Locked up for life
Tom Allard Bronson Blessington was just 14 when he committed one of Australia's most shocking crimes. But is it right to put a child behind bars indefinitely?
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Into the deep
![Nick Mevoli.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/e/p/7/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm5u31.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Adam Skolnick Free-diving into the world's deepest saltwater sink hole, a young champion puts his life on the line - and a spotlight on a perilous sport.
Ram's balls for brekkie
![Franz Scheurer shows off his fish semen dish.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/e/p/9/v/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm6mh1.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Stephanie-Wood- Offal aficionado Franz Scheurer gives the morning fry-up a bizarre twist with meals that many wouldn't eat, yet thousands want to view on his daily Instagram feed.
Benjamin Law
![Benjamin Law.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/8/5/u/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmeev5.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
I've no idea how my mum raised five children. Even thinking about Mum's life between 1976 and 2007 leaves me exhausted.
From Hackney to Hollywood
!["Watching the Denzels, the Wesley Snipes, I thought, 'I could do that,' " says Elba of his decision to pursue acting.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/e/p/1/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm50u9.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Will Pavia British actor Idris Elba has gone from sleeping in a van and working as a doorman to portraying Nelson Mandela and starring in The Wire. Just don't ask him about Bond, James Bond.
Step on it
!["It's a big misconception that you can just shuffle around totting up your 10,000 steps and that's it for the day."](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/e/p/5/v/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmebm8.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Pete Bee Walking 10,000 steps a day has become a mantra of modern health. But where did the figure come from - and is it enough?
Fat, frocked up and fighting back
![Kath Read, a size 26, has found pride and purpose via her website and blog, Fat Heffalump: Living With Fattitude.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/9/l/k/t/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glhlg7.10g7zu.png/1454301809254.jpg)
Tim-Elliott They call themselves "fat priders" and they have become so tired of being abused - in person and online - by complete strangers, that they are fighting back.
Mission for justice
![Mick Isles in 2007.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/9/l/a/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gloy1q.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Frank Robson Queensland cop Mick Isles was declared dead by suicide. Yet, asks his family, where is his body - and why would he subject them to the anguish of so many unknowns?
Om ... and off
![<i>Illustrations: Whooli Chen/The Illustration Room</i>](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/9/m/3/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkxa4k.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Luke Williams Luke Williams joins a mindfulness retreat, only to discover the here and now isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Ode to Damascus
![Students gather in a Damascus teahouse.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/9/l/x/1/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjfc8y.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Luke Slattery The hopes and dreams of young Damascenes crystallise the tragedy of Syria.
Amanda Hooton
![Amanda Hooton.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/h/d/b/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm90qg.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
What better item for a domestic goddess than a set of tea towels that doubles as a to-do list?
Wild thing
![Rene Redzepi.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/4/w/e/v/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnnvs.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Amanda Hooton Chef Rene Redzepi has developed a taste for Australia - our sun, surf and ants. Expect the extraordinary when Noma Sydney pops up later this month.
Just a second
![Benjamin Law.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/8/5/u/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm39hm.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Benjamin Law As far back as i can remember, my new year's resolution has been the same. "From now on, Benjamin,"
'I want to breed geeks'
![Making devices: will-i-am.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/4/w/l/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glkk50.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
John Arlidge Rapper will.i.am is moving to the sound of a different beat, hoping to inspire a new generation to become the tech entrepreneurs of the future.
The man Australia wanted to hug
![Daniel, who made a nation take notice: "When he does open up, he's so vulnerable."](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/4/v/3/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm4q18.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Stephanie Wood Daniel's life "went south" from age nine: his harrowing experience of lost family, foster homes, drug addiction and mental-health issues moved TV viewers to tears. Now, things are looking up.
Please take your seats
![<i>Illustration: Simon Letch</i>](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/4/w/d/x/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glop7t.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Fenella Souter In the face of trickling support for the sit-down performance, outraged micturators say it's time to stand up and be counted.
Crime scene
![Living in Venice maddens Donna Leon every day.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/4/w/h/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3ag9.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Jane Cadzow Millions of readers, including our own PM, have fallen for mystery novelist Donna Leon's blockbuster Commissario Brunetti series. But it's not her proudest achievement.
A friend in need
![<i>Illustration: John Shakespeare</i>](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/4/w/e/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm4on2.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Louis Nowra A sick chihuahua gives Louis Nowra reason to reflect on the bond we share with our pets.
Round the bend
![Sublime: the Amalfi Coast.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/4/w/k/b/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3jti.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Ian Cuthbertson The Amalfi Coast offers some of Italy's most stunning scenery – just as long as you can maintain your sanity behind the wheel of a car, writes Ian Cuthbertson.
Amanda Hooton
![Amanda Hooton.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/2/n/b/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm368i.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
It's never too early in the year for a miracle. But is dreaming of an annus mirabilis just being greedy?
Super saviours
![Benjamin Law.](/web/20160201054329im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/f/4/o/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glpmj8.10g7zu.png/1454284187206.jpg)
Friends, it's that time of the year again, when we find ourselves startled by how 2015 is almost over (wasn't it April last week?) and the fact Christmas is around the corner.