Close X
Sunday, January 12, 2025
ADVT 
National

Canada mourns with Australia over hostage incident in Sydney, says Harper

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Dec, 2014 03:01 PM

    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has sent Canada's condolences to Australia after the deadly hostage-taking in Sydney.

    Australian police ended a 16-hour standoff today when they rushed a downtown coffee shop where a man had been holding 17 people.

    The clash left two hostages and the gunman dead and four others wounded.

    The prime minister offered condolences to the family and friends of the hostages who were killed.

    He also wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

    He says Canada mourns with Australia.

    "We are also outraged by this barbaric act of depravity on innocent civilians who were merely going about their daily routine," he said in a statement.

    The gunman was identified as Man Haron Monis, an Iranian-born, self-described cleric who once was prosecuted for sending offensive letters to families of Australian troops killed in Afghanistan.

    Monis was also facing charges in the death of his wife last spring and in a sexual assault case.

    Harper, who has cultivated a reputation for taking a hard line against terrorism, didn't directly label the incident a terror attack, but did allude to the need for international action.

    "Canada and our allies will stand firm and will stand together against those who would threaten peace, freedom and democracy and all of the values we so cherish."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Government wants integrity czar's probe of alleged RCMP wrongdoing tossed out

    Government wants integrity czar's probe of alleged RCMP wrongdoing tossed out
    OTTAWA — The Conservative government is trying to quash a finding of the federal integrity commissioner concerning alleged wrongdoing within the RCMP.

    Government wants integrity czar's probe of alleged RCMP wrongdoing tossed out

    Not Canada's job to stop fake goods from going to the U.S.: minister

    Not Canada's job to stop fake goods from going to the U.S.: minister
    OTTAWA — The federal industry minister is dismissing U.S. complaints about the Conservative government's proposed anti-counterfeiting bill.

    Not Canada's job to stop fake goods from going to the U.S.: minister

    Supreme Court agrees to hear pair of cases dealing with impaired driving

    Supreme Court agrees to hear pair of cases dealing with impaired driving
    OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear a pair of cases involving drivers stopped by police at roadside checks.

    Supreme Court agrees to hear pair of cases dealing with impaired driving

    Canadian CF-18s conduct "secret" humanitarian air drop escort mission

    Canadian CF-18s conduct
    OTTAWA — Canadian warplanes conducted a humanitarian escort flight into Iraq, but the military is refusing to say how many were involved, where it took place, when it happened — or who it benefited.

    Canadian CF-18s conduct "secret" humanitarian air drop escort mission

    Today on the Hill: Violence prevention is on the agenda

    Today on the Hill: Violence prevention is on the agenda
    OTTAWA — As Parliament grapples with misconduct complaints against two former Liberal MPs, a couple of timely events are taking place today on the Hill.

    Today on the Hill: Violence prevention is on the agenda

    Crown psychiatrist suggests it's possible Magnotta was sane, aware during slaying

    Crown psychiatrist suggests it's possible Magnotta was sane, aware during slaying
    MONTREAL — A psychiatrist hired by the Crown cast doubt Wednesday on Luka Rocco Magnotta's defence that he was not criminally responsible the night he killed Jun Lin.

    Crown psychiatrist suggests it's possible Magnotta was sane, aware during slaying