Two teens held in Manchester after hostage-taking at US synagogue

Two teenagers have been arrested in Manchester after a British man flew to the US, bought a weapon and held people hostage in a 10-hour stand-off at a synagogue.

Malik Faisal Akram, originally from Blackburn in Lancashire, was shot dead when the FBI entered the building in Texas on Saturday night.

US President Joe Biden branded the incident "an act of terror" and UK police are working with authorities in America on the investigation.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) announced that officers from Counter Terror Policing North West had made two arrests in south Manchester on Sunday evening.

They said the teenagers, whose ages and genders they did not immediately confirm, remain in custody for questioning.

GMP said police forces in the region are liaising with local communities to put in place any measures to provide further reassurance.

The four hostages held at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas were unharmed.

Akram's family said they were "absolutely devastated" by what had happened and "do not condone any of his actions", according to a statement which had been shared on the Blackburn Muslim Community Facebook page.

The statement, attributed to Akram's brother Gulbar who said he had been involved in negotiating from the UK with his sibling during the ordeal, added that the hostage-taker "was suffering from mental health issues".

US officials believe Akram had a visa, arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York around two weeks ago and bought a handgun used in the incident.