In modern times risks with airplanes is a serious matter. So when there was a scare on a United Airlines plane out of Sydney people get worried. Reuters at 15:51 reported the incident. At 16:11 HK time Reuters then reported Sydney Airport says no attempt made to break into United Airlines Flight 840 Cockpit. The full Reuters article on the incident clarifies that it was a false alarm and the plane was returning to Sydney as a precaution. So it's a shame the people at CNN haven't learnt how to use the net or read news wires before embarrassing themselves. It is currently 16:47 HK time and CNN TV have broken their coverage of the world's most boring political event to report on the incident, invoking all the usual panicky buzzwords and stooping to that lowest form of journalism: interviewing other journalists. Hell even their website confirms it was all a false alarm. Talk about a non-story; it's the equivalent of speaking without thinking but it seems to be how "news" is made these days.

Left hand, meet right hand.

In happier news, Alexander Downer, Australia's Foreign Minister, has started growing a backbone. It seems being diplomatic these days involves calling a spade a spade.