1. Australia signs free trade deal with the UK

Australia has become the first country to sign a free trade deal with the UK since Brexit, with Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson signing an in-principle agreement yesterday that includes reductions in tariffs for farm exports and an increase to the age limit for working holiday visas. "This is the most comprehensive and ambitious agreement that Australia has concluded," Morrison said.

2. French President Macron vows to stand by Australia

Scott Morrison met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday local time, where the French leader declared his support for Australia amid rising tensions in the region without specifically referring to China. "We firmly reject any coercive measures of an economic nature taken against Australia in flagrant violation of international law," Macron said.

3. Melbourne restrictions remain a 'a day-to-day proposition'

Victorian health minister Martin Foley said that the current restrictions on Melbourne residents that prevent travel more than 25km from residences remain a "day-to-day proposition" as five new local cases were recorded, including two announced yesterday. "We know that families, businesses, all sorts of people need the certainty that the review of the restrictions that is under way and when we’ve got more to say about that, as always, we’ll have more to say," Foley said according to The Australian.

4. Texas police capture loose kangaroo

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office near San Antonio, Texas, responded to calls of a kangaroo on the loose on Tuesday. Deputies were able to successfully capture the animal and fed it using a bottle before returning it to its owner.

5. S&P 500 and Nasdaq retreat from record highs

The S&P 500 fell 8.56 points or 0.20% to 4,246.59 and the Nasdaq dropped 101.29 points or 0.71% to 14,072.86 on Tuesday, below the record-high closes reached yesterday. The Dow Jones fell 94.42 points or 0.27% to 34,299.33.