Abia State Government has debunked reports that akara sellers and other petty traders in the state are being compelled to pay N50,000 as tax, describing the claim as misinformation.

“Expensive is relative. What they need to ask is, what’s the price in the neighbouring countries? There is still a lot of smuggling of the same petrol we are producing to our neighbouring countries because those neighbouring countries are about 30 to 50 per cent more expensive than Nigeria,” he said.

Iran’s security chief on Tuesday rejected any talks with the United States after President Donald Trump said he was open to resuming discussions on the Middle East war.

“That is not my priority because God controls everything. You can pray for God to give you a son, but he might be the one to take down the name of the family. Sometimes, when God doesn’t give you something, don’t push,” he said.

Saudi Arabia vowed Tuesday to respond “firmly” to attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, after the Iran-backed fighters wounded 13 people in the kingdom in an assault using ballistic missiles and drones.