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

Biden Confirms He’s Considering Preemptive Pardons

By Zachary Stieber President Joe Biden in a Jan. 5 interview confirmed that he is considering whether to issue preemptive pardons. White House officials have said ...

Thousands of Californians Flee Massive Palisades Fire Fueled by Strong Winds

By Jill McLaughlin A fast-moving wildfire erupted in the Southern California coastal city of Pacific Palisades, about 20 miles west of Los Angeles, destroying homes ...

House Speaker Details GOP Plan to Raise Debt Ceiling in Reconciliation Bill

By Tom Ozimek House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on Jan. 7 that congressional Republicans plan to raise the nation’s borrowing limit through a party-line ...

Congress Certifies Trump’s Election Victory

By Jackson Richman and Joseph Lord WASHINGTON—The U.S. Congress on Jan. 6 certified President-elect Donald Trump’s electoral victory in the 2024 election, marking the official ...

Trump Urges GOP to Pass ‘One Powerful Bill’ to Advance His Agenda

By Aldgra Fredly President-elect Donald Trump has called on Republican lawmakers to pass “one powerful bill” to advance his policies on border security and tax ...

Biden Bans New Oil and Gas Drilling in 625 Million Acres of Federal Waters

By Zachary Stieber President Joe Biden on Jan. 6 said he is banning new oil and gas drilling in more than 625 million acres of ...

Biden Signs Law to Increase Social Security Benefits for Millions

By Joseph Lord President Joe Biden on Jan. 5 signed into law a bill that would increase Social Security benefits for millions of U.S. citizens ...

New Orleans Mourns Victims of Truck Attack With Tearful Vigil and Celebration of Life

By The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS—New Orleans mourned, wept, and danced at a vigil Saturday evening along the famous thoroughfare where a man rammed a ...

Biden Awards 7 Veterans With Medal of Honor, 8 First Responders With Medal of Valor

By Jacob Burg President Joe Biden on Jan. 3 awarded seven Korean and Vietnam War veterans with the Medal of Honor for “acts of gallantry ...

Stalled Minnesota Copper-Nickel Mine Could Break Ground With Trump Back in White House

By John Haughey A fiercely contested Minnesota copper-nickel mining proposal is among stymied mineral and energy development projects President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to quickly ...

Congress Prepares to Certify Trump’s Election Victory on Jan. 6

By Tom Ozimek Congress will hold a joint session on Jan. 6 to count the Electoral College votes, marking the official certification of President-elect Donald ...

Johnson Sworn In as Speaker

By Jackson Richman House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has been sworn in as the 56th speaker. This followed him winning on the first ballot after three ...