And warning of a potential war with iran. The growing Security Threat at home and around the world. New york deploying heavily armed police units, warning the city could be a prime target for an attack. American troops on alert to protect the u. S. Embassy in beirut. Ian pannell there on the ground. Tonights other major headlines the Bank Standoff as we come on the air. Authorities say a gunman holding at least one hostage inside. Heavily armed officers on the scene. The deadly stabbing spree in an american city. One person killed, and several victims rushed to the hospital. The powerful line of storms stretching 1,500 miles, from the gulf coast to new england. Rob marciano with the track. Good evening. Thanks for joining us. Im whit johnson, in for david tonight. As we come on, President Trump has now addressed the nation about that major escalation in conflict with iran. The u. S. Drone strike targeting an Iranian Military chief minnesota after he landed at the airport in baghdad. General Qasem Soleimani, a revered figure in iran. Today, thousands mourning and protesting in tehran. Irans Supreme Leader vowing harsh retall invitation and revenge for the death of a man he called a martyr. But president blames suleimani, for the deaths of hundreds of americans and claims he was actively trying to kill more when he was found and terminated. The president saying he did not strike in order to start a war with iran, but to stop one. Now, 3,500 u. S. Troops being sent to the region, and others put on alert. Abcs chief Global Affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz leading us off with the time line and the swift reaction. Reporter President Trump tonight calling iranian general Qasem Soleimani the number one terrorist anywhere in the world, saying he ordered his death to save american lives. Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on american diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him. Reporter soleimanis end was swift and shocking. Landing at Baghdad International airport, he climbed into a convoy of suvs, unaware that American Drones were tracking him overhead. Minutes later, as the vehicles were exiting the airport, a fiery blast. Missiles from the drone striking their target, shredding the vehicles and leaving soleimani and several others dead. The image of his bloody hand with a ring quickly circulating. The ring he always wore. The general commanded the allpowerful quds force of irans revolutionary guard, long ago labeled a terrorist organization by the u. S. , with soleimani blamed for the deaths of hundreds of u. S. Troops in iraq and beyond. We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war. Reporter still, targeting soleimani is seen as a massive escalation in the president s confrontation with iran. The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff told reporters today there was clear, unambiguous intelligence indicating a significant campaign of violence against the United States in the days, weeks, and months ahead. A Senior State Department official said soleimani was plotting imminent attacks in iraq, lebanon, and syria. But today in iran, where soleimani was one of the most influential figures, revered by many, there was outrage. Thousands taking to the streets chanting down with america and revenge, revenge. Tonight, 3,500 additional u. S. Forces are headed to the region. That means close to 5,000 have been dispatched in the last week alone, after iranian backed militias attacked the u. S. Embassy and earlier killed a u. S. Contractor in iraq. Irans next move is not known, but retaliation is almost certain. Martha raddatz with us live from washington tonight. Some strong words from irans Supreme Leader. Reporter thats right, whit. The ayatollah saying a harsh vengeance will be awaiting the criminals who tainted their hands with the pure blood of general soleimani. Easternian officials saying it will come at the right time and place. And while President Trump is insisting hes not seeking a war or regime change, hes warning iran their aggression must end, and it must end now. Whit . Martha, thank you. And reaction to that deadly airstrike reflecting the partisan divide. But there are questions across the political spectrum about the strategy and about what comes next. Abcs mary bruce on capitol hill. Reporter on capitol hill today, high praise and sharp criticism for the president s surprise strike. The top democrat on the Senate IntelligenceCommittee Says he found out through press reports. There was a threat. If the threat was real, i dont have confidence in, had the Administration Fully thought through all the implications of this action. Reporter and do you think that the u. S. , that this administration is prepared for any potential retaliation . I would love to be able to answer that question with the affirmative. I dont know. Reporter other democrats are questioning the timing of the strike, which comes as the president faces a looming impeachment trial. Obviously, with this president you have to worry about ulterior motives. Reporter but republicans insist trump is sending a powerful message to americas enemies. For too long, this evil man operated without constraint and countless innocents have suffered for it. If you come after americans on President Trumps watch, you do so at your peril. Reporter trump has long promised to get the u. S. Out of conflicts in the middle east. The plan is to get out of endless wars, to bring our soldiers back home. Reporter today, his opponents used the president s words against him. This must not be the beginning of another endless war. This is a dangerous escalation that brings us closer to another disastrous war in the middle east. Reporter joe biden warning trump could be putting americans at risk. And the prospects of direct conflict with iran is greater than it has ever been. Strong reaction on both sides. Mary bruce is joining us from capitol hill. Mary, most members of congress were not given a headsup about the president s action against iran. And tonight, lawmakers from both parties are demanding more information. Reporter whit, both sides are eager to know what comes next, whats the broader strategy here, and whats the plan for if and when iran retaliates . We expect the full senate will receive a classified briefing next week and Speaker Pelosi is demanding the same in the house. Mary, thank you. Irans threat of revenge is raising security concerns here at home and around the world. Cities from coast to coast, including here in new york city, are upping their vigilance as thousands of u. S. Forces arrive in the middle east, including these troops arriving in kuwait after that strike in baghdad. Ian pannell reports from beirut tonight. Reporter tonight, u. S. Citizens in baghdad warned by american officials to leave the country. Concerns growing of retaliation for last nights drone attack. There are nearly 80,000 american troops in the region, all of them high profile targets for potential revenge attacks. Today, iranians burning american and israeli flags. Israels prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, returning from greece early, putting his nation on high alert. Tensions have been building after a series of iranian provocations over the summer, including the downing of an american drone. David asking president rouhani if the two nations are at a breaking point. Are we closer to a major conflict . Translator i do believe that we are approaching a worse point. Reporter fears of retaliation rippling overseas to the United States. In new york city, theres an increase in police presence, some heavily armed. What you will see is heightened vigilance in terms of uniformed officers, many with long guns, at sensitive areas, critical structures. Reporter they are also on heightened alert in other major cities, but authorities are quick to emphasize that there is no specific credible threat. Ian pannell on the ground there in beirut. Ian, u. S. Troop in the region are on alert for a potential threat . Reporter yeah, thats right. And also, elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in italy are poised to deploy here to beirut, potentially to protect to u. S. Embassy. Soleimani planning attacks here in lebanon as well as elsewhere in the region. Ian, thank you. We move on to the other major news, a hostage situation at a bank in rockford, illinois. Police say it began as an attempted robbery. The suspect then holding one or more people at gunpoint. S. W. A. T. Teams on the scene. The roads shut down in all directions. The standoff going into the night. Heres abcs alex perez. Reporter tonight, a tense hostage standoff unfolding inside this illinois bank. S. W. A. T. Teams swarming the scene. Police say a gunman stormed this credit union in rockford this afternoon, taking, Authorities Say, at least one hostage, possibly more. Hes an armed subject and people are not able to leave, so whether hes holding them, but hes not allowing them to leave. Reporter Authorities Say it started as an Armed Robbery before the suspect barricaded himself inside the bank. Officers armed with long guns taking positions outside. A Crisis Negotiation Team attempting to make contact with the suspect. Police shutting down the roads in all directions, clearing out the scene, urging people to avoid the area. Whit, tonight the fbi has joined local investigators on this case. Theyre in rockford. Whit . Alex perez with that developing situation there. We appreciate it. Thank you. In austin, texas, a chaotic scene ending in a fatal stabbing. Police say one person was injured during an assault at a coffee shop. Customers pinned down the attacker, but he escaped and ran to a nearby restaurant, stabbing two people there. One has died. The attacker climbed to the roof. The motive is still under investigation. Now to the catastrophic wildfires in australia. Tens of thousands of residents and tourists forced to evacuate. Newly released video showing the fastmoving flames threatening a home in northeast victoria. Those fires, already the worst in the countrys history, fueled by temperatures jumping well into the triple digits. Abcs maggie rulli, in the fire zone. Reporter tonight in australias fire zone, with the worst yet to come, a race against time to put out hotspots. With these winds starting to pick up, you can see how dangerous these hot spots are, how quickly they can spread. Weve been here r minutes and already it is rapidly spreading down the hill. In victoria state alone, 140,000 residents and tens of thousands of tourists told to get out. Oh, my reporter if they choose to stay the. To those has burnt reporter theyre on their own. If a westerly wind comes back, its gonna come this way tomorrow. Thats what were fearing. Reporter paula says she and her husband saved their home once already this week, and will stay and fight again. Were staying here, and just do what we can do. Because tomorrow is dday. Reporter some neighborhoods are completely wiped out, and conditions thought to get even worse this weekend, officials warn those who stayed behind to stay focussed and take this seriously. Maggie, thank you. Now abc exclusive, the three women who were held captive in a house in cleveland are opening up. Talking about how they focussed their lives on helping others. Robin roberts with their incredible stories. The first thing that i did is i dropped to the floor begging him to let me go. Reporter their terrifying captivity would last more than nine years. He taped my wrists and he taped my ankles, and then he put a helmet over my head. Reporter now, michelle knight, amanda berry, and gina dejesus are sharing their stories of hope, bravery, and resilience. How were you able to withstand that kind of abuse . It was difficult. I had to go blank. Any time he was doing anything to me, i had to put myself in a different place. Reporter their kidnapper and abuser, ariel castro, locking and chaining the women inside his cleveland home. There was so many just, like, tiny rules that we had to live by. We got a little sliver of soap about like that thick, just to wash our bodies with. We had to put the pan in the center, on the stove. It couldnt be a little to the left, a little to the right. Reporter then, after nearly 4,000 days, the miraculous escape. A neighbor hearing amandas cries for help, helps kick open part of a screen door so she could scramble out to call 911. Help me. Im amanda berry. Ive been kidnapped, and ive been missing for ten years, and im im here. Im free now. Reporter slowly but surely, each one of the women building a new life for herself. Our foundations name is the Cleveland Family center for missing children and adults. My center is located right next door to where i was held at. Reporter girl, you know how powerful that is to put it on that street . I just want to turn the neighborhood i want to turn it to, like, positive and i want to give back, so everybody in life that goes through a tragedy, thats been in the dark for so long, needs to see the sunset and the sunrise. Just show the people that have harmed us that they dont control us anymore. Strong women, powerful stories. Our thanks to robin for that. Shell have much more on that tale of survival on a special twohour 20 20 event at 9 00 p. M. Eastern tonight. Still ahead on world news tonight this friday, a major break in the desperate search for a missing woman last seen leaving a bar with two men, then texting a friend she may be in trouble. What police have just now revealed. The Daring Rescue. Two deputies rushing toward a burning house, searching for an elderly couple still at the home. And the powerful storms stretching from the gulf coast to new england. Rob marciano standing by. Stay with us. New england. Rob marciano standing by. Stay with us. Me. Ive always dreamed of seeing the world. But im not chasing my dream anymore. I made a Financial Plan to live it. Every day. At Northwestern Mutual, our version of Financial Planning helps you live your dreams today. Find a Northwestern Mutual advisor at nm dot com. Helps you live y[sneeare you ok . Fles] yah, its just a cold. Its not just a cold if you have high blood pressure. Most cold medicines may raise blood pressure. Coricidin hbp is the. 1 brand that gives. Powerful cold relief without raising your blood pressure. I am totally blind. And non24 can make me show up too early. Or too late. Or make me feel like im not really there. Talk to your doctor, and call 8442342424. Iand i dont add up the years. But what i do count on is boost high protein. And now, introducing new boost mobility with collagen for joint health. When taken daily, its key nutrients help support joints, muscles, and strong bones. New, boost mobility. This is charlie not coughing because he took delsym 12hour. And this is charlie still not coughing while trying his hardest not to wake zeus. Delsym 12hour. Nothing lasts longer for powerful cough relief. Next tonight, the first next tonight, the first major storm of the new year. Stretching from the gulf to new england. In mississippi heavy rain flooding neighborhoods there. In jackson, water bubbling up from manhole covers. At this hour, that rain and some snow heading to the northeast. Rob marciano tracking it all. This system really covers a wide area. Reporter it is a big area. Its two systems kind of phasing together, the northern one digging down and scooping down, brought all that rain in the southeast. Still doing it. Look at the rain all over biloxi, mobile, birmingham. Raleigh, about to get another round. Backs up through cincinnati, that will push into the northeast for another round of rain here, through boston in the morning. Look at that white and pink, sleet and snow around i90 and points north. Albany will be slick in the morning. Things will dry up and clear out by midnight tomorrow night. But the colder and drier air comes for much of the east on sunday. Whit . Wet weekend for many. Rob marciano, thank you. When we come back, breaking developments in the search for a missing woman vannering after leaving a bar with two men. What we just learned. Breaking developments in the search for a young woman who vanished after leaving a bar with two men. What weve just learned. 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The vehicle possibly stuck on the tracks. The train pushing it over an embankment. The accident under investigation. The Daring Rescue from a burning home in bakersfield, california. Take a look. Body cam video showing two deputies rushing to the house engulfed in flames. An elderly Woman Holding her dog pushed in her wheelchair to safety. The deputies ripping down a fence, finding the husband disoriented in the backyard. No one was seriously hurt. When we come back, the firefighter, the teenager, and the lifesaving gift. Its america strong. Ica strong. Ly hurt. When we come back, the firefighter, the teenager, and the lifesaving gift. The lifesaving gift. Its america strong. Itis. When considering another treatment, ask about xeljanz xr, a oncedaily pill for adults with moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis or active Psoriatic Arthritis for whom methotrexate did not work well enough. It can reduce pain, swelling, and significantly improve physical function. 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D, acapella whoa vo and vaporize it with an intense rush of vicks vapors. acapella ahhhhhhhhhhh vo dayquil severe with vicks vapocool. The daytime coughing, stuffy head, vaporize your cold, medicine. Aveeno® with prebiotic striple oat complex balances skins microbiome. So skin looks like this and you feel like this. Aveeno® skin relief. Get skin healthy™ if you listen to the political it sounds like we have a failed society. But nothing could be further from the truth. Americans are compassionate and hardworking. We arent failing. Our politicians are failing. Thats why im running for president. To end the corporate takeover of the government. And give more power to the american people. Thats how well win healthcare, fair wages, and clean air and water as a right. Im tom steyer and i approve this message. They Work Together doing important stuff. The hitch . Like you, your cells get hungry. Feed them. With centrum® micronutrients. Restoring your awesome. Daily. Feed your cells with centrum® micronutrients today. Skip to the good part with alkaseltzer plus. Feed your cells with now with 25 more concentrated power. Nothing works faster for powerful cold relief. Oh, what a relief it is so fast finally tonight, america strong. The firefighter saving a teens life, answering a very personal call for help. Its the season of giving that will forever connect two total strangers. It began when gerald ezell, the maumelle, arkansas, fire chief, read a Facebook Post from an old friend whose teenage daughter was in need of a new kidney. Which inspired him to get a simple but important blood test. I saw that her daughter was in need of a kidney, and we had the same blood type. And i just felt like god was saying, hey, this is you. Step across that line. He was a match and decided to donate a kidney, and even lost 30 pounds in a month to become eligible. Sidney burnett had been waiting desperately to hear that news since august. Shes an incredible young lady. One of the strongest people ive ever met. Reporter the transplant surgery took place at the mayo clinic before christmas a success. Chief ezell welcomed home at the airport earlier this week by the Baseball Team he coaches. And tonight, sidney is back home in missouri. I was just so shocked that my donor was someone that had never even met me, but im so grateful for him. He literally gave me my life back. Reporter sidney and her entire family enjoying a belated christmas, celebrating her new priceless gift. Its a little bit of pain for the person thats donating, but man, the smile on sidneys face made it more than worth it to me. That fire chief going above and beyond. Thanks so much for watching tonight. Im whit johnson. For david and all of us here, have a great night. Beyond. Thanks so much for watching tonight. Im whit johnson. For david and all of us here, have a great night. New at 6 00, new details on what happened when a woman and another man knocked on her exboyfriends door. One man is now charged with murder and more than that. I am looking in idaho, nevada, texas, florida, and tennessee. Were committed to building a better bay area. Tonight, meet a local realtor who says he can find you a home in a place thats better than the bay area. A thousand buckets of contaminated hazard material is a crime against this community. Cleanup in aisle oakland. The problem is solved but the issue is not over. Announcer now news to build a better bay area from abc 7. Its a beautiful evening in San Francisco as we look live from our tower camera atop mt. Sutro. How could anyone want to leave this . Research shows you may want to wait. Good evening, im ama daetz. Im dan ashley. Building a better bay area can be a challenge with our high cost of housing, of course. It drives some people to move out. If thats what youre considering, we hear you. Our dion lim spoke to a realtor about getting out of the area. First, a story about what might make you want to stay. Heres lyanne melendez. Reporter tell us your recommendations on the housing markets, which metro areas will outperform and which will underperform . Yes, in 2020 most of the bay area is expectd to lean in the wrong direction. Despite being surrounded by Successful Companies, economists say the bay area has its growth limitations. So even though there are Successful Companies there, its hard to growth number of people. Its hard to grow the number of specific jobs and housing units. Reporter thats mike england, one of the economists asked to give his 2020 expectations for the housing markets. Whenve