Eurotopics.net

More than 100 authors have announced they will leave France's leading publisher Grasset in protest at the dismissal of its long-time CEO, Olivier Nora. Nora is to be replaced by Jean-Christophe Thiery, a close associate of ultra-conservative billionaire, media mogul and Grasset-owner Vincent Bolloré, who, the authors fear, will exert political interference. The press also voices consternation.

At an international conference in Berlin on Wednesday, aid commitments to the tune of 1.5 billion euros were agreed for Sudan, which for the past three years has been ravaged by a brutal civil war. According to UN estimates, 34 million people, or two-thirds of the population in the northeast African country, are dependent on humanitarian aid. The media debate the causes, consequences and possible solutions to the famine.

A direct exchange between envoys of Israel and Lebanon has taken place in Washington for the first time in decades. The Israeli ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, described the talks with his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, as very positive. They agreed that Hezbollah must relinquish its power. Commentators, however, are sceptical about the prospects of success.

The Gaza war has triggered a wave of antisemitism across Europe. French MP Caroline Yadan has introduced a bill aimed at countering this trend, which is due to be debated in the French National Assembly today. Critics warn that the new legislation could restrict freedom of expression and criminalise criticism of Israel's policies.