people will be safe this new year's eve because they're there along with our law enforcement partners. >> security at an all time high as we prepare to ring in the new year. >> get ready for a cold war style retaliation in response to p po's stand against the kremlin hacking. >> new details on what is expected to be a dual funeral and memorial service. >> a nasty nor'easter producing heavy snow and high wind continues to found new england. >> the bald eagle baby watch. >> and meet freddy, the new world record holder for tallest dog on the planet. "early today" starts right now.

>> good morning to you on this friday. i'm betty nguyen. we begin with president obama's unprecedented response to russia's cyberattack against the united states. the u.s. is striking back against russia for the attack that was meant in part to affect the presidential election. it produces new sanctions, kicked 30 ambassadors out of the count countries, and more. some say it's not enough. the question is, will a president trump reverse the decision? nbc's ron allen has details. >> just as i told russia to stop it -- >> president obama made good on that promise to retaliate, targeting russia's top intelligence agencies with sanctions. officials in putin's 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 russia's 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 administration's

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 embassy's 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 won't 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 nor'easter 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. it's all expected to wrap up later today, allowing everyone to get out there and ring in the new year this weekend. >> as the new year's 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 we're 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 isis-inspired attacks. boston is taking similar steps. in pasadena, california, home to the rose parade, law enforcement outlined their new strategy. >> we'll 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 enforcement's strategy, a big show of force to create a deterrence and instill confidence in everyone looking to celebrate. >> new york law enforcement officials say there's been little so-called 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 it's 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, they're starring together in a new hbo documentary called "bright lights" that's 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 cease-fire 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 that's 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. it's 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 m-15 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 egg's shell just hours ago. it could be any moment now. keep watching. >> just ahead, we'll introduce you to the world's tallest dog. you have to see this. >> and super group run dmc said they were robbed and they're looking for a $50 million payday. >> but first, meteorologist bonnie schneider has your new year's 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. we're watching that closely. we're also looking at the threat

going forward through the weekend, so rounds of rain across southern california and into arizona, that's something to watch, even mountain snow is a strong possibility. that's 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 year's forecast looks good. >> like the sound of that. thank you. just ahead, a stinging rebuke from britain's prime minister to secretary of state john kerry. >> plus, bank thieves go to extremes, taking the cash and the atm too. details next. you're watching "early today." un-stop right there!

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england, the tallest dog in the world. the 4-year-old 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 didn't think he would grow up to be this big. so much for being a runt. >> leading the news, britain's 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 may's statement was surprising, given the uk's 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 they're selling, manufacturing, promoting, and distributing multiple products in run dmc's name without the group's permission. it includes glasses, hats, t-shirts, 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.

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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 13-month hiatus following her crushing first career defeat by holly holm. she's 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. >> i'm very sad. i used to come up to new york all the time just to come to carnegie deli. >> do you know what you're going to eat? >> sad to see it go. well, a pair of airline passengers are now facing charges after a mid-air outburst forced a cross country flight to turn around. part of the incident was caught on camera, and as gabe gutierrez

shows us, it's 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 don't 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 vet's family. blus, if your new year's kiss is miles away, this device could be a solution. you're watching "early today." my hygienist told me to try...

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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. it's 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. that's 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. that's 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 britain's 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. you're watching "early today." per roll

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well, we're looking at great weather for the rose bowl parade. no problems there. temperatures will be cool but partly cloudy skies in the 40s. how about times square? originally, we didn't expect a great looking forecast, but now it's looking good. mostly cloudy skies, comfortable temperatures. can't beat that. i think the new year's forecast is coming through nicely. >> no complaints here. all right, thank you, bonnie. >> forget the fireworks this new year eve. how about looking to the skies for a special comet sighting instead? nasa says comet 45-p is set to appear just after sunset near the crescent moon saturday night. i know, it's not the same as fireworks, but at a distance of more than 7 million miles away from earth, sky watchers will

need binoculars to seek it out. if you miss it, don't worry, it will be back in four to five years. >> one star nfl player gave a powerful christmas gift to his teammates this year. according to espn.com, eagles quarterback carson wentz bought a personalized baretta shotgun for each of his offensive linemen. the teammates were reportedly thrilled at the gift. hopefully, though, they won't bring their guns loaded to the airport. that's something nigel bradham got arrested for earlier in the season. here's a question for you. push-ups or jail? that's the option that was given to a teenager. he was caught smoking weed in a parking lot outside a movie theater. to avoid a trip to the station, an officer took him to task, telling him to do 200 push-ups. a mother who witnessed the encounter asked to record it and show it to her children who she says don't trust the police. it seems like the video is encouraging more people. it's already gotten 200,000

views. >> how would you like abe lincoln in your living room, maybe george washington? now's your chance to make presidential sized purchases. gettysburg's hall of presidential wax museum is auctions off life-sized figures of american presidents and one-third scale figures of first ladies in inaugural gowns. the museum has been in business for over 60 years but the owners said an attendance shortage forced it to close down. the auction is for january 14th. who doesn't want a life-sized president in their living room? >> all parties represented. >> you could have several from all the parties. you could have a dinner party with them all. you could have your own state dinner. thanks for watching "early today." we do want to wish you and yours a wonderful and safe new year. happy 2017 to all of you. and ringing that in, and belle see you back here on monday. have a good one. right now on today in the bay --

president obama kicks dozens of russian diplomats out of our country...includi ng some right here in san . anci right now on "today in the bay," president obama kicks dozens of russian diplomats out of our country, including some in san francisco. now the russian government is threatening a hit for tat respots. pet owners reeling after their dog dies just days after going in for a haircut. the groomer says they have proof they're not to blame. tomorrow, of course, is new year's eve. if you're going to be drinking to celebrate, we'll tell you all the free rides you can take to safely ring in 2017. "today in the bay" starts right now. good morning to you at 4 doo 30 on this friday morning. thanks so much for joining us.