CNNI interrupted the 1230gmt run of Talk Asia at 1248gmt for a "Live Event" - a press conference by President George W Bush at the White House, on the nomination of Robert Gates for position of the Secretary of Defence. Shihab Rattansi, live in Atlanta, introduced the press conference.

In the end, the conference only lasted 40 seconds! For the remainder of the half hour, Shihab continued with other stories, including a file on Robert Gates, bombings in Iraq, Tehran's warning to Europe and the military coup in Fiji.

Talk Asia did not resume.

Shihab returned at 1300gmt and appeared to start with World News, although there was no formal start of programme - no announcement or titles.