>> some pundits are asking whether the pope may have gone too far in becoming embroiled in this election. he never mentioned donald trump by name and the implication was pretty clear. trump had no problems hitting back at francis. >> reporter: over the last few days in his visit in mexico, pope francis spoke a lot about immigration. today when flying home he was asked about donald trump's plan for a wall between the u.s. and mexico. his answer, the stunner. >> a person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be located, and not building bridges, is not a christian. this is not in the gospel, as far as what you said about whether i would advise to vote or not vote, i am not going to get involved in that. i say only that this man is not a christian if he has said things like that. >> for a religious leader to question a person's faith is disgraceful. i'm proud to be a christian. >> reporter: donald trump wasted little time in blasting back at the pope. his social media director even

tweeting amazing comments from the pope considering vatican city is 100% surrounded by massive walls. trump today even warned pope francis, be careful what you say. >> if and when the vatican is attacked by isis, which as everyone knows is isis' ultimate trophy, i can promise you that the pope would have only wished and prayed that donald trump would have been president. >> reporter: trump, who's presbyterian, said the pope is being manipulated by mexico. when asked about the controversy, jeb bush, who's catholic, dodged. marco rubio, who's also catholic, kind of sided with trump. >> we're a sovereign company and we control how people come in, when they come in, how they come in. as a result the united states has a right to do that. >> believe it or not this controversy may actually help

the latest polling shows him way out in front there. now this news is all about this controversy with two days to go before the republican primary. also in south carolina, not a lot of catholic voters. most are evangelical protestant and many of them historically not terribly fond of the vatican. >> dave evans, thank you. we have breaking news to tell you about. the upper west side the latest stabbing of new york city happened moments ago. josh einiger on the scene with the breaking news. >> 88th can see this crime scene tape set up here, a police car here at the scene after a robbery/stabbing here. let's go to newscopter7 on columbus avenue. investigators start to get word out about the suspect they're looking for. what we've learned so far is in

was walking on 88th street between columbus and amsterdam when he was approached by a suspect with a knife. that person then stole an electronic device off the victim who did resist and try to keep hold of that device and he lost the device and he got stabbed in the back of the shoulder, cund body. he was rushed to a hospital. he's going to survive his injuries. his injuries are not life-threatening. avenue. for him. the scene just getting underway. when we learn more information josh einiger, channel 7 eyewitness news. the nypd tonight investigating two more slashing attacks in manhattan within the last 24 hours. this is a picture of the latest victim just after an attack outside a store in soho today. a man in a ski mask approached bags.

suspect slashed his face and took off. >> there was blood dripping down his face. i was like oh, what happened? from the corner of his nose to almost his ear, his face was slashed. >> police are still searching for the suspect in that attack. meanwhile, police have new clues in another slashing attack. this one at a diner in greenwich village. police late this afternoon released this photo of a teenager wanted in the attack. the victim needed 120 stitches to close the cut on his face. eyewitness news reporter darla miles is at the scene with the latest. >> it's not clear when 25-year-old bobby barbo will return to work here at silver spurs but we do know that that cut was his chin to his cheek, that the blade went all the way through. >> i just panicked. the first thing i did was just run to the hospital. >> reporter: police say this is

boyfriend of nicole fontenez across the face. >> we believed this was an argument that happened with him trying to panhandle. he was asked out and then this happened. >> reporter: this happened around 8 p.m. on laguardia place in greenwich village. police say the suspect did leave but came back and then sliced 25-year-old bus boy bobby on his left cheek. he had to get 120 stitches. >> it was very serious i would say. but at the moment he's just trying to rest up and trying to heal. >> he was laughing about it? >> yeah. him and his friends. he had three other friends that was with him. >> reporter: david reid walks a block away. he said he overheard a teen fitting the suspect's description around 8 p.m., the same time as the slashing, bragging about cutting someone. >> he was saying how the man's mouth was big and he said i stabbed him. i stabbed him.

kept on moving along. >> police did recover a box cutter nearby. they're trying to determine if that was in fact the blade used in the slashing but i want to show you a picture of the suspect. he's believed to be 15 to 18 years old. he was wearing that gray hoodie last night. if you recognize the man in the photo, please call crimestoppers. new york city's top cop and top prosecutor tonight, both blasting apple for not unlocking information on encrypted iphones that could help track down terrorists and other criminals. authorities say that includes the iphone of the man who shot two new york cops earlier this month in the bronx. here's eyes news reporter cefaan kim. >> this has become the wild west in technology. apple and google are their own sheriffs. there are no rules. >> reporter: calling it the first warrant-proof consumer

no punches with silicon valley, swinging away at apple and google, saying they're acting like teenagers. apple is fighting an order to create new software that would allow the federal government to break through the encryption of the cell phone of syed farook. they say it's because of apple and google that the case is stalled in the suspects who shot two lapd officers. >> this is used by one of his associates in this case. despite having a court audit we cannot access this iphone 5 with the ios 8 technology. >> reporter: current ongoing cases, officials say they're real crimes with real victims. the issue has reignited the debate between security and privacy. apple calls the order a dangerous overreach because there would be no guarantee its impact would be limited to

law enforcement officials say 25% of phones they cease are inaccessible. 175 phones currently holding up cases because they're encrypted. da vance says local authorities don't have the right to perform bulk collection of data. apple says its concern is protecting its customers from cyber crimes. it's a fight that could end up in supreme court. cefaan kim, channel 7 eyewitness news. a watershed moment for u.s.-cuba relations. next month president obama will visit cuba marking the first time a sitting u.s. president has done so in more than 80 years. the top of the president's agenda, human rights issues. mr. obama today tweeted, quote, we still have differences with the cuban government that i will raise directly. >> we believe the time is right to go and lean in and try to get as much done on this trip as we can and try to create as much momentum as we can to carry that forward through the year. >> the president's plan creating a little bit of backlash. senator compares the trip to diplomatic choices the president

>> he will rule this decision, as he will ultimately rule giving a lifetime to the iotola. president's trip is planned for march 21st and 22nd. quick look at wall street where stocks finished the day a bit lower. as we continue with eyewitness news at 6:00 for this thursday night, the flu hits with a vengeance and it's spreading fast in our area. local hospitaless are taking new actions to try to protect their patients. >> i'm rob powers in florida at baseball's spring training. lucie. laura behnke is with the yankees in tampa. we've got team coverage coming up in sports. >> here in accuweather i'm meteorologist amy freeze. we're getting close to the freezing point. gusty winds out there with clear skies. we begin our warmup as early as tomorrow but first you've got to get through tonight, dropping down to 22 in the city. we'll be in the teens in the

new at 6:00, the flu is trending in the tri-state and for all the wrong reasons. a dramatic increase in the number of influenza cases in the tri-state. the counties along the hudson and along the atlantic. cases in all eight counties in connecticut.

parts of the city on long island and westchester and in putnam counties. hospitals changing their flu fighting tactics. here's eyewitness news reporter marcus solis. >> flu-like illnesses are starting to ramp up. >> reporter: at the rocklin county health department, they've been watching the numbers. a sharp increase in confirmed influenza cases means we are in peak flu season. >> influenza-like illness, hospitalizations, we didn't see a lot of that in november, december. >> reporter: the state health department has declared the flu prevalent in new york. according to the latest data there were over a thousand cases reported the first week of february. 77% more than the week before. 204 people were hospitalized, an increase of 49%. so far no pediatric deaths have been reported. but the new numbers mean new rules. at nyack hospital visitors with symptoms like coughing, sneezing, fever will not be allowed in. patients are limited to two visitors at a time. and no one under the age of 13 will be permitted to see a patient.

quite sick and can be more vulnerable to some of the severe effects of the flu which can be very severe. >> visitors are encouraged to wear masks which are readily available. but during flu season they're an absolute requirement for some employees. >> state regulations require healthcare workers who are unable or unwilling to get a flu shot to wear masks. the effectiveness of this year's vaccine hasn't been determined but experts insist it's important to get one. >> there's a smaller population or subset of people that can actually become infected and perpetuate and transmit the virus. >> reporter: and the doctor says the late start could mean a late end to the flu season with new cases possible well in to may. in nyack, marcus solis, channel 7 eyewitness news. just ahead on eyewitness news, for anyone who's been affected by potholes -- liz -- a car that won't be damaged by potholes?

>> and it's going to feel a little bit like spring out there this weekend. definitely does not feel like it out there tonight. meteorologist amy freeze is in for lee goldberg tonight.

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the ford motor company is technology. ford says when censors detect a pothole in the world the shock absorber system stiffens and keeps the wheel from dropping in to the hole. >> that's called a helicopter. >> some luxury models already have this technology. starting in 2017, fusion v6 sports sedan, a midsize, midprice model will have it for the first time. >> it's very expensive to ruin a wheel and tire when you go through a pothole. >> especially when it happens two or three times a year.

>> if you knew someone that might have happened to, you can relate. >> the only good thing that comes with the potholes are maybe warmer temperatures. >> isn't that the truth? today we had the sunshine. winds made it feel chilly. we've got one more day of chilly sunshine then we see a nice recovery with the temperatures pushing us 10 to 15 degrees above average. looks good, doesn't it, from queens? fantastic, love the pictures you've been sending in. bc7ny. we'd love to see your pictures. here we are, 33 degrees in central park right now. sun is down, clear skies, north wind down to 11 miles per hour. not nearly as gusty as it was earlier today and the wind chill factor is also settling down just a bit. feels like 28 in central park. feels like 19 in islip. the winds are starting to wind down. as that happens we'll see feels. it's a very cold night so you've got to get through this one. the wind gusts are now starting to diminish.

up to 30 miles per hour have come down to around 20-mile-per-hour winds. going through the evening tonight, our temperatures will drop significantly for where they are right now. under clear skies, we shouldn't have any problem going down another 10 to 12 degrees at central park. the numbers are going to drop off significantly for a very cold night. chilly sunshine tomorrow but it should feel better with less wind and temperatures near 40 degrees. the weekend outlook is the 50s. if we do go down to 22 tonight, we're doubling the temperature heading in to the weekend. winter storm does come in for next week and that could be rain or snow, depends on if we can get cold enough temperatures. right now it's this northerly breeze we're paying attention to. by the way in to friday afternoon approaching the 40-degree mark, we'll start to get the clouds coming in quickly so an overcast late afternoon tomorrow. so sun to clouds for sure. then there's a weak disturbance friday night in to saturday. that could produce a light snow

flurries flying. it's a quick mover. there it is again. a little look as it sneaks through. mainly touching the northern counties in the upper hudson valley. that system will bring snow up to the resorts in new england. new hampshire, vermont, should be a great weekend coming up for snow riding, skiing or snowboarding. here's the numbers for tomorrow. 39. we'll call it a spotty shower late to the north. these will be isolated and quick movers, not a big deal. but a sneaky front coming in friday in to saturday. a little more wind saturday than sunday. a spring fling lasts in to monday. this is the one we're watching on monday, this potential for a coastal low that brings a winter storm threat. do we get the arctic air to create accumulating snow? that's the question. we really need much colder air.

forecasting still near 40 degrees wednesday. even the overnight lows are at or above freezing. doesn't look like a significant potent snow at this point but something to definitely pay attention to. >> i was just enjoying my yard without the snow. >> anybody seen rob powers? >> haven't seen him. >> not here, no. but there, yes. >> he's in port st. lucie with the mets. lucky guy. >> hard to recognize him with a tan. >> no, not yet. baseball spring training is underway. mets and yankees, pitchers and catchers have arrived. straight ahead on eyewitness news we're going to get you ready to go. team coverage. the mets come in as the hunted this year. then we go live to tampa where

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rob, i thought your most

now the hunted in the upcoming season. what a different turn. >> that's exactly what they are. we have seen players on the field for a few days now. that's the result i guess of a world series run. players just couldn't wait. the mets couldn't wait to get out here on the field. now they don't have to. >> we know how we approached it and we have to learn from it and be able to do it again. >> that's the challenge. learning from last season and growing this season. after losing a world series there's really only one more step to take. >> i want that swagger. we're good. we got a good team. we can't be egomaniacs about it but you've got to walk out there with that confidence that we're going to win. >> as the players make their way on these fields, that quiet confidence, that feeling of unfinished business is in the air. >> the energy was unbelievable. great to be apart of. this is only the first day. i can't imagine once the games start.

but i think we're open and accepting of the challenge. >> tomorrow officially a workout for pitchers and catchers after last season's ending, a new beginning. >> pretty exciting about seeing those jerseys walk out on that field tomorrow. what we did last summer, our players have to be better because of it. >> the mets get ready here in port st. lucie. the yankees get ready in tampa. well. team coverage, laura behnke is live at yankee camp. >> this is a very different kind of yankees spring training. derek jeter, he's retired. alex rodriguez, relatively drama-free. there were even a few media members here. it's actually quiet. the yankees are just fine with that. >> for the first time in years there are no retiring legends or p.e.d. scandals. this year the yankees are just playing baseball. >> it is pretty regular spring training. >> reporter: the pinstripes

series in three years and were relatively quiet this offseason but there's a confidence in tampa. >> i think there's more depth. i think our younger players in the minor league system have gotten a taste of what it's like to be up here. i think other guys are closer. that's why i think we're better. >> reporter: closer urall of -- closer aroldis chapman is facing problems. when he is active, chapman will join miller at the back end of what could be one of the best bullpens in the league. >> in the airport yesterday everybody keeps mentioning it everywhere i go, oh, the bullpen. can't wait to go out there and try to electrify the crowd. >> chapman did say today if he is suspended by baseball, he will appeal. we're live with the yankees in tampa, laura behnke, channel 7 eyewitness news.

11:00. for now, basketball. the nba trade deadline today. the knicks and the nets, they made no deals today. the nets did announce sean marks as the team's new general manager. he comes over from san antonio where he was the spurs' assistant gm. on the trade front there was one big deal. former nick channing frye heads to cleveland as parts of a deal that sends varejao. as for baseball, more tonight at 11:00. spring training almost here. >> very exciting. rob powers in florida. quick look at some of the stories working on eyewitness news at 11:00. dramatic video of a helicopter going down in the water near pearl harbor, hawaii. new information about how many americans aren't getting enough sleep every night. those stories and more tonight at 11:00. that's it for us. thanks for watching. i'm bill ritter. >> and i'm liz cho. world news tonight is coming up next.

breaking news tonight. chopper down. the helicopter crashing into the water near pearl harbor. civilians on board. a popular trip for tourists. witnesses say it dropped from the sky. several on board. the heroes jumping into the water. also tonight, donald trump takes aim at pope francis, after the pope suggests trump is not christian. the moment on the pope's plane. and response. the terror attack in california, and this evening, major developments. the fbi moving in. in san bernardino, what did they find? forced to pay. the hackers locking personal computers, trapping your personal information, your photos. forcing you to pay to get it back. now, a hospital, patients' medical records hacked. and drivers beware tonight. some of the most troubling bridges in america. millions still traveling over