Barnstorming Canberra Raiders forward Josh Papalii and Manly half-back Daly Cherry-Evans will make their State of Origin debuts after being selected for Queensland in the second game of the series at Lang Park next week.

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird has handed down a cautious third budget, focusing on roads, rail and housing, as the Government continues its drive to rein in expenses and cut wage costs. The headline announcement will see the Government continue its privatisation of the state's ports. The world's largest coal port, the Port of Newcastle, is the latest to go under a 99-year lease to fund the "Rebirth of Newcastle" to revitalise the state's second largest city.

The Prime Minister has told Labor MPs to put purpose ahead of self-interest as one of her strongest supporters, former minister Nicola Roxon, condemned the "sexist and just plain rude" treatment that Julia Gillard has received.

The family of a teenager who died after being king hit in Sydney's Kings Cross says it is unhappy that his attacker has been allowed to plead guilty to manslaughter. Kieran Loveridge, 19, had been charged with murder over the unprovoked attack on 18-year-old Thomas Kelly, but the charge was downgraded in court today. Kelly died after two days on life support, and the case triggered a debate about whether authorities were doing enough to combat violence on the popular nightclub strip. Today his family said they were unhappy with the plea deal. "We will never forget our darling Thomas - we will never stop missing him, and our lives will never be the same. What has the perpetrator lost?" his mother asked.

Mining billionaire and Palmer United Party founder Clive Palmer says The Australian has printed information that was stolen from his Brisbane office.Mr Palmer says a laptop was stolen from his office in April and his computers were hacked.The newspaper is reporting that Mr Palmer warned a Chinese company that 1,000 jobs will be at risk if it did not pay money it owes him.Mr Palmer says he is not suggesting the newspaper stole the information but said it was a "bit of a coincidence" the media got hold of the information soon after he announced his Palmer United Party.

British art collector Charles Saatchi has been cautioned after photographs emerged showing him grabbing his wife Nigella Lawson by the throat.

The man who attached a fake collar bomb to the neck of a Sydney teenager is appealing against the length of his sentence.

South Sydney Rabbitohs prop George Burgess has been charged with two counts of wilful damage to a car following an incident in Cairns, according to reports.

Former Queensland Labor premier Peter Beattie says it is time Bob Hawke was called in to sort out what he has described as the party's federal leadership "saga".

American whistleblower Edward Snowden has dismissed claims he was working as a Chinese spy.

World leaders have gathered at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland for what may be a potentially awkward clash over Syria, with the US and Russia openly backing rival sides in the civil war.

Australia's bid for a third straight Champions Trophy title ended in disappointment and their Ashes preparations further damaged, after succumbing to a dramatic 20-run defeat against Sri Lanka at The Oval.

Talks between Britain and Ecuador have ended with no breakthrough over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been holed up in Ecuador's London embassy for nearly a year.

The latest election campaign tactic uses the old-fashioned telephone to link politicians to thousands of voters at once.

Nelson Mandela's wife has thanked members of the public for supporting the ailing anti-apartheid icon, saying they have eased "the burden of anxiety".

At a time when cyber security is high on the international agenda, Australian scientists are at the forefront of providing a more secure future - using quantum mechanics.

Canberra Raiders player and NSW Origin winger Blake Ferguson has been formally charged with indecent assault. The alleged assault against a woman took place at the 2230 Restaurant and Bar in Cronulla late on Sunday evening. Ferguson has been granted bail and will front the Waverley Local Court on July 16, one day before State of Origin III in Sydney. The charge puts Ferguson's selection for the Origin II clash at Lang Park on June 26 in serious doubt.

A Senate inquiry has heard extraordinary allegations that Tasmanian forestry contractors who were paid by the Government to leave the industry are using a legal loophole to continue work.Under a 2011 Federal Government scheme designed to help the sector, contractors could receive up to $3 million for leaving the industry for 10 years.But there is nothing to prevent them passing on their machinery to a family member under a new business name, and operating from the same site.There is outrage that contractors who received millions of dollars in taxpayers' money have re-entered the industry using the family loophole.

Research has linked greater weight gain in the first month of baby's life to a higher IQ at early school age.

Russia's president Vladimir Putin has hit back at allegations he stole a diamond-encrusted Super Bowl ring from the billionaire owner of an American football team.

Nathan Merritt admits he had virtually given up all hope of ever playing Origin football before his NSW call-up on Tuesday.

Kookaburras star Jamie Dwyer warmed up for his 300th appearance with a five-goal haul in his side's 7-1 win over France at the Hockey World League in Rotterdam.

Barnstorming Canberra Raiders forward Josh Papalii and Manly half-back Daly Cherry-Evans will make their State of Origin debuts after being selected for Queensland in the second game of the series at Lang Park next week.

The Canberra Raiders has thrown its support behind the NRL's decision to stand Blake Ferguson down and confirmed the three parties will meet in the next 24 hours to determine the player's future.

Wallabies winger Digby Ioane declared himself fit for the first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane on Saturday.

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge will contest his rough conduct charge at the AFL tribunal, risking his appearance in Friday night's clash with West Coast.

Fawad Ahmed may join Ashes Test squad after taking first Australia A wicket against Ireland.

African champions Nigeria as expected beat minnows Tahiti 6-1 in their Confederations Cup opening Group B match in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Rabbitohs winger Nathan Merritt will make his State of Origin debut after being named on the wing as the replacement for Blake Ferguson for the second game in Brisbane next week.

South Sydney Rabbitohs prop George Burgess has been stood down by his club after being charged with two counts of wilful damage to a car.

NSW State of Origin back-rower Greg Bird fears the NRL's crackdown on fighting will lead to an increase in players baiting their opponents in a bid to provoke a reaction.

South Sydney Rabbitohs prop George Burgess has been charged with two counts of wilful damage to a car following an incident in Cairns, according to reports.

The pressure of qualifying for Brazil is not suffocating Tim Cahill or the Socceroos as they aim to turn Sydney into their World Cup dream factory for the second time in eight years.

Rodney Eade says the fire still burns to be a senior AFL coach and that he could be open to the Melbourne Demons job, but only if the club approaches him.

Australia's bid for a third straight Champions Trophy title ended in disappointment and their Ashes preparations further damaged, after succumbing to a dramatic 20-run defeat against Sri Lanka at The Oval.

The Brisbane Broncos won their first NRL game in a month with a 32-12 win over fellow strugglers the Wests Tigers.

Blake Ferguson will face court in July after being formally charged with indecent assault and is out of Origin II.

Central Pulse fell short of the four-quarter effort they were looking for, but still had little trouble downing Canterbury Tactix 73-59 in their trans-Tasman netball league match in Wellington on Monday.

The NRL is investigating claims of racist abuse against Canterbury lock Frank Pritchard's wife at Brookvale Oval.

Jorge Lorenzo cut Dani Pedrosa's championship lead to seven points with another win at the Catalunya MotoGP.