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As 'Drought' Approaches, Iranians Warned To Conserve Water

As 'Drought' Approaches, Iranians Warned To Conserve Water

In Tehran — Photo: Kamyar Adl

As Iran approaches another long, scorching summer with possible water shortages, the Energy Ministry is telling millions of Iranians to make cautious use of their air-conditioning systems because each could use up to 200 liters of water a day, the newspaper Jaam-e Jam reported.

The Ministry characterized it as “more than the standard” amount of water used by one Iranian every day, and observed that having AC running all day was like adding a person to every household.

[rebelmouse-image 27087978 alt="""" original_size="800x600" expand=1]

Low water levels near Tehran’s Lar dam — Photo: Alireza Javaheri

Officials regularly warn Iranians about wasting water, gas and electricity. It is not uncommon for a passerby to smell gas leaking from building pipes on buildings during winter, and gas shortages are a recurring theme of official warnings in wintertime. The Ministry urged Iranians to keep their AC's “cooling boxes” (often stuck on walls or placed on roofs) away from the sun, or to buy more efficient systems.

Jaam-e Jam reported that water levels in one of Tehran’s dams had fallen so low that “cars could easily drive inside.” The Lar dam is currently holding 53 million cubic meters of water, compared to 96 at the same time in 2013. Reporters from Fars news agency drove into the dam and observed that boats are now stuck there.

— Ahmad Shayegan

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Economy

Soft Power Or Sportwashing? What's Driving The Mega Saudi Image Makeover Play

Saudi Arabia suddenly now leads the world in golf, continues to attract top European soccer stars, and invests in culture and entertainment... Its "soft power" strategy is changing the kingdom's image through what critics bash as blatant "sportwashing."

Footballer Karim Benzema, in his Real Madrid kit

Karim Benzema during a football match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on June 04, 2023, in Madrid, Spain.

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — A major announcement this week caused quite a stir in the world of professional golf. It wouldn't belong in the politics section were it not for the role played by Saudi Arabia. The three competing world circuits have announced their merger, putting an end to the "civil war" in the world of pro golf.

The Chairman of the new entity is Yassir Al-Rumayan, head of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Add to this the fact that one of the major players in the world of golf is Donald Trump – three of the biggest tournaments are held on golf courses he owns – and it's easy to see what's at stake.

In the same week, we learned that two leading French footballers, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté, were to join Saudi club Al-Ittihad, also owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. The amount of the transfer is not known, but it is sure to be substantial. There, they will join other soccer stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo.

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