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

Why the US Denied a Request From Mexico for Water

By Autumn Spredemann Mexico’s delinquent water deliveries, in violation of an 81-year-old treaty with the United States, have exposed years of “blind eye” policies, rapid ...

House Panels to Hold Markups That Unveil Details of GOP Bill to Advance Trump’s Agenda

By Arjun Singh WASHINGTON—The U.S. House of Representatives, after returning from its spring recess, is set to begin drafting bills that will authorize funds for ...

At Least 11 Dead After Man Plows Car Into Crowd at Vancouver Street Festival

By Melanie Sun, Omid Ghoreishi and Jacob Burg At least 11 people have been killed and over 20 others injured after a man drove a ...

Trump Says He’ll Choose Between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn in Texas US Senate Race

By Arjun Singh WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump has said that he will endorse a candidate in the U.S. Senate election in Texas in 2026, in which ...

DOGE Says US National Science Foundation Canceling Over $325 Million in DEI Research

By Naveen Athrappully The National Science Foundation (NSF) has canceled hundreds of millions of dollars in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants under the Trump ...

Data Reveal Drop in US Imports From China Amid Tariff Showdown

By Andrew Moran A slowdown in U.S.–China trade activity amid tariff tensions is starting to show up in industry data. Beginning in 2025, companies ramped up ...

Trump Signs Orders Ending DEI in University Accreditation, Requiring Foreign Gift Disclosure

By Aaron Gifford President Donald Trump on April 23 announced additional education reform measures that he said will promote transparency and meritocracy over diversity, equity, ...

Democrat Senators Seek Social Security Investigation Over Downsizing

By Arjun Singh WASHINGTON—Five Senate Democrats have written to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), seeking an investigation into changes ...

Homeland Security Announces DOGE Overhaul of Immigration Database

By Jack Phillips The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is working with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to optimize an immigration-related database ...

White House Responds to China Warning Countries Against Making Deals With US

By Travis Gillmore WASHINGTON—In response to reports that the Chinese regime is warning other countries against making deals with the United States that could be ...

DOJ Announces RICO Charges Against 27 Alleged Venezuelan Gang Members

By Joseph Lord The Department of Justice (DOJ) on April 21 announced that 27 alleged members or affiliates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua ...

Police Investigate Shooting on Subway Platform That Led to Harvard Students Sheltering in Place

By The Associated Press CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Transit police in Boston were investigating a shooting on a subway platform at Harvard University on Sunday that prompted the ...