Thousands take to U.S. streets to protest Trump victory

Demonstrators marched in cities across the United States on Wednesday to protest against Republican Donald Trump's surprise U.S. presidential election win, blasting his controversial campaign rhetoric about immigrants, Muslims and other groups. In New York, thousands of protesters filled streets in midtown Manhattan as they made their way to Trump Tower, Trump's gilded home on Fifth Avenue. Hundreds of others gathered at a Manhattan park and shouted "Not my president." Protesters threw objects at police in riot gear and smashed windows at a CVS drug store in Oakland, California. Police responded by throwing chemical irritants at the protesters, according to a Reuters witness. In downtown Chicago, an estimated 1,800 people gathered outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower, chanting phrases like "No Trump! No KKK! No racist USA." Chicago police closed roads in the area, impeding the demonstrators' path. There were no immediate reports of arrests or violence there.

"I'm just really terrified about what is happening in this country," said 22-year-old Adriana Rizzo in Chicago, who was holding a sign that read: "Enjoy your rights while you can." In Seattle, police responded to a shooting with multiple victims near the scene of anti-Trump protests. Police said the shooting was unrelated to the demonstrations. Protesters railed against Trump's campaign pledge to build a wall along the border with Mexico to keep immigrants from entering the United States illegally. Hundreds also gathered in Philadelphia, Boston and Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday evening, and organizers planned rallies in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland, California. In Austin, the Texas capital, about 400 people marched through the streets, police said. A representative of the Trump campaign did not respond immediately to requests for comment on the protests. Trump said in his victory speech he would be president for all Americans, saying: "It is time for us to come together as one united people." Earlier this month, his campaign rejected the support of a Ku Klux Klan newspaper and said that "Mr. Trump and his campaign denounces hate in any form."

"DREAMERS" FEAR DEPORTATION

Earlier on Wednesday, some 1,500 students and teachers rallied in the courtyard of Berkeley High School, in a San Francisco Bay Area city known for its liberal politics, before marching toward the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. Hundreds of high school and college students also walked out in protest in Seattle, Phoenix, Los Angeles and three other Bay Area cities - Oakland, Richmond and El Cerrito. A predominantly Latino group of about 300 high school students walked out of classes on Wednesday morning in Los Angeles and marched to the steps of City Hall, where they held a brief but boisterous rally. Chanting in Spanish: "The people united will never be defeated," the group held signs with slogans such as "Not Supporting Racism, Not My President" and "Immigrants Make America Great." Many of those students were members of the "Dreamers" generation, children whose parents entered the United States with them illegally, school officials said, and who fear deportation under a Trump administration. "A child should not live in fear that they will be deported," said Stephanie Hipolito, one of the student organizers of the walkout. She said her parents were U.S. citizens. There were no immediate reports of arrests or violence. Wednesday's demonstrations followed a night of protests in the San Francisco area and elsewhere in the country in response to Trump's victory against heavily favored Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Demonstrators smashed storefront windows and set garbage and tires ablaze late on Tuesday in downtown Oakland.

Pakistan welcomes Trump’s offer to mediate Kashmir issue

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) Spokesman Nafees Zakaria has said that Pakistan is looking forward to work closely with the new administration in the United States towards mutual benefits of both the countries. The FO spokesman said this while responding to the queries of media persons at weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday about the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump in the US Presidential elections. The Spokesman said that Pakistan will endeavour to promote and strengthen the existing relationship in the areas of common interest. He said that Pakistan has multidimensional and strategic relationships with the US including economic, defence, Science and Technology, education, strategic issues, counter-terrorism and wants to strengthen these relationships further. He also said that Pakistan leadership has congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory as US President. Zakaria further said that US president-elect offered for mediation between Pakistan and India on Kashmir issue during his campaign. Pakistan had welcomed Trump’s offer of mediation. He said that the Kashmiri people are rendering sacrifices for their right to self determination. The spokesperson said that Pakistan is concerned over continued atrocities of Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir and will continue to raise voice against Indian brutalities and human rights violations at international forum. He said that Pakistan also continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the just cause of Kashmiris. I response to a question, the spokesman said that six out of eight Indian diplomats - found involved in subversive activities in Pakistan - have left Pakistan. Regarding a question about killing of Muslims in fake encounters in India, the spokesman said that international community has serious concern over situation of Muslims and other minorities in India. He also said that international human rights organisations have documented scores of fake encounters in India.

While answering a question, Zakaria said that eight leaders and commanders of Haqqani network have been killed since 6th of July this year in Afghanistan. He said this is reflective of where the leaders of Haqqani network are at the moment. He said Pakistan wishes peace and stability in Afghanistan and in this context it has committed to help all the initiatives aimed at bringing peace there. He further said that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and the entire region. Replying to a question, the spokesman said that Saudi Arabia has shown interest in acquiring 17 JF Thunder and Super Mashak aircraft and both the countries are negotiating in this regard. He said Pakistan enjoys deep rooted relations with Saudi Arabia. In response to a question regarding violation of Indus Waters Treaty by India, he said that Pakistan has approached the World Bank for establishing a Court of Arbitration. He said Pakistan is looking forward for establishment of the court at the earliest in line with the Indus Waters Treaty. Answering a question, he said that India has not fulfilled its promise for investigations into Samjhauta Express incident. He said that the perpetrators of the incident had made public confession in which eight serving army officers of India were involved. He said that India did not share anything with us. He said Pakistan has raised this issue bilaterally on various forums many times.

Chinese firm offers to run 14,000 buses in Sindh

KARACHI - Chinese investors under an ambitious transport network plan have offered the Sindh government to run 14,000 modern buses in Karachi and interior Sindh in phases.

The offer was made by a delegation of well-known Chinese firm Norinco International that called on Sindh Minister for Transport Syed Nasir Hussain Shah at his office here, said a statement on Wednesday.

The minister said that Chinese investors’ keenness in transport sector was a source of encouragement as it showed confidence of foreign investors in government’s policies. He said that foreign investors' continued interest in the projects of the Sindh government would help strengthen economy at both provincial and federal levels. He said it would also create job opportunities that would usher in economic prosperity in the country.

The Chinese delegation consisted of Wang Zhang and Maz Yarong. Sindh government representatives present in the meeting were Coordinator Assad Alam Niazi, Secretary Tallah Farooqui and Media Management Director to Minister Muhammad Shabbir Siddiqui.

The Chinese delegation expressed its keen interest in investment in various projects of the Sindh government, especially Brown Line project. The delegation informed the minister that Norinco International wanted to lay a network of communication to run 14,000 modern buses in phases in Sindh province. Wang informed the minister that 4,000 buses would be run in Karachi and 10,000 in various districts in interior Sindh. Besides, he said, Norinco International planned to set up a technical institute in Karachi where youth would be imparted training in driving, mechanical/repairing and other transport related fields.

On provincial minister’s suggestion, the Chinese delegation agreed to set up a bus manufacturing plant in Karachi. Transport Secretary Tallah Farooqui briefed the Chinese delegation about the ongoing transport projects in the province.  Earlier, the Chinese delegation visited the route of the Brown Line Project. Karachi Mass Transit Director General Assadullah briefed the delegation about the project.  The Brown Line route starts from Anda Morr and goes up to Shahrah-e-Faisal (Drig Road) Station via Nagan Chowrangi, Shafiq Morr, Sohrab Goth, Gulshan Chowrangi and NIPA.