Latest: Britain raises terror level after concert attack

CTV National News: Ariana Grande fans in shock Fans across the world were united in shock following the attack after Ariana Grande’s performance. Vanessa Lee reports.

MANCHESTER, England -- The Latest on the blast at an Ariana Grande concert in northern England (all times local):

12:25 a.m.

At Yankee Stadium, "God Save the Queen" was played along with "The Star-Spangled Banner" before New York hosted the Kansas City Royals.

"OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE VICTIMS IN MANCHESTER" the video board read.

"I think you always think about it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before the game. "I think our people have done a really good job doing everything they can to protect our fans and protect the players and everyone involved that's here in this building, you me, but you're always worried. I mean, that's the world we live in. So you put your faith in the people that are taking care of us and you trust them."

------

11:00 p.m.

Sports enthusiasts might see Britain's Operation Temperer in action on Saturday, when two major athletic events are scheduled to take place in London.

Prime Minister Theresa May announced Tuesday that the country's terror threat level had been raised to critical -- the highest possible ranking.

She says that means soldiers could be "deployed at certain events such as concerts and sports matches."

There are two major sports events in London on Saturday. Wembley Stadium is hosting soccer's FA Cup final, which Prince William is due to attend, and Twickenham is hosting rugby's Premiership final.

------

10:05 p.m.

British Prime Minister Theresa May says raising the country's terror threat level and deploying soldiers to patrol key sites a "proportionate and sensible response" to the suicide bombing at a Manchester concert venue.

May said Tuesday that the "callous and the cowardly" Monday attack that killed 22 people and injured another 59, many critically, justified rolling out the security measures included in a plan the government calls Operation Temperer."

May says the measures include replacing police officers who now guard "key sites" with members of the military operating under police command.

She says the move "will allow the police to significantly increase the number of armed officers on patrol in key locations.

May said the public "might also see military personnel deployed at certain events such as concerts and sports matches."

------

9:55 p.m.

Prime Minister Theresa May says Britain's threat level from terrorism has been raised to critical -- meaning an attack may be imminent.

May says Salman Abadi, the suicide bomber who killed 22 people at a concert in Manchester, may have been part of a bigger network.

She said Abadi was born and raised in Britain.

The level previously stood at the second-highest rung of "severe" for several years.

May said critical status means armed soldiers may be deployed instead of police at public events such as sports matches.

7:30 p.m.

Survivors of the suicide bombing that killed 22 people at a Manchester concert hall say security screening ahead of the Ariana Grande show was haphazard.

Nikola Trochtova said she was leaving the venue when she heard the explosion. She told Czech radio that there was almost no security screening ahead of the concert.

It is still unclear how the bomber was able to enter the area undetected. The blast happened right after Grande left the stage and the arena lights went back up.

Most of the 130 people killed in the November 2015 attacks on multiple Paris venues were attending a show at the Bataclan concert hall.

Pre-event security protocols vary country by country and according to venues. Security experts say one protective measure that could have been taken was extending the security perimeter around the Manchester arena.

------

6:59 p.m.

Former U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan says the world must stand together against "the extremists and terrorists" responsible for the attack in Manchester and similar senseless violence elsewhere.

Annan told The Associated Press on Tuesday that all countries need to work together and share information to deny extremists "their opportunities" and bring those who commit crimes to justice.

Annan now leads the group of former world leaders founded by Nelson Mandela called The Elders.

Speaking on behalf of the group, he said it's "tragic that young people who have gone to listen to music and dance should be cut down so brutally and senselessly."

Annan said: "Terrorists have been around, but they've always lost, and they will lose this time, too. It may take time, but they will lose."

------

6:55 p.m.

European soccer's ruling body says there will be a minute's silence before Manchester United plays Ajax in the Europa League final on Wednesday as a mark of respect for victims of the bombing in Manchester.

UEFA says "the opening ceremony will also be considerably reduced" in Stockholm after Monday's attack. At least 22 people were killed when a suicide bomber attacked an Ariana Grande concert as the performance ended.

Manchester United players observed a minute's silence for the victims at a morning training session on Tuesday before flying to Sweden.

Ajax coach Peter Bosz says the final doesn't have this glow that it should have" because of the attack.

Bosz said: "Tomorrow evening should be a feast. But because of the events in Manchester, we are all affected."

------

6:40 p.m.

Thousands of people have turned out for a vigil in Manchester, with the crowd holding a minute of silence to honour the victims of the concert attack.

Lord Mayor Eddy Newman and the city's police chief were among the speakers in front of city hall in Albert Square. Several people in the crowd held up signs with "I Love MCR," an abbreviation for Manchester.

A banner with a website for a Muslim group said "Love for all, Hatred for None."

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Monday night's blast at the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena that killed 22 people and wounded 59 others. Police have named the suspected bomber as 22-year-old Salman Abedi.

------

6:15 p.m.

Rome will turn off the lights of the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and city hall to honour the victims of the Manchester bomb attack.

Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini tweeted that the ancient arena's lights would be turned off at midnight Tuesday, just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris will do at that hour.

Lights will also go off for an hour at that same hour at two other popular Rome nighttime attractions -- Trevi Fountain and the Senatorio Palace, which is home to city hall, on the Michelangelo-designed square atop the Capitoline Hill.

City Hall says the gesture is a sign of "condolence and closeness to the victims of the tragedy, their families and the city of Manchester."

------

6 p.m.

Pop group Take That has postponed its planned three shows at the Manchester Arena Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The band had already cancelled its Tuesday show in nearby Liverpool following the deadly bomb attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

The band said it was postponing the Sunday performance "out of respect to all of the people and their families that were affected by the horrific incident last night."

The band Blondie also cancelled its Tuesday night concert in London "as a mark of respect for the victims of the terrible attack."

Lead singer Debbie Harry tweeted that the Round Chapel date will be rescheduled.

Police say the attack in Manchester killed 22 people and injured 59, including many teenagers.

------

5:50 p.m.

Manchester's police chief has warned that while he understands that "feelings are very raw" after Monday's concert attack, it is vital that the city's diverse communities stand together and that hate will not be tolerated.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins also said that the priority for police Tuesday is to establish whether the suspected bomber, named as 22-year-old Salman Abedi, was acting alone or as part of a network.

Police arrested an unidentified 23-year-old man in southern Manchester on Tuesday. They also raided the house where Abedi was registered as living, but witnesses say they did not see anyone arrested there.

Monday's bombing at an Ariana Grande concert killed 22 people and injured dozens others.

------

5:30 p.m.

The chiefs of Italy's police and intelligence forces, along with a British security official, have met to review anti-terrorism measures in light of the Manchester bomb blast, which occurred four days ahead of a G7 summit in Sicily.

Interior Minister Marco Minniti led the huddle Tuesday at his ministry, with a Rome-based British security official among the participants.

The ministry says Italy's level of threat for terrorism hasn't changed after the concert bombing in England Monday night. But it said already-heightened security will be further strengthened to protect high-risk targets and places where crowds of people gather.

------

5:20 p.m.

Official records show that Salman Abedi was registered as living at the Manchester house raided by armed police investigating Monday night's deadly concert blast.

The electoral register shows that 22-year-old Abedi -- confirmed by British police as the suspect in the suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert -- lived at the house in Fallowfield in southern Manchester where police carried out a controlled explosion Tuesday.

Alan Kinsey, 52, who lives across the street from the raided house, filmed at least 20 heavily armed police in helmets and armour march down the street, surround the house and blast down the door before entering.

He said he didn't see anyone but police leave the house.

He said a man in his 20s, whose name he didn't know, lived there. In the past there had been other residents but for the last six months or more he had just seen the man.

------

5 p.m.

Ariana Grande's tour has not been cancelled or postponed despite reports online, a person close to the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not allowed to publicly talk about the topic, said.

The person said that Grande and her team are more focused on the victims at the moment, not the tour.

It was unclear if Grande's next schedule show -- Thursday in London -- would take place.

------

4:40 p.m.

Concert promoters at London's O2 Arena, where Ariana Grande is scheduled to perform Thursday and Friday, say they are in contact with the singer's team about her next steps.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible tragedy in Manchester. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected and their families," the arena said in a statement. "We are in contact with the promoters of Ariana Grande's tour and will update as soon as we have further information regarding the planned dates at The O2."

Grande has yet to tell fans whether she will continue her European tour following the deadly blast at her concert in Manchester.

4:35 p.m.

Officials in the United States say British authorities have identified the suspect in the Manchester suicide bombing attack as Salman Abedi.

A U.S. official confirmed the identity Tuesday to The Associated Press. No additional details were immediately available.

The bombing Monday night at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester killed 22 people and sparked a stampede of young concertgoers.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility, but Dan Coats, the U.S. director of intelligence, says that connection has not yet been verified.

------

4:25 p.m.

The house where British police performed a controlled explosion as part of their investigation into the concert blast in Manchester is in an ethnically mixed suburb in the city.

Police raided a modest red brick semi-detached house in Fallowfield in south Manchester on Tuesday, and forensics officers were coming and going into the house. Neighbors said they had heard the bomber lived there, but most said they knew little about the inhabitants of the house, except that several people lived in it.

Neighbour Natalie Daley said she was frightened by a loud bang on Tuesday afternoon, then police yelling "get in your houses -- get away from the windows!"

She said she was shaken by how close to home it was. She said: "When it's like two seconds from your house, when you walk past it every day, you do live in fear."

Police on Tuesday also raided another residential road, and arrested a 23-year-old man at a third location in Manchester.

------

4 p.m.

Queen Elizabeth II has marked a moment of silence to honour the victims of the Manchester suicide bombing.

Accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, her son Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the queen stood at the top of the steps leading down from Buckingham Palace into the grounds. The national anthem was then played.

The queen was attending a garden party in the grounds of her palace Tuesday afternoon.

------

3:55 p.m.

The UN Security Council has condemned "the atrocious terrorist attack" in Manchester "perpetrated against young innocent people."

Uruguay's UN Ambassador Elbio Rosselli, the current council president, delivered the condemnation at the start of a meeting Tuesday on chemical weapons in Syria and asked for a moment of silence.

The 15 council members and diplomats in the chamber of the UN's most powerful body then stood in silent tribute to the victims.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also strongly condemned "the horrific terrorist attack in Manchester" and called for those responsible "for this unjustifiable violence" to be brought to justice, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

------

3:40 p.m.

Poland's Foreign Ministry says Poles are missing in Manchester following the concert suicide attack, but does not say how many.

The ministry said on Twitter Tuesday that Polish consuls in Manchester are in "constant touch with the families of Polish citizens missing" in Manchester and have extended support to them.

Many Poles live, work and study in Britain.

------

3:35 p.m.

British police say they have raided two residential areas in Manchester and carried out a controlled explosion at one of them as part of an investigation into Monday's suicide bombing attack at a concert in the city.

At one of the scenes, where armed police raided an apartment Tuesday, heavily armed and helmeted police were guarding what neighbour Asghar Ali said was a "very, very quiet" area. Ali said: "Even if people throw rubbish outside, people complain - never mind this."

Plain-clothes officers wearing gloves removed bags from an apartment.

The leafy residential road in south Manchester, populated by a group of tidy-looking buildings, is less than a mile from the supermarket where police reportedly arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the attack.

Neighbours said the complex of three buildings was a mixed area of students, singles and families, with a large south Asian population.

------

3:15 p.m.

The rapper BIA, who opened for Ariana Grande at Monday's concert in Manchester, says her heart is "broken."

"My heart is heavy today as I extend my prayers to the children and families affected by last night's horrible tragedy in Manchester," the artist says in a statement.

"We are sending our love to all of Manchester during this incredibly difficult time. We ask each one of you to join us in keeping all who are suffering in your thoughts and prayers."

BIA, whose real name is Bianca Landrau, was, along with Victoria Monet, part of Grande's support act for her "Dangerous Woman Tour." BIA has previously performed with T.I., Pusha-T, Jennifer Hudson and Usher.

On Twitter, Monet wrote: "I wish I could say that I am OK, but I am not. Safe? Yes, but heartbroken that loved ones who came to have the night of their lives ended up losing them."

------

3:05 p.m.

The United States' top intelligence official says the U.S. government has not yet verified that the Islamic State group is responsible for the Manchester attack.

Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, told Congress that the extremist group frequently claims responsibility for terror attacks.

The Islamic State group says one of its members planted bomb in crowds in the suicide attack at an Ariana Grande show Monday night that left 22 people dead. The group warned in a statement on social media that more attacks are to come.

Testifying Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Coats says though he was aware of the IS claim of responsibility, U.S. authorities hadn't yet verified that.

He says the Manchester attack is a reminder the terrorist threat is real. He says, "It's not going away and it needs significant attention."

------

2:50 p.m.

Pop group Take That says it is cancelling its show in Liverpool, northern England a day after the deadly bomb attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

The band says it is postponing the performance "out of respect to all of the people and their families that were affected by the horrific incident last night."

The band was scheduled to play at Manchester Arena, the site of Monday's attack, from Thursday to Saturday. Their representatives say there is no official word yet on whether those shows will go ahead.

Police say the attack killed 22 people and injured 59, including many teenagers.

------

1:55 p.m.

British authorities say an 8-year-old girl, Saffie Roussos, was among the 22 people killed in the Manchester bombing. And an ambulance official says 12 children under the age of 16 were among 59 injured in the attack as people left a pop concert.

------

1:30 p.m.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her conservative ally in Bavaria have called off a pre-election event at a beer tent in Munich following the Manchester attack.

Merkel and Bavarian governor Horst Seehofer had planned to make a joint appearance on Tuesday evening. But Seehofer's Christian Social Union party said the event was postponed out of "respect for the victims" of the attack on an Ariana Grande concert in England.

The event was scheduled as the pair display rediscovered unity after they fell out over Merkel's welcoming approach to refugees in 2015. Germany holds a general election in September.

Earlier Tuesday, Merkel called for a minute of silence for the Manchester victims as she addressed a meeting in Berlin on climate change.

------

1:25 p.m.

Pope Francis has expressed profound dismay over the "barbaric" attack at a concert in Manchester, England.

A condolence telegram sent in his name says he was "mindful in a particular way" of the many children and young people who perished, as well as their grieving families. He prayed for "God's blessings of peace, healing and strength" upon Britain.

The telegram said Francis expressed "heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence" and commended the "generous efforts" of emergency and security personnel.

Francis offered assurances of his prayers for the dead and many injured.

------

12:55 p.m.

The Islamic State group says one of its members planted bombs in the middle of crowds in Manchester, England, where 22 people died in an explosion.

Police, however, have spoken only of "an improvised device" used in the attack.

IS says "a soldier of the caliphate planted bombs in the middle of Crusaders gatherings" then detonated them. It did not say whether the attacker was killed.

The group claimed that "30 Crusaders were killed and 70 others were wounded," higher than the totals confirmed by authorities in Manchester.

------

12:45 p.m.

A school in northern England has identified one of the victims in the Manchester concert bombing as Georgina Callander, a former pupil.

Peter Rawlinson, deputy of the Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy in Croston, northwest of Manchester, told The Associated Press that the school confirmed Callander's death with members of her family.

Rawlinson says "she was academically a very gifted student, very hard-working. Just lovely to speak to."

The school posted a photo of Georgina on its website, smiling and look smart in her school uniform. It said she died of injuries from the attack and described her as "a lovely young student who was very popular with her peers and the staff."

------

12:35 p.m.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the U.S. is working closely with the British government as it investigates the bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

Tillerson released a statement Tuesday saying that "our hearts go out to the families of those who have lost loved ones and to those injured in the attack."

He says: "While it is too early to determine those responsible for this atrocity, we are working closely with the British government and supporting their efforts to investigate and respond to this attack."

---

12:25 p.m.

Queen Elizabeth II has expressed her "deepest sympathy" to all those affected by Monday's bomb attack at a Manchester pop concert, where 22 people were killed.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the monarch said "the whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury".

She thanked police and the emergency services, and expressed admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded to the attack: "With humanity and compassion to this act of barbarity."

Police say they have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the attack. Police say they have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the attack.

---

12:01 p.m.

Greater Manchester Police say they have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the apparent suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in the city.

Police say the man was arrested in south Manchester Tuesday, a day after the explosion killed 22 people and injured 59, many of them teenagers.

They did not provide details.

Police also said officials arrested a man at the Arndale shopping centre in central Manchester -- but that the arrest is not believed to be connected to Monday night's attack.

------

11:50 a.m.

Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni says efforts are underway so that this week's G7 summit in Sicily will yield a stronger, common anti-terrorism commitment.

Condemning the bombing that killed 22 people in Manchester, England, Gentiloni told reporters Tuesday in Rome that the summit on Friday and Saturday provides the opportunity to insist that "the cowardliness that snuffs out the lives of young people won't get the better of our freedom."

He said Italians can count on the "dedication and professionalism" of their nation's security forces to ensure international events are carried out safely.

He says he planned to call British Prime Minister Theresa May to express "closeness, solidarity" to Britons.

------

11:45 a.m.

Police have evacuated a large shopping centre in Manchester, England. Police declined to comment on media reports that they have arrested a man there.

July McKenzie, who was shopping when the Arndale shopping centre, said: "We were just in the shop and could hear people screaming and security guards telling everybody to get out."

Some people left the scene in tears, while others waited outside the mall.

The Arndale centre was rebuilt after an IRA bombing in 1996.

------

11:35 a.m.

Turkish officials say they "strongly condemn" the attack in Manchester and promised to work together with the United Kingdom against terror. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that Turkey "shares the pain of the state of England and the English people" in the attack that killed 22 people.

Turkey has been hit by a string of attacks blamed on the Islamic State group and Kurdish militants since 2015, killing at least 550 people.

------

11:15 a.m.

British Prime Minister Theresa May says that it is "beyond doubt" that Britain and the city of Manchester have fallen victim to "a callous terrorist attack."

Speaking outside her offices in London, she says "Although it is not the first time Manchester has suffered in this way, it is the worst attack the city has experienced, and the worst ever to hit the north of England."

May says police believe they know the attacker's identity but are not disclosing it immediately.

------

11:10 a.m.

British Prime Minister Theresa May says police and security staff in Manchester believe they know identity of the apparent suicide bomber who attacked people leaving an Ariana Grande concert Monday night, but they are not revealing the name for the time being.

Speaking in London, May said: "This attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice."

She says the attack, in which 22 people died, was one of the worst the nation had suffered.

------

11:00 a.m.

Harun Khan, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, has joined the condemnations of the Manchester attack.

In a statement, Khan says: "This is horrific, this is criminal. May the perpetrators face the full weight of justice both in this life and the next."

He adds: "I urge all those in the region and around the country to pool together to support those affected."

------

10:55 a.m.

Finance ministers from the 28 European Union countries, including Britain's Philip Hammond, observed a minute's silence in memory of those killed and injured in the attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

Ahead of the regular EU meeting of finance ministers, Hammond expressed his condolences to the victims and their families of "this barbaric attack" in Manchester.

"It is, as far as we know, a terrorist incident," he said. "We are treating it as such."

Hammond, who was due to speak at a panel in Brussels, is to return to London at the meeting's conclusion instead.

Flags are also flying at half-staff outside the European Commission in the heart of the Belgian capital.

------

10:40 a.m.

France's interior minister says the government will be issuing instructions Tuesday to regional administrators on working with event organizers on how to secure public spaces.

After a high-level security meeting in Paris Tuesday, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said organizers of sports events, concerts and other performances already had a series of instructions on how to secure their venues. Collomb said France's airports have also been secured.

France has been on heightened alert since the Nov. 13, 2015, attacks that struck a concert, the national stadium and cafes and bars.

Early Tuesday, the Paris mayor's office said all shows and concerts scheduled in coming days are going ahead as planned. Ariana Grande is scheduled to perform in Paris on June 7.

------

10:30 a.m.

President Vladimir Putin says Russia is ready to boost anti-terror co-operation with Britain in the wake of a deadly explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England.

In Tuesday's telegram to British Prime Minister Theresa May, Putin offered condolences over what he called a "cynical, inhuman crime" and wishes for a quick recovery of all those hurt.

Putin reaffirmed Russia's readiness to "expand anti-terror co-operation with British partners, both on bilateral level and within the framework of broad international efforts."

Britain and other NATO allies have cut co-operation with Moscow on fighting terrorism over Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and support for a pro-Russia insurgency in eastern Ukraine.

Manchester police say an apparent suicide bomber set off an explosive device at the end of the concert, killing 22 people.

------

10:15 a.m.

Former Manchester United soccer star David Beckham posted on Facebook: "As a father & a human what has happened truly saddens me. My thoughts are with all of those that have been affected by this tragedy."

In targeting Manchester, the attacker struck at one of Britain's cultural hearts. The once gritty industrial city, with London and Liverpool, has been one of the main cultural influences on modern Britain, with its iconic Manchester United football team, its cross-city rival City and chart-toppers Oasis, The Smiths and other globally famous bands. Oasis singer Liam Gallagher tweeted that he is "in total shock and absolutely devastated."

Peter Hook of Manchester bands New Order and Joy Division tweeted that his daughter "made it home safe" from the Ariana Grande concert and added: "My heart goes out to all parents & those involved. Manchester stay strong."

------

10:05 a.m.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has denounced the "ugly terrorist attack" in Manchester, speaking after a West Bank meeting with President Donald Trump. Abbas says he is sending his condolences to the British prime minister, the British people and the families of the victims.

Both Trump and the Palestinian leader opened their remarks with a condemnation of the attack in which 22 people were killed by a bomb blast during a concert in the city in northern England.

------

9:15 a.m.

President Donald Trump is expressing solidarity with the United Kingdom in the wake of a deadly explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, condemning the "evil losers" behind the blast.

Trump spoke Tuesday after a meeting in Bethlehem with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Manchester police say an apparent suicide bomber set off an improvised explosive device at the end of the concert, killing 22 people.

Trump says the attack preyed on "innocent children." He says this "wicked ideology must be obliterated. And I mean completely obliterated."

Manchester police so far have said nothing about the attacker's identity or possible motivation.

------

9:00 a.m.

Social media users are helping the desperate hunt for people missing in the Manchester concert bombing by circulating names and photos with the MissingInManchester hashtag.

The city's regional government and its mayor, Andy Burnham, were among scores of Twitter users that circulated the hashtag to help people seeking missing family members and friends.

Those named as missing included Olivia Campbell. Her mother, Charlotte Campbell, said the 15-year-old attended the Ariana Grande concert with a friend from school who has since been found and is being treated in a hospital. But Olivia is missing, having last called home just before the concert, the mother told ITV television's Good Morning Britain breakfast show.

She says: "I've called the hospitals. I've called all the places, the hotels where people said that children have been taken and I've called the police. If anyone sees Olivia, lend her your phone, she knows my number."

-----

8:45 a.m.

A Czech woman who was at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester says that "there was almost no security check, rather zero. They let us get in without any check if we have anything with us."

Nikola Trochtova told the Czech public radio that "the only thing they were interested in was if we had any bottles of water with us. They almost didn't check our bags, they didn't take a look."

She says she was leaving the venue when she heard an explosion at the entrance, but learned the details only after returning to her hotel.

-----

8:35 a.m.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it's "incomprehensible" that someone would target a pop concert to kill and wound people.

Merkel said in a statement Tuesday that the attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester "will only strengthen our determination to keep acting together with our British friends against those who plan and carry out such inhuman deeds."

She added: "I assure people in Britain that Germany stands beside you."

-----

8:20 a.m.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says Europe is mourning with Britain after a bomb killed 22 people at a concert in Manchester.

Juncker said in a statement Tuesday that "today we mourn with you. Tomorrow we will work side by side with you to fight back against those who seek to destroy our way of life."

He adds: "It breaks my heart to think that, once again, terrorism has sought to instil fear where there should be joy, to sow division where young people and families should be coming together in celebration."

-----

8:10 a.m.

NATO's chief is expressing solidarity with Britain after a bomb attack in Manchester killed 22 people, just as leaders of the military alliance prepare to meet to discuss counter-terrorism.

Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a tweet Tuesday that "NATO stands with the U.K. in the fight against terrorism." He also said his thoughts were with all those affect by the "barbaric" attack.

U.S. President Donald Trump and other NATO leaders at to gather in Brussels on Thursday to discuss ways the military alliance can do more against terrorism.

-----

8:00 a.m.

The German government is offering condolences to Britain after the deadly explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel wrote Tuesday on Twitter: "Terrible news from Manchester! Our thoughts are now with our British friends. United we stand."

Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, tweeted: "Our thoughts (and) prayers are with the people in #Manchester affected by the blast. We mourn for the dead (and) hope the injured can recover fully."

-----

7:45 a.m.

France's government is offering sympathy and solidarity following the bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester which killed 22 people.

In a statement, French President Emmanuel Macron said France would continue to work with Britain to fight terrorism. Macron said he would speak with British Prime Minister Theresa May to stay abreast of developments.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo also expressed solidarity.

Paris has grim experience with the type of attack that struck Britain, after multiple Islamic State attackers struck a concert hall, the national stadium and cafes and bars on Nov. 13, 2015, killing 130 people.

7:30 a.m.

The White House says U.S. President Donald Trump is being provided updates on the Manchester concert explosion by his national security team.

Trump is in the midst of his first overseas trip as president. He's meeting Tuesday in Bethlehem with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and speaking at Yad Veshem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.

His spokesman Sean Spicer provided the update on Twitter.

-----

7:20 a.m.

Manchester police say an apparent suicide bomber set off an improvised explosive device at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.

Police raised the death toll to 22 early Tuesday, and dozens more have been reported injured.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins says forensic investigations are continuing to determine if the attacker had accomplices. He provided no information about the individual who detonated the device.

-----

7:10 a.m.

Greater Manchester Police have raised the death toll in a blast at an Ariana Grande concert to 22.

The force's chief constable, Ian Hopkins, said Tuesday they believe one person carried out the attack. Police are trying to determine if the person acted alone or had support in the Monday night blast.

Police say some 400 officers were deployed overnight to help with the investigation.

Officials say children are among the victims.

-----

7 a.m.

Police say they are treating an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in northern England as terrorism. Greater Manchester Police says the blast killed at least 19 people, and the ambulance service says 59 people have been taken to hospitals.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins says police are treating the blast as an act of terrorism "until we know otherwise."

There was panic after the explosion, which struck around 10:30 p.m. (2130 GMT) Monday night as Grande was ending the concert.

-----

6 a.m.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn says he and Prime Minister Theresa May have agreed to suspend election campaigning until further notice.

Corbyn said Tuesday he is "horrified" by the events in Manchester and that his thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died and been injured.

Campaign events ahead of the June 8 general election will now be put on hold as Britain comes to grips with the incident and its aftermath.

Corbyn says he had spoken with May after the explosion.

-----

4:00 a.m.

Campaigning has been suspended in Britain's national election after a deadly explosion at Manchester Arena.

Prime Minister Theresa May canceled campaign events Tuesday after the blast, which killed at least 19 people and injured more than 50. She is due to chair a meeting of the government's emergency committee, COBRA, later.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron cancelled a campaign tour to Gibraltar after the explosion, which police say they are treating as a terrorist attack.

Britons are due to go to the polls on June 8.

-----

3:45 a.m.

A number of Manchester taxi services say they are offering free rides to people trapped by the incident.

The taxi companies posted messages about the free rides on Twitter after an explosion at Manchester Arena after an Ariana Grande concert Monday night. The blast killed 19 people and injured dozens more.

The service could also be used by people trying to get to local hospitals to look for loved ones.

In addition some city residents opened their homes to provide overnight lodging for people who were stranded by the shutdown in some train services because of the incident.

City officials said the true spirit of Manchester was surfacing in the hours after the incident.

-----

3:35 a.m.

The Department of Homeland Security says there is no evidence of credible threats against music venues in the U.S., as England reels from an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert late Monday.

The department says the U.S. public may experience increased security in and around public places and events.

DHS says it is closely monitoring the situation at Manchester Arena and working with U.K. officials to obtain additional information about the cause of the explosion.

The government is urging U.S. citizens in Manchester to heed directions from local authorities and be vigilant about their security.

The explosion killed at least 19 people and injured dozens. Police say they are treating as a terrorist attack.

-----

3:20 a.m.

Frantic loved ones of young people missing after an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert have taken to Twitter and Instagram with their photos and pleas for help.

Many Manchester residents responded early Tuesday with offers of shelter and details on locations where displaced concert-goers had been taken in.

The 23-year-old Grande, true to her youthful fan base, is a social media phenomenon with 105 million followers on Instagram and 45.6 million followers on Twitter. Her fans, proud "Arianators," were among those who took to Twitter with prayers and tears.

Fellow stars offered condolences as well.

Taylor Swift tweeted, "My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight. I'm sending all my love."

Ellie Goulding, Cher (fresh from a big night at the Billboard Awards) and Katy Perry were among others to tweet their support.

-----

3 a.m.

Greater Manchester Police say they are working with national police and intelligence agencies in what is being treated as a terrorist incident.

Police said Tuesday morning they are still gathering information about the incident and are setting up a telephone hot line to help people locate loved ones. Police said there are 19 confirmed deaths.

Authorities are also asking the public to stay away from the area around Manchester Arena where an explosion disrupted a crowded pop concert by American artist Ariana Grande.

The British government is planning an emergency Cabinet meeting for later Monday morning.