More on the Sydney hostage crisis

This is an interesting report from Sputnik – I have not seen any other mention of explosive devices.

Most Australian media is now saying that there has been no contact with the perpetrator although I heard earlier that he wanted to talk directly with Tony Abbott. How did they know this?

And how come they can't work out the flag? It seemed quite strightforward to me.

Meanwhile this from Partisan Girl who seems to be censored. I got a warning saying this was 'sensitive material and did I want to view it?

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Partisangirl ‏@Partisangirl  1h1 hour ago

NSW police commissioner “we are still trying to work out what the flag stands for” yeah right! #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/CvGw6aEWwH

Four Explosive Devices Planted Across Sydney, 40 Hostages Taken: Media

About 40 hostages reportedly have been taken in a cafe near Australia's central bank as four explosive devices have been "planted" across Sydney.

Sputnik News,

15 December, 2014

MOSCOW, December 15 (Sputnik) — Four explosive devices have been "planted" across Sydney and about 40 hostages have been taken in a cafe near Australia's central bank, according to numerous reports.

Local 9News TV channel cited unconfirmed radio reports claiming that at least one of the hostage-takers said there are four devices planted across Sydney and demanded to speak with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

"I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual," Abbott said in a press briefing, extending thoughts and prayers to those "caught up" in the "disturbing incident." Australian police classified the siege as an "armed incident" in a statement, but did not confirm other reports.

Meanwhile, the CEO of the cafe under siege told News Corp Australia's news outlet there may be anywhere from 40 to 50 people being held hostage, including staff and customers. At around 10:00 a.m. local time (02:00 a.m. Moscow) on Monday, customers and staff were taken hostage by armed persons at Sydney's Lindt Cafe.

According to reports, several hostages were forced to hold up a black flag with white writing in the window. A terrorism expert later told local 7News TV channel that though it appeared to bear a testimony of faith in Allah and the prophet Mohammad, it did not belong to the Islamic State (IS). The IS flag bears two different inscriptions, one inside a white circle.

The national security committee of cabinet was reported to have convened for an emergency briefing. The media have also reported the evacuation of the Sydney Opera House after a suspicious object was found.

Australian authorities issued the country's first high-level terrorist threat in September. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that an Islamic State (IS) leader ordered his followers to carry out a number of "demonstration killings" in Australia. The terrorists were reportedly tasked with randomly choosing a victim, wrapping them in the extremist group's flag and beheading them.