On alert, security being ramped up in airports in australia after a plot is foiled. Four men in custody. What led to their arrest . All that, plus, did a search for Hidden Treasure claim another victim. The case of the Incredible Shrinking Airline Seat. And labor of love. A doctor about to give birth herself, takes a break to deliver someone elses baby, the monday morning story to give you a boost. Today, july 31st, 2017. From nbc news, this is today, with matt lauer and savannah guthrie. Live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. And good morning, everyone. Welcome to today on this monday morning. Thank you for joining us. Hodas here while savannah takes vacation time. Playing trading places here. And you are back. That seat is not the same without you in it. Well come back with real news to cover this morning. New turmoil facing trump and abroad. Vladimir putin is calling for the expulsion of 755 u. S. Diplomats and Staff Members from russia. Theres new tension with north korea, as well. On sunday, the u. S. Flew two bombers over the north Korean Peninsula, following the second longrange missile test this month. This is as the chief of staff is sworn in today after last weeks ousting of reince priebus. But will john kelly be able to restore order to the white house . Were bringing it to you starting with andrea mitchell. Andrea, good morning to you. Reporter good morning, matt. Dangerous crises on two fronts today. Vladimir putin retaliating for congressional sankszs against russia. And the u. S. , in a show of military force against north korea, in the face of an alarming new missile threat. This morning, harsh words about russia from Vice President mike pen pence, traveling in estonia. Nothing looms larger than aggression from your neighbor. Reporter announcing that Vladimir Putin slashed the diplomatic staff by 755. The recent diplomatic action taken by moscow will not deter the commitment of the United States of america, on our security, the security of our allies and the security of freeloving nations around the world. Reporter the Largest Forced reduction at the u. S. Embassy in moscow in a century. I think this retaliation is long overdue. Reporter putin striking back after congress. Pence says the president will sign it. The president made very clear, he will sign the sanctions from the congress of the United States, to reinforce that. Reporter putin retaliating for president obama expulsion of 35 russians and closing facilities last summer. This as more trouble on another front. The u. S. Displaying its Missile Defenses on north korea from alaska. And after kim jonguns regime fired its second longrange missile on friday. This one more powerful than the first. With a trajectory, that experts say could reach denver and even chicago. President trump blaming china. Tweeting, im disappointed in china. Our foolish leaders deal with north korea in trade. China can easily solve this problem. On this, democrats agree. I think the only solution is a diplomatic one. Im disapointed in chinas response that it has not been firmer or more helpful. Dangerous challenges around the world for a new president that is also grappling with crises here at home. Lets talk about more about this. Michael mcfaul, former u. S. Ambassador to russia, is a analyst. He is here with jeremy bash, our National Security analyst. Good morning to both of you. Michael, i want to start with you. As i do, i think you and jeremy slightly disagree on this question. You think this is an addreggres move on the part of the russians, dont you . I do. One, i think its unjustified. We didnt meddle in their elections. Why are our diplomats being punished . And its not smimilar metric to what we did. Obama administration kicked out 3 35 diplomats. This reduction is over 700. Most will be russian employees. Thats a drastic cut. It will be harder to do business in russia. Jeremy, you feel this is boilerplate that there might be some positive relationship to be hard between Vladimir Putin and donald trump and this is putin saying, business is business. Trump was forced to sign this bill and putin knows it. I think the bromance will continue. Russia is getting what it wants in syria. We agreed to scrap a program that would push assad out of the way. And our president s response to defending nato has been tepid. And russia likes that. You have been a chief diplomat in russia. If you were to expel 755 diplomats and staff, how does that impact the way the u. S. Does business with russia . Diplomatically . Its huge. When i was ambassador, we had to close down the u. S. Agency for international development. That was only 70 people. But that was very, very difficult. And i want to remind you, it hurts russians, too. Remember, you go to the embassy to get your visa. Thats the biggest section. Its going to take longer for russians to get their visas to come to the United States. This has a boomerang effect that hurts russians, as well. Let me go to you, jeremy, on north korea. Another crisis facing this white house. President elect trump famously said, north korea just stated its in the final stages of devel developing a well capable of reaching the u. S. It wont happen. What is President Trump learning about the North Koreans . 14 tests. They have cleared most of the technical hurdles that can build an icmb that can go downtown chicago, denver, maybe new york. The last piece would be to miniaturize their Nuclear Warhead and put it atop that icbm. President trump said, the Obama Administration policy of strategic patience has come to an end. Tell me what the difference is between the Obama Administrations approach and the Trump Administrations approach to north korea is. The Trump Administration has a very stark choice. Either to step a Nuclear Armed north korea that can hit the s United States, or take mill trar action. I would think they would look for a symbolic strike on one facility to send a signal. Michael mcfaul, thank you. This is the shakeup at the white house. The new chief of staff, john kelly, being sworn in today. And he faces a tough task, transforming a west wing thats seen turmoil in recent weeks. Peter alexander is here with more on this. Reporter good morning. General kelly will get right to work this morning. First, getting sworn in. Then, attending his first Cabinet Meeting as chief of staff. Can he bring order and stability . Former advisers say he may provide discipline. But the real question is whether President Trump accepts it. This morning, a changing of the guard, general john kelly, the new chief of staff, beginning one of his most daunting missions yet. Bringing order to the trump white house. If we can have protocol, pecking order, and a chief of staff that empowers the staff to succeed, i know general kelly has done that on the battlefield. Reporter kellys challenge, to be the president s gate keeper and to limit clashes between factions. Including steve bannon and Anthony Scaramucci. New questions on who scaramucci will report to. Has scaramucci, have you now been told you report to john kelly . I will speak with general kelly and the president about that. As im sure Anthony Scaramucci will. Reporter meantime, one white house official with direct knowledge tells nbc news, ivanka trump and Jared Kushner are eager to follow kellys lead. From the former campaign aid, this piece of advice. Anybody that thinks they will change donald trump, doesnt know donald trump. Reporter the president taunting his party. After failing to repeal obamacare, senators look like fools. Later, saying, dont give up. The world is watching. And these remarks to americas police. Please dont be too nice. Reporter appearing to endorse rougher treatment of suspects. When you put somebody in the car and youre protecting the head the way you put your hand over dont hit their head. And theyve just killed somebody. Dont hit their head. You can take the hand away, okay . Reporter the backlash immediate. The Top Police Chiefs group, condemning the comments. Underscoring that Law Enforcement officers are trained to treat all individuals with dignity and respect. The nypd commissioner blasti ii the president s suggestion as irresponsible and unprofessional. The white house has not commented. Online, the president s supporters defend the comments as a joke. The Cabinet Meeting will be the first time we see President Trump in a room with his attorney general Jeff Sessions since he began to publicly disparage him. Jeremy, come on back here for a second. You worked with general john kelly. You know the guy. You know his personality. All this talk about backstabbing and infighting at the west wing of white house. Does he have the personality to accept that . He wont tall rate that. He and his wife are the real deal. They are patriots. They have given the ultimate sacrifice. They lost their son, robert, killed in action in afghanistan. They know the meaning of public service. John is doing this job for the right reasons. He will be able to succeed if the president gives him the authority to end the chaos and dysfunction and president ial decisionmaking. Its unclear if the president will do that. And if the president listens to him. Thats right. The president has to take his advi advice. And he has to make sure that john is in charge of the entire staff. This marine understands the chain of command. All right. Jeremy, thank you. Good to have you here. Theres a lot more to get to this morning, including a chilling terror plot, to bring down a passenger jet. This one was thwarted in australia. Officials there made the announcement on sunday. And now, security is being stepped up across that country. Kelly cobiella has the latest in the investigation. Reporter the department of Homeland Security said this morning theyre aware and closely following this investigation into what Australian Police say was a sophisticated plot to bring down a commercial jet. This morning, police are holding four men, all brought in during sweeping raids over the weekend, suspected of plotting to blow up a passenger plane. I know nothing, this suspect says. Police have not named the man and theyre not yet charged. But investigators still searching for evidence this morning at several Properties Across the suburbs of sydney, called the plot credible. And said theres a capability to carry it out but did not have specifics about location, date and time. Good intelligence. Great policework. Great coordination has enabled us to disrupt that plot. Citing Law Enforcement forces said the plot involved a homemade bomb possibly in a meat grinder. Police would not confirm that. The plot that were investigating, we believe was an attempt to put a device on to an aircraft. But beyond that, the speculation is just that. Reporter at airports across australia, new tougher security measures. This morning, long lines, more bag checks and frustrated travelers. Extra caution should be taken. But this is just too much. It cant be helped. Reporter australia hasnt been hit by a major terrorist attack since the siege and hostagetaking at the lint cafe in sydney two years ago. Two people were kill, along with the gunman. This morning, this country is on alert. And police say the investigation is ongoing. They say theyve already seized a number of what they call items of great interest. They havent said whether the alleged plot is tied to isis, only that it was islamist inspired and involved extensive planning. Hoda . Matt . Kelly, thank you very much. A manhunt is under way this morning for an inmate that broke out of an alabama jail sunday night. 11 other inmates, including 2 attempted killers, have already been recaptured. But one escapee is on the loose. Brady kilpatrick was jailed for drug offenses. Authorities told residents in the jackson area have been told to keep an eye out. We have an update on the power outage on north carolinas outer banks. Tens of thousands of people got more bad news on sunday. Authorities say all three power lines that serve the islands have been damaged. And electricity could be out for as long as two weeks. On thursday, a Construction Company accidentally drove a steel casing into a power cable. Since then, 70,000 visitors and vacationers have been evacuated. For the second time in eight days, a group of arizona hikers had to be rescued after being stranded by flash flooded. 26 hikers were trapped and had to be airlifted to safety. Nobody was hurt. Last monday, 17 tyhikers were rescued from a recreational area. Crews used a helicopter to pull them from the side of a cliff. Al is off. And dylan is in. We have sticky weather on the way. Eventually. We have a tropical depression off of the west coast of florida. Winds at 35 miles per hour. The storm system is moving east at about eight miles per hour. Its expected to cross right across florida, through the day and into the overnight hours. By 2 00 a. M. , tomorrow morning, were going to see the storm exit off the east coast of florida and move out to sea, parallel to the eastern seaboard. Before it does so, we could see several inches of train fall through florida. We have flash flood watches. And a Tropical Storm watch because of gusty winds. We could see two to three inches of rainfall an hour. That could be five to eight inches of rain in some areas. Thats why we could see flooding. As far as the southeast coast, south carolina, north carolina, and georgia, rough surf. That storm should stay out to that storm should stay out to sea at this hi. Oh, hi welcome to the neighborhood. I brought you this pie to see if youre weird. Wow, that smells intrusive. It is. Did you want to come in, maybe snoop around a bit . Thats why im here. Wouldnt it be great if everyone said what they meant . Ooh, i smell onions the citi® double cash card does. Only citi lets you earn 1 cash back when you buy, and 1 as you pay. The citi double cash card. Double means double. Good morning. Im meteorologist bill henley. Beautiful day ahead. 89 degrees for philadelphia. Bright sunshine isnt the suburbs. 86 the high. Humidity stays low in new jersey. 88 degrees and at the shore, sea breeze this afternoon. Limits the temperature to right around 80 degrees. Nothing, but sunshine at the shore. Same can be said with the Lehigh Valley and delaware too. Sunny skies. 88 degrees this afternoon. Have a great day. And thats your latest forecast. All right, dylan. Thank you very much. Coming up, another person vanishes while searching for that elusive treasure, allegedly hidden in the southwest. Is it time to call off that hunt for riches. And then, the case of the Incredible Shrinking Airline Seat seat. Is your safety being put at risk as the seats get smaller and smaller . But first, this is today on nbc. A lot coming up. The tactics used by the p paparazzi to get the first pictures of george and Amal Clooneys twins. And dad is not happy. Have you ordered them . A list of the most i dont want to lie down. I refuse to lie down. Why suffer . Stand up to chronic migraine with botox® botox® is the only treatment for chronic migraine shown to actually prevent headaches and migraines before they even start. Botox® is for adults with chronic migraine, 15 or more headache days a month each lasting 4 hours or more. Its injected by a doctor once every 12 weeks. And is covered by most insurance. 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