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

NYC shootings this year, topping 777, have surpassed 2019 numbers, police say

By Bradford Betz | Fox News With five months left in 2020, many remain pessimistic that the situation will improve. New York City shootings so far in 2020 have ...

Portland sees 150-round shooting at apartment building, as crowds continue violent clashes with police

By Danielle Wallace | Fox News More than 150 rounds were fired and one woman was shot in Portland on Friday night while protesters on Saturday – some of whom appeared ...

NASA astronauts splash down in SpaceX capsule as historic mission returns to Earth

By James Rogers | Fox News NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico in a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft Sunday, ending ...

NBC investigating Entertainment chairman amid staff allegations of racism, sexism, homophobia

By Sam Dorman | Fox News Accusations made by Sharon Osbourne, Gabrielle Union and others. NBC is reportedly investigating Paul Telegdy, the chairman of their Entertainment division, amid accusations that he ...

Trump doubles down, warns November will bring ‘greatest election disaster in history’

By Stephanie Pagones | Fox News ‘People oughta get smart,’ Trump said. President Trump doubled down Friday on his warnings surrounding expanded mail-in ballots, declaring November will bring the ...

Democrat mayor suggests replacing teachers who oppose return to class

By Morgan Phillips | Fox News Bowser seemed to allude to the union’s unwillingness to return to the classroom as a factor in the district’s decision to ...

Ben Shapiro slams ‘gross’ pundits blaming Trump rally for Herman Cain’s death from coronavirus

By Yael Halon | Fox News ‘Spare me some of the crocodile tears on behalf of people who really are not happy with Herman Cain’s politics’ Ben Shapiro responded ...

DeVos responds to threatened teacher strikes, says kids can’t be ‘captive to other fears or agendas’

By Charles Creitz | Fox News Prominent teachers union leader suggested locations that insist on in-person learning could see ‘safety strike’. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said Thursday that ...

Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain dies at 74 from coronavirus complications

By Ronn Blitzer | Fox News Cain, 74, first went to an Atlanta hospital for treatment on July 1. Herman Cain, the former Republican presidential candidate and affable business ...

Virginia newspaper calls out local leaders after Richmond riots: ‘Enough is enough’

By Talia Kaplan | Fox News An editorial in the Richmond Times-Dispatch urged elected officials to ‘show some leadership’. A Virginia newspaper called out local leaders on Monday after a ...

New York Post columnist describes NYC as ‘disaster area,’ predicts many who have left won’t return

By Joshua Nelson | Fox News America’s largest city has seen increases in crime, homelessness in recent months. New York Post opinion columnist Karol Markowicz told “Fox & ...

Rep. Doug Collins: Why do Dems support anarchist activity over law and order?

By Julia Musto | Fox News The Georgia Republican congressman says Dems have ‘an obsession’ with attacking Trump and now Barr. Democrats hellbent on attacking Attorney General William Barr and President Trump need ...