Ukrainian cities have been hit by a relentless 18-hour Russian air assault – which authorities say is the largest single attack of the war. At least 31 people have been killed by more than 120 missiles – at least one of which entered the airspace of neighbouring Poland. The attack was designed to overpower Ukraine’s air defence system, and was immense and indiscriminate. Russia’s aerial assault may signal the beginning of a major winter offensive. Russian troops have now seized territory in key locations on the eastern front, while the Ukrainians remain under increasing pressure on the battlefield and in the air.

Troubling details emerge of two Australian brothers killed in Lebanon as Labor remains tight-lipped on their links to Hezbollah. Plus, an update on the developing weather emergency in south-east Queensland. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Samantha Markle’s lawyers are looking for a “deposition” in the ongoing defamation case which could see Meghan Markle quizzed under oath, Writer and Broadcaster Esther Krakue says. “Apparently Samantha Markle’s lawyers are looking to have a deposition with the Sussexes in the ongoing lawsuit,” Ms Krakue told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo. Ms Krakue said Samantha Markle, sister of Meghan, is arguing defamation over an Oprah interview which painted Meghan as not “having a sister growing up”. “It doesn’t look like this case is going to get thrown out of court by a judge like the Sussexes would hope. “I’m not sure the strength of the case – we’ll have to wait and see.”

Victoria police have engaged in "a matter of overreach" during the Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG when they disrupted a snake-like train of beer cups, says Agenda C Managing Director Parnell Palme McGuinness. "You saw the expression on that policeman's face when they interrupted the snake," she told Sky News host James Macpherson. "I just thought, what a spoilsport - give these guys a bit of fun. "It is just a game and they weren't getting in anybody's way. "This was a matter of overreach in my opinion."

Harry and Meghan are looking to 2024 as a year to “exert” influence in creative spaces as they continue to have an interesting relationship with Netflix, Writer and Broadcaster Esther Krakue says. “They have apparently multi-million-dollar deals lined up,” Ms Krakue told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo. “They’re really going to be pushing for quite a commercially successful year after quite a rocky 2023. “They have apparently had an interesting relationship with Netflix. “They are looking more to exert their influence in creative spaces which is quite a shift from what they were doing in the Royal Family.”

The new royal documentary revealing information on the King’s coronation rehearsal shows a personal insight a new “era of the monarchy” after the Queen’s passing, Writer and Broadcaster Esther Krakue says. “I think it was just an insight into what was going through the King’s mind when he was about to become King,” Ms Krakue told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo. “We know the passing of the Queen was a deeply sad moment for the country. “So, this transition into the new era of the monarchy was something people look forward to – this is something he’s been primed for his entire life. “Many people wanted to know what was going on behind the scenes.”

Prince Harry being absent from the coronation documentary is “not a surprise” as the prince did not have much engagement in the ceremony at all, Writer and Broadcaster Esther Krakue says. “It’s not a surprise, I mean he didn’t feature in the documentary I suspect because he didn’t really feature in the coronation at all,” Ms Krakue told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo. “He didn’t really have much engagement in the ceremony at all. “His children and his wife opted to stay in California even though for some reason he insisted on giving his kids the prince and princess title. “He was not the focus, this was not about him.”

The Australian’s Media Writer Sophie Elsworth says Harry and Meghan were on “the other side of the globe” from the Royal Family to celebrate Christmas. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent Christmas at their mansion in California. Ms Elsworth told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo that they were “very far away” from the Royal Family. “They were in California celebrating Christmas. “They remain on the outer, they’ve done nothing more than disgrace themselves in recent years.”

More storms and a heatwave are on the way for Queensland after a tornado and destructive storms wreaked havoc over Christmas. The race is on to restore power to tens of thousands of properties across Queensland. Temperatures across the state have begun to climb. Crews are facing difficult conditions to repair the damage, including challenging terrain, limited road access and hot weather. Brisbane is expected to swelter through its hottest December day in four years.

National Review National Affairs columnist John Fund says both the serious and less serious indictments on former US president Donald Trump have had the effect of the Republican Primary base turning him into "something like a martyr". "It has actually improved his electoral position," Mr Fund told Sky News Australia. Mr Fund explained the Supreme Court was likely to shut any state ballot bans down which would lead to the process being viewed as "ankle biting" by critics. "Since Trump was first indicted last March, he has gone up in the Republican polls," he said. "If Republican voters believe Trump's ongoing legal problems and ongoing controversies make him a less likely winner in the November general election in about 11 months, they may start moving away from him."

National Review National Affairs columnist John Fund says to listen to Democratic Congressman Jared Golden on the politicising of Donald Trump's cancellation from Maine's primary Ballot. "He voted to impeach President Trump in 2020," Mr Fund told Sky News Australia. "He is very much anti-Tump and he says this is an illegitimate decision." Mr Fund criticised Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows for deciding on a matter which should be left to the American voters. "Maine voters should make the decision if someone is invalid."

National Review National Affairs columnist John Fund says Donald Trump's removal from Maine's Primary ballot will not affect primary results across the country. "I doubt most states would follow Maine," he told Sky News Australia. Michigan, which has a Democratic Supreme Court ruled that Trump could stay on the ballot. Mr Fund explained the Supreme Court ruling does not mean the former US president would be disqualified from two separate primary polls. "The Colorado court, which ruled last week, ruled in such a way that if there had been an appeal to their ruling, Trump would appear on the ballot."

Board members of Aged Care facilities could face up to five years in prison if they are found to be negligent. It follows a release of an exposure draft for the Albanese government’s new Aged Care Act. It is intended to address systemic failures in the system. Aged Care experts are concerned the steep penalties could have a deterrent effect on volunteers who are unlikely to be able to cover the cost of personal liability in their roles. The Aged Care Royal Commission recognised volunteers as an integral part of the Aged Care system.

Almost 60,000 individual fireworks are being loaded onto barges across Sydney Harbour for the New Year's celebrations. There will be new colours and new effects lighting up the sky above the Harbour. The fireworks display has been meticulously planned by the director of the display Fortunato Foti. Mr Foti and his family have been involved in putting on the New Year's Eve display for 27 years. People are being advised to plan ahead and leave their cars at home due to road closures.

Storm Gerrit has battered part of the UK bringing snow and strong winds across the country. The “supercell thunderstorm” crossed greater Manchester on December 28, tearing roofs from houses and damaging more than 100 buildings in its path. Around 100 properties were evacuated. Tameside council Cllr Elenor Willis said, "Thankfully there weren’t any casualties, but we have elderly residents who were in bed and their roofs completely ripped off in the evening”. Thousands in Scotland are still without power due to damage caused by Storm Gerrit.

Sky News US Analyst says former US President Donald Trump lost the last presidential election due to “educated suburban women”. Mr Ware says they “don’t like this tone” and his “tenor”. “They don’t like his policies,” Mr Ware told Sky News Australia. “Let’s not forget what will be an incredibly agitating issue in this presidential election will be the right to life ... pro-choice or right to life. “Simply put, abortion.”

Sky News US Analyst Michael Ware says Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley is the “momentum candidate” within the Republican Party. “She’s still way behind Trump,” Mr Ware told Sky News Australia. The Sky News US Analyst says what former US President Donald Trump “needs to worry about” is whether issues like his charges will “shuttle any part of his support and his base to another candidate”. “Like former UN ambassador Nikki Haley – who is the momentum candidate,” he said. “Right now the mojo’s with her.”

Spiked Online chief political reporter Brendan O’Neill warns there has been a “complete collapse” of moral authority in the West from the “woke left” since the Hamas attack on October 7. Actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry came under fire on social media for calling out the surge in anti-Semitism in the United Kingdom in his heartfelt Christmas message. “What is my message this Christmas? Simple truth that we are all brothers and sisters. It's naive, but it's as good a message as any other,” Fry said. Mr O’Neill condemned people who took offence to the actor’s message and pointed out the rise of anti-Semitism since Hamas’ attack on October 7. “The kind of people who posed as our moral superiors for the past few decades have been exposed as real lowlifes, I think, who don't actually care about racism, don't care about equality, certainly don't care about Jewish people, and are only interested in using so-called anti-racism as a way of fortifying their own cultural power over society,” he told Sky News host James Macpherson. “They really stand exposed and I think the fallout from the Fry video really demonstrates that even further.”

Authorities have issued an emergency warning for flood-hit towns north of Cairns over reports some have lost access to running water. Residents in the Douglas Shire were warned last night to conserve water for all but emergency use before the supply was lost completely around midnight. Authorities say crews have been working ‘around the clock’ to restore the area’s water treatment plant but have not been successful. The council is expected to provide an update on the situation later this morning. Sky News Australia was joined by Katter’s Australian MP Bob Katter to discuss Douglas Shire’s loss of running water.

Laurie Lawrence Swim School Founder Laurie Lawrence says drowning is a “huge issue” in Australia. Mr Lawrence’s comments come after 35-year-old Seti Tuaopepe drowned at Penrith Beach on Boxing Day. Mr Tuaopepe was paddle boarding when he failed to surface after helping his children swim above the water. His body was recovered later that evening. “Absolutely devastating,” Mr Lawrence told Sky News Australia. “It affects not only the families but the communities that they live in.”