Norwegian gunman, Anders Behring Breivik Appears in Court Today

The man who has admitted carrying out Friday's twin terror attacks in Norway, Anders Behring Breivik, is due to make his first appearance in court.

A judge is set to rule on whether the hearing should be behind closed doors.

He is said to be linked to far-right groups and to have spent years planning the attacks - the worst since WWII.

A minute's silence is being observed across the country to remember the victims.

Under Norwegian law, he faces a maximum of 21 years in jail if convicted, although that sentence can be extended if a prisoner is deemed a threat to the public.

At least 96 people were injured in the attacks. But Oslo police has said the death toll from the shooting spree on the island could be revised downwards from the current 86, based on the information now available.

Mr Breivik is set to appear at the hearing an hour later. He has said he will explain his actions to the court. Earlier he described the attacks as "gruesome but necessary".

Mr Breivik, 32, has admitted carrying out a bombing in the capital, Oslo, and a massacre on an island youth camp in which at least 93 people died. www.mannastores.com