Four decades. Captioning sponsored by cbs this is the cbs evening news. Axelrod good evening. We begin tonight with that meteor that exploded over russia. Scientists now say it was even bigger and heavier than they first thought 55 feet long and weighing 10,000 tons. It was moving at a speed of 40,000 Miles Per Hour when it hit the atmosphere, produce an enormous shock wave that blew out windows and injured 1200 people in chelyabinsk, russia. Tony guida has more on the largest known media to hit the earth since 1908. Reporter at chebarkul lake 950 miles east of moscow, scientists today looked for remnants of the meteor. Fisherman Valery Morozov saw the space rock falling through the sky. In a matter of seconding, he says, it appeared to grow from a small flare into a huge ball and then an unbelievably bright flash. About once every 100 years something bigger than a minivan will come through the atmosphere and impact either our atmosphere or the earth. Reporter and this was that event . That was that event. Reporter charles liu an astronomer at the City University of new york, says we were lucky that the meteor, made up prarl of rock or ice, blew up in the atmosphere with a force of 20 atomic bombs. If this amount of energy had been detonated at ground level instead of 10 miles up, it would have probably leveled every single building in an area the size of chicago. Reporter thats hundreds of thousands, maybe millions dead. Its hard to think about that the possibility could be that, but its there. Reporter the explosion blew out windows in thousands of apartment buildings sending glass shards flying. No one was killed. Among the jur injured two00 children. More than 300 schools sustained damage. A wall at a zinc factually claeped. The regions governor promised to replace all the broken windows in a week, a long way where the temperature was 12 below zero. Tony guida cbs news, new york. Axelrod the russians werent the only ones looking up and seeing meteors purpose there were two other apparent meteor sightings reported last night one over cuba and then look at the upper right part of your screen. This image was captured in san francisco. Neither of these other two meteors caused any injuries or damage. Joining us now for more on all this activity above earth is jeffrey kluger, the science editor for time magazine. It has started to feel weve warnedded into some sort of meteor blizzard. Has something actually changed . Actually, it hasnt. The earth has been playing in cosmic traffic for about 4. 5 billion years. The fact is were hit by about 100 tons of space debris every day, and that include at least one object the size of a basketball. And every four months, something comes in about as big as a volkswagen. Axelrod so with all this debris floating around, how carefully are we looking out for it . Very carefully actually. Since 1995, nasa has been charged by congress with keeping a 24houraday sevendayaweek watch on the skies, and theyre doing this principally with three observatories in new mexico, california and puerto rico, that have discovered about 98 of all the asteroid we know that are out there. Axelrod if they identify a potential threat what can then be done by way of a Defense System . Well, thats a real possibility. You dont want to destroy these things. Theyre too dangerous and its too impractical. What you can do is deflect them. Nasa has already perfected the art of landing on asteroids orbiting asteroids and we even fired an impactor into the side of a comet to study the debris. You can do the same impact mod welan asteroid and speed it up or slow it down by as little as a few centimeters a second. That way had it arrives at earths orbit weve already passed by or havent arrived at the rendezvous yet. Axelrod just a fraction. Just a fraction. Axelrod in south africa today the extended family of olympic runner Oscar Pistorius came to his defense claiming the states own evidence will refute the charge that he deliberately shot and killed his girlfriend. Kelly cobiella has the latest on a case that has two families in shock. Reporter lawyers for Oscar Pistorius met with him today as did his grandmother at the Pretoria Police station where hes been held since his arrest on valentines day. Speaking on the familys behalf, his urgele, arnold pistorius. Our entire family is devastate pd we are in a state of total shock. Reporter his upscale home where girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was found dead is still taped off. She was reportedly shot four times through a closed bathroom door with a gun owned by pistorius. Early reports suggested that the hero athlete thought he was shooting an intruder. South africa has one of the highest Violent Crime rates in the world 40 murders a day, on average. Millions live in gated communities with panic alarms and guns. Last november, pistorius tweeted that he mistook the washing machine for a rosh and went went into full combat recon mode into the pantry. Prosecutors say this was murder, not a mistake. While pistorius has not yet entered a plea his family insists the evidence will show otherwise. We have no doubt here there is no substance for the allegations. Reporter Reeva Steenkamp 29 was on the verge of super stardom in south africa, a successful mod wela new Reality Tv Show that aired tonight. The producers decided to go ahead, despite her death. The family agreed, even as they plan her private memorial. Uncle Mike Steenkamp i cant see the family getting over this shortly. Its going to be a long, longterm reconciliation. Reporter pistorius who wept during his First Court Appearance yesterday, will be back in court on tuesday for a bail hearing. His lawyers are expected to argue for his release. Kelly cobiella, cbs news, london. Axelrod police in pakistan say at least 65 people are dead and 200 wounded after a bombing today stay crowded market. It happened in the city of quetta. The bomb was set off by Remote Control while dozens of women and children were doing their weekend shopping. The vatican says it may move up the conclave to choose a new pope. Pope benedict, who met with italys Prime Minister today in one of his last private audiences, steps down february 28. The conclave, currently set for midmarch, could happen sooner if the cardinals approve. Now to Southern California and questions facing the sheriff of San Bernardino county about his departmentsing of the deadly standoff with former l. A. Cop christopher dorner. Carter evans tells us the sheriff is standing by his deposit. Reporter authorities are now releasing more details about christopher dorners final hours. We were caught in the crossfire, a gun battle that lasted nearly an hour. Then silence. Swat team leader greg herbert there was no response from the suspect, none, no movement. And we felt that, based upon his behavior, that he was laying in wait for us. Reporter with daylight fading herberts team deployed a powerful form of tear gas known as a burner. The cabin caught fire and as the flames grew larger. We heard a distinct single gunshot come from inside the house. The information we have right now seems to indicate that the wound that took christopher dorners life was selfinflicted. Reporter captain kevin lacey made it official dorner killed himself. Less clear is whether the fire was deliberately set. You indicated on wednesday that you did not intentionally burn that cabin down to get mr. Dorner out. Audio we recorded there suggests differently. I stand by that remark. Burn that bleep house down. Get going right now. We did not intentionally burn that cabin down. I would suggest to you that those comments were made by somebody away from the tactical team. Reporter sheriff john mcmahon is also facing questions about the early days of the massive manhunt. On february 8 he briefed the news media we have searched the entire area thats within this close proximity. Reporter it turned out dorner was inside a condo less than 100 feet away the whole time, overlooking the sheriffs command post. I dont believe that we made any mistakes at this point. The search itself, our deputy sheriffs performed flawlessly. Reporter before his rampage ended dorner killed four people, including a San Bernardinosanbernardino county sheriffs deputy on the final day. Axelrod some highways in michigan are now closed after a winter storm there. Dozens of vehicles were involved in a series of multicar pileups south of detroit after a quick burst of snow reduced visibility. Part of the carolinas spent the day under a Winter Weather advisory. They got several inches of snow there this afternoon. Later, a painkilling addict tells his story. Meet the 17yearold American World womens slalom champion. And guns and gun control on a collision course in one small town. That over time, having high cholesterol and any of these risk factors can put them at increased risk for plaque buildup in their arteries. So its even more important to lower their cholesterol and thats why, when diet and exercise alone arent enough, i prescribe crestor. In a Clinical Trial versus Lipitor Crestor got more highrisk patients bad cholesterol to a goal of under 100. [ female announcer ] crestor is not right for everyone. Like people with Liver Disease or women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant. Tell your doctor about other medicines youre taking. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain or weakness feel unusually tired, have loss of appetite upper belly pain, dark urine or yellowing of skin or eyes. These could be signs of rare but serious side effects. Is your cholesterol at goal . Talk to your doctor about crestor. 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I know you got to go in a minute but this is a real quick meal thats perfect for two campbells chunky beef with country vegetables poured over rice [ male announcer ] campbells chunky soup. It fills you up right. Before copd. I took my son fishing every year. We had a great spot not easy to find, but worth it. But with copd making it hard to breathe i thought those days might be over. So my doctor prescribed symbicort. It helps significantly improve my lung function starting within five minutes. Rampage ended, dorner killed four people, including a San Bernardino county sheriffs deputy on the final day. Ptoms. With symbicort, today im breathing better. And that means. Fish on symbicort is for copd including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It should not be taken more than twice a day. Symbicort may increase your risk of lung infections, osteoporosis, and some eye problems. Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high Blood Pressure before taking it. With copd, i thought id miss our family tradition. Now symbicort significantly improves my lung function starting within 5 minutes. And that makes a difference in my breathing. Today, were ready for whatever swims our way. Ask your doctor about symbicort. I got my first prescription free. Call or click to learn more. [ male announcer ] if you cant afford your medication astrazeneca may be able to help. [ male announcer ] a tradition unlike any other. [ man ] another watson is wearing a green jacket and this time his name is bubba. [ male announcer ] the masters on cbs. Youve been paying more for gasoline recently, its because you have. The latest survey of gas prices around the country shows an average price for a gallon of unleaded regular to be 3. 69 a gallon. Thats up 11 cents in the last week, 40 cents in the last month. We are now seeing something on wall street we havent seen for a while a rash of megadeals and mergers. This week, food giant heinz announced warren buffet would be purchasing the company, along with a Brazilian Group for 23 billion. And American Airlines and us airways announced an 11 billion merger. Join us is mark zandi chief economist of moodys analytics. So many reports of starts and stop of the recovery. What are the possibilities this is a sustained traction . I think this is the real deal. Confidence is improving and confidence is key to a better economy. These investors in these Companies Feel good about their prospects. Of course they have very low Interest Rates record low Interest Rates that they can borrow to help finance those purchases. And the shareholders in these Companies Feel like theyre get a fair deal because stock prices are back close to record levels. Activities are back to levels we havent seen since before the Great Recession and i think that means the country is getting back to normal. Axelrod so confidence is going tow produce deals but i think what a lot of people want to know is what does that mean for job creation . Good question. In the near term, i think it means job losses because most mergers and acacquisitions are about cost cutting although in the deals being done now i think cost cutting will be more modest than in times past. But in the longer run it will mean more jobs. This is necessary to get these companies in shape, these industries in shape. In the case of American Airlines us airways, the unions are in favor of about of it because they know they have to go through this to make for a Better Airline and more jobs in the future. Axelrod so a little more shortterm pain but your sense is sustained longterm gain on the other side. Mark zandi thanks for being with us. Thats right. Thank you. Axelrod more than 1,000 jobs may be in jeopardy in a small town in upstate new york, and many of the people who live there are blaming the push from new yorks governor for tighter gun control. Magalie laguerrewilkonson has the story. Reporter founded in 1816, remington is americas oldest arms manufacturer. Illion, new york, is home. Mayor John Stephens says business is booming. Pun intend, theyre going great gun. Reporter in recent years stephens says, remington has brought 50 million to the region annually. Its 200 years almost of history. It just wouldnt seem right to have it someplace else. Reporter stephens is worried because outsiders have set their sights on the the plants 1300 jobs. In the aftermath of the newtown connecticut, School Shooting new York Governor Andrew Cuomo pass the the nations strictest gun control, banning highcapacity magazines and assault weapons. Within two weeks, South Carolina congressman jeff duncan wrote to remingtons c. E. O. Saying, in South Carolina, we believe in the right to keep and bear arms. We need to encourage other businesses who share those beliefs to relocate to the palmetto state. Many the town are worried. Herkimer county legislator ray johnson sooner or later some of the vawfers to start looking a little bit better. Do we stay here or do we move . Reporter so speak of officers, there were solicitations. There are five or six out there right now. Reporter South Carolina is not alone. Arizona, kentucky, michigan, oklahoma and texas have also made offers. What would happen if remington had to close up shop here . Youre talking about the mom and pop shops that depend on you know 400 to 600 employees for shift. Once thats gone, all these other shops, they close up. Reporter remington would not comment on camera. But told cbs news that the company was exploring all options. Magalie laguerrewilkonson, cbs news illion, new york. Axelrod up next, hes an executive and pain killer addict and he says he cant stop. Axelrod we want to take a look tonight at Prescription Drug abuse where overdoses were linked to more than 15,000 deaths in 2009. Thats more than the number of cocaine and heroine deaths combined. Mark strassmann with an executive battling his addiction. We agreed to conceal his face upon. His name is jeff. You cant just stop. Its not possible just to stop. You cant do it on your own. Reporter jeffs addiction story began two and a half years ago when he was hurt in a car accident. Doctors prescribed narcotic pain killer oxycodone, and antianxiety drug xanax. He was eager to get back to work and says he leaned too much on his drugs and now every day he takes more than double the original dosage. 12 pain pills a day. With xanax. Reporter with 10 xanax a day. So some days youre taking 22 pills. Yes. Make one phone call, they prescribe thernlg i pick them up. Reporter but do these doctors have any idea how much youre taking . They do not call me in. They do not ask me any questions. Reporter Nick Kardaras is clinical director at the dunes Treatment Center in upscale east hampton, new york. Hes troubled that in 20 years prescriptions for pain narcotics have tripled to 210 million per year. Is there a rise in pain or a rise to our intolerance of pain . Because i cant in good conscience as an academic, as a researcher accept the notion that we have three times more pain over the last 20 years. In 2010, collegeeducated pill addicts seeking treatment hit a record high, 17. 5 . But many more whitecollar addicts refuse to get help like jeff. I pretty much work and come home. I have settled down to a life of doing nothing. Reporter everything is telling you to stop. All the signs are there. Reporter there seems to be no accountability, not by the doctors, not by the system or by you. Youre absolutely right and i realize that. Reporter he wont ask his real estate employer for help, aphrase of losing everything. I manage multimilliondollar assets. I cannot leave these properties to take a leave. Its just not possible. When were talking about higher functioning and more successful type of addicts, their excuses are more readily built in. So real or imagined that becomes the excuse to not get into treatment. Reporter for a guy who sees himself as very disciplined and in control you have given up. At this point i would say yes, i have. Have i had suicidal thoughts . Yes. Who wants to live a life like this. But at the same time i have a family and a child that depends upon me. Their drug has become their lover, their crutch, their coping mechanism. You create a story that leaves you there. Jeff knows he has created his own story of addiction. He has yet to write awe new chapter where he will get out alive. Strauss strawrks cbs news, atlanta. 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Serious side effects could include increased risk of prostate cancer; worsening prostate symptoms; decreased sperm count; ankle, feet, or body swelling; enlarged or painful breasts; problems breathing while sleeping; and blood clots in the legs. Common side effects include skin redness or irritation where applied, increased red blood cell count headache, diarrhea, vomiting and increase in psa. See your doctor, and for a 30day free trial, go to axiron. Com. Shes 17 years old and americas newest world champion. In fact, Skier Mikaela Shiffrin is the youngest world slalom champ in almost four decades. Manuel bojorquez has the story. Mikaela shiffrin was in third place heading into this final run, but after the race, her time said she was the fastest in the world despite her prerace jitters. Just tried to find my legs. They popped up out of nowhere. I was in the starting gate. And i was like, there they are. I can go no. Reporter geoff mintz writes for ski racing magazine and he was there. We spoke with him have a skype from austria. Shes very smart. She handles things in a way that, you know you would expect of a 30yearold athlete maybe not a 17yearold athlete. Reporter its easy to forget shes just a teenager from vail, colorado. She hasnt even graduated from high school. I could use a hug from my dad. Reporter but shes no stranger to worldclass skiing. Last year, she was named world cup rookie of the year. Oh i guess i just tried to fly. Reporter earlier this month, star skier lindsey vonn had a major crash that ended her season. Expectations for shiffrin are high. Theres no such thing as a sure thing in the sport of ski racing, but if there ever was one, shes as close as you can get to it. Reporter this may be shiffrins biggest victory to date with the Winter Olympics just a year away. Manuel bojorquez, cbs news, new york. Axelrod and that is the cbs evening news. Later on cbs 48 hours. For now im jim axelrod in new york. For all of us here at cbs news, good night. Captioning sponsored by cbs captioned by Media Access Group at wgbh access. Wgbh. Org