Supreme Court Justice Athar Minallah (centre) in a group photo at a book review session hosted by the Next Generation Pakistan Learning Festival 2024 on November 17, 2024. — Facebook@mofept Islamabad : The Next Generation Pakistan Learning Festival 2024 hosted a highly engaging book review session, bringing together students, educators, and esteemed guests for an…
The 2024 Literature Live! The Mumbai Litfest book winners.
Literature Live! The Mumbai Litfest announced its Literary Awards (for fiction, nonfiction and business), Publisher of the Year award, Poet Laureate, and Lifetime Achievement award on November 17, the final day of the festival.Here are the winners in each category:Publisher of the yearBloomsbury IndiaFiction book of the yearNonfiction book of the yearFiction best first bookHurda, Atharva Pandit, Bloomsbury IndiaNonfiction best first bookBusiness book of the yearPoet laureateArvind Krishna Mehrotra was declared the 2024 Poet Laureate. He is the author of four influential poetic tomes: Nine Enclosures, Distance in Statute Miles, Middle Earth and The Transfiguring Places. His most recent publication which encompasses three sections: The Book of Rahim and Other Poems, Ghalib, A Diary, and Book of Lahore is deeply evocative.Previous Poet Laureates include Mamang Dai, Gieve Patel, Adil Jussawalla, Javed Akhtar, K Satchidanandan, Jayanta Mahapatra, Gulzar, Keki Daruwalla, Vikram Seth, and Joy Goswami.
Arvind Krishna Mehrotra. Photo in Public Domain.Lifetime achievement awardOdia writer Pratibha Ray was awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Ray’s debut novel Barsha Basanta Baishakha was published in 1974. Her magnum opus Yajnaseni, which followed in 1984, revolving around the character of Draupadi in the Mahabharata, was cast in the framework of the modern-day Indian woman with her individual identity. Her epic novel Mahamoha in 2012, is a bold re-telling of the Ramayana from Ahalya’s point of view, which established her mastery of nuanced interpretation and complex characters.Past recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include CS Lakshmi, Mahesh Elkunchwar, Anita Desai, Ruskin Bond, Shanta Gokhale, Mark Tully, Girish Karnad, Amitav Ghosh, Kiran Nagarkar, MT Vasudevan Nair, Khushwant Singh, VS Naipaul, and Mahashweta Devi.
Pratibha Ray. Photo by By Government of Odisha, Public Domain.
Traveling today is all about convenience, style, and practicality. Whether you are escaping for a weekend or taking on a longer adventure, these 10 fashionable travel gears will make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Not only are they stylish, but they also come with features to keep you organized, comfy, and ready for anything. Let’s jump right in!
Mini Portable Power Bank: Never Run Out of Battery Again
We’ve all felt the panic of a dead phone at the worst possible moment! A mini portable power bank is the perfect solution. Its compact and stylish design fits effortlessly in any bag or pocket. Whether you are discovering new places or snapping photos, you’ll never miss a moment. Stay powered and keep your adventures going. This handy device truly is a lifesaver!
Looking for the perfect travel charger? The Anker Nano Power Bank is a stylish, compact power boost that fits right into your pocket—no extra cables needed!
Stylish Tote Bag: Effortlessly Carry Your Essentials
A stylish tote bag isn’t just practical; it’s a travel essential that adds flair to your outfit. It’s big enough to carry your phone, snacks, a water bottle, and any other daily essentials. You’ll love how it elevates your look while being functional. Whether you are sightseeing or heading to the airport, this bag will be your go-to companion for any occasion.
For a chic yet functional option, the Borealis Tote by The North Face offers plenty of space for your laptop and essentials, all while keeping you looking effortlessly cool.
Travel Wallet: Stay Organized, Look Great
A travel wallet is more than just a place for your passport, tickets, and money. It helps you keep everything organized and secure, all while looking sleek. You can find one with RFID-blocking features for extra protection. The best part? It looks good too. Traveling with a well-organized wallet means less stress at check-ins and more style in your travel gear.
Stay stylish and organized with the BÉIS Travel Wallet—it has everything you need for a smooth trip, all wrapped up in a sleek, fashionable design.
Compression Packing Cubes: Save Space and Stay Neat
Packing can be overwhelming, but compression packing cubes take the stress away. These cubes shrink your clothes, allowing you to fit more into your suitcase without the bulk. Unlike regular packing cubes, they create more space and reduce wrinkles, making packing even more efficient. Imagine being able to pack all your essentials and still have room for souvenirs. Compression cubes are a must for anyone who wants to pack smart.
Maximize your luggage space with the Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes—a stylish solution for the organized traveler who wants to pack more, without the bulk.
Noise-Canceling Headphones: Escape the Chaos
Long flights and crowded airports can be draining. Noise-canceling headphones let you block out the chaos. They help you focus on your music, podcasts, or just enjoy some quiet time. Comfortable and practical, they make the journey a lot more bearable. With these, you can tune out the noise and make traveling feel a bit easier.
The BOSE QuietComfort Ultra Headphones offer world-class sound and unmatched comfort, perfect for any journey. Prefer earbuds?BOSE QuietComfort Earbudsdeliver the same top-tier noise cancellation in a sleek, in-ear design.
Smart Luggage with Laptop Compartment: Travel Like a Pro
Smart luggage is more than just a bag; it’s a game-changer. A hard-shell carry-on with a built-in laptop compartment keeps your tech safe and accessible. No need to dig around to find your laptop or tablet when you are going through security. It’s sleek, durable, and functional, giving you the confidence to travel like a pro. This is one investment you’ll never regret.
The Arloskye Zipper Carry-On Max combines sleek design, extra storage, and in-flight essentials like a fast-charging port—perfect for stylish, on-the-go travelers.
Universal Travel Adapter: Charge Anywhere in the World
When traveling internationally, the last thing you want to worry about is finding the right plug. A universal travel adapter solves that problem. It’s compact, lightweight, and fits into any bag. From Europe to Asia, you can charge your devices no matter where you are. With this simple gadget, you’ll never have to search for the right outlet again.
The Epicka Universal Travel Adapter is your all-in-one solution for global charging—compact, sleek, and perfect for modern travelers heading anywhere.
Reusable Water Bottle: Stay Hydrated in Style
Staying hydrated is essential, especially when you’re traveling. A reusable water bottle lets you refill anywhere, cutting down on single-use plastic. Many are insulated, keeping your drink cold or hot for hours. Stylish, eco-friendly, and practical, this is a must-have accessory. You will feel good about carrying it and your body will thank you for staying hydrated.
The Hydro Flask Travel Bottle is not only sleek and stylish, but keeps your drinks cold all day long. Perfect for road trips, hikes, or sightseeing in the city.
Travel Backpack with Built-In USB Port: Stay Connected on the Move
A travel backpack with a built-in USB port makes life so much easier. You can charge your devices on the go, hassle free. With plenty of compartments, your laptop, snacks, and essentials stay organized. It combines style with convenience, making it the perfect travel companion. Stay connected and organized with this must-have backpack.
The Pierre Cardin Travel Backpack is a must-have, combining sleek style with ultimate convenience, including a built-in USB port and plenty of space for all your essentials.
Tech Organizer Case: Keep Your Gadgets Neat and Ready
If you travel with tech, you know the struggle of tangled wires and misplaced chargers. A tech organizer case solves that problem. This compact case keeps your cables, chargers, and headphones are efficiently stored and easy to find. No more digging through your bag; everything is neat and ready when you need it. A small item that makes a big difference.
The Bellroy Tech Kit Compact offers sleek organization for all your travel tech—keep everything tidy and accessible, without sacrificing style.
Why These Items Are Essential for Your Trip
These 10 travel essentials will make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. They keep you organized, connected, and ready. From staying charged to hydrated, each item serves a purpose. Packing these smart essentials upgrades your travel experience, making every trip easier. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or just starting, these items will elevate your journey. Here’s to a stylish, stress-free trip!
Book Publishers Association of Malawi (Bpam) has dared players in the trade to hold hands and work together to stop book piracy.Bpam Team Leader Alfred Msadala said this on Friday during an interface with head teachers from schools in both rural and urban in Blantyre organised with funding from Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) through the Copyright Fund.“We had to reach out to head teachers to engage and disseminate information on book piracy, which is rampant in the country. Books are being photocopied and distributed without consent and this is turning into losses for both authors and the government,” Msadala said.He said they would be going into education divisions as part of taking up a lead role to involve more players in piracy fight.“Piracy is real. We are trying to minimise it. We need to protect authors and publishers, who are in business,” Msadala said.Ndirande Hill Secondary School Head teacher Wyson Phiri welcomed the engagement with Bpam, saying it would help in the fight against book piracy.“I also happen to be an author and what is happening on the ground now is worrisome. People are just photocopying books and distributing them without consent and this is discouraging authors from writing because there are no benefits,” Phiri said.He said there was aneed for collaboration between stakeholders to fight book piracy.During the gathering, students from Chichiri Secondary School performed a short play that spoke about the evils of book piracy.There were presentations that were made during the meeting and they included one from Cosoma made by Senior Licencing Officer Tikhale Chikanda, who said it was high time the country respected copyright as part of respecting talent.He said the copyright body has been on mission fighting book piracy and that some players, who have been found guilty, have been fined heavily.During the event, there was a display of books by publishers such as Claim Mabuku, Dzuka and renowned writer John Lwanda.
(Credits: Far Out / Markus Spiske / Thea Hdc / Jeff Kingma) Mon 18 November 2024 5:00, UK Not many actors or filmmakers have managed to go through their entire careers without at least a couple of movies they regret in one form or another. That said, a director suggesting they’d happily donate to a campaign that wanted to erase an entire film from existence is a step beyond disowning their work.Of course, it was a fanciful suggestion when a studio will never bend to the whims of a vocal minority when they’ve invested an exorbitant amount of money into a production, regardless of how bad it is or how thunderously it bombs. On this occasion, the flick was definitely a critical and commercial disaster on a massive scale, but it’s still out there in the world for anyone brave enough to give it a shot.Things were looking so promising for Josh Trank after the wunderkind burst onto the scene with his debut feature Chronicle. Taking a found-footage approach that differentiated it from the deluge of cinematic superhero stories, the lo-fi origin story recouped its budget more than eight times over in ticket sales and set an impressive box office record.Trank was only 27 years old when Chronicle hit the big screen, and when it debuted at number one in the United States, it made him the youngest director to ever achieve that feat. It was a benchmark that had stood for almost 40 years, knocking some guy called Steven Spielberg and some movie called Jaws from the perch they’d occupied for so long.However, many rising auteurs have failed to successfully make the jump from smaller productions into the blockbuster machine, and Trank became one of them. Snapped up by 20th Century Fox and handed the reins on rebooting Marvel’s Fantastic Four, the end result was one of the worst-reviewed comic book adaptations of the 21st-century boom.Reports of difficult behaviour and an antagonistic atmosphere emerged from the set, and less than 24 hours before its release, the filmmaker took to social media to let everyone know the version set to bow in multiplexes worldwide wasn’t reflective of the movie he wanted to make when he first signed on.Fantastic Four netted Razzie wins for ‘Worst Picture’ and ‘Worst Director’, and many people – including Trank – would prefer if it had never existed at all. As it happened, an enterprising entrepreneur reached out to the director on social media and asked if he’d be interested in contributing to a GoFundMe page designed specifically to erase the film from the history books.This was in early 2019, almost four years after the Fantastic Four had been sent out into the theatrical wilderness to die a slow and painful death, but Trank’s one-word reply of “Gladly” said it all. Tongue in cheek or not, it spoke volumes either way.He did return to filmmaking with Tom Hardy’s Capone, but his fateful dalliance with Marvel did massive damage to what was once being hailed as one of the most promising futures in Hollywood.[embedded content]Related TopicsSubscribe To The Far Out Newsletter
Photo: Courtesy of Bayer and Codone BiotechnologyDuring the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), Bayer and Codone Biotechnology (Codone) signed a collaboration agreement, marking Codone the first resident company of Bayer Co.Lab in China. This is the latest milestone in the global expansion of Bayer Co.Lab network, which launched its first site in China just this September. In November 2023, during the 6th CIIE, the company announced the expansion of Bayer Co.Lab as a global co-creation platform to China.”We are delighted to welcome Codone as the first company in China to join our Bayer Co.Lab community, a mere 40 days after the grand opening of our new site in the country,” said Dr. Friedemann Janus, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Co.Lab, Regional Business Development & Licensing and Divestitures at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. “Bayer Co.Lab aims to serve as a vital hub for empowering local start-ups and bridging China’s emerging innovations with global pharmaceutical value chain. This initiative underscores Bayer’s long-standing commitment to engaging deeply with the biotech innovation ecosystem in China and fostering open collaborations through our end-to-end partnering approaches. We look forward to welcoming more biotech start-ups and key stakeholders joining us on this exciting open innovation journey.””We are excited to be moving into Bayer Co.Lab, which provides us with access to Bayer’s extensive global research and development capabilities,” said Dr. Dong Wei, CEO and Co-founder of Codone Biotechnology. “Being part of this innovative network will enhance our scientific and operational effectiveness, empowering us to advance tRNA therapy and support patients worldwide who are affected by diseases caused by nonsense mutations.”Founded in 2022, Codone Biotechnology focuses on developing transformative medicines based on suppressor-tRNAs for patients with severe diseases caused by nonsense mutations (a.k.a, premature termination codons). The company has established proprietary platforms in suppressor-tRNA screening and optimization as well as AAV delivery, for broad range of indications in target organs including central nervous system, kidney, heart and retina.As part of the Bayer Co.Lab global network, the new site in China will offer state-of-the art laboratories, collaborative workspaces, and tailored support to its resident companies. These biotech start-ups will also benefit from access to Bayer’s global expertise and research network, enabling them to connect with international innovation and partner networks within a nurturing ecosystem. Bayer Co.Lab offers a wealth of internal and external expert resources to accelerate innovation through custom mentoring programs. In China, Bayer Co.Lab aims to empower eight to 10 biotech start-ups, focusing on cutting-edge innovations in cell and gene therapies, oncology and new technology platforms. The Bayer Co.Lab network is expanding its global presence with strategic locations in the USA, Germany, China, and Japan, all dedicated to supporting and accelerating the scientific breakthroughs of entrepreneurs in the world’s leading innovation hotspots.