<p><a href=“Sydney siege is over, say police, as hostages flee the scene – as it happened | Sydney | The Guardian”>http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2014/dec/15/sydney-siege-reports-of-hostage-situation-inside-martin-place-cafe-live</a>
Up to twelve people inside.</p>
<p>So many cable channels, and no news outlets are covering this. I don’t want to watch coverage of people behind viral videos … I want to know what is going on in Sydney. The reports are scary.</p>
<p>Some reports say up to 50 people.
The Opera House has been evacuated.
<a href=“Sydney siege: Hostages held in Lindt cafe - BBC News”>http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-30473983</a></p>
<p>CNN is covering it now- not sure about on the TV but on the website at least. </p>
<p>Really, really scary. </p>
<p>I saw this a couple of hours ago on Facebook of a friend in Australia. I was surprised not to be able to find it on CNN.com - well, perhaps disappointed would be more truthful than surprised. Thank goodness for the BBC.</p>
<p>Flights over the area were also suspended.</p>
<p>I logged into cnn about half and hour ago and saw coverage of this. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/14/world/asia/australia-operation/index.html?hpt=hp_t1”>http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/14/world/asia/australia-operation/index.html?hpt=hp_t1</a></p>
<p>These people are despicable.</p>
<p>Here’s a bit that shows the degree to which people - meaning Westerners - try to avoid saying the word “Islam” in these cases. "Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was convening a meeting of the cabinet’s national security committee for a briefing on what he called a hostage situation in Australia’s commercial capital. He later said it was unclear if the siege was politically motivated.</p>
<p>“We don’t yet know if this is politically motivated, although there are some indications that it might be,” Abbott told reporters in Canberra."</p>
<p>Yes, it’s unclear what a guy wearing an Islamic headband means or what an Islamic flag held against the windows by hostages means. Imagine if Obama said something as stupid as that.</p>
<p>One of the hostages managed to send a tweet advising police to be cautious.
Sounds mysterious.
Two gunmen reportedly.</p>
<p>Evil</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>?
Maybe the terrorists have booby-trapped the doors, windows or ?</p>
<p>These people are totally out of control. Somebody has to stop them. Are the reports regarding the Islamic flag true?</p>
<p>If you’re referring to the IS flag, according to EK’s link… no. </p>
<p>It reportedly had an Islamic statement of faith on it. Reportedly. </p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t blame politicians and others for being super cautious with their words. In fact, I’m glad. I’m kind of sick of the jump to conclusions journalism that we have on constant stream. I hope this is a trend towards more careful reporting in the midst of unfolding events. </p>
<p>Well, what do the hostage-takers WANT? They aren’t just doing this for fun and games. They either want something (money, release of prisoners, ??), or they just want to terrorize or kill people.</p>
<p>Uber is now charging customers in the vicinity a premium?
How. Classy.
<a href=“Uber intros surge pricing during Sydney hostage siege, then backtracks after user outcry | Mashable”>Uber intros surge pricing during Sydney hostage siege, then backtracks after user outcry | Mashable;
<p>
</p>
<p>I’m sure it’s something but I’d rather people not speculate. We’ll know. Eventually. </p>
<p>It’s being covered on CNN International. </p>
<p>@Lergnom- where did you see anything about an Islamic headband? I haven’t seen that. </p>
<p>Now they’re saying only one potential shooter. Earlier they were saying two. This is what I mean by rush reporting that IMO doesn’t help anything but rather hurts the whole situation. </p>
<p>Australian ABC television - live feed. <a href=“News Channel - ABC News”>http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/</a></p>
<p>Thanks Elleneast! CNN here is still running the Dinosaur documentary. Go figure.</p>