Iranian authorities have turned off the lights along Tehran's highways to save energy as the country struggles to cope with a shortage of fuel amid increased demand during winter.
Iran has one of the largest reserves of natural gas but its power sector suffers from a lack of investment, partly because of years of western sanctions.
The highway lights have been switched off for the past two months, deputy director of Tehran's electricity company Alireza Rezaei told official news agency IRNA on Tuesday. Despite safety concerns, the blackout will continue “as long as there is an energy imbalance”, he said.
Mr Rezaei said two-hour power cuts were planned at different times in different locations, and residents would be notified in advance by text message.
Iran's traffic police warned that the lack of lighting would increase road accidents and crime at night, while Tehran's city council urged police to use warning lights to make road signs visible to drivers.
“We have repeatedly warned about lights being off and I wish these lights would use solar energy so that we would no longer witness them being cut off,” Mehdi Chamran, head of Tehran City Council, was quoted as saying by the Isna news agency.
Iran's Communications Ministry reported disruptions to phone and internet services because of power cuts. Schools and public offices across most of the country were closed for a third consecutive day on Tuesday, and authorities also reduced the opening hours of shopping centres.
Sub-zero temperatures in the majority of Iran's 31 provinces have added to the burden on energy supplies, according to state media. Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi called for people's co-operation in decreasing fuel consumption, attributing the current shortage to air pollution and changes in weather which led to a surge in demand for electricity.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, an advocate of reducing fuel consumption, urged Iranians to wear warmer clothes at home to reduce the need for heaters. He apologised to the nation on Monday and promised that the issue would be resolved in the coming year.
Gas-fuelled power plants in Lorestan and Golestan provinces were partially shut down earlier this week in what the government framed as an environmental protection measure. Last month, Iran said it halted gas exports to Iraq in order to carry out pipeline repairs.
Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said Iran country was close to securing imports of electricity to meet the high demand, without mentioning the supplier countries. Iran imported electricity from Turkmenistan in June to meet the high demand during summer.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
On racial profiling at airports
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
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RESULTS
Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.
Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (54kg): Dina Zholaman (KAZ) beat Sitora Shogdarova (UZB) 3-2.
Featherweight (57kg): Sitora Turdibekova (UZB) beat Vladislava Kukhta (KAZ) 5-0.
Lightweight (60kg): Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) beat Huswatun Hasanah (INA) KO round-1.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0
Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.
Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
