An ecigarette explodes in the pocket of a california man whos riding a bus. Once again calling the safety of those devices into question today, thursday, december 22nd, 2016. Announcer from nbc news, this is today with matt lauer and Savannah Guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. And good morning, everyone. Welcome to today on a thursday morning. Im matt lauer, alongside hoda kotb here while savannah continues on maternity leave. If i were an ecigarette user, i might be considering a new years resolution. No kidding. Those are the ones that are caught on tape. We were talking about how many happened that have not been captured on tape. El wwell tell you more aboue circumstances surrounding that little bit. But breaking news, overnight raids tied to the International Manhunt for a suspect in that truck attack in berlin. Nbcs Anne Thompson has been covering this story. Anne, good morning to you. Reporter good morning, matt. German authorities find themselves playing offense and defense this morning, aggressively pursuing the suspect while explaining how he eluded their grasp after they identified him as a potential threat earlier this year. He is the most wanted man in europe. 24 years old, now the focus of a manhunt for the murderous attack on a Christmas Market in berlin. German police executing raids in berlin and across the country looking for him. His papers found in the cab of the semi truck that barreled through this holiday spot at 40 Miles Per Hour killing 12 people. Amri is a Tunisian National and reportedly of italy as well. Described as armed and dangerous, amri is rel knowell o German Authorities. After arriving he was put under surveillance for six months suspected of plotting an attack. This past august he was arrested on suspicion of having fake documents but was later released. He applied for sigh lem, but was rejected. His deportation set for july did not happen because he did not have a salad. Tunisian pass report. All adding to the controversy here or chancellor merkels promise to allow over 1 million ref refugees into germany. This morning the Christmas Market reopened. Did you worry here about coming here today . Not too much. Because life must going on. Im a little worried. Reporter now surrounded by concrete blocks, memorials filled with candles and flowers stand next to stalls selling gifts and sausages. Prayers for the victims offered at the neighboring church. As berliners begin their holiday celebrations under a cloud of suspicion and fear. More than one person today told me that life must go on to help catch amri. The German Authorities are offering a reward of up to 100,000 eurozone. President elect trump weighed in on the attack in berlin after meeting with executives from the nations largest defense contractors. Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Nbcs Kristen Welker has more on that story. Kristen, good morning. Reporter hoda, good morning to you. A senior transition official tells me president elect Donald Trumps day is again stacked with meetings and it comes after that rare and quick press availability that he held yesterday. He covered a range of topics and even raised a few eyebrows. President elect donald trump trying to show hes hard at work even at maralago. Meeting wednesday with the heads of two major defense contractors, Lockheed Martin and boeing. Trump previously threatened to cancel boeings order for two new air force one planes claiming it would cost more than 4 billion. After the meeting, boeings ceo now says were going to get it done for less than that. Reporter trump also called the cost of Lockheed Martins f35 fighter jet out of control. He insists that price will also come down. It is a dance. You know . It is a little bit of a dance. But were going to get the costs down and were going to get it done beautifully. Reporter earlier mr. Trump taking a tough tone on the terror attacks in europe after emerging from a series of National Security meetings. Thats an attack on humanitarian. Thats what it is. It is an attack on humanity and its got to be stopped. Reporter mr. Trump also revisiting his Controversial Campaign promise. A total and complete shutdown of muslims entering the United States yl ountil our countrys representatives can figure out what the hell is going on. Reporter seeming to insist he now stands by that proposed ban and a possible muslim registry, plans his own advisors have tried to walk back. My plans haul along. Ive proven to be right. 100 correct. Reporter after it was confirmed more americans voted for Hillary Clinton than any other losing candidate in u. S. History, she tops mr. Trump by nearly 3 million in the popular vote. Trump tweeting, i would have done even better in the election if that is possible if the winner was based on popular vote but would campaign differently. Just moments ago, mr. Trump announced he is appointing Kellyanne Conway as counselor to the president. She is, of course, the Campaign Manager who helped him win. Shes been a frequent presence on Television Shows and shes indicated that she plans to move her family from new jersey to washington, d. C. Matt . Hoda . All right, Kristen Welker, thanks so much. Also this morning, the death toll is expected to rise even higher from that massive explosion at a fireworks market that was near mexico city. Two days later crews are still searching for people who are missing and theyre searching for a cause of that blast. Nbcs Kerry Sanders is at one of the hospitals where victims are being treated. Kerry, good morning. Reporter good morning, matt. So many people were injured in the explosions that the ambulances took them to various hospitals. Doctors say this morning of the 53 people who were still hospitalized, five of the victims are literally clinging to life. This morning, the smell of gun powder and smoke still hang in the air. Dogs brought in to search through the debris helping with the grim task of looking for more bodies. Some of the most severely burned are children. Like 13yearold juan carlos with burns over 35 of his body. He was flown 700 miles to the Shriners Hospital burn unit in galveston, texas for special care. The massive scope of this disaster is even more evident from above. This video from a drone showing a moon scape over an area the size of four football fields. Just three days ago the bustling fireworks market, the biggest in mexico, looked similar to this. Authorities now say at least a dozen people are unaccounted for. Among them, 8yearold oscar, 15yearold juan antonio and 15yearold juanmala. This man is clinging to hope. Translator have the hope and have the most we can do, hold on to hope. Reporter when asked who does he blame, this man says its as if a plane fell from the sky or a factory blew up. It is the same. It is an accident. This morning, the focus remains on looking for the missing. Desperate family members who want news, even if it is that worst news that their loved ones have died. Matt . Kerry sanders, thanks. A lot of people still wondering whether they are even going to attempt to rebuild that market in the future. All right. There is a lot of finger pointing going on in North Carolina this morning after a special session of the legislature failed to repeal the states controversial socalled bathroom bill. Critics left the special session chanting shame, shame, shame. The laws bestknown provision requires transgender people to use restrooms in public buildings according to the sex on their birth certificates. Opponents like the states Incoming Democratic governor, call it discriminatory. Im disappointed that we have yet to remove this stain on the reputation of our great state that is around this country and around the world. It is not a hate bill. It is protecting women and children. The Republicancontrolled Legislature has been under pressure from gay Rights Groups and Business Leaders to repeal the law because of lost jobs and canceled sporting and entertainment events. Now to georgia where officials have released body cam video of the moments leading up to a deadly shooting that occurred a little earlier this month. Americas Police Officer nicholas smar and Georgia Southwestern State University officer jody smith were responding to a domestic dispute when a man inside the apartment ran out the back door. The officers took off after him yelling for him to stop, and that is when the suspect turned, opened fire, and then the video ends abruptly. Both officers died. The suspect was found dead the next day from an apparent selfinflicted gunshot wound. The cause of actor alan thickes death has been confirmed. Thicke died of a ruptured aorta according to his death certificate. It was released wednesday, two days after his funeral. He was playing hockey with his youngest son at a rink in burbank, california last week when he complained of chest pains. He died a few minutes after being taken by ambulance to a hospital. He was 69 years old. Uber, the ride sharing company, has been locked in a dispute with state regulators over permitting issues. On wednesday the dmv moved to revoke the vehicles registration. Now uber has been arguing that it doesnt need an Autonomous Car permit like other selfdriving car tests because a driver sits in the vehicles at all times ready to take control. According to the dmv in San Francisco, thats not good enough. Now to that video we showed you at the top of the show of an ecigarette exploding in a mans pocket while he rode a bus in california. Nbcs Gadi Schwartz has more. From the looks of this video, there was very little warning, the ecigarette sparking into what looked like a firework that the man in this video could not escape. Reporter two people talking on the bus. The one on right has an ecigarette in his pocket that is about to explode. In slow motion, you can see the ecigarette shooting out flames so intense, it burns right through his pants. The man taken to a fresno, california hospital to be treated for burns. Earlier this week investigators in england releasing similar video, an ecigarette exploding near a baby stroller at a store. Since 2009, there have been nearly 100 cases of exploding ecigarettes in the u. S. Experts say in many of these incidents the ecigarettes shoot flames like a small rocket when the lithium ion battery that powers them overheats exploding through a metal case. Accidents have reportedly sent dozens of people to hospitals suffering with second and third degree burns. Ecigarette retailers say many of the explosions are caused by modifications to videotaping devices and the incorrect usage of lithium ion batteries. I always tell people make sure you research and know what youre doing when you get into this because it can be dangerous. Reporter it is this same kind of battery linked to recalls in exploding hoverboards earlier this year. Now new york senator Chuck Schumer is saying a recall of certain ecigarette parts should be considered. Ecigarettes have become ticking time bombs. When we see several Car Accidents that might lead to trouble, we see recalls. Why not ecigarettes . Reporter earlier this year, the american videotaaping assoc told nbc news when charged and used under proper conditions, vapor products cause no more problems that use lithium ion batteries like cell phones and laptops. Cases are still being reviewed of the explosions. This morning in a just released statement, the Tobacco Vapor Electronic Association calls these incidents 100 avoidable, saying it appears to be the battery that charges the ecigarette adding these are highpowered rechargeable batteries that when not stored properly could cause harm. This is most likely due to the individual having other metal objects like small change and keys in their pockets. Obviously something to consider going flu this travinto this tr. Lets take a look at some shocking dash cam video now from minnesota. It shows a walmart truck swerving all over the road last july as the police tried to pull the driver over. When he finally stopped the truck, couldnt even get out of the cab without falling to the ground. Then he couldnt stand up. Police say his blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit. Pin side that truck they found two large bottles of vodka, one of them opened. Driver was charged with two counts of driving while trox cat intoxicated and the third party Trucking Company that hired him has informed walmart he has been fired. Thank god no one got hurt. Dave price is in for mr. Al roker on this thursday. Hi, guys. We couldnt get through this week without some weather trouble. This is the next Storm Brewing at this point. You can see, there is a cold front right there and an area of low pressure is going to develop around it. As that happens it is going to bring some heavy rains to sections of seattle and portland, San Francisco and l. A. Thats where we could see some travel delays today. Keep in mind we could see some mountain snow in the sierra, cascades and the olympics. Sections of the western u. S. As the system continues to advance eastward as we head to Christmas Eve day, the problems move to phoenix and salt lake city. Phoenix for rain and salt lake for snow. Snow moves into the rockies and the great basin. Now keep in mind, watch billings to bismarck. Were going to advance the motion of the maps right here. This is where we are concerned for some very heavy snow as we head into sunday. Blizzard conditions for the high plains, travel delays in minneapolis and kansas city. And in chicago. And rain as we head to the south. Were keeping an eye on all of that. It is going to be a very busy few days weather wise as we watch this system work its way across the United States. As far as what we can all expect today, unseasonably mild from the gulf states through florida. We could see snow showers stretching through sections of the Capital District in new york, up through new england and very, very mild right now in the Northern Plains and up by the canadian border. Thats a quick look at our national maps. Well have your walgreens presents, a holiday mini miracle. Hey hey this is for you. Did you really . Didnt have too getting the gift you almost kept for yourself . Now thats a holiday mini miracle. And its easy to create your own at walgreens. With most stores open till midnight, and till 10 p. M. On christmas day. Walgreens. At the corner of happy and healthy. Good morning, im meteorologist bill henley. Clouds came in overnight. A few showers overnight. The clouds are moving out, too. Well see more and more sunshine. This afternoon, 50 degrees in delaware. Close to 50 in philadelphia. Look at the warmup at the shore and for inland areas of new jersey. Clouds will thin out in the suburbs. 44 degrees for the High Temperature. And for the Lehigh Valley, dry during the day. And the clouds will move out. Sunshine takes over this afternoon. Thats your weather. R. See you again in just a little bit. Cant wait, dafve. What what we are now learning about the health scare that caused Queen Elizabeth and her husband to delay Christmas Plans at Buckingham Palace. And how stepped up security for the president elect is affecting stores inside trump tower. Coming up, Emmy Award Winning actor jim parsons will be here to talk about his latest genius role and the future of his hit sitcom. And the year in review. The Historic Events and people we were all talking about in 2016. But first on a thursday morning, these the flu virus. Its a really big deal. And with fever, aches, and chills, mom knows it needs a big solution an antiviral. Dont kid around with the flu, call your doctor within the first 48 hours of symptoms and ask about prescription tamiflu. Attack the flu virus at its source with tamiflu, an antiviral that helps stop it from spreading in the body. Tamiflu in liquid form is fda approved to treat the flu in people two weeks of age and older whose flu symptoms started within the last two days. Before taking tamiflu tell your doctor if youre pregnant, nursing, have Serious Health conditions, or take other medicines. If you develop an allergic reaction, a severe rash, or signs of unusual behavior, stop taking tamiflu and call your doctor immediately. Children and adolescents in particular may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion, or abnormal behavior. The most common side effects are mild to moderate nausea, vomiting and headache. Antiflu . Go antiviral with tamiflu. Spoiler alert right now toysrus has shopkins you cant get anywhere else like, the new shopkins all star collection that has a sneak peek of season seven toys. Im really glad you spoiled that for me. Get the new shopkins all star collection and happy places season 2. Toysrus. Awwwesome we asked woman to smell two body washes andi prefer b. Favorite. B. What