World News: Four dead as woman goes on gun rampage in hospital

Four people died and a policeman was seriously injured after a blast in an apartment building and shooting in a nearby hospital in a town in south-western Germany.

Two people were found dead in the apartment building that burst into flames after the explosion yesterday, officials said.

A woman, allegedly armed with a weapon, was seen running from the scene of the blast into the neighbouring St Elisabeth hospital, where she reportedly opened fire, killing a member of the hospital staff, said Loerrach prosecutor Dieter Inhofer.

The woman then turned her gun on officers responding to the shooting and was killed in an exchange of gunfire.

One police officer was seriously wounded.

There were not thought to be any other victims in the hospital in the town of Loerrach, near the Swiss and French borders.

"There was a very heavy exchange of gunfire in the hospital that had the potential to be very dangerous, but based on what we know right now no-one else was injured," Inhofer said.

Authorities are still searching for a motive.

US told 'future belongs to Iran'

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that "the future belongs to Iran", as he arrived in the United States to attend the annual General Assembly of the United Nations.

He challenged the US to accept that his country has a major role in the world.

Troops die in convoy attack

At least 23 soldiers have been killed after a convoy was attacked by Islamic militants in Tajikistan.

The attack comes amid rising tension following a string of terrorist blasts and large-scale prison escapes by Islamist insurgents and government opponents.

Far-right wins Swedish seats

A FAR-RIGHT party held the balance of power in Sweden after winning seats in parliament for the first time.

The surge by the anti-Islam Sweden Democrats plunged the country into political disarray.

The Sweden Democrats won 5.7 per cent of the vote to gain 20 seats in the 349-seat legislature, according to yesterday's preliminary results.

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's four-party coalition won 172 seats, three short of a majority.

ETA calls for foreign mediator

The armed Basque separatist group ETA said it was willing to accept international mediation to help solve its conflict with Spain's government.

The group said it was willing to "jointly explore" the steps required for a democratic process.

Thousands flee homes as typhoon hits

Taiwan: Thousands of residents were forced to flee as a powerful typhoon struck, flooding the southern part of the island, crippling transport and shutting off power. Typhoon Fanapi is the first major storm to strike the island this year.

India: At least ten people were reported killed and 50 others injured today when a freight train slammed into a stationary passenger locomotive at a railway station amid heavy rain.