Two publications closed in IranSeptember 6, 2011 - 11:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran has shut down two publications after they posted articles critical of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. According to official Irna news agency, "Shahrvand-e Emrouz", a weekly reformist news magazine, was shut down for violating press laws. It said the daily "Ruzgar" was temporarily closed down for publishing propaganda. Both publications have been closed in the past. Since 2000, Iran has closed more than 100 publications, accusing many of being "pawns of the West". The latest closures come ahead of parliamentary elections in the Islamic Republic next March. Last week, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the vote in March posed a potential risk to the country's security and called for national unity, RFE/RL reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Erdogan wants “realistic road map” for relations with Armenia Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a “new realistic road map” for relations with Armenia. Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements. Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of Armenia Henrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. |