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

Trump Admin Will Explore Ways to Acquire Bitcoin for Strategic Reserve

By Emel Akan WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump said on March 7 that his administration is exploring ways to invest in bitcoin for the national strategic reserve, ...

House Republicans Unveil Funding Resolution, Trump Voices Support

By T. J. Muscaro House Republicans revealed a Trump-approved spending bill on March 8 that lays out a plan to keep the federal government and ...

Trump Administration Cancels Grants Worth $400 Million for Columbia University

By Jack Phillips The Trump administration on Friday announced it has canceled grants worth roughly $400 million for Columbia University, alleging the Ivy League school ...

Georgia Senate Passes Bill Allowing Trump and Allies to Recover Costs of 2020 Election Case

By Bill Pan Georgia’s Senate has approved a bill that could allow President Donald Trump and his allies to get compensated for legal fees in ...

Gene Hackman Died of Heart Disease; Wife Died of Hantavirus About 1 Week Prior: Authorities

By Jack Phillips Authorities said Friday that actor Gene Hackman died of Alzheimer’s and heart failure a week after his wife died of hantavirus, a ...

Trump Pauses Tariffs on Mexico Until April 2

By Emel Akan WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump said on March 6 that he would pause his 25 percent tariff for Mexican goods and services that are ...

12 Takeaways From Trump’s First Major Policy Speech to Congress

By Lawrence Wilson, Joseph Lord, Travis Gillmore and Sam Dorman WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump capped off his first six weeks in office with a 100-minute speech ...

Trump Says Canada’s Retaliatory Tariffs Will Be Met With Reciprocal Tariffs

By Noe Chartier President Donald Trump has reacted to Canada’s decision to enter a trade war with the United States by imposing counter-tariffs, saying this ...

Bondi Vows to Release ‘Everything’ Related to Epstein, Says She Was Misled

By Jack Phillips Attorney General Pam Bondi provided more details on the controversy around a release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, ...

Trump Says ‘No Room Left’ for Canada, Mexico to Avoid 25 Percent Tariffs Coming March 4

By Matthew Horwood President Donald Trump says 25 percent tariffs will be levied against Canada and Mexico on March 4, and added there is “no ...

House Speaker: Zelenskyy May Have to Step Down Over White House Spat

By Jack Phillips House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on March 2 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may have to resign in the wake of ...

Social Security Administration Says It Plans to Lay Off 7,000 Workers

By Aldgra Fredly The Social Security Administration (SSA) said on Friday that it is planning to lay off about 20 percent of its workforce, or ...