☕️ Australia rocked by stabbing attack

Good morning.

As I’m sure you are all aware, it was a horrific weekend of news for Australia.

The details from the attack in Sydney’s east on Saturday can be extremely distressing. (There is an explanation of what happened below.)

But before we get to what happened, here are a number of helplines, in case you or a loved one needs help.

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Headspace: 1800 650 890

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Quote of the day

“Let us know when you get endometriosis and we’ll book your appointment.”
Queensland Premier Steven Miles in response to a social media comment criticising the state’s lack of “benefits and services” for men after opening its first endometriosis clinic.

Stat of the day

One in four
How many Australian pet owners surveyed by Foodbank have skipped meals to afford food for their companion animals.

Today in history

2013
The Boston Marathon bombing took place during an annual race in the U.S. city of Boston.

I’ve got 30 seconds

Some headlines from this morning:

• Two bodies were found over the weekend in a shipping container in the NSW Central West. NSW Police confirmed an investigation had been launched following the discovery of the two bodies, and are appealing to the public for further information.

• Billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest has had to drop a criminal lawsuit against Meta relating to fake crypto ads on Facebook that featured his face and name. The owner of Fortescue Metals accused the social media giant of being criminally reckless by allowing the scam ads to target vulnerable Facebook users, who he alleged lost their savings due to the ads. On Friday, WA’s director of public prosecutions, which was set to prosecute the case on Forrest’s behalf, dropped the proceedings due to “insufficient evidence”. Forrest said this showed “the Australian legal system [is] incapable of holding Meta to account.”

I’ve got 1 minute

Six people killed in mass stabbing event in Bondi Junction

Six people were killed during a mass stabbing event at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon. Several more were injured and some remain in a critical condition.

The attacker was also shot dead by police.

What happened?

According to NSW Police, at 3:30pm on Saturday, emergency services were called to the shopping centre following multiple reports of stab wounds.

An officer in the area attended the scene alone, where she was confronted by a man armed with a knife. The officer shot the man dead after he allegedly lunged at her.

The man has since been identified as 40-year-old Queensland man Joel Cauchi. He is not known to be connected to any terrorist group, and police say he acted alone.

The victims

Five of the six victims who were killed have been identified as Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, 30, Jade Young, 47, and Pikria Darchia, 55. There is one other woman who was killed who has not yet been identified.

There are 11 others – including eight women, two men and a 9-month-old baby – who were also taken to various Sydney hospitals to be treated for stab wounds.

Responses

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in an interview with the ABC yesterday: “This is a tragedy that should never have occurred. People should be able to go about their Saturday afternoon shopping in peace and in security without thinking that there is a risk involved.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns applauded the bravery of the police officer who was first on the scene, saying: “The instinctive bravery of Inspector Amy Scott exemplifies the very best of public service in this state. Her actions saved many many lives. And her bravery deserves to be recognised.”

You can hear more about what happened in today’s podcast.

I’ve got 2 minutes

Iran launches first direct attack on Israel

Over the weekend, Iran launched more than 200 missiles at Israel.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed it had launched “dozens of drones and missiles”.

It said the attack was in response to an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian Embassy complex in the capital of Syria.

Israel said it successfully intercepted 99% of the “aerial threats launched by Iran” yesterday.

This is the first time Iran has launched a direct attack on Israel.

Previous events

Israel’s war in Gaza has sparked broader regional tensions between Israel and Iran-backed forces.

Earlier this month, Iran accused Israel of striking its embassy complex in Damascus, the capital of Syria. Israel has never commented on the attack.

Iran said seven people, including three senior commanders, were killed in the strike.

Since the attack on the Iranian embassy, Iran has pledged to retaliate against Israel.

Regional tensions

Israel and Iran have had a hostile relationship for many decades.

Since the 1979 revolution which installed a conservative Muslim dictatorship, Iran has questioned the legitimacy of a Jewish state, and called for its destruction.

Since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on 7 October, to which Israel responded by declaring war, tensions with other forces - including Iran-backed Hezbollah - have also increased.

Israel response

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was “ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively”.

“We have determined a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them.”

U.S. response

The U.S. is a key ally of Israel, and has continued to reiterate its support in the wake of this attack.

A spokesperson for U.S. President Joe Biden said: “President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad.”

“The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”

Australia response

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement yesterday saying the Government condemns Iran’s attack.

“Iran has ignored our call, and those of many other countries, not to proceed with these reckless attacks,” Albanese said.

“This escalation is a grave threat to the security of Israel and the entire region. It risks greater instability and devastation across the Middle East. Australia continues to support regional security, including that of Israel.”

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Over the weekend, Australia was rocked by the killing of at least six people at the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre in Sydney’s east.

At the time of recording, there are a number of victims who remain in a critical condition, and it’s possible the death toll could rise further.

On today’s podcast, we’ll update you on what happened, how the community has responded, and the questions that remain.

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Give me some good news

New paintings have been discovered in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii.

A banquet room decorated with characters from the story of the Trojan War from Greek mythology are among the new areas brought to light.

It follows recent excavation efforts among ruins dating back thousands of years. Pompeii was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. A third of the ancient city remains covered in debris, as archaeologists continue work to discover more about life in the region before the eruption.

TDA tidbit

First Barbie, then The Sims, and now Monopoly.

Australian producer and actor Margot Robbie is trying her hand at adapting another beloved childhood game.

An announcement from Monopoly owner Hasbro Entertainment said it will produce the film alongside Robbie and her production company, LuckyChap.

Hasbro’s Head of Film Zev Foreman said: “Monopoly provides an incredible platform for storytelling opportunities.”

If it’s anything like your average game of Monopoly, we expect this movie will be four to five hours long and end in tears.

TDA asks