UAE Culture Ministry Partners with Publishing Entities to Support Grant Program

The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM
The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM
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UAE Culture Ministry Partners with Publishing Entities to Support Grant Program

The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM
The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM

The Ministry of Culture has announced its collaboration with the Emirates Literature Foundation, Kalimat Group, Fiker Institute and Magrudy Enterprises to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity, launched by the Ministry last year, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Thursday.

“The initiative aligns with the UAE's commitment to developing and sustaining its cultural and creative sectors, and to capitalize on investment opportunities in creators who play a pivotal role in building a sustainable creative economy for future generations,” WAM said.

“Under these agreements, the four leading and prestigious entities in the field of literature will work to increase the impact of the program by creating opportunities to support its beneficiaries and introduce their work on local and international platforms within the cultural and creative industries sector, thus achieving sustainable impact,” the news agency added.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Mubarak Al Nakhi stressed the importance of signing partnership agreements with authorship and publishing institutions.

He said the agreements facilitate the exchange of expertise, enable access to specialists' experience, support the sector's growth sustainably, empower talented writers, including those with unique perspectives and distinguished literary works, and inspire them to pursue further creativity and innovation.

This will support the cultural movement and scene in the UAE and achieve its goals and strategies in spreading knowledge and culture and empowering creators with all tools and means, he added.



Heavy Rains Damage Historic Buildings, Forts in Yemen

Unprecedented rains have hit parts of Yemen this season. (EPA)
Unprecedented rains have hit parts of Yemen this season. (EPA)
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Heavy Rains Damage Historic Buildings, Forts in Yemen

Unprecedented rains have hit parts of Yemen this season. (EPA)
Unprecedented rains have hit parts of Yemen this season. (EPA)

Recent heavy rains have caused significant damage in cities and villages controlled by the Houthi group in Yemen.

Historic forts and ancient buildings have been affected, with homes collapsing in Sanaa, its outskirts, and in the governorates of Raymah, Amran, Al-Bayda, and Hodeidah.

Flooding has particularly impacted the Bustan al-Sultan and Harqan neighborhoods in the UNESCO-listed city of Sanaa.

Sources have accused the Iran-backed Houthis of neglecting the disaster and ignoring residents’ calls for help, while they instead focused on their annual sectarian celebrations.

The Houthi-controlled “Historical Cities Preservation Authority” issued urgent warnings about historic buildings at risk of collapse in the old city in Sanaa and elsewhere. They reported that an ancient palace in an old neighborhood is near collapse.

In rural Sanaa, local sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the historic Haraz fort has partially collapsed due to the rains. The fort is one of Yemen’s oldest.

The Raymah governorate has also suffered, with recent floods causing around eight deaths and destroying over 400 homes, including ancient buildings. Parts of the historic Zalamlam Mountain Castle have collapsed from the rain.

The Yemen Meteorological and Early Warning Center predicted that heavy thunderstorms, including hail and strong winds, will continue for the next 72 hours.

This weather is expected to impact highlands, slopes, and western coastal areas from Saada in the north to Taiz, Al-Daleh, and Lahj in the south.

The weather forecast predicted continued rainfall, including thunderstorms and strong winds, over parts of Al-Mahra, Hadramawt, Shabwa, Abyan, Marib, and Al-Jawf.

The center also expected strong winds to stir up dust and sand in the Socotra Archipelago, southern coasts, and areas affected by thunderstorms.

It advised people to stay away from valleys, flood-prone areas, and muddy roads. It warned to avoid electrical poles, billboards, and trees, and to turn off mobile phones during storms.