tonight, russia hack payback. president obama strikes back for russia's cyber attacks, slapping down sanctions, picking dozens of diplomats out of the u.s. but president-elect trump says it's time to move on. nasty nor'easter. a powerful winter blast of ice, freezing rain, some expecting over a foot of snow. 14 million feeling the wrath. new year's alert. an unprecedented level of security in times square. law enforcement ramping up around the world after a year of horrific terror attacks. hollywood heartbreak. tributes pouring in for legendary star debbie reynolds. so many in shock over her back-to-back death with daughter carrie fisher. and one last taste. they're lining up down the block at a landma

doors after eight decades. "nightly news" begins right now. from nbc news world headquarters in new york, this is "nbc nightly news" with lester holt. >> good evening. i'm tamron hall filling in tonight for lester holt. we begin with president obama's unprecedented response to a cyber attack against this country. a strong strike back against russia for its hack of american political figures. which the intelligence community says was meant, in part, to influence the presidential election. the late day announcement levies sanctions on top russian government officials, companies, and hackers, and will force dozens of their diplomats to leave the united states. the administration also declassified information it says proved the methods russians used to hack. congressional leaders of both parties are endorsing the move, but with three weeks

[000:01:58;00] president trump back the decision? ron allen brings us the latest. >> just as i told russia to stop it -- >> reporter: today president obama made good on that promise to retaliate. targeting russia's top intelligence agencies with sanctions. officials in vladimir putin's inner circle but not the russian president himself all but singled out by president obama. >> i told him to cut it out or there would be freezing consequences. >> reporter: banning business contacts with americans. russia also accused of harassing u.s. diplomats abroad and espionage operations in america. >> we've seen verbal and physical harassment. we've seen them try and revoke their credentials, try and detain them. >> reporter: 35 russian diplomats in the u.s. expelled, just 72 hours to leave. closing two russian government compounds, rec centers allegedly used for spying shut down as of noon friday. in a statement, president obama saying, all americans should be alarmed by russia's actions.

>> the actions today very clear, we will respond at a time and place of our choosing. >> reporter: also targeted, two cyber criminals accused of stealing millions from american banks and personal data from e-commerce sites. the u.s. also declassifying information designed to help computer experts block more hacking. the russians dismissed it all as another sign of aggressive foreign policy, to deal a blow to the incoming administration's foreign policy plans. earlier president-elect trump again rejected allegations of russian interference in the election. >> i think we ought to get on with our lives. >> reporter: while trump may have the power to reverse today's sanctions with -- that may prove difficult with republicans and democrats calling for tough steps against russia. >> he has a senate and house leadership that have also supported these actions. if he backs down and he does this, it will be perceived that it was done for putin and at putin's request. >> reporter: in a

statement just in, trump says he'll meet with leaders of the next week in order to be updated on the facts of the situation. president obama vowed there is more to come, likely covert action that will not be made public. as tonight russia threatens retaliation. tamron? >> ron, thk you very much. a powerful winter storm is gathering strength in the northeast with heavy snow and high winds expected in much of new england tonight and tomorrow. the storm could leave some areas under a foot or more of snow. nbc's morgan radford reports on the latest from new hampshire. >> reporter: a classic nor'easter slamming new england. responders prepared and ready. >> last year, there was hardly any snow. this year, could be the big one. >> reporter: meanwhile, residents scrambling for supplies. >> i'm just trying to be ready for it. >> reporter: tonight, 14 million under winter advisories. the blast, pounding new england with more than a foot of snow. >> this storm is going to rapidly intensify as we go through the rest of the evening here.

it's going to bring heavy snow to interior new enan in fact, we're going to see as much as 12 to 18 inches of snow. on the coastal areas, much less snow. it will be more of a rain event. >> reporter: families in massachusetts preparing for the worst. >> i feel like i'm not ready. >> reporter: while neighbors in new hampshire say this winter weather is exactly what they need. >> fantastic! wonderful! we need it, we didn't get any last year. >> this is just like a gift. >> it keeps on giving. >> reporter: but with relief comes warning. flights already disrupted along the east coast and now a mix of ice and wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour, leaving residents on high alert. >> i would say stay home unless you absolutely need to get out. >> reporter: ski businesses across new england took a hit last year. some places only receiving up to four inches of snow. but now with new year's just around the corner, these places have already received 15 inches of snow, with another foot headed their way. tamron? >> morgan radford, thank you.

with just two days left20 is tightening coast to coast and around the world, as we get ready to ring in the new year. 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 here in new york. nbc's stephanie gosk has details. >> reporter: the confetti and the rain poured in times square today as the city gets ready for its annual bash and its annual massive security operation. >> people will be safe this new year's eve because we're there, along with our law enforcement partners. >> reporter: 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 the attack at the berlin christmas market killing a dozen and nice over the summer, leaving 86 dead, trucks and other vehicles will be used to block off new york

streets. in chicago, fences and concrete barricades [000:06:59;00] isis-inspired attacks. boston is taking similar steps. >> it's sad that we have to do this type of stuff, but it's the reality of what's happening now in the world. >> reporter: 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. >> reporter: overseas security is being increased across europe. in germany, officers in some cities are now armed with machine guns. in london, police presence is ramped up around buckingham palace and at the markets. >> yeah, i think it's quite safe. >> reporter: and in times square today, support for the police. >> i think they've been doing a great job anyway and just enjoy it like we're enjoying it. >> reporter: 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 tell us that they have visited 3,200 car and truck rental agencies in recent days, asking managers to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. they also add there has been very little so-called terrorism chatter in the build-up to new year's. tamron? >> stephanie, thank you. shock and sadness tonight over the death of hollywood icon debbie reynolds, just a day after the death of her famous daughter carrie fisher. fans and co-stars reacting in sorrow and disbelief that mother and daughter died, one right after the other. reynolds was 84 and tonight joe fryer looks back at her legacy. >> reporter: with a light sabre salute to carrie fisher in downtown disney and flowers on debbie reynolds' walk of fame star in hollywood,

fans are remembering both. her son todd fisher sa taking care of her and now she's gone to be with her. >> the two of them are sharing quips wherever they are, and debbie is telling carrie what she should be wearing and carrie is saying, mommy, i love you. ♪ singing in the rain ♪ >> reporter: reynolds danced her way to stardom when she was 19 with "singing in the rain." movie musicals became her specialty. in 1965 she earned an oscar nomination for the unsinkable molly brown. >> i'm unsinkable! >> reporter: and decades later came an emmy nomination for her guest role on "will & grace." ♪ good morning, good morning to you ♪ >> reporter: this >> reporter: like her daughter, reynolds was a pop culture icon. this photo shows fisher at age 6, waiting in the wings, watching as her mom performs. their relationship was rocky at times, as

dramatized in fisher's book, "postcards from the edge," which became a movie starring shirley with her, you, great. >> no pain, no gain. >> no wonder i'm so hefty. >> mother and i lived next door to each other. >> reporter: in later years, they were quite close. in fact, together, they're the stars of an upcoming hbo documentary. their powerful bond showcased a few years ago when they performed on "oprah." unsinkable -- and now unforgettable. joe fryer, nbc news, los angeles. sobering new numbers show just how deadly a year it's been for the nation's police officers. with a big increase in the number killed in the line of duty. we get more on this tonight from nbc's ari melber. >> reporter: it's been a brutal year for america's police officers. >> tonight, breaking news, dallas police ambush, five killed, seven injured by sniper fire.

>> when it came on the news that officers had been shot, i froze. >> rte 32-year-old son patrick was a dallas police officer on duty that horrible night in july. >> they just told me that he had been shot and that he didn't make it. >> reporter: patrick's death, part of a grim nationwide trend. a 56% spike in officers shot and killed, according to new data, 64 officers gunned down in the line of duty this year. 21 of those slain in ambushes. >> did you worry about him when he was on the job? >> of course. as a family, we all worried about our loved ones, especially with everything that's been going on. >> reporter: patrick was a three-time veteran of the iraq war and the father of 3-year-old lincoln. >> tell me about patrick. who was he? >> patrick was a sweet, caring, loveable person. >> reporter: this

year, the family christmas tree pays tribute to patrick and the reality that he won't be coming home >> to wake up and know that he's not here, that i can't call him. >> reporter: valerie says his memory lives on in lincoln who knows her father was an officer. >> she knows her dada wore a uniform. so she'll always know. >> reporter: the children of fallen officers leading the way to a path of healing. ari melber, nbc news. after more than five years of bloody civil war in syria, a new ceasefire has been declared effective at midnight. the deal between the syrian government and rebel forces was announced by russian president vladimir putin and has the backing of neighboring turkey. if it holds, peace talks will follow next month, but the deal does not include the jihadist groups isis, or al nusra. still ahead, losing sleep. experts say it's the worst type of insomnia.

waking up hours too early. we'll tell you how to hit the snooze on yo body clock. also, air rage in the aisle. police called in when passengers erupt in a mid-air meltdown. stay with us. rris, we have your fingerprints on the safe. a photo of you opening the safe. a post using the hashtag "#justrobbedthesafe" so, what are we supposed to think? switching to geico could save you a bunch of money on car insurance. excellent point. case dismissed. geico. because saving fifteen percent or more on car insurance woo! because saving fifteen percent or more on car insurance is always a great answer. tmom didn't want another dog. she said it's too much work. lulu's hair just floats. uhh help me! (doorbell) mom, check this out. wow. swiffer sweeper, and dusters. this is what i'm talking about. look at that.

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and that is why you invest. the best returns aren't just measured in dollars. we're back with a problem that tens of millions of us can relate to -- insomnia. the failure to get a good night's sleep. about 30% of americans suffer from some form of it.

and experts say the worst kind is waking up way too early. gadi schwartz tonight what can be done. >> come on, breakfast is almost ready. >> reporter: even before the sun comes up, a mother's mind can be a busy place. >> are they doing well in school, what do they need here. >> love you. >> you too. >> reporter: jennifer gasner is already multi tasking. >> your tummy hurts? >> yes. >> reporter: making breakfast for three kids, packing lunches and brushing hair. >> are you going to brush your teeth? >> i just did. >> reporter: it's not easy. recently she started waking up way too early, unable to fall back asleep. >> then i start thinking about how tired i'm going to be the next day. >> reporter: of the types of insomnia, trouble falling asleep and waking up in the middle of the night, experts say early morning awakening can be the hardest to treat. >> i can see the clock from my bed. i'm really trying, don't look over there. >> what's the worst you can do? >> try harder to sleep.

>> really? >> yeah. sleep is one of those things, the more effort you put into it, the further it too early can be caused by a body clock that shifts as we age. so what can you do to fight it? try a later bedtime. even if you're sleepy, stay awake, for example, by watching tv standing up. write to-do list the night before, and if you can't get back to sleep after 10 to 20 minutes, get out of bed and try reading or listening to music. no bright lights or screens. and doctors say some sleeping pills don't work for this type of insomnia, because the drugs leave the blood stream early in the morning, just when they're needed the most. the best bet, finding a way to relax just -- naturally just before drifting off. >> just snuggle in there and block out all your thoughts. that would be nice. >> reporter: anything is worth trying for jennifer, in search of that full night's sleep. gadi schwartz, nbc news, los angeles. we're back in a moment with a hard

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and you can use less enjoy the go with charmin. caught on surveillance camera, a car slamming into the pumps at a gas station in detroit. police say the driver lost control when he swerved to avoid another car that blew through a red light. he was taken to the hospital with injuries and faces charges of driving with a suspended license. a close call for passengers aboard a helicopter that crashed in the mountains north of los angeles. officials say all four on board survived a hard landing about a thousand feet below the snowy summit of mt. baldi, the highest point in los angeles county. nearby hikers reportedly assisted the passengers, two of them were transported with injuries. 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 caught on camera.

and as our gabe gutierrez tells us, it's part of a troubling rise in cases of air rage in our skies. >> reporter: it was a mid-air meltdown. a man lunging at another passenger. a woman cursing as police yanked both of them from a delta flight. >> why! for what! >> in my million miles of flying, i've never seen anything like it. it was horrible. >> reporter: patrick whalen, who took this video, said it all started when the woman tried to use the rest room during takeoff. he says, when eye flight attendant told her to sit down, she and her partner started shouting. >> the captain came on and told the people in the back to sit down and listen to the flight attendants. >> reporter: the plane, on its way from minneapolis to los angeles, less than an hour into the flight, the pilots turned around. >> the authorities called, they should be at the gate when you get there. >> reporter: air rage seems to be taking off, from this brawl on a flight to

baltimore, to this take yawn in charlotte, to popstar richard marx helping subdue an unruly passenger last week. 10,000 cases reported from airlines last year, a 16% jump from the year before. >> i don't think that alcohol really is the increase in air rage. the real cause of air-rage increase is the lack of personal space on aircraft. >> reporter: as for this latest outburst, the couple is now charged with disorderly conduct. >> they were so unruly and so out of control. >> reporter: after some turbulence, the flight finally arrived in l.a., two and a half hours late. gabe gutierrez, nbc news. on a happier note, tennis great serena williams announced her engagement today to reddit co-founder, alexis ohanian. he proposed to her in a restaurant in rome. the couple first met about a year ago. williams said he got down on one knee and said four words, to which she said "yes." and as some have put it today, the score is now love-love. when we come back, the end of an era for a place where

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and pastrami on its program. the carnegie deli, just steps from creating sandwich masterpieces for almost 80 years. tomorrow the current owner will close the door for good, to focus on a wholesale business. our harry smith stopped by. >> reporter: for a couple of weeks now, there's been a line. sometimes a very long line at new york's fabled carnegie deli. >> we've been waiting for an hour. >> we got up at 4:30 this morning to get here. >> 4:30? >> yes. >> reporter: tourists and locals waiting patiently for one last taste. >> i'm very sad. i used to come to new york all the time just to go to carnegie deli, and the whole family. this is it. >> reporter: do you know what you're going to eat? >> pastrami and cheesecake. >> reporter: a pastrami pilgrimage, if you will, to an old deli that still serves what is very much a meal of memories. >> really good. >> reporter: giant sandwiches without manners that demand to be consumed with lust. the carnegie deli was

immortalized as a showbiz hang out in woody allen's broadway danny rose. >> this is the greatest danny rose story. >> reporter: and the walls are filled with photos. >> taylor swift, celine dion. stevie wonder. >> reporter: faded memories of a more glorious past. in recent years, the restaurant settled a $2 million back wages suit, and was closed for ten months for illegally tapping its natural gas supply. non-issues for carnegie's patrons. and as for the owner, she says 40 years is enough. >> i started here the first day my father took over, in 1976, i was the cashier. >> reporter: authentic jewish delis were once as common as checkered cabs in new york. >> cheers. >> reporter: after friday, there will be none in all of mid town. >> you want the last piece of babka? >> oh. >> it's so good. >> let me see. >> reporter: we'll miss the food, but not the heartburn. harry smith, nbc news, new york. that will do it

for us on this thursday night, i'm tamron hall in for

lester. news, thank you for watching and goodnight. if i have to live in anyone's shadow -- ♪ >> just one day after losing her beloved daughter carrie, the legendary debbie reynolds passes away. i'm natalie morales.