Basra protests Baghdad’s power failures

BASRA - Basra leaders are firing sharp criticism at the central government, after blackouts that left some residents without power for two days sparked violent protests and arrests.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has taken pains to show his support for Basra – home to most of Iraq's oil production – in order to avert a movement by local leaders to assert autonomy from Baghdad. But, as electricity demand has soared along with summer temperatures, the infrastructure has not been able to handle the strain.