Biden could face obstacle getting on Ohio’s ballot, secretary of state’s office says (Samantha Waldenberg and Ethan Cohen, CNN)

President Joe Biden may face complications getting on Ohio’s 2024 general election ballot unless Democrats make changes or the state legislature takes action, according to a letter issued by the office of Ohio’s secretary of state, Frank LaRose. According to Ohio law, there is an August 7 deadline “to certify a presidential candidate to this …

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Constructor Theory. @DavidDeutschPhysicist (David Deutsch)

This is a physics theory that David Deutsch and Chiara Markletto developed in 2012. It is proposed as an approach to fundamental physics that focuses on which physical transformations are possible and impossible, and why. It aims to unify theories of information, knowledge, thermodynamics, and life. Watch the Video

Former Texas House speaker says GOP megadonor Tim Dunn told him only Christians should hold leadership positions (Jasper Scherer and Robert Downen)

The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus said on Thursday that Midland oil magnate Tim Dunn, one of the state’s most powerful and influential GOP megadonors, once told him that only Christians should hold leadership positions in the lower …

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Judge denies New York county executive request to block AG order to rescind transgender athlete ban (Brooke Migdon)

Afederal judge on Thursday denied Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s (R) request to block a cease-and-desist order issued by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) demanding Blakeman repeal an executive order effectively banning transgender woman and girls from competing in female athletic events. www.maketheconnection.net/AnxietyAnxiety in Veterans – What Are Anxiety Disorders? Ad Blakeman’s executive order, …

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5 Things You May Not Know About NATO (Becky Little)

In 1949, a group of nations signed a treaty to form the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, commonly known as NATO. In the four years since World War II had ended, western and eastern Europe had become divided by the Cold War. The treaty between the United States, Canada and 10 western European nations called on the signatories to offer …

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Reclaiming Israel’s Hybrid Character (Peter Berkowitz)

Israelis from all walks of life believe that the Oct. 7 massacres changed something vital in them and in their country. The horrors of the recent past weigh on citizens’ hearts and minds. Daunting ongoing military operations in the south with Iranian-backed Hamas and in the north with Iranian-backed Hezbollah – along with the threat …

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Authoritarianism Goes Global: The Challenge to Democracy (Larry Diamond, Mark F. Plattner, and Christopher Walker)

Over the past decade, illiberal powers have become emboldened and gained influence within the global arena. Leading authoritarian countries—including China, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela—have developed new tools and strategies to contain the spread of democracy and challenge the liberal international political order. Meanwhile, the advanced democracies have retreated, failing to respond to the …

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The Self-Restraining State: Power and Accountability in New Democracies (Marc Plattner, Larry Diamond, and Andreas Schedler)

New democracies all over the world are finding themselves haunted by the old demons of clientelism, corruption, arbitrariness, and the abuse of power—leading to a growing awareness that, in addition to elections, democracy requires checks and balances. Democratic governments must be accountable to the electorate; but they must also be subject to restraint and oversight …

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