Syrians as war lords, gangsters and religious fanatics who regularly post videos of beheadings and other atrocities on youtube. Damascus is quiet tonight. Some light traffic. No one really walking around. 5 Million People hunkered down, as the terrible war that is tearing their country apart has now arrived here, in fierce battles raging in the citys suburbs. Syrias many minorities live in terror of a jihadist takeover of their country. Before we came here, we visited Christian Refugees from syria who had fled to beirut. They said they were forced out of their villages by muslim fundamentalists ethnically cleansed. They supported the rebellion at first, but not now. Theyve lost their homes, their communities, their way of life. We lived freely as christians, this man tells me, putting up Christmas Trees and decorations, but now we are being targeted. A dirty war, no end in sight. We should let you know weve come to this country with the permission of the government who want the other side of the story told. But theres no doubt the rebellion here has changed. And ordinary syrians increasingly just want the fighting to stop and they dread the chaos thats been unleashed here. Bashar assad himself seems to know this. The man the u. S. Said must go told a group of visitors today, we are sure we will win. Diane . All right, terry moran, our thanks to you. And terry will be sending out more reports to us from inside syria in the days ahead. Back here at home, its time to fasten our seat belts. For 32 Straight Days now, gasoline prices have soared, now a fourmonth high. 3. 73 a gallon. And we learned today how much higher theyll rise in april and when they should start falling again. The newest member of our abc team, a veteran business reporter, linzie janis, here to explain. Linzie, welcome. Reporter thank you very much, diane. You know, americans spent 4 of their Household Budget on gas last year. Its the biggest spike in three decades and it makes the recent spike all the more worrying. The pearsons know what theyre not looking for in the family car. I dont want an suv, its too much price its too pricey on gas. Reporter theyre giving up more space for more miles to the gallon. Its their number one priority. Close to 4 already, i think by the end of the month, it will be 4. Reporter prices often spike in the spring as refineries switch over to a summer blend of gasoline, but this year theyre rising well ahead of schedule. In california, where some gas stations are already charging 5 a gallon im at 64, it usually takes me, like, 50 bucks to fill up. Reporter drivers are starting to make sacrifices. Dinners out. Movie night. Things like that. Reporter the big fear is that rising gas prices threaten a fragile economic recovery. If we hit 4 a gallon on regular unleaded across the country, that would do a lot of damage. Nothing hurts more, more quickly, than rising gasoline prices. Reporter the price tracker at gasbuddy. Com predicts gas will reach 3. 75 to 4. 05 by april. As the pearsons shop for their new car, they worry about their annual trip to South Carolina in april. Last years trip cost them 300 in gas. According to our calculations, their trip would cost just 230 in their new fuelefficient car. Mom and dad may be focused on fuel, but young austin has a different wish. What kind of car would you like to get . Red reporter and diane, some possible relief in sight. Gasbuddy. Com says that prices will probably start to head lower around memorial day. All right, linzie, thank you again so much and welcome to abc news once more. And now, we head out to the heartland. This was the scene in fargo, north dakota, today. Whiteout conditions turning an intersection into an obstacle course. And now, another winter blast on the move, expected to wallop the plains with blizzard conditions, from the mountains of california to the midwest in the coming days. And with snowstorms so much in the forecast, there was a Climate Change headline today from some of the nations top scientists, saying we should brace ourselves for less snow, but more blizzards. So, what does that mean . Abcs david kerley explains. Reporter it doesnt seem to make sense. Blistering blizzards. Was up during the middle of the night and it looked like a blizzard outside. Reporter shoveling your sidewalk, you may be asking, this is Global Warming . Im ready for spring. Yeah, im definitely sick of winter. Reporter even the comics are getting in on the snow show. Global warming is a total hoax. And ill tell you how i know. Because its cold today where i live. Reporter but new studies confirm what scientists have been saying. We will get less snow. Rutgers scientists have now documented a million square mile decline of snow cover over nearly 50 years. And a new study from princeton scientists predicts global snowfall over the next 50 years will shrink more than a foot. In the u. S. , a 30 to 70 drop in snow by the end of this century. But when we do get snow watch out. Every once in awhile, theres going to be a big storm, a kind of knockout punch. Reporter bigger blizzards, but less snow . Scientists say thats because a warmer atmosphere can hold a lot more moisture, sucking it up from the oceans. Most of it will come down as rain. But when it gets cold enough, it will turn into snow, a lot of it. And we could get hit by a monster storm. One of these studies and its predictions is based on computer models and some wonder, how good are those models . But climatologists say the weather patterns are already changing. So, get out your snow shovels. Snowstorms with two, three feet that used to seem highly unusual, that may, in fact, become more typical. Reporter bigger storms, less snow overall. A new reality. David kerley, abc news, washington. And now, we have an update about the fire that crippled the Carnival Cruise ship. 4,200 people stranded on board. It was caused by a leak in a fuel line between the engines. Hot oil sparking that blaze. Theres no indication the leak was anything but accidental. And as of tonight, two passengers have filed suit against carnival, including one woman who claims she suffered severe dehydration and bruising from aggressive passengers on those long food lines. And now, to the new clues in the Oscar Pistorius murder case. Tomorrow, the olympian will appear in court in the shooting death of his girlfriend. And tonight, abcs bazi kanani speaks with someone who has spoken directly to pistorius. Reporter world famous for his triumphs over adversity, Oscar Pistorius is facing his toughest challenge yet. Facing murder charges for the death of his cover model girlfriend. In his cramped jail cell, pastor olga booysen prayed with him. I saw him as a really, really lonely young man, really heartbroken and sad. Reporter the pastor tells abc news, when she visited pistorius on sunday, he was humbled. Oscar was also devastated about reevas family, as well as his own. Reporter pistorius is currently losing the battle for Public Opinion in south africa, where incriminating claims are swirling in local media. New reports quoting Police Sources say that steroids were found in his house and investigators are testing his blood for the drug that can cause roid rage, aggressive outbursts. That a bloody cricket bat was found in his bedroom, possibly used in a violent argument before the shooting. That his girlfriend, reeva steenkamp, may have then fled to the bathroom, where she was shot at least three times through the door. A reality show steenkamp recently taped is now airing on national tv. In the First Episode this weekend, a promise to sign off of the show with grace and gratitude. With the way the people act when you make your exit, its so important that you even made an impact in a positive way or a negative way. And im going to miss you all so much. And i love you, very, very much. Reporter steenkamps family is expected to make a Public Comment tomorrow after burying their daughter in a private ceremony, on the same day Oscar Pistorius is expected to make his first Public Comment on the case during his bail hearing. Diane . Bazi kanani reporting in from pretoria tonight. And tonight, we have learned that a prominent sports owner has died, jerry buss, who used the millions he made in real estate to buy the Los Angeles Lakers for 67. 5 million in 1979 and transformed them into a very flashy franchise. He paid a fortune for heavyweights like kareem abduljabbar, Magic Johnson and shaquille oneal. The team would win ten nba championships under his ownership and become valued at a billion dollars. He had been in the hospital with cancer for more than a year. He was 80 years old. And still ahead here on world news, for the first time, she is the leader of the pack on the nascar track. Big news tonight. And we have the secret of the physical stamina that led tiny Danica Patrick to outrace the men, coming up next. See life in the best light. Outdoors, or in. Transitions® lenses automatically filter just the right amount of light. So you see everything the way its meant to be seen. Maybe even a little better. Visit your eyecare professional today to ask about our newest lenses, transitions vantage and transitions xtractive lenses. Experience life well lit. Ask which transitions adaptive lens is best for you. Then i read an article about a study that looked at the Long Term Health benefits of taking multivitamins. They used centrum silver for the study. So i guess my wife was right. [ male announcer ] centrum. Always your most complete. If your a man with low testosterone, so i guess my wife was right. You should know that axiron is here. The only underarm treatment for low t. Thats right, the one you apply to the underarm. Axiron is not for use in women or anyone younger than 18. Axiron can transfer to others through direct contact. Women, especially those who are or who may become pregnant, and children should avoid contact where axiron is applied as unexpected signs of puberty in children or changes in body hair or increased acne in women may occur. Report these signs and symptoms to your doctor if they occur. Tell your doctor about all medical conditions and medications. Do not use if you have prostate or breast cancer. Serious side effects could include increased risk of prostate cancer; worsening prostate symptoms; decreased sperm count; ankle, feet, or body swelling; enlarged or painful breasts; problems breathing while sleeping; and blood clots in the legs. Common side effects include skin redness or irritation where applied, increased red blood cell count, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and increase in psa. See your doctor, and for a 30day free trial, go to axiron. Com. As we said, its been big news. She has crashed through a speed and gender barrier. Danica patrick, who won the top position in nascars upcoming big race, the daytona 500. It is the first time a woman has ever earned the lead spot in this grueling, physical sport. And Abcs Paula Faris shows us the secrets of how she did it. Reporter in the 65year history of nascar, there has never been a female winner. Danica patrick in green. Reporter but after winning daytonas pole position, Danica Patrick is in position to change that. Just like anybody else in this moment, im happy, im proud. Reporter so, how did she do it . Danica credits her team, state of the art car and grueling workouts. Biology tells us mens muscles outperform womens in endurance sports. And racing is like a threehour workout. So, danica says she focuses on her upper body strength, building neck muscles like a linebacker to stay upright during those hard turns. Controlling the Steering Wheel is like holding a medicine ball in front of you for two hours. Punching the brake pedal on those turns is like pushing down 300 pounds. All the while, battling saunalike 150 degree temperatures inside, add a body suit on that, drivers can sweat off seven pounds in a single race. Is there any doubt in your mind that shes in the best physical shape that she could be . No doubt in my mind. Shes constantly working out, watching her diet. Reporter take a look at this. Danica dwarfed by her male counters. Eight inches shorter, 50 pounds lighter. Shes leveled the Playing Field despite those staggering physical differences. She has not set out to be the fastest girl. Shes set out to be the fastest driver and she proved that. Reporter even the daughter of one of her fiercest competitors, jeff gordon, taking a photo not with her dad, but with danica. Shes already shattered history, marking this tracks fastest speed in decades. Next sunday, Danica Patrick may just do it again. I dont give myself a super high chance of winning, but i give myself a chance to win, absolutely. I do think that its possible. Reporter now, danica was the favorite to win the pole. That means she will start sundays race in the front row, on the inside part of the track, leading that elite pack of 45. And how many pole winners have gone on to win the race . Reporter only nine. And the last winner was in 2000, but vegas likes her odds, dropping her from 18 to 1 down to 66 to 1. Okay, still a great achievement there. Thank you so much, paula faris. And coming up here, Michelle Obama reveals why she really got those bangs. Coming up in our instant index. [ fishing rod casting line, marching band playing ] [ male announcer ] the rhythm of life. [ whistle blowing ] where do you hear that beat . Campbells healthy request soup lets you hear it. In your heart. [ basketball bouncing ] heart healthy. Great taste. Mmm. [ male announcer ] sounds good. Its amazing what soup can do. Ive been fortunate to win on golfs biggest stages. But when joint pain and stiffness from Psoriatic Arthritis hit, even the smallest things became difficult. I finally understood what serious joint pain is like. I talked to my rheumatologist and he prescribed enbrel. Enbrel can help relieve pain, stiffness, and stop joint damage. Enbrel may lower your ability to fight infections. Serious, sometimes fatal events including infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma, other cancers, nervous system and blood disorders, and allergic reactions have occurred. Before starting enbrel, your doctor should test you for tuberculosis and discuss whether youve been to a region where certain fungal infections are common. You should not start enbrel if you have an infection like the flu. Tell your doctor if youre prone to infections, have cuts or sores, have had hepatitis b, have been treated for heart failure, or if you have symptoms such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness. [ phil ] get back to the things that matter most. Ask your rheumatologist if enbrel is right for you. [ doctor ] enbrel, the number one biologic medicine prescribed by rheumatologists. At the top of our instant index tonight, the first lady, Michelle Obama, laughingly talking with our friend rachael ray about what inspired her to get those bold new bangs. This is my midlife crisis, the bangs. I couldnt get a sports car, they wont let me bungee jump, so, instead, i cut my bangs. She turned 49 last month and mrs. Obama says, with 50 right around the corner, bangs are the safest way to take a walk on the wild side. The first ladys interview with rachael ray will air on wednesday. And this next story gives new meaning to the term mac attack. Burger kings twitter feed was hacked and instead of the burger king logo, the golden arches sneaked onto the page. And the joke message, we just got sold to mcdonalds because the whopper flopped. It was anonymous prank. Mcdonalds said they had nothing to do about it and the hacked account was quickly suspended by burger king today. And the mystery that went down with the titanic could be solved tonight. This was the famous scene, quiet courage, on the deck, as the band played on. All right, boys, nice and chewy, so theres no panic. Wedding dance. Well, experts believe the violin played by the band on deck has been identified. The prized possession of bandmaster wallace hartley. Legend has it when hartleys body was pulled from the ocean, fully dressed, the violin, in its case, was strapped to his chest. It was later returned to his fiance, but after all these years, its been submitted to new tests which reportedly signal it was, indeed, hartleys violin. If so, it will be auctioned in april. And if you see something youd like to have in our instant index, tweet it to me, dianesawyer, ill be reading. And coming up, with all those meteors lighting up the skies, from siberia to florida, were going to show you something brand new that might give all of us a warning ones going to crash. 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