Although every threat has to be taken seriously, usually hostage takers talk rubbish and make unrealistic demands. The Australians aren't as gung ho as Americans...they will probably do what we would do which is sit it out (unless it escalated badly). The real danger is that they are dealing with nutcases and not just trapped bank robbers. Let's hope they have got in above their heads and don't really want to die.
The gunman is older and known to police and the media, but media have been asked to not broadcast details.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11666471.Drama_as_car_drives_straight_through_front_window_of_shop/ Obviously the Sat Nav said "Bear right"!
SPOTY wasn't even close this year. Hamilton received nearly 100,000 more votes than McIlroy (209,920 to 123,745).
I know you are joking, but this is the reason I would never have a satnav. I am willing to admit that there would be a chance that I would obey a satnav when it might be dangerous. I like to have all my concentration on the road....I even turn off my radio if I know I am near my destination and may have to react quickly.
Very happy to tell you that I have today received a cheque for £260 from William Hill. I will be cashing the cheque today, and donating the funds to Benali's Big Run. All twenty competitors have now received the funds, totalling £4,420.
An Australian paper, The Herald Sun, has ripped into people who took selfies and drunk alcohol 100 yards away from the café. ""Lingering just so you can tweet a pic of yourself to your mates, or worse to grab a few coldies and settle in to watch the utter horror unfold like it's a movie at the cinema, is just deplorable" Well said.
We are all hoping for a positive resolution to the Sydney siege, but I'm sure the chance of that is increased by the calm manner of the Australian police (Australians basically being British in behaviour).
In cheerier news, we've just released the first ever live footage of Fable - performing live at the Prince Albert, Brighton, last Tuesday. Chilcs has already had a sneak peek, but hopefully you can see why we've been getting excited - this is real live music, every note sung and played. Go have a look! [video=youtube;W2FEhAHTYDw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2FEhAHTYDw&list=UUkQIgTAwN83WBkAIc8Xv-_Q&index=1[/video]
No Sat nav no matter how cheap is ever going to tell you to turn into a shop window. More likely he hit the kerb and was pulled into the shop window. Seen it happen before........Lucky there was nobody about to get hurt.
Have just had a reply text from my wife's niece who works in an office not 50metres from the Café. Apparently which has been in lockdown for quite a while. They let them out the back way eventually. Apparently the café is used by a lot of very young people in the early evening. Just a note though Fran.......my witnessing of the Police in Australia is no different to the police in Yankee land trust me. (I have personally witnessed both) While I was out in Aussie last month 3 people were gunned down in 1 week in Queensland. Two of those certainly questionable and even the 3rd should have been a leg shot.
I know what you mean. The stabbing got me more then the hostage taking did, 13-14 yr olds seem so young to do that crap.