State Department

The Republic of Djibouti will sign the Artemis Accords during a ceremony at NASA Headquarters in Washington on September 14. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson will host Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States Mohamed Siad Douale, along with U. S. State Department Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Frank Garcia. The event is in person only, and media must RSVP by 8 a. m. on September 14 to attend. The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 to enhance the safety, transparency, and coordination of civil space exploration on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The accords were introduced by the United States, led by NASA and the State Department, in response to growing interest in lunar activities by governments and private companies. The signing ceremony will mark Djibouti's commitment to the accords, which aim to promote international cooperation in space exploration.

The U. S. State Department has issued new instructions to American diplomatic missions worldwide, directing them to engage local authorities and request enhanced security measures for synagogues. The directive comes as the High Holy Days approach, a period when Jewish communities anticipate increased attendance and heightened risk of targeted attacks. U. S. officials emphasize that the request is part of a broader effort to protect religious sites and ensure the safety of worshippers. Diplomatic missions are expected to coordinate with host governments to assess current security arrangements and implement additional safeguards where necessary. The move reflects growing concerns over antisemitic threats and the need for proactive protection measures during key religious observances.

On Monday, Aug. 31, NASA Headquarters hosted the signing of the Artemis Accords by Turkey, making it the 71st country to join the agreement. The ceremony, scheduled for 2:30 p. m. EDT, was led by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and featured Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, alongside U. S. Department of State officials. The event is in person only; media must RSVP by 11 a. m. on Aug. 31 to hq-media@mail. nasa. gov. The Accords, first established in 2020 by NASA and the State Department with seven founding nations, set practical principles to enhance safety, transparency, and coordination of civil space exploration on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.