Iran releases Canadian-Iranian professor held since June

A foreign ministry spokesman, quoted by the official IRNA news agency, said Homa Hoodfar was released on humanitarian grounds.

Iran said on Monday it had freed a Canadian-Iranian academic detained since June, releasing her just a week after the two countries began talks on a potential restoration of diplomatic relations broken in 2012. A prisoner swap in January between Iran and the US that freed Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and three other Iranian-Americans in exchange for pardons or charges dropped against seven Iranians also saw the USA make a $400 million cash delivery to Iran.

Kaveh Ehsani, a friend of Hoodfar's in Chicago, said Monday that her supporters asked for "a period of crucial privacy before Homa and her family can address the media".

Hoodfar, who is 65 and suffers from a rare neurological disease that causes severe muscle weakness, was in hospital at one point before being returned to her cell, according to her family. Her family said she has been held in Tehran's Evin Prison since June.

In July, Iran announced indictments for Mrs Hoodfar and three others, without providing any details about the accusations.

The prime minister also recognized "the co-operation of those Iranian authorities" who facilitated Hoodfar's release and repatriation.

Tesla sues Michigan, challenges law requiring dealer sales
Rick Snyder, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and Attorney General Bill Schuette in a lawsuit filed in federal court. Tesla, unlike other automakers, sells its cars directly to consumers through company-owned stores in other states.

Canada shut its embassy in Iran and expelled all Iranian diplomats in Canada after accusing Tehran of posing the biggest threat to global security, mainly over its nuclear program and military assistance to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

She was born in Iran but has lived in Montreal for 30 years.

"They understand that cases like these impede more productive relations", he said.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have arrested at least seven dual-nationality citizens, or expatriates visiting Iran in the last year, the highest number of Iranians with dual nationality acknowledged to have been detained in recent years.

Since striking a deal with world powers a year ago under which it curbed its nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief, pragmatist Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has sought to mend ties with the West to improve the economy. Analysts have suggested Iranian hard-liners hope to use them as bargaining chips with the West.

Others known to be held include Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman sentenced to five years in prison on allegations of planning the "soft toppling" of Iran's government while travelling with her young daughter.


Popular
  • Gabon court upholds President Ali Bongo's election win

    Gabon court upholds President Ali Bongo's election win

    According to reports, the decision came late in the night after the court re-counted all the votes from the poll. However, there were no reports of unrest.

    Stocks climb as Fed calms investors; bond prices up

    US crude was up $1, or 2.2 percent, at $46.34 a barrel, while Brent crude futures rose 65 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $47.48. Rising commodity prices have helped the shares of mining and commodities-trader Glencore rebound this year.
    Claims Gerry Adams sanctioned killing of Denis Donaldson are 'total rubbish': McGuinness

    Claims Gerry Adams sanctioned killing of Denis Donaldson are 'total rubbish': McGuinness

    The BBC programme said it tried to contact Murphy's representatives to put the claims to him but received no reply. "I know from my experience in the IRA that murders have to be approved by the leadership", he said.
  • India, France sign Rafale fighter jet deal

    The sources have said India is looking at shortlisting one more aircraft, besides Tejas, to be manufactured domestically. An agreement to buy 36 cutting edge Rafale jets from France's Dassault aims to fix that.
    Donald Trump blames 'lack of spirit' for racism during violent Charlotte protests

    Donald Trump blames 'lack of spirit' for racism during violent Charlotte protests

    Controversial Trump surrogate pastor Mark Burns also preached there the Sunday before the Republican National Convention in July. The group includes the mothers of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, black victims of high-profile killings.
    Ranger to father: 'Did you just stab her?'

    Ranger to father: 'Did you just stab her?'

    On Monday, Lila's friends brought flowers to the first-grader's school and placed them at her desk, according to media reports. The rangers heard a "thud-like" sound and a high-pitched scream from Lila, who then fell to the ground, the affidavit said.
  • Bekele narrowly misses world record after victory in the Berlin Marathon

    Bekele narrowly misses world record after victory in the Berlin Marathon

    Kebede went alone from halfway, gradually extending her advantage to the finish. Kipsang finished in 2:03:13. "We ran a good race together".
    Company restarts gasoline pipeline after leak in Alabama

    Company restarts gasoline pipeline after leak in Alabama

    This aerial photo shows a pair of water retention ponds at the site of a pipeline leak, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, near Helena, Ala. Department of Transportation, is investigating the leak in a section of the pipeline constructed in 1963, it said.

    Pak exports terror, we software: PM

    He was speaking at a Bharatiya Janata Party rally in Kozhikode, where he'd attended the party's National Council meet. Geo TV, one of the leading news channel of Pakistan, said: "Indian PM Narendra Modi threatens Pakistan".
  • Forces kill Houthi general on Saudi-Yemen border

    Forces kill Houthi general on Saudi-Yemen border

    The United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, condemned the attack, which killed at least 26 civilians, according to human rights monitors.
    Former Clinton foe offers debate advice to Donald Trump

    Former Clinton foe offers debate advice to Donald Trump

    But it will not be easy for her to wipe away, in a 90-minute debate, an image forged in public opinion over a quarter-century. During her first run for the presidency, in 2008, Clinton presented herself as a tough, Thatcher-style "iron lady".

    Tulsa mayor commends investigators in shooting

    He also said, as Raw Story reports , "arrangements are being made for her surrender to the Tulsa County Sheriffs Department". Multiple police cameras, including ones mounted in squad cars and in a helicopter, captured the Crutcher shooting on tape.

CONNECT