ASX expected to rise over growing optimism of Omicron's risk profile, Morrison government to walk a tightrope with federal budget post election, Woolworths eyes off Priceline, and MORE.

Dr Leong Hoe Nam out of Singapore has made a bold statement about the pending threat of Omicron. While we all have a natural tendency to focus on the negative, it's important we balance out this forecast in the media and hope that he is badly wrong.

Could interest rates really rise as soon as next year, or is the RBA more on the money with their conservative outlook for 2024? Five major banks fined for forex trading cartel, Morrison governments eager to appointment more female members, and MORE.

Will the bears on the stock market remain with fears around omicron, China to look elsewhere for iron ore exports and reduce dependency on Australia, our economy showing healthy numbers, and MORE.

Global coronavirus cases are continuing to rise globally, but it's worth noting that deaths are far more subdued at this point.

Scomo threatens to end month-long wharfie dispute and introduce legislation to soften power of the Maritime Union, doctors warn Omicron still poses a real threat, Coalition targeted in the Senate of national cabinet papers, and MORE.

WHO labels Omicron a high global risk, Twitter founder and CEO Jack Dorsey to focus on crypto, Xi Jinping pledges a further one billion covid vaccines to Africa, and MORE.

Markets to be heavily impacted today with spread of the Omicron variant, Christmas shoppers urged to get in early and avoid supply chain shock, Black Friday tops Boxing Day sales for first time ever in Australia, and MORE.

Modelling shows Australia could face dire sovereign debt consequences from lagging net zero targets, investors bearish over Covid outbreak in Europe, Harvey Norman hopes to claw back profits in Christmas sales, and MORE.

Federal Reserve set to raise interest rates, OPEC+ criticised for artificial tightening of oil supply, Elon Musk sells additional Tesla stock, and MORE.

Apple sues Israeli company for leaking data to government agencies, Josh Frydenberg announces share scheme overhaul in favour of employees, Nasa blast spacecraft into a pair of asteroids, and MORE.

President Biden reappoints Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair, Australian Senate at standstill as two Coalition senators boycott legislation, OPEC+ issues warning to nations planning to release oil reserves, and MORE.