Pulp

A new essay argues that American writer Robert E. Howard, who rose to prominence in the 1920s as one of the Pulp Era's most celebrated authors, deserves recognition as the true father of the sword and sorcery genre, ahead of contemporaries often credited with it. Readers of classic fantasy and pulp fiction are sharing and debating the piece, revisiting Howard's legacy and his enduring influence on heroic fantasy.

Indonesia expanded its wood chip exports by 26% in August, according to new trade figures. The rise points to continued strong demand for Indonesian wood fibre, which supplies pulp and paper mills across Asia. Traders and industry watchers are weighing what the jump means for regional pulp supply chains and for sustainability concerns tied to wood harvesting.

Finnish automation supplier Valmet and research organisation VTT have announced a partnership to advance the scale-up of fibre-based technology. The collaboration aims to help move fibre-based materials and processes from research toward commercial, industrial-scale production. Details of specific projects, funding and timelines have not yet been disclosed, but the partnership signals continued momentum in sustainable fibre solutions within the packaging and paper technology sector.

A new discussion is examining how churches should respond to artificial intelligence, asking whether sermons, pastoral care and ministry tasks should be delegated to machines. The conversation, framed as 'the machine behind the pulpit', urges believers to discern where AI belongs in religious life and where human spiritual leadership must remain. It reflects a wider worry among faith communities about technology reshaping worship and teaching.

Canada's production of softwood chips fell 4% in July, according to industry data. The dip affects raw material supply for pulp and paper producers, a key part of the Canadian forestry sector. Figures were reported by forestry trade outlet Lesprom.

The Revels' 1960s surf instrumental 'Intoxica' is being shared and listened to again, appearing in music posts tagged under surf and music hashtags. The track, a staple of the early surf-rock era and featured in the film 'Pulp Fiction' soundtrack lineage, continues to draw listeners decades on.

The Rev. Vicki Kemper is stepping away from the pulpit at First Church in Amherst, Massachusetts, bringing her ministry at the congregation to a close. The news was reported locally, and the story is framed around her years of service and the idea of faith as a calling. Details on her plans or successor have not been reported.

Commentary circulating online claims that copies of a book linked to Meghan Markle have been pulped, alongside talk of a fresh explosion in the Markle family's feud with the royal family. The report, framed as a royal bombshell, offers no named publisher or title, and no confirmation from Buckingham Palace or the Duchess of Sussex's representatives has been issued.