OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy this month after it struggled to defend itself against 2600 lawsuits from government and entities. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Causes of Death report revealed that last year, more than three people a day died in Australia from using opioids such as OxyContin, codeine, morphine, and tramadol. 

“Of these deaths, the most common were accidental overdoses among middle-aged males,” ABS director of health and vital statistics James Eynstone-Hinkins said. 

The mayor of the Gold Coast, Tom Tate, warns people to ‘swim at your own risk’ after the removal of drum lines from northern Queensland beaches. 

Mr. Tate is concerned activists will come for Gold Coast’s drum lines next. 

There have been no shark attacks since drum lines have been in place for the past 50 years. 

Brisbane streets Harcourt and  Kent street in New Farm are raking in $5000 a week in parking fines for Brisbane City Council. 

“There’s not enough signs and the signs that are here make it even more confusing,” said resident Sonda Banny

Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schinner said the review for more signage is now underway. 

Residents are yet to hear anything from the Council regarding the signs

Canada officials misled the chief financial office of Huawei, Meng Wanzhou when she was detained at Vancouver airport.

Ms Wanzhou, who is at the centre of an extradition battle between Canada and China, was questioned for almost three hours and was forced to surrender her electronic devices.  

Mrs Wanzhou’s lawyer Richard Peck told the court that police violated her rights under Canada’s charter, and accused the government of engaging in a convert criminal investigation under the pretext of immigration issues.

Canada’s Green Party admitted to photoshopping an image of Party leader Elizabeth May, replacing the disposable cup in her hands with a reusable cup and metal straw.

Ms May told reporters she was completely shocked by the manipulated picture and denied acquisitions that the image was to bolster her environmental credentials.

“And I’m sorry for the staff person that did it. I don’t want to call them stupid on television, but there was nothing there to hide. So why Photoshop it? I have no idea,” Ms May said. 

The new Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) report reveals how Australia’s energy grid should evolve to manage renewables.

The Federal Government’s energy adviser is calling for a grid of the future as the report reveals solar panels were so popular the grid has hit capacity.

AEMC chairman John Pierce says rooftop solar penetration has reached a point where a choice needs to be made between distribution networks investing billions in substations or to start delivering the grid of the future. 

The Catholic Church in Victoria is facing at least 800 new legal actions for child sexual abuse following legislation allowing victims to sue the church.

Hundreds of survivors are preparing to lodge claims of abuse against the Archdiocese of Melbourne, as well as the diocese of Sale, Sandhurt and Ballarat, the Christian Brothers and Marists.

These new claims will threaten the financial stability of religious organisations across the state.

An independent review will start next month to determine if there is a chance the Paradise Dam in southern Queensland will become unsafe if there is a major flood.

SunWater and the state government announced the dam’s capacity is being reduced to 42 per cent, and the spillway will be lowered by 5 meters. 

Locals have criticised the government for failing to consult with graziers and farmers about the issue. 

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey called the dam the largest failure of a piece of infrastructure in Queensland’s history.