Hostages released after stand-off at synagogue in Texas

Authorities escort a hostage out of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas (Elias Valverde/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Four hostages are safe and their captor is dead after a stand-off at a synagogue in Texas where the man could be heard ranting on a livestream and demanding the release of a Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of trying to kill US army officers in Afghanistan.

One hostage held on Saturday at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville was released during the hours-long stand-off, while three others got out at about 9pm local time when an FBI Swat team entered the building, authorities said.