AGP Executive Report

Publishing & Culture: CalebANDKyle Audiobooks has released J. P. Donleavy’s “The Unexpurgated Code” as a new audiobook, narrated by Simon Callow, bringing the comic classic to English-language listeners. Industry & Trade: Two Sides appoints Josh Birch as managing director from 1 January 2027, aiming to expand support for members and roll out an AI-enabled multilingual communications platform across Europe. Music Publishing: Helix Records & Payday Publishing has opened a new European hub in central London, adding studios, events and songwriting spaces to its music-focused operations. Tech & Search Rules: Google redesigned European search results across the EEA to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act, removing some integrated booking and pricing modules in favor of third-party aggregator units. Travel & Consumer Rights: UK air travel disruption continues after a NATS technical failure, with passengers reminded of rights around delays and cancellations. Books & Diplomacy: A new book launch in Berlin spotlights peacemaker Yaron Lischinsky through photos and essays, tying publishing to current political tensions.

AI & Accountability: A new survey of 2,500 enterprise tech leaders finds CIOs are most often blamed when AI systems go wrong, with executives citing unclear governance and weak visibility into what AI does. AI & Research: OpenAI’s claimed math breakthrough is drawing scrutiny over how it was achieved, while Google DeepMind is using AI to model genetic mutation impacts. Publishing & Books Under Pressure: Russia’s war on Ukrainian books is escalating, with reports of massive destruction of print and school materials. EU Travel Rights: UK/EU passenger-rights guidance is back in focus after air-traffic control chaos and hundreds of flight cancellations, outlining when assistance and compensation apply. Space Industry: A new European industrial alliance is pushing an “autophage” rocket engine concept aimed at filling a small-satellite launch gap as SpaceX bookings tighten. Tech in Mobility: Tesla’s robotaxi expansion is rattling Uber and Lyft sentiment, with regulatory progress in Europe cited as a key driver. Culture & Media: Sony Music Japan’s president discusses how Japanese anime and music collaboration can travel globally.

Publishing & Books: Bloomsbury founder Nigel Newton will step into executive chairman while the search for a successor CEO begins, as the Harry Potter publisher outlines a five-year handover plan. Books & Borders: Latvia has banned Russian and Belarusian books over “war propaganda,” adding to Europe’s tightening cultural controls. Audio Publishing: Audible has quadrupled English translations of European Originals, aiming to meet rising demand for international audio. Book Retail: A new Brussels store, Le Refuge, has opened with a focus on outdoor sports and nature titles, maps and travel guides. Media/Adtech & Print Industry: Schiphol Group is set to launch a major advertising tender for airport media assets, moving from in-house management to a concession model. Packaging & Sustainability: Recycling experts are urging video game publishers to rethink full-size plastic cases as download-code releases make the packaging less necessary. Travel & Culture (book-adjacent): easyJet launches an autumn/winter sale with up to 20% off selected flights from Spain.

UN Map Vote: The UN General Assembly endorsed the Equal Earth projection over Mercator by 164 votes to 1, with the US the lone “no” vote, reigniting debate over how maps shape politics and perception. Publishing & Policy: Latvia has banned Russian and Belarusian books, citing propaganda concerns, while the EU continues to tighten the rules around digital platforms and AI—raising new questions for publishers and rights holders. Germany Politics: A far-right win in a regional race sent shockwaves across Europe, adding pressure to an already tense media and cultural landscape. Book Culture: Charlotte Higgins’ “Ukrainian Lessons” landed on major prize radar, and the week also saw fresh attention on major European cultural artifacts like the Bayeux Tapestry’s UK return. Industry Watch: Don’t Nod warned it may not have enough funding to operate beyond January 2027, underscoring the financial strain on creative studios.

AI & Copyright: A new report says AI firms are buying large quantities of physical books from bookstores in the UK and Europe to scan for training, raising fresh copyright and quality-control alarms. K-Book Week (Books & Rights): Korea and France are using the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties to push Korean publishing in Europe via “K-Book Week” in Paris, with picture books, author events and rights talks aimed at turning screen-driven fandom into print deals. EU Defence Governance: Member-state objections have derailed a planned high-level EU defence advisory group led by Kaja Kallas, highlighting friction over who sets priorities and how capitals are consulted. Spain Migration Policy: Pedro Sánchez is pressing for a stronger EU role for Ceuta and Melilla after the mass crossing, seeking customs-territory status and new EU support. Travel & Print Culture: Jet2 adds thousands of seats for Summer 2027 across southern Europe routes, while French préfectures continue to face scrutiny over carte de séjour delays.

Google & Publishing: Brussels is asking publishers whether Google’s new AI-search “opt-out” is actually useful, as EU antitrust regulators quiz the industry over how the tech giant routes traffic. Web Economy Pressure: A separate report argues Google’s AI answer engine is quietly strangling the open web by cutting search referrals and shifting readers away from publisher sites. AI & Audio Rights: Audible previews a multilingual adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula at Venice, with Jonathan Bailey starring as the Count. Gaming Physical Releases: Akupara Games and Videocult confirm Rain World: Anthology Edition for Switch 2 and other platforms, bundling base game plus expansions in a physical box. Energy & Permits: ADX Energy applies for a third Sicily Channel offshore gas exploration permit, citing an independent technical review supporting the Terravecchia gas play. Geopolitics & Books/Media: A joint investigation says a Chinese state-linked firm supplied Russia with components for killer drones, raising questions for China, Russia and US policy. Royal/Publishing Culture: A royal-jewelry feature spotlights the rarely worn Teck Crescent Tiara, tying museum display history to modern public access.

Publishing & Books: Greece’s Book Festival 2026 at Pedion tou Areos opens Sept 7 with 210 publishing houses, 285 stalls and a packed programme of 200+ events focused on sustainable development and social responsibility. International Reading Markets: At the Moscow International Book Fair, China is Guest of Honour with “Reading China,” featuring 2,000+ titles and boosting demand for translated Chinese literature among Russian readers. Controversial Graphic History: An artist’s new interactive graphic book, The Book of Genocides, honours Holocaust victims but is expected to face a ban in Israel over its chapter on Palestinians. Travel Writing & Pilgrimage Publishing: A new guide, A Spiritual Guide to the Camino Francés, earns Amazon Top New Release status for spotlighting overlooked sacred sites along the 500-mile route. Media & Press Freedom: A Council of Europe report flags pressure on journalists across Europe, including digital surveillance and precarious working conditions.

UN Cartography Shake-Up: The UN General Assembly voted 164-1 to promote equal-area world maps (Equal Earth) that show Africa larger and Europe/North America smaller, with the US the only no vote and the measure non-binding; France says it will drop Mercator in school curricula. Publishing & Rights: An Argentine court approved a deal to return a looted 18th-century Italian portrait to the heir of Dutch-Jewish dealer Jacques Goudstikker, ending a long legal fight over Nazi-era seizure. Tech & Education Security: PaperCut flaws are being exploited in attacks on schools across the US and Europe, highlighting ongoing pressure on publishers and education orgs to harden systems. Arts & Culture (Europe): Venice Film Festival premiered Pauline Julier and Nicolas Chapoulier’s Les Indes, a visually driven story tied to a royal painting’s wartime transport. Travel Reading Corner: A Homiel resident in the Netherlands found an Instax-style photo inside a free book—AI identified it as Keanu Reeves with Dogstar on tour in the 1990s.

Publishing & Rights: HarperCollins India will publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging on Nov 10, after a dispute that saw Penguin Random House India step away over requested editorial changes. EU Policy & Books/Media: EU antitrust regulators are asking publishers for views as they probe Google’s AI search opt-out under the Digital Markets Act. Literature & Prizes: Bulgarian author Georgi Gospodinov wins the Jean Monnet Prize for European Literature for Death and the Gardener (French: Le jardinier et la mort), translated by Marie Vrinat-Nikolov and published by Gallimard. Culture & Reading Habits (France): France’s autumn literary rentrée will bring 461 novels (344 French titles), as new barometer data shows reading for pleasure and daily reading slipping—especially among young people. Global Maps & Education: The UN backs a new “Correct the Map” standard promoting Equal Earth projections, aiming to make Africa’s relative size more accurate in education and media. Science Books: Lise Barnéoud’s Hidden Guests on microchimerism is shortlisted for the 2026 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize.

Publishing & Books: HarperCollins has taken over publication of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging in India, releasing it on Nov 10 after a dispute in which Penguin India backed out over reported manuscript changes, with the international edition also set for the same date. EU Tech & Copyright: EU antitrust regulators are asking publishers for views on Google’s AI search opt-out, as the Commission probes whether the change actually helps content owners. AI Litigation: Microsoft has pushed for summary judgment in a New York AI copyright case, arguing Copilot reproduced book passages only 24 times across 8.2 million conversations, while also marketing its latest GPT-6 Astra model. Culture & Heritage: A new Mary Lincoln note has been donated to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, offering a rare glimpse of family life during illness and school troubles. War & Publishing: Ukrinform is publishing Victory Commanders, a book compiling interviews with Ukrainian commanders and units, framing “victory” through named decision-makers.

Publishing Deal Watch: HarperCollins India has stepped in to publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love on November 10, ending weeks of uncertainty after Penguin Random House India backed out amid an editorial impasse; PRHI denied any external pressure and said it remained “willing and keen” until talks stalled. Rights & Representation: A study warns that fake Webometrics University Rankings are targeting Global South universities, spreading inaccurate metrics via masked web tactics, and urges institutions to tighten checks. Humanitarian Policy: Burkina Faso has approved a decree restricting humanitarian groups from publishing photos or videos of aid recipients, framing it as “humanitarian sovereignty” and a dignity safeguard. Literary Screen Adaptation: Sandra Hüller will star as Wolfgang Herrndorf in Maria Schrader’s German-French co-production Work and Structure, adapted from his autobiographical diary, with a 2028 theatrical release planned. Children’s Publishing: Templar Books expands Harriet Howe and Katie Cottle’s Little Wolf series with two new titles, including a September 2026 picture book. AI & Work: “AI cleanup” freelance gigs are surging as creators generate drafts and specialists fix errors, with demand rising sharply across design, video and editing.

AI & Rare Books: A new report says major AI firms have been buying, scanning and destroying rare books via intermediaries, raising alarms among booksellers and copyright watchers. EU Publishing Policy: Brussels is asking publishers for input on Google’s AI-search opt-out as regulators weigh whether the mechanism is actually useful. Book Trade & Culture: Winchester’s historic P&G Wells bookshop will open hidden areas to the public during the Winchester Heritage Open Days, with behind-the-scenes tours and talks. Publishing & Media: Peacock’s “The Paper” returns with a full second season, satirising the pressures facing newspapers—AI-written stories, collapsing traffic and misinformation. Women’s Rights Legacy: Gloria Steinem, a defining force behind the modern women’s movement and Ms. magazine, has died at 92. Literary Review: A new translation volume brings Leib Malach’s 1935 Yiddish play “Mississippi” (Scottsboro Affair) to English readers. Travel & Books: Viking’s adults-only “Mediterranean, without the crowds” itinerary from Athens to Istanbul is marketed as a history-led voyage.

EU Publishing & AI Policy: Brussels is asking publishers for their views on Google’s AI search opt-out, as regulators weigh whether the change actually helps users and competition. Creative Economy & Language: Abu Dhabi’s Congress X Youth is set to explore Arabic’s digital future, with workshops and awards for tech-enabled storytelling and publishing. Publishing Business Models: LetterBucket says 1,000+ creators now use its newsletter platform to keep audiences off social algorithms. Books & Culture: A new edition of J.P. Donleavy’s “The Ginger Man Letters” lands in the US via Dalkey Archive Press, adding fresh context to a classic. Literary Spotlight: Somaliland’s writers are using a major book fair to put an unrecognized country on the literary map through poetry. Tech in Media: IBC 2026 in Amsterdam spotlights AI and Dynamic Media Facility tools for broadcasters, with a “Future Tech” startup push. Autonomous Transport (adjacent tech): Uber and Wayve launch London’s first self-driving taxi service with safety drivers, while Croatia reviews EU-funded robotaxi financing.

EU Antitrust & Publishing Tech: EU regulators are asking publishers for views on Google’s AI search opt-out, as Brussels weighs how the change affects traffic and competition. US Antitrust Ripple: A US judge rejected the DOJ’s push to force Google to sell its ad exchange (AdX), opting instead for behavioral remedies—another reminder that platform power is hard to unwind. AI & Music Rights: Canada’s SOCAN sued US AI music firm Suno, alleging it copied songs without permission or compensation, putting creator pay at the center of the AI debate. Book Culture & Community: Spain’s Bible societies are marking Bible Month with seminars, exhibitions and events tied to major translation anniversaries. Heritage Tourism Pressure: Greece is considering visitor caps for Crete’s Balos Beach after a viral crowd video, with officials pushing reservation slots to manage overtourism. Literary Recognition: Belarusian writer Uladzimir Arloŭ is a finalist for Poland’s Angelus Central European Literary Award. Publishing-Adjacent Arts: Danny Boyle’s “Ink” (about The Sun’s birth) continues to draw attention at the Venice Film Festival.

EU Antitrust & AI: European regulators are asking publishers for input on Google’s AI search opt-out proposal, as Brussels weighs how the change could affect rankings and competition. Publishing Business: Studiocanal has launched “Studiocanal Classics,” a new worldwide label for its restored catalogue titles, betting on 4K re-releases and cinephile demand. Royal Books & Media: Former BBC chief Tim Davie is set to return to the private sector with roles at KKR-backed FGS Global and on Mediawan’s board, with talk of a forthcoming non-fiction book. Book Festival Spotlight: Budapest International Book Festival reveals its guest-country lineup, with Germany, Austria and Switzerland joining and major German-language authors set to appear. War & Books in the Spotlight: Atlantic Books will publish Christine Lagarde’s memoir, while a separate cultural spotlight in Venice features Alina Marazzi’s film “The Girl With the Leica” on Gerda Taro. State Control in Hungary: Hungary moves to scrap KEKVA public asset foundations, bringing about HUF 1 trillion under state control—an EU-facing governance shake-up with knock-on implications for institutions.

EU Antitrust & AI Search: EU antitrust regulators are pressing publishers for views on Google’s AI search opt-out proposal, as the company also adjusts European search rules to avoid fines. Publishing & Translation: A Dutch publisher says translating Chinese literary classics can build a cultural bridge with the Netherlands, highlighting long-running, multi-year translation work. Royal & Media Culture: Prince William is said to be the first British monarch with American ancestry, while the Sussexes’ reported return to the UK keeps royal-book-and-media chatter running. Controversial Conference Books: Ireland’s lactation consultants group paused ticket sales after backlash over a speaker’s book and remarks tied to “inducing lactation” and “sexual gratification” claims. Book Industry Backdrop: Used bookstores are navigating bulk orders amid AI book-shredding fears, while broader debates on AI’s impact on information and trust continue to ripple through reading habits. Sports-Books Crossover: A new wave of September releases and festival programming keeps the spotlight on books as part of wider European culture calendars.