ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

Good afternoon. Here's what's happening now: A consumer rights group says major retailers including Fantastic Furniture and Harvey Norman are offering interest-free deals on their products but in some cases are selling the items as a consumer lease contract. It means customers do not own the product at the end of the lease and can end up paying four-times the regular retail value Dairy farmers have told the ABC they are not surprised just one dairy concessional loan has been approved since the program was announced in May. There are 48 applications still being assessed Torrential rain in Rio has failed to stop Australian discus thrower Dani Samuels from powering her way into Olympic medal contention. Samuels criticised officials for not halting competition during the "dangerous" conditions Gold medals are not the only bling being handed out in Rio, some athletes have taken the opportunity to profess their love on the world stage. Take a look at the best marriage proposals from the Olympic Games. Here's what's coming up: 6:15pm AEST: New NXT MP Rebekha Sharkie takes a break from 'orientation week' at Parliament House to speak to RN Drive 12:00am AEST Wednesday: The Opals take on Serbia in the women's basketball quarter-finals 12:20am AEST: Aussie Dani Samuels starts her discus final 12:50am AEST: Usain Bolt will start the second leg of his quest for the triple-treble in the men's 200m heats 3:47am AEST: US gymnastics star Simone Biles will go for a record-equalling fourth gold medal in the women's floor routine final Top Stories Burn 'forgot' about text sent by commissioner during Sydney siege New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn tells the Sydney siege inquest she did not recall until today receiving a message during the ordeal from the state's police commissioner, about requesting technical equipment. 'No pairs': Opposition to play hard ball in new Parliament The Federal Opposition rejects a request to allow 'pairing' of votes in the new Parliament, adding an extra degree of difficulty for the Government, which holds a one-seat majority. Big retailers accused of pushing customers into 'outrageous' leases Retailers Harvey Norman and Fantastic Furniture are among the big chains accused of locking unwitting customers into expensive consumer leases, that can leave buyers paying "outrageous" prices for goods, a consumer rights group says. Dairy farmers unsurprised by poor take-up of concessional loan scheme Farmers tell the ABC they are not surprised just one dairy concessional loan has been approved since the program was announced in May. Discus finalist Samuels takes aim at Rio officials over 'dangerous' call Australian discus thrower Dani Samuels criticises Rio Olympics officials for failing to halt competition during torrential rain, after powering her way into the finals. Q&A showdown: Brian Cox takes on Malcolm Roberts Here's what happened when particle physicist Brian Cox faced off with One Nation senator-elect Malcolm Roberts on Q&A last night. Spoiler: there were graphs. Marked man: The Imam trying to unite France now on ISIS hit list Bordeaux's Grand Imam is on a mission to unite France's Muslims and non-Muslims, despite Islamic State extremists calling for his assassination. Sex worker sentenced for manslaughter of man she met on Craigslist Peta Lorang-Goubran, 35, is sentenced to seven years' jail after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Gold Coast man Mark Emmanuel Spencer, whom she met via Craigslist. Nauru Government says most detention centre abuse claims 'fabricated' The Nauruan Government criticises the coverage of alleged abuse in its immigration detention centre, saying most claims are fabricated. Seven injured when overhead camera falls in Rio's Olympic Park An overhead television camera suspended by cables crashes to the ground in Rio's Olympic Park, injuring at least seven people below, in the latest in a string of mishaps to hit South America's first Games. ABC sports commentator Jim Maxwell hospitalised Veteran ABC sports commentator Jim Maxwell is undergoing tests in hospital after being taken ill in Sydney during a live radio broadcast. Brisbane City Council loses $450k to scammers Brisbane Mayor Graham Quirk says he is "not holding out a lot of hope" that the council will be able to recoup more than $450,000 it lost to scammers over the past month. Monster goldfish now a menace after being dumped in river Unwanted pet goldfish are being dumped into waterways and growing as large as 1.9 kilograms, researchers in Western Australia have found. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Donald Trump brings US election to new lows By Bruce Wolpe Why you should carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man By Julia Baird Treasurer right to reject Ausgrid sale By Ian Verrender Swimming team's performance should be celebrated By Michael Rowland Just In NSW records 'first Indigenous death in custody since 2000' August 16, 2016 - 4:09 pm Ambulance driver reported over crash that killed patient August 16, 2016 - 4:03 pm Private enterprise leads new star trek as costs drop August 16, 2016 - 4:00 pm World • Thousands mourn slain New York imam as police charge suspect with murder • Belly flop championships make splash in Norway • Pentagon announces single largest transfer of Guantanamo inmates under Obama Business • Big retailers accused of pushing customers into 'outrageous' leases • Private enterprise leads new star trek as costs drop • Profit wrap: Domino's, Mirvac and Challenger produce record profits, Invocare flails Politics • Newbie MPs take crash course at Parliament House • Government backbenchers urge Turnbull to consider banking tribunal • Turnbull and Joyce to meet with dairy giant amid milk price crisis Sport • Discus finalist Samuels takes aim at Rio officials over 'dangerous' call • ABC sports commentator Jim Maxwell hospitalised • Meares yet to decide on retirement after Rio Olympics Science and Tech • Humans 'wouldn't be here' without moss: scientists • Q&A showdown: Brian Cox takes on Malcolm Roberts • Tesla removes 'autopilot' from China website after Beijing crash Environment • Humans 'wouldn't be here' without moss: scientists • NZ zoos join Australia in call to label palm oil in food • Anatomy of a feather: How scientists are tracking Australia's waterbirds Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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