12-Hour Aussie Standoff Ends, Girl Safe

A 12-hour standoff has ended in Australia after police forced their way into the Sydney law office where a man, who claimed he had a bomb in his backpack, was holding his daughter hostage. The move was made after negotiations began to break down, say police. The 12-year-old girl has been returned to her family, and the backpack is currently being examined. The 52-year-old man's name has not yet been released. The AP notes that the drama began after he entered the reception area of the law office and demanded twice to see someone who an employee had never heard of. He then threw a book at her and walked into an office. Click for more details. (More Australia stories.)