1. Gas crisis intensifies, government assesses options
As global gas shortages start to constrict the market, the federal government is considering all options to better supply the domestic demands, not ruling out imposing a gas reserve on the east coast.

“While arguing there are no simple short-term fixes, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said pulling the gas trigger – which forces exporters to free up more gas for the domestic market – was a live option, even if it just pressured the gas giants to act,” the AFR reports.

2. Fate of ageing CHESS system under threat from new ASX chief
Most would agree that the CHESS clearing and settlement infrastructure is long overdue, and thankfully that long list also includes incoming ASX chief Helen Lofthouse!

Ms Lofthouse, who joined the ASX in 2015 and has been in charge of its markets division since last year, said she will spend the next eight weeks listening to customers but added she is a “big supporter” of existing plans to replace CHESS with distributed ledger technology.

“On the CHESS project, I’m a big supporter of the project and although it’s not directly inside the business I’m running today, I have been part of the executive committee and making the decisions about approving that project,” Ms Lofthouse told the AFR.

3. Elon Musk sends ultimatum to workers about WFH
An email sent from Tesla owner and world’s richest man Elon Musk to his Tesla employees has been shared online over the last 24 hours regarding those who are attempting hybrid or WFH arrangements.

“Everyone at Tesla is required to spend a minimum of 40 hours in the office per week,” it reads. “Moreover, the office must be where your actual colleagues are located, not some remote pseudo office. If you don’t show up, we will assume you have resigned.”

“The more senior you are, the more visible must be your presence. That is why I lived in the factory so much”.

4. Did you know?
Dalmatians are born without spots! They are born with plain white coats with their first spots appearing after they are one week old.

5. ASX to rise on commodities rally
ASX futures were up 78 points or 1.09% to 7246 near 6.30am AEST, with the AUD +1.25% to 72.65 US cents.

On Wall St: Dow +1.3% S&P 500 +1.8% Nasdaq +2.7%.

In Europe: Stoxx 50 +1% CAC +1.3% DAX +1%.