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Nationwide Blackout Leaves Millions in Cuba Without Power After Grid Collapse

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Nationwide Blackout Leaves Millions in Cuba Without Power After Grid Collapse

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Tiger Woods Accepts Five-Year Driving Ban After Reckless Driving Plea

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Golfing legend Tiger Woods has agreed to plead to a reckless driving charge as part of a deal with prosecutors, avoiding the original charge of driving under the influence following a rollover crash in Florida.

The 50-year-old accepted a five-year suspension of his driving licence and a $1,000 (£742) fine under the plea agreement reached with prosecutors in Martin County.

Woods was arrested following the March crash. He passed a breathalyser test but declined further testing for other substances.

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He initially pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and refusing to submit to testing. Following the incident, Woods said he was seeking treatment and taking time to focus on his health.

Florida State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl said he was satisfied with the resolution of the case and insisted Woods had been treated like any other defendant.

“No one was injured in the crash, although Woods was forced to crawl through the passenger door to escape the vehicle after it rolled over.

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Police body-camera footage released in April showed Woods in the aftermath of the crash. He appeared calm as he told officers: “I looked down at my phone, and all of a sudden, boom.”

Woods told police he had not consumed alcohol that day. He also acknowledged taking prescription medication earlier that morning, although the names of the medication were redacted from the footage.

Officers said they suspected his normal faculties had been impaired by an “unknown substance”. Authorities later reported finding two white pills in his pocket, which were identified as hydrocodone, an opioid commonly prescribed for pain.

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After the incident, Woods acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and said he was stepping away to seek treatment and focus on his wellbeing.

The crash was the second time Woods had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

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Norway’s King Haakon Takes Oath as Nation Mourns Late King Harald

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Norway’s King Haakon VIII has sworn an oath before parliament in Oslo, marking the first major formal step in his reign following the death of his father, King Harald V.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, parliament also observed a minute’s silence in honour of Harald, who died on Friday.

Haakon’s wife, Queen Mette-Marit, was absent from the formal ceremony as she continues to recover from a lung transplant.

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Following the parliamentary proceedings, mourners began gathering at the Royal Palace in Oslo to pay their respects to the late king.

King Harald’s coffin is lying in state at the palace, where members of the public will be able to pay their respects until 8 September.

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Nepal Flood Death Toll Surpasses 1,000 as Rescuers Search for Trapped Workers

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The death toll from devastating floods along Nepal’s border with Tibet has surpassed 1,000, according to the country’s disaster management authorities.

More than 3,900 people remain missing, including over 600 workers believed to be trapped inside a vast network of mud-filled tunnels at hydropower projects along the Trishuli River.

Rescuers have been pumping air into the tunnels in an effort to keep those trapped alive. A team managed to enter one of the tunnels on Monday but was forced to withdraw after finding no survivors.

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Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah said 279 people had so far been rescued from the affected sites.

The international rescue effort is being led by Chinese and Nepalese military personnel, with experts from India, South Korea and Australia also taking part.

Families of the missing workers have expressed frustration over the pace of the rescue operation.

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Nepal relies heavily on hydropower and has invested extensively in projects along its mountainous river systems. Authorities said at least 11 hydropower projects, either completed or under construction, were damaged by the floods.

Rescuers began pumping air into one tunnel over the weekend, but relatives of those trapped said the measure should have been introduced sooner.

Prime Minister Shah said rescue efforts had been intensified, describing the floods as an extraordinary disaster and warning that climate change was increasing risks across the Himalayan region.

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