International Paper prevailed in a bidding war with Mondi over the UK packaging firm DS Smith. In related news: Smurfit Kappa expands in North Carolina; and Paper Excellence receives fine for a gas leak on BC Coast. In other Business news: BC’s recognition of Haida aboriginal title is not a treaty; BC facing investor exodus amid uncertainty; and Canadian and US housing starts pull back sharply in March.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: Canada invests to train urban firefighters to battle forest fires; BC celebrates planting of 10 billion trees since 1930; US forecasters expect slow start to wildfire season; US creates old-growth forest amendment website; the US Endowment initiates risk assessments for national forests; and USDA research on the relationship between fuels and fire spread.

Finally, Copenhagen’s medieval Børsen goes up in flames as Paris’ Notre Dame restoration nears completion.