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The Romanian Church canonized the Bulgarian Queen Teodora Tarnovska

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St. pious Theophana Basarab is the new saint who will be inscribed in the calendar of the Romanian Patriarchate, decided Holy Synod of the Romanian Church at its meeting on Thursday, February 17th. Her memory will be honored on October 28. She will be celebrated as “the first Romanian nun” to remain known by her name, according to a church decision.

Theophanes is the monastic name of the Bulgarian queen Theodora, the first wife of Tsar Ivan Alexander, whom he married while still a despot in Lovech in 1323. She was the daughter of the Wallachian voivode Ivanko I Basarab, and her birth name was Braida. The educated princess adopted the ruler’s name Theodora, associated in the Middle Ages with the two famous Byzantine empresses – Theodora, the wife of the emperor. Justinian the Great, and Imp. Theodora, who restored icon-worship in 843. In Lovech, Theodora patronized culture, established a center for copying Mount Athos manuscripts in Old Bulgarian, and many of them spread throughout Eastern Europe.

When Ivan Alexander became Bulgarian king in 1331, she moved to the capital Tarnovo and ruled with him for nearly fifteen years. There he continued to encourage and support the development of literature – among the remarkable manuscripts from this period is the Bulgarian translation of the Byzantine chronicle of Constantine Manasseh, now stored in the Vatican Museum and many more. etc. In The Praise of Tsar Ivan Alexander, contained in the Sofia Psalter (Sofia Songwriter, 1337), Theodora is described as a “pious woman”: “Rejoice, pious woman, Queen Theodora!” From her marriage to the Bulgarian king Theodora she has four children – Mikhail Asen, Ivan Sratsimir, Ivan Asen IV and Vasilisa. The queen became a patron of many churches and monasteries, including the Basarbovo rock monastery near Ruse.

In 1345, Ivan Alexander divorced her and married the Jewish Sarah, who adopted the same name at her baptism – Theodora. The former queen did not return to Wallachia, but retired to an unnamed nunnery near Tarnovo and became a monk named after another Byzantine empress – Theophanes (865-897). It can be assumed that he experienced the spiritual influence of the hesychast St. Theodosius of Tarnovo, with whom Ivan Alexander was close, especially since the famous ascetic was among those who did not approve of the increase of Jewish influence in the court.

He experienced the death of two of his sons – on one of the miniatures in the Bulgarian Manasiev Chronicle she is depicted on the deathbed of her son Ivan Asen, who died in the battle with the Ottomans near Sofia in 1349.

After her son Ivan Sratsimir became the ruler of the Vidin kingdom, his mother, the nun Teofania (Teofania, Teofana) moved there with him – according to legend in the Albotin Rock Monastery. Here, too, Vidin became a cultural center of the Bulgarian lands, continuing the literary activity of Lovech and Tarnovo. One of the most valuable manuscripts is the Vidin Collection, which contains the lives of sixteen women saints.

It is not known exactly when the nun Theophanes died. According to one version, she died at the age of 90 and was buried in front of the altar of the church in the rocky Albotin Monastery. According to another version, she died earlier, soon after moving to Vidin.

She remains in the local church memory as a holy and pious woman.

There are different hypotheses about the fate of her relics, as their history is intertwined with that of the relics of the Byzantine Empress Theophanes, who is widely revered in medieval Bulgaria. Their fate is unknown today.

Ukraine crisis testing ‘entire international system’ – UN chief

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Ukraine crisis testing ‘entire international system’ – UN chief
The latest developments in Ukraine are testing “the entire international system”, Secretary-General António Guterres said at a media stakeout on Tuesday, adding “we must pass this test.”
“Our world is facing the biggest global peace and security crisis in recent years – certainly in my tenure as Secretary-General,” he said.

Having cut short an overseas visit that included “a very important summit of African leaders”, the UN chief told journalists that “we face a moment that I sincerely hoped would not come.”

Stem any further escalation

Mr. Guterres rushed back to UN headquarters in New York “deeply troubled by the latest developments regarding Ukraine.”

He highlighted reports of increased ceasefire violations across the contact line and “the real risk of further escalation on the ground”.

And the Secretary-General drew attention to “the safety and wellbeing” of all those who have already suffered from “so much death, destruction and displacement”.

Violating Ukrainian sovereignty

“Let me be clear: The decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the so-called ‘independence’ of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”, spelled out the top UN official.

He argued that such a unilateral measure not only conflicts directly with the principles of the UN Charter but is also inconsistent with the so-called Friendly Relations Declaration of the General Assembly, which the International Court of Justice has repeatedly cited as representing international law.

‘Death blow’ to Minsk agreements

Mr. Guterres described Russia’s move as “a death blow” to the Security Council-endorsed Minsk Agreements, the fragile peace process regulating the conflict in eastern Ukraine. 

He also highlighted that “the principles of the UN Charter are not an a la carte menu.”

“They cannot be applied selectively. Member States have accepted them all and they must apply them all”, underscored the UN chief.

‘Perversion’ of peacekeeping

Mr. Guterres then drew the media’s attention to what he called “the perversion of the concept of peacekeeping”.

Expressing pride over the achievements of UN Peacekeeping operations “in which so many Blue Helmets have sacrificed their lives to protect civilians”, he reminded that when troops of one country enter another’s territory without its consent, “they are not impartial peacekeepers”.

“They are not peacekeepers at all,” attested the top UN official.

The principles of the UN Charter are not an a la carte menu – UN chief

A critical moment

The UN, in line with the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, “stands fully behind the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders”, stated the Secretary-General.

He reminded the reporters that the Organization continues to support the people of Ukraine through its humanitarian operations and human rights efforts.

At this critical moment, he called for “an immediate ceasefire and re-establishment of the rule of law”.

“We need restraint and reason. We need de-escalation now,” spelled out the UN chief, urging all to “refrain from actions and statements that would take this dangerous situation over the brink”.

Return to dialogue, negotiations

“It is high time to return to the path of dialogue and negotiations. We must rally and meet this challenge together for peace, and to save the people of Ukraine and beyond from the scourge of war”, Mr. Guterres said.

“I am fully committed to all efforts to resolve this crisis without further bloodshed”.

The Secretary-General reiterated that his good offices are available and would not relent in the search for a peaceful solution.

Omicron sublineage BA.2 remains a variant of concern

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Omicron sublineage BA.2 remains a variant of concern
The BA.2 virus, a sublineage of the Omicron COVID-19 mutation, should continue to be considered a variant of concern, scientists convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement on Tuesday. 
BA.2 should also remain classified as Omicron, WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE)  which was held yesterday. 

SARS-CoV-2 is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and the expert group meets regularly to discuss available data on transmissibility and severity of variants as well as their impact on diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. 

They stressed that public health authorities should continue to monitor BA.2 as a distinct sublineage of Omicron, currently the dominant variant circulating globally. 

Studies underway 

Omicron is made up of several sublineages, including BA.1 and BA.2, all of which are being monitored by WHO and partners. 

BA.2 is among the most common, with reported sequences increasing in recent weeks, relative to BA.1, though global circulation of all variants is currently declining. 

The experts explained that BA.2 differs from BA.1 in its genetic sequence, and that it has a growth advantage over this sublineage.  

Although studies are ongoing to understand why, initial data suggest BA.2 appears inherently more transmissible than BA.1, currently the most common Omicron sublineage reported. 

However, this difference in transmissibility appears to be much smaller than that between BA.1 and the Delta variant, the experts said. 

Overall decline reported  

Meanwhile, although BA.2 sequences are increasing in proportion relative to other Omicron sublineages, there is still a reported decline in overall cases globally. 

Furthermore, while cases of reinfection with BA.2 following infection with BA.1 have been documented, preliminary data from studies show that infection with BA.1 provides strong protection against reinfection with BA.2. 

WHO will continue to closely monitor the BA.2 lineage as part of Omicron. 

The UN agency urged countries to remain vigilant, to monitor and report sequences, and to conduct independent and comparative analyses of the different Omicron sublineages. 

Globally, there were more than 424,820,000 cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday, and more than 5.8 million deaths, according to WHO data. 

Malawi president, an ordained church minister, visits World Council of Churches in Geneva

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Malawi president, an ordained church minister, visits World Council of Churches in Geneva
(Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC)World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Ioan Sauca meets Rev. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, president of Malawi at the Ecumenical Center in Geneva on Feb. 21, 2022.

Malawi’s President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, an ordained church minister, has visited the World Council of Churches where expressed his hope for the unity of Christians and all of humanity.

Chakwera is the former president of the Assemblies of God in Malawi.

He said he will treasure the visit for the rest of his life – his first visit to the historic city of Geneva also know.

“I come with greetings from your brethren in Malawi,” he said. “I am happy that this reminds us of how we are one.”

He spoke strongly of the churches’ role in Malawi, and their role in shaping the future that Africa wants and, he believes, will reach.

“Nobody can doubt the role of the World Council of Churches, and the worldwide fellowship,” he said.

“The unity is demonstrated, a common witness is born, and Christian service is rendered,” said he president.

“Programs have offered ecumenical interventions with collaborations, resources for education, peace and justice, and ecology,” he said. “I am more than gratified because of the whole range, because of the spectrum over which the church does get involved.”

Chakwera is also chair of the Southern African Development Community and received an overview of the WCC’s work, particularly the council’s programs focused on the spiritual role for unity, justice and peace.

WCC acting general secretary Rev. Ioan Sauca said, “It is an official visit but also a visit with sisters and brothers in Christ,” he said, noting that the bond is the common confession that “Jesus Christ is God and Saviour according to the Scriptures.”

Therefore, he said, “they seek to fulfil together their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“The primary purpose of the WCC is to call one another to visible unity in one faith and in one eucharistic fellowship,” Sauca continued. But the purpose of God in Christ is much wider than Christian unity and extends to the unity of humanity and of all creation,” Sauca added.

The WCC staff presented the work of WCC in dialogue with evangelicals and Pentecostals, on health and healing, in relation to the United Nations, in peacebuilding with a focus on Mozambique, and its Green Village.

Malawi is a landlocked southern African country of some 20 million people of who just over half are Christians and that borders Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia with an economy that is heavily dependent on agriculture.

Pandemic recovery must put people first: UN Secretary-General

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Pandemic recovery must put people first: UN Secretary-General
People must be at the heart of post-pandemic recovery, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told a global meeting that opened on Tuesday to examine the economic and social impact of the crisis. 
Although COVID-19 caught the world unprepared, “we cannot let this happen again,” he said in a video message to the Global Forum for Human-centred recovery, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO). 

Universal social protection 

The three-day forum is being held online and brings together world leaders, heads of international organizations and multilateral development banks, and representatives from employers’ and workers’ groups from across the world.  

“We need a human-centred, green recovery that puts people first,” said Mr. Guterres. 

“Putting people first means achieving universal social protection, the best line of defence against shocks of all kinds and critical to a just transition.”  

The UN chief commended the ILO for convening the forum, which comes at a crucial time for countries, economies, families and workers. 

Women bear the brunt 

As the pandemic grinds on, poverty is rising, inequalities are widening, and household incomes are dwindling, while billionaires have seen their profits soar, according to the top UN official 

Mr. Guterres said that the situation is worse for women, as they face rising unemployment and shoulder most of the burden for care.   

He warned that without “robust” social safety nets and decent job opportunities, many women will be unable to re-enter the work force. 

Meanwhile, vaccine inequity persists, meaning that richer countries are preparing for recovery as many low-income nations face spiralling debt as well as a massive and enduring jobs deficit. 

The Secretary-General further highlighted the critical need for climate action, again recalling that countries are “dramatically off-target” when it comes to limiting global temperature rise. 

Action on jobs 

He said that putting people first means renewing the social contract and making massive investments in their future wellbeing.  

Among the key topics of discussion at the forum are the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for a Just Transition, which the UN chief launched in September 2021. 

The goal is to create at least 400 million jobs, especially in the “green” and care sectors, and to extend social protection to some four billion people who currently are without coverage.  

Mr. Guterres urged countries to act now to achieve a just recovery, stating that the balance between a global breakthrough and a global breakdown depends on choices made today. 

“Let’s meet this difficult moment with our best efforts to unite behind shared solutions for recovery,” he said. “Solutions that spring from solidarity. Solutions that put people first.” 

EATING EVERYDAY ‘CUPBOARD HEROES’ CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

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EATING EVERYDAY ‘CUPBOARD HEROES’ CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE
New research from World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) reveals that 97% of Brits already own the foods that could help to prevent cancer

  • Brits who spend the least on their weekly food shop own the most cancer preventative staple foods
  • Nation’s favourite staples revealed as tinned tuna and pasta
  • Nation’s least favourite voted as dried pulses, seeds and tinned carrots

This Cancer Prevention Action Week (21st – 27th February) World Cancer Research Fund, the leading authority on cancer prevention, is urging people to look in the back of their cupboards and make heroes of their forgotten basics.

While 40% of cancers could be prevented by lifestyle changes including diet, only 10% of Brits realise this, and 7% of people think that no cancers can be prevented.*

However, you don’t need to eat goji berries or other ‘superfoods’ every day to help prevent cancer. The basic foods that often languish in our cupboards can hold the key to improving our health. Even better, most of us already own them.

Respondents were asked to select from a long list of common, nutrient rich staple foods including tinned tomatoes, rice and pulses, that all aligned with one of the charity’s key cancer prevention recommendations: ‘Eat a better diet’. 97% of people owned at least one of these items.

The nation’s most loved staples were revealed as tinned tuna and pasta (both 27%), while the nation’s least loved foods included dried pulses (4%), seeds and tinned carrots (both 6%).

To help people make the most of these ingredients, the charity has developed a Cupboard Heroes recipe generator where people can type in their cupboard (or fridge, or freezer) basics and discover an array of delicious and healthy recipes that can also help reduce the risk of cancer.

Interestingly, the research shows that the majority (42%) of people spend £20-30 per person on their weekly shop. And it’s those who spend under £30pp who were shown to own the most cancer preventative foods, proving that eating a healthy diet doesn’t have to break the bank.

Bestselling author, chef and ambassador for Cancer Prevention Action Week 2022, Phil Vickery, said, “I’m thrilled to be partnered with World Cancer Research Fund to raise awareness of these important findings. Eating fuss-free staple foods has so many benefits, particularly in the current context. It’s never too late to change your diet and improve your health and you really can make showstopper meals which are full of flavour using unexpected ingredients.”

Rachael Gormley, CEO of World Cancer Research Fund said, “We have seen the power of prevention first-hand. Healthy eating can often feel unattainable, but our evidence shows we don’t need to rely on heavily marketed, expensive ‘superfoods’. Whilst canned, dried and frozen items often get a bad rap, the good news is they are also packed full of vital nutrients and can help to reduce your risk of cancer. This Cancer Prevention Action Week, we want to provide people with the tools and information that can help them reduce their cancer risk. Our latest research shows that people already have the right ingredients they just need some inspiration to turn them into delicious dishes.”

World Cancer Research Fund’s recipe generator enables people to input up to two basic ingredients and discover an array of nutritious meal ideas at the click of a button. Recipes include lentil & tuna salad – mixing the nation’s least favourite store cupboard staple with one of its favourites, vegetable pasta bake – a simple and budget conscious option from the charity’s Family Flavours cookbook, and a chickpea & bean casserole. For all recipes fresh ingredients can also be swapped for tinned.

Find out more at www.wcrf-uk.org/cpaw and watch the campaign video here.

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* Based on a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK residents.

For any media enquiries please contact rachel@skatingpanda.com

About World Cancer Research Fund 
World Cancer Research Fund is the UK’s only charity solely dedicated to cancer prevention and survival. Over the last 30 years, WCRF has worked tirelessly to understand the links between a person’s weight, diet, and physical activity levels and their cancer risk. www.wcrf-uk.org and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.

WCRF’s Cancer Health Check tool and Cancer Prevention Recommendations help people understand what changes they could make to reduce the risk of getting cancer. Based on the latest scientific research, the advice is practical and simple to understand. 

Press release distributed by Pressat on behalf of World Cancer Research Fund, on Tuesday 22 February, 2022. For more information subscribe and follow https://pressat.co.uk/

Ukraine: Senior UN officials decry growing risks of dangerous breaches

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Ukraine: Senior UN officials decry growing risks of dangerous breaches
Following Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday added her voice to the UN’s growing chorus of alarm.
“I am deeply concerned that any significant escalation in military action creates a heightened risk of serious human rights violations as well as violations of international humanitarian law”, said Michele Bachelet.

She underscored that at this critical juncture, “the priority, above all”, must be to prevent a further escalation, and to avert civilian casualties, displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure.

“I call on all sides to cease hostilities and to pave the way for dialogue instead of setting the stage for further violence”, the High Commissioner said, assuring that her office continues to monitor the situation closely “from our offices on both sides of the contact line in the east of the country.”

Only one path forward

Russia’s recognition violates the Minsk Agreements – the fragile peace process regulating the conflict in eastern Ukraine – and increases fears that Russia is posed for a full-scale invasion.

Before the General Assembly meets on Ukraine tomorrow, the body’s president, Abdulla Shahid, issued a statement calling on the parties to “intensify negotiations and deescalate the current trajectory through dialogue”.

He reminded that a full commitment to the UN Charter, its purposes and its principles is “the only path to ensure lasting peace.”

Protecting health systems ‘paramount’

The World Health Organization (WHO) joined others in expressing its deepest concern over the escalating crisis in eastern Ukraine.

Noting that the right to health is “at the centre of humanitarian response”, it said in a statement: “The WHO Country Office in Ukraine, together with the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ukraine and in coordination with WHO/Europe, continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in providing health support to meet the needs of populations in affected areas”.

The assertion underscored that protecting health systems is “paramount, particularly during these challenging times” to guarantee the timely a delivery of essential health support and services to contain the spread of COVID-19 and maintain polio prevention and response.

“Ensuring the health and well-being of all people lies at the core of WHO’s mandate and commitments in all situations, including humanitarian crises and conflicts”, the statement concluded.

‘A stark reminder’

The UN humanitarian coordination body, OCHA, told journalists in Geneva that in recent days there had been reported increases in hostilities in areas controlled by the de facto authorities. 

OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke called it “a stark reminder” of the reality that children, women and men of Eastern Ukraine have faced for the past eight years.

“We call on everybody and all parties to protect civilians and protect civilian infrastructure in this very volatile situation.” 

Responding to journalists, he said that the UN office has had a humanitarian response plan predating recent events, which focuses on pre-existing humanitarian needs, including a convoy that had delivered humanitarian supplies to non-Government-controlled areas last Friday.

However, he lamented that funding remains short, and urged the donor community to provide additional resources.

‘Volatile, unpredictable’ 

Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said that it was monitoring the “highly…unpredictable” situation and stood ready to help in case any new humanitarian needs arose. 

It was important to remember also that there is a pre-existing displacement crisis caused by earlier conflict in Eastern Ukraine, UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo said, a reference to the 1.5 million people who’ve been forced to leave their homes since the onset of conflict in 2014. 

According to the UN’s 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan for Ukraine, some 144,000 internally displaced persons live in government-controlled areas of Donetsk, Luhansk and other areas.  

The most vulnerable include older people, who represent 32 per cent of the people targeted for assistance in 2022, and the children of vulnerable families, who make up 14 per cent.  

The response efforts also aim to meet the critical needs of 225,000 persons with disabilities. 

Disney’s first openly LGBTQ lead characters based on book by West Chester author

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Disney's first openly LGBTQ lead characters based on book by West Chester author

At a quiet Dairy Queen in the fictionalized Philadelphia suburbs, Dylan Highmark is working a regular shift when Jordan Ator walks in. Dylan is clearly crushing on the new boy in town, but he burns his hand when he touches him, quickly discovering that Jordan’s body temperature is a whopping 110 degrees. As he grows closer to Jordan, Dylan discovers that his own body temperature is rising, too. 

That is the premise of West Chester native Brian Zepka’s debut young adult novel, “The Temperature of Me and You.” The book, which was published Jan. 25, is a romance novel centered in science fiction. It follows Dylan as he grapples with his life and his body changing as he experiences his first love. 

Less than one week after its release, The Hollywood Reporter reported that “The Temperature of Me and You” would be adapted as a television series on Disney+. The series will feature Dylan and Jordan as Disney’s first openly LGBTQ lead characters. 

“I knew I wanted the main character to be out of the closet at the beginning of the story,” Zepka said. “I wanted him to be openly gay, and then exploring first love. I’m gay, and I read a lot of gay YA literature, and a lot of them focus on the coming out process. And now there’s so much more inclusive literature, and there’s so much more to explore beyond that.”

Zepka wrote Dylan’s coming out story — a foundational aspect of LGBTQ storytelling — as a flashback. In it, both of his parents are immediately supportive, and almost too excited. 

They both celebrate their son’s coming out by baking him a rainbow cake, wearing buttons and pins in support, and overexerting themselves to make Dylan feel as validated and supported in his identity as he can be. 

Though Dylan eventually assures them that they can tone it down, it sets up the rest of the story without centering on a gay character who is entirely focused on his identity. 

Zepka said he wrote the coming out story in this way so that Dylan could be openly gay and happy with his friends and family, without having a traumatic story to go through. 

“Dylan is this anxious, insecure kid and he’s still very much figuring himself out, and how I designed it was that I wanted his coming out to be his source of strength,” Zepka said. “He’s feeling like he’s missing out on a lot in life, he sees his friends and his sister accomplishing all these different things and he hasn’t really done that, so he feels really behind. I used it as his launching pad into new things.” 

Philly and its suburbs are featured prominently throughout the novel. Zepka said that this was intentional as he was planning the book. He focused on keeping it “grounded” as a romance that takes place in the suburbs. Some of the references are easy to spot. 

Dylan works at a Dairy Queen in West Chester. He and his two best friends take the train into the city for “Second Saturdays,” a spin on First Fridays, when art galleries and shops stay open late. There is a fictionalized version of what could be John W. Hallahan Catholic High School, though the school is co-ed. Dylan’s father goes on a Wawa run to grab hoagies, oblivious to his teenage son’s antics in the next room.

The novel is Zepka’s YA debut, though he has written two other books. Previously, the author wrote a more dystopian young adult novel, which featured darker themes and heavier concepts. When it didn’t get a green light, Zepka decided to write a simpler story about first love, making it entertaining for people to escape into. 

Though the book has not even been out for a full month, Zepka has received a lot of positive feedback. In particular, the book’s targeted teenage audience has responded with praise. 

“I think people are excited that there’s this YA sci-fi queer story,” Zepka said. “I’ve gotten a lot of great messages from queer teens saying that they felt super represented in the story, or they’ve been inspired, and they’ve been given confidence in their own coming out story.” 

With the Disney adaptation, Zepka’s characters will join the Disney cinematic canon as its first openly LGBTQ lead characters. The film studio has had a complicated history with representation of queer characters in its nearly 100-year history, only recently beginning to expand the identities of its characters. 

In 2017, the studio announced the live-action Beauty and the Beast adaptation would feature Disney’s first “exclusively gay moment” ahead of the film‘s official release. This sparked controversy among conservative groups, who claimed that fans should boycott the film and the studio when the film was released. 

In reality, the “exclusive gay moment” turned out to be just seconds of screentime featuring a dance between Le Fou, portrayed by Josh Gad, and another man. 

Later, Officer Specter, a cyclops police officer in “Onward,” became the first openly gay character in a Disney animated film. Though she only appears in one scene in the film, the brief mention of her girlfriend caused the film to be banned in several countries. 

While Disney has attempted to remain neutral in its representation of queer characters, the adaptation of “The Temperature of Me and You” will showcase two lead characters that are openly gay.

“With any representation on the screen in terms of queer characters, it’s just beyond helpful to queer kids growing up to see themselves reflected on the screen,” Zepka said. “And when you have big companies, major film studios, places like Hulu and Disney and Marvel and all these different people that back queer characters, it’s really validating.” 

The adaptation was announced as a collaboration between former studio executives Zoe Kent and Foster Driver, and will be written by Alden Derck, who previously was a writer on The CW’s musical comedy “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” 

Nobel Peace Center Launches New Minecraft Learning Experience to Inspire Youth to Build a Better, More Peaceful World

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Shyamal Sinha
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Nobel Peace Center Launches New Minecraft Learning Experience to Inspire Youth to Build a Better, More Peaceful World

The ‘Active Citizen’ game, which features Nobel Peace Prize laureates like the Dalai Lama and Malala Yousafzai, will be available in 29 languages for all Minecraft: Education Edition players.

In Minecraft, one of the world’s most popular games, players can build anything they want — including their vision for world peace. Today, the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, along with Games for Change and Mojang Studios, launched an immersive learning experience focused on civic engagement and citizenship available to all Minecraft: Education Edition payers.

‘Active Citizen’ brings Nobel Peace Prize laureates past and present into the Minecraft world to help young people learn that peace is achieved through actions, big and small. Through gameplay to Inspire Youth to Build a Better, More Peaceful World  , students will develop an understanding of the skills needed to democratically and peacefully bring about positive change, and create their own vision for peace — then bring their vision to life in an immersive Minecraft world.

The game starts at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, where players are introduced to Alfred Nobel, the creator of the Nobel Prizes. The player will meet four Nobel Peace Prize laureates, learn their stories, and help them overcome challenges to build toward peace. The Nobel Peace Prize laureates featured in ‘Active Citizen’ are Malala Yousafzai, Wangari Maathai, Dalai Lama and Fridtjof Nansen. The game includes accompanying resources on the web for classroom use, including lesson plans and teacher discussion guides for students aged 8-16.

The game ends by calling on players to create a unique Minecraft build that represents active citizenship for them. The Nobel Peace Center will curate an exhibition of the final ‘Active Citizen’ designs featuring contributions from players all over the world.

Power to inspire 

“We believe that the stories of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates have the power to inspire people to create a better world,” said Kjersti Fløgstad, Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center. “With this game we want to inspire the next generation to become active citizens and get involved in causes they care about – on a platform where they feel at home. To be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize is impossible for most of us, but by inviting players to learn some skills from the laureates, we hope everyone will realize they can play a role in making the world a better place.”

Students, teachers and families can get a first look at the new ‘Active Citizen’ game in Minecraft: Education Edition during a 30-minute launch event streaming worldwide three times throughout the day on Tuesday, March 1. At the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Minister of Education Tonje Brenna and Odin Adelsten Bohmann from the Department of Culture meet local students from Kampen School to discuss what it means to be an active citizen and play the game for the first time.

The ‘Active Citizen’ project is the first collaboration between the Nobel Peace Center and Minecraft: Education Edition, and the first time the Nobel Peace Prize is part of a gaming activation of this scale. Games for Change, a nonprofit that executive produces social impact gaming projects, facilitated the connection between Mojang Studios and the Nobel Peace Center, and has supported the Nobel Peace Center in the development of educational resources for use in 112 countries where Minecraft: Education Edition is used in schools.

“Our purpose at Minecraft is to build a better world through the power of play. Through Active Citizen, we’re inviting students to bring their visions of a better world to life not only in Minecraft, but also in their schools and communities,” said Allison Matthews, Head of Minecraft Education. “We are honored to partner with the Nobel Peace Center and Games for Change to inspire action through game-based learning.”

”Games for Change is thrilled to support this groundbreaking collaboration between the Nobel Peace Center and Minecraft: Education Edition. Through the ‘Active Citizen’ project, millions of young people will encounter some of the world’s greatest changemakers in Minecraft, a game that encourages them to be creative and design their own world. We can’t wait to see the world the Nobel laureates will inspire students to create,” said Susanna Pollack, President of Games for Change.

Please note that all information in this press release is embargoed until 1 March. Active Citizen and all accompanying resources will be available from that date.

The Active Citizen game and accompanying lesson plans are available for all users of Minecraft: Education Edition both in-game and on the Minecraft website. A free demo of Active Citizen will be available later this month. Further learning materials can be found on the Nobel Peace Center education portal.

Dominican Republic and Haiti build separation wall – Vatican News

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Dominican Republic and Haiti build separation wall - Vatican News

By James Blears

Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the Island of Hispaniola, but soon they`ll become more distant neighbors.

At the push of a button applying the sting of a switch, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, started the one-way downward flow of concrete, establishing a rock-solid foundation of separation, reinforced by steel meshes of rods. The timing is no accident, as the anniversary of the Dominican Republic`s Independence from Haiti, was February 27th 1844, one hundred and sixty eight years ago. 

This wall will stretch 164 km and take nine months to complete. It will straddle about half of the three hundred km of border between two nations, which are respectably blessed and cursed by very different economic states and status. It`ll be 3.9 metres tall and be topped with sensors, cameras, complemented by seventy watch towers, forty-one heavily guarded access gates and drones will overfly in regular coordinated sweeps.

President Abinader predicts it`ll prove to be of great importance, stemming the flow of taxless commercial goods, guns and drugs, which currently blight both nations.  In effect, it will also prevent flight, sealing another escape route for desperate Haitians, who are fleeing in droves to the Dominican Republic, Chile, Brazil, Honduras, Guatemala, and yet further afield to the perceived El Dorado of the United States. 

Instead of cementing the future, itll cause more problems than its intended to solve because inevitably, walls divide instead of uniting. Concrete and steel contain very little appeal. 

Listen to the report by James Blears

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