one of the worst losing streaks that we have seen since October last year.” Presented by CommSec.

A dozen jurors have been selected in Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York. Sky News US analyst Michael Ware discussed the latest on the former US president's criminal trial. “We now have a jury, 12 jurors have been selected, one of the alternatives has been selected we need five more,” Mr Ware told Sky News Australia. “Now all this appeared wobbly just hours ago this morning because two of the selected jurors had to either bow out, or be kicked out,” he said. “One bowed out because she said that through little clues and little pieces of information in the media, everyone in her family and community recognised that you're one of the jurors aren’t you? “So, she asked to be relieved and she was. “it’s distinctly possible that this trial could start on Monday.” Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records relating to payments made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels at the end of the 2016.

A rare newborn monkey has made its public debut in Germany. The bearded monkey and his proud mom were seen eating a snack and roaming around their enclosure at Cologne Zoo on Thursday. Officials say the 5-week-old monkey is developing well and is enjoying all the attention. Bearded monkeys are considered one of the rarest primate species on earth. Deforestation poses the greatest threat to the species.

Hopes of an early cut to interest rates have been dampened with a lower than anticipated rise in unemployment. Unemployment rose to 3.8 per cent in March. he updated figures show a 0.1 per cent rise in unemployment since February. The market lose more than 6,000 jobs despite forecasts predicting an increase of 3.9 per cent. Unemployment figures are expected to continue rising in the coming months, likely delaying any RBA rate cuts.