NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Episode Date: January 4, 2024

At least 95 dead in Iran after explosions during memorial ceremony for Qassem Soleimani; In-depth look at the front lines of the southern border crisis; Trump asks Supreme Court to overturn Colorado��s ruling banning him on 2024 ballot; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the deadly explosions in Iran says killed nearly 100 people at a memorial for a top general. The twin blasts sending the massive crowd scrambling for safety, smoke rising in the distance. The attack comes as thousands gathered to mark the fourth anniversary of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani's death in a U.S. drone strike. Question tonight, who is responsible? Also tonight, breaking news in the

Jeffrey Epstein case. The court documents naming dozens of the convicted sex offenders' associates unsealed. What they reveal, the imam shot and killed outside a New Jersey mosque. The gunman fleeing the scene, the urgent manhunt. The cross-country storm on the move after slamming the west coast. The storm set to bring the first major snow in two years to parts of the northeast. Al Roker is here. New clues in the fiery plane collision in Japan with the air traffic control communications reveal and what NBC News has learned about the runway stoplights. Former President Donald Trump appealing Colorado's ballot ban to the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a potential landmark battle. This is NBC Nightly News with

Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome, everyone. A new flashpoint in the Middle East tonight has intelligence agencies racing to connect the dots following twin bombings in Iran that officials there say killed at least 95 people and injured at least 140 in the city of Kirman. The victims were near a memorial event for Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian general killed by the U.S. in a 2020 drone attack. Today's bombing sure to add to concerns over the potential for widening conflict in the Middle East, a region that has already been rocked by the ongoing war in Gaza, attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, and most recently, the assassination of a Hamas leader in Lebanon. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for today's bombing,

which officials in Iran say involve remotely detonated explosives. Keir Simmons is in the Middle East tonight and has late details for us. You can hear an explosion on this video, sending crowds screaming and scrambling for safety in Iran after deadly twin blasts 20 minutes apart that the state news agency says were caused by two remote-controlled explosive devices placed in bags. It happened during the public ceremony for the anniversary of the death of Iran's General Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated by an American drone strike during the Trump administration. The U.S. had blamed Soleimani for plotting terror attacks,

including against Americans. No one has claimed responsibility for today's blasts in Iran. ISIS has carried out terror attacks there before. But tonight, crowds in Iran chanting death to Israel and death to America. NBC's Ali Aruzi is in Tehran. Tonight, a senior member of Iran's parliament says that he's waiting for more information, but that this attack bears all the hallmarks of an operation by Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. But tonight, the Biden administration says neither the U.S. nor Israel is behind the attack. We have no indication that Israel was in any way involved in this.

Current and former U.S. officials tell NBC News they believe a terror group like ISIS is most likely responsible. The new attacks come as fears are rising of war escalating throughout this region. Just yesterday, a top Hamas leader was killed in an airstrike on a Hamas office here in Beirut. Tonight, NBC News has learned Israel did not notify the U.S. in advance of the strike on the Hamas leader, but did inform the U.S. as it was underway, according to two U.S. officials, a defense official and a person briefed on the operation. Israel has publicly denied any involvement, though Israel's military has vowed to hunt down all Hamas leaders following the Hamas terror attacks on October 7th that Israel says killed over 1,200 people.

And Kir, you're in Beirut tonight, where the leader of a top Iranian-backed militia is now threatening Israel with retribution. That's right, Lester. The leader of Hezbollah here in Lebanon calling that Hamas leader's death a crime that will not go unpunished, while some Israelis worry that assassinations only lead to more bloodshed. Lester. Keir, thanks. There is breaking news just in tonight in the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison. Unsealed documents from a lawsuit connected to the case

have just been released. Senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett has breaking details. Lester, we're just beginning to dive into the more than 900 pages of court records involving Epstein and his associates. Many of his past acquaintances reported at length, but this is the first time deposition transcripts and other confidential material previously kept under wraps is coming out. Some of the more familiar names here, Lester, former President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Attorney Alan Dershowitz, magician David Copperfield, Governor Bill Richardson. Now, we're reaching out to comment to these men, but none of them

have been charged criminally with any ties to Epstein's victims, and many in the past have denied wrongdoing. But these documents do underscore Epstein's influence and his reach. These records all stemming from an old civil lawsuit brought against Delaine Maxwell, who was ultimately convicted and now serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to groom and abuse young girls. Now, this is not the last of the documents we expect to see, Lester. The Miami Herald sued to access the court records that were initially filed under seal, with more batches of these types of documents still left to come in the coming days, Lester.

Laura, thanks. With heightened tensions over events in the Middle East, here in this country, a Muslim leader was shot and killed today outside his mosque in Newark, New Jersey. Police say Imam Hassan Sharif was shot multiple times just after 6 a.m., and tonight there is a manhunt for the gunman. Authorities say it does not appear that the imam was a victim of a bias crime or that the shooting was related to terrorism. We're keeping a close eye right now on a coast to coast storm that has already dumped snow in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles and will make its way across the country by the weekend. Al Roker is tracking it out. How is this going to play out? Well, Lester, we are watching this right now. Already heavy snow starting to

fall through parts of the southern Rockies. It's going to push through, bring heavy rain down to the Gulf and then make its way up the coast this weekend. Now, here's the problem. If it stays close to the coast, it's going to bring in warmer, moist air from the ocean. And so rain up and down the I-95 corridor, heavier snow inland. But if it tracks a little further south, that brings in the much colder air. And now we're looking at heavier snow from Washington, D it tracks a little further south, that brings in the much colder air. And now we're looking at heavier snow from Washington, D.C. up to New York City. Moderate snowfall from Boston all the way to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Could be even some heavier spots. But again, Lester, this all depends on the tracks. We'll be tracking it and we'll have the latest

tomorrow morning on Today. We'll see you then. Thank you. In Japan, we're getting new details tonight about what might have caused that fiery plane crash in Tokyo as the country deals with a rising death toll from a devastating earthquake. Janice Mackey-Frayer is there with late developments. Tonight, new clues in the investigation into the fiery crash at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Transcripts of air traffic control instructions just before the collision, obtained by NBC News, appear to confirm that Japan Airlines Flight 516 was cleared to land and approached runway 34 right. The smaller Japan Coast Guard aircraft had permission to taxi,

but not to take off. The Coast Guard acknowledging that call from the tower in its last transmission before the crash. And tonight, a flight operations document shows that the red stoplights, meant to alert pilots not to taxi onto the runway where the crash occurred, were out of service at the time. People inside the Airbus A350 were calling the impact. Yes, you felt the airplane was not in a normal position, was like bending on the front. All 379 passengers and crew safely evacuating the burning aircraft in less than 90 seconds. It's a tragedy for Japan's Coast Guard. Five of six crew members

killed in the collision. The plane, part of the effort to get supplies to Japan's western coast, devastated by earthquakes on New Year's Day. Government officials confirming at least 73 people have died. Japan's prime minister saying today we are at a crucial stage. Investigators here are still searching for the black box from the destroyed passenger plane. Meanwhile, Japanese media reporting that the three pilots from the Japan Airlines flight say they didn't see the Coast Guard aircraft on the runway when they were given clearance to land. Lester. Janice, Maggie Freyer in Tokyo for us. Thank you. Back home now to the race for 2024. Former President Trump late today appealing the decision to ban him from Colorado's ballot to the Supreme Court. And it comes with the Iowa caucuses less than two weeks away.

Dasha Burns is in Iowa. Tonight, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a ruling by Colorado's highest court banning him from the state's ballot because of his actions on January 6th. The former president's lawyers appeal saying the move would be the first time the judiciary has prevented voters from casting ballots for the leading major party presidential candidate. The Trump campaign calling it an un-American, unconstitutional act of election interference. It comes just 12 days from the critical Iowa caucuses, where polls show Trump maintaining his dominant lead. Ron DeSantis today was pressed by one of his own supporters. Why hasn't he gone after Mr. Trump more?

I've articulated all the differences time and time again on the campaign trail. Then there's Nikki Haley slamming moves to ban Trump from the ballot. I will defeat President Trump fair and square. I have no doubt about that. But this is not the way to do it. Meanwhile, long shot the vague Ramaswamy, a fierce Trump defender, has already said he won't appear on any ballot that Trump has banned from, claiming the system is rigged against the former president. If you're going even further than Donald Trump, why wouldn't it work against you, too? Well, look, they don't have they don't have on me what they have on him. You can just look right now. They've got four different

wars they've waged on this man, this managerial class in the swamp. They duped Donald Trump. They duped Trump in a way that they won't be duping me. And we'll see Mr. Trump here in the Hawkeye state on Friday when he'll kick off the first of four rallies this weekend. Lester. All right, Dasha, thank you. And now to a key campaign issue, the border crisis. Republican members of Congress there today highlighting the surge in migrant crossings as our Morgan Chesky got a firsthand look at the challenges facing those on the front lines. Dawn Patrol on the Rio Grande. The Texas Tactical Marine Unit giving NBC News an exclusive look

on a stretch of river where debris litters banks laden with barbed wire, where record migrant crossings have overwhelmed. There was no way to keep up. No. How quickly did this go from a mission of intercepting criminals to then saving lives? Oh, it was overnight. The migrant surge is forcing Staff Sergeants Lee Ashcraft and Ruben Vallejo to rescue more than arrest.

How many extra life jackets are on board right now? Four to six. And if you come across a group of ten or more, how do you help everyone? It's a tough decision. You got it, you got it. Their DPS unit saving this migrant family in november troopers hoisting children and their drowning mother to safety last month 300 000 migrant crossings shattered previous records but on new year's day this week a dip border patrol

reporting 2 500 illegal crossings down from a daily average high of 8,000, though officials expect it to rise again. President Biden blaming Republicans for a lack of border funding. But today an eagle pass, House Speaker Mike Johnson firing back. Republicans blaming Biden border policies for the surge, with the vast majority of migrants processed by border patrol and then released into the United States. Under President Biden, America has laid out a welcome mat to illegal immigrants, smugglers and cartels. He is responsible for the grave threat to our national security. Behind him as he spoke, a migrant family crossing. Back on the river, today's lowland crossings not convincing anyone this crisis

is slowing. I don't know what it's going to take to stop it. You know, that's, you know, beyond my, you know, my ability. I'm not having to pull bodies out of this river anymore. It would be nice. And troopers tell me that every member of that unit has now at some point rescued someone from this very river. Lester. Yeah, Morgan, the border crisis is now sparking more legal battles. Lester, that's right. This ongoing legal showdown between Texas and the federal government continues. The Biden administration is suing the state of Texas, challenging its law, allowing state authorities to arrest migrants, calling it unconstitutional. But today, Speaker Johnson saying Texas Governor Greg Abbott has done more to enforce the law than President Biden ever has.

Lester. Morgan Chesky. Thank you. In 60 seconds, the parts of the country where the flu is surging, the troubling trend and what you need to know right after this. Back now with the growing flu concerns for children, especially in the South, where some states have seen a surge of cases. Sam Brock with more now on what parents need to know. With respiratory illness on the rise after the winter holidays, pockets of the U.S. are also seeing troubling trends for influenza. The cases are not only going up, but increasing exponentially. Dr. David Janz, the head of critical care at University Medical Center New Orleans, says Louisiana went from seeing a few dozen hospitalized patients with the flu each week to about 300.

Are you surprised by the prevalence of influenza specifically? It is a lot more influenza than we've seen in a long time, and perhaps even rates as high as we saw back during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. The CDC shows a stretch of states from Louisiana to the Carolinas in the very high category of infection, though the national picture is normal for now. Week over week, I don't see this being a worse season than we had last year. Just a little poke here. The CDC says this year's flu vaccine is effective against the prevalent strain, but warns inoculations are down. Many states in the South aren't even reaching a 40% vaccination rate for adults, while nationally it's around 50%. We see a lot of kids presenting in the emergency room with influenza-like illnesses.

Approaching the above 30 to 40% of ER visits in children are for that reason, which is a big number. A trifecta of illnesses, COVID, flu, and RSV weighing on parents like Keone, whose son Kingston has been in the ICU for almost two months. I really almost lost my child. He was intubated three times. He had to have a trach and a G2 put in because he could no longer breathe. Physicians warn the critical symptoms to look out for, wheezing and prolonged fever, to see a doctor. Lester. All right, Sam, thank you. And up next, Israel confirms a hostage rescue mission that failed in Gaza. The details coming up.

Israel is now confirming a 25-year-old hostage taken by Hamas, Sahar Baruch, was killed during a failed rescue operation last month. And as the war rages on, many of Israel's seminary students are being drawn into the conflict. We get more from Josh Letterman in Israel. From morning until evening, they study Torah at Yeshiva Hasder Yerucham in Israel's Negev Desert, pausing in the afternoon to pray, including for Israeli troops fighting in Gaza. At this seminary for young men, eight students have already been killed in the Israel-Hamas war. How is this yeshiva dealing with such profound loss?

We're never ready for something like this to happen. The vast majority of ultra-Orthodox Jews do not serve in the BF, but many modern Orthodox do. and at this yeshiva, 95% of students are drafted into combat units. Judaism is a religion that believes in life, but we also know that sometimes we have to pay the ultimate price for our people, our nation. Today, a student now in the IDF comes for a visit, treated like a hero, by friends like Yehuda Koren, who is 19. In a few months, he'll be drafted, too.

It is my duty and obligation as an observant Jew. Yehuda shows the empty seat next to his in the Yeshiva study hall, where 19-year-old Ariel Iyahu once sat. On October 7th, Ariel was in a tank near Gaza, hit by a missile at the start of a war that has been devastating for Palestinians and Israelis. Does this make you feel like you could be next? Try not to think about that, because I could be, but it motivates me more. In Mitzpe Yericho, a settlement in the occupied West Bank, Ariel's father, a rabbi, says his family sees serving in Israel's military as a religious duty. So for us, this is the way to live the real religious life. He says he saw an awakening in his son as he served his nation. All the special things that he had inside flourish in a beautiful way.

And this is how we will remember him. If you ask me if I would do it again, yeah, I would send him again. Because this is our land and, yeah, this is what we have to do. Josh Letterman, NBC News, Yerucham, Israel. And that is nightly news for this Wednesday. Thank you for watching, everyone. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other.

Good night.