next, and we'll be back at 6:00. we'll see you then. horrifying stabbing rampage is in two major cities. the terror attack at london bridge, killing at least two people the images, heroic civilians, struggling to subdue the suspect and then being shot by police. the attacker wearing a fake bomb vest. >> than just hours later, another attack, in the netherlands. several victims stabbed on a street, packed with holiday shoppers was it also terror tonight, the stepped-up security here at home. also breaking the net to coast storm threat, blizzard warnings in several state, airlines already taking action, as we head into one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. a dash for deals black friday shoppers out in

force, online shopping records, already being shattered, and where you can still score incredible deals. the tragedy for a famed american rock climber, plummeting nearly a thousand feet to his death. the fatal fall, just days after another climber survived a terrifying plunge of her own. rising concerns about airline safety as millions fly this weekend inside the faa test. do those shrinking plane seats pose a danger to you in an emergency? >> and we're kicking off the holiday season with a famous radio city rockettes a surprise you won't want to miss good evening, everyone europe on edge tonight, after two mass stabbing attacks, at least one in london, being called an act of terrorism two people killed there when a man wearing a fake explosive device began citizens, before being shot dead by police and then several hours later, an attack this evening in the main

shopping district of the hague netherlands. three people wounded there police tonight still trying to determine the motive our team is covering both attacks and precautions here at home, bill neely starts us off. >> reporter: in the heart of london, terror on a bridge, mechb wrestling to the ground a plan with a knife, he just stabbed five people. suddenly, he opens his coat, to show what looks like a suicide vest two men retreat. one has snatched the man's knife. three armed police officers rush in they got him away, and dragged a man off the suspect and one man opened fire. two gunshots witnesses horrified. passengers on a bus watching just yards away. others on the bridge, running for their lives. >> i just said to myself get off tharve hundreds of shoppers fleeing >> they told us to come out.

>> and police are treating this as a terror attack helicopters in the air hundreds of officers on the ground and it comes in the middle of a national election campaign >> reporter: the suspect died at the scene. five of his victims rushed to hospitals. >> two of those injured in this attack, in the london bridge area, have tragically lost their lives. >> reporter: the attacker's suicide vest was a fake, but those who tackled him didn't know that. they are being praised as heroes >> i would like to thank members of the public who risked their own safety this afternoon. they are the best of us. >> reporter: britain's prime minister vowing to hunt down anyone else involved in the attack >> this country will never be cowered or divided or intimidated by this sort of attack >> reporter: this rampage happened close to an attack two years ago, when a man also wearing fake suicide vests drove

a van into crowds, stabbing dozens and killing eight just hours later, in the netherlands, another attack, a man stabbed several people, on a shopping street in the hague, before running off mass stabbings, police on high alert tonight. >> and i know there is more coming out this evening about the london suspect what do we know right now? >> reporter: security sources telling nbc news that the man has recently served a jail sentence for islamist terrorist offenses and had been wearing an electronic tag ever since his release. and also attending a conference on prisoner rehabilitation when he started his rampage. lester >> all right, bill neely in london ard,hese bear all of theo in hallmarks of isis-inspired attack, the knives, the european city, the fake suicide bomb. why now? and could this be the start of

something? >> reporter: lester, it could be the start of something and they do bear all of the isis hallmarks. and for years here, in europe, there have been isis supporters, in and out of prison, and many of them want to avenge the death of the isis founder, abu baghdadi, and it wasn't so long ago that he was hunted down by u.s. command yeses in syria and his body dumped into the ocean president trump saying how he was crying and died like a dog, that is not the narrative that isis wants to present. it wants to show that it remains strong and this period, the holiday season, is always a time when isis tries to attack, particularly those christmas markets that are soon to be opening. lester >> richard eng until london, thank you. today's attacks come as security here at home is stepped up for the holidays. big events that draw crowds and a history of attacks at this time of the year pete williams has more on that >> reporter: from the thanksgiving day parade, to the rockefeller center christmas tree, to the huge crowd in times square, on new years eve, police

in new york deploy extra security around the holidays same for stepped-up security in washington and at holiday markets in major cities nationwide. that's partly a response to the 2016 truck attack on a christmas market in germany that killed 12 people, and a deadly shooting attack just last year, on the largest christmas market in france the state department continues to update travel advisory warnings for countries in western europe, that are popular with american travelers, because of the continuing terrorism threat as isis fighters flee to europe after the collapse of the caliphate. train travelers at washington's union station this holiday season are finding extra security special scanners that detect objects blocking body heat, suggesting that somebody could be carrying a bomb or a gun under clothing reporter adam tusf shows how it works. >> there is a big black box under my midsection, a steel plate under my shirt

that is an indication that is something is not right. >> reporter: officials say there is no connection between those attacks overseas and here at home. and weather remains a major concern from coast to coast with airlines waiving change fees for flyers at major airports on sunday let's get more on this now from steve paterson >> reporter: across the country, bracing for another battle with bad weather. 56 million in all on alert for snow or high winds and flash floods and airlines aric taing notice american and delta waiving change fees for passengers traveling through dozens of hubs, on december 1st, and 2nd, including new york, boston and minneapolis. in colorado, today, whiteout weather, burying roads and covering cars. in northern arizona, roads in and out of flagstaff, cut off by nearly two feet of snow, making travel almost impossible in southern california, pockets of severe rain led to a mud slide, cutting off part of a major highway.

in the northeast, it was heavyei havoc the storm in cape cod snapped this tree, and it collapsed right on top of a home gusty winds left a mess in philadelphia, too. >> i heard a sound, like a bomb. >> reporter: veronica brinkley's car, one of several crushed by bricks after the wind ripped apart a wall and in the midwest, plows are hitting the highways early, getting ready for the next winter wave, as millions make ready for the storm to come. steve patterson, nbc news. >> and with that let's get right to meteorologist dillon drier, what are we facing >> reporter: this is the tomorrow we're facing all weekend long the northern side where we will see most of the snow, six or more inches from the northern plains to the upper midwest. ahead of the cold front where it is warmer, a lot of rain and torrential downpour, isolated stronger storms, and on sunday, up and down the east coast, we will see rain and snow, you go up into new york, and new england, we could see significant amounts of snow, perhaps as much as nine to 12 inch, lesser amounts as you go

farther to the south either way it is a huge travel day on sunday, and back through minneapolis, chicago, detroit, boston, down to dc, we will likely see some airport delays because of the rain and the snow farther north. lester >> okay, dylan, thank you. on this black friday, shoppers were not going to let weather or anything else frankly get that their way of the best bargains of the year joline kent has some of the best deals in stores and online >> reporter: >> three, two, one. >> reporter: black friday kicked off with a bang. more than 3,000 people lining up in cold weather to get into mall of america for the busiest shopping day of the year. >> how early did you get here? >> around 3:45 >> in the morning? >> yes. >> we had to not go in some stores because the lines were crazy. >> reporter: but with more than half of consumers planning to do most of their holiday shopping online, huge crowds across the country are becoming the exception. on thanksgiving day, alone, shoppers spent a record $4 billion online to meet heavy demand, best buy's

ceo corey berry is make the best discounts available anywhere, through this weekend >> are the deals that they see online, as in person at the store? >> they absolutely the same online as they are in the store. occasionally online we will sell out and people come to the store. >> a 13 inch mac book air, and a roomba and a ring doorbell camera, nearly half off. and 50% off at amazon and target, and a subscription of hulu for $1.99 a month hot deals on and off-line to check off the holiday list. and don't forget tomorrow is small business saturday. small businesses drive more than 40% of the u.s. economy, so as they try to compete with big retailers like here at the mall of america, it sur chance to spend your money locally. >> thank you. in southeast texas, that massive fire at a chemical plant was finally contained.

although the flames are not completely out evacuation orders were lifted, for 50,000 people in the area, there is still concern about chemicals and asbestos in the air because of the fire and two explosions. breaking news in the impeachment battle tonight with new hearings set for next week, democrats are giving president trump a new deadline nbc's peter alexander joins us, peter what are we learning about that >> reporter: lester, good evening. nice to see you. house democrats are charging ahead with their impeachment proceedings tonight. the democrats in a new letter to president trump setting deadline of one week from today, for him to decide if he plans to call his own witnesses to testify in the process. republicans bulking at those demands tonight. right now the house intelligence committee is wrapping up its report, laying out the case for impeachment, and then it move together judiciary committee that is expected to hold the first hearing next wednesday, where experts will discuss whether the president's actions rise to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors the president now faces a choice

whether to participate in an inquiry that he has repeatedly ak tad as a partisan sham, or sit it out. >> peter alexander, thank you. shocking images out of chicago tonight. video of an officer body slamming a man to the ground the mayor there calling it disturbing but police say it doesn't tell the whole story nbc's gabe gutierrez has that. >> that's an officer, slamming a man to the ground yesterday, on chicago's south side the man appears motionless after his head hit the concrete. the brief video does not show what led to the confrontation. police say the 29-year-old had been drinking, and the officer performed an emergency takedown, after the man verbally threatened the officer, licked his face, and spit in his eyes and now, the department spokesman says in partr investia ions in the video are concerning today, the mayor weighedy the individual, thisween the police particular video is very disturbing the encounter comes almost three

years after a justice department review found a pattern of unconstitutionally excessive and deadly force within the chicago police department. in this case, the unidentified man was treated at the hospital overnight. and is now in police custody the officer is still on the job. gabe gutierrez, nbc news. there could be new fallout for prince andrew, as his accuser is set to speak out in a bbc interview airing monday. just weeks after the prince denied meeting her in his own explosive interview of his friendship with jeffery epstein. here's nbc's erin mclaughlin. >> reporter: virginia roberts dufffrey telling her story this time on prince andrew's home turf. >> he knows what happened. i know what happened and there is only one of us telling the truth. >> reporter: the first u.k. interview. it was a really scary time in my life >> she alleges when she was a teen, she had sex with the prince, after she was trafficked by jeffrey epstein a claim his royal highness is vehemently denying >> i can tell you categorically,

i don't remember meeting her at all. >> reporter: back in september, she detailed her allegations to nbc news savannah guthrie. >> he denies it ever happened and he is going to keep denying it ever happened. >> prince andrew telling the bbc he doesn't remember meeting her despite this 2001 picture, the prince's arm around her waist. >> i simply have no recollection of a photograph ever being taken. >> reporter: after the interview, widely dubbed disastrous, andrew announced he is stepping down from his public duties also reports that he could be stripped of his military titles. and rumors of a family rift. next week, president trump is expected here at buckingham palace the queen is hosting a reception for nato leaders prince andrew who is front and center for the president's visit in june is not on the guest list lester >> erin, thank you. just ahead, the deadly fall of one of the world's most skilled rock climbers, a survivor, tells what happened.

>> also, smaller seats, more crowded planes could the cost-cutting moves be puttin a holiday kickoff as wew some o city rockettes stay with us

now, the accident that took the life of a famed american rock climber, one of the world's best, his death capping a week that highlighted the perils of the sport. here is miguel. >> reporter: a tragic end for american rock climber brad gobright who fell nearly a nous feet to his death while descending a rock face in northern mexico. gobright and climbing partner aiden jacobson were rappelling down the 1500 foot cliff with a rope when they plummeted jacobson who sur vived the fall telling "outside" magazine, they hadn't tied potentially life-saving stopper knots on the rope when all of a sudden i felt a drop and i screamed and he screamed and all of a sudden i saw his blue shirt bounce over the edge gobright one of the best

climbers was featured in a feature film which showed his daring climbs without ropes. >> i am not going to deny it is a dangerous activity. >> reporter: memorials for the celebrated climber pouring in. famed free solo climber, writing in part, i suppose there is something about being safe out there and the inherent risks of climbing but i don't really care about that right now i'm just sad for brad and his family it comes just days after another climber, miraculously survived a four-story fall from yosemite's el capitan tonight the climbing community is still in shock, after losing one of its mosd climbers miguel almaguer, nbc news. up next for us tonight, the shrinking size of airline seats. is it putting your life at risk? we will be back with that.

the faa is investigating a potential safety threat on the planes we fly tonight. could emergency evacuations be delayed by the much smaller

seats now used by airlines and putting you and your family at risk here is nbc's tom costello >> move, move, move. >> reporter: the faa tests are designed to replicate the real life panic of an onboard emergency. smoke fills the cabin as the lights suddenly go out now, under order from congress, to set minimum seat size standards, the faa is looking at whether smaller seats actually pose a threat. >> we want to see if it has any influence or effect on the time it takes to evacuate an aircraft. >> reporter: critics say the tests up until now have been flawed no one grabbed for an overhead bag. there are no or disabled participants and verymma? ighte out of four americans er shrinking seat sizes for years, yet the airlines have been from 35 inches, down to 31 inches and less, today >> it comes down to plain and simple comfort but number one should be safety if we can't get out during an emergency evacuation, then

people are really in trouble >> reporter: so new faa tests involve 60 volunteers at a time, ages 18 to 60, and still, no children disabled or elderly but the faa promises the tests should better reflect america's weight demographic aircraft manufacturers must prove that every passenger can get out of a plane within 90 seconds with half of the exits blocked. the caution tonight is whether too close for comfort is also too close for safety. >> tom, thanks. up next tonight, a holiday fixture. we will tell you what is new this year with the radio city rockettes.

finally tonight, we stepped outside on this holiday music to see how the famed radio city rockettes are kicking off this season with some new faces who

are already making audiences smile. here's gadi schwartz ♪ >> reporter: at radio city music hall, these are the sights and sounds that mean the holidays are finally here even without the crowds, looking out from where the rockettes stand side by side every night can be breath taking so this is your office, huh? >> yes this is work for us. >> reporter: and with the rockettes, with all backgrounds an 18-year-old is the youngest. >> i pinch myself a little bit that i get to do this. >> reporter: the excitement continues for nicole baker who is hoping to inspire working moms >> i am a mom of four. there are seven rockette moms this year. >> reporter: wow and for the first time, sidney, a dancer born without a hand, beating out thousands to earn her spot, on stage, in distinguishable from the others, unless you're a sharp-eyed little girl who is also missing

a limb. >> one of girls looked up at her mom and said i'm going to be a rockette when i'm older and that like broke me. >> reporter: it is easy to get emotional surrounded by rockettes and impossibly not to feel included even if you're a clumsy correspondent trying out some tricks of the trade. >> i'm light-headed just from doing that it is crazy. >> behind the scenes we're completely different women but when we're on stage, we're like one. >> reporter: and hopy and dirsi fill all of us with more holidaw york. and we are very lucky to have the rockettes, across the three neighbors at rock center happy holidays to you. thanks for coming out. that is nightly news for this friday i'm lester holt. thank you for watching and good night

right now at 6:00, broke into his home. hear from a man about a reason he says he's still alive. pg&e defending its decision to shut off power to millions of people. how many fires it says it power went out. first, dangerous weather hitting the bait area. it's just the beginning. new storms taking aim at the bay area. the news at 6:00 starts now. good evening earn. i'm jessica aguirre. i'm garvin thomas. raj mathai is off tonight. we're in a microclimate weather alert. a strong storm is inching towards the area. >> let's show you what it looks like now. clear skies now. but it's not going to stay that way. team coverage begins with rob mayeda. what can we expect?

>> we're seeing remnant showers from the last storm. storm ranger, mobile doppler radar, over the next six to eight hours, they will decrease. but heading towards tomorrow morning, the wind starts to pick up and the rain will be on the increase. let's talk about the one-two punch. during the day tomorrow, gusts could be up to 60 miles per hour. notice the timing here from 10:00 a.m. saturday all the way to 3:00 a.m. on monday. meanwhile, the rain will be headed up in the kincade fire burn zone. 3 to 4 inches of rainfall in