World in brief: Muslim cleric granted bail

A radical Muslim preacher accused of having close ties to al-Qaida was granted bail by a British immigration appeals commission Thursday.

Abu Qatada was jailed in 2002 over accusations that he played a key role in raising money for extremist groups and provided spiritual advice to militants planning terror attacks.

Judge John Mitting ruled the cleric should be released after the Court of Appeal ordered the government in April to stop extradition proceedings, claiming he faced the threat of torture if returned to his native Jordan.

But the judge acknowledged Qatada could pose a national security threat and imposed a strict 22-hour curfew, meaning he must be inside his home for all but two hours a day.

Washington

U.S. and Russia trade expulsions

The United States and Russia have expelled five diplomats and military attaches from each other’s countries in moves reminiscent of the tit-for-tat exchanges of the Cold War-era, U.S. officials said Thursday.

The latest expulsions, ordered by Russia on April 28, were of two American military attaches at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. They were preceded by the expulsion of a Russian diplomat from Washington on April 22, the expulsion of a U.S. diplomat from Moscow on April 14 and the expulsion of a New York-based Russian diplomat on Nov. 6, 2007.

The State Department said Thursday that Russia’s most recent action was “not justified” but that it would comply with the order.

Nassau, Bahamas

Giant manta ray returned to ocean

A 1,000-pound manta ray was returned to the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after three years as a research subject and tourist attraction at a Bahamian resort.

The massive black ray, known as “Zeus,” was lowered from a helicopter on a hydraulically welded frame to ensure its safe entry into the water. It spans nearly 13 feet in diameter – including a 3-foot mouth.

Marine biologists had studied the creature and will now use a satellite tracking tag to monitor its movements in the open sea.