Kazakhstan has ordered the closure of one of the central Asian state's few newspapers that criticises the president, in the latest sign of a crackdown ahead of a possible election in December. Respublika, a weekly that supports the opposition, showed reporters a copy of an order from the Culture, Information and Sports Ministry saying the paper had been "liquidated" without giving a reason. "We consider the ministry's actions illegal and will lodge an appeal," said deputy editor Galina Dyrdina.