In the United States, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC and other 24-hour news channels had already dedicated most of their Monday morning programming to coverage of the emergency.
When the situation climaxed with hostages fleeing and heavily armed authorities storming the cafe in Sydney's central business district, people around the world watched live.
CNN switched programming to the Seven Network's coverage.
FOX News switched to Australia's Sky News.
The New York Times, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, the UK's Independent and Times, France's Le Monde and other news websites were dominated by the harrowing photos of hostages running for their lives.
At the White House, US President Barack Obama was briefed on the situation by his top counter-terrorism adviser, Lisa Monaco.
Leaders around the world also watched closely.
"I was briefed overnight on the siege in Sydney," British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted.
"It's deeply concerning and my thoughts are with all those caught up in it."
The Indonesian government, through its foreign ministry, released a statement condemning the actions of the hostage taker.
"The Indonesian government states that acts of terror cannot be justified with any reason," it said.
"The Indonesian government, in this case the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Indonesian representatives in Australia, will keep monitoring closely and carefully developments in the incident.
"Indonesian representatives in Sydney are also closely co-ordinating and communicating with Australian authorities, the Indonesian community in Sydney and the Muslim community in Sydney."
Other allies offered support.
Canada's thoughts and prayers are with our Australian friends, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper tweeted.
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