IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

China announced on Friday it will impose an additional 34% tariff on all U.S. imports starting April 10, in response to new trade levies introduced by Washington.

The Finance Ministry confirmed the move, which will be applied on top of existing duties. In addition, China’s Commerce Ministry said it is placing export controls on seven rare earth elements, including gadolinium and yttrium—critical materials used in medical imaging and electronics.

Beijing also plans to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the U.S. tariffs.

The escalation follows President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 10% global tariff and an extra 34% duty specifically targeting Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to vow retaliatory measures to defend its trade interests. 

Gunmen on Thursday night hijacked a fully loaded Benue Links bus in Ikobi, Otukpo LGA of Benue State, killing the driver and abducting all passengers on board. A toddler was reportedly left behind.

Security agencies have been alerted and are tracking the kidnappers, though no official statement has been issued.

The president of Ochetoha K’Idoma youth wing, Mike Magaji, condemned the government's silence, calling the governor's recent visit to Otukpo “disappointing” and lacking in concrete action.

Police spokesperson Catherine Anene said she was yet to confirm the incident as of the time of reporting. 

A giant African pouched rat named Ronin has broken the world record for landmine detection, uncovering 109 landmines and 15 unexploded ordnances in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, according to Belgian charity APOPO.

Since his deployment in August 2021, the five-year-old rodent has become APOPO’s most successful Mine Detection Rat (MDR), surpassing the previous record set by Magawa, who detected 71 landmines during his service.

Ronin’s remarkable achievement has earned him a Guinness World Records title, underscoring the critical role of trained rats—nicknamed “HeroRats”—in humanitarian demining efforts.

Cambodia remains one of the world’s most heavily mined countries, with decades of conflict leaving behind dangerous explosives. The country had targeted becoming mine-free by 2025 but recently extended the deadline due to funding constraints and newly discovered minefields. 

... Urges Restraint, Calls for Democratic Vigilance

The Chatham House Group, a coalition of young professionals from Kogi State, has commended INEC for its impartiality and commitment to constitutional principles following the dismissal of a petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In a statement signed by its convener, Abdulrahman Zulqarnien Ozovehe, the group praised INEC’s decision as a “victory for democracy” and a reflection of the Commission’s adherence to Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution.

The group warned against destabilizing efforts by unnamed actors pushing for a renewed recall process and urged stakeholders to uphold democratic values.

They also cited Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent warm reception in her constituency as evidence of continued public support and called for a focus on constructive engagement rather than divisive politics. 

The Supreme Court has nullified the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja that recognized Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

Delivering a unanimous verdict on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court ruled that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to declare Abure as chairman, as the matter centered on internal party leadership—a subject courts are not permitted to adjudicate.

The court also noted that Abure's tenure had already expired.

The appeal, filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman and another, was upheld, while a cross-appeal by the Abure-led faction was dismissed for lacking merit.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has denied claims that he owes N200 million to businesswoman Tracynither Ohiri for campaign materials allegedly supplied during his 2014 governorship campaign.

Speaking during an inspection of the Independence Bridge in Lagos on Thursday, Umahi dismissed the allegation as baseless, questioning the legitimacy of the claim.

“She claims I owe her N200 million from 2014, but my entire governorship campaign didn’t even cost that much,” Umahi said. “Where is the contract? Where did the funds come from? Let her publish her bank statements.”

The minister also accused Ohiri of being sponsored, alleging that she had made similar accusations against other governors. He said he initially ignored the matter, thinking it was a mental health issue, but has now instructed his lawyers to take legal action.

Addressing separate allegations of sexual harassment, Umahi strongly denied the claims, warning against what he called a dangerous trend of false accusations.

“This is unfortunate, and we’ll use this case to set an example,” he said, urging women to speak against baseless allegations that could harm genuine advocacy.