Olam News

International Paper Announces Mill ClosuresInternational Paper Co., one of the world’s largest paper producers, officially announced the closure of two of its major mills in Georgia. The announcement was made on Thursday, August 21, 2025, sending shockwaves through the local communities of Savannah and Riceboro. The decision will affect approximately 1,100 employees, including 800 in Savannah and 300 in Riceboro. Both mills are scheduled to shut down in phases until the end of September 2025....

Every year, Montmartre in Paris welcomes around 11 million tourists, making it one of the busiest destinations in Europe. This figure even surpasses the number of visitors to the Eiffel Tower, the city’s main landmark. Behind its romantic and picturesque image, Montmartre residents now face immense pressure from overtourism. The once-village atmosphere has shifted into an uncontrollable crowd that feels more like an amusement park than a living neighborhood.Locals Losing Their Neighborhood Id...

Supersonic travel is once again in the spotlight after nearly two decades of absence since Concorde retired in 2003. US-based startup Boom Supersonic has achieved a major milestone with its demonstrator jet XB-1, which successfully broke the sound barrier without producing disruptive sonic booms. This achievement lays the foundation for the development of Overture, a modern passenger supersonic aircraft widely dubbed the Son of Concorde.A New Era of Fast AviationOverture is designed to carry ...

Escalation of Attacks in ColombiaColombia was rocked by two major attacks on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The first involved a car bomb explosion near the Marco Fidel Suárez Air Force School in Cali. Shortly afterward, a Colombian police Black Hawk helicopter was shot down by an armed drone in the Antioquia region. These incidents left at least 18 people dead and dozens injured, worsening the country’s fragile security situation. The attacks gained international attention as they highlighted th...

Global health once again took center stage on August 21, 2025. From Europe to the United States, a series of urgent issues emerged—ranging from vector-borne disease outbreaks to groundbreaking vaccine collaborations, and even political controversies over public health information. These developments show that today’s global health challenges are not only about fighting viruses but also about managing policies and narratives.Surge of Suitcase Viruses in EuropeEurope has recorded unprecedented ...

SoFi’s Global Remittance ServiceUS-based fintech SoFi has once again made waves in the financial world with the launch of its Bitcoin Lightning-powered international remittance service. The official announcement was made on August 19, 2025, marking a historic step in digital finance. Partnering with blockchain firm Lightspark, SoFi enables cross-border transfers that are faster, cheaper, and more transparent. The service leverages Universal Money Address (UMA) technology, converting US dollar...

Apple is reportedly preparing a brand-new operating system that stands apart from iOS, macOS, and watchOS. This system is being developed specifically for the next generation of smart home devices and carries the codename Charismatic. According to Bloomberg’s tech journalist Mark Gurman, the operating system is expected to make its debut in 2026 alongside a dedicated Apple device focused on the smart home ecosystem.Charismatic OS in DetailCharismatic, also referred to as homeOS, is built with...

Israel has reinforced its stance in the Gaza conflict by declaring that a ceasefire will only be possible if all hostages are released. This firm statement throws the 60-day ceasefire proposal presented by Hamas through international mediators into uncertainty.Israel’s Demands and Hamas’s OfferThe Israeli government stated there will be no compromise on the issue of hostages. According to a Reuters report, Hamas offered to release around 10 living hostages and 18 bodies as part of a temporary...

Takeda Turns Its Focus to IndiaJapanese pharmaceutical giant Takeda Pharmaceutical is evaluating the possibility of conducting global clinical trials in India. This move is considered strategic to accelerate the launch of new drugs in one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical markets. With its diverse patient population, cost-efficient research environment, and rapidly expanding medical infrastructure, India has become a key destination in Takeda’s global strategy. According to Reuters, Annap...

Global financial markets on Thursday, August 21, 2025, moved cautiously as investors focused on the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium. The event, held in Wyoming, United States, will feature a key speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. This meeting is always in the spotlight because it often provides direction for global monetary policy, including the possibility of interest rate cuts.Global Market DynamicsAccording to a Reuters report, the US dollar remained stable, hovering j...