Publishing Industry & Revenue: The Publishers Association reports record publishing revenue of £7.4bn in 2025, up 3%, with audiobooks, digital and export driving growth. Kids & Awards: The Week Junior Book Awards unveiled a 73-book, 12-category 2026 shortlist, spotlighting everything from picture books to poetry and audiobooks. Reading Science: A University of Tokyo study finds reading manga in print improves comprehension and reduces unnecessary brain activity versus tablet reading. AI in Publishing: A Delhi conclave, “Authorless Horizons,” put publishers and editors on the spot over what AI can (and can’t) do in marketing, editing and trust. Book Trade Strategy: WAN-IFRA and FIPP’s Innovation in Media Report urges publishers to build direct audience relationships and treat AI as an “intelligence product” engine, not just a cost saver. Labor & Comics: Dark Horse Comics will voluntarily recognize its employee union and enter good-faith bargaining. Community Book Culture: A new independent bookshop is set to open in York, while Minneapolis’ Wild Rumpus keeps drawing families with its “kitty cat” charm. Local/Global Access: Auckland’s libraries launch a bilingual Samoan children’s picture book, but an author warns Pacific kids still face major shortages in reading material.