Biden looks for a reset, airlines warn of 'catastrophic' 5G disruption and first photos show scale of Tonga destruction

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Today’s Top Stories from NBC News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022

Good morning, NBC News readers.

Just one year into office, the White House is looking for a reset amid President Joe Biden's sinking approval numbers. The CEOs of major U.S. airlines are warning of "catastrophic" disruption if a planned 5G rollout goes ahead this week. And remember Vine, the six-second video app that was once all the rage? We check in on the once-viral Viners five years after the app's demise.

Here's what we're watching this Tuesday morning.

White House plots public reset as Biden's agenda flails

With President Joe Biden rounding out his first year in office amid a sinking approval rating and multiple setbacks to his agenda, the White House is planning a new communications strategy, senior administration officials say.

Biden’s advisers are looking at a variety of ways for him to engage more with Americans, officials said.

Changing a White House strategy to engage more directly with Americans is an evergreen reset plan that has been activated by previous presidents who have found themselves in politically precarious moments.

For Biden, that moment has arrived earlier than his team expected, as his administration struggles with its legislative agenda — such as the passage of key voting rights bills the president renewed calls for on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Senate Democratic leaders are determined to force a debate over the two voting rights bills on the floor Tuesday, but they seemed doomed for failure. Republicans are determined to filibuster the bill, and Democrats lack the 50 votes needed to create an exception to the filibuster.

Tuesday's Top Stories

U.S. airlines warn of 'catastrophic' disruption from 5G rollout

"To be blunt, the nation’s commerce will grind to a halt," the chief executives of major carriers warned U.S. transportation and economic officials ahead of Wednesday's launch of the new 5G service from AT&T and Verizon.

'He's a hero': Texas rabbi threw chair at gunman, helping end hourslong standoff

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker is being hailed for his calm and deliberate handling of the "terrifying" hostage situation at the Texas synagogue on Saturday.

Tonga covered in thick layer of ash, photos after volcano eruption and tsunami show

Aerial and satellite photos revealed the scale of the damage to Tonga's islands after the Pacific nation was hit by a massive undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami over the weekend.

'Kill or be killed': Hindu nationalists investigated in India over calls to murder Muslims

A petition filed to India’s Supreme Court said recent comments by Hindu nationalist leaders “amount to an open call for murder of an entire community.”

Also in the News

Supreme Court to review Boston's refusal to fly a Christian flag at City Hall

'A crucial time': Senators travel to Ukraine to warn against Russian aggression

In Arizona, ground zero for 2024, Trump spins lies and conspiracy theories

Genetic risk factor found for Covid-19 smell and taste loss, researchers say

12 victims of Philadelphia row house fire mourned at mass funeral

Cold case team shines new light on betrayal of Anne Frank

Editor's Pick

'Treated like donkeys': Amy's Kitchen accused of leaving some factory workers injured

Some factory workers who make meals at the family business describe an unforgiving workplace that pushes them past the point of injury.

One Fun Thing

A look back at Vine — the six-second video app that made us scream, laugh and cry

Before there was TikTok, there was Vine.

Launched in June 2012,Vine was one of the first social media apps to make the short form video both mainstream and accessible.

It became such a hit that it was quickly acquired by Twitter in October 2012 for $30 million. But, by January 2017 it was all over for the novelty platform.

Five years later, NBC News caught up with some of the most famous ex-Viners to talk about the defunct app.

Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.

If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com

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Thanks, Petra Cahill

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