Millions of people across Cuba were left without electricity after the country’s national power grid collapsed on Monday, triggering widespread outages across the island.

Large parts of the country, including the capital Havana, were plunged into darkness, with residents relying on headlamps, generators and battery-powered lights overnight.

State power operator UNE said early on Tuesday that electricity was gradually being restored to several provinces and cities, though the process was expected to take time.

The blackout marks the latest in a series of major power failures affecting the Caribbean nation, where aging infrastructure and persistent fuel shortages have placed significant strain on the electricity system.

Cuba’s energy crisis has been exacerbated by reduced fuel imports, including declining supplies from Venezuela, as well as restrictions linked to policies by the United States targeting oil shipments to the island.

The outage has had a cascading impact on daily life. In many areas, water supply systems stopped functioning due to the lack of electricity needed to power pumps, worsening already difficult living conditions.

The crisis has also sparked public frustration. In central Havana, some residents staged protests, banging pots and pans in a rare display of dissent.

“It is not just the blackout,” said one resident, describing shortages of food, water and fuel, as well as rising prices driven by transportation challenges.

Another resident said the situation had become routine, reflecting the frequency of outages in recent months.

Cuba, home to around 10 million people, relies heavily on imported fuel to sustain its electricity generation. Officials have warned that the country has gone months without receiving major oil shipments, further straining its already fragile grid.

Amid the worsening crisis, Donald Trump has increased pressure on the Cuban government, warning of potential consequences if the country does not “make a deal,” while also suggesting the United States could take a more direct role in its future.

Authorities in Cuba say efforts are ongoing to stabilise the grid and restore full power, as engineers work to prevent further nationwide disruptions.

Israel says it has killed Iran’s senior security figure Ali Larijani in a targeted strike, vowing to “continue hunting down” key leaders within the Iranian establishment.

The announcement comes amid a widening escalation between Israel, Iran, and allied forces. According to Israeli officials, the operation is part of a broader effort to dismantle Iran’s top command structure, which has already seen several high-ranking figures killed.

Among those previously reported dead is Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whose death was announced on 28 February following the first day of coordinated US-Israeli strikes. Also killed in the initial wave were prominent figures including security adviser Ali Shamkhani, defence minister Amir Nasirzadeh, Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Pakpour, and armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi.

Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar said the deaths of Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani would make “Iranians safer,” arguing that the strikes are weakening what he described as Iran’s “repression mechanism.”

Speaking in Jerusalem, Saar added that while Israel’s actions are aimed at destabilising Iran’s leadership, any ultimate change in government would have to come from within the country. However, he suggested such a shift would likely require external support.

Saar also warned that Iran’s effective obstruction of the Strait of Hormuz has become a “global problem,” echoing comments from US President Donald Trump, who has called on other nations to help stabilise the critical shipping route.

Ten patients have died after a fire broke out in the trauma centre intensive care unit of a government hospital in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.

The victims were all patients receiving treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in the city of Cuttack. Eleven hospital staff members are currently receiving treatment for burns suffered while attempting to rescue those trapped in the blaze, according to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Officials said the fire started around 02:30 local time on Monday (21:00 GMT Sunday) in the trauma care ICU. Early investigations suggest the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the hospital and managed to bring the fire under control. Patients in the affected units were evacuated and transferred to other wards within the same facility as the rescue operation unfolded.

SCB Medical College and Hospital is among the largest government-run medical institutions in Odisha and serves thousands of patients each year.

After visiting the hospital, Majhi told reporters that the fire damaged the trauma care ICU as well as an adjoining intensive care unit and nearby wards. He praised the actions of medical workers and security staff who, he said, “risked their lives” to save patients during the emergency.

The state government has announced financial compensation for the families of those who died and has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. Authorities say strict action will be taken against anyone found responsible once investigations are completed.

Hospital fires are reported periodically across India, with many incidents linked to electrical faults and overloaded systems. Medical facilities are particularly vulnerable due to the heavy use of electrical equipment, oxygen systems and the presence of patients who cannot easily be moved during emergencies.

Several similar tragedies have occurred in recent years. In 2024, a fire in the neonatal intensive care unit of a medical college in Jhansi killed at least 10 newborn babies. In 2021, a blaze at Vijay Vallabh Hospital in Virar claimed the lives of 13 patients being treated for Covid-19. Another fire the same year at a newborn care unit in Bhandara district in Maharashtra killed 10 infants.

Authorities say investigations into the Odisha hospital fire are ongoing as officials work to determine the exact cause and ensure similar incidents are prevented in the future.