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 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Ruling MP accuses opposition of “serving other countries' interests” Khachatur Sukiasyan has accused Armenia’s opposition of serving the interests of other countries Protest leader vows to achieve departure of Armenian authorities According to Archbishop Bagrat, there is only one solution to the situation in Armenia. Heads of Armenian, Ukrainian parliaments hold virtual talks Alen Simonyan and Ruslan Stefanchuk held talks via video conference on Tuesday, May 21. Pashinyan travels to Iran to pay tribute to Raisi, others Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left for the Islamic Republic of Iran on a working visit. |