Police fired a barrage of tear-gas canisters and bullets today in a major assault on Muslim suspects who took over a maximum-security jail in Manila, killing at least 17 of them, officials said.

Rebellious soldiers demanding the resignation of the government of the Philippines have been given a deadline to surrender or face military action.

An American soldier was among three people killed and 25 injured when a powerful bomb packed with nails exploded outside a restaurant in the troubled southern Philippines tonight.

Four tanks have reportedly entered the Philippine presidential palace as fears of a coup grip the country.