Tuesday 3rd August 2021 

US payments system group Square is set to buy Afterpay for $39 billion in the biggest ever deal on the ASX. 

Also today:

• Santos and Oil Search to merge creating a new giant of the oil and gas sector.
• NSW and Queensland remain in the grip of the COVID crisis.
• And house prices jump 16 per cent in 12 months – the most in 17 years.