Australians Jess Barnes and Zeke Haynes sat down with Sky News Australia to discuss their ordeal after the earthquakes in Japan. The two recounted their time trapped in a train for 12 hours after the earthquakes. “Everything just went dark, and the train stopped really quickly,” Ms Barnes told Sky News Australia about the experience. “Everyone just went really silent - it was kind of a deafening silence for a bit. “They did get us water and food at about nine hours in but we were getting shocks every 20 minutes I reckon.” Local officials in Japan say at least 30 people have been killed in what is being described as one of the most powerful earthquakes since 2011.

Brisbane radio host Laurel Edwards who was in Osaka when the 7.6 magnitude earthquake stroke revealed she was just about to run a bath when her hotel started “swaying.” “I was just about to run a bath and I felt the hotel starting to sway,” Ms Edwards told Sky News. "Raced out of the hotel and went down 20 flights of stairs, and there were about 20 other people in the stairwell just frantically trying to get to the bottom. “The place was still swaying and all you can think about is – is it going to get worse.” At least six people have been killed by the earthquake that struck Japan. Tsunami warnings have been issued as far north of the Island of Hokkaido and the southern island of Kyushu.

A cybersecurity attack on Victoria’s court system has seen hackers able to gain access to sensitive court recordings. The cyber security incident was discovered on December 21 last year, but Court Services Victoria has only today released details of the attack. It’s believed Russian hackers were able to access video recordings, audio recordings and transcription services from November 1 to December 21 while disrupting in-court technology. CSV CEO Louise Anderson says no court records or financial data were accessed, and hearings are able to continue as normal. Court Services Victoria is currently working with cyber security experts in the Victorian Department of Government Services and other authorities to investigate and respond to the cyber breach.

A new report into the Sea World helicopter crash has revealed the pilot who died had traces of cocaine in his system, but it was unlikely to have impaired his flying motor skills. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau report has been handed down on the 12-month anniversary of the collision between two joy flight choppers. AUST Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said there is a “zero tolerance” to drug use when flying. Mr Mitchell told Sky News Australia that the discovery of cocaine in the pilot’s system has come as “very difficult reading” for people and families involved in the accident. “Particularly as we didn’t have evidence that it had a contributory element to this incident – but equally it’s something that we do, and we’ve released another report only a matter of months ago where there was a similar finding involved.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles says the heavy rainfall the Gold Coast has been experiencing will be “moving northward”. Mr Miles said it will be concentrated north of Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast going forward into tomorrow. “That will allow the SES and DRA to do more of that work clearing debris and cleanup,” Mr Miles said during a media conference on Tuesday. “They will be reinforced by troops from the Australian Defence Force. “Energy Queensland continues to work hard to restore those households still without power.”

South Korea's Opposition Leader has been stabbed in the neck. He was visiting the southern city of Busan at the time. Yonhap news agency reports Lee Jae-myung was touring the site of a proposed airport when he was attacked by an unidentified man. The assailant has been subdued and was arrested at the scene. The Opposition Leader has been taken to hospital.

Health Minister Mark Butler says the government gives its deepest condolences to the family of an Australian man who died fighting in the Israeli Defence Forces. It is understood Captain Lior Sivan was killed by Hamas militants on December 19 while fighting for the IDF. “We’re trying to confirm the reports that we’ve read about this death,” Mr Butler said during a press conference on Tuesday. “An Australian man born in Australia who moved to Israel, as we understand the reports and was killed fighting as part of the Israeli Defence Forces, which is – it must be said – not against the law. “It is legal for Australians to fight as part of the formal armed forces of a foreign nation, which is – we understand – is what this young man has been doing. “I want to send our deepest condolences to his family and to his loved ones and obviously indicate that we stand ready to provide whatever consular assistance his family might need, but as I said, we’re seeking to confirm the reports that we’ve read about this death.”

A toxicology report has revealed the pilot of a helicopter had traces of cocaine in his system – when it collided with another chopper on the Gold Coast last year. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released an interim report into the Sea World helicopter crash that occurred a year ago in 2023 and killed four people and injured nine others. The goal is to identify if there were broader safety issues that went into the incident or were contributing factors. “Although it is unlikely the pilot of XKQ would have had any psychomotor skill impairment on the day of the accident, it is not known whether post-cocaine exposure effects … had any effect on the performance of the pilot,” ATSB said. ATSB also found that some passengers’ seatbelts weren’t fitted correctly in the accident – although this is not attributed to the tragic collision. Further investigation also found that seatbelts weren’t fitted by the operator “on a regular basis”.

New South Wales Police say they are fed up with drug and dangerous drivers. According to the Daily Telegraph, there were more drug drivers caught than drunk drivers in the week leading up to New Year’s Eve. A high-visibility road safety campaign saw 26,000 drug tests conducted during the festive season. The same campaign also conducted 313,000 breath tests during the holidays. Despite the uptick in offences, the NRMA has praised police efforts for preventing more deaths on state roads.

Property prices in Australia rose 8.1 per cent in 2023. New data from CoreLogic shows five out of our eight capital cities recorded growth last year, with Brisbane and Hobart leading the way. House price growth in Melbourne and Sydney slowed since the June cash rate rise. CoreLogic says high interest rates and slowing economic conditions will continue to impact the property market this year, resulting in lower house prices. For renters, price increases are also slowing, but were still well above pre-COVID averages in 2023.

South-East Queensland braces for more relentless rain, SES conducts 27 rescues in Northern NSW, a man has died in a Melbourne car crash, fewer homes were built in Sydney in 2023, Israel's Supreme Court strikes down proposed judicial overhaul, prominent associates of Jeffrey Epstein set to be revealed, and Jeremy Renner provides a recovery update one year after snow accident. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck Japan on the first day of 2024. There are reports at least six people have died as a result of the quake, with many more injured and still trapped within collapsed structures. Due to an earlier major warning about a potential tsunami, which has now been downgraded to advisory, many residents have fled coastal areas. Tens of thousands of homes were left without power overnight. The quake’s severity triggered tsunami alerts in South Korea, North Korea, and parts of Russia’s far east coast. Massive cracks appeared on the ground while the ground split, with people jumping out of the way to avoid falling branches from trees being shaken. Train goers panicked and jumped onto the train while others held their bags above their head to protect themselves from parts of the ceiling falling. A carpark showed parked cars swaying as lights flickered while tremors shook the entire building.

The RSPCA in Queensland has criticised an overhaul to dangerous dog laws which could include banning breeds, calling it "impossible" to enforce. Changes proposed by the state government would also see owners required to keep their dogs under control in public, The overhaul could also see owners facing fines or jail time if their dog attacks someone. It is also proposing to ban five breeds of dog in Queensland, including the American pit bull terrier. The RSPCA claims there are currently no reliable identification methods.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has promised to increase attacks on Ukraine. Speaking to wounded Russian soldiers at a military hospital in Moscow, Mr Putin vowed to end the war quickly. His comments follow a series of Ukrainian strikes which killed up to 25 people in Russia's south west according to local officials. The Russian leader says he believes the war is turning in Russia's favour. The most recent escalation in the conflict between the two countries comes only days after Russian attacks killed at least 45 people in Ukraine.

Swifties desperate to score a last-minute ticket to the pop star's upcoming Melbourne shows are being targeted by scalpers. Tickets to Taylor Swift's Melbourne shows in February have officially sold out. Some tickets are being marked up by as much as 483 per cent of their face value. Almost 500 tickets to her Saturday show have been removed by Victorian scalper inspectors. Fans are being warned to avoid buying illegal tickets at sky high prices, or face heartbreak and being turned around at ticket gates.

Israel's Supreme Court has struck down a proposed judicial overhaul which caused widespread protests for much of last year. The changes, proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party, would have removed the court's power to overrule government decisions. The Supreme Court said the majority of judges ruled that the laws would severely damage Israel’s democracy. Protesters held widespread demonstrations against the changes, before the war with Hamas began. The ruling could threaten confidence in Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which is already under pressure for not preventing the October 7 attacks.

The Coalition is calling on the government to declare parts of Lebanon a terrorist no-go zone. It follows the deaths of two Australians in the region last week. Their deaths came as a result of an Israeli strike on the Hezbollah-occupied region. The Opposition says Labor should make it an offence for any Australian to travel to the area in a bid to aid Hezbollah. It says the government should enact its criminal code - after similar measures were enacted to prevent people travelling to parts of Syria and Iraq at the height of ISIS.

Two top US Security Analysts expected to play major roles in the next Republican administration have delivered criticisms of several aspects from the AUKUS timeline. Sending nuclear submarines on the currently agreed timeframe has been labelled as crazy by ex-Pentagon official Elbridge Colby and former Republican Senate security adviser Alex Velez-Green. Despite passing AUKUS-allowing legislation just weeks ago, the laws possess many out-clauses in regard to the US' national interests and their existing defence capabilities. Mr Colby told The Australian their nuclear submarines remain "the ace in the hole for a fight with China". Mr Colby also maintained "Australia is America's best ally" and it remains "highly desirable" to send nuclear submarines down under.

Royal commentator and biographer Angela Levin says Prince Harry is “very much under Meghan’s thumb” and will listen to what she says. It comes as the royal commentator was asked what it would take for Prince Harry to return to the Royal fold. “First of all he's got to apologise hugely, and he's also got to compromise,” she told Sky News host James Macpherson. “He keeps saying he wants the King and Prince William to apologise for things going right back to childhood when William had five sausages he got four, it's that sort of pettiness. “But if you want to bring back the family argument you have to spend the time. You can't rush here stay half an hour then rush away. It takes weeks, months even. “And of course, his very much under Meghan’s thumb, and he will listen to what she says.”

Media commentator Karalee Katsambanis has weighed in on the government's crackdown on vaping products, saying it won’t make much difference. The importation of disposable single-use vapes to Australia will be banned starting on January 1, 2024. The Government granted $25 million to the Australian Border Force to help combat the problem at the border, and an additional $56.9 million to the Therapeutic Goods Administration over two years to facilitate the ban. Ms Katsambanis said the actions from the government are a little too late. “I mean okay somebody could say well done to the government for trying to do this but the fox is already out of the hen house, or the horse has already bolted on something like this," she told Sky News contributor Gary Hardgrave. “It’s a worry because it's so prolific now, it’s so prolific I don’t think it will actually make much of a difference, but I guess a New Year's day tick for doing something. “But it’s a little too late, it's about 18 months too late.”