Canada deports fugitive Lai Changxing back to China

One of China's most-wanted fugitives has arrived back in Beijing after a Canadian court cleared the way for his deportation.

The repatriation of Lai Changxing marks the end of a 12-year legal battle against his extradition.
The 52-year-old, who is accused in China of heading a multi-billion dollar smuggling operation, argued that he would be executed if sent back.
China has reassured Canada he will not face the death penalty if convicted.
Canada, which does not practise capital punishment, forbids the extradition of prisoners to countries where they may be executed.
Correspondents say the case had soured diplomatic relations between the two countries.
'Prime suspect' Mr Lai was escorted by Canadian police on the civilian flight from Vancouver and handed over to Chinese police upon his arrival in Beijing.
State television showed him being read his rights by a police officer before being taken into custody.
His return to China swiftly followed the decision by the court in Canada to allow his deportation.
"The life of the applicant is in the Chinese government's hands," the court ruled, citing a Chinese proverb, on Friday.
China accuses Mr Lai of running a huge smuggling operation in Fujian province in the 1990s. They say he dealt in up to $10bn worth of goods including cigarettes, cars, heating and cooking oil, textiles, chemicals and other goods.
Hundreds of senior members of the regional political establishment were implicated in the case. China's Xinhua news agency says that more than 600 people were investigated - including customs, police and government officials - and 300 were punished for their involvement in the operation. At least two officials were executed.
Mr Lai fled with his family to Canada in 1999, but he was denied asylum and has fought to stay ever since.
His lawyers had argued that at least seven of his associates have died or disappeared in China's justice system. They said he would face torture and execution in China as a scapegoat for high-level officials who were involved in corrupt practices.
China is believed to carry out more executions a year than any other country, but, in this case, has promised Canada that Mr Lai will receive a fair trial and will not face the death penalty.
The Chinese foreign ministry on Friday "welcomed" the Canadian court's ruling, describing Mr Lai as the "prime suspect" in the smuggling case and saying the government had been very "clear" about its desire to put him on trial.

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Norway suspect 'admits attacks'

Hundreds of mourners have been gathering in the centre of Oslo

The man accused of a massacre at a youth camp in Norway and a bombing in the capital, Oslo, has admitted responsibility, his lawyer says.

Anders Behring Breivik, 32, described his actions as "gruesome but necessary", and said he would explain himself at a court hearing on Monday.
At least 85 people died when a gunman ran amok on Utoeya island on Friday, hours after an Oslo bomb killed seven.
As Norway mourned the victims, police continued to search for the missing.
Four people from the island camp shooting are yet to be found; it is thought some may have drowned after swimming out into the lake to escape the hail of bullets.
In Oslo police said the death toll could rise further as bodies or body parts were in buildings damaged by the bomb but still too unstable to search.
Police have also said another person may have been involved in Friday's attacks, which happened within hours of each other.
'Demanding suspect'
"He thought it was gruesome having to commit these acts, but in his head they were necessary," Mr Breivik's lawyer Geir Lippestad told Norwegian media.

Mr Breivik's lawyer, Geir Lippestad, said the attack had been planned "for some while"

He added that the actions had been planned for some time.
Mr Breivik has been charged with committing acts of terrorism, and is due to appear in court on Monday when judges will decide whether he should be detained as the investigation continues.
The suspect is reported to have had links with right-wing extremists.
Still pictures of him, wearing a wetsuit and carrying an automatic weapon, appeared in a 12-minute anti-Muslim video called Knights Templar 2083, which appeared briefly on YouTube.
A 1,500-page document written in English and said to be by Mr Breivik - posted under the pseudonym of Andrew Berwick - was also put online hours before the attacks, suggesting they had been years in the planning.

The document and the video repeatedly refer to the Knights Templar and to multiculturalism and Muslim immigration.

Police have not speculated on motives for the attack but the bomb in Oslo targeted buildings connected to Norway's governing Labour Party, and the youth camp on Utoeya island was also run by the party.
"He has had a dialogue with the police the whole time, but he is a very demanding suspect," police chief Sveinung Sponheim told the Associated Press news agency.
Norway has had problems with neo-Nazi groups in the past but the assumption was that such groups had been largely eliminated and did not pose a significant threat, says the BBC's Richard Galpin, near the island which remains cordoned off by police.
Mourning in rain
Stunned mourners gathered around a make-shift shrine in Norway's capital ahead of a special service to be held in the city on Sunday, that thousands are expected to attend.

A number of Muslim mourners also made their way into the church to pay their respects, says the BBC's Stephen Evans in the city.

One, who gave his name as Ali, said many initially assumed the bomb was the work of al-Qaeda.
"Norway is a country that accepts everyone," he told the BBC. "It welcomes everyone and then when I saw it was Norwegian who did it, I was really shocked. He is filled with hate."
Earlier, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg comforted victims and relatives alongside Norway's King Harald, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon in the town of Sundvollen, near Utoeya island.
"We will do whatever we can to give them as much support as possible," said Mr Stoltenberg of the families affected.

• Describes himself as a Christian and conservative on Facebook page attributed to him
• Grew up in Oslo and attended Oslo School of Management
• Set up farm through which he would have had access to fertiliser - which can also be used to make a bomb

• Profile: Anders Behring Breivik

The attacks sparked strong international condemnation, with US President Barack Obama expressing his condolences and offering support, while Britain's Queen Elizabeth also spoke of her shock and sadness in a letter to King Harald.

The Utoeya island shooting came just hours after the initial massive blast in central Oslo, which police say was caused by a car bomb.
Eyewitnesses on the island have painted a horrifying picture of events as a tall, blond man, dressed as a policeman, asked people to gather round and then opened fire indiscriminately.
While some were shot at as they tried to swim to safety, others cowered in undergrowth, hid in buildings, or pretended to be dead amid the bodies of other victims as the gunman continued his rampage.
Police said they took 45 minutes to reach the island, and the suspect was apprehended 45 minutes after that, surrendering when approached by armed officers.
He is reported to have been armed with two weapons, one of them an automatic rifle.

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Stepping Hill Hospital: Rebecca Leighton remanded in custody

A nurse has been remanded in custody after the deaths of five patients at a Stockport hospital.

Rebecca Leighton is charged with three counts of criminal damage with intent to endanger life following the deaths at Stepping Hill Hospital.
The 27-year-old is also accused of three counts of criminal damage being reckless as to whether life was being endangered, and one of theft.
She appeared for a brief hearing at Manchester City Magistrates' Court.
No application for bail was made on Ms Leighton's behalf as chairman of the bench, Ian MacNeill, remanded her in custody.
She will next appear at Manchester Crown Court on 1 August.
Ms Leighton is alleged to have tampered with medical products, saline ampoules and saline bags.
Man critically ill Police said saline solution at the hospital had been contaminated with insulin, which can cause low blood sugar levels.
Ms Leighton was arrested on Wednesday by police investigating the deaths of Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71, and 84-year-old George Keep.
On Thursday, police announced the death of two other patients - Derek Weaver, 83, and Vera Pearson, 84 - were also being investigated as part of their inquiry.

 

A 41-year-old man remains in a critical condition

Mr Weaver, from Stockport, died on Thursday after suffering a hypoglycaemic episode on 11 July - a day after he was admitted from a care home with breathing problems.
Ms Arden, of Heaviley, who had multiple sclerosis, died on 7 July and retired photographer Mr Lancaster, of Romiley, died on 11 July.
Mr Keep, of Cheadle, died on 14 July after being admitted to the hospital with a broken hip, while on the same day Mrs Pearson also died.
A 41-year-old man remains critically ill in hospital.
Police are also looking at the treatment of eight other patients since 7 July.
Officers were called to Stepping Hill after an experienced nurse reported a higher-than-normal number of patients on a ward with "unexplained" low blood sugar levels.
Police are still waiting for the results of post-mortem examinations on the five patients.
All deaths at the hospital are being referred to south Manchester coroner John Pollard until further notice.
Meanwhile, staff have been told to work in pairs to check and administer drugs. A single keyholder also has to be asked for access to locked drugs cabinets.

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'Playground shortage' affects children in England

Children in England are missing out on play because of a shortage of outdoor areas, according to a campaign group.

Fair Play for Children got responses from 300 councils in England about the number of playgrounds provided.
The survey revealed there was one for every 694 children, and about 752 children per acre of play area.
The government says councils are getting more freedom to choose how they spend money, with communities more able to influence playground provision.
However, Fair Play for Children's national secretary Jan Cosgrove said this localism agenda risked seeing councils "pushing children and their play into the margins".
The group campaigns for the recognition of children's right to be play.
Its research showed there were 16,134 playgrounds in England, serving an estimated 11.2 million children aged under 16.
'No consultation' The total acreage of these play areas was estimated at under 15,000 acres. By comparison, Mr Cosgrove suggested 3.5 million golfers enjoyed courses totalling about 190,000 acres.
"It is abundantly clear from this that children's outdoor play needs are not being met by current playground provision or acreage," he said.

He said there had been a lack of government consultation with communities, parents and children on the issue.

No measure was being taken of whether children's play was suffering as a result of public spending cuts, he added.
Councils reported through the survey that plans to build or revamp 279 playgrounds across England had to be axed because of spending cuts.
Education Secretary Michael Gove froze grants awarded to community playground schemes in 132 council areas last August, as the coalition moved to reduce the budget deficit.
"The government cannot have it both ways, to say they know the importance of play in children's development and health and yet not know the effects of their policies nationwide," Mr Cosgrove said.
"Words about childhood obesity and concern for lifestyles cut little ice when it is clear there is a national crisis affecting our children's basic ability to be able to get out and play."
A Department for Education spokesman acknowledged the importance of safe, free, local places to play, and the benefits they brought to the wider community.
He said: "The government is giving councils more freedom over how they spend their money, giving communities more control over developments in their neighbourhoods, and making it easier for volunteers and charities to get involved.
"This should provide the opportunities for committed people and local groups to continue to influence play provision in their areas."

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Norway attacks: Queen expresses UK's sympathy

The Queen has written to Norway's King Harald to express sympathy over the attacks in his country, saying her thoughts are with Norwegian people.

A bomb attack in Oslo left seven people dead before a gunman opened fire at a youth camp, killing at least 84 people.
David Cameron spoke to Norway's PM and the UK has offered police assistance.
In her message, the Queen said: "I am deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic loss of life of so many people on the island of Utoeya and in Oslo."
She added: "Prince Philip joins me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to your majesty and the people of Norway. Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the dreadful atrocity."
The Norwegian embassy in Belgrave Square, central London, was open on Saturday, its flag flying at half mast.
A spokesman said: "We're open for any Norwegians who might need someone to speak to or feel the need to be with someone."
At least seven people were killed in the bombing and scores more are known to have died at the camp for young members of the Labour Party in Utoeya, an island outside the capital.
'Stay indoors' Police have charged a 32-year-old Norwegian man, Anders Behring Breivik, over both attacks.
The Foreign Office has advised British nationals in Norway to take extra care.

David Cameron Prime Minister

In a statement on its website, the Foreign Office said: "We recommend that British nationals stay indoors for the time being. British nationals are advised to exercise caution, monitor local media reporting and follow advice given by the emergency services."

Diplomats also say they are checking whether any British nationals are affected by the tragedy.
Around 250,000 British tourists visit Norway every year, the Foreign Office says on the Norway travel advice section of its website.
And according to the UK embassy in Oslo, there are also 25,000 to 30,000 Britons resident in the country.
Prime Minister David Cameron has said he was "outraged" by the attack that had led to an "absolutely horrific" loss of life.
Mr Cameron said: "It's on a scale, frankly, that is hard to comprehend. The Norwegians are old friends and allies and neighbours of Britain, and I know that everyone in Britain will want to stand with the Norwegian people in the days of sorrow that lie ahead.
"Also, we'll want to make sure that we learn like others, any lessons there are to learn about how to be more secure against horrific outrages like this. And that's something we can discuss at the National Security Council on Monday."

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