THE sale by billionaire John Gandel of his half share in the $900 million Northland shopping centre in Melbourne has been hit with its own tidal wave after brokers issued a downgrade to the retail property sector if the government's flood levy is initiated.

Rocky (1976) Fox Classics, 8.30pm Dr Phil W, 4.20pm Tidal Wave - No Escape (1997) Hallmark, 10.15pm Reno 911! Comedy Channel, 9pm

COLES Myer chief executive John Fletcher has responded to the tidal waves of takeover speculation that have washed over the company in recent weeks with a nationwide advertising campaign that highlights the performance of management and staff in achieving the retail giant's strategic goals.

The first Australians returned home last night from sites devastated by tidal waves and told of running in terror as surging water swept bodies to sea.

SIX-MONTH-OLD Melina Heppell is one of two Australians confirmed among the 23,000 dead in tsunami-devastated South-East Asia. Melina, from Western Australia, was swept from her father's arms on Patong Beach, in Phuket, Thailand, when tidal waves hit on Sunday.