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DONALD TRUMP TRUMPS HARRIS
Thursday, 7 November, 2024 I | 4 Jamadi ul Awwal, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 121 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
‘RETURN AFTER FOUR YEARS’
Republican candidate recaptures White House by securing more than the required 270 Electoral College votes
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WASHINGTON
STAFF REPORT
EPUBLICAN candidate Donald Trump achieved a significant comeback victory by securing the U.S. presidency once again, four years after being voted out of the White House. His reelection also helped the Republican Party regain a majority in the Senate, leading to a renewed emphasis on transatlantic cooperation from European leaders. Trump’s victory in the swing state of Wisconsin pushed him over the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency. As of 11 am ET (1600 GMT), he had won 279 electoral votes to Harris’ 223 with several states yet to be counted, Edison Research projected. He also led Harris by more than five million votes in the popular count. Trump, 78, recaptured the White House comfortably after a campaign marked by dark rhetoric that deepened the polarisation in the country, prevailing after two attempts on his life and a late decision by Democrats to run Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in July. Harris, the US Vice President, will concede the election to Trump at around 4 pm (2100 GMT), a source told Reuters. Sources had earlier said her speech would happen at around 6 p.m. “America has given us an unprece-
dented and powerful mandate,” Trump said early on Wednesday to a roaring crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in Florida. Trump was elected despite persistently low approval ratings. Impeached twice, he was criminally indicted four times and found civilly liable for sexual abuse and defamation. In May, Trump became the first US president to be convicted of a crime when a New York jury found him guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money paid to a porn star. Trump’s political career had appeared to be over after his false claims of election fraud led a mob of supporters to storm the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in a failed bid to overturn his 2020 defeat. But he swept away challengers inside his Republican Party and then beat Harris by capitalising on voter concerns about high prices and what Trump claimed, without evidence, was a rise in crime due to illegal immigration. Harris did not address supporters gathered at her alma mater Howard University on Tuesday evening. Her campaign invited supporters back to Howard on Wednesday. Republicans won a US Senate majority, but neither party appeared to have an edge in the House of Representatives, where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority. Major stock markets around the world rallied following Trump’s victory, and the dollar was set for its biggest one-day jump
Donald Trump delivers ‘victory’ speech, vows to ‘fix everything’ FLORIDA
AGENCIES
Trump’s election night watch party in West Palm Beach was filled with jubilant celebrations, with his backers embracing, making calls, and tossing MAGA hats into the air as the results from crucial battleground states come in. In a speech delivered, Donald Trump declared his campaign’s victory a triumph over formidable and unprecedented obstacles. “We overcame obstacles that nobody
thought possible,” Trump stated, reflecting on the challenges his campaign had faced throughout the race. The ‘victory’ speech turned to the future as Trump made a bold vow to continue his fight for his supporters’ families and the country’s prosperity. “Every single day, I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body,” Trump promised, positioning himself as a relentless advocate for the American people.
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since 2020. Trump’s win will have major implications for US trade and climate change policies, the war in Ukraine, Americans’ taxes and immigration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Trump to congratulate him, and they discussed “the Iranian threat” and the need to work together for Israel’s security, Netanyahu’s office said. “The conversation was warm and cordial,” it said. Hamas called for an end to the “blind support” for Israel from the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed what he called Trump’s commitment to “peace through strength,” while the Kremlin said it would wait and see if his victory could help end the war in Ukraine more quickly. Trump said while campaign-
LAHORE
SALEEM JADOON
The Punjab government on Wednesday ordered closure of schools (primary to 12th class) in the province’s most affected districts until November 17, and issued an advisory to general public for wearing masks in these areas, in an effort to combat the deadly smog and alarming Air Quality Index (AQI). Lahore faces an unprecedented air quality crisis as on Wednesday, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to an alarming 1,165, with certain neighborhoods like Defence Phase VIII, Davies Road, and Gulberg recording even higher levels of 1,696, 1,464, and 1,306, respectively, as per international air quality monitors. Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb announced this decision at a presser on Wednesday, emphasizing the urgency of protecting public health as pollution levels assumed alarming proportions. Aurangzeb highlighted that smog drifting from across the border in India has intensified pollution in Multan, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Gujranwala. “A letter addressing these concerns will be sent to the Foreign Office today with the objective to push Delhi take measures for addressing pollution sufferings”, she informed. “The provincial government has also launched online classes to ensure students’ education continues and has implemented a 50% remote work policy for both public and private sector employees in affected regions,” she emphasized.
ing that he could end the war in 24 hours. JOBS AND ECONOMY Voters identified jobs and the economy as the country’s most pressing problem, according to Reuters/Ipsos opinion polls. Many Americans remained frustrated by higher prices even amid record-high stock markets, fast-growing wages and low unemployment. With the administration of President Joe Biden taking much of the blame, a majority of voters said they trusted Trump more than Harris to address the issue. Hispanics, traditionally Democratic voters, and lower-income households hit hardest by inflation helped fuel Trump’s election victory. His loyal base of rural, white and non-college educated voters again showed up in force.
PM, other leaders congratulate Trump on historic second term victory
NEW YORK: In response to Trump’s victory on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alongside other political leaders, extended congratulations on what he described as a “historic second-term victory.” In a message shared on social media, Sharif expressed his eagerness to work with the incoming U.S. administration, hoping to build on the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the United States. It may be noted that Donald Trump has been re-elected as the 47th President of the United States, marking a remarkable political comeback four years after losing the White House. The Republican candidate defeated Democratic rival Kamala Harris in a closely watched race that will shape the future of U.S. politics and its international relations. Opposition leader and PTI member Omar Ayub Khan also offered his congratulations to Trump and his Vice President-elect, JD Vance, expressing hope that the new U.S. leadership would foster better ties between Pakistan and the U.S. NEWS DESK
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Punjab shuts schools as Lahore gasps in deadly smog, alarming AQI
Republicans won a US Senate majority, but neither party appear to have an edge in House of Representatives
Two Pakistan-origin candidates win US elections WASHINGTON
COAS, Saudi Crown Prince discuss regional peace, defence and security cooperation RAWALPINDI
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
with Prince Khalid Bin Salman, Defence Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dignitaries vowed to further strengthen cooperation in the domain of defence and security. Meetings were also held with Engineer Talal Abdullah Al-
AGENCIES
Two Pakistani-American Democratic candidates, Salman Bhojani and Suleman Lalani, have made history by securing their second consecutive term in the Texas State House elections. Bhojani, who first entered the assembly in 2022, has focused on vital issues like healthcare, education, and business development while advocating for immigrant rights.
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General Syed Asim Munir, NI(M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), is currently on an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, called on Crown Prince and Prime Minister His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman and discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including regional peace, defence and security cooperation, and strategies for enhancing bilateral relations. The Crown Prince extended a warm welcome to General Asim Munir upon his arrival at the Royal Palace. The COAS expressed his gratitude to His Royal Highness for his steadfast support for Pakistan and acknowledged his significant role in fostering peace and stability across the region. COAS also separately met
Trump prevailed despite persistently low approval ratings. Impeached twice, he has been criminally indicted four times and found civilly liable for sexual abuse and defamation. In May, Trump was convicted by a New York jury of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star. His victory will have major implications for US trade and climate change policies, the war in Ukraine, Americans’ taxes and immigration. His tariff proposals could spark a fiercer trade war with China and US allies, while his pledges to reduce corporate taxes and implement a spate of new cuts could balloon US debt, economists say. Trump has promised to launch a mass deportation campaign targeting immigrants in the country illegally. He has said he wants the authority to fire civil servants he views as disloyal. His opponents fear he will turn the Justice Department and other federal law enforcement agencies into political weapons to investigate perceived enemies. A second Trump presidency could drive a bigger wedge between Democrats and Republicans on issues such as race, gender, what and how children are taught, and reproductive rights. HARRIS FALLS SHORT Vice President Harris fell short in her 15week sprint as a candidate, failing to galvanise enough support to defeat Trump, who occupied the White House from 2017-2021, or to allay voters’ concerns about the economy and immigration. Harris had warned that Trump wanted unchecked presidential power and posed a danger to democracy.
Otaibi, Assistant Minister of Defence; Air Chief Marshal Fayyadh Bin Hamed Bin Raqeeb’ Al Ruwaili, Chief of General Staff of Royal Saudi Armed Forces and Lieutenant General Fahad bin Saud Al-Johani, Chief of Royal Saudi Land Forces.
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His victory is seen as a key milestone in South Asian American political representation. Suleman Lalani successfully defended his seat in the Texas State Assembly, winning 56.1% of the vote with 32,141 votes against Republican Lee Simmons, who garnered 43.9% with 25,197 votes. Meanwhile, Republican Aaron Bashir, the only Pakistani-American candidate running for Congress, faced a setback in Pennsylvania, losing a tight congressional race.
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PTI seeking ‘foreign powers’ help to shift Imran abroad, Kh Asif claims ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is urging foreign powers to get party founder Imran Khan released and be sent abroad. “They are telling the foreign powers to influence Pakistan towards releasing Imran Khan and send him to so-and-so country,” he said. Speaking during an interview with a private news channel on Tuesday, the minister also claimed that these countries abroad are also “ready” to welcome the PTI founder — who remains incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail since August 2023. When asked if the countries are from Europe or whether is the United States, Asif dodged a response mentioning that he is “weak in geography”. The PTI founder has been behind bars for more than a year after his conviction in the Toshakhana criminal case and subsequent sentencing in other cases ahead of the February 8 elections — allegations that he has continued to deny. The minister’s remarks come over a week after as many as 20 British parliamentarians from cross-party have urged Member of Parliament and United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy to call for the former prime minister’s release from Adiala, asking the government to engage with Islamabad on the matter. The letter was written by Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, on the request of Khan’s adviser on International Affairs Zulfi Bukhari.
PM visits Chinese embassy to condemn firing on Chinese nationals in Karachi CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday visited the Chinese Embassy to condemn the firing incident, in Karachi yesterday, in which Chinese nationals were injured and assured exemplary punishment to those involved in the incident. Talking to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, the prime minister said that he came to condemn the yesterday’s attack on Chinese nationals and to inquire after the health of those injured in the incident. The prime minister assured the Chinese
ambassador that those responsible in the incident would be apprehended soon and would be awarded exemplary punishment. He further informed the Chinese ambassador that he was personally supervising the process of arresting those involved in the incident and bringing them to justice. Moreover, he had directed to provide the best medical facilities to the Chinese citizens injured in the incident, he said, adding that it was a matter of satisfaction that the health of the injured Chinese nationals was improving. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for
Interior Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi accompanied the prime minister. Prime Minister Sharif said that China was a long-standing friend of Pakistan and the attack on the Chinese nationals was a desperate attempt to damage Pakistan-China fraternal relations. He reiterated that the security of Chinese nationals, working in Pakistan, was the top priority of the government. The Chinese ambassador thanked the prime minister for his visit and hoped that he would play his role in bringing those responsible for the incident to justice soon.