The world at a glance . . . Europe

London

Al Qaida operative jailed: Radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada was sent back to prison this week after officials said he was preparing to flee Britain. Qatada, known as “Osama bin Laden’s ambassador in Europe,” was first jailed in 2002, on charges of raising money for extremist groups and supporting terrorism. He was released last June on limited house arrest and banned from attending any mosque or giving lectures. But the British government said this week it had evidence, which it declined to reveal, that Qatada was planning to take off. Qatada, a Jordanian citizen, has been tied to convicted shoe bomber Richard Reid and to “20th hijacker” Zacarias Moussaoui, the only man convicted in the 9/11 attacks.

Venice

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City inundated: Venice this week was hit by the worst flooding it has seen in more than 20 years, as historic St. Mark’s Square was submerged under more than 3 feet of water. “Don’t go out unless you absolutely have to,” Mayor Massimo Cacciari warned Venetians. “These are exceptionally high waters.” The lagoon city, which is crisscrossed by canals, floods whenever the Adriatic Sea surges, although it’s rarely this bad. But some scientists warn that global climate change could raise the sea level permanently, destroying the iconic city and its countless artistic and architectural treasures. A barrier is being built at the lagoon’s mouth to protect against high water; it is scheduled to become operational in 2012.