🎧 Trump has tried to position himself as a peacemaker, but his war against Iran looms over the gathering, NPR’s Michele Kelemen tells Up First. Iran's president will speak at the event the day after Trump, though interaction between U.S. and Iranian officials remains uncertain. The U.N. has been somewhat sidelined in the conflict with Iran, but it has offered to monitor civilian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Kelemen says those efforts haven't gained much traction. Despite Trump's downplaying of artificial intelligence and climate change, these topics are expected to be big topics of discussion at the event.

➡️ Trump has a busy week ahead, including a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The leaders meet as their two countries face fierce competition and mistrust over artificial intelligence.

🎧 NPR's Franco Ordoñez says that the president's plan reflects his push for increased executive power. Trump is bypassing traditional processes and Congress to establish a major national monument by broadly interpreting his executive authority, challenging opponents to stop him, Ordoñez adds. Many people fear he will act swiftly on this plan, outpacing any court responses and making it challenging to reverse the project. Some are also concerned that the president's proposal for the arch, along with other projects like the ballroom and threats to demolish the Kennedy Center, could significantly alter Washington's landscape.

🎧 FAA leaders say that the new tool is not meant to replace human controllers. It aims to help employees by minimizing congestion and potential conflicts in the air before they occur, NPR’s Joel Rose says. SMART is supposed to analyze airline schedules, weather patterns, and other factors to optimize flight plans. Rose spoke to former air traffic controller Dave Riley, who wasn't worried that the AI tool would lead to problems because humans would still oversee safety. But Riley says the tool won't address larger issues like the staffing shortage. The FAA still lacks thousands of controllers, leading to mandatory overtime and demanding schedules for those on duty.