NEW: The internet in Iran is nearly completely shut down, according to monitoring firms.The blackout comes in the midst of countrywide protests that have lasted for days after spikes in prices and shortages of basic goods. The govenrment has responded with a violent crackdown.“I think we’re at a near-total disconnection from the outside world now,” said Amir Rashidi, an Iranian cybersecurity researcher. http://techcrunch.com/2026/01/08/internet-collapses-in-iran-amid-protests-over-economic-crisis/