London, Abu Qatada, a radical Muslim cleric described as 'Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe" will be released on bail within days, despite accusations that he poses a grave threat to Britain's security. Qatada was granted bail after the European Court of Human Rights ruled last month that he could not be deported to his native Jordan. His bail conditions mean he is likely to be confined to his home except for two one-hour periods each day, and will probably be allowed to take one of his five children to school, The Telegraph reports. Restrictions on his movement are likely to be lifted if the Home Secretary fails to show within three months that progress is being made in negotiations with Jordan regarding his extradition. According to the paper, the decision to release Qatada, a 51-year-old father of five, means he can return home and will be able to claim up to 1,000 pounds a month in state benefits. The taxpayer will also have to foot up to 500,000 pounds a year for his security surveillance. Critics attacked the decision as a "disgrace", while the Home Office warned that Qatada remained "a dangerous man" who posed a "real threat to our ...
Read Full Story

BRUSSELS : The European Union (EU) on Monday announced broadened restrictive measures against Iran by banning crude-oil imports and a freeze on Iran's central bank assets as officials expressed 'deepening concerns' over the country's nuclear program. The Council of the European Union confirmed the decision to ban the import, purchase and transport of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. The ban, which includes related finance and insurance, immediately entered into force although already concluded contracts can still be executed until July 1. In addition, the Council also banned imports of petrochemical products from Iran into the EU as well as the export of key equipment and technology for this sector to Iran. "New investment in petrochemical companies in Iran as well as joint ventures with such enterprises are also no more allowed," the Council said. As part of the toughest sanctions yet against Iran, the Council also froze the assets of the Iranian central bank within the EU. "Trade in gold, precious metals and diamonds with Iranian public bodies and the central bank will no more be permitted, nor will the delivery of Iranian-denominated banknotes and coinage ...
Read Full Story

Rome, Italian MPs earn an average salary of 16,000 euros (around USD 20,900 or Rs.11,12,000), making them the top earners among lawmakers in the European Union (EU), according to a government report. A government-sponsored commission was asked to survey the salaries of MPs across EU countries to put the pay of Italy's 950 lawmakers in line with that of their European counterparts. The report said Italian MPs made about 2,500 euros a month more than no.2 France, where politicians' monthly salary totals around 13,500 euros. The president of Italy's national statistics agency Istat headed the committee that prepared the report on members of parliament in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria. Italy's new government headed by former EU competition commissioner Mario Monti has pushed through a series of emergency measures designed to balance the budget, trim the debt and stimulate growth for the third-richest country among 17 nations that use the euro currency. Monti in December formed the government after an economic crisis toppled the Silvio Berlusconi regime. Furious Italians, who will now have to pay more taxes and work longer, ...
Read Full Story