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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iraqis protest over Baghdad heatwave power cuts | Iraqis protest over Baghdad heatwave power cuts |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of Iraqi protesters have taken to the streets of Baghdad to protest against power shortages as the country experiences a heatwave. | Hundreds of Iraqi protesters have taken to the streets of Baghdad to protest against power shortages as the country experiences a heatwave. |
| They blamed government corruption for a lack of investment in infrastructure. | They blamed government corruption for a lack of investment in infrastructure. |
| On Thursday, the government declared a four-day public holiday after temperatures broke 50C (122F), with appeals for people to save power. | On Thursday, the government declared a four-day public holiday after temperatures broke 50C (122F), with appeals for people to save power. |
| Blackouts are common during the summer as Iraq's electricity grid struggles to deal with the extreme temperatures. | Blackouts are common during the summer as Iraq's electricity grid struggles to deal with the extreme temperatures. |
| Analysts say that the country's grid was severely damaged by US bombing during the 2003 invasion. The infrastructure has also been repeatedly targeted by insurgents. | Analysts say that the country's grid was severely damaged by US bombing during the 2003 invasion. The infrastructure has also been repeatedly targeted by insurgents. |
| In some areas of the country it is common to have only a few hours of electricity each day. | In some areas of the country it is common to have only a few hours of electricity each day. |
| The government has admitted that at peak times during the summer it will only be able to provide half the country's required power. | The government has admitted that at peak times during the summer it will only be able to provide half the country's required power. |
| On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered electricity to be cut at state institutions and the homes of all government officials. | On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered electricity to be cut at state institutions and the homes of all government officials. |
| However, the protestors on the streets of Baghdad remain angry. | However, the protestors on the streets of Baghdad remain angry. |
| "We are demonstrating against a failed government, a government that has disappointed the hopes of the people," protestor Nahida Ahmad told AFP. | "We are demonstrating against a failed government, a government that has disappointed the hopes of the people," protestor Nahida Ahmad told AFP. |
| Earlier this month a man was killed at a protest about shortages near the southern city of Basra. | Earlier this month a man was killed at a protest about shortages near the southern city of Basra. |