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1500 questions
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Who ordered the US House chamber metal detectors removed, and under what authority?
It has recently been reported (see e.g., https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3796927-metal-detectors-removed-from-outside-the-house-chamber/) that the metal detectors that were outside the house chamber at the US Capitol were removed at the start of…
spacetyper
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As a voter in a democratic country, how can I influence a single issue?
If I am a regular citizen in a democratic country, I exercise my political power by voting (somehow) for regional leaders and the national leader. If I agree with all the positions of a particular party, my choice is easy, every time I get the…
user45152
23
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1 answer
Who is the target audience of Russia's October 2022 claims about dirty bombs?
In recent days (October 2022), Russia has intensified claims that Ukraine is working on 'dirty' radioactive weapons, i.e. radioactive isotopes dispersed by conventional explosives. Who is the primary (most important) target audience of these…
o.m.
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Why is Charles III a member of House of Windsor?
From a cursory reading of succession and Houses in royal families it seems that tradition requires Houses to be inherited through patrilineange. And so when the Monarchy passes through a female there is a change of House.
Some examples of this:
The…
Bertrand Einstein IV
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4 answers
How many Russians say Alaska is rightfully theirs?
There is a theory proposed by at least one Russian political scientist that the treaty by which the Russian Empire sold Alaska to the US is actually void, on the argument that the US subsequently violated some provisions regarding the Russian…
the gods from engineering
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When is the US Senate required to pass bills unanimously?
According to the BBC News website, the US senator Rand Paul has managed to delay approving financial aid package to Ukraine:
Paul, who has historically opposed spending on foreign aid, refused to back the proposal which needed unanimous…
Piotr Golacki
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23
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Do tiny communes in France have any practical significance?
The French commune of Rouchefourchat has exactly one inhabitant.
I imagine that would make mayoral elections rather boring.
Joking aside, do such tiny municipalities even have a mayor or local government with any practical power or responsibilities?…
gerrit
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23
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7 answers
Russian gas delivery stop — difference between Poland/Bulgaria and other EU customers?
On 2022-04-27, the Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom has ceased gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria, after they refused to henceforth pay for the gas in ruble rather than the currency stated in the contract. Other EU countries and…
gerrit
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23
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4 answers
Who is the Russian military commander in charge of the war on Ukraine?
It seems like we are only hearing from Putin about the military operations. When we hear about Russian generals it's about them getting killed, like Sukhovetsky, deputy commander of 41st Army.
Which Russian general is operationally in charge, at a…
Italian Philosophers 4 Monica
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Why is the Crimean peninsula so important for Russian trade?
One of the major reasons why Russia is stated to be so much in the need of controlling the Crimean peninsula, is that their economy is restricted due to having too few options for sea trade, having very limited access to the sea. The north is frozen…
vsz
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How much power does Putin have in Russia?
Does Putin have absolute power to do whatever he wants (e.g., start a nuclear war)? How powerful is he in the Russian government or does he need approval of some other body of government to do things like Joe Biden and Congress?
I am looking the…
Lightsout
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How can a welfare state with high taxes survive in the face of an aging population?
I'm thinking of countries with economic and social policies like Germany. We can easily observe that in most developed countries, the birth rates are dipping (surprisingly). To my understanding, it is the young who are working (and hence highly…
tryst with freedom
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Why doesn't the US Census consider Hispanic a race?
Since the 1970 Census the US Census has tracked Hispanic population under a separate question titled "Hispanic origin", saying "Hispanics may be of any race".
This doesn't make much sense to me given that polls say that the majority say it is also a…
Number File
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Why did some places with a large population become states within a country when other places with smaller populations became countries of their own?
With a population of over 200 million, the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has a much larger population than most EU countries(eg: Switzerland has approx 9 mil population). Why is it that small places became countries in Europe when they big places…
tryst with freedom
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Has any Western leader articulated how NATO would benefit from admitting Ukraine?
NATO sees itself as a defensive alliance, so its members are expected to benefit from banding together and deterring attacks.
No doubt Ukraine would greatly benefit from membership in its recurring disputes with Russia.
However, besides principles…
Italian Philosophers 4 Monica
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