Wednesday's news in under 5 minutes

1. Arrests over murder of Reza Barati

Six months after violent clashes on Manus Island’s immigration detention centre, Papua New Guinea police have announced they are charging two Papua New Guinean nationals for the murder of Iranian asylum-seeker Reza Barati.

Fairfax Media report the men were Joshua Kaluvia, who worked with the Salvation Army, and Louie Efi, who was a security guard with contractor G4S.

2. Man rescued mother and three-year-old

A man in Melbourne is being branded a hero after rescuing a mother and her three-year-old daughter from drowning yesterday afternoon when the mother tragically jumped into the Yarra River with her daughter in her arms.

For more, see this post.

3. Police shoot suspect near Ferguson

A second police shooting has taken place in the US near Ferguson.

CNN reports that two St Louis city police officers shot and killed a black man who came within several feet of them brandishing a knife.

The killing took place only a few kilometres from the suburb of Ferguson.

4. Teacher’s rape charges over affair with 15-year-old

A US school teacher is facing rape charges after an affair with her 15-year-old student.

Jennifer Sexton, 28, allegedly had sex with the student numerous times before she was caught by police.

Reports are that in April rumours of her affair began to surface and she resigned from her position at the Oklahoma school but police could not arrest her for lack of evidence.

She was then arrested on June 18 being caught having sex with the boy in a hotel after she had followed him over 1000km to where he was on holidays.

The Huffington Post report she has been charged with three counts of second-degree rape, two counts of enticing a child, and one count of forcible sodomy.

5. Pope says he has 2-3 years left to live

The Pope has said at a press conference that he may have only two-three years left to live.

“Two or three years and then I’ll be off to the Father’s House,” he said.

He also hinted he may retire like Benedict XVI did last year, saying that resigning the papacy was a possibility “even if it does not appeal to some theologians”.

The news came as several relatives of the Pope died in a tragic accident in Argentina.

6. Mother of bisexual soldier exposes topless barmaid party

Fairfax Media reports the ADF is banning topless barmaids from a government recreation club after a mother of a bisexual soldier being investigated “for a matter related to his sexuality” uncovered the images.

The photos show the barmaids serving soldiers at the Gratwick Club, which is used by troopers from the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) in Western Australia.

The mother told Fairfax Media that Defence had double standards “in relation to her son being investigated while topless barmaids were allowed in the club”. The ADF have now banned activities of this nature.

7. Tsunami family find second child

The Indonesian family who were reunited with their daughter 10 years the Boxing Day tsunami swept her away have now also been reunited with their son.

Jamaliah and Septi Rangkuti’s son, now 17, was brought home to his family after extensive media coverage of his sister’s return.

“It’s true, he’s our son. We’re now preparing to take him home,” Septi Rangkuti told AFP.

8. Café owner investigated

The cafe owner who refused to hire a barista because he is black is being investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman, according to Fairfax Media.

The job seeker, Nilson Dos Santos was refused an interview by the Chinese owner of the Sydney cafe The Forbes & Burton.

The owner of the cafe continued to justify his decision, saying to Channel 10 that that most baristas were either white or Asian — and “that he was just trying to provide his customers the best service.”

According to Fairfax Media, the ombudsman is now investigating the incident.

Under the Fair Work Act 2009, it is unlawful to discriminate against employees or prospective employees on the grounds of race, colour, sex, sexual preference, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family or carer’s responsibilities, pregnancy, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin.

9. Calls for more NAPLAN testing

After a nationwide drop in NAPLAN literacy results, there have been calls for two tests to be sat each rather than one.

The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority chairman Barry McGaw told News Limited having two tasks would allow students to more broadly showcase their talents and cut down on the opportunity for teachers to coach for the test.

Queensland Teachers’ Union president Kevin Bates also said that the effect of NAPLAN testing was negative for many students.

He said it squashed children’s creativity that there was a maniacal focus on tests – including pre and post testing and as a result more fights in the playground because of stress, children crying, being physically ill and withdrawn, teaching to the test, narrowed curriculum and an increased teacher workload.

10. School to call police over online bullying

A Victorian school has told pupils that if they bully other students online, the police may be called.

Vermont Secondary College has told students in a newsletter “not to post photos of other students or refer to the school on Instagram”.

The Herald Sun reports that they have said the consequences may be action “including possible police involvement”.

In Victoria police can investigate a students’ online behaviour under the state’s anti-bullying legislation, Brodie’s Law.

11. Rockclimber dies at Yosemite National Park just after proposing

An experienced rockclimber has died in a fall while climbing in Yosemite National Park, just hours after he proposed to his girlfriend during another a climb in the park.

The Press Democrat reports that Parker’s girlfriend, Jainee Dial, accepted his marriage proposal after the pair reached the top of Cathedral Peak.

His father, Bill Parker, said Brad Parker told him it was the happiest day of his life.

Later in the day, Brad went to climb by himself but fell and was killed.

12. Want to know how smart your child is?

Researchers have found a four-year-old’s ability to draw can be used to predict how intelligent they will be ten years later.

The study, by Kings College London, found that children who produced the best drawings often scored well in verbal and non-verbal intelligence tests carried out at the time, aged four, but also a decade later when they were 14.

The study, published in Psychological Science, recorded a “moderate” association between higher scores and intelligence test results both at the age of four and 14.

13. Melbourne children test positive for measles

Three children have tested positive for measles at a school in Essendon, Melbourne.

A further two have suspected cases of the highly infectious disease, Fairfax Media reports.

Victoria’s chief health officer, Rosemary Lester, said all five children had not been immunised against the viral illness.

“All five pupils have not been immunised, further strengthening the importance of parents and guardians ensuring their children are vaccinated against highly infectious diseases such as measles,” Dr Lester said.

 The Herald Sun reports that as a protective measure, unimmunised students, staff, and visitors aren’t being allowed into the school.

The illness, which begins with common cold symptoms, causes a skin rash and fever.

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