Azia: Hey, guys! Happy New Year! Hope you all had a great holiday. I am Azia Celestino, and we have so much to cover today. Over the winter break, there was a lot of news about Russia and its relationship with the U.S.
First, the CIA said Russia's president had directed cyber attacks against the U.S. meant to help Donald Trump get elected. So in return, President Obama punished Russia with trade restrictions and kicked out 35 Russian officials living here.
It has put a lot of pressure on an already tense relationship between the two countries. And over the next few days, Tom Hanson will show us just how this rivalry is being played out on the Russian border and the past, present and potential future relationship with Russia.
Tom: Concerns about Russia's threat to the West are as high as they were at the end of the Cold War. The United States is moving in artillery and troops to the Baltic states and Poland, and in response, Russia has threatened to move in nuclear-capable missiles to the area as well.
It is a really tense time to be in the Baltic states right now. Basically, what you are seeing is a large standoff between global superpowers.
Tensions have been building between Russia and the U.S. and its allies for years. Both sides have amped up their military along this border ever since Russia took over the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, an independent nation.
We went on a military exercise in Lithuania, involving troops from several countries, called Flaming Thunder 2016 to see what was being done to prevent a Russian attack.
NATO stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It was started after World
War II, and it is a group of 28 countries that carry out military operations around the world. NATO was first created to protect Europe from the Soviet Union — what is now mostly Russia.
Now it is official.
With drones, howitzers, tanks and artillery, it was pretty clear these elite forces were flexing their military muscle to send a message. Neither NATO nor the Russians have been willing to back down, straining an already tense relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Obama.
Putin has been running the Russian Federation for the better part of 16 years, and many are concerned he wants to increase his power.
So what is the purpose of this exercise?
Brannigan: You know, we are out here, we get to work with NATO partners, kind of see how they do things, show them how we do things and just kind of build that NATO relationship.
Tom: The Baltic countries are kind of in a little corridor between Kaliningrad, a Russian territory, and mainland Russia. Do you think that, because of that geographic location, they are at an increased risk of more aggression?
Brannigan: You know, I can't comment to that. I think that the Baltic states want to ensure that they have a free way of life and that they continue to be self-governing. So the U.S. is here basically to support that, and we will continue to do so.
Tom: That is our chopper!
To understand the sheer scale of this operation, we were taken up in a medevac chopper.
It is pretty amazing to see a NATO military exercise like this, but when Russia sees it, it perceives it as a threat of war. In fact, in 2015 it listed NATO as one of the biggest threats to Moscow.
The exercise involved hundreds of soldiers from several NATO countries: Germany, Portugal, Lithuania, Latvia and the United States. Ukraine, which is not part of NATO and is currently battling Russia, was there too. We talked to these soldiers who had firsthand experience fighting Russia — valuable intel for NATO.
Man: I don't feel any warm feelings towards Russia. They came into our land and took it from us.
Man: We've encountered Russian tanks. They've used grenades, rockets, tanks. It was hard fighting the Russians.
Tom: The Baltics in particular have been a focal point for NATO because, just like Ukraine, these countries used to be part of the Soviet Union, whose power was based in Russia. And these countries still have large pro-Russian populations.
Now, this small region may seem insignificant, but it is actually very important. Any flare-up here could have much larger consequences in the world. That is because the countries in NATO are bound to defend each other and must all step in if one member country is attacked.
That technically means 28 countries would be dragged into a war with Russia if that were to happen. That is about the same number as the countries involved in World
War I, and a war of such seismic proportions understandably has people along the border very anxious.
Teen: Estonia and Russia are neighbors, and it’s really easy Russians to come over the border, so. I live near the border — sometimes, it's really scary.
Tom: What do you think about Vladimir Putin?
Teen: He is difficult person. I don’t know; I don't like him, actually.
Tom: Do you think he is a president or a dictator?
Teen: Dictator.
Tom: Dictator, for sure. You say that pretty definitively.
Teen: Yeah, because I don't like him and he's so evil.
Tom: While we put on the bulletproof vests and saw live-fire simulations, that is all they were — simulations. But what could happen to the world if this fighting becomes real?
Tom Hanson, Channel One News.
Azia: And as Tom questions what happens in the future, we wanted to know what is going on at the Russian border right now. Tom breaks down that part of the story for us on ChannelOne.com, so check it out.
Okay, after the break, new year — new laws.
Azia: Okay, now, a new year means new laws. Hundreds of new laws are now on the books and in effect. Here is a look at some of the changes for 2017.
If you are driving in California, better not hold your cellphone. No matter what the reason, it is now illegal. Cellphones must be mounted to the dashboard or window, and you can only use your hands to swipe or tap.
And California is one of four states to make recreational marijuana use legal, along with Nevada, Maine and Massachusetts, bringing the national total to eight states.
Millions of workers will start making more money this month as 19 states and the District of Columbia bump up their minimum wages. The raises vary from an extra nickel an hour in Michigan to two bucks more in Arizona. And members of the military will also see a slight bump: a 2-percent increase in basic pay.
Under a new law in Maine, doctors aren't allowed to prescribe more than a seven-day supply of painkillers, like Vicodin or Percocet, or a 30-day supply for chronic pain. It is intended to try to help combat the rise in painkiller abuse and addiction.
And Philadelphia becomes the first major American city to tax sugary sodas — one and a half cents an ounce. That is 24 cents for a 16-ounce drink. The soda industry is challenging the law in court.
And drivers in Boston kick off the new year with a lower speed limit: 25 miles an hour, down from 30, to reduce traffic deaths.
Okay, after the break, we have got a Next Big Thing that could help you and your furry friend keep those New Year's fitness resolutions.
Azia: It is time for the Next Big Thing. But before we get your paws on this gadget, let's check out our last Next Big Thing from 2016.
We told you about the intelligent invention whipping up delicious cookies in seconds —the smart cookie oven. So is it the next big thing? Fifty percent said, “Yes — pour me a glass of milk,” but 50 percent said, “No — this idea is CHiP’d.”
Class: We're Mr. Blair's social studies class from Columbia Falls, Montana, and we think CHiP is the next big thing! Mmm, yummy!
Class: This is Mrs. Ledford's sixth-grade reading class from Lincoln Middle School in Stanford, Kentucky, and we think CHiP, the smart cookie oven, is the next big thing! This idea is sweet!
Azia: But Caden said, “The smart cookie maker takes all the fun out of making cookies. The point of making cookies is to enjoy making them!”
All right, guys, Cassie Hudson is here with an NBT fit for the new year.
Cassie: That is right, Azia. Getting in shape is one of the top New Year's resolutions, not only for us but for our furry friends. We have one gadget that will help your pet avoid the vet. Check it out.
It is an activity tracker specially designed for your four-legged friend.
David Levin: Helps me keep him active, make sure I'm caring for him as much as he cares for me.
Cassie: According to the American Animal Hospital Association, most dogs in the U.S. don't get enough exercise. More than 40 percent are overweight, and 25 percent are obese.
San Francisco company Whistle is the maker behind one of the devices, which includes GPS.
Ben Jacobs: Dog owners and cat owners are taking their pets to the vet less frequently. And the goal with Whistle is really to bring that day-to-day awareness about your pet's health and their safety to the forefront.
Cassie: It attaches to an animal's collar and sends information to the owner's smartphone, like stats on the pet's weight and how much time it is getting outdoors. All that can then be shared with the vet.
So what do you guys think? Is the pet fitness tracker the next big thing? Head to ChannelOne.com to vote and leave us a comment, or send us a video to .
Azia: Thanks, Cass.
All right, guys, that is all for now. Have a great start to 2017, and we will see you right back here tomorrow.
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