All articles tagged with #international norms
The year 2025 was marked by a surge in technological advancements, especially AI, alongside a retreat of the US from its traditional role in upholding international laws and norms, leading to geopolitical instability, increased great-power assertiveness, and a potential reshaping of global alliances and trade systems.
The White House has directed NASA to establish a unified standard of time for the moon and other celestial bodies, aiming to set international norms in space amid a growing lunar race among nations and private companies. This Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) would provide a time-keeping benchmark for lunar spacecraft and satellites, with the goal of ensuring secure data transfers, synchronized communications, and coordinated operations as commercial activities expand to the moon. The initiative is part of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to send astronaut missions to the moon and establish a scientific lunar base, and will require international agreements among spacefaring nations.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving a future for the Indo-Pacific region anchored in international norms, respect for sovereignty and human rights, and the free flow of commerce and ideas. He highlighted the progress made by the US and its allies in the region and pledged to support allies and partners in the region "as they defend themselves against coercion and bullying." Austin urged continued dialogue between the US and China, despite China's defense minister declining to meet during the summit in Singapore.
Singapore executed Tangaraju Suppiah, who was accused of coordinating the delivery of cannabis, despite pleas for clemency from his family and protests from activists that he was convicted on weak evidence. Tangaraju was sentenced to death in 2018 for abetting the trafficking of 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cannabis. Singapore authorities say there is a deterrent effect, citing studies that traffickers carry amounts below the threshold that would bring a death penalty. The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network condemned Tangaraju's execution as "reprehensible."
A video of a fireball streaking across the sky likely shows a Chinese rocket section that burned up in the atmosphere above Texas earlier this month. The four-ton rocket section entered the atmosphere above the southwestern corner of Texas at a speed of 17,000 mph after falling from low Earth orbit. The reentry of this Chinese rocket stage over Texas "reinforces the need for better international norms regarding high-risk uncontrolled reentries," U.S. Space Command told USNI News.