1. New Zealand PM, Jacinda Ardern, said on NZ radio this morning that "it is possible" the country would open its borders for trans-Tasman travel before Christmas.

2. Australia's resource exports are tipped to collapse by $40bn over the next two years. The government's September quarterly report showed demand for gold and iron ore are on a strong rise, while coal and LNG are declining.

3. Qatar Airways has received $US2bn in state aid to endure one of its "most difficult years".

4. President Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the new Supreme Court Justice that will replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg after her passing last week. “She is a woman of unparalleled achievement, towering intellect, sterling credentials, and unyielding loyalty to the Constitution,” said Trump when introducing the 48-year-old federal appeals court judge.

5. The Dow rose 1.34% on Friday to 27,173.96. The S&P 500 was up 1.60% to 3,298.46 and the Nasdaq soared 2.26% to 10,913.56.