Latest news with #writers
Gulf Today
4 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
170 Emirati authors drive cultural dialogue at ADIBF
The UAE's creative industry – centred around the authors – took centre stage at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) 2025, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) from April 26 April to May 5 under the theme 'Knowledge Illuminates Our Community.' The fair reported wide participation from stakeholders across the UAE's cultural landscape, including publishing houses, authors, writers, thinkers, researchers, and intellectuals. Their active engagement was integral to the fair's diverse programme, designed to reach all segments of society and age groups, in line with the UAE's designation of 2025 as the 'Year of Community.' The ADIBF sought to promote the growth of the local literary industry and reinforce national cultural identity. It honoured a distinguished group of Emirati creatives who have made lasting contributions to the sector's growth over the years, while encouraging emerging Emirati talent from across various cultural fields. These efforts reflect a continued commitment to sustainable cultural development and the advancement of the publishing sector. The 34th edition of the fair witnessed notable local engagement, with over 170 Emirati intellectuals and writers taking part in the programme's sessions and workshops. A total of 275 Emirati exhibitors participated in the event, alongside 70 government entities, each contributing a range of activities. The Arts Corner featured 28 artists, 22 of whom were Emirati, while the World Cuisine Corner hosted 48 sessions, featuring contributions from 24 internationally renowned chefs, including 12 Emiratis. A range of initiatives were launched at the ADIBF 2025 to support Emirati talent, most notably the 'Self-Publisher' initiative, which brought together 20 Emirati writers. The initiative was designed to showcase the work of national authors, facilitate direct engagement with their audiences, and enhance their visibility within the publishing community. The initiative also aimed to foster sustainable partnerships with publishers and expand marketing opportunities for Emirati literary works. Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC and Director of the ADIBF, said: 'The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair saw extensive local participation from all sectors across the UAE. This played a pivotal role in consolidating the fair's position as a global cultural and knowledge platform, through which the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre introduced a novel vision for spreading knowledge and ensuring access to it for all age groups and segments of the community. To that end, the fair's agenda featured a set of programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting the publishing sector and enriching the UAE's publishing ecosystem with everything necessary for its continued advancement.' 'The fair also provided an opportunity for Emirati publishers to engage with their international counterparts, facilitating the exchange of expertise and dialogue on key issues and emerging trends in the publishing sector,' Al Tunaiji added. 'The fair's rich array of panel discussions, specialised workshops, and high-quality content provided essential knowledge for professionals in the field. It also offered various forms of support to enable Emirati publishers to hone their skills and capacities, contributing to the overall development of the industry.' 'Emirati creatives across a range of cultural and intellectual fields, including publishers, writers, poets, researchers, speakers, trainers, and cultural influencers, also maintained a strong presence at the fair,' he noted. 'The fair's programmes were designed to empower emerging talents in literature, culture, and the arts, offering training sessions and workshops to enhance their skills and creative capabilities. Moreover, a series of youth-focused activities were also introduced to explore and nurture their interests, preparing them to participate actively in the cultural and creative spheres.' 'These efforts reinforced the fair's mission to foster a culturally engaged and creatively empowered generation, aligned with the UAE's strategic vision for sustainable development,' Al Tunaiji concluded.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Apple Watch Series 10 is back at its lowest-ever price on Amazon.
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. SAVE $100: As of June 3, the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) is on sale for $299 at Amazon. That's a 25% price drop from its list price of $399. Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Amazon $399 Save $100 Get Deal There have been a wide range of smartwatch deals popping up lately, which is good news if you've been looking to pick something up for outdoor adventures. If you're an Apple user, some of its smartwatches have even received some nice discounts, including the Apple Watch Series 10. The Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) is on sale for $299 at Amazon. This is 25% off its list price of $399 and even marks a return to its lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. If its caught your eye, there's no better time than now to scoop it up. SEE ALSO: Everything we expect from WWDC 2025: an iOS overhaul, Apple Intelligence, and macOS Whether you want it for workouts or just everyday use, the Apple Watch Series 10 boasts a variety of features to get you through the day. This includes heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, respiratory rate, advanced metrics for a variety of workouts, and safety features like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS. On top of all that, it fits perfectly into an Apple ecosystem so you can send texts and take calls right from your wrist. If you've been on the lookout for a smartwatch upgrade, now is a great time to do it with this deal on the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) at Amazon. There are quite a few more Apple deals worth checking out right now, too. The 11-inch Apple iPad (A16 Chip) is back down to its best price at Amazon as is the M3 iPad Air. Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99) Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95) Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99) Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00) DualSense Edge Wireless Controller — $169.00 (List Price $199.99)
News18
a day ago
- News18
Body Of Missing Indore Man Found In Gorge In Meghalaya, Search For Wife Continues
Curated By : Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 07:17 IST Indore couple goes missing in Meghalaya (Photo: X) Nine days after a newlywed couple from Indore was reported missing in Meghalaya, the body of the man was found in a deep gorge near a waterfall in the Sohra area of the state's East Khasi Hills district on Monday. Officials confirmed that the body of Raja Raghuvanshi, 30, has been discovered. However, the search for his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, 27, is still ongoing. The couple, who were on their honeymoon, went missing on 23 May shortly after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village — about 20 kilometres from where Raja's body was found. 'A police drone spotted the body in a deep gorge below the Weisawdong waterfall parking lot. The body was taken to the parking lot for a magisterial inquest in the evening," a senior district official told news agency PTI. The inquest was carried out in the presence of local witnesses. Raja's body was identified by his relatives, who recognised a tattoo on his right hand that read 'Raja". At the location, officials also found a woman's white shirt, a strip of medicine, part of a mobile phone screen, and a smartwatch. The body has been sent to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences for post-mortem. Vivek Syiem, Superintendent of Police (SP), East Khasi Hills district, said a murder case has been registered, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is now handling the case. The couple, Raja, a transport businessman, and Sonam, had travelled to the rain-soaked hills of Sohra (Cherrapunji) for their honeymoon. They arrived at Mawlakhiat village on 22 May on a rented scooter. After parking it, they trekked down 3,000 steps to visit the famous living root bridges in Nongriat village, where they stayed the night. The following morning, they left the homestay, but there was no contact from them afterwards. On 24 May, their abandoned scooter was found at a café on the road between Shillong and Sohra. Police were alerted, and a search operation began with help from local villagers. However, extremely heavy rainfall and low visibility delayed rescue efforts. Sohra recorded the highest rainfall in the state on 29, 30 and 31 May, with nearly 500 mm falling over three days — equal to the annual rainfall of Mysuru in Karnataka, according to a Met official. Swipe Left For Next Video View all The bad weather also caused landslides and flash floods in parts of the eastern Khasi and Jaintia Hills, disrupting traffic and leading to six deaths and over 10 injuries. (With inputs from PTI) News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More News india Body Of Missing Indore Man Found In Gorge In Meghalaya, Search For Wife Continues
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'All American' renewed for eighth and final season
The time has come for a final huddle. On Monday, the CW announced that All American has been renewed for an eighth and final season, giving fans a chance to say goodbye to the characters they've come to love since the show premiered in 2018. "How do I condense into just a few words what would be the longest love letter to this show, the fans, the cast, crew, staff, and producers. My heart is so filled with love and gratitude for everyone who helped bring All American to life and kept it going for its historic run," said showrunner Nkechi Okoro in a statement. Okoro went on to thank executives at Warner Bros Discovery and CW for their support, as well as Brad Schwartz, Channing Dungey, Brett Paul, and Greg Berlanti for their help in bringing the All American franchise to life. "It is so hard to say goodbye to the thing that you love, but we are so excited we get to do it in the way we envisioned with this final season," Okoro continued. "Thank you to our OG and new generation cast members, our writers, crew and full staff for raising the bar every episode. Thank you to Spencer Paysinger, whose life inspired this epic journey. And thank you to everyone who not only watched the show, but took Spencer James's mantra of 'Dream Big. Stay Real' to heart and were inspired to chase their seemingly impossible dreams. We see you. We salute you. Here's to leaving it all on the field one last time." Brad Schwartz, President of The CW Network, praised the series as "one of the greatest CW shows of all time," saying it was an honor to "bring it back for one final season to give fans a chance to say a meaningful goodbye to these inspiring characters and this incredible world." "The series took bold new steps in Season 7, adding exciting new characters to the ones we already love, and viewers truly embraced it all," Schwartz added. "We cannot wait to see the emotion, heart, and magic that Nkechi Okoro Carroll and the entire cast and creative team deliver in giving this story the proper ending it deserves." Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD US Networks, said, "Since the moment All American kicked off, the audience fell in love with these characters and their heartfelt stories. Season 7 provided a rare opportunity to keep this world for the fans while introducing new characters alongside some beloved favorites. I couldn't be more thrilled to see this story continue for an eighth and final season." Dungey continued, "I know Nkechi and our very talented team of writers and executive producers will deliver something unforgettable. Thank you to Greg and Sarah at Berlanti Productions for their leadership, and to our partners at The CW for this opportunity."All American's final renewal comes a year after its spinoff, All American: Homecoming, aired its third and final season. Created in the vein of shows like A Different World and The Quad, the series followed Simone Hicks (Geffri Maya) from the flagship series to college, where she strives to reclaim her athletic aspirations of conquering tennis. Homecoming brought the HBCU experience to television and highlighting Black excellence while exploring a formative, pivotal moment in a young person's life. All American's final season will air 13 new episodes in 2026. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Arab News
a day ago
- General
- Arab News
‘No safe place': Writer's group PEN International calls for arms embargo on Israel
LONDON: Writer's group PEN International on Monday urged the international community to impose an arms embargo on all parties involved in the war in Gaza, calling specifically for a ban on weapons used by Israel in attacks that have targeted Palestinian civilians across the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In an open letter, the London-based association expressed outrage at what it described as the global community's failure to hold Israel accountable for the 'ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.' The letter condemned the daily killing of civilians and the prolonged blockade, calling for immediate action to halt the assault. 'PEN International has documented harrowing testimonies of Palestinian writers across the OPT, all of whom have reported and corroborated the growing body of evidence demonstrating concerted and systematic efforts by Israel to erase the Palestinian people and their cultural heritage, particularly in Gaza,' the open letter said. The group said it shared the view of other international organizations that 'genocide is being perpetrated against Palestinians in Gaza through various means,' and reported that at least 23 writers — excluding artists and other cultural workers — have been killed in Israeli bombardments since Oct. 7, 2023. Describing the current period as 'the deadliest for writers since the Second World War,' PEN International said the assault on Palestinian culture — through the destruction of heritage sites, cultural spaces, and the targeting of writers and journalists — was 'a deliberate strategy to silence and erase the Palestinian people.' A post shared by PEN International (@peninternational) The NGO joins a growing number of organizations, experts and legal scholars that have concluded Israel's conduct in Gaza meets the threshold of genocide. The International Court of Justice ruled last year that Palestinians face a 'plausible risk of genocide,' and UN experts, aid agencies, and hundreds of legal specialists and genocide scholars have echoed that assessment. Even former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert, writing in Haaretz, recently described the offensive as a 'war of extermination,' though he stopped short of using the term 'genocide.' PEN International's letter also detailed the 'irreversible loss of much of Gaza's tangible and intangible cultural heritage,' including independent cultural institutions, personal libraries and literary work, many of which were created under extreme restrictions and later destroyed in the war. As of the end of May, UNESCO confirmed damage to 110 cultural sites in Gaza since the war began, including religious landmarks, historic buildings, museums and archaeological sites. Testimonies gathered by PEN International also described the conditions faced by Palestinian writers amid the persistent threat to their lives. 'The relentless Israeli military operations, the indiscriminate bombardment of so-called 'safe zones' with high explosives, unexploded ordnance, sniper attacks targeting civilians, and the ongoing arbitrary restrictions and ban on humanitarian aid — are a grim, daily reality,' the letter read. 'All writers who spoke to PEN International have consistently stressed that: 'There is no place safe in Gaza'.' Founded in London in 1921, PEN International has grown into a global cultural institution. It has not remained untouched by the rippling political effects of the Gaza war. In September 2024, the group passed a resolution condemning the rise in targeted killings, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on access to information in both Palestine and Israel following the Oct. 7 attacks. The resolution placed primary responsibility for these violations on Israeli authorities. In April 2025, PEN America, the group's US branch, was forced to cancel its annual literary awards after several authors boycotted the event over what they viewed as the organization's failure to take a clear stance against Israel's war on Gaza. The decision followed an open letter signed by dozens of authors and translators who withdrew their work from the awards in protest.
