Nigeria
Northern Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis continues as criminal gangs snatch schoolchildren and students for ransom. Fifteen children, part of a group of more than 100 who were taken, were today freed after a ransom was paid. Their school says 65 are still being held. At least 1,000 children and teens have been kidnapped since December last year and about 200 are still missing. The crisis has piled pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari, whose government has so far failed to get a grip on the situation.
More from Al Jazeera here.
Afghanistan
Horrible and chaotic scenes outside Kabul airport as thousands of people pressed up against barriers desperate to get on evacuation flights out of Afghanistan. At least seven people were killed in a crush today, according to the British military.
More from AP here.
Lebanon
Fuel prices rocketed in crisis-hit Lebanon by up to 70 percent today after a subsidy was cut, heaping misery on civilians already battered by an economy in freefall.
More from Middle East Eye here.