Quality veneers
New technology developed in Scandinavia is being used to make high quality veneers in the Pacific. The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research saw potential for high returns for Pacific island producers using the system. The centre’s chief executive Andrew Campbell said the technology, using a spindle less lathe, could be used on coconut palms which have stopped producing fruit.
Reinforcement
French firefighters have been flown to New Caledonia to reinforce local teams stretched by an early spell of bushfires. Since the middle of September, almost 100 square kilometres of vegetation has been burnt, incurring substantial material damage but no loss of life. A total of 27 French firefighters are expected this week to help local crews.
Two dead
Two children have died and 21 others are injured after a car ploughed into a classroom at a school in the Sydney suburb of Greenacre. Ambulance New South Wales said 16 of its vehicles were called to a “scene of carnage” at Banksia Road Public School, after an SUV left the road and crashed into a demountable classroom.
Sorcery
Three people are being held in police custody in Papua New Guinea accused of practising sorcery. This is despite the courts recently stating they do not recognise sorcery as a punishable offence, and the 2013 repeal of the Sorcery Act, which criminalised the practice of sorcery.
