Day: April 12, 2024

Abu Dhabi: The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), renowned for its ability to unite global literary enthusiasts and bring the undeniable power of reading to the youth, is once again set to captivate audiences with an array of esteemed guests who will deliver inspiring talks, panel discussions and invaluable workshops.

Organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and set to take place from 1st to 12th May in Expo Centre Sharjah, the region’s largest event dedicated to nurturing the imaginations of young minds, carries the theme ‘Once Upon a Hero’ this year, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

With 190 guests from 25 countries, the festival represents the universal appeal of literature and the power of storytelling to transcend generations and inspire greatness.

This year’s lineup boasts an impressive roster of accomplished individuals, promising an enriching experience for attendees of all ages.

Leading the pack is Jerry Craft, a distinguished American cartoonist and children’s book illustrator, who
se syndicated comic strip “Mama’s Boyz” and graphic novels such as “New Kid” and “Class Act” have earned him widespread acclaim. Joining Craft is Raúl The Third, a New York Times bestselling illustrator and author, celebrated for his evocative portrayals of the contemporary Mexican-American experience. Their presence guarantees a fusion of artistry and storytelling that will resonate with audiences worldwide.

Further enhancing the festival’s agenda is Dr. Caroline Leaf, a world-famous communication pathologist and neuroscientist from the United States. Renowned for her research on the mind-brain connection, Dr. Leaf’s expertise in mental health and memory formation promises to enlighten and inspire attendees.

Hailing from Malaysia, Stacy C. Bauer and Ying Ying Ng bring their unique talents to the forefront. Bauer, a prolific writer known for her humorous anecdotes and relatable storytelling, is set to regale audiences with tales of childhood adventures. Ng, with over three decades of experience in music edu
cation, offers invaluable insights into the world of creativity and learning.

Malaysia’s David Chek Ling Ngo rounds out the top tier of distinguished guests, bringing his wealth of knowledge in leadership and academic excellence to the fore. Recognised as one of the Top 2 percent Scientists Worldwide by Stanford University, Ngo’s contributions to the fields of education and institutional growth are nothing short of exemplary.

Meanwhile, the festival will also play host to a diverse array of luminaries from around the globe. From Georgia, Lia Shalvashvili, an esteemed author and educator, joins the fray with her extensive repertoire of children’s literature. The United States contributes Dr. Al Jones, a distinguished psychologist specialising in educational and gender psychology, further enriching the festival’s intellectual discourse.

Not to be overlooked are the notable guests from India, including Mamta Nainy, Bethany Clark, and Sohini Mitra, each bringing their unique perspectives on children’s literatu
re and publishing to the table.

Other noteworthy figures include Cathy Camper from the United States, Joanne Steer from the UK, Dr. Sandy Zanella from Mexico, Toyin Akanni from Nigeria, Deeba Zargarpur representing Afghanistan and the US, Liam Kelly from Ireland, Hannah Moushabeck from the USA, Lauren Tamaki also from the USA, Leila Boukarim, Jane Mount, and Zelmaré Viljoen.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Abu Dhabi: UAE President His Highness Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a phone call today from Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), His Highness and Gates explored ways to strengthen their collaborative efforts towards combatting infectious diseases such as polio, underscoring the substantial advances made recently in this area. They also emphasised the critical need to enhance international efforts aimed at helping vulnerable communities to eradicate diseases that hamper their progress, wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

The call also noted the historic outcomes of the COP28 climate conference hosted by the UAE last year, which resulted in the landmark UAE Consensus, a key milestone in promoting unified climate action and accelerating global endeavours to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The two sides highlighted the importance of modern technology and innovation in enhancing sustainable solutions to environmenta
l challenges, alongside preserving natural resources and achieving sustainable development.

The call also discussed the significant efforts made by the UAE to address the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and facilitate the flow of relief and medical aid since the beginning of the crisis.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Moroccan artist and president of the National Foundation of Museums of Morocco (FNM), Mehdi Qotbi, was promoted by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, to the rank of Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit, one of the highest distinctions of the French Republic, during a ceremony organized Thursday evening at the Elysée Palace.

In an address, the French head of state said that Mehdi Qotbi is “an exceptional artist” and a “builder of bridges between countries and people.’

”Mr. Qotbi is one of the hunters of art and talent,’ said the French President.

“You never cease to create, to exhibit, to teach the visual arts, to cross paths with personalities who inspire you and whom you inspire,” he said.

Describing the artist as “one of the links between Morocco and France”, Macron emphasized that Qotbi is “one of those who bring to life on a daily basis the indestructible fraternal bond that unites our two countries.’

“This distinction honors me because it pays tribute, beyond my person, to the marvelou
s teamwork accomplished by the National Foundation of Museums which, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and with the great support and interest that our Sovereign has for culture and the arts, has produced major new national and international exhibitions and is helping to preserve and publicize our rich multicultural heritage throughout the world,’ Qotbi told MAP news agency.

Made a Knight of the Legion of Honor by former French President Jacques Chirac in 2000, then an Officer of the Legion of Honor by his successor Nicolas Sarkozy, the Moroccan artist was promoted to the rank of Commander of the Legion of Honor in 2016 by President François Hollande.

The ceremony was attended by the French Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, the President of the Arab World Institute (IMA), Jack Lang, and several personalities from the world of diplomacy, culture and the arts.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Rome: The winners of the inaugural PublisHer Excellence Awards, which celebrate women who have brought positive change to the international publishing industry, have been announced during a glittering ceremony at the 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy.

Addressing the award ceremony before the announcement, PublisHer founder Bodour Al Qasimi paid tribute to the winners and runners-up and thanked the professional jury for their vital contribution, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

She said, ‘The phenomenal work showcased through the Awards is truly heart-warming. It’s a powerful testament to the impact women are making in publishing on a global scale. To our winners, your contributions are leaving a lasting mark on this industry and your stories are inspiring us all. To our nominees, thank you for your participation and passion for the PublisHer Excellence Awards, and please continue to shine brightly.’

The jury in charge of selecting the winners from among the 113 applicants comprised leading fem
ale figures from the international publishing industry: Emma House, Director at Oreham Group, Arpita Das, Founder and Publisher at Yoda Press, Latoya West-Blackwood, Publishing and Communications Consultant, Caroline Fortin, President at Quebec Amerique International and Trasvin Jittidecharak, Founder and Publisher at Silkworm Books.

Following six months of careful deliberations, the jury selected the winners from among the nine shortlisted finalists, and in Bologna it was announced that Anne Friebel, Publishing Director at Palomaa Publishing, was the recipient of the PublisHer Excellence Award in the Innovation category. Anne established ‘The Female Publisher’ network – a free-to-join digital platform that connects and supports women publishers, program managers and decision-makers within the German-speaking publishing market, encouraging discourse and exchange. As co-host of ‘Die Bcher unserer Zukunft’ podcast (Books of Our Future) Anne has demonstrated commitment to the amplification of female voices, ind
ustry best practice, and methods which address publishing’s major challenges.

Following this, Mitia Osman, CEO and Publisher at Mayurpankhi and Executive Director at Agamee Prakashani, was announced as the recipient of the Emerging Leader Award. Demonstrating dedication and leadership in founding her publishing house Mayurpankhi in Bangladesh, she is the first woman to establish a children’s publishing house there. She is further recognized for her advocacy in campaigning for greater gender diversity in publishing, both at home, and internationally.

Lastly, Shirley Yvonne Carby, Chairperson at Carlong Publishers Caribbean Ltd. was announced as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her dynamic 45-year publishing career. A leader in publishing in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, Shirley has steadfastly supported the training of authors and industry professionals and expanded the skills and knowledge of Caribbean societies throughout her career, while promoting literacy throughout h
er community.

The ceremony was part of a diverse PublisHer programme in Bologna, which included keynote speeches and daily panel discussions with big-hitting figures from international publishing, and networking coffees on the PublisHer stand each afternoon.

The PublisHer Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on women who are improving publishing and blazing trails for others to follow. They empower female publishers to aim higher and help each other and raise awareness of the continuing challenges many women still face in the publishing business.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Members of the Tangier prefectural judicial police successfully seized, on Friday morning, five kilograms of cocaine and large sums of money linked to illegal drug trafficking.

According to a security source, the investigation into this case led to the arrest of an individual involved in drug trafficking. He was found in possession of five kilograms of cocaine and a vehicle suspected of being used for transporting and trafficking drugs.

Further searches related to the case resulted in the discovery of significant amounts of money, totaling approximately 8.5 million dirhams, along with another sum in European currency. These funds are believed to be proceeds from the trafficking of hard drugs.

The suspect has been placed in police custody as part of the ongoing judicial investigation under the supervision of the relevant public prosecutor’s office. Meanwhile, efforts to apprehend other individuals involved in the case are underway.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Morocco will return to GMT+1 at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 14, 2024, moving the time forward by 60 minutes, the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform announced.

This measure comes in application of Decree no. 2-18-855 of 16 Safar 1440 (October 26, 2018) relating to legal time and Head of Government’s Order no. 3-10-24 published on 12 Sha’ban 1445 (February 22, 2024), relating to the change in legal time, the ministry said in a statement.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse