Local Crime Fiction: Clacton author Chris Buckle released his fourth book, The Clacton Verdict, inspired by online Facebook pile-ons—now a murder plot set around local landmarks and pubs. Publishing & Community Loss: Te Kamo’s beloved bookshop will reopen under a charitable trust after owner Evon Morgan’s death, keeping the store’s community role alive. Water & Public Accountability: UK Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds warned that a proposed rescue plan for Thames Water could raise costs, cut standards, and delay infrastructure—sparking renewed debate over renationalisation. Ethics & Democracy: Markus Gabriel’s Doing Good: How Ethical Capitalism Can Save Liberal Democracy argues capitalism can be reformed to protect liberal democracy, even if the ideas are “stimulating and provocative.” Diplomacy Education: The Pedro Gual Institute is refurbishing its CIDERE library center as it moves toward a University of Peace Diplomacy. AI, Books, and Culture: Seoul’s International Book Fair returns with a theme of “Declaration of Humanity” in the AI era, spotlighting reading as active questioning. Media/Policy Pressure: Disney/ABC is rallying viewers as the FCC moves toward early license review tied to The View and broader speech concerns. Book-to-Screen Buzz: The trailer for Klara and the Sun lands, adapting Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel with Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams. Book Industry Watch: University Press of Kansas marks America’s 250th birthday with weekly 50% off sales on history-focused titles.