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

General Assembly as war continues in Ukraine and the Gulf. And, President Trump has proposed that his arch serve as a military complex. Special Series Up First Newsletter All Up First Stories Up First Podcast Morning Edition LISTEN & FOLLOW NPR App Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music iHeart Radio RSS link Sign up for the [TITLE] Newsletter Get perks with [Podcast Title]+ Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed. By Brittney Melton Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. 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. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at the opening of the 81th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Sept. 8. Guterres will attend his last high-level week as secretary-general. Zhang Fengguo/Xinhua via Getty Images hide caption 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 question its effectiveness. The Department of Homeland Security said today that it is investigating a shooting involving a federal immigration agent who shot and injured 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez from Venezuela. DHS says that the shooting of "an illegal alien" happened during an Austin operation on Sunday. The circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear. DHS says that Rafael Garces Perez is in stable condition and in federal custody pending removal. His attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, said that Rafael Garces Perez called his wife to say he had been shot while sitting in his car and was yelling in pain. His wife has legal status to be in the U.S. Honoree Rachel Accurso and Aron Accurso attend Glamour Women of the Year at The Plaza on Nov. 4, 2025, in New York City. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images hide caption You'd be hard-pressed to find a young child (or parent of one) who hasn't heard of Ms. Rachel. She and her husband, Mr. Aron, started their YouTube channel, Songs for Littles, in 2019. Since then, her signature pink headband and engaging singsong voice have amassed more than 17.2 billion views, making her one of the most recognizable figures in children's entertainment. Now, she is releasing her first album. I'm So Happy is a 23-song compilation filled with original tunes and beloved nursery rhymes, reimagining their successful YouTube magic for her youngest fans. In an interview with Morning Edition's Leila Fadel, Ms. Rachel discusses her new music and why she uses her platform to advocate for children affected by war and humanitarian crises. Listen to snippets of her songs before the album's release on Sept. 25, and read more about this new era in Ms. Rachel's career. Pavadairayan, 60, a migrant laborer known as a "basket man," carries fish from boats to the auction house at Kasimedu Fishing Harbour in Chennai, India. Viraj Nayar hide caption In the heart of Chennai, India, the Kasimedu Fishing Harbour serves as a makeshift market where residents battle the sea for survival and a wage. Basket men, carrying around 35 pounds of fish on their heads, make 40 to 50 trips to the daily auction during long shifts. They're joined by fishermen, auctioneers, fish hawkers and wholesalers, transport workers and ice suppliers. The harbor, originally built for fewer than 600 boats, now serves more than 1,000. Bhagat Singh, a researcher and social worker, says that members of the fishing community understand the risks of the business. Fishermen there earn about $200 a month if they have good catches, but one bad season could potentially plunge them into poverty. This precariousness of the career path is driving younger generations to seek more reliable employment. Check out these photos of the lives of these fisherfolk. Rose Friedman came to NPR in 2010. She was an editor for the Society & Culture desk. Beth Novey/NPR hide caption This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen. NPR does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews. Anyone who makes such an offer or request is not an NPR employee and does not represent NPR. Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor