Sabtu, 05 Oktober 2019

Australian-UK blogger couple freed from Iran jail - BBC News

A British-Australian woman and her Australian boyfriend have been released from an Iranian jail, Australia's government has said.

Jolie King and Mark Firkin were detained in Tehran earlier this year for reportedly flying a drone without a permit while on a trip across Asia.

A second British-Australian, university lecturer Kylie Moore-Gilbert, is still in prison.

Australia's foreign minister said talks to secure her release were ongoing.

Marise Payne told reporters that it was "with some enormous relief" that she could announce Jolie King and Mark Firkin "have been released and returned".

The pair were detained after entering Iran as part of a major trip across Asia to the UK - they were blogging about it for thousands of followers on social media.

Meanwhile, Australia released an Iranian student, Reza Dehbashi, back to Tehran, according to the country's semi-official news agency Fars.

He had been arrested in September 2018 for allegedly sending American-made military equipment to Iran.

The BBC has contacted the Australian government for comment on the release.

According to Australia's foreign minister, Ms Moore-Gilbert remains in prison in Tehran, where she has been for almost a year having reportedly been given a 10-year sentence.

"Very long-term negotiations" were taking place to secure the release of the Cambridge-educated academic, Ms Payne added.

Ms Moore-Gilbert was most recently a lecturer in Islamic Studies at Melbourne University.

Earlier, Fars reported that the Islamic Republic's judiciary spokesman Gholam Hossein Esmayeeli confirmed Ms Moore-Gilbert, Ms King and Mr Firkin had all been detained for spying.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

The two British-Australian women were believed to be the first British passport holders without dual Iranian nationality to be held in the country in recent years.

Their detention echoes that of British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has been imprisoned since 2016 after being convicted of spying, which she denies.

On Friday it was announced that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe would allow her daughter Gabriella, five, to return to the UK to begin schooling.

The mother and daughter were said by family to have travelled together to Iran to visit relatives before she was detained.

Who are the other Britons detained in Iran?

As well as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a number of other dual UK-Iranian citizens are being detained in Iran.

Iran does not recognise dual nationality, and there are no exact figures on the numbers of dual nationals in custody.

But they do include Kamal Foroughi, a former oil and gas consultant, who has been held since 2011; businessman and wildlife conservationist Morad Tahbaz who also has US citizenship and was arrested in a crackdown on environmental activists in January 2018, and Kameel Ahmady, a social anthropologist, who has been in custody since August.

Anousheh Ashouri, a British-Iranian dual national, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a court in Tehran after being convicted of spying for Israel.

Aras Amiri, 33, a UK resident who works for the British Council in London, was held in March 2018 on a visit to her unwell grandmother. This year Ms Amiri lost an appeal against a jail term for spying, and her British fiancé, James Tyson, told the BBC she was being used as a "bargaining chip" by Iran's government.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49943566

2019-10-05 10:38:24Z
CBMiJGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy91ay00OTk0MzU2NtIBKGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy9hbXAvdWstNDk5NDM1NjY

Australian-UK blogger couple freed from Iran jail - BBC News

A British-Australian woman and her Australian boyfriend have been released from an Iranian jail, Australia's government has said.

Jolie King and Mark Firkin were detained in Tehran earlier this year for reportedly flying a drone without a permit while on a trip across Asia.

A second British-Australian, university lecturer Kylie Moore-Gilbert, is still in prison.

Australia's foreign minister said talks to secure her release were ongoing.

Marise Payne told reporters that it was "with some enormous relief" that she could announce Jolie King and Mark Firkin "have been released and returned".

The pair were detained after entering Iran as part of a major trip across Asia to the UK - they were blogging about it for thousands of followers on social media.

Meanwhile, Australia released an Iranian student, Reza Dehbashi, back to Tehran, according to the country's semi-official news agency Fars.

He had been arrested in September 2018 for allegedly sending American-made military equipment to Iran.

The BBC has contacted the Australian government for comment on the release.

According to Australia's foreign minister, Ms Moore-Gilbert remains in prison in Tehran, where she has been for almost a year having reportedly been given a 10-year sentence.

"Very long-term negotiations" were taking place to secure the release of the Cambridge-educated academic, Ms Payne added.

Ms Moore-Gilbert was most recently a lecturer in Islamic Studies at Melbourne University.

Earlier, Fars reported that the Islamic Republic's judiciary spokesman Gholam Hossein Esmayeeli confirmed Ms Moore-Gilbert, Ms King and Mr Firkin had all been detained for spying.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

The two British-Australian women were believed to be the first British passport holders without dual Iranian nationality to be held in the country in recent years.

Their detention echoes that of British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has been imprisoned since 2016 after being convicted of spying, which she denies.

On Friday it was announced that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe would allow her daughter Gabriella, five, to return to the UK to begin schooling.

The mother and daughter were said by family to have travelled together to Iran to visit relatives before she was detained.

Who are the other Britons detained in Iran?

As well as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a number of other dual UK-Iranian citizens are being detained in Iran.

Iran does not recognise dual nationality, and there are no exact figures on the numbers of dual nationals in custody.

But they do include Kamal Foroughi, a former oil and gas consultant, who has been held since 2011; businessman and wildlife conservationist Morad Tahbaz who also has US citizenship and was arrested in a crackdown on environmental activists in January 2018, and Kameel Ahmady, a social anthropologist, who has been in custody since August.

Anousheh Ashouri, a British-Iranian dual national, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a court in Tehran after being convicted of spying for Israel.

Aras Amiri, 33, a UK resident who works for the British Council in London, was held in March 2018 on a visit to her unwell grandmother. This year Ms Amiri lost an appeal against a jail term for spying, and her British fiancé, James Tyson, told the BBC she was being used as a "bargaining chip" by Iran's government.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49943566

2019-10-05 10:07:05Z
CBMiJGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy91ay00OTk0MzU2NtIBKGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy9hbXAvdWstNDk5NDM1NjY

Australian-British blogger and boyfriend freed from Iran jail - BBC News

A British-Australian woman and her Australian boyfriend have been released from an Iranian jail, Australia's government has said.

Jolie King, who also holds a UK passport, and Mark Firkin were detained in Tehran earlier this year for reportedly flying a drone without a permit.

A second British-Australian, Kylie Moore-Gilbert, is still in prison.

Australia's foreign minister said talks to secure her release were ongoing.

Marise Payne told reporters that it was "with some enormous relief" that she could announce Jolie King and Mark Firkin "have been released and returned".

The pair were detained after entering Iran as part of a major trip across Asia to the UK - they were blogging about it for thousands of followers on social media.

Ms Payne confirmed Ms Moore-Gilbert remained in prison, where she has been for almost a year having reportedly been given a 10-year sentence.

"Very long-term negotiations" were taking place to secure the release of the Cambridge-educated academic, Ms Payne added.

Ms Moore-Gilbert was most recently a lecturer in Islamic Studies at Melbourne University.

Earlier, Iran's semi-official news agency Fars reported that the Islamic Republic's judiciary spokesman Gholam Hossein Esmayeeli confirmed all three were detained for spying.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

The two British-Australian women were believed to be the first British passport holders without dual Iranian nationality to be held in the country in recent years.

Their detention echoes that of British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has been imprisoned since 2016 after being convicted of spying, which she denies.

On Friday it was announced that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe would allow her daughter Gabriella, five, to return to the UK to begin schooling.

The mother and daughter were said by family to have travelled together to Iran to visit relatives before she was detained.

Who are the other Britons detained in Iran?

As well as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a number of other dual UK-Iranian citizens are also being detained in Iran.

Iran does not recognise dual nationality, and there are no exact figures on the numbers of dual nationals in custody.

But they do include Kamal Foroughi, a former oil and gas consultant, who has been held since 2011; businessman and wildlife conservationist Morad Tahbaz who also has US citizenship and was arrested in a crackdown on environmental activists in January 2018, and Kameel Ahmady, a social anthropologist, who has been in custody since August.

Anousheh Ashouri, a British-Iranian dual national, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a court in Tehran after being convicted of spying for Israel.

Aras Amiri, 33, a UK resident who works for the British Council in London, was held in March 2018 on a visit to her unwell grandmother. This year Ms Amiri lost an appeal against a jail term for spying, and her British fiancé, James Tyson, told the BBC she was being used as a "bargaining chip" by Iran's government.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49943566

2019-10-05 07:43:43Z
52780401644587

Australian-British blogger and boyfriend freed from Iran jail - BBC News

A British-Australian woman and her Australian boyfriend have been released from an Iranian jail, Australia's government has said.

Jolie King, who also holds a UK passport, and Mark Firkin were detained in Tehran earlier this year for reportedly flying a drone without a permit.

A second British-Australian, Kylie Moore-Gilbert, is still in prison.

Australia's foreign minister said talks to secure her release were ongoing.

Marise Payne told reporters that it was "with some enormous relief" that she could announce Jolie King and Mark Firkin "have been released and returned".

The pair were detained after entering Iran as part of a major trip across Asia to the UK - they were blogging about it for thousands of followers on social media.

Ms Payne confirmed Ms Moore-Gilbert remained in prison, where she has been for almost a year having reportedly been given a 10-year sentence.

"Very long-term negotiations" were taking place to secure the release of the Cambridge-educated academic, Ms Payne added.

Ms Moore-Gilbert was most recently a lecturer in Islamic Studies at Melbourne University.

Earlier, Iran's semi-official news agency Fars reported that the Islamic Republic's judiciary spokesman Gholam Hossein Esmayeeli confirmed all three were detained for spying.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

The two British-Australian women were believed to be the first British passport holders without dual Iranian nationality to be held in the country in recent years.

Their detention echoes that of British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has been imprisoned since 2016 after being convicted of spying, which she denies.

On Friday it was announced that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe would allow her daughter Gabriella, five, to return to the UK to begin schooling.

The mother and daughter were said by family to have travelled together to Iran to visit relatives before she was detained.

Who are the other Britons detained in Iran?

As well as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a number of other dual UK-Iranian citizens are also being detained in Iran.

Iran does not recognise dual nationality, and there are no exact figures on the numbers of dual nationals in custody.

But they do include Kamal Foroughi, a former oil and gas consultant, who has been held since 2011; businessman and wildlife conservationist Morad Tahbaz who also has US citizenship and was arrested in a crackdown on environmental activists in January 2018, and Kameel Ahmady, a social anthropologist, who has been in custody since August.

Anousheh Ashouri, a British-Iranian dual national, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a court in Tehran after being convicted of spying for Israel.

Aras Amiri, 33, a UK resident who works for the British Council in London, was held in March 2018 on a visit to her unwell grandmother. This year Ms Amiri lost an appeal against a jail term for spying, and her British fiancé, James Tyson, told the BBC she was being used as a "bargaining chip" by Iran's government.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49943566

2019-10-05 07:07:18Z
52780401644587

Australian couple charged with spying in Iran released - Aljazeera.com

An Australian travel-blogging couple held in Iran on charges of spying have been released, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Saturday.

Perth-based Jolie King and Mark Firkin had been documenting their journey from Australia to the United Kingdom on social media for the past two years but went silent after posting updates from Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan about three months ago.

The couple was arrested in July after they were alleged to have used a drone to take pictures of "military sites and forbidden areas", an Iranian judiciary spokesman said last month. They had since been held in the notorious Evin prison north of Tehran.

Following "very sensitive negotiations" with Tehran, the couple has been released, Payne said on Saturday.

"They are being returned to Australia and they will be reunited with their family," she told reporters in Sydney.

"For Jolie and for Mark, the ordeal they have been through is now over," she added. "They are in good spirits and they are in good health."

But negotiations over the fate of Melbourne University Academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a third Australian accused of "spying for another country", were ongoing, Payne said.

University lecturer Moore-Gilbert, who specialises in Middle East politics with a focus on Gulf states, had been held for "some months" before King and Firkin in an unrelated case.

"She has been detained for some considerable time and has faced the Iranian legal system and has been convicted and sentenced," the foreign minister said.

"We are continuing our discussions with the Iranian government," Payne added. "We don't accept the charges on which she was convicted and we would seek to have her returned to Australia."

Last year, Moore-Gilbert was sentenced to 10 years in jail for spying.

News of the arrests last month came after Canberra announced it would contribute a frigate and surveillance aircraft to a US-led mission to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with tensions high in the Gulf region.

Payne has maintained the cases of those being held were not related to diplomatic tensions.

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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/australian-couple-charged-spying-iran-released-191005054030711.html

2019-10-05 06:04:00Z
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Kamis, 03 Oktober 2019

Australia pledges to cooperate in Russia investigation, disputes role of diplomat | TheHill - The Hill

The Australian ambassador to the U.S. on Thursday said the country will cooperate with the Justice Department in its inquiry into the origins of the Russian investigation but dismissed a claim that an Australian official was involved.

Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Joe Hockey said in a letter replying to Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamHouse Republicans voice concerns about White House's impeachment messaging Graham sends letter asking countries to cooperate with Barr probe into Russia investigation Cruz, Graham send well wishes to Sanders after heart procedure MORE (R-S.C.) that the nation has been "public about our willingness to cooperate."

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"I can assure you that the Australian Government is cooperating with Attorney General Barr's inquiry," the letter to Graham said. 

Hockey dismissed Graham's previous claim in a letter that an Australian diplomat was involved in the Russia probe.

"In your letter you made mention of the role of an Australian diplomat," Hockey's letter said. "We reject your characterisation of his role."

Hockey also attached a letter sent to Attorney General Bill Barr on May 28 expressing Australia's willingness to cooperate. 

"The Australian Government will use its best endeavours to support your efforts in this matter," the letter said.

Graham, the head of the Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Australia, Italy and the United Kingdom on  Wednesday requesting the country's assist in providing any information to the Justice Department that may have helped lead to special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) Swan MuellerFox News legal analyst says Trump call with Ukraine leader could be 'more serious' than what Mueller 'dragged up' Lewandowski says Mueller report was 'very clear' in proving 'there was no obstruction,' despite having 'never' read it Fox's Cavuto roasts Trump over criticism of network MORE's investigation.

Australian officials told the FBI about the Trump campaign's communication with Russia regarding information about Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonGiuliani consulted with Manafort on Ukraine info: report California political donor indicted for 2 overdose deaths at his home Sanders heart procedures shines spotlight on age of top Democrats MORE, which sparked the FBI investigation into the Trump-Russia relationship.

The New York Times reported Monday that the president had asked the Australian prime minister to provide information about the Russia investigation's origins.

Graham defended Barr in his letter saying his contact with foreign officials for the Justice Department inquiry was "well within the bounds of his normal activities."

The Hill reached out to the Australian embassy, the Justice Department and Graham's office for comment. 

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https://thehill.com/policy/international/asia-pacific/464170-australia-pledges-to-cooperate-in-russia-investigation-but

2019-10-03 13:19:51Z
CBMid2h0dHBzOi8vdGhlaGlsbC5jb20vcG9saWN5L2ludGVybmF0aW9uYWwvYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLzQ2NDE3MC1hdXN0cmFsaWEtcGxlZGdlcy10by1jb29wZXJhdGUtaW4tcnVzc2lhLWludmVzdGlnYXRpb24tYnV00gF7aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVoaWxsLmNvbS9wb2xpY3kvaW50ZXJuYXRpb25hbC9hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMvNDY0MTcwLWF1c3RyYWxpYS1wbGVkZ2VzLXRvLWNvb3BlcmF0ZS1pbi1ydXNzaWEtaW52ZXN0aWdhdGlvbi1idXQ_YW1w

Selasa, 01 Oktober 2019

Meat pies and didgeridoos get their own commemorative coins in Australia - CNN

The "Great Aussie Coin Hunt" is designed to create "an iconic reflection of Aussie life" thanks to an A-Z set of special $1 coins, according to a statement from Australia Post.
Footy (Australian Rules Football), cricket and the Iced Vovo -- a popular biscuit -- also get their own coins. So does the small marsupial known as a quokka, the greeting "g'day," and the long-running TV soap "Neighbours."
Nicole Sheffield, Australia Post executive general manager community and consumer, said the promotion "opens up the opportunity for wonderful conversations about quintessential Australian life."
You can get the coins in your change at Australia Post stores.
Safety chain to come off Uluru as rock climb closes in Australia
Another famous Aussie foodstuff, the Lamington cake, also makes an appearance alongside the Zooper Dooper, a brand of frozen lolly, and Vegemite, a yeast extract commonly spread on toast.
Nature lovers will appreciate the kangaroo and platypus coins, while there is even a spot for the yowie, a mythical creature said to be similar to a yeti.
The coins will only be available as change from Australia Post stores, leading to a confused reaction online.
Trump pressed Australian Prime Minister to help with Justice review of Russia probe origins
"Like, I do want them. But what can you actually buy from Australia Post?" tweeted Ayden Dawkins.
Australia Post replied asking if he needed stationery, a phone charger, an airbed or a sewing machine.
"There are a surprising array of gifts and goodies at your local Post Office these days."
Starting September 30, new coins will be released each Monday until October 21 at 3,600 Post Offices across the country.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/01/asia/australia-coin-hunt-scli-intl/index.html

2019-10-01 09:08:00Z
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