Good evening on this tuesday night. David is off. Im elizabeth vargas. We begin with breaking news. The mystery of air asia flight 8501. The images coming in. The first signs of the wreckage in the water. At this hour, bodies of passengers and crew. This suitcase from the plane recovered from the ocean. The heartbreaking news overwhelming families. Many spent the last four days huddled at the airport, waiting for word. The plane vanishing from radar last weekend, flying to singapore with 162 people on board. Discovered six miles from the last point of contact in shallow water. We have Team Coverage tonight and we begin with abcs chief Foreign Affairs correspondent terry moran in indonesia. Terry . Reporter good evening, elizabeth. As the morning comes up here the recovery operation is fully under way. And the first priority, the president of indonesia has declared, is to gather up the dead. The 162 passengers and crew, who four days ago set off from this airport, full of hopes and plans and life and bring them home. Search teams had scoured the tropical waters of the java sea for days, and then suddenly in the bright sun, there it was. The debris field, shards of shapes floating in the waves, pieces of that lost plane. The wreckage found about six miles from the last point of contact with the plane, in shallow water, about 100 feet deep. Then, hours later came the official confirmation. I confirm that the area was where the plane crashed, the chief of search and rescue declared. The debris came from the missing plane that we have been searching for. At the airport, body bags were loaded up, while at sea, divers entered the water to recover the corpses. All this shown live on local tv, traumatizing the families who saw the bloated broken bodies of loved ones as they followed the news here. Their grief was overpowering, one after another fainted. Medical teams doing their best to console the inconsolable. Here, the moment a woman is told searchers have found bodies and debris . Oh, they did . Im still hopeful for the miracle. Sorry, i cannot continue. Reporter back on the tarmac, investigators gathering every item, a blue suitcase, an oxygen tank, the wreckage of a tragedy. A morgue has been set up near the crash site to identify the bodies, return them to loved ones as soon as possible. At the same time, searchers are going after those crucial black boxes, which may hold the data that can answer the question what happened . Elizabeth . All right, terry, thank you so much. As you said, those black boxes are crucial. But even before theyre found, the debris is providing insight into what may have happened in the planes final moments. Abcs david kerley is on the early stages of the investigation and is here with me now with more on that. Reporter elizabeth, even though the remains of this aircraft have not been found, the parts, the debris, is already yielding significant clues to experienced investigators. A suitcase. An oxygen tank. An uninflated emergency slide. These pieces of the airbus a320 and those floating on the java sea, all clues to why this aircraft crashed. What do they tell us . So far, the bodies found did not have life vests. That could indicate the jet broke apart at altitude. The crew didnt have time to communicate trouble or passengers didnt have time to put them on. Do those pieces of metal wreckage have burn marks, suggesting fire or explosion . The way the metal is pulled apart, its edges, can reveal if it was impact with the water or other forces that tore the pieces. So, once you have the debris, you look at it all. And fire stands out, explosion stands out. Was it ripped apart or was Something Else going on here . Reporter this debris field also tells a story. If it is relatively small, that would suggest the jet liner was mostly intact when it hit the water. A much wider field could mean a breakup at altitude and the pieces scattering as they fell into the java sea. But this debris field is also an arrow, pointing to where the wreckage has settled to the bottom and where investigators should find those allimportant black boxes. And if not today, within the next day or so, listening devices should be in the water somewhere around that debris field, trying to hear the ticking pingers from those boxes. So important to find those. All right, david, thank you so much. And now, lets bring in abc news aviation consultant colonel Steve Ganyard in washington. And, steve, we just heard david talking about the debris and what it can tell us about what brought the plane down. You were also focusing on the bodies that were found, and the condition that theyre in. Yeah, elizabeth. What we saw today with the remains that were recovered was that they were intact and they did not have clothes on. Now, this suggests, possibly, an inflight breakup of the aircraft, where whatever was in the cabin would have fallen a long way and be stripped of the clothes that they were wearing. So, this might explain why we lost contact with this aircraft at 32,000 feet and there was no further communication, no further radar hits. The question is, what would have caused that . Was it a bomb, was it structural damage . What could have brought this airplane down catastrophically . But tonight, we really dont have anymore facts. These are just guesses and we need to get to that aircraft wreckage to find out what really happened. But to be clear, steve, youre focusing more on something happening midair as opposed to the plane intact coming down and crashing into the ocean . I think we need to consider that, rather than an impact at the ocean. I think were seeing some clues tonight that there may have been an inflight breakup. The. All right, steve, thank you so much. And there was trouble today for another air asia flight in the philippines. One of its planes overshot the runway. The plane was trying to land in windy weather in manila. It came to a stop in the grass. 159 passengers were on board. They used emergency slides to get off the plane. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Back here at home and the icy blast moving across the country. Fierce winds blowing snow. Icy roads making driving dangerous, heading into new years eve. Millions of americans in almost every state are facing bitter cold temperatures. 20 below zero in some areas. Abcs brandi hitt shows us 2014 is ending with some of the coldest weather of the year. Reporter tonight, a bitter arctic blast is bearing down on most of the country. Its cold. Reporter in northern california, 60mileperhour winds toppling trees, killing two people. One inside this apartment, the other crushed inside a car. Conditions so treacherous, emergency crews are warning families tonight in the town of paradise to shelter in place. In parts of utah, blinding sheets of snow, whipped by 40mileperhour winds are overturning big rigs and downing power lines. The subzero temperatures also gripping denver. And the great plains, where theyre deicing jetliners in omaha. Icy roads have led to more than 100 crashes in lubbock, texas, with snow falling as far south as amarillo. Just start misting it. Reporter even Southern Californians are protecting their plants from the deep freeze. Now spreading from coast to coast just in time for new years celebrations. Here in pasadena, california, thousands of people are expected to fill these bleachers for the annual rose parade. This is the grand daddy of them all, and it could be the coldest of them all. While the rain is expected to clear, temperatures at or below freezing are predicted, and this one could break a record, set back in 1952. Elizabeth . Wow. Bundle up. Even normally sunny california, not escaping the big chill. Brandi hitt, thank you so much. And now, lets bring in abcs senior meteorologist, rob marciano, in los angeles. Rob . Elizabeth, not just the cold here in so cal, but the threat for snow also exist in some of the hills around los angeles. But you go further to the east thats where the higher accumulations will begin to pile up. And advisories down into texas, as well, for some freezing rain. Ten states in these advisories. But those dont include the wind chill advisories around warnings were going to see through wednesday morning. Going to feel like minus 20 in jackson. Going to feel like minus 21 degrees and 17 degrees below zero will be the wind chill in denver on wednesday morning. Newyearold new years eve night this cold is going to get everybody, including the northeast, finally, in the 20s in new york city, in the teens in chicago. So, 2015 is going to come in on the cold size, elizabeth. All right, thank you so much, rob. Were going to move on now to washington and a couple of big bumps just days before republicans take full control over capitol hill. New york congressman Michael Grimm, who last january threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony, announcing he will resign after pleading guilty to tax evasion. And one of the partys top leaders is facing tough questions, acknowledging he addressed a hate group 12 years ago. Abcs jeff zeleny is in washington tonight. Reporter tonight, the gops in damage control. The number three republican in the house, Steve Scalise of louisiana, has been in his post for just six months. I do want to thank my colleagues and my constituents. Reporter but now, hes been forced to apologize for speaking at a 2002 gathering of White Supremacy leaders. He says it was a mistake, to appear before a group founded by david duke, a former grand wizard of the knights of the ku klux klan. Scalise says he wasnt aware of the groups views. In a statement, he added, i emphatically oppose the divisive racial and religious views groups like these hold. Speaker john boehner called it an error in judgement, but said scalise has my full confidence. It wasnt the only political fire republicans were scrambling to extinguish. New york congressman Michael Grimm finally agreed to step down, a week after pleading guilty to felony tax evasion. He repeatedly insisted he would stay in office. As long as im able to serve, im going to serve. Doesnt accepting responsibility mean resigning . Absolutely not. Reporter but Party Leaders tell abc news they grew tired of the congressman landing in one scrape after another. Like this infamous confrontation with a reporter. Let me be clear to you. You ever do that to me again, ill throw you off this balcony. Reporter he admitted to lying under oath and failing to pay his full share of taxes at a new york city restaurant he owned. His bluster came to an end after a heated call with speaker boehner, who is eager to clean house before Congress Opens in january. With grimm gone, scalise is the gops most pressing problem. Party leaders are standing by him tonight, but its hardly how republicans hoped to start their new year in their new congressional majority. Elizabeth . All right, jeff, thanks so much. And around the world tonight, reports that a key terror leader was killed by a u. S. Drone strike in somalia. Government officials there saying the intelligence chief of the militant Group Al Shabab was targeted in the assault. He was accused of masterminding recent attacks in somalia and kenya. The terror group is linked to al qaeda. Terror concerns are forcing a security change and pulling an iconic tourist attraction from britains royal palaces. The famous royal guard standing watch have been moved over fears of a possible attack. Abcs Hamish Macdonald on the new challenge to protect those protecting the royal family. Reporter tonight, theres a changing of the guard. At palaces across london, the worldfamous royal guards are making subtle but significant modifications because of fears theyll be targeted by isis. Weve seen their lone wolf tactics, which are incredibly penetrating and incredibly dangerous. Reporter abc news has learned that intelligence based partly on intercepted communications preceded this decision to move guards from sentry boxes in front of the royal residences to positions behind locked gates. Since the attack on a ceremonial soldier in canada in october, armed police are also on guard. Well now see heavily armed police effectively guarding the guard. Reporter ken wharfe provided personal protection to Princess Diana for almost a decade. The soldiers here that guard these historic palaces are not armed to the teeth. In essence, theyre not really there to fight away any wouldbe attackers. Reporter well, this is pretty much the best place to come and get your royal selfie. Thats why thousands of people come past every day, to see this place and the famous palace guard. And thats the challenge now for security agencies. They must continue letting the public get up close to the royals and make sure that neither the public, the royals nor the guards are endangered in the process. Hamish macdonald, abc news, london. And a new report out today shows the daily risks to Law Enforcement officers across the country here is on the rise. 126 killed in the line of duty this year, ending a dramatic decline over the previous two years. Shooting deaths are up more than 50 this year. 15 officers were killed in ambushes. Nationwide, the leading cause of death. That includes the shooting deaths of two new York City Police officers earlier this month. And now, to a frightening scene breaking out in shopping malls across america. Huge groups of people gathering and then erupting in massive brawls. Abcs gio benitez is looking into it. Reporter tonight, an alert at malls all around the country. Watch this massive fight in pennsylvania at the monroeville mall. Just a day after christmas, police say 1,000 teenagers walked into the mall, but not to take advantage of the sales. A melee erupting, causing stores to close early. Mall brawls happening from coast to coast since christmas, from pittsburgh to nashville to independence, missouri, to chicago, to sacramento. At Opry Mills Mall in tennessee saturday, 150 people, mostly teens. Kind of just got really chaotic. Reporter and in ohio at beachwood place mall, yet another teen mall brawl. While police dont know exactly whats causing them, theyre concerned that teens on social media are calling for others to meet them at the mall. Thats what seems to have happened in pittsburgh. An organized event. And now malls are fighting back. Now you have malls that are using social media to try to prevent this. What they shouldnt be doing is allowing this congregation, which at a quick flashpoint, then turns into a fistfight, which turns into a mini riot. Reporter some advice for shoppers . Dont be a bystander. Dont stay there gawking at it. Or looking at it. Reporter because group fights like these are unpredictable. Gio benitez, abc news, new york. Now, to a sure sign that the year is coming to a close. Testing the ball drop today in new york citys times square. The glittering 12foot wide Waterford Crystal ball is getting ready for its closeup. More than 1 billion people around the world will watch it welcome in 2015. And theres still much more ahead on world news tonight this tuesday. Running for their lives. Caught on camera. The couple that outran an avalanche. The hike that turned into a mad dash down the mountain. And news about the former president , george h. W. Bush. What doctors are saying about his health tonight. And, its the year of the selfie. The most popular one ever, the monster trend that just keeps growing, and the one person who did it first. Many people clean their dentures with toothpaste or plain water. And even though their dentures look clean, in reality theyre not. If a denture were to be put under a microscope we can see all the bacteria that still exists on the denture and that bacteria multiplies very rapidly. Thats why dentists recommend cleaning with polident everyday. Polidents unique micro clean formula works in just 3 minutes, killing 99. 99 of odor causing bacteria. For a cleaner, fresher brighter denture everyday. Next tonight, the moment a couples nature walk turned into a sprint to survive. Capturing incredible pictures while caught in the path of an avalanche. Heres abcs clayton sandell. Reporter that sound you hear is an avalanche. I thought i was in serious trouble, i mean, right when i heard the sound. Reporter colby dotson and his girlfriend Ashley Bechard were on a weekend hike to these ice caves two hours from tacoma, washington. When the mountainside suddenly comes roaring toward them. It was closer and closer and closer. And then all i did was just looked the opposite direction and started to run. Reporter they make it to safety but turn just in time to see people inside that cave right below all that snow. We were scared those people were either hurt or going to be hurt. Reporter everybody made it out okay, but they are incredibly lucky. In the u. S. , last winter, 35 people died in avalanches. A slide can carry thick layers of heavy snow, even rocks and trees up to 80 miles an hour. At the Copper Mountain ski resort in colorado, we simulated what its like to be trapped. You think of snow as being fluffy and white and soft but really, in an avalanche, it isnt. It becomes very hard, very tough to dig yourself out. And very difficult to breathe. Looks like hes got something. Reporter i was lucky to be rescued by ski patrol. My hero my hero hello dotson says hes lucky he didnt need a rescue. This time. It was definitely an experience that dropped your jaw. Reporter clayton sandell, abc news, denver. Definitely jaw dropping. When we come back, a very different kind of avalanche. Imagine being buried under a massive wall of salt. And take a look at this. This is what happened when a robbery literally goes up in flames. Its coming up next. What if one stalk of broccoli could protect you from cancer . What if one push up could prevent Heart Disease . One. Wishful thinking, right . But there is one step you can take to help prevent another serious disease pneumococcal pneumonia. One dose of the prevnar 13 ® vaccine can help protect you. From pneumococcal pneumonia, an illness that can cause coughing, chest pain difficulty breathing and may even put you in the hospital. Prevnar 13 is used in adults 50 and older to help prevent infections from 13 strains of the bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia. You should not receive prevnar 13 if youve had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients. If you have a weakened immune system, you may have a lower response to the vaccine. Common side effects were pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Limited arm movement, fatigue, head ache muscle or joint pain less appetite, chills, or rash. Even if youve already been vaccinated with another pneumonia vaccine, prevnar 13 ® may help provide additional protection. Get this one done. Ask your healthcare professional about prevnar 13 ® today. 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The nations oldest living president now 90 was admitted a week ago when he first complained about shortness of breath. Well, it wasnt raining, but it was pouring at the mortons salt building in chicago. Take a look. Salt spilling out from a collapsed wall onto cars at the dealership next door. No reports of anybody hurt, but perhaps a little thirsty. And its back to the drawing board for a wouldbe atm robber. The man trying to blow up this machine in australia when his plan backfires. Hes knocked off his feet. He fled with no money and no flipflops. And why is it that the boiler always seems to break at the wrong time . Even these chimps know the feeling. Huddling under blankets provided by their keepers at the monkey sanctuary in wales. Good news, the heat is back on tonight. And when we come back, the selfie that broke the records. And how were all rushing now to get into the picture. If youre taking multiple medications does your mouth often feel dry . A dry mouth can be a side effect of many medications. But it can also lead to tooth decay and bad breath. Thats why theres biotene available as an oral rinse toothpaste, spray or gel. Biotene can provide soothing relief and it helps keep your mouth healthy too. Remember, while your medication is doing you good, a dry mouth isnt. Biotene, for people who suffer from a dry mouth. Do you have nutritional gaps in your diet . Try the improved formula of boost® original nutritional drink. Each delicious serving provides. 10 grams of protein to help maintain muscle and 26 essential vitamins and Minerals Including calcium and vitamin d to support bone health. Plus, boost contains 3 grams of fiber which helps support digestive health. Try boost original nutritional drink today. Heres a question for you by avoiding rapid acceleration and stopandgo driving, your savings on gas could be equivalent to how much . Up to 50 cents a gallon . 75 cents . 1 . The answer is. Up to 1 a gallon. Sensible driving avoids unnecessary energy loss saving you money and reducing co2 emissions. Take the energy quiz round 2. Energy lives here finally tonight, the global phenomenon. Abcs david wright tells us why 2014 is the year of the selfie. Reporter selfies were already a thing by the time ellen set out to break the internet. But this starstudded image from oscar night 2014 set a new standard. Popes and president s, a beatle and a billionaire. The queen herself, even some awardwinning news anchors got in on the fun. On twitter this year, the word selfie mentioned 92 million times. The Oxford English dictionary defines selfie as a photo one has taken of oneself. Typically with a smartphone. Any background will do. Move over, bradley. Fun fact. The first selfie, from 1839, a guy named Robert Cornelius sat still for a full minute to take this. And theres this. Throwback thursday, from 60 years ago, posted this year by colin powell. This year, Selfie Technology improved dramatically. We had selfies from space. Selfies from other species. Say cheese. And selfies that must have seemed like a good idea at the time. Selfies are not worth risking your life for, folks. At its best, the selfie is not just an act of for anarcicism, its what we are, where we are, and who were with. A moment in time you just cant wait to share. David wright, abc news, new york. All right. Thanks so much for watching. Well see you back here tomorrow night. For david and all of us at world news tonight, have a good evening. Good night. Wicked winter trees and and going through the bay area if just a moment ill show you where strongest wind gusts are right now. A bay Area Security company concludes Sony Pictures wasnt hack by the north korea. Turns out it was an inside job. A rock star home coming for former 49ers coach jim harbaugh. The sign in the center of the screen says it all. High winds. Fierce winds blow into the bay area. Good evening and thanks for joining us the windy weather forced roads to close throughout the bay area. Bart trains were halted because of debris near daily city. The Oakland Airport connector closed as well. Winds brought down trees today, several trees this video in San Francisco today. And this is the golden gate bridge. We do have live Team Coverage for you tonight. Lets begin with spencer christian. Clear skies as you can see. We still have these powerful winds to contend with. Right now gusts up to 48 Miles Per Hour at sfo. 43 Miles Per Hour at oakland. And Mountain View 35 in napa. You can see winds are still powerful and gusty. There is a live view