$130,000 FOR A LIFE

A COMPANY has been fined $130,000 over an accident in which an employee died after he lost control of a high-powered industrial hose at Port Kembla.

Bravo to genuinely good tapas

14.5 Superb Spanish fare in a casual setting.

Detour while pavilion is revamped

CYCLISTS and pedestrians who use the pathway behind Wollongong's North Beach Bathers Pavilion will hit a detour sign today.

Eugenics cited in Bolt race case

AS A five-year-old in Ingham, north Queensland, Pat Eatock says she got to play at lunchtime in the white children's section of the segregated school playground.

BUILDING STANDARDS

There are not many buildings that could withstand the force of a tsunami like the one that hit Japan this month or Indonesia in 2004. However, construction standards and requirements in many countries have helped reduce the death toll from natural disasters such as earthquakes and cyclones.

Facelift starts for famous pavilion

NORTH Wollongong beachgoers and Blue Mile joggers may notice a few changes as they pass the North Beach Bathers' Pavilion this morning, with work expected to begin on the refurbishment of the building.

In tune with the streetscape

A BEACH HOUSE BUILT TO BRIDGE THE NEEDS OF THREE GENERATIONS.

Buffer zones

Protection from wild weather, plus cultural and eco demands, made this a challenging project, reports Sue Peacock.

City views just one of the perks

$1800 a week CARLTON 11 Argyle Place East Bedrooms Four Available Now Bond $9000 Agent Hocking Stuart, 9388 5200 Melway 2B F10

Cherry-picked colour

A clever redesign has optimised this red-hot terrace, writes Judy Barouch.

Function centre ripe for corporates

JOHN and Barbara Murphy have listed their beautiful Mansfield House function centre in High Street, Maitland, for auction on Thursday, April 14.

Action at grass roots

Angkor's tourist income is funding community projects beyond the Cambodian heritage site, writes Leisa Tyler.

Shumka doubles Paladin stake

DON Shumka doubled his stake in Paladin Energy when the shares were severely dealt with following the earthquake in Japan.

O'Farrell win will add to Gillard's headaches

A few weeks ago the Victorian Health Minister, David Davis, wrote to his federal counterpart, Nicola Roxon, and he wasn't happy.

LIFE AND LIMB

The spotted gum that is king of our backyard exudes grandeur and serenity when it is not harbouring silly possums or raucous cockatoos.

Keeping views from prying eyes

An air of openness pervades this private family home, writes Jenny Brown.

I'll have the makeover she's having

Neighbours in this city building are lining up for a Shelley Roberts design.

hot

Does Melbourne really need another Italian restaurant? At least the Merchant tries to be a bit different, writes Larissa Dubecki The Merchant 495 Collins Street, city 9614 7688 Licensed Open Mon-Sat 7am-11pm Cards AE MC V Diners Eftpos Entrees $8-$20 Mains $25-$45 Desserts $14.50 The Merchant

Once a jolly clever swagman tried in vain to help homeless

You don��t expect Australian charities to be winning international design awards. Then again, you mightn��t expect the world epicentre of supersize houses to tolerate homelessness for one in 200 of its citizens, either. The obvious design solution to an affordability crisis in one of the world��s richest cities is to make houses smaller. Much smaller, in this case, but perfectly formed.

Old bikers out of hand

THEY seem to be everywhere in the Lower Hunter, fat old people trying too hard to be something other than fat old people. No, not our own fat old people, because they're generally resigned to being merely fat and old, but Ulysses Club bike riders and their boilers.

Famous bear 'drowned'

KNUT the polar bear died from drowning, it was claimed yesterday.

Currawong purchase a praiseworthy act

The shock-horror tone of the report about the NSW government's last-gasp purchase of the Pittwater site of Currawong was misjudged ("Labor hit by property scandal", March 22).

The hard work begins Village counts its luck after flash flooding

IT would have been a quiet day at Jamberoo Action Park yesterday but for the staff.

Greens seek compensation for residents

WOLLONGONG Greens candidate Brendan Cook has called for neighbours of Fairy Meadow's controversial Ambience project to be compensated in the wake of what he claims was "clearly absurd" planning approval from a Labor-dominated council.

NOTEBOOK

Youth vote is a matter of debates

Love it or hate it, Beat poet brings concrete jungle alive

CONCRETE HEARTBEAT Old Fitzroy Hotel, March 17 Until April 2 Reviewed by Jason Blake

Revised plan for Honour avenue

THE National Trust and a residents' group have slammed a VicRoads plan for a smaller roundabout to bisect Bacchus Marsh's The Avenue of Honour.

Warehouse for auction

A CONCRETE tilt slab factory/warehouse in Ringwood now used as a licensed indoor sports centre will be auctioned by Gorman Commercial. The property at 156-160 New Street will go under the hammer on site at midday on Wednesday, March 31. The property has a secure lease to Ringwood Action Indoor Sports Centre for seven years, plus three five-year options, with rent of $175,000 per annum plus GST and outgoings.

Will crisis produce a new Japan?

Disasters can quickly transform a nation, and Japan has a chance to propel itself out of the political doldrums.

Whincup holds on to win a wet and wild Clipsal on Adelaide's slippery city streets

BERNIE ECCLESTONE was right. If you can't get real rain then artificial "weather" would surely spice up next weekend's Melbourne formula one grand prix.

So, welcome to Melbourne: is that all there is?

First impressions count and the ride from Tullamarine doesn't count for much, writes Bruce Guthrie.

Three Ls of reincarnation

IF YOU'RE BUILDING, PLAN FOR LONG-LIFE, ADAPTABLE HOUSING.

Government threatens to revoke rioting refugees' visas

THE Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, has warned that 200 asylum seekers involved in violent protests on Christmas Island may have their visas revoked or blocked on character grounds, even if it had already been found they were genuine refugees.

Home sweet unkempt, non-groovy, vermin-infested home

How can I ever make our little part of Sydney measure up?

Crisis of faith for nuclear brahmins

Across the countries of Asia, the leaders of their nuclear industries have moved with the remote authority and mystique of brahmin or Shinto priests, intoning ancient and arcane scriptures, conducting rites and interpreting the heavens.

Biffing bullies is a long shot

It wasn't just the usual suspects. Even ABC radio listeners and Herald letter writers applauded the schoolboy who retaliated to bullying by smashing his tormentor onto a concrete walkway.

Where an idyllic town once lay

ON MARCH 9, two days before the fishing town of Minamisanriku disappeared, the Earth heaved. Those operating the Japanese-language website for the Minamisanriku Town Tourist Association swiftly reassured would-be visitors that there was nothing to worry about.

Retailers caught in web

GPT has joined its competitor retail landlords in testing the online waters by instigating a study of internet operations with a view to adopting a cybershopping presence.

Loud, proud - and willing to talk under wet cement

Sydney is about to salute some of its most colourful public speakers, writes John Huxley.

It's elementary - gas and solar are less risky

If the world has to have nuclear power to keep many millions warm in long snowbound winters, can governments revisit thorium-powered plants as a harm minimisation approach?

Street circuit brings out best

THE V8 Supercar season might have got underway in Abu Dhabi last month, but for the vast majority of Australian fans the 2011 campaign truly roars into life today when the Fords and Holdens hit the streets of Adelaide for the first practice sessions in the Clipsal 500.

May the force be with you ...

Because you wouldn't want to annoy Brad or Chris Scott, writes Peter Hanlon.

White House insists that nuclear plants in the US are safe

THE Obama administration insisted that nuclear power would remain a key component of America's energy mix, despite worldwide anxiety over the safety of reactors and a call by Democrats for a check on those in earthquake zones such as California.

White House insists that nuclear reactors in the US are safe

THE Obama administration insisted that nuclear power would remain a key component of America's energy mix, despite worldwide anxiety over the safety of reactors and a call by Democrats for a check on those in earthquake zones such as California.

Mum and newborn hit by car along Princes Highway

A WOMAN was fighting for her life last night after she and her baby boy were hit by a car while walking on a footpath in Sydney's inner west.

World holds breath hoping rods will cool

RADIATION levels continued to fluctuate around Japan's stricken Daiichi nuclear plant last night after a second large hydrogen explosion caused a mushroom cloud of dust and debris.

Online post gives hope to missing man's family ANXIOUS WAIT

A FACEBOOK message has given family and friends of missing Melbourne man Jason Briffa something to hold on to as more than 1000 Australians remain unaccounted for in Japan.

Shop talk

Where 31 Mills Street, Albert Park, 9686 3132

An earthquake in Japan shakes the world

Another catastrophe on our fragile planet.

THE SERVE

Rating: 3.5/5 Maison Ama Lurra 123 Howard Street, North Melbourne, 9329 6622

March of the tall grey poles has residents fuming

ENERGY Australia is quietly installing a network of 140 giant concrete poles from Sydney to Newcastle as part of a plan that will eventually lead to the replacement of all domestic power meters.

GALLERIES

WHAT William Mackinnon: The Lucky Country

Modern, with family in mind

$2.15 million BRIGHTON EAST 144 South Road Private sale Agent Hocking Stuart, 9596 7055 Melway 76 H4

Le mighty Pen

Even her enemies say Marine Le Pen, leader of the ultra-nationalist National Front, is a force to be reckoned with, and the polls are tipping she could be a significant third player in next year's presidential elections.

Open gallery

STILL ABSTRACTION

World Cup lies in the hands of groundsmen

AS we enter the middle stages of the World Cup, let's assess the batting ability of the six main contenders. The only question that remains is who has the game plan, no matter the conditions?

The new face of Europe's far right

Jean-Marie Le Pen's daughter has shed the extremist rhetoric in an attempt to become the next French president, writes Paola Totaro.

Take a look north for the road ahead

Remember Laurie Brereton? If you were around in NSW in the mid-1980s, it was hard to forget him. As minister for public works, he made sure his name and face was on billboards at every big government project in the state.

Home and away: Seven and Ten corporate drama plays out in court

WHEN A billionaire network chairman like Kerry Stokes offers an ambitious television executive a "CEO role", the usual response is to accept.

Much more at stake beyond TV row

Network owners need to keep the larger game in mind amid the fallout over James Warburton.

Seven takes Ten to court

WHEN a billionaire like Kerry Stokes offers an ambitious TV a "CEO role", the usual response is to accept.

Ten's recruit upsets media playing field

Peace broke out some 18 months ago in the Australian media landscape. The Murdoch and Packer clans were in harmony, Telstra was preoccupied with dealing with the government on the national broadband network, and most significantly, James Packer and Kerry Stokes had entered into a truce.

Critic's view - Friday, March 11

Coast: series return

Bejewelled in a gilded gallery

It's a space of opulent design, writes Stephen Crafti.

Drug heist could yield $43m

CAREFUL planning by three thieves carrying sledgehammers has enabled them to make off with pharmaceutical drugs that carry a potential street value of $43 million.

Beyond rice and lentils

Justine Costigan samples Europe's chic new vegetarian restaurants.

Hope, ambition ... and a little boredom

About 300,000 students have just started at universities across Australia. Gary Newman asked some about their early impressions.

Trio pull off well-planned drug heist

CAREFUL planning by three thieves carrying sledgehammers has enabled them to make off with pharmaceutical drugs that carry a potential street value of $43 million.

24 HOURS THE ARTS DIARY

SKATER GIRL

Still waiting for O'Farrell's plan

The year 2011 is already a significant one. Devastating floods in Queensland and Victoria. A tragic earthquake in New Zealand. Tumultuous political events in Egypt and Libya. Race shamefully emerged in national politics and the Gillard government's carbon tax is under vociferous Coalition attack.

Letters

SCHOOL FUNDING

There's a hare out there . . .

"THE first rabbit I ever made was a bit squat and a bit fat," recalls Melbourne sculptor Peter Mclisky. "But he looked angry and I went with that. I didn't want them to be cute, they needed a bit of attitude, but the size does change that a lot. A small one, with pointed ears, is quite friendly but, at three metres, is quite aggressive."

Where Italy meets Japan

A merging of styles and cultures leads to the best of several worlds, writes Sue Green.

Kelly's rush decision on Barangaroo a sign the government knows it is doomed

CRITICS of the Barangaroo project have always said the government would do anything to get bulldozers ripping up concrete before the election.

Lapping up the Oscar pomp

WHAT do you think of when you think about the Oscars? Rambling speeches stuck together with sticky, treacly words like "truly, sincerely, grateful, inspired, appreciative, thankful" and "blessed"? Or the eerie coincidence that such a huge percentage of the world's beautiful and/or amazing wives happen to all be sitting in the one room? Or maybe you're just impressed by the occasional coining of new terms? ("Triangle of man-love" was a personal favourite this year.)

Fitzroy tenants pushed aside

RESIDENTS of The Hub, the last big private rooming house left in Fitzroy, have been given 60 days' notice to leave the property before the owners start work on a 51-unit apartment complex.

Small can be beautiful

New studio a sweet solution, writes Stephen Crafti.

Signs are there will be no more rescues in ruined city

THE window for miracles is closing in Christchurch. Residents began the day with their doughty mayor, Bob Parker, insisting that it was too soon for the rescue mission to become "recovery" ��� a search for bodies rather than people.