1. Federal government to focus on non-financial vaccination incentives

The federal government is expected to offer non-financial incentives for getting vaccinated after research from the Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government published by The Australian suggested financial incentives have "little to no impact on longer-term vaccination rates" and are "unlikely to drive vaccine uptake in Australia".

2. Aviation industry receives additional financial support

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce yesterday announced that domestic airlines will be able to claim $750 a week for 50% of their pilots and cabin crew if they are able to demonstrate their revenue has fallen at least 30% since Sydney was declared a COVID-19 hotspot. The half-price flights initiative which originally expired last month has been extended until the end of November.

3. Square shares rise 10%

Square shares rose more than 10% to US$272.38 overnight following the company's announcement that it will acquire Afterpay in a $39 billion deal. The AFR noted that, after Square's rise, the takeover offer currently values Afterpay at around $138.67 compared to $126.61 yesterday.

4. 'Hog hotels' in China help to protect pigs from disease

In an effort to protect China's most popular meat from African swine fever, companies in China have begun housing pigs in vertical farms that are being dubbed 'hog hotels'. Highlighting a 13-story building in Southern China, Bloomberg reported that more than 10,000 pigs were being kept in the "condominium-style complex, complete with restricted access, security cameras, in-house veterinary services and carefully prepared meals".

5. Dow Jones and S&P 500 edge lower

The Dow Jones began the week down 97.31 points or 0.28% to 34,838.16 and the S&P 500 dipped 8.10 points or 0.18% to 4,387.16. The Nasdaq closed marginally higher with a rise of 8.39 points or 0.06% to 14,681.07.