07/03/2014 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer

on Monday. Thank you for joining us. Now, the

news from the US a couple of hours ago in ABC World News with Diane

Sawyer. Tonight: Tightening the grid. The dangerous showdown with

Russia. America sends fighter jets to the region. A defeat for the

people challenging military commanders on their authority over

sexual assault in their ranks. This problem is not even close to being

resolved. And, desperate to stop her. Tonight, the story behind those

pictures. The people who tried to keep a mother from putting her

children at risk. We begin with the unpredictable

developments in the showdown with Russia. Today, President Obama's

challenge to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the deployment of

fighter jets to the region. The Russian president is digging in.

There is work tonight that the two leaders have spoken. This is

creating a sense that the superpowers are being pushed into a

dangerous corner. The crisis is escalating with seeing

speed. Tonight, pro- Russian protesters in eastern Ukraine tried

to knock over a bus as the Russians tightened their grip around the

Crimean peninsula. In the last 24 hours, it has been a high-stakes

game of chess. Crimea is Parliament called for a vote to officially

become part of Russia. The US of course that illegal at moving

forward with sanctions. Russia tightens its grip on Crimea, sealing

its borders and blocking the port. The US has sent fighter jets to the

region. President Obama gave a hastily prepared warning to the

Russians to send their troops back to their bases. In 2014, we are well

beyond the days when borders can be which Ron over the heads of

Democratic leaders. -- borders can be redrawn. But Vladimir Putin

continues to play a dangerous game without fear, no matter what the US

or the world does. The US is left to react to Putin's moves, which are

mysterious, so much so that in the past, the Pentagon has analysed his

body language, trying to predict what he will do next. All of this

while fresh talks between John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov end with zero

progress and increased irritation. Russian tanks and Russian boots on

the ground, this is unacceptable in the 21st-century. Who knows the

limits? Will be Russian. In just Crimea or invade further into

Ukraine, ignoring the calls from America and the world to stop? Now,

the question of sexual assault in the military and a defeat for the

forces trying to change the role commanders play in sexual assault

investigations. One lawmaker led the charge to strip them of their power

over these delicate investigations and instead give power to an

independent team. What does today's defeat for her mean for the future?

Stacey Thompson wanted so badly to be a Marine, she enlisted before she

was even 18 years old. I was so excited. Not long after she settled

into her first overseas deployment, the nightmare started. Sexual

harassment. The only person she could complain to was the man who

was harassing her. He was my direct chain of command. The person who

sexually harassed me. Is the person you had to go to and make a

complaint to? Yes. That is the process. My sergeant, who was also

in my direct chain of command, ended up raping me that night. She and

other survivors have taken their fight to Washington. The people who

do not trust the chain of command are the victims. But today, they

were dealt a major blow when the Senate blocked a bill that would

have strict military commanders of their authority to prosecute sex

assault cases and instead give that power to special military

prosecutors. The top brass opposed the bill, arguing that commanding

officers must be allowed to police their own ranks. According to the

Pentagon, there were 5400 reported cases of sexual assault last year, a

64% increase. 26,000 cases of unwanted sexual contact. Cases that

are rarely prosecuted. But the culture of silence is slowly being

broken as more survivors speak out. They told me it was my fault. If you

say something, your career is over. Stacey is no longer a member of the

Marine. She says she will keep fighting for change. Today's

brawling was not the final word on sexual assault. -- today's decision.

But advocates say more victims will continue to stay in the shadows

until the system changes. Now, a look at the story behind those

harrowing pictures. The mother who drove her vehicle full of children

into the ocean before strangers came to the rescue. What could police

have done before it happened? Could anyone have stopped her? A dramatic

scene on the beach. It looked like the mother driving into the ocean

was trying to drown herself and her children. Today, we are learning

that she may have been a woman in crisis. This was her sister in

Florida calling emergency services before she drove away.

These men who rescued the woman's children say she looked mentally

disturbed. She is fighting with them in the water. Her eyes were huge . A

Daytona Beach police officer pulled the mother over with her children

inside the car about two hours before she reached the beach and he

let her go. Police said there was nothing more that they could do. The

baker Act is Florida's mental health law. It says that police must have

clear evidence of harm before they can take a person into custody.

Medical professionals say that she could have easily been suffering

from psychiatric disorders rarer in some pregnancies. It can be a

dangerous combination. Voices that say you need to die and take your

children together, it's the only way you will ever be able to be

together. They hear this constantly. This time, things turned out

differently. These three children remain safe tonight in state care.

C-PAC Spring training for Republicans. Ted Cruz mobbed by

activist taking aim at his own party. Want to lose elections? Stand

for nothing. Governor Chris Christie siege by a scandal targeting

President Obama's Presidency. What are we paying you for? A parade of

Republicans at the CPAC, trying out for a bigger role. Paul Ryan offered

a subtle welcome to the new stars. Sometimes it is hard to tell who is

here to start a career and who is here to serve a course. They have an

eye on the next presidential race. But even soon as they try to control

the Senate in November. The lasting image came from Mitch McConnell. He

was brandishing a gun as he was presented at an award from the NRA,

to retiring Senator of Oklahoma. A symbol of strength for the

Republican resurgence. A sign of a comeback in these Financial Times.

Today, we learn the net worth of American households jumped. It is a

new record high. Experts say it is thanks to the stock market and

housing market on the mend. Counting down to spring, the top weather

scientist has made a prediction about what is to come.

The snowstorms, spin outs, sub zero suffering, even freezing Niagara

Falls. It has been terrible. But next winter meet dart winter we may

receive a break. Shifting the pattern from one we are stuck in a

-- to one that looks like this. Winters tend to be warmer and drier

with El Nino. Years of record breaking drought and wildfires get

more rain in these conditions. In the Atlantic, weather systems can be

torn apart before they become horror canes. The Atlantic hurricane in

system is wimpy under El Nino conditions. But it can bring more

devastating cyclones. The heat comes out of the ocean and produces many

global warming, having consequences for drought and flood. If this El

Nino is strong enough, the record cold we have been used to could be

replaced by record heat. Now, we take you to the trial of

Oscar Pistorius, accused of killing the woman by his side. It was an

emotionally charged day. He was in tears.

Oscar Pistorius considered a hero by many, sat crying, holding rosary

beads and looking physically sick at times. We heard a graphic account

from a witness about the night he killed his girlfriend. Oscar

historians and Reeva Steenkamp were South Africa's glamorous couple.

Young, rich and beautiful, their future looked bright.

A former military doctor and a bat to Oscar Pistorius was on the first

scene when she was shot. -- first on the scene. He arrived to find a

lifeless body with Pistorius by her side.

The athlete was trying to keep the way open. -- airway. Listening to

this, Pistorius was sobbing and at one point he looks physically sick,

so a guard passes him a bag. In his hands are rosary beads. Today is the

anniversary of his mother 's death. How do you feel after the testimony?

Even before he met the model, it was clear he was destined for big

things. I never encountered things I couldn't do due to the fact that I

had prosthetic legs. This is a man who has overcome enormous odds, but

he killed the woman he says he loved and is now trying to prove it was

not murder. Up next to night, most wanted, the

hunt for a possible serial killer in a Washington suburb. Police are

warning an entire city to keep their doors locked to night. -- tonight.

Next, the manhunt for a possible serial killer in Washington, DC.

Police are looking for clues in three on solve murders with

similarities. -- unsolved. Broad daylight, a knock on the door, when

it was opened, he shot. This woman was killed. That was a month ago and

tonight there is evidence that her killing may be linked to others,

meaning a serial killer could be at work in their suburb. The unusual

nature of the shootings occurring in this region require the police to

consider that all the cases are linked. The similarities, this woman

killed in February, then in November, another person run --

comes down, then ten years ago, the same woman shot and killed. All

three involved in their community, all killed within two miles. Police

say forensics showed similarities in the bullets of all shootings. But

they won't go as far as saying they came from the same gun. But they do

have the same general characteristics so the search is

intensifying for a suspect and a motive. He believes these three

people represent the city of Alexandria and the city has wronged

him and he will make it right. Bearded and balding, they are

looking for this man. No arrest. A warning, do not open your door to

strangers. Possibly a serial killer, on the loose.

Are indexed to night starts with a confession from Pope Francis. Today

revealing he wants -- once stole something, a rosary from the hands

of a fellow priest who had died and was lying in a casket. He was a

beloved friend and he says he carries the rosary with him every

day as a touchstone to give him comfort when he struggles with

unworthy thoughts. And, a reality check about a change in Hollywood.

Big budget films are fleeting Hollywood. Only two of the top 25

were shot fair because of cost. Where is the new Hollywood? --

there. More a shot in Louisiana than Los Angeles and even Canada is home

for as many films as California. A national food of session has an

anniversary, the Arthur Lowe chicken wing, turning 50. Legend has a

family in Buffalo, New York ran a restaurant and received a case of

chicken wings by mistake. The mum, going to use them for soup, until

the sun asked for a late night snack, so she put them in the deep

fryer and dress them up with hot sauce and blue cheese. 50 years

later he we are. Finally, a career filled with success. Every week,

Alan Dallas affiliate -- Our made it the mission to find children in

foster care. She retires tomorrow. Last night, a surprise and tearful

thank you. Gloria Campos became an institution the only way it can be,

I treating her job as more than that. For 20 years, she had the

Wednesday's child beat, bringing the story of another kid in foster

care. That makes for 350 estimated shorter on. 75% of human sound

adopted families. -- of whom. As part of a tribute, they told the

story of one child, and a Tirol who was featured, named Kate Young Tay.

I did good in school. And an adoption resulted. But as sometimes

happens it did not work out. I have been moved to three different homes

and the adoption didn't go well. But this appearance led to a second

adoption and to this one talk. Here he is with his parents, now 14.

Gloria was on set when they showed the picture. But then, this. One

kids thanks. -- G's. But it could be hundreds. That is when your job is

more than just a job. -- Kid's. Thank you for this surprise, I'm so

happy you are happy. I'm happy. That is America Strong. See you tomorrow,

good night. Contrasting weather conditions to

begin the day and finished the