Iran supreme leader warns `thugs´ amid gas price protests
(WorldNews Business)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Iran´s supreme leader on Sunday backed the government´s decision to raise gasoline prices and called angry protesters who have been setting fire to public property over the hike `thugs,` signaling a potential crackdown on the demonstrations. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei´s comments came as authorities shut down the internet across Iran to smother the protests in some two dozen cities and towns over the rise of government-set prices by 50% as of Friday. Since the hike, demonstrators have abandoned their cars along major highways and joined mass protests in the capital, Tehran, and elsewhere. Some protests turned violent, with demonstrators setting fires and there...