ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: US President Barack Obama has issued a scathing attack on Donald Trump, challenging Republican leaders to withdraw support for their "unfit" nominee The overall literacy and numeracy skills of Australian students have stalled according to the latest academic performance data from schools. New NAPLAN results have revealed there has been no significant improvement in those areas since 2015 , despite record government funding A refugee from Australia's offshore processing centre on Manus Island has drowned. Refugees on the island said Pakistani man Kamil Hussain went missing about 4:00pm yesterday at a waterfall near the main town of Lorengau Villagers used to mock and throw dirty looks at female wrestlers, but attitudes are slowly starting to change after three women from one of India's most conservative states qualified for the Rio Games Here's what's coming up: 7:10am AEST: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority chief executive Robert Randall will be on News Breakfast to discuss today's NAPLAN results 10:30am AEST: A multi-million-dollar class action is due to be filed in Sydney's Federal Court after a massive oil spill pumped sludge into the ocean, allegedly destroying fisheries to the north of Australia, in 2009 11:30am AEST: Australia's chef de mission Kitty Chiller will hold a press conference in Rio to provide an update on the athletes' preparation 1:30pm AEST: NT Chief Minister Adam Giles and Opposition Leader Michael Gunner will debate at an NT Chamber of Commerce event Top Stories Obama calls on Republicans to withdraw support for Trump US President Barack Obama issues a scathing attack on Donald Trump for criticising a Muslim family whose army captain son was killed in Iraq, challenging Republican leaders to withdraw support for their "unfit" nominee. NAPLAN: Literacy, numeracy skills stall The overall literacy and numeracy skills of Australian students have stalled, according to the latest data on the academic performance of schools. Duterte accused of 'reign of terror' in Philippines Fear stalks the slums of Manila, with some drug users executed by police and others being forced to mass surrender ceremonies after new President Rodrigo Duterte gave police and vigilantes carte blanche to kill suspected criminals. Careers Australia, Acquire Learning facing fresh claims over sales tactics An 11-year-old girl's mother was bombarded with marketing calls from Careers Australia, after her daughter played an online game to win an iPhone. Refugee drowns at Manus Island waterfall A refugee from Australia's offshore processing centre on Manus Island, who other refugees on the island identified as Pakistani man Kamil Huassain, drowns. Royal commission won't fix problems facing Indigenous Australia: Noel Pearson Indigenous leader Noel Pearson has made an impassioned plea for Australians to channel their outrage into more than just another royal commission into Indigenous incarceration. Russia appeals for 'calm' amid deadly anthrax outbreak Russia confirms 21 cases of anthrax, including one fatality, after an unusual heatwave melted permafrost in its remote far north, releasing potentially lethal spores from the soil. Funeral held in France for priest murdered by jihadists Thousands farewell Father Jacques Hamel, the 85-year-old priest who was murdered by two jihadists last week at his altar, at Rouen cathedral in northern France. Interest rates cut to fresh record low of 1.5pc, banks pass on half The Reserve Bank cuts the official interest rate to a fresh low of just 1.5 per cent, with one economist saying the board would have been "dragged kicking and screaming" into the decision. The major banks are passing on around half the cut to mortgage holders. Tens of thousands flee South Sudan violence: UN Tens of thousands of people flee a fresh outbreak of violence in South Sudan, reporting mass killings, looting and forced recruitment of child soldiers, UN agencies say. Homeless man to buy house after 35 years on street A Western Australian man who has been homeless on and off since the age of seven is to receive enough money from a disability insurance payout to allow him to buy a house. Did an abandoned mine create Ipswich's backyard sinkhole? Historical mine maps and plans are being reviewed after a sinkhole filled with swirling water opened up in the backyard of a home in Ipswich, west of Brisbane. Woman receives serious burns during sponge bath at aged care facility An aged care facility in central Victoria is being investigated by authorities after an 89-year-old woman was hospitalised with second-degree burns following a sponge bath. 'Pay it forward': Good Samaritan leaves $10 in hospital car park A mum visiting Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital is moved by a stranger's "random act of kindness" in leaving money on a parking meter for someone in need. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Zombie microbes, reindeer and the health risks of climate change By Hilary Bambrick Will there be a 'Brexit trap' in the same sex marriage plebiscite? By Ryan Goss With a global economy in serious trouble, something's got to give By Ian Verrender What justice reinvestment can do for juvenile offenders By Brooke Boney Just In Meredith Kercher's killer seeks new trial in Italy murder saga August 3, 2016 - 5:32 am Russia appeals for 'calm' amid deadly anthrax outbreak August 3, 2016 - 5:14 am Obama calls on Republicans to withdraw support for Trump August 3, 2016 - 5:09 am World • Meredith Kercher's killer seeks new trial in Italy murder saga • Pope appoints commission to examine role of women in Church • Punters flock to see #Pokemonument in New Orleans Business • Why are banks lifting deposit rates not cutting loans more? • Interest rates cut to fresh record low of 1.5pc, banks pass on half • RBA rate cut hits share market with losses in media, mining, energy and bank stocks Politics • AFP ends 'Mediscare' text message investigation • Mexican mayor, police arrested over 10 burned bodies in truck • Mystery donor saves NT charity school attendance service Sport • What is an Olympic gold medal really worth? • Australia's oldest Olympian Forbes Carlile dies at 95 • Virus-laden water prompts renewed warnings to Olympic athletes Science and Tech • Mars gullies not caused by flowing water: NASA • Nutritional scientists call for new way to define balanced diet • Jack White label plays first vinyl record in space Environment • What to do with the Snowy Mountain brumbies • Virus-laden water prompts renewed warnings to Olympic athletes • Wildlife thrives in SA's Flinders Ranges Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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