The number of MDMA poisoning cases in NSW over a new year period has hit a four- year record breaking peak in 2019.

With 115 emergency department cases in the first week of 2019, the push for pill testing has become a matter of national debate.

Furthermore, the suspected drug overdose of Alex-Ross King at FOMO festival in Sydney’s West over the weekend has further ignited the movement.

Brisbane dock workers have voted this week to commence industrial action that will include strikes, against Hutchison Ports, as a result of what they say is the “the most severe attack on waterfront conditions in a generation”.

The company lost tens of millions of dollars in the past financial year, and unions claim they are planning to slash wages by $10 an hour, strip conditions and automate and outsource a range of roles.

Promoters of a planned Australian tour for disgraced R&B star, R. Kelly have cancelled the gigs in the wake of renewed focus on sexual abuse allegations against the singer, arising from the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly”.

The tour was set to hit all capital cities but confusion arose upon its announcement, as R. Kelly took to social media, calling the tour fake and he had no knowledge of the promoters, Big Music Tour

The Henley Passport Index has revealed the country with the world’s most powerful passport in 2019 is Japan, for the second consecutive time.

Revised quarterly, the index periodically measures the access each country’s travel document affords, with Japan coming out on top with access to 190 countries.

Singapore and South Korea came in second, closely followed by France and Germany.

It has been revealed Queensland’s export of coal has boosted the state’s bottom line due to a record boom in exports in 2018.

The 2018 exports exceeded the previous record, set in 2016, by over 2 million tonnes which Queensland Resources Council chief executive, Ian McFarlane says is due to its high quality.

He said, “Countries around the world are using our metallurgical coal to make steel needed for building modern cities.”

The Council Fashion Designers of America has recently published an sustainability report, educating creatives on a range of topics such as materials, packaging, how to sustainably up-cycle, and more.

In order for the industry to change for the better, the organisation is urging everyone to work together to move the fashion industry in a more sustainable direction.

Although designers are not yet required to follow sustainability standards, CFDA hopes these reports can change industry-wide attitudes and practices.

Irish food chain Supermac has won a landmark legal battle against McDonald’s over the use of the “Big Mac” trademark.

Supermac’s managing director, Pat McDonagh said it is a unique victory taking on the golden arches and for all small businesses.

The European Union Intellectual Property Office has ruled the use of Big Mac was not proven genuine, as a burger or a restaurant name, and have since cancelled the use of the trademark, opening the way for Supermac to spread across Europe.  

A new advertising campaign by shaving company Gillette has criticised the concept of ‘toxic masculinity’, instead calling for men to “be the best they can be.”

The advertisement, which has been the object of both praise and abuse online, engages with the #MeToo movement in order to promote a new form of positive masculinity, receiving over 4 million views on Youtube in 48 hours.

However, there has been a call to boycott the brand by Men’s Rights Activists who claim the video is simply following a trend of hating men.