International
‘No Kings’ protests draw huge crowds as anti-Trump rallies sweep across US
‘No Kings’ protests draw huge crowds as anti-Trump rallies sweep across US
Huge crowds have taken part in “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump’s policies in cities across the US, including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles.
Thousands packed New York City’s iconic Times Square and streets all around, with people holding signs with slogans like “Democracy not Monarchy” and “The Constitution is not optional”.
Ahead of the demonstrations, Trump allies accused the protesters of being linked with the far-left Antifa movement, and condemned what they called “the-hate America rally”.
Several US states had mobilised the National Guard. But organisers said the events were peaceful.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has expanded the scope of presidential power, using executive orders to dismantle parts of the federal government and to deploy National Guard troops to US cities despite objections by state governors.
He has also called on the administration’s top law enforcement officials to prosecute his perceived enemies.
The president says his actions are necessary to rebuild a country in crisis and has dismissed accusations that he is a behaving like a dictator or fascist as hysterical.
But critics warn some of the moves by his administration are unconstitutional and a threat to American democracy.
In an interview with Fox News, set to air on Sunday, Trump appeared to address the rallies.
“A king! This is not an act,” Trump said in a preview clip of the interview. “You know – they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.”
In New York, sections of the crowd regularly erupted into chants of “This is what democracy looks like” as a near-constant drumbeat boomed in the background.
Helicopters and drones could be seen flying overhead, and police stood on the sidelines.
The New York Police Department said more than 100,000 people had gathered across all five of the city’s boroughs, and that no protest-related arrests were made.
READ ALSO:
- Man accused of stealing motorbike, killing owner in Bauchi
- Wike to meet IGP after police duplexes demolition
- Premier League celebrates Nigerian football legends, rising stars
In Times Square, a police officer standing by estimated that over 20,000 were marching down 7th Avenue.
Beth Zasloff, a freelance writer and editor, said she had joined the New York protest because she feels outraged and distressed at “a move toward fascism and an authoritarian government” happening under the Trump administration.
“I care a lot about New York City,” she said.
“It gives me hope to be out here with many, many other people.”
Massimo Mascoli, a 68-year-old retired electronic engineer and resident of New Jersey who grew up in Italy, said he was protesting because he was concerned the US was following the same path that his home country did in the last century.
Mr Mascoli said he was particularly worried about the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and healthcare cuts for millions of Americans.
“We cannot count on the Supreme Court, we cannot count on the government,” he told the BBC. “We cannot count on the Congress. We have all the legislative, the executive and judiciary that are all against the American people right now. So we are fighting.”
In Washington, DC, where the National Guard guard has been deployed since August at Trump’s request, no troops were visible at the protest, either.
One protester at the rally in the capital held up a sign that read “I am Antifa”.
Chuck Epes, 76, said it was a “loaded” term, and just meant he supported “peace, daycare, liveable wage, healthcare”, as well as immigrants and people of colour.
“He’s gaslighting everybody – or trying to, and it ain’t working,” he said.
Democratic politicians joined the protests around the country.
“We have no dictators in America. And we won’t allow Trump to keep eroding our democracy,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X alongside photos of himself holding up a sign that read “fix the health care crisis” in New York.
In Washington DC, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders delivered a keynote speech.
“We’re not here because we hate America, we’re here because we love America,” he said to a crowd of thousands.
Democratic senators Cory Booker and Adam Schiff also posted videos of themselves attending protests, thanking Americans for showing up across the country.
READ ALSO:
- Iran says no longer bound by nuclear programme restrictions
- Adamawa election commission chairman, Vokna, resigns
- Trump orders prison release of disgraced ex-lawmaker
“This is what democracy looks like. Thank you all of America for speaking out,” Schiff said.
Senator Chris Murphy shared footage of the huge turnout in his home state of Connecticut: “Breathtaking. This is why today will likely go down as the biggest day of peaceful protest in our nation’s 250 year history.”
Republican governors in several US states had placed National Guard troops on standby ahead of the protests.
The move was denounced by Democrats, including the state’s top Democrat Gene Wu, who argued: “Sending armed soldiers to suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do – and Greg Abbott just proved he’s one of them.”
Virginia’s Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin also ordered the state National Guard to be activated, though local reports said troops were not present during the protest.
The protests weren’t confined to the US.
Throughout Europe, there were also demonstrations Berlin, Madrid and Rome as people showed solidarity with their American counterparts. In London, several hundred protesters gathered outside the US embassy.
There were similar scenes in Toronto, where demonstrators near the US consulate waved signs including “Hands off Canada”.
Americans are deeply divided on Donald Trump.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 40% approved of his performance as president, while 58% disapproved. This puts him about on par with his average approval rating during his first term, but lower than his 47% approval rating when he took office for the second time in January.
It is common for presidents to become more unpopular as their term wears on. Joe Biden had a 55% approval rating, according to Reuters/Ipsos, in January 2021. By October of that year, his approval had declined to 46%.
With additional reporting by Ana Faguy
‘No Kings’ protests draw huge crowds as anti-Trump rallies sweep across US
![]()
International
BREAKING: One Killed, Four Injured As Gunman Opens Fire Near White House
BREAKING: One Killed, Four Injured As Gunman Opens Fire Near White House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — One person has been killed and four others injured after a gunman opened fire at and around a fitness centre in Washington, D.C., triggering a massive security operation in the US capital.
The shooting occurred on Thursday morning, November 12, 2026, in the Logan Circle neighbourhood, approximately one mile from the White House.
The suspected gunman also died after barricading himself inside a nearby apartment and apparently shooting himself, according to police.
Authorities said the first emergency call came in at about 8 a.m. from people inside VIDA Fitness, a gym located around 15th Street and P Street Northwest.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) reportedly arrived within 30 seconds and discovered a man who had been shot inside the fitness facility.
Additional emergency calls subsequently reported more gunfire and victims in the surrounding area, bringing the total number of people shot to five, including the deceased.
Police said four other victims sustained gunshot injuries, with one reportedly in critical condition, while the remaining three suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Following the shooting, the suspect reportedly left the immediate scene and barricaded himself inside an apartment on the seventh floor of a nearby residential building.
Police officers and tactical teams subsequently surrounded the building as negotiators attempted to persuade him to surrender.
However, officers reportedly heard a gunshot during the negotiations. Upon entering the apartment, they discovered that the suspect had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Interim Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery Carroll confirmed the development during a briefing, although authorities had yet to publicly disclose the identities of the victims or the suspected gunman.
The shooting prompted an extensive security operation involving local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Several surrounding streets were cordoned off, while residents and people working in the neighbourhood were advised to remain indoors as officers secured the area.
Nearby schools also implemented precautionary security measures during the emergency response.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, including whether the suspect knew any of the victims.
Preliminary information from police indicated that the suspect may have been involved in a dispute with the homeowners’ association of the residential building where he barricaded himself. However, investigators have yet to establish a definitive motive for the shooting.
The incident has renewed concerns about gun violence in the United States, with the attack unfolding in a busy residential neighbourhood within close proximity to the White House.
The investigation is ongoing.
BREAKING: One Killed, Four Injured As Gunman Opens Fire Near White House
![]()
International
New York Police Arrest 17-Year-Old Over Murder of Ghanaian Student
Police in New York City have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ghanaian student, Javits Frimpong, who was killed while walking to school in the Bronx.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) announced the arrest on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, saying the suspect had been taken into custody and charged with murder over the October 29 killing.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed because he is a minor, is also reportedly facing manslaughter and firearm-related charges.
Frimpong was shot in the abdomen near Crotona Park, close to East 171st Street and Crotona Place, while making his way to DreamYard Preparatory School in the Bronx.
He was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital but was later pronounced dead.
According to police reports, the teenager was walking to school when he was attacked. Investigators have not established the motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect knew the victim.
The arrest followed weeks of investigations and growing demands for justice from Frimpong’s family, members of the Ghanaian community and civil rights advocates.
READ ALSO:
- MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Overcrowding at Ogun NYSC Camp, Seeks Abiodun’s Intervention
- Two Killed, 17 Injured as Building Collapses in Brooklyn, Seven Children Among Victims
- CSU CERTIFICATE CONTROVERSY: How Ex-Lecturer Inadvertently Indicted Himself Over Claims Against President Tinubu
Police had previously indicated that three people might have been involved in the shooting and had been investigating possible motives, including robbery and alleged bullying at the victim’s school.
Frimpong’s father, Thomas Frimpong, had earlier said his son complained about being bullied by fellow students at DreamYard Preparatory School. Two students were reportedly suspended over the alleged harassment.
However, investigators have not established a connection between the alleged bullying and the fatal shooting.
The arrest was announced as the victim’s parents, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, Reverend Al Sharpton and Ghana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Yao Kumah, gathered at a news conference in New York to demand justice.
Frimpong’s mother, Doris Adu Gyamfi, broke down in tears during the event as she appealed for justice for her son.
She reportedly travelled from Ghana following her son’s death, while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had earlier appealed to US President Donald Trump to facilitate arrangements for her to travel to the United States to mourn with her family.
Frimpong had moved from Ghana to the United States about a year before his death to reunite with his father and pursue better educational opportunities. He was a Grade 10 student and reportedly aspired to become a doctor.
The killing sparked protests and public demonstrations in New York, with demonstrators calling for accountability under the campaign slogan, “Justice for Javits!”
Crump, who is representing the family, acknowledged the arrest but said several questions surrounding the teenager’s death remained unanswered.
He called for a thorough investigation to establish why Frimpong was killed and whether the tragedy could have been prevented.
Ghanaian authorities have also been engaging with their American counterparts over the case. Ghana’s government has engaged Crump to assist in seeking justice for its nationals killed in the United States.
The NYPD said investigations were continuing, with the possibility of other arrests not ruled out.
The arrest marks a significant development in the case, although the circumstances and motive behind the killing remain under investigation.
New York Police Arrest 17-Year-Old Over Murder of Ghanaian Student
![]()
International
Canada Announces Permanent Residency Plan for 100,000 Foreign Workers, Families
Canada has announced plans to provide permanent residency opportunities for up to 100,000 foreign workers and their eligible family members already living in the country under a new immigration measure scheduled for 2027.
The initiative is part of the Canadian government’s efforts to address labour shortages, reduce immigration application backlogs and provide greater certainty for migrant workers who have established themselves in Canadian communities.
According to details released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the programme will create additional permanent residency admission spaces for eligible workers living outside Quebec, alongside their family members.
The measure is expected to benefit workers whose skills are needed in local economies, particularly in smaller communities, as the government works with provincial and territorial authorities to identify eligible applicants.
However, the announcement does not establish a new immigration pathway open to every foreign worker. It is designed to accelerate permanent residency for people who already meet specified eligibility conditions under existing immigration programmes.
Under the proposed arrangement, workers may qualify through two main routes. They must either be awaiting a decision on a permanent residency application submitted under selected immigration programmes that are now closed to new applicants, or be eligible to apply through Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
READ ALSO:
- MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Overcrowding at Ogun NYSC Camp, Seeks Abiodun’s Intervention
- Two Killed, 17 Injured as Building Collapses in Brooklyn, Seven Children Among Victims
- CSU CERTIFICATE CONTROVERSY: How Ex-Lecturer Inadvertently Indicted Himself Over Claims Against President Tinubu
The selected programmes include the Start-Up Visa Programme, Self-Employed Persons Programme, Agri-Food Pilot and Home Care Workers (Caregivers) immigration programme.
The government said the additional admission spaces would cover workers living outside Quebec and their eligible family members.
The initiative is intended to recognise the contributions of foreign workers who have established roots in Canadian communities, paid taxes and helped address labour shortages.
Beyond the workers’ initiative, Canada is also setting aside additional permanent residency spaces for other categories of applicants.
These include up to 45,000 spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are already in Canada and awaiting decisions on their applications.
Another 12,600 applicants whose permanent residency cases have already received approval in principle on humanitarian and compassionate grounds are expected to benefit.
The government is also targeting outstanding applications under special immigration arrangements for Hong Kong residents and Ukrainians with family members in Canada.
According to IRCC, the measures are designed to provide stability for people who are already contributing to Canadian society while reducing outstanding immigration applications and improving processing times.
The department clarified that applicants do not need to submit separate applications or take additional steps to be considered under the temporary measures.
The 2027 initiative is time-limited and will operate outside Canada’s regular immigration admission targets. It is not a permanent expansion of immigration programmes.
The announcement is part of Canada’s wider effort to reform its immigration system, balance labour market requirements with sustainable population growth and prioritise applicants who are already living and working in the country.
The government said the additional admission spaces would help eligible migrants and their families secure greater certainty about their future in Canada.
Canada Announces Permanent Residency Plan for 100,000 Foreign Workers, Families
![]()
-
International2 days agoUS Lawmakers to Hold Fresh Hearing on Nigeria’s Insecurity, Christian Killings
-
metro2 days agoCourt Orders Final Forfeiture Of 48 Properties Worth N212bn Linked To Malami
-
metro2 days agoOgbomosoland Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Teliat Ayilara II, Marks Five Years in Office
-
metro2 days agoAgunbiade Celebrates Oyo Grand Chief Imam Akeugberu at One, Says His Impact Equals a Decade
-
Africa3 days ago“This Is Not A Church”: Passengers Challenge Pastor Preaching Inside Moving Bus
-
News2 days agoTinubu’s Chicago Varsity Certificate Row: Omokri Challenges Journalists to Verify Fresh Allegations
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Manchester United Sack Michael Carrick After Disastrous Start to Season
-
Auto2 days agoAfter-Sales Support Will Define Future of Nigeria’s Auto Industry – Carloha Marketing Chief
