China hits back at President Trump, imposes 34% tariff on all US goods

 

The Chinese government has announced its decision to levy a 34% tariff on all American imports starting next week.

The tariff rate, effective April 10, equals the "reciprocal" duty implemented by US President Donald Trump earlier this week.

"For all imported goods originating from the US, an additional tariff of 34 percent on top of the current applicable tariff rate will be imposed," said Beijing's finance ministry, as quoted by AFP.

Beijing's commerce ministry additionally announced plans to strengthen export restrictions on rare earth elements, crucial components in advanced technology products including semiconductor chips and EV battery systems.

China further announced its intention to challenge the tariffs through legal action at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

This comes as Trump, following market closure on Wednesday, announced a national emergency to implement his comprehensive new tariff strategy, dubbed "Liberation Day" tariffs, which imposes a baseline duty of 10 per cent on almost all imports.

The plan includes higher "reciprocal" duties targeting major allies, including the European Union, Japan, and Israel.

Trump specifically targeted China, one of America's primary trading partners, with particularly harsh tariffs of 34 per cent, supplementing existing trade duties.

Police uncover Yahoo school in Lagos, arrest principal suspects

The Lagos State Police Command has successfully uncovered and dismantled an illegal internet fraud training facility, commonly referred to as a “Yahoo School,” operating in the Iju area of Lagos State.

A statement from the spokesperson of the command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, says during the successful operation, the Police Detectives arrested four(4) Yahoo experts who were running the notorious school, namely Chibuike Ihejika, 23; Stanley Ihejika, 22; Obiora Oyediba, 26; and Emmanuel Oyediba, 25. 

The other six (6) suspects were their  trainees, all of whom were undergoing training in cybercrime and fraud:  Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom, 20; Okeke Kwufrochikwu, 26; Uchenna Obeji, 26; Minachi Udochukwu, 12; and Chinedu Ukachukwu, 23.      

‘’Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects of the facility recruited their trainees from Anambra State, engaged them to commit internet fraud and other related crimes. The proceeds from their fraudulent activities were being confiscated by the principal suspects.

All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further discreet investigation and prosecution. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the sponsors who financed the trainees’ enrollment in the school as well as the owner of the facility where these criminal and illegal activities took place. The owner of the facility is hereby warned in his own interest to turn himself in immediately at the SCID Panti from wherever he is hiding.

Hundeyin mentioned that the Lagos State Police Command will ensure that all suspects are charged to court for prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation into the case.    

He further stated that in line with due process of the law, the underage suspect among them, Minachi Ugochukwu, 12 years old, with healing marks of injuries on his body allegedly inflicted on him by the main principal suspect to compel him into the commission of the criminal acts, is being given medical attention and kept in protective custody till his relatives are identified and reunited with him. 

He urged parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and wards to prevent them from being exploited, lured, or compelled into criminal activities. 

Diddy sued by man claiming he was forced to give him oral s£x on commercial set

Disgraced hip-hop mogul,  Sean "Diddy" Combs'  has been accused of s£xual ass@ult in a new civil lawsuit.

An anonymous man from Southern California, filing as John Doe, alleged Combs s£xually ass@ulted him on the set of a commercial in either 2022 or 2023, in a New York County Supreme Court complaint obtained by USA TODAY.

He claims that while filming a "high-profile commercial," Doe describing himself as a "photographer/production assistant"  "struck up a conversation" with Combs.

After Combs allegedly invited Doe into his trailer, he demanded Doe perform oral s£x on him and promised to "make your career take off." Doe called the alleged incident "blatant sexual quid-pro-quo."

"Combs framed this meeting as an opportunity for (Doe) to advance his career. (Doe), although hesitant, could not turn down what appeared to be a career-defining moment few ever receive," the lawsuit reads. "The implication was clear, also, that if (Doe) did not perform oral s£x on Combs to his satisfaction, his career would be over."

Doe, who "does not recall" why Combs was on set but noted high-profile people aren't always named on call sheets, accuses Combs of sexual battery and requests a jury trial in the case.

Combs' legal team, in a statement to USA TODAY, maintained their stance on his innocence, writing: "No matter how many lawsuits are filed — especially by individuals who refuse to put their own names behind their claims — it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or s£x trafficked anyone; man or woman, adult or minor."

The statement continued, "We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth, and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail in court."

Niger coup leader sworn in as president for five years

Niger's military ruler has been sworn in as the country's president for a transitional period of five years.

Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani has led the country since 2023 after he deposed Niger's elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.

Niger has been plagued by jihadist attacks for many years - one of the issues junta leaders cited when staging their coup. The military takeover followed a string of others in the region - neighbouring Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso are also run by juntas.

All four countries have severed ties with former colonial power France and forged new alliances with Russia and all except Guinea, have pulled out of ECOWAS, the West African regional bloc.

On Wednesday, March 26, Gen Tchiani took the presidential office under a new charter that replaces the country's constitution.

He was also promoted to the country's highest military rank of army general and signed a decree ordering that all political parties be dissolved.
 
During a ceremony in the capital, Niamey, Gen Tchiani said of his new military rank: “I receive this distinction with great humility... I will strive to live up to the trust placed in me.”

The transition to democratic rule is in line with recommendations that a commission made following national discussions.

This five-year time period is "flexible" depending on the country's security status, the new charter says.

Niger's relations with Ecowas broke down when the junta proposed a three-year transition period to democratic rule straight after the coup. Ecowas called this plan a "provocation" and threatened to intervene with the use of force, before later backing down.

Gen Tchiani's administration is prosecuting former President Bazoum on allegations of committing high treason and undermining national security. Bazoum is still being held in the presidential palace with his wife, while his son was granted a provisional release last January.

National assembly didn’t get two-thirds to ratify Rivers emergency rule - Tambuwal

Aminu Tambuwal, senator representing Sokoto South, has stated that the National Assembly did not garner the required two-thirds majority before ratifying the emergency rule in Rivers State.

Last Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the prolonged political crisis and vandalization of oil installations. The proclamation led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months. In their place, Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator of the state.

On Thursday, March 20, the Senate and the House of Representatives controversially approved Tinubu’s request for the emergency rule. Several stakeholders, including the South-South Governors’ Forum, have condemned the decision.

Section 305 (6) of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that a proclamation of emergency must be supported by a two-thirds majority of all members in both chambers of the National Assembly. With 360 members in the House of Representatives and 109 in the Senate, Tinubu needed at least 240 votes in the lower chamber and 73 in the Senate for the approval to stand. However, both chambers ratified the decision through a voice vote, a method that does not determine the exact number of lawmakers in support or opposition.

Speaking tp The Sun, Tambuwal argued that the National Assembly erred in approving the emergency rule.

“I will be speaking to you from the point of view of being a lawyer, a member of the body of benchers and a life bencher for that matter and not necessarily as a lawmaker who is a member of the 10th Senate, and, in addition to that, possibly my experience as a former presiding officer, former Speaker of the House of Representatives who presided over a matter such as this in 2013,” he said.

“Section 305 of the constitution is very clear. It is unambiguous, the language is very plain, of the constitution as to first, how the president can declare a state of emergency and what is required of the legislature, the two chambers — both the Senate and the House of Representatives before passing such a resolution.

“What is required is that you must obtain and have two-thirds of all the members of either of the two chambers in support of the resolution.

“In the case of what happened in the Senate, where I belong, I don’t know whether members of your team who are members of the press corps had the privilege of checking the (Senate) register to see whether there were up to 72 or 73 senators on the floor. From what I saw, there was no such number on the floor on that day.

“So, if you juxtapose that to the requirement of the constitution which says that the Senate must have two-thirds of its members, all of its members to pass that resolution in support of it, not just present and voting. No. Supporting it. It means that what was done fell short of the provision of the constitution.”

Tambuwal further argued that the National Assembly ignored precedents in handling the emergency rule declaration.

“Parliament is supposed to be guided by the constitution, its rules and its precedents,” he said.

“State of emergency was declared under President Olusegun Obasanjo. Two-thirds had to be garnered in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“State of emergency was declared during the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2013 in Borno State. Also, in Adamawa and Yobe. We had to garner two-thirds.”

On March 21, Seriake Dickson, senator representing Bayelsa West, said Tambuwal was among the lawmakers who opposed the decision during the closed session.

First Black Republican woman to be elected to the US House d!es at 49 after brain cancer battle

Mia Love, the child of Haitian immigrants who went on to become a City Council member, mayor, and the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, has d!ed after a three-year-long battle with brain cancer. She was 49.

Love’s family posted news of her de@th on Love’s X account.

She had undergone recent treatment for brain cancer and received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center.

Her daughter said earlier this month that the former lawmaker was no longer responding to treatment.

Love died at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, according to a statement posted by the family.

“With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully,” her family said. “We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers, and condolences.”

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox referred to Love as a “true friend” and said her legacy of service inspired all who knew her.

Love entered politics in 2003 after winning a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, a growing community about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City. She later became the city’s mayor.

In 2012, Love narrowly lost a bid for the House against the Democratic incumbent, former Rep. Jim Matheson, in a district that covers a string of Salt Lake City suburbs. She ran again two years later and defeated first-time candidate Doug Owens by about 7,500 votes.

In an op-ed published earlier this month in the Deseret News, Love described the version of America she grew up loving and shared her enduring wish for the nation to become less divisive. She thanked her medical team and every person who had prayed for her.

Love said her parents immigrated to the U.S. with $10 in their pocket and a belief that hard work would lead to success. She said she was raised to believe passionately in the American dream and “to love this country, warts and all.” America at its roots is respectful, resilient, giving, and grounded in gritty determination, she said.

Worshippers flock to view body of teenager set to be "first millennial saint" ahead of his canonisation next month

Pilgrims have flocked to Assisi in Italy to view the preserved body of British-born Carlo Acutis ahead of his canonisation as a saint next month. 

Acutis, who died aged 15 from leukaemia in 2006, is to become the Catholic Church's first millennial saint after being credited with miracles since his death. 
 

The London-born teenager was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020, who then granted approval for Acutis' canonisation last year, scheduled for April 27, 2025. 

In keeping with his final wish, Acutis was buried in Assisi, laid to rest at the Sanctuary of the Spoliation in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in April 2019. 

His body has been encased in a wax layer molded to look like his body prior to burial, allowing faithful to see Acutis as he lived in his tomb, according to Aleteia. 
 

The teenager has gathered a global following since his death. 

Acutis is now to be canonised as a saint during the Church's Jubilee of Teenagers, between April 25 and April 27, of this year. 
 

The date was announced after a second miracle attributed to his intercession was confirmed in May 2024. 

The mother of a Costa Rican woman involved in a serious bike accident had prayed at his glass casket and left a note asking for her to be healed in 2022.  

The same day her daughter began to breathe independently and 10 days later she was discharged from intensive care because the haemorrhage in her brain had disappeared. 

The Vatican also said that Acutis interceded from heaven in 2013 to cure a Brazilian boy suffering from a rare pancreatic disease. 

Acutis was beatified in Assisi, the home of his idol Saint Francis, who dedicated his life to the care of the poor. 

His mother said that her son also dedicated himself to supporting struggling classmates, would defend disabled friends who were being bullied and would take meals out to homeless people across the city. 

The 15-year-old died in Monza, Italy in 2006 after moving to Milan as a child.  
 

He has since been called "God's influencer" and "the patron saint of the internet" because of his devotion to promoting his religious beliefs online before he died. 

To become a saint, there is usually first a five-year wait for the process to begin. This allows for a period of reflection. 

The bishop of the diocese where the person has died then investigates whether their life was holy enough to be deemed a "servant of God".  

Before his death, Acutis set up a website named, "The Eucharistic Miracles of the World" and enjoyed researching different miracles for the site.   

His mother told The Times: "He was a computer genius, so this probably makes him very close to the people of nowadays. 

"He was living the same lives as them, he liked to play video games, use the internet, liked football.: 

The teenager also helped the homeless and stood up for bullied classmates at school. 

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints then looks at the case. If they approve it is passed onto the Pope, who declares the subject a person of "heroic virtue". 

In July 2018, Pope Francis named him venerable, which helped him achieve the third of five stages towards becoming a saint. 

For beatification, a miracle needs to happen to a person who has prayed to the person in question. 

The person may then be canonised if a second miracle can be attributed to them.

Six d€ad in Abuja trailer accident

 

The FCT Police command has confirmed a devastating motor vehicle accident that occurred at about 6:58 PM before Nyanya Bridge on Wednesday, March 19, leaving six persons d3ad and fourteen cars destroyed.

The command in a statement signed by its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, says a distress call was received by Karu Division reporting stating that a trailer, heavily loaded with cement and approaching Nyanya Bridge from AYA, lost control and crashed into stationary vehicles trapped in traffic.

Adeh mentioned that the impact engulfed fourteen vehicles in a raging inferno. 

‘’Panic and chaos followed as bystanders and motorists scrambled for safety. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, battling thick smoke and intense heat to rescue those trapped. Six victims were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital, but tragically, they were confirmed dead by medical personnel on duty. Their remains have been deposited at Karu General Hospital Morgue.'' she said

Adeh stated that police operatives, in collaboration with fire service personnel, other security agencies, and courageous individuals at the scene, contained the inferno, and normal traffic flow was restored.

‘’The FCT Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assures the public that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of this disaster and prevent future occurrences. Members of the public are strongly urged to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits while driving, especially in high-traffic areas. Safe driving habits can prevent tragedies like this and save lives.

Residents are also encouraged to remain vigilant and report emergencies or suspicious activities through the FCT Command emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883, 07057337653. Complaint Response Unit: 08107314192.'' Adeh said

Troops ambush bandits on Kaduna-Abuja highway, neutralise three and recover arms

Troops of the Nigerian Army have ambushed bandits and neutralised three on Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 said troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, and eight AK-47 rifle magazines. 

“In a well-coordinated operation on Tuesday 11th March 2025, troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA successfully neutralised three Violent Extremists and Insurgents (VEIs) in an ambush at an area near Ngwagi Hill, Gwagwada Community, off the Kaduna - Abuja highway in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State,” the statement read. 

Acting on credible intelligence regarding sighting the movements of the VEIs near Ngwagi Hill, troops were immediately deployed on long-range fighting patrol to the likely road-crossing point of the insurgents. 

 

The troops got into location at about 5.30 pm on the same date and successfully launched the ambush, which effectively neutralised three armed members of the criminal group.

During the operation, troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 rifle magazines, 374 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 special ammunition and 88 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 NATO ammunition. 

 

Other items recovered were one Infinix mobile phone, medical supplies, clothing, and dry rations

 

The success of the operation is a testament to the troops' high fighting morale and combat efficiency. This achievement is also as a result of the effective collaboration between the military and intelligence agencies, which provided credible intelligence that informed the operation.

 

The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA Major General Mayirenso Lander David Saraso, applauded and commended the troops for their resilience and successful conduct of the operation. 

 

He charged the troops not to relent on their oars until all criminal elements operating in the Division and the Sector's Area of Operational Responsibility are neutralised.

Security forces hunt down suspected herdsmen behind abduction and k!lling in Imo

Security agencies have launched a large-scale operation to track down herdsmen responsible for last Friday’s deadly attack along the Ihitte/Ngor Okpala road in Imo State.

The assailants allegedly abducted passengers and k!lled a driver, prompting a coordinated response from the police, forest guards, local vigilantes, and other security forces. 

Search operations are ongoing in Avu, Irete, Ihiagwa, and Obinze autonomous communities in Owerri West, as well as parts of Ngor Okpala LGA.

During a security operation on Monday, Imo State Police Commissioner Aboki Danjuma addressed journalists, stating that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), had previously designated Mondays as “sit-at-home” days.

However, he assured residents that the directive was no longer in effect, as security forces had neutralized threats in the area.

Danjuma disclosed that the latest operation in the Ihiagwa Avu forest led to the arrest of several suspects who are now providing useful intelligence.

The operation was executed in three sectors, each led by a separate commander, including the Brigade commander, another security leader, and Commissioner Danjuma himself.

He urged Imo residents to ignore the “sit-at-home” order and resume their daily activities without fear. 

He also called on the public to report any security-related information to him, the Brigand commander, or the Air Force commander, assuring them of confidentiality.

Man celebrates "double baby shower" for his girlfriend and her mum that he sleeps with

 

A man left many internet users repulsed after he shared photos from the "double baby shower" for his girlfriend and her mother after claiming he impregnated both of them. 

YouTuber Nick Yardy, 29, stunned viewers when he announced 22-year-old content creator Jade and her mom Dani, 44, were both pregnant with his children.  
 

The bombshell announcement, shared across his social media accounts and with his 3.41 million YouTube subscribers, was met with both curiosity and disgust .
 

Yardy has now set the record straight with the Daily Mail.  

"There are no babies," he said in an interview. "It's just, like, a skit. It's not actually real." 

"People that follow me, they're just looking for entertainment and I don't think they really [believe it]," he added. 

However, Yardy insisted he is really in a three-way relationship with the mother and daughter duo and that he's open to turning the internet stunt into a reality one day.  
 

The South Floridian, whose real name is Nicholas Hunter, claims the two women have been his live-in lovers for nearly two years. 

He said he first met Jade about two years ago on a shoot. He claimed the couple turned to her mom Dani for advice about a rough patch they were having, and she suggested inviting another woman into their relationship – claiming she didn't have herself in mind.  

At 29, Yardy is the same age as Dani's eldest child, Jade's brother. 

Addressing the unorthodox three-way arrangement in a video, he said: "There's always that one guy, you introduce him to your mom and he looks at her mom and is like, 'Mom's got back,' and you're like, 'Damn is that what I'm gonna have when the girl gets older?'" 

Although the trio sleep in the same bed together, Yardy explained their boundaries: "We don't have s£x together. We keep it separate." 
 

Yardy said he typically reserves Saturdays for Dani and Sundays for Jade. The trio pool their money in a joint bank account. 

'And then, you know, you, like, fantasize, but you'll never want to say it because it's not, like, natural.' 

Yardy claims Dani eventually moved in with him and her daughter to create what they all claim on video is a "common law marriage arrangement."

Mother, 38, and daughter, 10, undergo double gender transition to become father and son

 

A mother and daughter from Brazil have undergone gender transition to become father and son.  

Raphael, 38, and Gustavo Batista, 10, from Sao Paolo, Brazil, were born with female biological characteristics but now both identify as male. 

Raphael, 38, stopped identifying as female last year and asked to be referred to as male. In September 2024, Raphael posted a clip on Instagram in which he discussed gender identity. 
 

 

The clip was captioned, translated from Portuguese: "If I have dysphoria in my body? And the answer is yes." 

Asked if his child Gustavo influenced him, Raphael told G1: "It didn't have any influence, but he [Gustavo] gave me strength and courage to face [the transition]." 

The parent and child shared their inspiring story with their nearly 25,000 Instagram followers and many are supporting them in their journey.  
 

The father and son have previously spoken out against people using their "dead names" - the names they went by when they identified as women. 

"Even though it is our right to have the social name respected in practice, respect rarely happens in fact," the caption reads as translated into English. 

Gustavo, who is a student, also works as an actor and has played both transgender and cisgender characters in films.  

Gustavo is treated at the Transdisciplinary Outpatient Clinic for Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation at the Institute of Psychiatry and the Pediatric Endocrinology Unit at the Children's Institute of the Hospital das Clinicas in Sao Paulo.  

In the UK, puberty blockers were banned indefinitely for children under-18 who think they are transgender in December because of safety concerns.  

The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) published expert advice that there is "currently an unacceptable safety risk in the continued prescription of puberty blockers to children". 

The commission recommended indefinite restrictions while work is done to ensure the safety of children and young people.