Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, the Australian bishop who was stabbed at a Sydney church on Monday, has said he forgives the attacker. In an audio message, the bishop said he was “recovering quickly” and urged the community to remain calm.

Joel Cauchi, 40 – the man who went on a stabbing attack in a Sydney shopping mall appears to have targeted women, police say. Cauchi attacked people at the busy Westfield Bondi Junction complex on Saturday. He stabbed and killed six people – five women and 1 man, with a long blade.

Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister, has suggested the country could recognise Palestinian statehood, to increase momentum towards peace. However, Hamas could have no role in its governance, Wong said.

New Zealand authorities have announced a tightening of work visa regulations in response to what they describe as “unsustainable” levels of migration. Applicants for low-skilled positions are now required to meet English-language proficiency standards and their permitted stay has been reduced from five years to three.

Five packages wrapped in plastic, suspected to contain cocaine, have washed ashore on Sydney beaches. Discovered by beach visitors at Freshwater and Curl Curl on Monday, these parcels, totalling 5kg in weight, were confiscated by law enforcement.

Rugby player Spencer Leniu has been suspended for eight weeks for racially abusing another player, Ezra Mam during a game. He said: “I really am sorry to Ezra and his people. I can’t believe I used that word but I really didn’t mean it.”