World leaders convene for UNGA. And, Trump says D.C. arch will be a 'military complex' – WKU Public Radio

World leaders convene for UNGA. And, Trump says D.C. arch will be a ‘military complex’  WKU Public Radio

This week, world leaders convene for the U.N. General Assembly as war continues in Ukraine and the Gulf. And, President Trump has proposed that his arch serve as a military complex. World leaders convene this week in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. It will be U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres' last General Assembly before his term ends in December. He will open the event on Tuesday morning, followed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and then President Trump. Here's what NPR will be watching throughout the high-level event, which runs through Sept. 28. Trump has announced that he wants his proposed 250-foot arch in Washington, D.C., to function as a military complex that features areas for snipers and weaponry.

The president says these military operations are needed to enhance national security. The arch, which would be twice as tall as the Lincoln Memorial, has faced pushback even before the president posted his latest plans on Truth Social. People submitted more than 100,000 comments to the National Park Service, and the arch has also faced legal challenges. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing to launch an $875 million AI-powered software overhaul to improve air traffic control efficiency. While regulators and airlines are optimistic about the potential of Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories (SMART), critics