Good morning. Here's what happened overnight and what you need to know today.
1.
Iran hit: Israel airstrikes “hit hard” at Iran’s air defences and missile production sites over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday. Iranian officials said the country had the right to respond to the attack, which killed four soldiers and caused some damage. But Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded by saying the attack “should neither be downplayed nor exaggerated,” while not appearing to explicitly call for retaliation, according to The New York Times which cited local media. The strikes hit targets in multiple provinces but avoided Iran’s oil industry and nuclear sites. US President Joe Biden told reporters on Sunday “I hope that this is the end.” Meanwhile, Egypt proposed a 2-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and the release of 4 hostages, AP reported. (NYT)(Reuters)(The Associated Press)
2.
ANU crunch: Australian National University is facing a financial crisis, with Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell leading a $250 million cost-cut, including 600 job cuts. The university, initially buffered by a one-off hailstorm payout, now anticipates a $200 million deficit for 2024, attributed to COVID-19, international student caps, and structural issues inherited from Nobel laureate Brian Schmidt’s tenure. Bell's attempt to encourage staff to forgo a December pay rise met backlash, despite her own 10% pay cut. And as Capital Brief reports Chancellor Julie Bishop’s comments blaming staff inefficiency only helped to spark union outrage, with the NTEU pursuing legal action over alleged enterprise agreement breaches. Critics have pointed issues like a top-heavy staff structure and infrastructure mismanagement, with calls for accountability as restructuring progresses. (Capital Brief)
