it's free to download now if you don't already have it. we will have more nbc bay area news at 11:00 for you. the "today" show is coming up next. have a great tuesday. good morning front and center, president biden steps onto the world stage this morning to deliver a key speech, his first address to the united nations since taking office, while facing multiple crises around the world. the speech just hours ahead of a critical face-to-face with britain's boris johnson. but first, the prime minister sat down with savannah to address their relationship after that chaotic withdrawal from afghanistan. >> you tried to reach president biden and didn't receive a call back from some 36 hours. is that true >> that exclusive conversation, straight ahead

better with a boost? just this morning, johnson & johnson out with new findings on its vaccine showing it is considerably stronger with an extra dose the impact on millions of americans who have already recend inside >> announcer: this is an nbc news special report. here's lester holt. good morning, everyone. we're coming on the air as president joe biden literally steps on to the world stage at the u.n. to deliver his first speech before the general assembly. first speech since taking office. here is the president. >> all those who dedicate themselves to this noble mission of this institution. it's my honor to speak to you for the first time as president of the united states. we meet this year in a moment of, intermingled with great pain and extraordinary possibility.

we've lost so much in this devastating pandemic, that continues to claim lives around the world, and impact so much on our existence. we're mourning more than 4.5 million people. people of every nation, from every background, each death is an individual heartbreak. but our shared grief is a painant reminder that our collective future will hinge on the ability to recognize our common humanity and to act together. ladies and gentlemen, this is the clear and urgent choice that we face here at the dawning of what must be a decisive decade for our world. a decade that will quite literally determine our futures. as a global community, we're challenged by urgent and looming crises, wherein lie enormous

opportunity, if, if we can summon the will and resolve to seize these opportunities. will we work together to save lives, to defeat covid-19? everywhere. and take the necessary steps to prepare ourselves for the next pandemic, for there will be another one, or will we fail to harness the tools at our disposal as a more virulent and dangerous variants take hold? will we meet the threat of challenging climate, and the challenging climate we're all feeling, already ravaging every part of our world with extreme weather, or will we suffer the merciless march of ever-worsening droughts and floods, more intense fires and hurricanes, longer heat waves and rising seas? will we affirm and uphold the human dignity and human rights under which nations and common

cause, more than seven decades ago formed this institution? will we apply and strengthen the core tenets of the international system? including the u.n. charter, and the universal declaration of human rights as we seek to shape the emergence of new technologies and deter new threats. or, will we allow these universal, those universal principles to be trampled and twisted in the pursuit of political power? in my view, how we answer these questions in our moment, whether we choose to fight for our shared future or not, will reverberate for generations yet to come. simply put, we stand in my view at an inflection point in history. and i'm here today to share with you how the united states tends to work with partners and allies to answer these questions. and the commitment of my new

administration, to help lead the world to a more peaceful, prosperous future, for all people. and instead of continuing to fight the wars of the past, we are fixing our eyes on devoting our resources to the challenges that hold the keys to our collective future. ending this pandemic, addressing the climate crisis, managing the shifts in global power dynamics, shaping the roles of the world on vital issues like trade, cyber and emerging technology, and facing the threat of terrorism as it stands today. we've ended 20 years of conflict in afghanistan, and as we close this period of relentless war, we're opening a new era of relentless diplomacy. of using the power of our development aid to invest in new ways of looking people up around

the world, of renewing and defendingo tter how challenging or how complex the problems we're going to face, government by and for the people is still the best way to deliver for all of our people. and as the united states turns our focus to the priorities and the regions of the world, like the indo-pacific that is most consequential today and tomorrow, we'll do so with our allies and partners, through cooperation and multilateral institutions like the united nations, to amplify our collective strength and speed, our progress, toward dealing with the global challenges. there's a fundamental truth of the 21st century, within each of our countries, and as a global community, that our own success is bound up in others succeeding as well. to deliver for our own people,

must also engage deeply with the rest of the world. to ensure that our own future, we must work together with other partners, our partners, towards a shared future. our security, our prosperity, and our very freedoms are inter-connected, in my view, as never before. and so, i believe we must work together as never before. over the last eight months, i prioritized rebuilding our alliances, revitalizing our partnerships, and recognizing that there are essential and central, to america's enduring security and prosperity. we have reaffirmed our sacred nato alliances to article 5 commitment, we're working with our allies for a new strategic concept that will help our alliance better take on the evolving threats of today and

tomorrow. we renewed our engagement with the european union, a fundamental partner in tackling the full range of significant issues facing our world t we elevated the quad partnership among australia, india, japan, and the united states, take on challenges ranging from health security to climate, to emerging technologies. we're engaging with regional institutions from asean to the african union to the organization of american states to focus on people's urgent needs for better health and better economic outcome. and back at the table, in the international forum, especially the united nations, to focus attention and to spur global action on shared challenges. we are reengaged at the world health organization. and working in close partnership with covax to deliver

life-saving vaccines around the world. we rejoined the paris climate agreement. and we're running to retake a seat in the human rights council next year at the u.n. and as the united states seeks to rally the world action, we lead not just by the example of our power, but god willing with the power of our example. make no mistake, the united states will continue to defend ourselves, our allies, and our interest against attacks, including terrorist threats, as we prepare to use force if any is necessary. but to defend our vital u.s. national interests, including against ongoing and imminent threats, but the mission must be clear and achievable. undertake more than informed consent of the american people and wherever possible in partnership with our allies. new u.s. military power must be our tool of last resort.

not our first. and it should not be used as an answer to every problem we see around the world. indeed, today, many of our greatest concerns cannot be solved or even addressed through the force of arms. bombs and bullets cannot defend against covid-19, or its future variants. to fight this pandemic, we need the collective act of science and political will. we need to act now to get shots in arms as fast as possible, and expand access to oxygen, best treatments, to save lives around the world. and for the future, we need to create a new mechanism to finance global health security. that builds on our existing development, and a global health

council that is armed with the tool we need to monitor and identify an emerging pandemic, so that we can take immediate action. already, the united states has put more than $15 billion towards global covid response, the global covid response. we've shipped more than 160 million doses of covid-19 vaccine to other countries. this includes 130 million doses of our own supply, and the first tranches of a half a billion doses of pfizer vaccine we purchased to donate through covax. planes carrying vaccines from the united states have already landed in 100 countries. bringing people all over the world a little dose of hope as one american nurse termed it to me. a dose of hope. direct to the american people. and importantly, no strings

attached. and tomorrow, at the u.s. hosted covid-19 summit, i will be announcing additional commitments, as we seek to advance the fight against covid-19, and hold ourselves accountable around specific targets, and three key challenges, saving lives now, vaccinating the world, and building back better. this year has also brought widespread death and devastation from the borderless climate crisis. the extreme weather events that we're seeing in every part of the world, and you all know and feel it, represent what the secretary-general has rightly called code red for humanity. and the scientists and experts are telling us that we're fast approaching a point of no return in the literal sense. to keep within our reach the

vital goal of limiting global warming, to 1.5 degrees celsius, every nation needs to bring their highest possible ambitions to the table, when we meet in glasgow for cop-26. and then we have to keep raising our collective ambitions over time. in april, i announced the united states' ambition new goal under the paris agreement. through reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the united states, from 50 to 52% below 2005 levels by 2030. as we work toward achieving the clean energy economy with net zero emissions by 2050. and my administration is working closely with our congress to make critical investments in green infrastructure and electric vehicles, that will help us lock in progress at home for our climate goals.

and the best part is, making these ambitious investments isn't just good climate policy, it's a chance for each of our countries to invest in ourselves, and our own futures. it's an enormous opportunity to create good-paying jobs for workers in each of our countries, and to spur long-term economic growth to improve the quality of life for all of our people. we also have to support the countries and people that will be hit the hardest and that have the fewest resources to help them adapt. in april, i announced the united states will double our public international finances to help developing nations tackle the climate crisis. and today, i'm proud to announce that we'll work with the congress to double that number again, including adaptation efforts. this will make the united states a leader in public climate finance and with our added support, together with increased

private capital, and others, from other donors, we'll be able to meet the goal of mobilizing $100 billion to support climate action in developing nations. as we deal with these crises, we're also encountering a new era, an era of new technology, and possibility, that have the potential to release and reshape every aspect of human existence, and it's up to all of us to determine whether these technologies are a force to empower people or to deepen repression. as new technologies continue to evolve, we'll work together with our democratic partners to ensure that new advances in areas from bio technology to quantum computing, 5g, artificial intelligence and more, are used to lift people up, to solve problems, and

advance human freedoms, not to suppress dissent or target minority communities. and the united states is benning to make a profound investment in research and innovation, working with countries at all substantial of economic development, to develop new tools and technologies, to help us tackle the challenges of this second quarter of the 21st century, and beyond. we're hardening our critical infrastructure against cyber attacks. disrupting ransom ware networks. and working to establish clear rules of the road for all nations as it relates to cyber space. we reserve the right to respond decisively to cyber attacks that threaten our people, our allies, or our interests. we will pursue new rules of global trade and economic growth, to strive to level the playing field, so it is not

artificially tipped in favor of any one country at the expense of others. and every nation has a right and opportunity to compete fairly. we will strive to ensure that basic labor rights, environmental safeguards, and intellectual property are protected, and that the benefits of globalization are shared broadly throughout all of our society. we'll continue to uphold the long-standing rules and norms that inform the guardrail of international engagement for decades, that have been essential to the development of nations around the world. bedrock commitments like freedom of navigation, adherence to international laws and treaties, support for armed control measures, and reduced risk and enhance transparency. our approach is firmly grounded and fully consistent with the united nations mission and the

values we've agreed to when we drafted the charter. these are commitments we all made, and that we're all bound to uphold. and as we strive to deal with these urgent challenges, whether they're long-standing or newly-emerging, we must also deal with one another. all of the major policies of the world have a duty in my view to carefully manage their relationships, so we do not tip from responsible competition, to conflict. the united states will compete and will compete vigorously, and lead with our values and our strengths, we'll stand up for our allies and our friends, and oppose stronger companies dominating weaker ones, whether through changes to territory by force, economic coercion, disinformation, but we're not seeking, say it again, we are

not seeking a new cold war, or a world divided in the rigid blocks. the united states is ready to work with any nation that steps up and pursues peaceful resolution to shared challenges. even if we have intense disagreements in other areas. because we'll all suffer the consequences of our failures if we do not come together to address the urgent threat, like covid-19 and climate change, or enduring threats like nuclear proliferation. the united states remains committed to preventing iran from gaining nuclear weapons. we're working with the f 5 plus one to engage iran diplomatly in a return to jcpoa. we're prepared to return to full compliance if iran does the

same. similarly, we seek serious and sustained diplomacy to pursue the complete denuclearization of the korean peninsula. we seek concrete progress for an available plan with tangible commits that would increase stability on the peninsula, and in the region, as well as improve the lives of the people in the democratic people's republic of korea. we must also remain vigilant to the threat that terrorism poses to all our nations, whether emanating from distant regions of the world, or in our own backyards. we know the bitter string of terrorism, the bitter sting of terrorism is real. we've almost all experienced it. last month, we lost 13 american heroes and almost 200 innocent afghan civilians in the heinous terrorist attack at kabul airport.

those who commit acts of terrorism against us will continue to find a determined enemy in the united states. the world today is not the world of 2001 though. and the united states is not the same country we were when we were attacked on 9/11, 20 years ago. today, we're better equipped to detect and prevent terrorist threats and we're more resilient in our ability to repel them and to respond. we know how to build effective partnerships to dismantle terrorist networks, by targeting their finances, support systems, countering their propaganda, preventing their travel, and as well as disrupting imminent attacks. we meet terrorist threats that arise today and in the future with a full range of tools available to us. including working in cooperation with local partners, so that we need not be so reliant on large scale military deployments.

one of the most important ways wey seeking to improve the lives of the people all over the world who see that their governments are not serving their needs, corruption fuels inequality, siphons off a nation's resources, spreads across borders, and generates human suffering. there's nothing less than a massive security threat in the 21st century. around the world, we're increasingly seeing citizens demonstrate their discontent, seeing the wealthy and well-connected grow richer and richer, taking payoffs and bribes, operating above the law, while the vast majority of the people struggle to find a job, to put food on the table. or to get their businesses off the ground. simply send their children to

school. people taking to the streets in every region to demand that their governments address people's basic needs. give everyone a fair shot to succeed and protect their god-given rights. and in that chorus of voices, across languages and continents, we hear a common cry, a cry for dignity, simple dignity. as leaders, it is our duty to answer that call, not to silence it. and the united states is committed to using our resources and our international platform to support these voices, listen to them, partner with them, to find ways to respond and advance human dignity around the world. for example, there's an enormous need for infrastructure in developing countries. an infrastructure that is low

quality or that feeds corruption, or exacerbates environmental degradation will only end up contributing to greater challenges for countries over time. done the right way, however, with transparent sustainable investment, and projects that respond to the country's needs, and engage their local government, to obtain high level and environmental standards, infrastructure can be a strong foundation to allow society to low and middle income countries to grow and to prosper. that's the idea behind a "build back better" world and together with the private sector and our g-7 partners, we aim to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure investment. we also, will also continue to be the world's largest contributor to humanitarian assistance, bringing food, water, shelter, emergency health care and other vital life-saving

aid to millions of people in need. when the earthquake strikes, the typhoon rages, or a disaster anywhere in the world, the united states shows up, we'll be ready to help. and at a time when nearly one in three people globally do not have access to adequate food, adequate food just this last year, the united states is committing to rallying our partners to address immediate malnutrition, and to ensure that we can sustainably feed the world for the decades to come. so that end, the united states is making a $10 billion commitment to end hunger and invest in food systems at home and abroad. since 2000, the united states government has provided more than $140 billion to advance health and strengthen health systems, and we will continue our leadership to drive these vital investments to make

people's lives better every single day. to just give them a little breathing room. and as we strive to make lives better, we must work with renewed purpose, end the conflicts that are driving so much pain and hurt around the world. we must redouble our diplomacy, and commit to political negotiations, not violence, as a tool of first resort, to manage tensions around the world, we must seek a future of greater peace and security, for all people of the middle east. the commitment to the united states is security without question, and our support for an independent jewish state is unequivocal, but i continue to believe that a two-state solution is the best way to ensure israel's future as a jewish democratic state, living in peace alongside viable sovereign and democratic palestinian state. we are a long way from that goal at this moment.

we must never allow ourselves to give up on the possibility of progress. we cannot give up on solving raging civil conflicts, including in ethiopia, and yemen, where fighting between warring factions is driving famine, horrific violence, human rights violations against civilians, including the consummate use of rape as a weapon of war. we will continue to work with the international community, to press for peace and bring an end to the suffering. as we pursue diplomacy across the board, the united states will champion the democratic values that go to the very heart of who we are as a nation and a people. freedom, equality, opportunity, and a belief in the universal rights of all people. it's stamped into our dna as a

nation. and critically, it's stamped into the dna of this institution, the united states, we sometimes forget, i quote the opening words of the universal decoration of human right, quote, the equal and in alienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. the founding ethos of the united nations, places the rights of individuals at the center of our system. and that clarity and vision must not be ignored or misinterpreted. the united states will do our part, and more successful and more impactful, if all of our nations are working toward the full mission to which we are called. that's why more than 100 nations united again around the shared

statement, the security council adopted a resolution outlining how we'll support the people of afghanistan moving forward, laying out the expectations to which we'll hold the taliban, when it comes to respecting universal human rights, we all must advocate for women, the rights for women and girls, to use their full talents, to contribute economically, politically, and socially, and pursue their dreams free of violence an intimidation, from central america to the middle east to africa to afghanistan. wherever it appears in the world. we almost call out and condemn the targeting and oppression of racial, ethnic and religious minorities when it occurs in in xingjiang or northern ethiopia or anywhere in the world. we all must defend the rights of

lbgtq individuals so they ask live and love ultimately without fear whether it's chechnya or cameroon or anywhere. as we see our nations toward this inflection point, and work to meet today's fast-moving cross-cutting challenge, let me be clear. i am not agnostic about the future we want for the world. the future will belong to those who embrace human dignity, not trample it. the future will belong to those who unleash the potential of the people, not those who stifle it. the future will belong to those who give their people the ability to breathe free, not those who seek to suffocate their people with an iron hand. authoritarianism, the authoritarians in the world may seek to proclaim the end of the age of democracy, but they're wrong. the truth is, the democratic

world is everywhere. it lives in anti-corruption activists, human rights defenders, the journalists, the peace protesters, on the front lines of the struggle in belarus, burma, syria, cuba, venezuela, and everywhere in between, it lives in the brave women of sudan who have withstood violence and oppression to push a genocidal dictator from power and keep working every day to defend their democratic progress. it lives in the crows of mall doe va, for the landslide victory for the forces of democracy, for the mandate to fight, to build a more exclusively economy. it lives in the young people of zambia, who harnessed the power of their vote for the first time, turning out in record numbers to renounce corruption and chart a new path for their country. and while no democracy is perfect, including the united states, we'll continue to struggle to live up to the

highest ideals to heal our division, and we face down violence and insurrection, democracy remains the best tool we have to unleash our full human potential. my fellow leaders, this is a moment where we must prove ourselves equal of those who come before us, who envision and value and determined faith in our collective future, built our united nations, broke the cycle of war and destruction, and laid the foundation for more than seven decades of relative peace and growing global prosperity. now, we must again come together to affirm the inherent humanity of that units us much greater than the outward divisions or disagreement. we must choose to do more than we think we can do alone. so that we can accomplish what we must together. and in this pandemic, in making

sure we're better prepared for the next one. staving off climactic climate change. and increasing our resilience. to the impacts we already are seeing. ensuring a future where technologies are a vital tool to solving human challenges, and empowering human potential, not a source of greater strife and repression. these are the challenges that we will determine what the world looks like for our children and our grandchildren and what they will inherit. we can only meet them by looking to the future. i stand here today for the first time in 20 years the united states not at war, we've turned the page, all the unmatched strength, energy, commitment, will, and resources, of our nation, are now fully and squarely focused on what's ahead of us, not what was behind. i know this.

as we look ahead, we will lead, we will lead on all the greatest challenges of our time, from covid to climate, peace and security, human dignity and human rights, but we will not go alone. we will lead together with our allies and partners in cooperation, with all of those who believe, as we do, that this is within our power, to meet these challenges, to build a future, and enlist all of our people, and preserve this planet. but none of this is inevitable. it's a choice. and i can tell you where america stands. we will choose to build a better future. we, you and i, we have the will and capacity to make it better. ladies and gentlemen, we cannot afford to waste any more time. let's get to work. let's make our better future now. we can do this.

it's within our power and capacity. thank you. and god bless you all. [ applause ] >> president biden concluding about a half hour long speech, his first speech to the u.n. general assembly saying that we stand at an inflection point in history, we made the commitment the u.s. would lead the world for all people. joining me now is nbc's chief foreign affairs correspondent andrea mitchell, and nbc chief foreign correspondent richard engel. and andrea, i'll start with you, one of the last words, we will not go it alone. what a contrast to the last administration and its message to this body. >> his message has been america is back, that's what he first said at the nato meeting, that's what he is saying today, this of course is undermined to a certain extent to the flack with the french over the submarine deal with australia that he is now in a tense situation with america's oldest ally, the french, withdrawing the

ambassador, so that does color that, it casts a shadow over this, but this speech was all about alliances, he said specifically, as we turn to the indo-pacific, meaning toward china, he tried to assuage european fears that he is turning away from europe. he said we will do it with our allies and partners and that was akin to trying to reassure the french and others in europe that he is not ignoring them because what they say is an increasing military threat from china. i think what really distinguishes the words today is the use of military force will be our last choice, not our first, that after 20 years in afghanistan, after the withdrawal in the best possible light, that the war is over, not talking about all of the changes that go with it, the continuing challenges, saying that we still deter terrorism but we've already shown it is very, very difficult to do it without boots on the grown, without the intelligence. but the big emphasis is huge,

climate, we got to deal with it, climate, dealing with the next pandemic and also cyber and the future threats. this was joe biden trying to cast himself as the future leader and reassure allies at the same time. >> richard engel, you've been in and out of afghanistan several times in the last few weeks, the president spoke as a vir you tue, i think the first american president in 20 years to stand at that podium and not be leading a country at war. >> you noticed, afghanistan was quite deep into the speech and these speeches, they all get printed out and they get taken home, so all of the individual countries, not really addressing the american audience this this speech, it is kind of an agenda of what his administration sees as priorities. and it's, like in a newspaper article, you put the headlines first and then it gets less and less important the further down you go. and at the top of the speech, clearly, it was about covid and about climate. buried further down, there was some talk about afghanistan,

talk about terrorism, and he talked, specifically about the ability to fight terrorist propaganda. that one statement, that raised my eyebrows a bit, because right now what is happening in afghanistan is terrorist propaganda. the terrorists around the world are incredibly inspired. president biden didn't use the word in this speech, he always talking about terrorism me tass tized, a cancer, and we don't have to be just in afghanistan, because the cancer has spread to other places, and therefore we can deal with it from afar and try the drone strikes and move around, but unfortunately, i don't think the metastasis of cancer is the right analogy here, and it is more like a light house, meaning that extremism, can win, can push the united states out and that is an inspiration for a lot of extremists. so he talked a lot of different

subjects and in order of priority, like andrea, i think the big take-away was how different this was from president trump and i think that was really what he was trying to talk about. you remember when president trump talked about, he got -- this was why president biden got elected, this was a normal speech. we can disagree on some of points but a normal priority of american priorities, democracy, internationalism, working with our ally, last time president said, no other president has gotten more done in two years. and people started laughing. and he started laughing with them because he thought they were laughing with him. they weren't. and this was a much more standard speech. >> let me bring in peter alexander, our chief white house correspondent. peter, as richard noticed, these various leaders and countries now will be pouring over the text of that speech, trying to read between the lines where there may be a little shade. what is the white house hoping the take-away, what does the white house hoping the take-away is outside the u.s., outside the

domestic audience? >> i think both as andrea and richard noted clearly this is an effort to present global unity. the president talked about the common future and collective humanity and particularly on the topic of covid, it is pressing around the globe and real criticism from the president and the world health organization that under the biden administration the u.s. just rejoined that the u.s., that president biden was talks about, passing out third shots, booster shots to some americans while so many country, billions around the globe have yet to have access to just a single shot. even in the background as i'm speaking to you now, lester, we can hear the motorcade preparing to leave with the president and meet with the australian president later before heading back to washington. this is a quick visit with the president due to the pandemic here in new york city. he will meet with boris johnson the prime minister of the u.s. of u.k. at the white house and tomorrow notably he will convene the covid-19 summit and the president saying the u.s. has already shared nearly 160 million vaccines, that it is

basically going to re-up its as he said bombs and bullets cannot combat the pandemic. we need to do that collectively and for countries, a rare opportunity face to face with the president sitting in that kpam ber, they want to hear from the u.s. and other global letters that they will be doing more to help beat this pandemic. lester? >> peter, thank you. i want to bring in senior medical correspondent john torres and the president and the u.s. has made a large commitment to getting vaccines around the world. are we beginning to see it make a difference? are we seeing it in the numbers? letter, we're starting to see a little bit of a turn in the world as far as covid cases but we're not exactly sure if that is the effort that the u.s. has put forth and andrea said, he started talking off about covid, that was his priority and part of the reason is he is trying to

show that yes, we are not only taking care of us here in the u.s. but we're taking care of the world as well. and something you and i have talked about many times, is if the pandemic is not controlled worldwide, it's not going to be controlled here. and he mentioned that, when he said our own success is bound up in the success of others as well. went on with very specific points and he went on to talk about the vaccine and the amount of the vaccine we are giving to other countries in the world and how that is increasing over time and the amount of money placed out there, but he also said that priorities here should be vaccine, oxygen for treatment and in other parts of the world, testing and treatment overall to try to save lives an his priorities were saving lives, right now, vaccinating the unvaccinated around the world, and then building back, and so he wants to try and make sure that people understand that the u.s. is pushing this effort forward, because he is, like peter was saying, getting a lot of pushback on the fact that they're giving booster shots here in the states or at least starting to think about doing that where as other parts of the world haven't even gotten their vaccines shall the world health organization has mentioned that many times, and so he was

countering that with some of the things he was talking about here. and then he went on to talk about the pandemic itself, and what's happening with future health issues, and possibly future pandemics and talking about setting up global health councils to try and make sure that we get global health under control. >> all right, dr. john, thank you. let me bring in nbc news political director and moderator of "meet the press" chuck todd. for the allies who were in the room who made the trip, are they feeling a little more reassured about where the u.s. is now? >> you know, it is interesting, tonely, yes, what i found, what really struck me is, tonally could have given a very similar speech to a domestic audience, delivering to a global audience that is in many ways divided on how to tackle the two biggest issues facing the world, covid and climate which arguably are the two biggest issues facing america, covid and climate, so what struck me is his tone today would be just as similar if he were giving a domestic speech about his own agenda that he's

got to get done in congress, and the reason i compare the two, because ultimately, the president's credibility in the world stage, as a leader in solving covid and climate, depends on him being able to convince us domestically to focus on covid and climate. i mean that is sort of the struggle here. what he says and the struggles we're having in our country, and what he is saying he wants to see in the world, i think in order to get that credibility in the world stage, he's got to show that he is successfully, essentially turning the corner here domestically, on both of these issues, and part of that is also having that means you successfully pushed back a trumpism and authority standardism in this country, and can also -- authoritarianism in this country and can speak on the world stage in democracy. look, i thought it was a very good speech. one that should reassure allies. but to me, it also was a reminder of the challenges, in order to have that credibility

internationally, he's got to show that he can turn the ship here in this country on those two big issues. >> chuck, thank you. as we were watching the president leaving, making the departure from new york, that concludes our coverage of the president's speech to the u.n. general assembly. much more tonight on the threat of flash flooding. look at detroit, we can see upwards of 5 inches of rain in some spots there. hourly rainfall rates up to inches and those hourly rainfall rates heavier as you get down into the southeast where we could see any good morning. i am meteorologist, kari hall. you can already see the smoke giving us a orange hue to the sky. we are going to have air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups now that we are seeing more of the smoke and ozone going up in the late morning, and not only that it will be hot. inland areas headed towards the mid-90s, and tomorrow slightly cooler but a warm week ahead.

temperatures coming down for the weekend. san francisco will also be heating up with mid-80s for highs today. >> and that is your latest weather. >> all right, al thanks do you ever wonder what restaurants do with all those used oyster shells harry smith found out how they're being used to clean the water in the harbor.

life... doesn't stop for diabetes. be ready for every moment, with glucerna. it's the number one doctor recommended brand that's scientifically designed to help manage your blood sugar. live every moment. glucerna. i may have moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. scientifically designed to help manage your blood sugar. or psoriatic arthritis. but we are so much more. we're team players and artists. designers and do-it-yourselfers. parents and friends. if joint pain is getting in the way of who you are, it's time to talk to your doctor about enbrel. enbrel helps relieve joint pain, and helps stop permanent joint damage. plus enbrel helps skin get clearer in psoriatic arthritis.

ask your doctor about enbrel, so you can get back to your true self. play ball! enbrel may lower your ability to fight infections. serious, sometimes fatal events including infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma, other cancers, nervous system and blood disorders and allergic reactions have occurred. tell your doctor if you've been someplace where fungal infections are common. or if you're prone to infections, have cuts or sores, have had hepatitis b, have been treated for heart failure, or if you have persistent fever, bruising, bleeding or paleness. don't start enbrel if you have an infection like the flu. visit enbrel.com to see how your joint damage could progress. enbrel. eligible patients may pay as little as $5 per month. regina approaches the all-electric cadillac lyriq. it's a sunny day. nah, a stormy day. ♪ ♪ we see a close up of the grille ...an overhead shot. she drives hands free along the coast. make it palm springs. cadillac is going electric.

if you want to be bold, you have to go off - script. experience the all-electric cadillac lyric. if you want to be bold, you have to go off - script. we did it again. verizon has been named america's most reliable network by rootmetrics. and our customers rated us #1 for network quality in america according to j.d. power. number one in reliability, 16 times in a row. most awarded for network quality, 27 times in a row. proving once again that nobody builds networks like verizon. that's why we're building 5g right, that's why there's only one best network.

introducing the new citi custom cash℠ card, a different kind of card that rewards dan where his spending is trending. just ask stepping outside his comfort zone dan... dan: okay, i don't know where the hole for this is. or fourth time streaming that period drama dan... dan: you just made me miss her best line, dan: so now i'm going to have to start it again. even insisted he didn't need directions dan. dan: okay, i'm not lost. i'm exploring. dan: that said, do you know where i am?

from select gas, streaming, travel and more earn 5% cash back that automatically adjusts to your top eligible spend category, up to $500 spent each billing cycle. carson daly is in the house. >> coming up on popstart, there carson daly is in the house. >> coming up on popstart, there was an interesting comment made by peyton manning last night what he shared about playing the patriots on their home turf. it has a few eyebrows being raised plus could your hair and makeup routine use a little lift stick around for the best beauty winners. >> al's interested investing your time... matters just as much as investing your money.

securian financial offers insurance, investment and retirement solutions. that give you the confidence to enjoy the here and now. so you can make every moment count. [sfx] mnemonic before nexium 24hr, anna could only imagine a comfortable night's sleep without frequent heartburn waking her up. now, that dream... . ...is her reality. nexium 24hr stops acid before it starts, for all-day, all-night protection. can you imagine 24 hours without heartburn?

within this hallowed bowl is the grain of all time. heart-healthy no artificial flavors. and ready in minutes. it's epic apples and cinnamon by the spoonful. quaker oats. a super trusted superfood. things we don't need to experience again: headgear. renting movies from a store. running with a cd player. and having one way to buy a car. so carmax gives you options. you can buy on our lot, online or any combination in between. the way it should be. carmax. the way it♪should be. rich, indulgent chocolate with a luscious caramel filling. with love from san francisco. ghirardelli caramel squares. makes life a bite better.

discover card i just got my cashback match is this for real? yup! we match all the cash back new card members earn at the end of their first year automatically woo! i got my mo-ney! it's hard to contain yourself isn't it? uh- huh! well let it go! woooo! get a dollar for dollar match at the end of your first year. only from discover. what can i du with less asthma? with dupixent i can du more... at the end of your first year. yardwork... teamwork... long walks.... that's how you du more, with dupixent, which helps prevent asthma attacks. dupixent is not for sudden breathing problems. it's an add-on-treatment for specific types of moderate-to-severe asthma that can improve lung function for better breathing in as little as two weeks. and can reduce, or even eliminate, oral steroids. and here's something important. dupixent can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. get help right away if you have rash,

shortness of breath, chest pain, tingling or numbness in your limbs. tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection, and don't change or stop your asthma treatments, including steroids, without talking to your doctor. are you ready to du more with less asthma? just ask your asthma specialist about dupixent.

johnson & johnson says tpha data shows the vaccine is ae eventive with a booster. the dose of an elementary school aged kid is one-third of what adults get and shows a strong immune response. let's get a look at our microclimate forecast now with meteorologist, kari hall. >> there's smoke coming into the bay area as kari shows us there.

moderate quality air in the north bay, moderate along the coast and bay. the temperatures will be going up, at least in the south bay. the inland valley areas as well. we will take a look at our inland 7-day forecast this morning. today will be probably the hottest day of the week, but we see the cooling temperatures dip back up a little bit on thursday, but then cooling down on the weekend. we will have another local news update for you in about half an hour. of course, stay tuned for our midday news as well. you can always get the news on online at nbcbayarea.com. see you in a bit.

dear ms, from day one you've tried to define me.

but i never invited you in. it's my life and this is my journey. i've found a way to do things differently with ocrevus, an infusion treatment that's 2-times-a-year. for adults with relapsing or primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis, ocrevus is proven effective in reducing relapses in rms and slowing disability progression in rms and ppms. don't take ocrevus if you've had a life-threatening allergic reaction to it, or have hepatitis b. tell your doctor about vaccinations or if you've had hep b, as it could come back. a common side effect of ocrevus is infusion reactions, and some may require hospitalization. it can increase your risk of infections, which can be serious, and may decrease certain types of immunoglobulins. while pml was not reported in clinical trials, it could happen. an increased risk of cancer, including breast cancer, may exist. sorry, ms. you don't get to control every part of me ms can't own us. ask your doctor about two-times-a-year ocrevus.

. it's 8:00 on "today. it's 8:00 on "today." president biden front and center at the united nations as he gives his first speech before fellow world leaders. savannah sat down with british prime minister boris johnson ahead of his meeting with the president. >> what we have to do is work together, as the west. afghanistan can't be a breeding ground for terror any more. >> we have the latest. need a boost? overnight, johnson & johnson reveals its single dose vaccine is even stronger after a booster

shot. this, as parents wait for kids to get vaccine approval. new details, coming up. plus, not so shellfish. harry smith takes us to new york's east river for a closer look at how oysters are once again keeping the harbor clean. >> without the oysters, you have a landscape that's flat and featureless with nowhere to hide and nothing to eat. >> just ahead, why they are so important to the world around us. and there was no doubt, gwen stefani shares a behind-the-scenes look at the emotional moment she said yes to the dress, "today," tuesday, september 21st, 2021. >> today is a special day. >> for my mom watching in arizona. happy birthday! >> sending love to our five beautiful grandchildren. >> from des moines, iowa. >> celebrating our 50th anniversary. >> visiting from maple grove, minnesota.

>> and louisville, kentucky. >> we're sisters from baltimore county, maryland, and we love "today." >> we love you right back. welcome back to "today." we're so happy you're joining us on this tuesday morning. last day of summer. >> soak it all in. >> we're going to get right to your news at 8:00. president biden in his first address to the united nations urging united action against global threats, including climate change and the covid pandemic. peter alexander is joining us with the latest. hey, peter, good morning. >> hey, hoda, good morning to you. among the key issues at this

year's united nations, the ongoing tensions between the united states and china, addressing the submarines. not only relentless war but diplomacy. >> u.s. military power must be our tool of last resort, not our first. and not to be used as an answer to every problem we see. bombs and bullets cannot defend against covid-19. to fight this pandemic, we need a collective act of science and political will. >> reporter: the president's focus was heavily on the coronavirus pandemic and on climate change. on coronavirus, there has been much criticism. the president is pushing out to give third shots or booster shots to many americans when much of the world has not received its first. here is what the president had

to say specifically on climate change. >> making these ambitious investments isn't just good climate policy. it's a chance for each of our countries to invest in ourselves and our own future. it's an enormous opportunity to create good-paying jobs for workers in each of our countries and to spur long-term economic growth to improve the quality of life for all of our people. >> reporter: a very stark contrast between president biden saying that america is back and his predecessor, former president trump, with his america first policy. the president heads back to work, hosting the prime minister nbc's stephanie gosk joins us with the details on that good morning boris johnson. hoda breaking news this morning

about the one dose johnson & johnson covid vaccine and whether a booster shot is called for. it comes as the fda is considering letting young children get the pfizer vaccine. stephanie gosk joins us with more on >> reporter: this is good news from johnson & johnson with a booster, it's even stronger, but the fda has yet to approve boosters for any vaccine. they're considering a recommendation from one of its board to approve a pfizer booster for people over the age of 65 and with other health risks, underlying health risks the fda is set to consider whether or not to authorize the pfizer vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 some health experts say if that age group gets vaccinated, it could put an end to some of the worst of the pandemic that we've seen with this delta variant savannah >> stephanie, thank you very much a cia official who traveled to india this month is the latest to report symptoms of havana syndrome. that's the mystery illness that struck several cia agents in cuba years ago havana syndrome can cause

dizziness, nausea, headaches, even brain damage. some reported hearing high pitched sounds before their symptoms started the national academy of science most likely caught of havana symptom is microwave energy focused on a target. it is coming up on 8:06. we've got the news covered i've got a boost that i think will warm your heart becoming a dad can bring all kinds of emotions and even a little anxiety watch this father's reaction when he gets to hold his baby boy for the very first time. >> have you held a baby before >> not a newborn >> relax. >> probably like a 2-year-old. >> yeah? >> come closer. >> okay. >> you're fine >> i think i'm in labor. >> okay. ready? relax. relax. >> aww >> it doesn't get any sweeter than that. just a magical moment when

everything but the joy oh, gosh the dad talked about his gratitude. well done. congratulations, dad >> how are we supposed to go on now? >> harry is over there >> harry is over there >> there's still dust in the studio. >> when we come back here, we're going to try to take a turn. there's that guy, harry smith. harry is going to share a fascinating look at how the oysters that we enjoy in restaurants are being reused to help bring the waters of new york harbor back to life we'll have that for you, right after this ard, a different kind of card that rewards rashida and dan where their spending is trending. just ask fifth class this week rashida... rashida: dan, no pain, no gain. okay? dan: yeah i know, it's just...hello? claire, what? fire? ...or always road tripping on empty dan... rashida: i told you this would happen. dan: the light was not even on. no, it was on. dan: what? with the new citi custom cash℠ card it pays to be you. from fitness clubs, gas stations, restaurants and more, earn 5% cash back that automatically adjusts to your top eligible spend category, up to $500 spent each billing cycle.

derriere discomfort. we try to soothe it with this. cool it with this. and relieve it with this. but new preparation h soothing relief spray is the 21st century way to do all three. even touch free. preparation h. get comfortable with it. visible is wireless that gets better with friends. pay as low as $25 a month. or bring a friend and you both get a month for $5. so the more people you roll with, the more you save. visible. unlimited data as low as $25 a month. or bring a friend and you both get a month for $5. ♪ keep it together 'til this work call wraps ♪ ♪ sip that smooth roast and try your best not to snap ♪ ♪ the best part of wakin' up is folgers in your cup ♪ does your plug-in fade too fast?

try febreze fade defy plug. it has built-in technology to digitally control how much scent is released to smell first day fresh for 50 days. la la la la la. good morning! maria! getting that fiber in. nice! ah, the miller's. rising and shining! that's a bright idea. with high fiber and plump juicy raisins kellogg's raisin bran gives any day a sunny start. hey, uh, i didn't order any pizza. jake from state farm... after you saved me so much dough on insurance with that "parker promo” i devised a promo for you. here's the deal parker, state farm offers everyone surprisingly great rates. yeh, right. pepperoni pocketz, atomic brownie, cuckoo crustiez... there's no promo. just great rates. and a side of ranch. you're the man, man. when you want the real deal...like a good neighbor, state farm is there. isn't it a paradox?

that the love for this world that gets us out in it sometimes leaves behind the things that can harm it? but now, flight by flight, we can make a difference. because delta has committed to becoming the world's first carbon-neutral airline on a global basis. we believe you shouldn't have to choose between seeing the world, and saving it. ♪♪ >> announcer: "today" goes green is sponsored by delta. keep climbing. >> we are back with our ongoing series "today goes green" and the little mollusk that could when it comes to helping the environment.

>> this is fascinating harry smith is here to tell you about an effort to clean up the the new york harbor one raw bar at a time. you brought water. are we dehydrated? >> this is what 50 gallons of water looks like that's going to come into play here in just a second. but if you were on the ship with henry hudson and rolled into new york harbor, al, you're the second mate, right you rolled in, this place was teeming with hundreds of square miles of oyster beds oyster beds are a lot like a coral reef they're so good for so many different things what's happening right now in new york is they're trying to put a billion new oysters back in the water again even if you don't love oyster, you've got to love oysters each one of these glistening mo mollusks filters 50 gallons of water through its system every d day. and even when there's nothing left but the shell, they can

still help, but it's a bit of a putrid process mmm, the aroma several times a week, discarded oyster shells are collected from oyster lava.taurants like here at cray fish bar >> they've become launchpads for oyster larvae. how many do you think are in this flat? >> we can have anywhere between 400 to 1,000 oysters right here these guys right here are the oysters. >> oh, i see it's a little darkish there. >> yep. >> gotcha. >> so as they continue to grow, they grow like fingernails they start growing outward and the bigger they get, the more resilient they are. >> and resilient they will need to be because the oysters are

being planted in new york harbor compared to decades past, the harbors's waters have improved but still anything but pristine. >> once people start caring about what is in here, it will make a huge difference in our future >> hard to imagine, but new york harbor was once teeming with life, a dream-like ecosystem >> new york harbor, 400 years ago, had more natural abundance than anywhere on earth has now. >> here? >> here, in new york harbor. >> you're putting me on now. >> no, no, no. and we ate all the oysters in about 100 years and cut that ecosystem off at the knees. >> and the base of the ecosystem? oysters. what do oysters do >> oysters and oyster reefs do almost all of the same things that coral reefs do. just like coral reefs? who knew >> think of them just like the trees in the forest, the grass in the salt marsh.

without the oysters, you have a landscape that's flat and featureless with nowhere to hide and nothing to eat >> a buffer zone arguably more important than ever. >> historically, oyster reefs play aid huge role in protecting the shores from normal storms and surges oyster reefs and other natural infrastructures can play a role in protecting shores from climb change >> and check this out. a year later, this installation is proof that if the larvae can make it here, well, you know the rest >> so, lots of baby oysters. >> with an enthusiastic group od staff and volunteers, tanacia swift recently led us to the installation of several dozen flats containing several hundred thousand oyster larvae a small, but significant step toward the goal of a billion as a native new yorker to have skin in the game, so to speak, with this project, what is it like for you >> it definitely warmed my heart. i grew up in brooklyn.

i was born and raised in bedsty so i'm visiting the childhood places that i used to visit as a child. my dad was a fisherman it really warms my heart and makes my love my city even more. >> perfect >> amazing whoo >> oyster love fest. >> 50 gallons a day. one little oyster filtering all that. >> you said in new york at one point in history, oysters were more abundant than pizza. >> it was what everyone ate until early in the 20th century. >> was it, al? >> there were oyster carts -- i wasn't around, but it was like a nickel for a bunch. >> right >> streets were paved with oysters. parts of the old trinity church, the mortar was made with oysters. this was the oyster capital of the world. but these oysters there, it's really for reef creation, habitat creation probably not in our lifetime that will -- >> how long will it --

>> that was what i was wondering, like what is the trajectory >> part of the issue is infrastructure, right? our sewer systems are connected in new york city and if we get more than a quarter of an inch of rain -- >> sounds like a follow-up piece is needed. >> what comes out into the harbor is not industrial waste, it's our waste >> thank you >> glad i asked. >> so we need those oysters. >> follow up there >> you have to care about this, otherwise you're very shellfish. >> oh, al. >> it took him that long >> i was holding on. >> everyone likes to eat oysters? >> i love oysters. do you like oysters? >> i do. >> we don't like them. >> you don't like buffalo wings -- >> we think they're shells with sauce. >> here we go. speaking of the environment, al has a really important and big announcement >> we're very excited about this with climate concerns front and center, we're going to take a deeper dive into the changes, the extremes, the strategies and

solutions about climate. we're calling it "today climate," featuring a wide variety of stories and initiatives here on today as well as today.com, today all day, and across all of our social media platforms basically, whenever and however you engage with us, it will be a chance for us to expand our coverage and highlight innovations designed to help our natural resources thrive and we hope and want to encourage everybody to go to today.com for more >> good one. >> eat oysters. >> i know how important this is to you personally. so we're going to get started this morning on the third hour, right? >> that's right. i went for a ride in a lab on wheels that detects surprising ways that we are all contributing to air pollution. we all have personal plumes that are giving off pollutants. >> some are bigger than others >> that's right. and it's not what you think, although there are those, too. but wait until you see what we found. it's a mobile van that's fascinating. >> and now you've got a check of the weather. al, you're a busy guy. >> your personal plume

>> your pp okay. >> all right. ntthe tennessee river valley wet weather in the southeast, as well temperatures still pretty hot through the southwest. also into texas, on into the lower mississippi river valley much cooler out west in fact, we are looking for a morning freeze this morning up in the parts of the northern rockies. much cooler through texas. gorgeous day here in the northeast and new england. but flood watches through the mississippi and ohio river valleys. also into the southeast, as well it's going to be a real mess later on today i good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we are dealing with unhealthy care quality, we're already starting to see some of that smoke moving in. for people sensitive to the smoke, children, the elderly, people with breathing problems, especially in the east bay and santa clara valley you will want to limit your time outside today. it's also going to be really

hot. temperatures will be going up w the forecast throughout the week inland and s >> and don't forget, you can find us on the radio, sirius x channel 108. >> off the rails today >> off the rails best of. ms. jones is not feeling well today. but to get you past that, we have the best part of the morning. >> pop start. >> thank you thank you, thank you first up, we're talking about our buddy, gwen stefani. it's been a couple of months since she said i do to blake at their fairy tale wedding. yesterday, the grammy winner took to instagram to share a special series of throwbacks from the moment she said yes to the dress. from head to toe, the bride-to-be can be seen glowing,

as she struts up and down the catwalk in the vera wang dress this was only the second dress she tried on is that common how many dresses would -- >> i don't know. i think people try on a lot. >> which time? >> oh. all righty then. >> sorry i don't know >> what's next on popstart >> tom hanks is next the hollywood hitter set to star alongside a robot dog in "finch." hanks leading the cast as an invote vater, who has a best friend, but worried he wouldn't be around to take care of the dog for long so he built a robot companion to step in as the caretaker, and the three make up this unconventional futuristic family here is a look at the trailer. >> warning >> if we don't go before that storm hits, we'll die, all of it as soon as it can walk, we're leaving. >> i can walk. one, two, one, two >> that's fallen >> do you think we'll make it? >> not without my feet what we do, we do together

>> that's a futuristic version of "turner & hooch"? >> i don't know. >> or "i am legend. >> out on tv plus, watch it and see what you think >> still thinking about savannah's multiple marriages. >> stop it >> i love that >> i love mike feldman so much. >> me, too. >> nothing happened before him, ever. >> that's right. >> neither for me or for him it was feldman and the world began. >> what's up next in pop start >> the comedian returning to the small screen with a brand new show called the problem with jon stewart. it's set to tackle all things from inequality in america to veteran care and we have a sneak peek at the series >> my name is jon stewart. i've been away from television for some time. this is what i look like now >> we're talking about this country.

>> what's okay, what isn't what are the priorities? that has to change or nothing will change. >> you say burning everything but jet fuel might not be the answer >> i have a bachelor degree, but i'm still living in poverty. >> welcome to the problem with jon stewart. we should put a comma in that. >> i see that. the problem with jon stewart, that's on apple tv on september 30th jon will be releasing a companion podcast, so you can continue the conversation with each episode of that also you, savannah, will sit down with jon, as i understand it, next week. >> exciting. >> oh, stop. >> you don't want to know. >> no, this is not -- i know i started it, but stop. >> enough! >> right >> what's up next in pop start, carson >> peyton manning. he made some pretty bold accusations during monday night football.

it's him and his brother, eli. he was doing that and telling his brother the other day that he believes the patriots bugged the locker room held in indy, peyton joking that he had maybe gone to extreme measures or had to to protect those team conversations. here is what he had to say >> every time i played against new england, i used to go and talk to my receivers in the shower in the far corner i'm like, don't talk about a play next to my locker because i know it's bugged i know it's got a hot. >> mike: hot mic in there. we were in the shower, very strange to see seven guys hanging out back there in the shower, but take all precautions. >> what do you think do you think there could be any truth to that or is he being paranoid that's in indy so he's saying the belichick crew tampered with his home locker >> i don't think so. >> in new england, i could believe it, but not -- >> and new england has a history. >> he seemed kind of serious >> he did seem serious about it. >> we should point out that we haven't verified the authenticity of his claims >> yeah. straight ahead, are you ready to be inspired >> yes. >> do you know who is here >> who

>> amanda gorman she wowed with her poetry at the inauguration she is live on our plaza she has a powerful new message on achieving your dreams and changing the world, something that she is doing every single day. got a brand new children's book out that both savannah and my kids are reading it's a good one. we'll talk to amanda, coming up.

a very good morning to you, it is 8:26. i'm laura garcia. johnson & johnson this morning out with new data on the effectiveness of a covid booster shot. the drug maker says people who get one after two months will have a 94% protection. of course, many people received their one-shot dose longer than two months ago, but the drug maker also says boosters six months out provide even better protection. the fda is awaiting enough data before it will recommend a j&j booster. let's get a look at our forecast for this tuesday morning with meteorologist kari hall. >> laura, it's already starting to look hazy out there as we get a look at our live view in

dublin. our air quality will continue to get worse as smoke from the sequoia national park fire starts to move into the bay area. we will see unhealthy air quality today but it looks to improve for tomorrow. our smoke forecast shows you could should definitely limit your time and those bike rides and long walks may want to be limited to the early hours. we will also have temperatures reaching into the mid 90s so it's going to be hot in our inland areas and still pretty warm throughout the week. laura? >> thank you very much. another local news update is coming up at about 8:55 this morning. join us for our midday news at 11:00 as well. have a great day.

hey, worry back. >> we're back? hey, we're back. >> we're back? >> we're back. it's 8:30. ♪ and do you remember the 21st day of september ♪ >> are you playing it -- >> i think you're dreaming, but i do like it i like it. >> we were going to hear some earth, wind and fire but -- >> there it is >> i love it >> and guess what? this is their 51st year together >> is it really? >> yes >> 51 years. >> but the song was recorded in september. 1978 it was released in november,

however. >> right there you go >> carson, you know it all meantime, guys, look who is here a 23-year-old powerhouse, amanda gorman you remember, she blew everybody away with her poem at the inauguration she happened to have co-hosted the met gala this morning, she has a new and inspiring message for us all we can't wait to hear all about it >> and the moves. >> i'm excited to meet her >> and then, guys, get ready to shop until you drop. we're going to get a sneak peek at the best beauty winners for 2021 >> and the one and only christina tossi is going to be joining us how she's teaching kids to celebrate there are creativity in a delicious way and coming up in the third hour, dylan is going to be cooking with cal she has a fun recipe that could make your kids actually enjoy

eating zucchini. >> and be sure to join us tomorrow as we focus on the sopranos prequel, the many saints of new york starring james gandolfini's son, michael. he will tell us about the role that made his dad a household literall name and how he was welcome d in the soprano way. >> fish in your bed or something like that? >> i don't know. wow. hoda, word on the street is that you have a new podcast, and not only that, it is quickly earning listeners and fans rising to the top of the charts literally. the power of hoda. we talked about the first episode yesterday, which is a winner now we have episode two. tell us about it >> there is a great, great writer, her name is suleika jaouad she got cancer when she was really young she wrote a column in the "new york times" and she went on this journey to visit the people who wrote her letters. and she learned life lessons from them. right now, she's written a book and it's called between two kingdoms it is a best seller. here is a little bit of what

suleika had to say >> to be able to kind of tell and talk about the unvarnished truth of what it means to have your life upended, whether by a cancer diagnosis or some other kind of heartbreak or loss that brings you to the floor, and to be able to talk about that with people who had experienced some version of that felt like such a gift >> and in addition to her being amazing, like you'll learn a ton of life lessons, her partner is john baptiste, who he sat with us, too, and visited and we learned about their love, their relationship, how they navigated through all this stuff. they're amazing. they're a lot of fun >> how do people find that >> it's also on the -- wherever you get your podcast the purple button on your phone or however you do it. >> the qr code is up on the screen >> i just searched hoda this

morning on my podcast and it came up right away >> i listened to the first one on the plane yesterday coming home >> did you like it you did. >> you know roker would tell you the truth. >> if it wasn't, i would still say it was lovely, but it was fantastic. >> you always tell the truth about the weather, too >> i try at least sell it let's talk about what is going on today down is the southeast, heavy rain, great lakes, into the mississippi and tennessee river valleys. a little chilly back through the northern rockies for tomorrow, more flooding storms through the northeast, also into the great lakes. desert heat building in the good morning, i'm meteorologist kari hall. we are under a spare the air alert day, it's going to be smoky and so you might want to limit your time out there, and it's going to be hot. so get in those outdoor activities early in the day. we're headed toward the mid 90s this afternoon. for the first day of fall we're still looking at warm weather, upper 80s and then those temperatures going right back up by the end of the week. looks like we will catch relief for the weekend with highs in

the low 80s in the valleys and san francisco also heating >> and that is your latest weather. savannah >> oh, i'm sorry you know who i was just talking to >> who >> a rising star named savannah from tucson. >> history repeats itself. it's like a time machine you and you. >> i know. but i don't think i was ever that adorable at all >> do you like chicken wings o do you call them bones with sauce? >> she has no idea >> oysters >> you're one and the same >> we are. go get them, savannah. coming up next, another young star she uses her words to inspire. we're going to catch up with poet amanda gorman and the new way she's making the world a better place one beautiful verse working at recology is more than a job for jesus. it's a family tradition.

jesus took over his dad's roue when he retired after 47 year. now he's showing a new generation what recology is all about. recology provides good-paying local jobs for san franciscans. we're proud to have built the city's recycling system from the ground up, helping to make san francisco the greenest big city in america. let's keep making a differene together. [laughing and talking] at kaiser permanente, your entire care team is connected, so even a routine appointment can save your life. and i see you're due for a mammogram. should we schedule it? a leader in the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer.

(music plays throughout) a leader in the prevention, oh! we're dancing. woah! oh. ok! and that's a yeah. (music stops) i'm a dancer now.

som somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn't broken, but simply unfinished. we, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one. >> oh, my gosh okay we're having the wave. we have all the feels. who can forget those words that is, of course, amanda gorman she became the youngest inaugural poet ever. >> since then, she's become the first poet to perform at the super bowl she co-chaired the met gala. look at you. and she named the number one "new york times" best-selling

author i haven't even said half the things you've done >> now she's out with her debut picture book it's called "changed things. we are delighted to have amanda with us. there's so much to discuss this book is absolutely beautiful, but boy, have you been on a whirlwind. you've captivated the nation back in january. how has this ride been for you up to this point >> well, thank you so much for having me. it's such an honor to be here today. i've just been riding the roller coaster, enjoying it it hasn't even been a year yet looking back on my life has changed. i'm so grateful for all of it. >> it's incredible i was thinking the same thing. was that just nine months ago? >> exactly >> sharing the met gala, you're

a harvard grad you covered vogue. we have a really cute thing with your mom seeing your cover for the first time can we show this so cute. >> oh, my gosh >> oh, that's not it sorry. wrong thing. they weren't ready for that. we'll show it. just, like, how do you even -- how do you even handle such a whirl with wind and such an overwhelm amount of attention and success that fast? >> i'm very fortunate. i have family and friends to keep me grounded and remind me of who i am. and what often i think about is writing for me is always home. so it doesn't matter if i go to the moon and back, whenever i pick up a pen, i'm where i belong and where i need to be and that helps keep me planted firmly on the ground >> for those who don't know your back story, i mean, you had to overcome a speech impediment you had poetry in your heart and soul forever, but speaking the words was a big deal and a difficult thing to overcome so i just thought about it because i was googling you right before and i thought, look at her standing there in front of the world, really, and saying those words. how did you overcome that to be able to perform that way >> well, honestly, it took years and years of practice, speech therapy to overcome my speech impediment

i remember being 20 years old, so this is like three years ago, and still not even being able to fully say my last name so i had to put in the work, the labor. i listened to hamilton a lot and recited the rap with the actors. and over time that not only engaged my love for poetry but for my own voice to the part what i could take the stage and hear it with love and going to acceptance >> i also love about you that you know you want to run for president one day. you know the year it's going to happen when you become eligible. what is it, 20 -- >> 2036, yes >> just checking you knew for some people, you go oh, my gosh, she already has those political ambitions. where does that dream come from and why do you want to be president?

>> that's a great question i remember being around 11 years old and i was in class talking passionately about things i wanted to change in the world and my teacher said to me quite jokingly, you should run for president and i said, yes, i should so it became this ambition wherefore me, it means that the hopes that i have for making the world a better place, i have to think more expansively beyond poetry it's not just writing. it's doing right, as well. if i can do that while changing political institutions, changing the quality of life in my own home country, i think that's a great extension. >> you're doing it right now this book "change sings," the prose is beautiful >> this has been four years in the making so it means so much for me, i wanted to write a children's book in which young readers can see themselves as real agents of change within the world. i was speaking with so many family members and guardians who asked me, how do i talk about the world with my child? and i said first and foremost, by highlighting how important they are to our future and that is really the core of the message to change things >> it's so beautiful and you wrote this well before the inauguratione u were a house

hold name, well before you were on the cover of "vogue." i think we have the video no now. let's see your mama because she's so proud of you. >> oh, my gosh amanda, absolutely gorgeous. that's my daughter >> yes, it is. i love that. amanda, thank you. you make everybody proud thank you so much. >> you're welcome. >> the book is called "change sings" and it's out right now. >> pick it up. our girls love it. just ahead, touch up your roots? have you ever heard of magnetic mascara?

and there you have it- woah. wireless on the most reliable network nationwide. wow. -big deal! ...we get unlimited for just 30 bucks. sweet, i get that too and mine has 5g included.

that's cool, but ours save us serious clam-aroonies. relax people, my wireless is crushing it. that's because you all have xfinity mobile with your internet. it's wireless so good, it keeps one upping itself. we're back today style this morning, new products to consider adding to your beauty routine. >> our friends at "allure," they

tested thousands of products for their annual best of beauty issue. we all wait for this to come and here it is taking us through some of the winners is jessica follow along as we go by scanning that qr code on your screen we wait for your list. we're excited and you're going to start us off with some sunscreen. >> that's what we're here for. our editors test for months to make sure our readers are getting the best of the best when it comes to skin, this is a mineral sunscreen from kinship and it adds this pearly tint, but it blends in really well the thing that's great about this is it's a clean winner. that means it's without 15 ingredients including chemical sunscreens, but it has zinc. and it has spf 32 which is really important i also love this ahc aqualuronic serum. it layers well with our products, it moisturizes and it's going to give you that dewey effect >> in the morning or how do you do it? >> you can do it morning and night.

cleanse, before you moisturize >> and it's also not $1 million. selena gomez has a product for us >> yes she launched a product last year and our editors have been using it ever since. we love this blush because it can be used on your cheeks, but i use it on my eyelids and my cheeks, too. >> it's an all in one? >> you do a little color here, a little on your eyes, a little on your lips. it's creamy. it's also the same >> if we touch them all, we can keep them. >> so ilia beauty has this eye tint it's called the crow chromatic eye tint use this, put the wand on your lid and blend with your finger

>> does it have a powdery look in the end >> yes give you a little bit there. >> and you put it right on there. do you dab it in >> you can dab it in, use a blush or a pen you can did it a little bit or a lot. >> i like that you can build it up >> this is also a clean winner >> why didn't we bring our shopping carts okay what's next? >> brows are so important. especially in the time of masks. so this flower beauty skinny brow is great because illustrate will let you do little strokes of hair almost as if you got microbladed. but it's 10 bucks and no pain. >> blend is your friend. >> i love this magnetic mascara >> there is a break through winner if it's a break through, that means there's some great technology

this wand has a magnet inside. so the magnet grabs the formula and makes sure it gets to your lashes >> so it doesn't stick to your lashes >> no. make sure it doesn't clump and you get extra length >> we have one minute. >> right so this gloss is from maybeline. it gives extra shine if you were a red lip person, now you want to do this because of the mask. this is from taraji henson's line i use d it on my hair before i came here. it is great for natural hair and it's wonderful for elongation and definition >> is it a styling thing you do when your hair is dry? >> yes i use it when my hair is wet and let it dry after i've used it. >> get the roots >> yes and our editors missed their colorists so much over the last year and this gets rid of gray like that. >> paint it on >> it will last until your next shampoo. >> you just put it over your grays? >> yes the color wow powder goes on this part. >> and lastly? >> this tresemme keratin repair $6 a piece. >> what? >> it really helps with breakage, flyaways

your body needs protein and your hair needs protein, too. >> thank you got it all in. it's like a marathon >> find these picks and even more winners by scanning that qr code or go to today.com/shop up next, the cake queen. i love her

kids love visiting kidifornia. but parents like it to, like a lot. they go bonkers. (wuaahh) totally boom it's an adventure. (sound of playing) you know ,you have to keep an eye on them. you got to let them explore and figure things out for themselves. so hurry up (screams) they're not gonna stay this way forever. kick off your kidifornia vacation at visitcalifornia.com

welcome back. th welcome back this morning on "today" food, christina tossi, the founder of milk bars. one of your favorite spots christina is also a children's author now >> that's right. she's releasing her first ever children's book today. it is called "every cake has a story. it follows a young girl who chases a life full of colors and expression by creating cakes with her friends as you know, we are all huge fans of yours. we believe you have the greatest midas touch. everything you touch, we want to

eat. but tell us more about the book. it sounds so fascinating >> so the book is about this little girl named sammy. she lives in samesville. everything is the same she asks that question that we all do at an age of like, life can and should be more exciting and full of possibility and creativity, and individuality. and that is what she sort of discovers in the world through the worlds of layer cake, one of my favorite things >> i love that your characters look like america, too >> it's important, right >> presentation matters. >> i mean, every cake has a story, every kid has a story, every ingredient has a story for me, that's what it's all about. >> does it have recipes or is it just for inspiration for the little ones? >> there is a recipe at the very end of the book for an amazing strawberry frosting. but what i have for you all today are recipes on recipes for how to bring that individuality and creativity into your average cake at home all the way up to

on of milk bar's best cakes on the menu this fall, the apple cider donut layer cake >> i'm a huge fan of the creamsicle and you're making a creamsicle soak >> take a standard vanilla sheet cake at home grab some orange juice from the fridge pour it into some milk or heavy cream to get that nice, creamsicle moment. take a fork, pork it into cake and than you take that cream sickle moment of orange juice and heavy cream and you pour that creamsicle into the cake. your cake will sponge it up. >> christina is like a mad scientist. i love this. >> and then what keep going >> but that's not it there's a chocolate, double chocolate chip cake. some on of you might be into that peppermint chocolate moment of the season. take peppermint extract. put it into a little bit of milk this idea of cake soak what you soak your cake with can bring flavor and personality >> can i ask you something and don't be mad >> of course.

>> could i used a box cake >> 100%. >> really? >> 100%. i just want to say, i didn't learn how to make cake until i moved to new york city to go to culinary school. i thought cake came from a box. but still, whether it's box cake or fresh cake, there's so many amazing things you can do with it take your standard cake box mix, add a little bit of cinnamon, bake it into these rounds, use some apple cider to soak the cake and all of a sudden you have this brilliant take on fall flavors, right >> how do you make it so it's not too sooggy? >> that's a good question. >> how many holes? maybe it's about how many holes you put in >> some holes. it's a pastry chef's hidden secret it keeps your cake nice and fresh and moist. you need three or four flashes or paint brushes down. you know you've gone too far when you have cake soup floating at the bottom. but no one is mad at cake that has a little bit more flavor and moisture but no one wants dry cake which is why cake soak is where you

are. >> you're the modern day willy wonka of cakes. >> you are once you soak it, can you put some frosting on it? >> you can put frosting on it. i have this incredible chocolate swirl peppermint frosting. >> come on >> of course you do. >> with that chocolate cake. >> oh, my. >> and it looks a little bit like an ice cream sundae are you ready? my favorite frosting which we have out, which we're getting a very good morning, it is 8:56. i'm laura garcia. this year's dreamforce conference is kicking off today in san francisco, back in-person at the moscone center after going all virtual last year. this year it's invite only, scaled down to under 1,000

people. most of the event will take place outside. people will also have to show proof of vaccination and get tested every day. nearby businesses are welcoming back the return of dreamforce, even if it is on a smaller scale. the hope is the event will bring back a little bit of normalcy and, of course, some money to that economy. happening now, cr johnson looking closer on what's at top in the dreamforce. president biden focusing on the pandemic and the afghanistan pull out. more at midday. [ sfx: ding ding ding ] [ phone buzzing ]

[ sfx: bing bing bing ] [ sfx: bing bloop ding ding bloop bing ] the day can wait... enter the golden state, with real california dairy.

can you see my wall of smiles? when i first started using genesys technology i was kind of embarrased at all the love and attention i got from my customers. people are so moved by how much i understand about them. they start including me in their lives. that's helen and her friends. i arranged a wellness retreat for them. look at those ladies.

such wisdom. mmm. but it's really genesys that helps me understand people and what they truly need. i'm just glad i can help. live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza, this is the third hour of "today." >> good morning. welcome to the third hour of "today." i'm al along with craig and dylan. sheinelle strained her voice after that big party she had. >> it's the 21st day of september. >> last day of summer. >> i'm thinking today is wednesday. >> no, it's tuesday. >> i didn't know