1. Record high annual growth rate

After predicting the worst case scenario of a double dip recession, our economy defied the pessimists and grew by 0.7% in the June quarter. Last week, economists tipped the June quarter would show three months of negative growth, but instead we grew at a solid 0.7%. The current September quarter will be negative because of long lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne, but this June number stops the media using scary double-dip recession headlines, which would have hurt business and consumer confidence, as well as job creation. Our annual rate of growth was a record high 9.6%!

2. Frydenberg to help small/medium businesses

In a surprise, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says small and medium sized businesses will still get extra financial help to deal with living with the virus, even after lockdowns permanently ended. While lockdown restrictions will start to be eased when 70% of Australians are vaccinated and lockdowns will cease after 80% of us are jabbed, the Treasurer says there’ll be a transition period where small to medium size businesses will need financial support. And they’ll get exactly that, though it won’t be outlined until we reach the 80% vaccination level.

3. Macquarie Bank to become a landlord

As young Australians think of a life not owning a home,  as house prices go through the roof, Macquarie Bank is set to become a big landlord. The Australian reports that the millionaires’ factory — (as Macquarie is referred to) is set to become a player in the growing build-to-rent sector. The investment bank is making the move to become a residential landlord to generate higher and more steady returns from the property sector, as more Australians plan to work from home, making CBD office space investments less valuable.

4. Cow stuck in tree after Hurricane Ida in the US

Employees from the government of St. Bernard Parish, southeast of New Orleans in the US, have rescued a cow stuck in a tree after Hurricane Ida brought winds of up to 150mph (240 km/h). The workers stood in deep floodwater and cut down parts of the tree using a chainsaw to help successfully free the cow.

5. Nasdaq rises 0.3% to new record

The Nasdaq was the best performer of the three major indexes in the US overnight, rising 50.15 points or 0.33% to a new record-high close of 15,309.38. The S&P 500 managed to end the session up 1.41 points or 0.03% to 4,524.09, while the Dow Jones closed down 48.20 points or 0.14% to 35,312.53.