Nationwide blackout in Cuba after power plant failure

Cuba on Friday experienced a nationwide blackout after the island's main power plant failed, causing the communist country's electricity grid to collapse, the energy ministry said.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero announced the island was in the throes of an energy emergency, with severe supply shortages leaving some provinces without power for up to 20 hours. The government on Thursday suspended all non-essential public sector activities in order to prioritize electricity supply to homes.