NewsTrump claims victory as storms, fires, and conflicts rage. This is what happened in the news overnight
Trump claims victory as storms, fires, and conflicts rage. This is what happened in the news overnight
It happened while you were sleeping. Here’s what global agencies reported overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.
- American media have declared Donald Trump the winner of the presidential election, although there are no official results yet. Trump delivered a triumphant speech on election night. Kamala Harris spoke for the first time after the defeat on Wednesday night, GMT. The Democratic candidate gave a speech at Howard University in Washington, her alma mater: "We must accept the result of this election. Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory," she emphasised.
- Category three hurricane Rafael hit Cuba on Wednesday, leading to another total blackout in the Caribbean, with a population of over 10 million – reported local media, citing the UNE power network operator. Reuters reported that winds reaching 115 miles per hour prompted widespread evacuation of residents and tourists. Among those evacuated were over 100 Canadian tourists from the Cayo Largo islet, south of Cuba's main island.
- Strong winds contributed to the rapid spread of the "Mountain" fire on Wednesday in Ventura County, California, USA. The blaze devastated over 10,000 acres and forced evacuations. Many people with injuries were taken to hospitals. The "Los Angeles Daily News" reported that 140 firefighters and 58 fire engines and trucks participated in the operation. Helicopters were called in to assist, and many roads were closed.
- At least 40 people were killed on Wednesday due to Israeli attacks in eastern Lebanon, mainly in the city of Baalbek. Rescuers are still searching for survivors under the rubble – reported the Lebanese Ministry of Health. Israeli forces also targeted Hezbollah positions in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Earlier, the Israeli army had called on residents of these areas to evacuate.
- The government coalition of the SPD, Greens, and FDP concluded after almost three years, and Germany faces early elections. At the coalition summit on Wednesday evening, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) decided to dismiss Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) due to irreconcilable differences. The other FDP ministers, Marco Buschmann (justice), Bettina Stark-Watzinger (education), and Volker Wissing (transport), will also leave the government – wrote the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung".
