get fios. this morning on "world news now" -- el nino storms hitting the west. from the torrential downpours to snow and ice, causing an airline accident. the watches and warnings in the hours ahead. and breaking news, concern worldwide after north korea claims to have tested a hydrogen bomb this morning. the uproar and reaction coming in. and new this half hour, dangers of sleep deprivation. >> the medical research just this morning about insomnia. whose health is most in danger because they're not getting enough sleep? and later, in "the skinny," baby battle. bristol palin's newborn daughter born over the holidays. the little girl in the middle of a big custody dispute already on this wednesday january 6th. >> announcer: from abc news,

this is "world news now." and we do say good morning to you, everyone, on this wednesday. on the 24th anniversary of this little show we called "world news now." i'm kendis gibson. >> still called that. >> it is. >> i'm kayna whitworth. i'm in for reena ninan. and we've been asking about why you watch this show. we cannot wait to share your responses. >> and there are so many people who are up for different reasons. whether you're still partying or whether or not their kids keeping them awake. >> doctors on shift change. >> absolutely. so let us know. also, though, this morning we do start with these record-breaking floods that are slamming southern california right now. >> the first major el nino storm of the season has brought record rain. nearly 1 1/2 inches of rain poured down on los angeles, and more than two inches in pasadena alone. >> the rain triggered a collapse of part of the ceiling at a marriott hotel in san diego. and farther north the storms caused problems at the airport in spokane, washington. abc's rob marciano has that story. >> reporter: scary moments at spokane airport. a united flight bound for denver

with 166 passengers on board skidding off an icy taxiway right into the snow. >> as we were turning to take off, we kind of just went sideways, kind of like drifting in an airplane. >> reporter: passengers tweeting photos from the plane. thankfully, no injuries. it's part of the same el nino-fueled system that's slamming the west. from the flooded bay area to van nuys. this man forced to climb out of his car above the rushing waters. at areas burned by wildfires, residents are shoring up homes in case of mudslides. abc's andrea peters is in azusa, california. >> take a look what this homeowner's done. boarded up the side of his home. seen mud a year ago. hoping this time with another storm on the way this house may be saved. >> reporter: meanwhile in the east after a record-breaking warm december a sudden burst of the coldest air so far this winter, even derailing this train near boston and taking this new yorker's breath away. >> i was shocked. i was like, the world's ending.

that was my first thought. >> reporter: that cold air over the warm atlantic ocean even bringing snow to the outer banks of north carolina. that cold north wind generating snow pretty much off any large body of water across the eastern third of the country. here on the upper west side of manhattan no snow up the hudson but certainly the coldest air of the season. will be short-lived. we'll see wind chills that will be again in the teens and 20s but then warming up. let's talk about the west coast. we have several storms lining up. had a hard-hitting storm come through on tuesday. wednesday similar timing with heavy rain from san francisco down to san diego and more waves of moisture coming in thursday, iday, and saturday. rob marciano, abc news, new york. and breaking news this morning. north korea claims it has tested its own hydrogen bomb. there's no confirmation from other countries, but a strong seismic event was detected about five miles from the north korean nuclear test site. an hour later north korean state tv announced the test, saying it needs to protect itself from the evil threat of america. the national security council

says the u.s. cannot accept north korea as a nuclear state. another highly controversial move by president obama is threatening to further divide the nation over gun control. making an impassioned plea for a national sense of urgency, the president broke into tears while recalling mass shootings s plan bypasses congress.ticut. he says it will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on guns. >> and from every family who never imagined that their loved one would be taken from our lives by a bullet from a gun, every time i think about those kids it gets me mad. >> the national rifle association responded in a statement saying the president's proposals would not have prevented any of the horrific events he mentioned in his news

conference. and many republicans are calling the president's actions yesterday an abuse of his power. the alleged accomplice of the couple that staged last month's terror attack in san bernardino will be arraigned today. and the fbi wants the public's help in its investigation of that couple's every move, including an 18-minute period during which their whereabouts still remain a mystery. abc's brian ross has that story. >> reporter: the fbi knows when the attack began and almost everything until it ended, when the husband and wife terrorists, syed farook and tashfeen malik, were shot dead in their black suv. but in between, officials said there is an 18-minute mystery, an unaccounted gap in their whereabouts not detected by traffic cameras or witnesses. >> we have accounted for three hours and 42 minutes of their time. we are missing 18 minutes of their time. >> reporter: and the fbi made a plea for the public's help to

solve the mystery, showing pictures of their vehicle. >> we want to ensure that if they made contact with anyone that we don't already know about that we're able to fully investigate those matters. >> reporter: and the fbi also wants to know what happened to the hard drive removed from the killers' computer at their home the morning of the attack. the two were tracked to this san bernardino lake around 11:45 a.m. by the fbi. but a search by divers did not turn up the hard drive or any other evidence on the lake bottom. solving the 18-minute gap mystery is important for the fbi because agents believe that may be when the couple ditched the hard drive of their computer, the hard drive that could provide clues as to other targets that were possible or other people who were involved. brian ross, abc news, new york. >> wow. also to politics now. and donald trump's latest fighting words. the gop front-runner reprising

his double-barreled attack on the clintons, saying that once again hillary lacks stamina while denying that that was a subtle suggestion that she is a member of the weaker sex. as for her husband, trump said it would be interesting to ask bill clinton if he has any different -- if he's any different than bill cosby. >> he was impeached. he wasn't allowed to practice law. he settled for a tremendous amount of money. i mean, there's a lot of things going on there. >> well, trump also attacked fellow republican ted cruz, saying his canadian birth was a precarious issue. cruz is challenging trump in the polls, now neck and neck with him in california. as for the democrats, bernie sanders blasted wall street in a fiery speech on monday saying the industry's business model is flawed. he said that if a bank is too big to fail it's too big to exist, and he promised to break them up during his first year as president. sanders also said that his rival, hillary clinton, is too close to the financial industry and that her plan for reform does not go far enough. we have a health alert this morning about lack of sleep and america's changing family

dynamics. the cdc says that single moms are the most sleep deprived among all of us. a new survey shows 44% of single moms say they get less than seven hours of sleep a night, which is a significantly higher percentage than moms in a two-parent family. women living alone or even single dads are more likely to have more financial resources. >> and overnight workers are all single moms. sleep deprivation. burger king is raising the heat in a battle over cheap fast food. its new promotion now offers five items for four bucks. that cleverly named 5 for 4 deal trumps wendy's 4 for 4 and answers mcdonald's new mcpick 2 for 2, which is two for $2. for their four bucks burger king customers will get a bacon cheeseburger, french fries, chicken nuggets and a drink as well as chocolate chip cookie. and a gym membership hopefully along with it. >> oh, my gosh. >> no? this morning we're

celebrating a very special day. it's our 24th anniversary. so to celebrate we've been asking all of you to send in your favorite moment from years past. >> we got some great responses including some fond memories featuring the former anchor team of paula faris and rob nelson submitted for your approval. their moment on food on a stick. >> this is something new from starbucks. >> what are they called? >> cake -- i was going to say cake balls. but that's not right. cake puffs? what are they called? >> here you go. cake pops. >> it's a little chilly in here. >> you want to try one? >> no. i'm a popsicle person. i'll tack a popsicle. why don't you try that corn dog? >> i'm not putting that in my mouth. >> come on. >> heck, no. >> just the tip. not going to try that, paula? >> have a cake ball. >> i've never seen one. they look good, though. >> that's awesome. kayna doesn't know this, but we have a special surprise guest. rob has decided to join us here

in studio to mark the anniversary. hi, rob. >> oh, hey. >> hey, rob. >> oh, my gosh. that's so creepy. that's so funny. >> it's just the tip of rob. >> oh, man. only paula could handle that so well. >> brian, what are some of the responses we're getting? >> yes, you guys on social media, we asked you to tell us why you're watching. we got some great responses. star harris tells us on facebook -- where am i? there i am. "i love the anchors. all of them." >> there's a few. >> there are quite a few. >> maria ann smith says number one is for the laughs, number two is for the news. i get those other stations with their stuffy boring reports. you make news fun. >> whoo. >> don't tell my parents i said that. >> oh, my god. how old is that person? >> you're getting mugs. >> you get a mug. >> you get a mug. >> i don't want to be a party

pooper but at this hour i think i need espresso in this cup. >> more than just the water? we're going to keep celebrating. we both went to j school. can't you tell? coming up, the real reason why janet jackson stepped off the concert stage. also ahead, giving up social media connections for an entire year. could you break your digital habit? and the woman wanted for a series of jewelry store heists in several states. the surveillance pictures, the loot, and who's searching for her. you're watching "world news now." >> announcer: "world news now" weather, brought to you by colonial penn life insurance. colonial penn life insurance. >> i'm alex trebek. if you're age 50 to 85, this is an important message. so please, write down the number on your screen. the lock i want to talk to you about isn't the one on your door.

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a new year's fishing trip in australia nearly turned deadly for connor cogan. he's in the blue shirt there. so watch what happens. this marlin -- oh. weighs almost 200 pounds. basically leapt out of the water there. he says as you watch closer he thought it was going to harpoon him. so his instinct maybe to duck and cover could have saved his life. >> wow. but did he ever get the fish? >> that is so scary. looks like it dove right off the other side. >> the one that got away. >> right. now to an urgent search for this woman seen robbing jewelry stores in at least five states. >> she's armed. she moves quickly. and may be ready to strike yet again. abc's steve osunsami with more about the suspect. >> reporter: police say she's armed and dangerous. the young woman with a gun and a five-fingered discount seen here on monday allegedly robbing her sixth jewelry store in the last several months.

this one in north carolina. state and federal authorities are releasing surveillance video from what they say is her biggest robbery of all in panama city, florida on august 10th. authorities say she made off with nearly 400 grand in jewels. they say her m.o. is always the same, that she likes to take down outlet stores where she ties up the salespeople at gunpoint and then steals watches and diamonds, wearing gloves to prevent fingerprints. the day before in florida police say this is her in the same store casing the joint, seen here wearing a black dress and looking directly into surveillance cameras. she's also accused of robbing stores in georgia, south carolina, and this one in tennessee on october 16th. the fbi says she's probably getting help from this man, seen with her in images from the first two robberies in georgia. >> there's definitely accomplices. they're going to do it again and they're going to get caught. >> reporter: now a u.s. jewelry store security association is offering a $10,000 reward, hoping someone might turn this young woman in. steve osunsami, abc news, decatur, georgia. >> our thanks to steve, and welcome back.

coming up, the man who says he is the father of bristol palin's newborn daughter. and which hit show may soon be coming to an end? g to an end? is next. "the skinny" is next.

♪ skinny ♪ so skinny topping our "skinny"

headlines bristol palin and a potential custody battle over her newborn child. >> the 25-year-old daughter of former vice presidential candidate sarah palin gave birth to a baby girl, sailor grace, right before christmas, but has been tight-lipped surrounding the identity of the father. tmz now reporting that dakota meyer, bristol's ex-fiance, has filed legal documents seeking joint custody of the three-week-old. >> well, their wedding was called off, you might recall, just days before it was scheduled to go on in may, and a month later she announced she was pregnant. there have been some reports that meyer is seeking child support, but his attorney tells nbc news that's not the case. the attorney adds that he simply seeks to be a part of his daughter's life. no word yet from palin on meyer's paternity claim. some insight now on why janet jackson is postponing her "unbreakable" world tour. last week she asked for prayers on instagram when she told fans that she had no choice but to postpone the tour. >> jackson said she needed surgery. and now according to radaronline after that surgery janet's

doctors have found a potentially cancerous growth on the 49-year-old's vocal cords. >> this is the second time she's postponethis current tour for medical reasons. concert dates were also put on hold in october to give her voice a rest. >> we wish her luck. the hit hbo series "girls" apparently has an end in sight. this is according to e! news. lena dunham's show will wrap after its sixth season. >> well, if you're a fan of the show, maybe you are not too sad. season 5 is about to premiere. if you've never seen the show here's a sample. >> my friend rachel is fully addicted to blueberry red bull. and she always tells me she hasn't had one. she tells me like with a blue tongue. >> i just don't think you understand the nature of female friendship. >> you're right. i don't. and i don't want to if it involves ignoring all logic and being totally hysterical. >> he is awesome. some great movies as well. over the past few years "girls" has become a huge success loved by fans and critics alike, winning a golden globe, an emmy and top honors in the u.k., a bafta, for its sharp take on the lives of a group of

20-somethings in new york city. the show's creator and star neither confirmed nor denied the conclusion of the series. big fan. next, "star wars: the force awakens" closing in on "avatar's" record as the highest-grossing film of all time. but merchandise makers are under fire for apparent oversight when it comes to the movie's main character, rey, played by daisy ridley. perhaps because she's a woman. just saying. >> fans are calling out monopoly for not including rey as one of the four main pieces in the board game. the characters they do have are all male including new characters finn and kylo ren and favorites luke skywalker, darth vader. hasbro, the maker of monopoly, said in their decision they didn't want to give away any major spoilers. yeah, right. yeah, right. you're not at all upset about this? >> but darth vader's in there. >> darth vader, what the heck is he doing there? >> it makes sense. first of all, i haven't seen the movie, so no spoilers.

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life insurance that's simple to get. coverage options for just $9.95 a month, less than 35 cents a day. act now and your rate will be locked in for life. it will never increase. your coverage can never be cancelled as long as you pay your premiums, and your acceptance is guaranteed, with no health questions. you cannot be turned down because of your health. call for your information kit and gift. both are free, with no obligation. don't wait, call this number now. ♪ (coughing) coughing disrupts everyone's life. that's why there's delsym. delsym's advanced time release formula helps silence coughs

for a full 12 hours. all night... or all day. ♪ ♪ many of you if you're like me you're lost without your android or iphone device. but a popular new year's resolution is to stop wasting time on your phone. >> exactly. after you download your kemoji. one woman is going on a digital diet and we can all learn a lot from her experience. here's abc's mara schiavocampo. >> reporter: darla bunting has one ambitious new year's resolution. >> i'm giving up social media for an entire year. >> reporter: she's going on a digital detox.

for the next 365 days darla vows not to use facebook, instagram, snapchat, or twitter. >> five minutes here or there turn into hours just scrolling. >> reporter: the 30-year-old education entrepreneur says she was on social media for up to five hours a day and only realized how obsessed she was after giving it all up for one month last year. >> i'm walking to the bus stop, i pull out my phone. i need a break from work, i pull out my phone and i'm scrolling. >> reporter: but this year she wanted a harder challenge. >> i have to be honest. it's not easy. i had to delete the apps off of my phone. >> reporter: levi felix is the founder of digital detox, a company that offers phone-free retreats to help people disconnect. >> our mission at digital detox is to help people reclaim their lives off the screen and gain mifufulness over how much they're using their devices and when it's okay to turn it off. >> reporter: the retreats offering activities like yoga, art, and medication. >> humans should be looking into

themselves for happiness. and the moment we can start slowing down and say oh, i don't need a like to feel great, that's when we all feel more connected to each other. >> reporter: as for darla, she has a long list of things to do in 2016 that don't include looking at her phone. >> i look forward to going to the gym, saving for a home, spending quality time with folks that i love most. >> reporter: mara schiavocampo, abc news, new york. >> something to think about. >> just so you know we have a similar hipster retreat here in new york. it's called williamsburg. same thing. by the way, you heard mara there. we do have to say congratulations to mara and tommy. and look at that. >> oh, my gosh. >> she gave birth to a baby boy, cruz. very cute. i think sara haines is next. >> yeah. i think so. it's their second child for them, right? >> yeah. >> congratulations to you two. so cute.

making news in america this morning, breaking overnight, north korea claiming to have tested a nuclear weapon. its most powerful yet. nations around the world condemning the claims. the u.s. reacting overnight. we're in seoul with the latest. severe weather, the parade of storms pounding the west coast. record rainfall already causing floods and forcing a hotel roof to collapse. new restrictions. president obama wiping away tears getting emotional as he recalled the nation's mass shootings and taking action on gun control without congress. court confrontation. a high school coach not agreeing with a call and apparently taking it out on the ref.