Power failure hits Olympic building work

A power failure hit Athens and other parts of Greece today, cutting off air conditioning as temperatures pushed past 40 degrees Celsius (104F) and blacking out most Olympic venues as crews raced to finish work before the start of the games.

The blackout hit more than 75% of greater Athens shortly before 1 pm (11am Irish time), stranding rail commuters in the city that is home to nearly five million people, police said.