Iran

[Shahab3]

Dust storms hit Iran’s western provinces
Tehran Times Social Desk

KERMANSHAH – Heavy dust storms hit the western and southwestern provinces of Iran including Lorestan, Kordestan, Kermanshah, and Khuzestan on Wednesday, making breathing difficult for people and forcing officials to take some stopgap measures like closing the schools and government offices.

The dust storm also reached Tehran on Wednesday and the dust pollution reached an alarming level.

Health officials have warned about the aggravation of respiratory diseases and advised the elderly and children to stay indoors.
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Majlis ratifies $500b budget bill
TEHRAN, May 9 (MNA) – Majlis approved on Monday the nearly 5-quarillion-rial (some $500 billion) budget bill for the current Iranian year, which started on March 21.

The bill was passed with 144 votes in favor, 29 against, and 12 abstentions, Mehr news agency reported.

The budget is based on an oil price of $81.5 per barrel and the value of the U.S. dollar is estimated at 10,500 rials in the bill.

There is a 45 percent increase in the national budget compared to the national budget of the previous Iranian calendar year. One of the reasons for the rise in this year’s national budget is the fact that the government is currently implementing the subsidy reform plan, which was launched in December 2010.
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