World News: Killer shoots himself dead after taking lives of seven

A MAN believed to have shot dead seven people in Michigan killed himself today during a stand-off with police.

Two hostages he was holding were safe, police chief Kevin Belk said.

Mr Belk said 34-year-old Rodrick Dantzler shot himself inside a Grand Rapids home where he had been holding the hostages.

Dantzler had earlier released a 53-year-old woman. Two other hostages had remained in the home.

A manhunt for Dantzler began after four people were found dead in one Grand Rapids home and three were found in another. Mr Belk said the dead included two children.

The frantic search included a high-speed chase through central Grand Rapids, during which Mr Belk says the suspect shot two other people. They did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

"We believe there were prior relationships with at least one person at each location, so we think there were some difficulties there," Mr Belk said.

Dantzler was released from state prison in 2005 after serving time for assault less than murder. A spokesman for the prison system said he had not been under state supervision.

Lagarde faces probe D-day

A FRENCH court was due to decide today whether to investigate new IMF chief Christine Lagarde's possible role in securing a 256 million arbitration deal for a controversial businessman. She was French finance minister at the time of the 2008 deal for magnate Bernard Tapie.

Journo death 'was ordered'

PAKISTAN sanctioned the killing of journalist Saleem Shahzad, top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen has claimed.

Shahzad's tortured body was found after he told friends he had been threatened by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, which has denied any role.

Kidnapper is taken down

A MACHETE-wielding man who took 30 children and four teachers hostage for six hours in a Malaysian infant school was shot dead by police today.

None of the captives were harmed during the drama in the southern city of Muar in Johor state.

The crisis ended when the 40-year-old man was shot in the head, said Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman, the deputy police chief.

During negotiations the man threatened to kill the children.

South Sudan becomes nation

The people of South Sudan finally get their own country tomorrow, an emotional independence celebration few thought possible during a half century of civil wars and oppression that left more than two million dead.

Celebrations will burst forth in front of dozens of visiting world leaders.

Leader seen for first time since blast

Yemen: Embattled president Ali Abdullah Saleh has made his first public appearance since he was injured in a blast on his palace compound last month, in an apparent bid to dispel growing speculation about his condition.

United States: New York mayor Michael Bloomberg will officiate at one of the city's first same-sex marriages - the union of two top staffers in his administration.