World News: Bomber hunt begins after deadly Mumbai explosions

Indian police are looking into "every possible hostile group" in their search for the culprits behind the triple bombing in the heart of Mumbai that killed 17 people and wounded 131 others.

The attacks were the worst terror strike in the country since the siege of Mumbai that killed 166 people 31 months ago, and government officials struggled to reassure Indians over their safety.

"I want to assure everyone that India will continue to work and grow and prosper," Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said today after an emergency security meeting.

No-one has claimed responsibility for the bombings yesterday, which shook three neighbourhoods within minutes of each other during the busy evening rush hour.

The attack came just months after peace talks resumed between India and Pakistan, but Indian officials have so far refused to speculate who might be behind the blasts.

The blasts ripped off storefronts, shredded a bus stop and left bodies strewn in the dirt.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts and appealed to the people of Mumbai "to remain calm and show a united face".

Berry 'stalker' refutes charge

A MAN charged with stalking Halle Berry pleaded not guilty and was ordered to stay 500 yards away from the actress if he is released from jail.

The star has come face-to-face with Richard A Franco, 27, at least twice since Saturday, when he first breached security at her Hollywood home.

Jail stand-off ends in peace

A 27-DAY prison uprising ended without bloodshed when 831 inmates emerged from the embattled Rodeo II prison after negotiations with officials, Venezuelan authorities said.

Justice minister Tareck El Aissami said that the National Guard had taken control of the prison from inmates and that "we've managed for all of them to come down".

He said the stand-off had been resolved after long talks, including a guarantee that the inmates would not be harmed.

Vatican fury at Beijing bishop

A VATICAN-affiliated news agency says China's government-backed Catholic church is expected to ordain another bishop without the Pope's approval.

Today's ordination of Father Joseph Huang Bingzhang would be Beijing's third without a papal mandate in eight months.

Four killed in house blast

A PAKISTAN government official says a blast ripped through a house where explosives and weapons had been stored in the south-west of the country, killing four people.

Habibullah Khan Kundi says today's blast in Chaman town on the Afghan border also wounded ten people.

Egypt fires 700 police to appease rally

Egypt: The country's security chief fired nearly 700 police officers in a step to cleanse the much-hated force, the latest concession as protesters continue holding a six-day sit-in in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Haiti: A law firm is urging an investigation into President Michel Martelly's new pick for prime minister, Bernard Gousse, over allegations he is guilty of false imprisonment and being an accomplice to murder during his time as justice minister.