11 replies to this topic

[Waser Lave]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...tralia-30473983

 

So customers in a cafe in Sydney have been taken hostage by an apparent Islamist gunman for about 6 hours so far.

 

 

A gunman is holding staff and customers hostage at a cafe in Sydney, Australia.

 

The Lindt cafe in the city centre is surrounded by armed police. Officers have made contact with the gunman.

 

Five people have been seen running from the building. It is not clear how many remain inside. A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window.

 

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation".

 

He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the national security committee in Canberra.

 

Earlier Mr Abbott said: "Australia is a peaceful, open and generous society - nothing should ever change that and that's why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual."

 

Senior police officers say they are on a footing "consistent with a terrorist event".

 

[Kau]

When something like this happens on my home soil, its pretty scary...

I hope the situation is resolved soon.

[Norava]

Crazy. I'm glad the australians are reaching out and supporting the islamic community and not performing hate crimes against them. 

[w0nderwall]

2 supposedly dead, including the gunman.

 

My boyfriend is from Australia and he says he can't recall something like this ever happening during his lifetime.

[KaibaSama]

I'm glad mostly everyone was unharmed (or at least not dead). It feels odd for this to happen in Australia. I mean when people hear "Australia" they think of kangaroos and really creepy animals (like giant spiders or something), not crazy Islamist people.

[jinq]

Still not as scary as gun violence in the US

[Adam]

I'm glad mostly everyone was unharmed (or at least not dead). It feels odd for this to happen in Australia. I mean when people hear "Australia" they think of kangaroos and really creepy animals (like giant spiders or something), not crazy Islamist people.

I also like to think of @Strategist, and his wonderful green dildo.

 

Also, one life is too much to lose, but I'm glad that more people were not harmed in this.

[jinq]

I'm glad mostly everyone was unharmed (or at least not dead). It feels odd for this to happen in Australia. I mean when people hear "Australia" they think of kangaroos and really creepy animals (like giant spiders or something), not crazy Islamist people.

+Cone snails, box jellyfish, crocodiles, inland taipan and costal taipan

[Prisca]

it had a lot of us here (aus) on the edge of our seats, watching live updates. Events like this draw out the good and really bad in people. It is pretty sad. I am glad most everyone made it out okay, i hope the injured return to full health quickly and hope the families of those who died are well supported and loved. This is such a huge tragedy for those families.

[redlion]

Apparently the guy had legal woes. His lawyer says this is the act of a desperate man.

If that's so, perhaps instead of jail time we incarcerate him in hugs? Make him less desperate. Get him laid.

So many teens wouldn't go shooting up their schools if they were getting laid.

[DonValentino]

Apparently the guy had legal woes. His lawyer says this is the act of a desperate man.

If that's so, perhaps instead of jail time we incarcerate him in hugs? Make him less desperate. Get him laid.

So many teens wouldn't go shooting up their schools if they were getting laid.

 

agreed prostitution should be legalized