Basra protests Baghdad’s power failures

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...