Global Scans · Politics · Weekly Summary

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WHAT'S NEXT?: Break up of traditional political structures is on the cards in many parts of the world as technology brings challenges to slow and bureaucratic decision-making. New forms of more agile democratic structures are likely to emerge.

• [New] The UK is keen to preserve diplomatic ties with Tehran to minimise the risk of a miscalculation in the Middle East which could ignite a wider war. Kent Online
• [New] Organizations such as the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse have specifically identified increased risks associated with substance abuse for youth who use social media. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] East Africa's geoclimatic history is well documented due to research on human origins, so researchers could contrast climate events with how the wild and cultivated Arabica populations fluctuated over time. phys.org
• [New] U.S. defence firms remain well bid early on growing geopolitical risks due to conflict in the Middle East after a retaliatory attack by Iran on Israel over the weekend. Investrade
• [New] While powerful foreign states, such as China and the United States, will undoubtedly exercise tremendous sway, it is incumbent upon ASEAN states to prioritize their interests and resort to diplomacy to address regional challenges. Eurasia Review
• [New] Iran was threatening to launch a significant attack on Israel, and pledged ironclad support for its top regional ally despite diplomatic tensions over Israel's conduct of the Gaza war. Space War
• [New] Iran's mission to the United Nations said it now deemed the matter concluded and warned Israel of a considerably more severe response should the Israeli regime make another mistake. Al Jazeera
• [New] Fears of a spiralling regional war spiked further in early April, when Iran accused Israel of bombing its diplomatic complex in Syria. CNN
• [New] The fabric of Canada has evolved: Canadians are much more connected to the world than in the past, and they have higher expectations for how their government will promote and protect their interests overseas. GAC
• [New] The Government of Canada has a significant opportunity to lead by example by making its operations low-carbon and strengthening the resilience of its assets, operations and services. Transport Canada
• [New] The Government of Canada has a legal duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate Indigenous groups when its conduct might adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal or Treaty rights. Transport Canada
• [New] Fears that Israel's war in Gaza could spiral into a wider regional conflict have been been rising since Iran accused Israel of bombing its diplomatic complex in Syria earlier this month. CNN
• [New] Heavy rains pounding different parts of Kenya have led to the deaths of at least 13 people and displaced some 15,000 people, the United Nations said, as forecasters warn that more rains can be expected until June. vancouversun
• [New] Iran's attacks have drawn criticism from the United Nations, several world leaders, and political analysts, who warned that they risk escalating into a full-blown regional war. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
• [New] Hawke's Bay deer hunters could be in for a boon in coming years because of an unusual deer mating season that introduced some pretty useful genetics into the wild population. NZ Herald
• [New] North Korea and China are expected to hold a number of exchanges in 2024 to mark the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. The Guardian
• [New] Should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran's response will be considerably more severe, the Iranian mission to the United Nations said, warning the U.S. to stay away. investing.com
• [New] Geopolitical events including the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, as well as U.S. political polarization, could be creating an environment that may very well be creating risks that could eclipse anything since World War II. San Diego Union-Tribune
• [New] The potential of commodity-backed tokens and broader asset tokenization could herald a new dawn for economic empowerment and global participation of developing nations. businesslive
• [New] Expanding on the transformative potential of commodity-backed tokens, particularly for developing nations rich in natural resources, it is essential to delve into the broader scope of asset tokenization and its implications for the future of global markets and economic development. businesslive
• [New] The trend towards asset-backed tokenization is not just a technological innovation but a financial strategy that could increase access to global markets for developing nations. businesslive
• [New] Canada's National Quantum Strategy, released last year, identified quantum science as having the potential to transform how people work and live. Waterloo News
• The TSMC investment will fortify America's capabilities in producing specialized chips for critical infrastructure, ensuring technological superiority in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. The Geopolitical Observer

Last updated: 17 April 2024