Saudi Literature Commission Participates in London Book Fair

Saudi Literature Commission Participates in London Book Fair
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Saudi Literature Commission Participates in London Book Fair

Saudi Literature Commission Participates in London Book Fair

The Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission participates in this year London Book Fair with a pavilion where Saudi publishers and their counterparts from around the world may hold cultural dialogues and exchange experiences.
The fair, held at Olympia London between May 12 and 14, is an opportunity for the commission to boost Saudi literary publishers and agents’ presence internationally.
Commission CEO Dr. Mohammed Hasan Alwan stressed that the Saudi pavilion was shown significant interest by the public and industry people, adding that the commission has introduced many initiatives and programs aimed at developing the publishing industry and enhancing cultural activity; one such initiative is lending support to Saudi literary publishers and agents globally, SPA reported.
The commission exhibits books in its pavilion, and showcases the Literary Agent Initiative, the Publishing House Leadership Program, and the Tarjim (translate) Initiative, which contribute to supporting and developing this vital sector in the Kingdom, and strengthening the role of workers in the industry, which is a driver of the Saudi culture.
The commission also reviews the Riyadh International Book Fair, one of the largest cultural forums in the Kingdom, which hosts a country as a guest of honor every year to celebrate its culture through literary events.
The Literary Agent Initiative aims to help literary agents secure the best opportunities for authors and facilitate their literary journey, the Tarjim Initiative contributes to enriching Arabic content with highly valuable material translated from various languages, while the Publishing House Leadership Program seeks to create an attractive investment environment by empowering participating publishing houses and enhancing their competitive capabilities locally and globally.



Japan Launches Advanced Earth Observation Satellite on New Flagship H3 Rocket

Japan's H3 rocket No. 3 lifts off carrying an Earth observation satellite from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, July 1, 2024, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS
Japan's H3 rocket No. 3 lifts off carrying an Earth observation satellite from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, July 1, 2024, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS
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Japan Launches Advanced Earth Observation Satellite on New Flagship H3 Rocket

Japan's H3 rocket No. 3 lifts off carrying an Earth observation satellite from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, July 1, 2024, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS
Japan's H3 rocket No. 3 lifts off carrying an Earth observation satellite from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, July 1, 2024, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

Japan deployed an upgraded Earth observation satellite for disaster response and security after it was launched on a new flagship H3 rocket Monday.
The H3 No. 3 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center on a southwestern Japanese island and released its payload about 16 minutes later as planned, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said during a livestream.
The Advanced Land Observation Satellite, or ALOS-4, is tasked primarily with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and mapmaking. It's also capable of monitoring military activity, such as missile launches, with an infrared sensor developed by the Defense Ministry, The Associated Press reported.
The rocket appeared to fly as planned, and JAXA is expected to give further details at a news conference later Monday. The launch was initially planned for Sunday but was delayed due to bad weather at the launch site.
The ALOS-4 is a successor to the current ALOS-2 and can observe a much wider area. Japan will operate both for the time being.
The launch was the third of the H3 system, after the successful one on Feb 17. and the shocking failed debut flight a year earlier when the rocket had to be destroyed with its payload — a satellite that was supposed to be the ALOS-3.
Japan sees a stable, commercially competitive space transport capability as key to its space program and national security.
JAXA and its main contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have been developing the H3 launch system as a successor to its current mainstay, H-2A, which is set to retire after two more flights. MHI will eventually take over H3 production and launches from JAXA and hopes to make it commercially viable by cutting the launch cost to about half of the H-2A.