situation room. happening now, breaking news, the first deaths are reported from a powerful earthquake that flattened homes and unleashed a wall of water in japan. stand by for new images and information on the massive 7.5 quake and its aftermath. also this hour, at a critical moment in israel s fight against hamas, the nation s high court striking down a key part of a controversial government plan to limit the power of the judiciary. the unprecedented decision now threatening to fan par time tensions and division. plus, 2024 is here. the first presidential votes are now just two weeks away. we ll get the lay of the political landscape as donald trump s rivals battle to be the last republican standing in his way to the nomination. welcome to our viewers in the united states and around the world. wolf blitzer is off today. i m brianna keilar, and this is the situation room special report. we begin with breaking news. the earthquake disaster in japan turning deadly. at
going. people trapped on the trains. businesses and homes are crushed. a major move by israel supreme court striking down a contentious law. risking even more division in the country at more. as we start 2024, some of the 2023 political predictions that were also wrong. how is it looking this new year? welcome to the lead. i m casey in for jake tapper. we start with destruction in a japan after a 7.2 magnitude earth right. four people were killed when the 7.5 magnitude quake hit western japan just hours into the new year followed by a series of aftershocks. the weather agency says those could continue up to a week. it also triggered tsunami warnings along the coast and residents have been urged to evacuate. the warnings have been downgraded but there is still a tsunami threat. multiple buildings caught fire or collapsed including a home on the upper left of the screen. it was reduced to a pile of rubble. we start coverage off from japan where more than 8000 military perso
that 43% of consumers plan to spend less this year than they did last. but nevertheless, retailers actually started to hire for the hol will day season. they re really gearing up. the toy wars going on. they get more competitive every year. sears is opening up toy departments. you have toys r us opening up in six pop-up stores. kmart. it had be a very competitive season for sure. first things first, because when you go out now, halloween is everywhere. good news here for the halloween stuff. there are the trick-or-treaters. we ll be spending more on candy and decorations. we re looking at about $5.8 billion in total spending overall. which is up. that s up. that s on par with 2008 levels. that s pretty good. one day of the year that we can be something other than our miserable selves. escapism. get out and celebrate. i ll be out somewhere.