The tsunami yesterday in Indonesia has killed almost/over 100 people, and yet on the morning news it barely rates a mention beyond the current news scroll bar. Magic words: no pictures yet, no Australians hurt.

The news this morning was flooded with phonecalls from Australians trapped in Lebanon or interviews with those recently arrived home. Magic words: Australians, lots of pictures.

Question: How well did the tsunami warning system work?

I heard this morning on Triple J news that the prison island where Bali bomber terrorists are awaiting their execution had 15 as yet unidentified prisoners are missing. [Radio Australia news]

Update: News coverage seems a bit better on The Sydney Morning Herald website:

Regional agencies had warned that a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck 150 miles off Indonesia's southern coast was strong enough to create a tsunami on Java. But there was no warning system for those on the southern coast.

Those with a keen eye may have noticed that the bin-liner business has suddenly boomed. An area of the supermarket that previously had maybe two options suddenly has scores of brands, designs and scents to choose from.

Why?

Supermarkets are reducing the number of plastic bags they give away.

So now they manufacture more plastic bags to fill the gap.