Chibok girls still missing as Nigerian government negotiates with Boko Haram
It’s been three long years. Of the 276 schoolgirls kidnapped by extremist group Boko Haram in April 2014, 195 are still missing. Negotiations over the release of the remaining “Chibok girls” continue between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram. In October President Muhammadu Buhari said 21 of the girls were released after “successful negotiations.”
In the last three years, Boko Haram has used 177 children – mostly girls – in “suicide” attacks, according to UNICEF. The UN program is working with communities to protect children separated from their families and to fight stigma against Boko Haram survivors.
Closed cable cars leave Brazilian favela in the dust
Show’s over. Built for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, multi-million dollar cable cars hang idly over Complexo do Alemao, one of the most violent favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For a few years, favela residents took advantage of the tourist attraction, shortening their daily commutes and finding social services and community in the terminal buildings. The cable cars are no longer running as they stopped receiving state funding.
Malala Yousafazi is named UN Messenger of Peace, honorary Canadian citizen
Go Malala! This week the youngest-ever Nobel Peace laureate added two more accolades to her career as a female education advocate. Malala Yousafazi became the youngest person to be named UN Messenger of Peace and, two days later, the youngest honorary citizen of Canada.