Sunrise

The parents of 19-year-old Canadian tourist Piper James will travel to Fraser Island (K'gari) where their daughter died earlier this month. Her body was discovered near the Mahino shipwreck, surrounded by dingoes after being attacked by a pack of up to 10, with an autopsy also revealing water in her lungs. A smoking ceremony with traditional owners will take place before her body is repatriated to Canada for a funeral service.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queensland police are investigating a potential firebug in the Gold Coast region after two suspicious grass fires occurred in Pimpama, located half an hour south of Brisbane. The first fire required 10 crews and several hours to contain, followed by a second deliberately lit blaze five hours later where the perpetrator fled the scene. Authorities are examining multiple fires from the past month to determine if they are connected to a serial arsonist operating during the current dry, hot weather conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 16-year-old boy has been found dead in a creek in Blue Gum Forest following a multi-operational search in the New South Wales Blue Mountains. The teenager and a 17-year-old companion were on a three-day camping trip near Mount Hay when they became separated earlier this week. A post-mortem will determine the cause of death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A kitten from a pet segment goes missing in a television studio after being startled during filming. The rescue operation takes over an hour, with the kitten eventually being lured out from underneath the set using tuna during the following morning show. The presenter who accidentally scared the animal expresses relief when the kitten is safely recovered.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Olympic beach volleyball player Nat Cook reveals she retired $300,000 in debt after five Olympic Games, having mortgaged her parents' house to fund her final campaign. The Great Aussie Athlete Barbecue fundraising initiative aims to support current Olympic athletes facing significant financial burdens from training, travel, equipment, and coaching costs. The Aussie Athlete Fund educates athletes on sustainable fundraising while connecting them with corporate networks and community support through backyard barbecue events.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 27-year-old Victorian man has been arrested after allegedly following an ambulance to Royal Adelaide Hospital and threatening paramedics and a stabbing victim. The victim, a 32-year-old from Victoria, had been seeking help at houses with neck and hand wounds before paramedics transported him to hospital. Police apprehended the suspect on the South Eastern Freeway in a Porsche Macan, and authorities believe the attack was targeted with other potential suspects involved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canberra experienced its hottest day in years with temperatures reaching 43.5 degrees Celsius in Canberra South. Towns in Queensland's southwest Channel Country recorded even more extreme conditions at 48.5 degrees Celsius, forcing one town to truck in emergency water supplies as the heatwave strains local resources. The scorching temperatures are forecast to remain in the mid-40s throughout the weekend, offering little relief to affected communities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A devastating bushfire in Victoria's southwest has destroyed at least 16 properties and burned through more than 11,000 hectares. Hundreds of residents have evacuated to shelters across the Otways region, while six fires continue to burn out of control across the state. Strong winds have carried smoke as far north as Sydney, and authorities warn the heatwave affecting the northeast continues despite overnight conditions easing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bull sharks are remaining in Sydney waterways for extended periods due to warmer water temperatures and heavy rainfall, with experts confirming shark populations have stayed relatively stable over the past five years according to smart drumline data. A 150-kilogram, 2.5-metre bull shark was recently caught off Clifton Gardens in Sydney Harbour before being donated to scientific research. Central Coast Council is advocating for drone surveillance technology on all patrolled beaches to enhance swimmer safety as environmental conditions continue to attract sharks closer to shore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese authorities are travelling to Brisbane to assist in investigating the August 2024 attack where a 33-year-old Chinese national threw scalding coffee on nine-month-old baby Luca at Stones Corner before fleeing to China. China has extraterritorial jurisdiction, allowing prosecution of Chinese nationals who commit crimes overseas. The baby has required extensive ongoing surgery following the attack.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new documentary titled 'Finding Harmony: A King's Vision' chronicles King Charles' lifelong commitment to environmentalism and sustainable living. The film, narrated by Kate Winslet and His Majesty, was shot across four continents and explores the King's philosophy of harmony, covering sustainable textiles, food, and community skills. The documentary premiered at Windsor Castle with VIP guests including Rod Stewart, Benedict Cumberbatch, Stanley Tucci, and Kenneth Branagh before its public release on Amazon on 6 February.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 49-year-old woman from Springvale was found dead on Eastern Beach near the Children's Pool in Geelong. Police homicide squad arrested a 53-year-old man who was located nearby in the CBD after CCTV footage helped track his movements. Evidence including a shopping trolley and suitcases were found at the scene where lifesavers attempted resuscitation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian actors Rose Byrne and Jacob Elordi have received nominations at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, following their Oscar nominations the previous week. Byrne is nominated for leading actress for her role in 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You', while Elordi received a nomination for his portrayal of the creature in 'Frankenstein'. Both actors previously won at the Golden Globes and face strong competition in their respective categories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria faces multiple severe bushfire emergencies with the Carlisle River fire impacting Jellybrand township, the Walwa fire experiencing 40-degree temperatures, and new fires at Lara Lee and Rocklands. Emergency warnings remain in place for Jellybrand and surrounding areas, with evacuation orders under review as conditions ease in southern regions. Agricultural assets and structures have been reported lost in the Lara Lee fire, while the Rocklands fire near Grampians National Park has been contained.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six-year-old Ronnie, a young soccer fan who experienced bullying due to his disability, received a special visit from Hull City player Yu Hirakawa. The professional footballer offered words of comfort and gifted Ronnie his jersey in a heartwarming gesture that has been widely shared online. Ronnie's mother shared the video to promote kindness and awareness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is reshuffling immigration enforcement leadership in Minnesota, sending his top border enforcer to Minneapolis to report directly to him. The move follows growing national outrage over the deaths of two people killed by federal immigration agents, including American citizen Alex Petri. Republicans, business leaders and police chiefs are speaking out against the operations, whilst questions mount over whether the leadership change represents genuine policy reform or merely cosmetic adjustments to federal immigration enforcement tactics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research shows one in three Australians feel guilty about their spending in 2025, with common regrets including excessive travel expenses, impulse purchases, and overspending on children during Christmas. Financial expert Matt Bowen from ING discusses the diverse money mistakes people make, from buying premium dating app subscriptions to purchasing unverified vehicles online. Saving money remains one of the most popular New Year's resolutions, though most people struggle to maintain their financial goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian actor Josh Lawson stars as Dr. Bruce in the US hospital comedy St. Dennis Medical, which returns for its second season after scoring big ratings in America. The mockumentary-style series is created by the makers of The Office and Parks and Recreation. Lawson discusses his approach to mastering the American accent by staying in character throughout each workday and adapting to the fast-paced comedic timing required on set.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Posing School in Mascot, Sydney, is the only dedicated posing school in Australia where bodybuilders prepare for competitions by learning and refining their posing techniques. The facility provides professional training and coaching for competitors looking to perfect their stage presentation. Weather forecasts across Australian capital cities show extreme heat conditions, with Melbourne reaching 45 degrees and Adelaide hitting 41 degrees.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flag burning at an Invasion Day protest in Brisbane has reignited debate about criminalising desecration of the Australian flag, with 77% of Australians supporting such laws. Medical experts are calling for mandatory five-minute daily sunscreen application time in schools to reduce skin cancer rates. Sydney Harbour ranks third on a new list of the world's 20 most romantic landmarks, behind Switzerland's Matterhorn Mountain and Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni salt flats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A discussion about Australian barbecue etiquette centres on what guests should bring when hosts say "don't bring a thing". Suggestions include salad, dessert, chocolates, tomato and barbecue sauce, and Zooper Doopers. The debate extends to whether wine brought as a gift should be returned to guests if not consumed during the barbecue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian households face electricity bill increases of up to 24% before July, adding approximately $500 to costs for average three-person households, as federal government energy rebates end. The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show energy levels will be higher than before relief measures began, despite over 18 gigawatts of renewable energy added to the grid. Political debate centres on whether renewable energy transition or return to coal-fired power stations offers the solution to rising costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Super Mario Bros. movie sequel is confirmed for April release, featuring Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, and introducing Yoshi to the adventure. Ralph Fiennes, the original Voldemort actor, has seemingly confirmed that Cillian Murphy will play the iconic villain in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter TV series set for release next year. The production team has not yet officially confirmed Murphy's casting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Mitchell, a proud First Nations man and business owner, has been named the 2026 Australian of the Year Local Hero for his commitment to social justice. Since 2015, he has created over 70 Aboriginal upskilling positions in the construction industry. Mitchell advocates for decolonising workplaces and building frameworks to support First Nations people in construction, drawing from his own journey as a single father who began with an electrical apprenticeship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Mac broadcasts live from the Sydney Opera House, where artist Gary Purchase's work 'Dancing in the Moonlight' is on display. The morning coverage includes a comprehensive weather forecast across Australia, with temperatures ranging from 20 degrees in Albany to 47 degrees in Ceduna. The broadcast will feature the Australia Day 10K wheelchair race taking place in the Rocks precinct.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police bomb squad conducts 12 controlled explosions at an Airbnb property in Keilor East, Melbourne, after discovering multiple unexploded devices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heavily armed police have established a major crime scene in Keilor East, Melbourne's northwest, after discovering an explosive device in a residential street. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has sparked international outrage by claiming NATO troops stayed back from the front lines during the Afghanistan war, despite hundreds of allied soldiers being killed in combat. UK Prime Minister called the remarks insulting and appalling, demanding an apology, while Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, released a statement defending the sacrifices of fallen NATO troops and their families.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Liberal Party leadership contest intensifies as Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie canvas support from colleagues. Sussan Ley faces mounting pressure as opposition leader after the Nationals declared they would prefer to operate independently rather than continue under her leadership. David Littleproud enjoys strong support from his party following the split.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clear protein is a new formulation of protein powder that undergoes additional processing to remove lactose, carbohydrates and fats, resulting in a transparent, refreshing drink that dissolves completely. Unlike traditional milky protein shakes with flavours like chocolate and vanilla, clear protein comes in fruity flavours and contains fewer calories per serving. The recommended daily protein intake is 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight, which can be obtained through these supplements or whole food sources like lean meats and dairy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians sent over 1.3 million goal-setting and coaching prompts to ChatGPT in the first week of January, more than the entire month of December, as people turn to technology to maintain their New Year's resolutions. Wearable devices from Apple, Garmin, and smart rings now track sleep scores, training loads, and recovery metrics to help users stay on track with fitness goals. ChatGPT Health, an upcoming privacy-focused health tracking feature within ChatGPT, will allow users to log and maintain health data without using it for AI model training.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harry Styles has announced a seven-city tour with Sydney and Melbourne as the only Australian destinations, featuring two shows each. Tickets go on sale Friday, 30 January, marking the pop star's first Australian tour in three years. His new album's lead single 'Aperture' is set for release tomorrow morning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coalition has fractured for the second time in eight months, with Nationals leader David Littleproud announcing the Nationals cannot participate in a shadow ministry under Liberal leader Sussan Ley. The split, triggered by divisions over Labor's hate speech laws, has placed both leaders' positions in jeopardy, with a Liberal Party Room meeting expected in February to address a potential leadership spill. Three key Liberal contenders have emerged: Andrew Hastie, Angus Taylor, and Melissa McIntosh.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New South Wales beaches are preparing to reopen for the Australia Day long weekend following four shark attacks within 48 hours. Northern beaches including Manly remain temporarily closed while councils assess each beach individually in consultation with lifeguards and water clarity experts. Extra safety resources including lifeguards, jet ski patrols and aerial surveillance will be deployed, with several ocean swims cancelled out of respect for 12-year-old shark attack victim Nico Antek.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A shooting in Lake Cargellico, central New South Wales, has left three people dead and one critically injured. The gunman, who remains at large, allegedly shot his pregnant ex-partner and her new boyfriend in a car before opening fire on her relatives at a nearby home. The town is in lockdown with Army assistance deployed to aid police in the manhunt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Formula One legends David Coulthard and two-time world champion Mika Häkkinen are heading to South Australia for the 2026 Adelaide Motorsport Festival. The former McLaren teammates will reunite to share stories and memories from their racing careers. Coulthard reflects on his early races in Adelaide, including leading the 1995 Grand Prix before crashing in the pit lane, and discusses current McLaren driver Oscar Piastri's world championship potential.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia observes a national day of mourning for the 15 victims of the Bondi terror attack. Flags fly at half-mast, landmarks will be illuminated, and Australians are encouraged to light candles at 7:01 PM as a symbol of solidarity with the Jewish community. Rabbi Yossi Friedman, who has been at Bondi Beach daily since the attack, describes the ongoing grief and the community's response, with thousands visiting the site including people travelling hours to show support.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has reversed his threats to impose tariffs on allies and announced plans to negotiate a deal for Greenland with NATO. The announcement follows his address at Davos where he issued warnings about using force to acquire Greenland, before backing down and stating he won't use force. The proposal doesn't address Denmark or Greenland's position on any potential deal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coalition faces a major crisis as all 11 Nationals members resign from Susan Ley's shadow cabinet after she refused to back down on disciplining three senators who breached shadow cabinet rules. David Littleproud followed through on his threat to pull all Nationals from the front bench, raising questions about the future of the Coalition partnership. Opposition leaders discuss the implications for holding the Albanese government accountable and whether the Nationals might defect to One Nation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nurses, bar staff and builders are currently the most in-demand jobs in the Australian economy as peak job hunting season begins. Job advertisements declined significantly at the end of 2025 as businesses focused on cost reduction amid difficult trading conditions. The Australian Bureau of Statistics will release new labour market data including job advertisements and the unemployment rate, which is expected to remain steady at 4.3% and will influence the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision in two weeks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 12-year-old boy, Nico Antic, is not expected to survive after being attacked by a bull shark while swimming at Vaucluse in Sydney. The incident is part of a series of recent shark attacks in New South Wales, with four people attacked within 48 hours. A fundraiser in his name has raised nearly $170,000, and several beaches including Sydney's northern beaches remain closed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A coroner has determined that further testing is required to establish the cause of death for Canadian backpacker Piper James on K'gari (Fraser Island). The postmortem examination is incomplete, with additional testing expected to take some time. Piper's father, Todd James, has spoken publicly about his daughter, describing her as adventurous and determined, and noting she had dreamt of visiting Australia since childhood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major helicopter operation is underway at Cumberland River along the Great Ocean Road to recover dozens of flood-ravaged cars washed into the ocean six days ago. The vehicles from Cumberland River Caravan Park have been smashing against rocks through tidal cycles, with some now almost submerged past the rocks. The Great Ocean Road between Lorne and Skeens Creek is closed for approximately four hours during low tide to allow the delicate winching operation to proceed despite strong wind warnings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coalition faces a potential permanent split after National Party leader David Littleproud and his entire front bench quit the shadow ministry. The crisis erupted when Opposition Leader Susan Lee accepted the resignations of three National senators who crossed the floor to vote against Labor's hate speech laws, defying Shadow Cabinet solidarity. Speculation mounts about challenges to Lee's leadership from Angus Taylor or Andrew Hastie, while concerns grow that the chaos could benefit Pauline Hanson's One Nation party in the polls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taylor Swift has become the youngest female artist inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognised for songs including All Too Well (10-minute version), Blank Space, Antihero, Love Story and The Great American Dynasty. Her debut single Tim McGraw was released in 2006, meeting the Hall of Fame's 20-year eligibility requirement. The ceremony celebrating the inductees is scheduled for June, with speculation surrounding a possible wedding to footballer Travis Kelce during the same period.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mitchell Starc's availability for the Sydney Sixers' upcoming finals match is uncertain after he injured his left shoulder attempting a diving catch during the team's qualifier loss to the Perth Scorchers. The 35-year-old paceman will undergo assessment in Sydney to determine his fitness for the next match against either the Stars or Hurricanes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia faces an obesity crisis with four in five older adults overweight or obese, prompting debate over subsidising new weight loss drugs like Monjaro and Zepbound. Dr Giles Yeo, Professor of Genetics at University of Cambridge, discusses the effectiveness of these medications in treating obesity and reducing risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. The drugs work for most patients but require long-term use, with weight returning when treatment stops, similar to blood pressure medication.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media platform X experienced a global outage affecting hundreds of thousands of users across the US, UK, Canada and Australia, with more than 6,000 Australian users reporting error messages. The outage occurred during the same week that owner Elon Musk faced controversy over his AI tool Grok producing sexualised AI imagery, prompting a UK government-supported investigation into potential breaches of UK law. The system has since been restored, though the cause of the outage remains unexplained.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Polish cultural performance features traditional dancing in authentic dress at a community club event in Asheville, Sydney. The celebration showcases Polish heritage through dance, traditional costumes and food. The club regularly hosts various cultural events for the local community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trevor Davis, a Queensland farmer, caught a pigeon with one hand while visiting his local cafe to buy a chocolate milk. The spectacular catch was captured on CCTV footage, showing Davis calmly catching the bird mid-flight before releasing it outside. The cafe owner and other patrons were left in disbelief at the impressive display of reflexes and sporting ability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.