Good morning to you on this friday. Im betty nguyen. We begin with president obamas unprecedented response to russias cyberattack against the united states. The u. S. Is striking back against russia for the attack that was meant in part to affect the president ial election. It produces new sanctions, kicked 30 ambassadors out of the count countries, and more. Some say its not enough. The question is, will a President Trump reverse the decision . Nbcs ron allen has details. Just as i told russia to stop it president obama made good on that promise to retaliate, targeting russias top intelligence agencies with sanctions. Officials in putins inner circle, but not the russian president himself, singled out by president obama. Freezing the assets of russian officials named, banning business contacts with americans, russia also accused of harassing u. S. Diplomatic abroad. We have seen verbal and physical harassment, trying to revoke their credentials. 32 Russian Diplomats in the u. S. Expelled. Closing two russian government compounds, allegedly used for spying. In a statement, president obama saying all americans should be alarmed by russias actions. The actions today were designed to make very clear, we will respond add a time and place of our choosing. Also targeted, two notorious cybercriminals accused of stealing millions from american banks and data. Also declassifying information designed to help computer experts block more hacking. The russians dismissed it all as a sign of aggressive Foreign Policy, to deal a blow to the incoming administrations Foreign Policy plans. President elect trump again rejected the charges. While trump may soon have the power to reverse sanctions, that may prove politically difficult with republicans and democrats calling for tough steps against russia. And late thursday, donald trump issued a statement saying he plans to meet with members of the Intelligence Community in the coming days in order to learn more facts on the situation. That as the russian embassys twitter account put this biting tweet with a duck, the word lame sprawled on front in large font, calling the Obama Administration hapless and its actions cold war deja vu, and russia suz the new sanctions wont be left unanswered, strongly denying any wrongdoing, and according to e the new york times, the kremlin is moving to expel 35 u. S. Diplomats and ban u. S. Staff from using Diplomatic Properties in moscow. In millions are in the cross hairs of the first major noreaster of the season. A winter storm gathering strength, already dropping half a foot or more of fresh snow in seven states, causing accidents and bringing drivers to a stand still on major highways across the northeast. Thundersnow was reported in parts of connecticut, boston, and portland, maine. Strong wind and heavy snow swept through. There is good news. Its all expected to wrap up later today, allowing everyone to get out there and ring in the new year this weekend. As the new years eve quickly approach approaches, security is tightening from coast to coast and all around the world after the terror attacks this year in cities including orlando, nice, and most recently, berlin. Law enforcement is on high alert and making an unprecedented show of force in new york. Stephanie gosk has details. People will be safe this new year eve because were there along with our Law Enforcement partners. In times square, a record 7,000 uniformed and undercover police, including hundreds of heavily armed counterterrorism officers will hit the streets. And in the wake of vehicle attacks overseas, the berlin Christmas Market earlier this month killing a dozen, and nice over the summer, leaving 86 dead, sand trucks and other vehicles will be used to block off new york streets. While in chicago, fences and concrete barricades went up amid concerns about isisinspired attacks. Boston is taking similar steps. In pasadena, california, home to the rose parade, Law Enforcement outlined their new strategy. Well be using a series of police radio cars, staffed with either uniformed officers or deputies. And water barriers to create a chicane of sorts. Part of Law Enforcements strategy, a big show of force to create a deterrence and instill confidence in everyone looking to celebrate. New york Law EnforcementOfficials Say theres been little socalled terrorism chatter. Investigators have visited over 3100 car and Truck Rentals advising owners to look out for suspicious behavior. An update on the Funeral Plans for Carrie Fisher and her mom debbie reynolds. Their family members have begun the Emotional Task of arranging Memorial Services and are discussing the best way to honor the two talented women. E news online is reporting todd fisher prefers a joint funeral. He said obviously its not finalized, but i think it sounds like a grand idea given the beautiful story between them. Their mother Daughter Relationship was rocky at times, however, in later years, they were quite close. In fact, theyre starring together in a new hbo documentary called bright lights thats set to air in march. The bloody seariyrian civil could be coming to an end. Fighting stopped in many area of the country overnight after they announced a ceasefire agreement. If it holds, they plan to conduct peace talks in kazakhstan next month. A spokesman said 13 opposition factions had signed on to the agreement. Click sclae, this excludes certain extremist groups, including isis and the al qaeda affiliate al nusra. From earth to space and the viral sensation thats taken the country by storm, even the astronauts aboard the International Space station took the mannequin challenge to new heights. A European Space agency astronaut tweeted this video of himself and five other crew members taking the challenge and putting that zero gravity to awesome use. Look at this. This officially makes it the hardest to beat mannequin challenge so far, so good luck trying to top this one. Well, at this very moment, thousands of people around the world are glued to their computer screens watching this. Its the live stream of two american bald eagles with the world eagerly awaiting the birth of their babies. Here you can see harriet and her mate m15 taking turns guarding the nest, anticipating the arrival of two baby bald eagles any moment. Since 2012, the stream has had 60 million views of harriet raising her young over the years. The two eggs there arrived in late november and revealed the first crack in an eggs shell just hours ago. It could be any moment now. Keep watching. Just ahead, well introduce you to the worlds tallest dog. You have to see this. And super group run dmc said they were robbed and theyre looking for a 50 million payday. But first, meteorologist Bonnie Schneider has your new years weekend weather. A lot of pressure on you. Looking at rain across much of Southern California, especially in los angeles and into orange county. Watch out for the rain because it will potentially cause some debris flow. Were watching that closely. Were also looking at the threat Going Forward through the weekend, so rounds of rain across Southern California and into arizona, thats something to watch, even mountain snow is a strong possibility. Thats a look athe big t w look in san diego, 64. Still watching for the rain in the southwest, but i think overall, the new years forecast looks good. Like the sound of that. Thank you. Just ahead, a stinging rebuke from britains Prime Minister to secretary of state john kerry. Plus, bank thieves go to extremes, taking the cash and the atm too. Details next. Youre watching early today. Unstop right there im about to pop a cap of mmm fresh in that washer with unstopables inwash scent boosters by downy. And if you want, pour a little more, because this scent lasts for 12 weeks, which is longer than any relationship ive ever been in. Right, freshness for weeks unstopables by downy. For a fresh too feisty to quit. Whats the best way to get two servings of veggies . V8 or a powdered drink . Ready, go. Ahhhhhhhh shake shake shake shake shake done you gotta shake it i shake it glad i had a v8. The original way to fuel your day. You can call him top dog. Guinness records just declared freddy, this great dane from england, the tallest dog in the world. The 4yearold pooch stands at almost 8 feet tall and weighs more than 196 pounds. His owner says he was the runt of the litter, so she didnt think he would grow up to be this big. So much for being a runt. Leading the news, britains Prime Minister theresa may rebukes john kerry for israel attack. Said, quote, we do not believe that it is approp rheet to attack the composition of the democratic ally. A move that aligned Prime Minister theresa may more closely with donald trump. A u. S. State Department Spokesman said mays statement was surprising, given the uks recent vote for the u. N. Resolution condemning israeli settlements. A drastic and dramatic heist captured on camera as thieves take extreme measures to steal an atm. Authorities released this Surveillance Video in the hopes it will help track down the suspects. Off as they use a stolen sky lift to load the machine on to a stolen truck. The robbery happened outside a credit union in texas two days before christmas. A new report from the Washington Post found the American Flag was flown at half staff a total of 53 times this year. The flag is often ordered so during periods of national mourning. On 23 occasions this year, the flag marked mome nltsz of death and carnage from honoring victims of the orlando massacre to eulogizing the Police Officers ambushed in baton rouge and dallas. 2016 saw Police Officer deaths rise to the highest level in years, with 64 killed in the line of duty. The other 30 days marked days of National Remembrance like pearl harbor and september 11th, while also honoring the lives of political figures like antonin scalia, nancy reagan and john glenn. President obama has now ordered the flag at half staff more than any other president in history. Under president obama, it was flown on 73 different occasions compared to 58 for george w. Bush and 50 for bill clinton. The rap group run dmc has filed a 50 million lawsuit in new york accusing walmart, amazon, jet, and other retailers of trademark infringement. It alleged theyre selling, manufacturing, promoting, and distributing multiple products in run dmcs name without the groups permission. It includes glasses, hats, tshirts, patches, wallets, and other items. They claim the retailers have improperly profited, diluted, harmed the brand, and so far, neither side has commented on the lawsuit. A close call for passengers aboard a helicopter that crashed in the mountains of northern los angeles. All four onboard survived a hard landing about 1,000 feet below the snowy summit of mt. Baldy. Nearby hikers reportedly assisted the passengers. Two were transported with injuries. The faa is investigating the cause of the crash. And coming up, how one couples fight forces a Cross Country flight to turn back around. That story next. The itsy bitsy spider went up the waterspout. Down came the rain and clogged the gutter system creating a leak in the roof. Luckily the spider recently had geico help him with homeowners insurance. Water completely destroyed his swedish foam mattress. He got full replacement and now owns the sleep number bed. His sleep number setting is 25. Call geico and see how much you could save on homeowners insurance. It helps put some distance. Between you and temptation. Clinically proven to help reduce hunger between meals. From metamucil, the 1 doctor recommended brand. I just want to find a used car without getting ripped off. You could start your search at the allnew carfax. Com that might help. Show me the carfax. Now the car you want and the history you need are easy to find. Show me used trucks with one owner. Pretty cool. [laughs] ah. Ahem. Show me the carfax. Start your used car search and get free carfax reports at the allnew carfax. Com. Fast forwarding today, a funeral will be held in Beverly Hills for actress zsa zsa gabor, the hungarian borne socialite died december 18th, less than two months shy of her 100th birthday. Ufc power house Rhonda Rousey is back following her 13month hiatus following her crushing first career defeat by holly holm. Shes be facing off against amanda nunez. The famed Carnegie Deli is serving its last sandwich today after 79 years in business. Harry smith spoke with tourists and locals waiting for one last taste. We got up at 4 30 this morning to get here. 4 30. Yes. Im very sad. I used to come up to new york all the time just to come to Carnegie Deli. Do you know what youre going to eat . Sad to see it go. Well, a pair of Airline Passengers are now facing charges after a midair outburst forced a Cross Country flight to turn around. Part of the incident was caught on camera, and as Gabe Gutierrez shows us, its part of a troubling rise in cases of air rage. It was a midair meltdown. A man lunging at another passenger. A woman cursing as police yank both of them from a delta flight. Why . For what . Million miles of flying, i have never seen anything like it. And it was horrible. Patrick, who took this cell phone video, says it started when the woman tried to use the restroom during takeoff. When a Flight Attendant told her to sit down, she and her partner started shouting. Captain came on and told the people in the back to sit down and listen. The plane on its way from minneapolis to los angeles, less than an hour into the flight, the pilots turned around. We do have the authorities called. They should be at the gate when you get there. Air rage seems to be taking off, from this brawl on a flight to baltimore to this takedown in charlotte, to pop star Richard Marks helping subdue a passenger last week. There were more than 10,000 reported cases of rage last year. I dont think alcohol really is the cause of the increase in air rage. The real cause is the lack of personal space on aircraft. As for this latest outburst, the couple is now charged with disorderly conduct. So unruly and so out of control. After some turbulence, the flight finally arrived in l. A. Two and a half hours late. Gabe gutierrez, nbc news. That is wild. So much for the friendly skies, right . Just ahead, prince harry sends a Sweet Surprise to an army vets family. Blus, if your new years kiss is miles away, this device could be a solution. Youre watching early today. My hygienist told me to try. A mouthwash. So i tried crest. It does so much more than give me fresh breath. Crest prohealth mouthwash provides all. Of these benefits to help you get better dental checkups. Go pro with crest prohealth mouthwash. Checkup . Nailed it. Trending this morning, a new device on the horizon that will make it possible for Long Distance livers to lock lips, kind of sort of. Its called a kissinger. It allows users to send kissing via smartphone. You put the phone in a docking station. On the front is a silicone pad. Thats where you pucker up. The pressure of your kiss is sent to an app, and then on to the recipient lucky enough to get your kiss. Not the same thing, but nice try. All right, big news for tennis superstar serena williams. Her man put a ring on it. Thats right. She announced on thursday her boyfriend is now her fiancee. Williams first broke the news on, where else, reddit. She then posted this pic of the couple on instagram. The two started dating in october of 2015. Congratulations to them. This is another pic that was released. There are very few actual pictures of the couple together. Nice personal shot. I know. Lovely couple there. And an Alabama Family received a very royal surprise from none other than britains prince harry. The prince sent the family a christmas card, and that card features the kids of a u. S. Army veteran. Prince harry met the family at disney world this summer and posed for the picture, a picture he was more than willing to take. We just tapped on the shoulder and said can we have a picture . He said, yeah, sure. I feel very honored that he chose our kids to be on his christmas card. Fantastic. Youre watching early today. 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Nasa says comet 45p is