Sky News US Analyst Michael Ware says Iran’s air attack on Israel is “a form of messaging”. Israel says more than 300 missiles and drones were fired by Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, but most were intercepted before entering Israeli airspace. It is Tehran’s first-ever direct attack on its neighbour. Mr Ware pointed out “all war is a conversation” as the aerial bombardment was “relatively restrained”. “They did warn the Iraqi government, and they did warn the Turkish government, in the expectation that they would then warn the American,” he told Sky News Australia.

Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney says it is “hard to imagine” politics “isn’t going to weigh in” on Joe Biden’s response to Iran’s attack on Israel. The US has broken ranks with one of its biggest allies after it told Israel it will not participate in any retaliatory action against Iran following hundreds of strikes over the weekend. It is Tehran’s first-ever direct attack on its neighbour. Israel says more than 300 missiles and drones were fired by Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, but most were intercepted before entering Israeli airspace. “It’s going to be different; it’s going to be hard, but it’s going to be different than Gaza,” Mr Mulvaney told Sky News Australia. “Keep in mind, there is a very strong pro-Palestinian element here in the United States – that’s different than defending Iran. “It’s not exactly the same political dynamic. “That being said, to the extent Joe Biden is not only the sitting president but also a candidate for re-election, it’s hard to image that politics isn’t going to weigh in and he doesn’t want to be perceived … as being too pro-Israel.”

Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney has encouraged Israel to be “cautious in their response” to Iran’s attack. The US has broken ranks with one of its biggest allies after it told Israel it will not participate in any retaliatory action against Iran following hundreds of strikes over the weekend. It is Tehran’s first-ever direct attack on its neighbour. Israel says more than 300 missiles and drones were fired by Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, but most were intercepted before entering Israeli airspace. “We participated over the weekend in helping defend Israel, along with the British, I believe, against the attacks from Iran,” Mr Mulvaney told Sky News Australia. “We’re actively engaged on behalf of Israel. “I understand our government, in the last couple of hours, has put out a statement saying they were encouraging Israel not to retaliate. “That makes some sense … but so far, it looks as though one would expect – we helped Israel defend itself, and I would encourage them to be cautious in their response.”

CommSec’s Tom Piotrowski says Iran’s attack on Israel is “front of mind” for markets. There are growing calls for restraint as the world reacts to Iran’s aerial bombardment of Israel. It is Tehran’s first-ever direct attack on its neighbour. “This is an issue that’s front of mind for markets and, indeed, was one of the factors that informed the performance of US markets at the weekend,” Mr Piotrowski told Sky News Australia. “You had the S&P500 fall by one and a half per cent, the Nasdaq down 1.6 per cent, and the Dow was down 1.2 per cent.” Presented by CommSec.

Support for the Labor government among voters has fallen over its handling of key issues like the economy, immigration, and law and order. This is according to the latest poll conducted by The Australian Financial Review. It shows Labor has levelled with the Coalition at 50 per cent on the two-party preferred vote. Anthony Albanese’s lead as the preferred prime minister over Opposition leader Peter Dutton has also fallen. The poll indicates that Labor would most likely be reduced to minority government if elections were held now.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for Australian flags across the country to be flown at half-mast today to honour the six victims of Saturday’s stabbing attacks. At least 11 people remain in hospitals across Sydney, where some are in critical condition. All buildings occupied by the Australian government departments and affiliated agencies will fly the flag at half-mast. Other organisations are encouraged to participate. It is also understood the Sydney Opera House will light its sails black as a sign of respect tonight.

Iran and Israel have been warned by the Pope not to cause a ‘spiral of violence’ risking greater conflict in the Middle East. Pope Francis expressed his concern and pain for Iran’s drone attack on Israel to crowds in St Peter’s Square. He is calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. He is also asking for negotiations for humanitarian aid to be provided and for Israeli hostages to be freed. He is asking all nations to stand for peace.

Diplomatic tensions are increasing between Israel’s allies following Iran’s attack. G7 leaders have participated in crisis talks over concerns of further attacks. “If this attack had been successful, the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate,” UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. “We stand by the security of Israel and the wider region, which is, of course, important for our security here at home too. “What we now need is for calm heads to prevail.”

PR Counsel’s Kristy McSweeney says there have been advocates for mental health crying out for “decades” to state and federal governments to help deal with the mental health crisis. “As for mental health, I think there are advocates in our community who have been for decades … crying to state governments and federal governments,” Ms McSweeney told Sky News host Paul Murray. “Saying, my son, my daughter has severe mental health issues, needs a bed in a mental health institution otherwise they are a danger to the community, to themselves, to the family. “They are routinely told, these parents in desperation, that there is nowhere for your child. “Whether they are a teenager or an adult … you have to look after them at home.” If you or anyone you know needs help: Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 Lifeline – 13 11 14 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636

Sky News host Paul Murray applauds “all public officials” on their responses to the Bondi Junction stabbings. “Again, we sit here and we are the hardest markers possible,” Mr Murray said. “But I think the statements of the prime minister, the premier, all the public officials have been absolutely appropriate in the way they have been dealing with things. “I certainly hope that again as the time rolls on … they commit to the serious complicated questions. “Have the courage to take it on … one of the defining things about John Howard’s prime ministership, was the response to Port Arthur … the need for it was pretty clear and I think that is the same here.”

Sky News host Paul Murray predicts Joe Biden’s presidential hopes may well end up “evaporating”. The US president spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming his “ironclad commitment” to the security of Israel. This comes as Iran has launched more than a hundred drones, dozens of cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at Israel. It is believed to be a retaliatory attack after Israel destroyed an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, which killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. “Because of his willingness to stand by what Israel has been doing in response to what Hamas did,” Mr Murray said.

Sky News host Andrew Bolt discusses the “proper response” by public officials and police regarding the Bondi stabbings and how the perpetrator was known to police and had underlying conditions leading to unstable mental health. “What comes first is not just the safety of others but also their own safety, I mean, this man is now dead for instance but also the safety of the family,” Mr Bolt told Sky News host Paul Murray. “You say, oh, the family should have the power. “Sometimes you are talking about people who love their children dearly and do not want to call the police on them for one reason or another. “But if the police have been there a number of times, what is our proper response there?”

Sky News host Paul Murray says the Bondi Junction stabbings will lead to a “race” for the next hot take on the issue. “There is going to be a race for the hot take,” Mr Murray said. “The if only this, if only that. “There is going to be some really stupid things that are going to be said in the next couple of days. “To try to sort of bend this arc in a certain direction.”

Sky News Senior Reporter Caroline Marcus says US President Joe Biden is under “a lot of pressure” from Democrats to withdraw support for Israel. The US president spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming his “ironclad commitment” to the security of Israel. “Biden has also flip flopped on Israel terribly,” Ms Marcus said. “It’s very opportunistic, it works for him. “Especially in some states in the US, where there is a sizable Muslim population that is now thinking about not potentially voting at the US election.”

The stabbings at Bondi Junction were “just awful” and is something that is “inexplicable” to process, Sky News host Paul Murray says. “Everyone for a few hours yesterday, and different times today and again tomorrow, you just become disconnected,” Mr Murray said. “From what you would be normally feeling at any one time and all of us of course see terrible things happening all the way around the world. “It is just human nature that when something looks like a place that you have been to, when the people who have died look like the people that you know and that you love, it all changes things. “I have got plenty to say … you don’t have the beginnings of a response when it is as random as it has been, and when it has been as inexplicable to try to process.”

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman says the stabbing in Bondi which resulted in six deaths has resulted in an outpouring of grief “right across New South Wales”. Emergency services descended on Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon after terrified shoppers raised the alarm of a man attacking them. “I think it’s just unimaginable for all of us that you could be going about an ordinary Saturday afternoon, doing what should be a safe and innocent thing – shopping in your local shopping complex and this horror unfolds,” he told Sky News Australia. “I think the vulnerability of all of us that could happen in such an innocent, safe location I think has shocked the state. “But I think we will come through this.”

Sky News contributor Evelyn Rae says NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott “performed remarkably” in the shooting of Bondi attacker Joel Cauchi. Six people including a mother of a nine-month-old baby were killed after a 40-year-old man went on a stabbing rampage in Westfield shopping centre. Ms Scott ended the Bondi massacre and saved multiple lives after racing through the mall to confront the knifeman. “She did all of us proud, she really did,” Ms Rae said. “Her emotional intelligence and just the intelligence of how she carried out her duties was amazing.”

Sky News host Ross Greenwood says New South Wales police are investigating if the Bondi Junction murders were a “targeted attack on women”. “The police have also been very careful not to ascribe a motive here,” Mr Greenwood said. “But have ruled out this being ideologically motivated. “They are investigating if Cauchi did target women. “It is concerning if this was a targeted attack on women.”

NextDC CEO Craig Scroggie says the Australian government must support companies like NextDC while building critical infrastructure so they can build the foundation needed for the knowledge economy. Mr Scroggie joined Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood to discuss how NextDC will raise $1.3 billion to meet its data centre demand. “The role that we play is essentially building the digital infrastructure platform that allows all of those – whether it’s cyber security, public or private cloud computing, or artificial intelligence and machine-learning platforms to run and grow, importantly domestically in Australia and around the region. “It is critically important that government investments go in those areas that allow the free market to operate. “That allow organisations to make enterprise investment decisions that will drive the growth of our future economy in Australia.”

NextDC CEO Craig Scroggie says it is “critically important” Australia thinks about what its future in data will be. Mr Scroggie joined Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood to discuss how NextDC will raise $1.3 billion to meet its data centre demand. “We’ve never needed government handouts, over the course of the last decade we’ve built one of the largest infrastructure platforms in this country. “The services economy in Australia, the production of jobs, science, technology, engineering, mathematics. “The fourth industrial revolution is about the manufacturing of intelligence.”