good evening. entire towns in ecuador have been reduced to piles of rubble. as the nation's president said today, buildings can be rebuilt. the priority is finding survivors. officials say the earthquake saturday evening killed at least 238 people and injured more than 1,500 with a magnitude of 7.8. it was the strongest earthquake to hit ecuador since 1979. our miguel almadir has made his way to the capital of quitoed on has this report. >> reporter: the most powerful earthquake to rock ecuador in decades. a magnitude of 7.8. injuring well over 1,000 and leaving many missing. i need to find my baby, says vanessa it's been five hours since she disappeared. all they're telling me is that my family is buried. 100 miles outside of the nation's capital of quito, the frantic search for survivors is growing even more desperate every hour. a crowd trying to save this driver of this car, only to realize later there was nothing they could do. the massive quake jolted ecuador saturday night. sending thousands into the street. ecuador's largest city, guayaquil, is in ruins. bridges have collapsed. entire neighborhoods are flattened. shot this drone video today. >> we have buildings that three, four stories high, just, you know, like pancake effect and they're all in the basement now. >> reporter: with the tremors felt as far away as colombia, landslides are blocking rescue workers. begging, we have to be quiet so rescuers can listen for survivors. this woman cries, my cousin is in the rubble. anguish and devastation are everywhere, and so is the plea for help. stephanie lives just a few hours from the quake's epicenter. >> please help us. my country needs everyone now. >> reporter: in regions hard hit, power is out, phones are down and are many sleeping in the streets. tonight, the military is moving in. the death toll here will climb and so will the number of missing. but there is some hope. rescue teams say this young girl trapped inside what is left of this hotel. a survivor's story in a sea of destruction and loss. with some 400 buildings said to be destroyed, a number that is certain to rise, help is on the way for mexico and this hour. there have been more than 200 aftershocks. that will make the rescue mission dangerous. >> miguel, thank you. 9,000 miles across the pacific in japan, two powerful earthquakes there in recent days are causing massive problems. tonight, 41 people are dead and it's still very much an ongoing situation. there have been more than 400 aftershocks. the japanese government says there could be more. the u.s. is offering air assistance to get supplies to people who need them. a series of earthquakes on either side of the pacific ocean in just a few days. so the natural question are these two quakes somehow related. joining me now, seismologist dr. lucy jones, formerly of the u.s. geological survey. is it just a coincidence? >> it really is just a coincidence. we want a pattern because it would be less scary. randomness scas us so we look for the pattern but, in fa or twice a month. so it's not a big deal. we have looked for patterns and we never see an increase in rate of earthquakes more than 100 miles away. >> a big deal that so many people are dead and injured in these. any time we have major earthquakes, it puts americans on edge. people who live near the san andreas fault, they're going to want to know is there any way to predict the next big one? >> i get back to saying the time is random. these earthquakes didn't make a san andreas earthquake more likely. it also didn't make it less likely. the one thing that is not random in earthquakes is where they happen. we know where they are. we know where the shaking's going to be. eventually. and as we compare the level of damage we see in japan and ecuador, it reminds us how important building codes are and enforcement of the building codes because building a building right in the first place is a lot better than having two hours to get out from thanks so much as always. turning to politics now. tomorrow marks exactly three months until the republican national convention but who the party officially decides will be its nominee is still very much a mystery. when it comes down to it, both the gop and the democrats are dealing with the same issue. accord to our new nbc news/"wall street journal" poll, their respective front-runners are seen in the least favorable light of any candidate left in the race. so voters are being forced to make some tough choices. we have two reports tonight. we begin with jacob rascon. >> reporter: kate, good evening. we're now only two days away from the new york primary which donald trump hopes will be a turning point in the race. giving him the momentum that he needs to avoid an open convention. meanwhile, a new polling shows that despite the unfavorability numbers, 62% of republican voters say if no gop candidate reaches the majority of delegates before the convention, the candidate with the trump should be the party's nominee. on the homestretch in his home state, donald trump, ahead by the widest margin of the primary season, campaigning as if the race was neck and neck. 12 campaign stops in 12 days. >> we have to win by big number because we have a system that's absolutely rigged, it's rigged. >> reporter: determined not just to win but to mathematically wipe out rival ted cruz. >> when he gets wiped out in new york, which he will, he no longer has a road to the nomination. >> reporter: pivoting confidently past cleveland, the master of name calling. >> poor jeb. limb marco. lying ted cruz. >> reporter: testing political death by nickname on the other front runner. >> crooked hillary. >> reporter: meanwhile, ted cruz betting on a contested convention, shutting out trump delegates again in wyoming, saying this is how elections are won in america. >> thank you, god bless you. >> reporter: to trump, losing in wyoming where there is no primary is an honor. >> that's not democracy. you're allowed essentially to pay off these people. >> reporter: trump buyers voting his argument. >> it sounds like it's rigged. >> the person with the most delegates should win. >> reporter: or maybe the most merchandise. selling campaign souvenirs. these vendors say -- >> whatever sells most per that candidate, that candidate wins every time. >> the white house? >> the white house. >> every time? >> either time. >> reporter: their prediction, donald trump. his campaign counting on a knockout before july. jacob rascon, nbc news, poughkeepsie, new york. >> reporter: i'm kristen welker on staten island with secretary clinten. >> we have a big election on tuesday, the democratic primary. >> reporter: she and senator sanders making a final frenzied push ahead of tuesday's primary. >> this is a movement of people who are prepared to not small. >> reporter: this, as clinton is coming under fire. after attending two california fund-raisers hosted by george clooney. prompting some sanders support are pers to throw dollar bills at the secretary's car. >> i am raising money to elect other democrats. want to see us take back the senate. >> reporter: on "meet the press," clooney echoed that sentiment, but also agreed with parts of sander's argument. >> it's ridiculous we should have this kind of money in politics. >> reporter: those words giving sanders an opening when asked if clooney is backing the wrong horse. >> well, i think he is but he is honest enough to say that there is something wrong when few people who are able to contribute unbelievably large sums of money. >> reporter: still, clinton is leading by double digits in new york. sanders aides acknowledge a loss here will make his tough odds even steeper. sanders has the money to keep going. many delegates as possible and then pivot to more winnable states like oregon and delegate-rich california. >> after the new york primary on tuesday, there really aren't very many contests left that offer a large number of delegates. >> reporter: senator sanders drew his largest crowd yet tonight. more than 28,000 people in prospect park. secretary clinton is brushing aside donald trump's new nickname for her, crooked hillary, saying she could, quote, care less. kate. >> kristen welker, jacob rascon, thank you. the maryland man who allegedly shot and killed a firefighter responding to a call on friday is no longer in custody. he was interviewed and released. the man who has not been named by police told detectives he thought someone was try to break into his home. a relative had called 911 thinking the man needed medical attention. two firefighters were shot. one died. the second firefighter is expected to california is the latest to join a growing and controversial trend, training and arming teachers with guns in case they're needed for protection. some are asking do the risks outweigh the potential benefits. >> reporter: there are no fences at kingsburg high school in california, no security guard assign to campus. instead, there are plans for five guns on school grounds strapped to a secret group of teachers or staff. >> we're only going to put this opportunity in the hands of folks that are willing to do it. >> reporter: the idea, the district says, cut down on a possible three to five-minute gap in police response during an active shooting. some experts think measures like these are more symbolic than effective. >> it won't have a significant effect on public safety. but the chance that there's a mass shooting at that school district is infinitesimally small. >> reporter: the school district is going class to class telling enforcement will know who is armed. >> anybody who decides on our campus to be part of this project will go through training. >> reporter: nationwide at least a dozen schools have approved school staff to carry weapons with prior administration approval. but there have been problems. in 2014, at least two educators accidentally shot themselves on campus. are you at all concerned about accidental shootings on campus? >> i think accidental shootings are a concern, but to me they're no more a concern than any other accident. >> measures like this could actually make school less safe. students who are prone to high-risk behavior might decide they want to get their hands on those guns. >> reporter: the reviews from the community are mixed. >> asking them to carry a weapon is totally out of the realm of education. >> makes you feel a little safer. >> reporter: the superintendant is standing his ground. >> if somebody is trying to hurt one of you, then i need to be prepared to do everything possible to eliminate that. >> reporter: another school district arming hoping to teach and protect. scotty schwartz, nbc news, kingsburg, california. the u.s. supreme court takes up one of the biggest cases of the term tomorrow and one that's been hotly contested in the presidential campaign. it's the battle over president obama's immigration plan that could shield more than 4 million people from deportation. we get more tonight from our justice correspondent pete williams. >> reporter: rolando martinez and isabel came to the u.s. to escape violence in honduras. two of their three children were born here. though they're here illegally, they hope to stay and provide a better life for their children. >> they have a -- the opportunity growing in peace, growing. they will have opportunity to what are they want to do in their life. >> reporter: under a program announced a year and a half ago by president obama, they could million other adults living here illegally whose children are american citizens. >> you'll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily without fear of deportation. you can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. >> reporter: with an estimated 11 million people here illegally, the administration says there's no way to deport them all. so it's concentrating on criminals and terrorists and telling others they can legally get work under thehas never gon effect. the result of a lawsuit filed by 26 mostly republican-led states, led by texas. they say president obama doesn't have the power to make such sweeping changes in the immigration rules on his own. >> we don't want any president, republican, democrat, liberal, conservative, to have the authority to change the law. that is completely within the power of congress. >> reporter: texas says it will cost the state millions to issue drivers licenses for those who will be eligible to stay and get jobs. but 16 other states are urging go into effect now while it's still work its way through the courts. they say it would help the economy. >> why not bring these folks out of the shadows, participate more fully in our workforce, bring additional revenues to our states, revenue we badly need, and keep those families together. >> reporter: this is president's last hopeenforcing the program. if the administration lose, it will take at least another year while the legal battle plays out and his immigration plan remains on hold. >> pete williams, thank you. still ahead tonight, good service guaranteed or your money back. we'll go to a hospital that's making that offer. also, dreams fulfilled. the syrian refugees who syou to. nobody's hurt, but there will still be pain. it comes when your insurance company says they'll only pay three quarters of what it takes to replace it. what are you supposed to do? drive three quarters of a car? now if you had liberty mutual new car replacement, i guess they don't want you driving around on three wheels. smart. with liberty mutual new car replacement, we'll replace the full value of your car. see car insurance in a whole new light. liberty mutual insurance. try cool mint zantac. hey, need fast heartburn relief? it releases a cooling sensation in your mouth and throat. zantac works in as little as 30 minutes. nexium can take 24 hours. try cool mint zantac. no pill relieves heartburn faster. type 2 diabetes doesn't care who you are. man. woman. or where you're from. city. country. we're just everyday people fighting high blood sugar. ♪ i am everyday people, yea, yea. ♪ farxiga helps lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. one pill a day helps lower your a1c. and, although it's not a weight-loss or blood-pressure drug, farxiga may help you lose weight and may even lower systolic blood pressure when used with metformin. do not take if allergic to farxiga or its ingredients. symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing or swallowing. if you have any of these symptoms stop taking farxiga and seek medical help right away. do not take farxiga if you have severe kidney problems, are on dialysis, or have bladder cancer. tell your doctor right away if you have blood or red color in your urine or pain while you urinate. farxiga can cause serious side effects, including dehydration, genital yeast infections in women and men, serious urinary tract infections, low blood sugar and kidney problems. stop taking farxiga and call your doctor right away if you have signs of ketoacidosis, which can be serious or life threatening. we are everyday people. ♪ i am everyday people, yea, yea. ♪ ask your doctor if farxiga is right for you and visit farxiga.com to learn how you can get it for free. like a lot other businesses, hospitals compete intensely for our dollars. perhaps it was only a matter of time before they too started offering the kind of money back guarantees we're used to seeing when we buy tools or clothes. the refund offers are being made by a hospital chain in pennsylvania and new jersey. morgan radford has the details. >> reporter: karen haul went to the hospital with a herniated disc. the hospital asked for a $100 downpayment ahead of the surgery. >> i remember thinking wow, okay. >> reporter: after the surgery, her food was 45 >> i felt like $150 seemed like a fair amount. >> reporter: geisinger health system in pennsylvania and new jersey is the first in the country to refund unsatisfied patients their money. the patient decides how much they deserve back on their co-payment or deductible and then they get it, no questions asked. geisinger has already given back more than $80,000 from more than 70 requests since october. the hospital ceo says it's all worth it. >> they trust their lives to us. we got no problem with them trusting how much of a refund they think they deserve. >> i think that in a world where our customer service has really gone downhill, that's a good idea. >> reporter: but critics say patients often reasaren't equip to make quality care decisions. >> things like whether your mashed potatoes were cold trivializes our quest for quality care. >> reporter: employees say the feedback helps them improve patient satisfaction w t decide how much money to give hospitals. >> this is just one more way for the patients to have a voice. >> reporter: things like hospital wait times, food service and communication have already been addressed since the program started last year. but experts warn refunds may not be coming to a hospital near you. >> the administrative nightmare, there's so many implementation issues. >> reporter: still, customers like karen say it's important. >> patients are their people and they need to treat them as such, with dignity and respect. >> reporter: and to be handled with care. morgan radford, nbc news. >> that's going to have people talking. when we come back, fighting you're down with crestor. alright! now there's a way you can get cresr tor fo$3. adding crestor, along with diet, lowers bad cholesterol. crestor is not for people with liver disease, or women who are nursing,pregnant, or may become pregnant. tell your doctor all medicines you take. call your doctor 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 serious side effects. ask for the crestor $3 card. ask your doctor about crestor. cuddles better than my husband does...c ...but that's just between you and me. it's really cool to the touch. at mattress firm, get zero percent apr financing. visit mattress firm, america's number one tempur-pedic retailer today. this just got interesting. why pause to take a pill? 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have the conversation with your doctor about oic, and ask about prescription treatment options. ♪ these little guys? they represent blood cells. and if you have afib - an irregular heartbeat that may put you at five times greater risk of stroke - they can pool together in the heart, forming a clot that can break free, and travel upstream to the brain where it can block blood flow and cause a stroke. but if you have afib that's not caused by a heart valve problem, pradaxa can help stop clots from forming. pradaxa was even proven superior to warfarin at reducing the risk of stroke, in a clinical trial - without the need for regular blood tests. pradaxa is the only oral blood thinner other than warfarin with a specific reversal treatment to help your body clot normally again. pradaxa is not for people who have had a heart valve replacement. don't stop taking pradaxa without talking to your doctor. stopping increases your risk of stroke or blood clots. ask your doctor if you need to stop pradaxa before any planned medical or dental procedure. pradaxa can cause serious, and sometimes, fatal bleeding. don't take pradaxa if you have abnormal bleeding. and seek immediate medical care for unexpected signs of bleeding, like unusual bruising. pradaxa may increase your bleeding risk if you're 75 or older, have kidney problems, stomach ulcers, a bleeding condition, or take certain medicines. side effects with pradaxa can include indigestion, stomach pain, upset or burning. don't just go with the flow. go with pradaxa, the only blood thinner that lowers your risk of stroke better than warfarin and has a specific reversal treatment. talk to your doctor about pradaxa today. finally tonight, a story of hope and new life. a group of syrian refugees is speaking for the first time about the great gift they received this weekend, a new future, thanks to pope francis. ann thompson reports. >> reporter: these are the chosen, three syrian families now living in rome. 12 refugees brought to italy by pope francis. >> it's like a dream. it's like a beautiful dream. >> reporter: today, she took her first italian lesson. a microbiologist in syria, nor, her husband hasan and their 2-year-old boy are finally looking forward and expanding their knowledge of italy. >> hlasagna, pizza. >> reporter: something that seemed impossible in their war-torn village and at the refugee camp in greece. their home for the last month. al the families got word late friday of their new home just hours before the pope's visit. still stunned, they flew to rome on the papal plane. when they landed, it was francis who greeted them. >>cy i said to him thank you, thank you very much for changing our fate. thank you for giving my baby a beautiful future. >> reporter: sahala who came with her husband and three children initially thought it was a trick to send them back to tuey. today, she called pope francis an angel. all the refugees are muslim but they say this is not about religion, it's about humanity. >> the pope is a real human being, the people is very kind. he's not like the others. >> reporter: finally saf given new hope by the man they say is the father of peace. ann thompson, nbc news, london. >> incredible. that is "nbc nightly news" for this sunday night. if you haven't got and extension, tomorrow is the deadline to file your tax returns. best of luck if you haven't started yet. i'm kate snow reporting from new york. for all of us here at nbc news, have a great night. is that coffee? yea, it's nespresso. i want in. ♪ you're ready. ♪ get ready to experience a cup above. is that coffee? nespresso. what else? i'm steve harvey, and this is "little big shots"! 1, 2, 3, 4! we have searched the entire planet for the next generation of superstars. come on, boy! all day! they're gonna show you what they do. after this, you're gonna push your leg out. boom! [ shouts ] [ chuckles ] got a problem. got a problem right here. [ chuckles ] ba-yah! this is not a competition. we're gonna have a great time tonight. -[ squeals ] -[ laughs ] people call you handsome sometimes? -yes. -yes. [ laughter ] y'all answer at the same time? -sometimes. -sometimes. [ laughter ] harvey: they're gonna perform. they're gonna talk. bah! they're gonna blow your mind. do they know me in croatia?

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