China has announced a sharp increase in tariffs on US imports, raising the rate from 34 percent to 84 percent, in response to new American trade measures that came into effect on Wednesday.

The decision, confirmed by China’s finance ministry, will take effect from 12:01 p.m. on Thursday. It follows the imposition of sweeping new US tariffs under President Donald Trump, including a hefty 104 percent duty on certain Chinese goods.

“The tariff escalation against China by the United States simply piles mistakes on top of mistakes and severely infringes on China’s legitimate rights and interests,” the ministry said in a strongly worded statement, warning of “firm and forceful” countermeasures.

Beijing has long opposed the increasing use of tariffs as a tool in trade disputes, and accused Washington of undermining the multilateral rules-based global trading system.

In a related move, China’s commerce ministry also announced it would blacklist six American artificial intelligence companies, including Shield AI Inc. and Sierra Nevada Corporation. The companies were accused of either supplying arms to Taiwan or collaborating with the island on military technology.

Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, has raised concerns over the misuse of constitutional immunity by state governors and their deputies, calling for an urgent amendment to the relevant section of Nigeria’s constitution.

Speaking on Political Paradigm, a Channels Television programme aired on Tuesday, the former governor of Ogun State (2003–2011) argued that Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, which shields sitting governors and their deputies from both civil and criminal prosecution, has been widely abused.

Section 308 of the Nigerian Constitution grants immunity to the President, Vice President, governors, and deputy governors while in office, effectively barring legal proceedings against them throughout their tenure. However, Daniel insisted that this provision has been misused to avoid scrutiny and justice.

The senator’s remarks have stirred renewed debate about constitutional reform and accountability in public office, especially at a time when governance and transparency remain major concerns in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Daniel’s call adds to the voices of other stakeholders who have advocated for a more accountable leadership structure and a constitution that upholds justice irrespective of office held.

As of press time, there has been no official response from the Nigerian Governors’ Forum regarding Senator Daniel’s comments.

Tragedy struck on Tuesday morning in Akure, the Ondo State capital, as prominent socialite and hotelier, Mr. Adesoji Adeleye, was gruesomely murdered by unknown assailants at his hotel.

Sources confirmed that the shocking incident occurred while Adeleye was in one of the rooms within his hotel premises, reportedly preparing for the day’s business.

According to an eyewitness account, the armed men gained access to the hotel and headed straight for the victim, who was already up and about. The intruders were said to have overpowered him, stabbing him multiple times until he succumbed to his injuries. His lifeless body was later discovered lying in a pool of blood.

The brutal nature of the killing has sent shockwaves across the Akure social and hospitality scenes, where Adeleye was a well-known figure.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, SP Olusola Ayanlade, said the command has already deployed a team of detectives to the scene of the crime. He added that efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible for the heinous act.

The motive behind the killing remains unknown as at press time, but residents and patrons of the hotel are calling for swift justice.