Disputes rose across in the Commonwealth and the states over that 80 billions dollars worth of cuts to health and education fund to go over the next decade. Some states are accusing the federal government of laying the groundwork for an increase to the GST. 

 

Kevin Rodd should begin giving evidence to the home insulation Royal commission today after it was delayed by a legal wrangle. The former prime minister has complained his 31-page statement has been heavily censored. 

 

Anger has irrupted on the streets of Turkey with protesters blaming the Turkish prime minister for a deadly coal mine collapse in the western town of Soma. At least 245 miners have been killed, and frantic search has continued for scores of miners who are still missing. 

 

The Oscar Pistorius murder trial is likely to be delayed for at least a month while the athlete undergoes a mental evaluation. A judge granted a prosecution application to have Pistorius assessed after a witness told the court he was suffering from an anxiety disorder. 

 

And Nicole Kidman has responded to criticism of her new film about Grace Kelly at the opening of the Cannes Film Festival. The critics have panned Grace of Monaco, and Princess Grace's three children have poured scorn on the screenplay, saying it contains historical inaccuracies.