The little band that could

Big things are happening for the Little Stevies, writes Jo Roberts.

Blood Pressures

Blood Pressures The Kills (Domino/EMI) Rating: 3/5

Maggi cooks up major makeover

LIKE a lot of 40-somethings, the Maggi brand has had a good look in the mirror and decided it's out of date. This weekend, Maggi will start introducing new product lines, revamped packing and a $10 million marketing campaign to support the makeover.

Correction

In This Old House (March), a photo of Leichhardt was dated incorrectly. Leichhardt Library advises it is circa 1900 "give or take five years".

Cash for driving kids to school

AN Upper Hunter mother who gets paid up to $6000 a year to drive her children to and from school said the government scheme was a waste of money and a rort.

Frenzal adjustment

Frenzal adjustment THE date of Frenzal Rhomb's Newcastle show has been shifted from April 29 to 28. But tickets already bought for the April 29 Bar on the Hill show at Newcastle University will be honoured.

Clarke's faults: young, good-looking, with a touch of celebrity

Misgivings over the new Test captain have nothing to do with his cricket.

Critic's view - Sunday, April 3h

The Lost Thing

Jokes aside, Trollope takes on mother-in-law struggles

JOANNA Trollope's latest novel tackles the fraught relationship between a mother and the wives of her three sons. So one of the first questions for the British novelist is, does she mind people telling her mother-in-law jokes?

Visa agents involved in sex trade Rackets operate in city apartments

MIGRATION agents registered by the federal government are helping to run illegal prostitution rackets across Melbourne.

the view

IT'S not exactly a white flag of surrender but it's certainly a signal that Channel Ten's opening salvo in the battle for the key 6pm timeslot hasn't fired as planned. The network's move of 6PM with George Negus to 6.30pm from Monday follows two months of disappointing ratings.

Reader competition

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Osieck imprint has Socceroos on course for Brazil

I don't know Holger Osieck well but I do know he is squeezing the very best out of a Socceroos selection which not that long ago looked like it had passed its used-by date.

Costly caffeine

THOSE who can't do without their morning (and sometimes mid-morning and afternoon) coffee will have to dig a little deeper into their pockets in the coming months.

Club fined, warned

BAR Beach Bowling and Sporting Club chairman Darryl Lowe says the club is in an excellent position, despite a scathing report from its governing body after an audit.

Making cents of romance

A COLLECTABLE 50-cent coin to mark Prince William and Catherine Middleton's engagement will go on sale today.

Time to begin building

NEWCASTLE MP Sharon Grierson has defended a decision to revert to original plans to build a childcare centre on the lower side of Merewether Heights Public School.

Rock concert vs the pub gig

NATHAN Tinkler's slick presentation to Knights members at an information session in the main auditorium at Newcastle Panthers on Monday night was like a rock concert.

Racing to defence

FORMER chief executive Maurice Sinclair is adamant he has left the Newcastle Jockey Club in solid financial shape.

Ponting pulls pin as leader

IN THE end, Ricky Ponting didn't need a tap on the shoulder.