SNN - World Wide News Headlines

[Jimmy]

World News - 7th June 2006

Further details have come out in the press today of the siege at the Stirling Grand Hotel in Mayfair that came to an end on Sunday morning.

Dramatic scenes were caught on camera of the black clad assaulters as they broke the siege from all angles. Unconfirmed reports tell of a 'shock and awe' attack that hit the terrorists hard and fast. With teams roping in through roof hatches and some going through first floor windows, the captors were soon put out of action and the hostages released.

The team from J-Detachment were soon whisked away back to their HQ at Chelsea Barracks where it is believed the UK Prime Minister joined them for a debrief.


As yet, the Metropolitan Police has refused to comment on the identity of the hostage takers. Many are specualting that they may have been linked to the current crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo after transcripts of leaked negotiation tapes were printed in a daily paper.

[Jimmy]

World News - 16th June 2006

British General, Sir Malcolm Stewart has today condemned the media, calling them 'thoughtless' and a 'liability to the safety of all soldiers in the Congo'. This was after a French News Channel broke the story of a large operation starting Saturday to break down rebel action in the Congo.

Operation Emerald Storm, as it has been named, originally had been planned to remove key commanders involved in the latest anti-Western attacks in past weeks. It remains to be seen if the International forces will adapt their mission after this latest security leak.

Meanwhile in Korea, the battle for Wonju is continuing through it's third week. Fighting is still ferocious and spread across the city.

Video footage has been aired on the internet of the Blackhawk helicopter crew that were shot down last week while on a CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) mission over the Eastern edge of the city. As yet no communication with their captors have been received.

[Jimmy]

World News - 23rd June 2006

News channels in the US and Europe have been reporting from New York as the UN Security Council continue their crisis talks over the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

European led forces attempted to secure assets and Foreign Nationals in the Place Victoire District of Kinshasa over the weekend as the domestic disputes threatened to escalate.

Despite carrying out their primary objectives they could not aid in the capture of leading figures that have been orchestrating the latest violence.

The UN's position appears to being put under increasing strain even though the DM Congo currently contains one of the largest United Nation's Mission in the World.

[Jimmy]

World News - 2nd July 2006

Weekend papers are carrying news of a deal brokered this week between the White House and the Iran and Iraqi Governments.

Since the Joint Non-Aggression Treaty was signed between the two Middle-Eastern Countries earlier this year, relations between Baghdad and Tehran have grown tentatively but with plenty of positives. This latest willingness to cooperate with the Western world will surely set an example to other countries in the region.

White House Press Secretary Scott McKenzie gave a brief statement to gathered press regarding this latest initiative in the 'new war on terror':

"Successful negotiation and talks have produced a new response to help halt the movement of terrorists and fighters through the Middle East. Iran and Iraq have pledged to improve border controls that will hopefully make it harder for these international criminals to move between Asia and Africa by land and eventually by sea.

We hope that Syria, Oman, Yemen and the UAE will join this effort before too long to safeguard the security of the region."

Many papers' see this as a futile effort though after the failure to secure borders in Afghanistan during Op Enduring Freedom. Many experts are also pointing out that minimal US military assistance has been offered, suggesting that the Pentagon are holding troops back for operations in the near future.

[Jimmy]

World News - 6th July 2006

An Improvised explosive device was detonated outside the South Korean Embassy in New York this morning at approximately 5.30am local time. Minor injuries were reported as well as non-structural damage to the building.

Evacuation plans were put into action by security staff as the New York authorities dealt with the situation on East 45th Street.

As yet no parties have claimed responsibilities.

The City Mayor, Ed Gordon; made a quick statement to reassure his people of their safety. " This incident was cowardly and has achieved nothing, if anything it has made us safer by sharpening our blade. You have my word that you can live safe in the City knowing that our fine policemen, firemen and paramedics are keeping it that way. Whoever did this will now have to run, they may hide but they will not get away with it; I promise you all that."

[Jimmy]

World News - 26th July 2006 Special Report

For the last two weeks the SNN reporter, Nigel Moore, has been following the work of British PMC (private military company) Strategic Solutions while they continue to work in the latest world trouble spot, Central Africa.

Moore reports from the estuary city of Port Harcourt in Nigeria where the Company has been operating anti-drug smuggling, piracy, illegal arms trading, residential and personal security operations since the end of April when the Nigerian Government brought their expertise into the country to deal with the increasing instability in the region.

"The past two weeks has shown me a group of men who have carried over their skills learnt in the British Forces with the same dedication and professionalism as before, but for a new employer. As well as operating out of Port Harcourt they are also training the Nigerian Army in the Benue region with an aim to making them self sufficient from Western military support.

The last operation i was present on was a patrol operation near the border with Cameroon which was spearheaded by members of the Company and supported by Nigerian soldiers. The mission was to halt the transport of drugs across the border and deny the 'runners' the ground to move in. Extensive patrolling and deliberate attacks on the 'runners' caches and camps resulted in their removal from the country and another step forward in bringing stability to the area."

An employee of Strategic Solutions who wished to remain anonymous spoke to our reporter about the increasing tension in Africa and the growth of similar PMC's.

"Many people think we are just guns for hire, merc's, whatever you want to call them but there's a line where on one side there's us and on the other there are the glory boys and walter mitty's. There's been a steep rise in mercenary companies operating in Africa since the trouble in the Congo started earlier this year, it's easy money at the moment and it's not going away soon. These rogue outfits are taking people from all over the world, i've heard of fighters from the East coming over, people who have trained in terror camps getting work, whether there's a link between the two i couldn't say but something is growing and it's giving us a bad name.

I'd like to think that we are the honest side of the business but there are things we do that maybe we shouldn't but we wouldn't be where we are without doing them. At the moment the work in Nigeria is doing no one any harm and helping to steady the Country so it can support itself when we leave."

There has been many calls from Westminster for the end of companies like these where they maybe in the same theatre as British Armed Forces personnel.

[Jimmy]

World News - 28th July 2006 Breaking news

Eyewitness reports are reaching the SNN newsroom of an ongoing street battle near the South African city of Johannesburg.

It is understood that the fighting is concentrating around the Sandton Convention Centre just outside the city that is hosting a meeting between several Heads of States' from the African Continent.

The highly trained SA Special Task Force (STF) is believed to have been overseeing the security of the meeting and have reacted immediately to the as yet unidentified threat.


SSN managed to speak to Todd Daniels from the ABC News Network who was present at the Centre when the attack happened, we spoke to him from his hotel room in the Sandton Complex.

"We (the Press) were waiting for the daily press conference when a loud bang was heard from the direction of the main gate, after that the STF started moving us back to our rooms.

As we were moving towards the main lobby we could see out of the front windows to our left what looked like a scene from a film. The gatehouse wasn't there anymore and there were people firing towards us. The STF were outside firing back at whoever those people were, it looked like Baghdad out there.

I don't know what has happened to the Heads of States'; we have been told to stay back from the windows but we heard a helicopter come in to land and then there was another explosion so we don't really know what is happening at the moment, no one is telling us the extent of what is going on."


SNN hope to bring you updates on the situation as we get them.

[Jimmy]

World News - 29th July 2006

We can now bring you an update on the Santon Complex attack in South Africa.

Sources from within the country are reporting that the attackers are as yet unknown and that the complex is now in their control; this is still unconfirmed by the SA authorities though.

Further eyewitness accounts report a delivery truck approaching the main gate shortly before the first explosion and then two large vehicles driving into the area immediately afterwards.

At the time of the attack, the Sandton Complex was hosting a meeting of the Heads of States of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Angola and Zambia. The summit was to discuss the continuing instability in the North of the Continent.

Since our last broadcast we have not been able to get in contact with the abc reporter Todd Daniels, we will bring you updates as we have them.

[Jimmy]

World News - 29th July 2006

SNN news has in the last hour received a phone call from an alleged attacker at the Sandton Complex, South Africa; the scene of the terrorist takeover that started yesterday.

The man did not give his name but read a brief statement on behalf of his group:

"This is a message to the world from the Angels of Adedewe. We have been forced to act upon our fellow brothers because of the treacherous actions they have been committing within this very building.

We will no longer allow these countrys to bring the West into our lands to steal our riches and exploit our brothers and sisters for their imperialist gain.

Our first demand to the Continents leaders is the unilateral withdrawal of all UN operations in Africa; if we do not think this is being started then we will be forced to make you act.

The Angels will keep attacking those who we see as working for the West until we achieve our aims."

We wait for official confirmation from the SA authorites towards the authenticity of this message but Kevin Jacobs from Templars Risk International can give us his initial impressions.

"If this message is authentic then it is pretty likely that they are a very committed group that will carry on towards their aim regardless of the consequences. It seems that they are a very organised group that has planned this outrage meticuously and had enough training to successfully take on an elite police unit like the STF.

It is important not to underestimate the effectiveness of a group like this, the Beslan siege is still fresh in many Governments minds, let alone the tragedy of Waco. The authorites will be trying for a peaceful outcome but will be ready to go in hard if the captors force their hand.

This situation will be greatly more difficult to deal with compared to the Stirling Grand Hotel siege earlier this year in London; thie size of the complex and the manner of which the initial takeover was executed will give the Police alot to think about."

[Jimmy]

World News - 2nd August 2006

As the Sandton Complex siege in South Africa drags into its fifth day, many International Leaders and Heads of Religions are calling on the Angels of Adedewe to release their hostages.

So far just two hostages have been released on medical grounds as the concern begins to mount for a safe conclusion to the situation.

[Jimmy]

World News - 3rd August 2006, Breaking News

News wires have started carrying reports in the last couple of hours of shots being fired at the Sandton Complex siege outside Jo'Berg in South Africa.

Many eyewitness accounts speak of an initial small explosion at the rear of the Complex near to the residential zones where it was believed that the hostages were being held.

An extensive exchange of automatic fire followed and then a further set of explosions were heard as the gathered press were pushed further away by the police.

South African officials have confirmed that shots have been fired but have yet to release any exact details.

The South African Police are fully aware of the risks of attempting to breach the siege after the loss of a service helicopter on the first day of the incident in an attempt to extract the Heads of States.

[Jimmy]

World News - 4th August 2006

SNN news can now go direct to Cape Town for a press conference with the South African authorities in response to the dramatic scenes at the Sandton Complex in Johannesburg yesterday evening.

"At 19:58 hours local time, an STF (Special Task Force) team were conducting a close target recconaissance on the rear of the Michelangelo Hotel when a improvised explosive device was triggered.

Two members of the team were injured and while they were being extracted a firefight with the hostage takers ensued.

Believing there was a credible risk to the hostages, the decision was made to initiate an emergency breach from the direction of Rivonia Road. Exact details cannot be confirmed of this action at present but a number of further devices were detonated upon entry to the building.

It is unclear yet what started the fire in the main lobby but fire crews have now managed to control the flames and we now believe it will not spread any further towards anymore of the guest areas.

It is my unfortunate duty to inform you of the losses of a number of individuals and their identities will be announced in due course.

I can also confirm that we have managed to release four hostages from near the main lobby area after the fire started but again no further details can be released at present.

No questions will be taken now but we will update you as operational matters dictate."

That was the Deputy National Commissioner in charge of Operational Services, Thomas Haasbroek.

[Jimmy]

World News - 7th August 2006

At a press conference earlier today, Deputy National Commissioner Haasbroek, announced the news that many news agencies had been speculating upon since the failed breach on Thursday evening.

"It is with great regret that i have to announce that during the events of Thursday evening there were fatalities amongst the hostages. As yet we are unsure of the causes but we can now confirm that the Presidents of Malawi and Zimbabwe have lost their lives with other hostages."

Kevin Jacobs from Templars Risk International has joined us again to discuss the latest events.

" This raises the stakes to an unimaginable level now. Any loss of life in a situation like this is bad enough but when it's another Nations leader on foreign soil then it becomes even more complicated. Both the Zimbabwe and Malawi authorities will be wanting to get involved but it's imortant for the STF to keep control.

The terrorists will now be feeling the pressure, they will have been deprived of sleep and proper food for a long time now. They will be losing the use of rational thought and it is now that either they will give in or do something stupid.

It is quite odd that the situation hasn't been resolved already after such a loss of life, but it is understandable that the South African's will be more wary of laying their cards on the table again. There must be a good reason for this, it is more than likely that they are keeping tactical information from us."

[Jimmy]

World News - 8th August 2006

Stories of an unknown party attempting to negotiate with the terrorists involved in the Sandton Complex siege are beginning to circulate from South Africa.

No one can confirm who the mystery party is, but sources believe that they are trying to communicate over public radio with the Brothers of Adedewe that still hold an unknown amount of hostages including six Heads' of States.

[Jimmy]

World News - 10th August 2006, Breaking News

SNN has received news direct from South Africa that the Sandton Complex siege has come to an end. The Authorities are still to confirm these details but our reporter at the scene, Nigel Moore has told us of scenes of people shouting their surrender to the Police from the windows.

At least ten men that were stripped to their underwear then exited onto the road between the hotel and the Convention Centre. They were then searched by the STF on the ground before being taken away in vans.

The state of the hostages is still unknown but emergency crews were fast to act with the STF clearing the building before fire crews and paramedics entered.

It waits to be seen how the Countries involved will respond to this incident now it has been resolved.