Nearly 70 schools to close in Australia over fears of asbestos in play sand

Multiple schools in New Zealand have temporarily closed following the detection of asbestos in several brands of coloured play sand. The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment confirmed a voluntary recall for two brands of sand sold in New Zealand after testing in Australia revealed asbestos in similar products. Hundreds of educational facilities are now seeking guidance from officials regarding the safety of the play sand used in their premises.

Book publishing websites in Australia, the UK, and New Zealand are reportedly using fake testimonials and AI-generated staff profiles to deceive aspiring authors into paying for services. An Australian writer encountered a suspected scammer in person, leading to an investigation by Australia's National Anti-Scam Centre into these dubious international publishing operations. The Guardian has identified similar fraudulent websites in the UK and New Zealand, highlighting a concerning trend in the self-publishing industry.

On Monday morning, 69 schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) canceled playtime due to concerns over a potentially hazardous batch of colored sand. The Australian regulator has issued a recall for several sand products used in children's play, citing asbestos contamination risks. The situation has raised alarms among parents and educators, prompting immediate action to ensure the safety of students.

Thirteen people were injured when a demolition derby car crashed into a crowd in New South Wales, Australia. The incident occurred during a race when the car drove through a fence and collided with the grandstand, according to police reports.

Ireland showcased a dominant performance against Australia in the Autumn Nations Series, with Hansen emerging as a standout player at fullback. Early in the match, Ireland's clumsy restart allowed Australia to regain possession, but their attack lacked direction, leading to a turnover. Ireland quickly regained control, and Hansen scored a try under the posts after a swift series of passes. The match highlighted Ireland's strength and tactical prowess, dismantling the Wallabies with effective plays.