Articles by USNN World News

Life, Nature and Tradition

California woman gored by bison at Yellowstone National Park after getting within 10 feet to take photos

by USNN World NewsJune 30, 2020June 30, 2020

A nationwide vote on a package of constitutional reforms wrapped up Wednesday local time. Polls have been open for a week to help reduce crowds and to bolster turnout amid the coronavirus pandemic. Putin is all but guaranteed to get the result he wants following a massive campaign to get voters to say "yes" to the changes. However, the referendum -- intended to consolidate his hold on power -- could end up undermining his position because of the unconventional methods used to boost participation and the dubious legal basis for the balloting. FILE: Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, watches the Victory Day military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Nazi defeat in Moscow. FILE: Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, watches the Victory Day military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Nazi defeat in Moscow. (Sergei Guneyev/Host Photo Agency via AP) Political analyst Gleb Pavlovsky said Putin's push for holding the vote despite the ongoing pandemic reflects his potential vulnerabilities. "Putin lacks confidence in his inner circle and he's worried about the future," Pavlovsky said. "He wants an irrefutable proof of public support." The balloting completes a convoluted saga that began with Putin’s state-of-the-nation address in January, when Putin first proposed the constitutional changes. He offered to broaden the powers of parliament and redistribute authority among the branches of the Russian government, stoking speculation he might continue calling the shots as parliament speaker or as chairman of the State Council when his presidential term ends in 2024. The Russian president, who has been in power for more than two decades, said he would decide later whether or not to run again in 2024. He argued that resetting the term count was necessary to keep his lieutenants focused on their work. WHITE HOUSE INSISTS 'NO CONSENSUS' ON INTEL OF RUSSIAN BOUNTIES FOR US TROOPS, AS PRESSURE MOUNTS placeholder Putin complicated his constitutional plan by putting it to voters even though parliamentary approval was sufficient to make it law. The move was intended to showcase his broad support and add a democratic veneer to the constitutional changes. The plan backfired weeks later when the coronavirus pandemic engulfed Russia, forcing Putin to postpone the referendum, which had originally been scheduled for April 22. The delay stymied Putin's campaign blitz and left his constitutional reform plan hanging as the damage from the virus mounted and public discontent grew. Amid the uncertainty, Putin rescheduled the vote immediately upon seeing the first signs of a slowdown in Russia's infection rate even though the number of new confirmed daily cases reported remains high. Political analyst Ekaterina Schulmann said the Kremlin faced a difficult dilemma: holding the vote sooner would bring accusations of jeopardizing public health for political ends, while delaying it further raised the risk of defeat. "The early date has an advantage of coming soon after lifting the quarantine restrictions that made voters feel more optimistic," she said. "And in general, people are in a better mood during the summer season." Schulmann argued that the Kremlin's focus isn't so much on boosting overall turnout, but rather on increasing attendance by the public sector workers who make up Putin's base. The authorities have mounted a sweeping effort to persuade teachers, doctors, workers at public sector enterprises and others who are paid by the state to cast ballots. Reports surfaced from many corners of the vast country that managers were coercing people to vote. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Most observers expect the Kremlin to get its way, regardless of the opposition's strategies. Pavlovsky noted, however, that the unusual methods used by authorities to boost turnout and get the result Putin wants would undermine the legitimacy of the vote. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

World

Putin nears goal of changing Russian constitution, letting him stay in power until 2036

by USNN World NewsJune 30, 2020June 30, 2020

Opinion

Matt Schlapp: Trump’s federal court legacy – how these judges will make a difference

by USNN World NewsJune 30, 2020June 30, 2020

World

How much of the United States does China really own?

by USNN World NewsJune 30, 2020May 30, 2025

Opinion

Brian Arbour: Copy Obama and Bush – IF Trump follows their example he can be reelected

by USNN World NewsJune 30, 2020June 30, 2020

Opinion

Kamala Harris will be Joe Biden’s VP pick, Miranda Devine says

by USNN World NewsJune 30, 2020May 14, 2025

Supreme Court

Supreme Court strikes down state ban on taxpayer funding for religious schools

by USNN World NewsJune 30, 2020June 30, 2020

Healthcare

What your doctor might not know about coronavirus

by USNN World NewsJune 29, 2020June 29, 2020

National News

Never Trumpers cross line with party operatives by targeting GOP senators: ‘Taking it too far’

by USNN World NewsJune 29, 2020June 29, 2020

Opinion

Democrats can save our party – by voting Republican

by USNN World NewsJune 29, 2020June 29, 2020

Business

Musk defends Tesla as Texas county considers millions in tax breaks to land ‘gigafactory’

by USNN World NewsJune 29, 2020August 31, 2024

National News

Protesters set up guillotine in front of Jeff Bezos’ DC home

by USNN World NewsJune 29, 2020June 29, 2020

NATIONAL NEWS

US Imposes Visa Restrictions on Family Members, Associates of Sanctioned Drug Traffickers

By Aldgra Fredly The United States will implement a new visa restriction policy targeting the relatives and business associates of foreign nationals sanctioned for drug ...

The Secret 15-Year Plan Behind US Strikes on Iran

By Ryan Morgan WASHINGTON—The United States’ B-2 stealth bomber strike on Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility was the culmination of more than 15 years of ...

Food Independence Summit Teaches a Return to Self-Sufficient Roots

By Jeff Louderback WALNUT CREEK, Ohio—Decades ago, many Americans knew the origin of their food. They lived in rural areas, grew their own food, and ...

FBI Official Says 449 Alleged Child Predators Arrested in 2 Operations

By Jack Phillips FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said this week that 449 child sexual predators were arrested and more than 200 children were rescued ...

Gabbard Says ‘New Intelligence’ Shows Iran Nuclear Facilities Destroyed

By Jack Phillips Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Wednesday that new intelligence has shown that U.S. strikes on Iran set back the ...

Rare Earth Startups Say Without Subsidies and Support, US Can’t Shake China’s Control

By John Haughey Without a federally supported market and strategic reserve stockpile, the United States will remain reliant on China for critical minerals and rare ...

DHS Warns of Enhanced Cyber, Terror Risk After US Strikes on Iran

By Joseph Lord The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is warning Americans of an enhanced threat environment for cyber attacks or violence within the United ...

Major US Cities on Alert After US Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities

By Jack Phillips Three major U.S. cities indicated that they’re on heightened alert following U.S. military airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21. In an ...

DOL Suspends Enforcement of Biden-Era Farmworker Rule

By Aldgra Fredly The Department of Labor said on Friday that it was suspending a Biden-era regulation aimed at providing workplace organizing protections to foreign ...

FCC Reviews ‘Internet of Things’ Accrediting Program Over China Security Concerns

By Lily Zhou The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reviewing a cybersecurity program over security concerns related to China, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr confirmed on ...

Trump Says Trade Deals Expected With India and Pakistan

By Tom Ozimek President Donald Trump said on June 20 that he expects the United States will sign trade deals with both India and Pakistan, ...

Senate Republicans Introduce Bill to Protect US Military Sites From Foreign Adversaries

By Katabella Roberts Senate Republicans have introduced a bill aimed at protecting sensitive military sites across the United States from foreign adversaries such as China, ...