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

Will a Protracted Speaker Battle Impact Trump’s Victory Certification

By Mark Tapscott As potentially extended battles to elect new speakers of the House of Representatives become more frequent, a common fear is repeatedly expressed ...

Suspect in Explosion Outside Trump’s Las Vegas Hotel Identified as Special Forces Soldier

By Katabella Roberts and Ryan Morgan Investigators have identified the individual who died inside a Tesla Cybertruck filled with explosives that exploded on Jan. 1 ...

Trump Staffer Credited With Garbage Truck Appearance Tapped to Be Executive Producer

By Katabella Roberts President-elect Donald Trump announced on Dec. 31 that Justin Caporale—who is credited with organizing his campaign event featuring a garbage truck—will take ...

New Orleans Attack Suspect Served in the Military: What We Know

By Zachary Stieber Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the man who officials say rammed a truck into a crowd in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, served in ...

Elections, Debt, and Taxes: Here’s What to Expect in the 119th Congress

By Arjun Singh WASHINGTON—The 119th Congress of the United States will take office on Jan. 3, 2025, and last for two years, until Jan. 3, ...

How a 2nd Trump Administration Might Affect Foreign Policy

By Andrew Thornebrooke and Ryan Morgan The second administration of President-elect Donald Trump is anticipated to bring great change to America’s foreign policy establishment. From wars ...

FBI Identifies Suspected Terrorist in New Orleans Attack, Death Toll Rises to 15

By Jack Phillips The FBI has identified the suspect who carried out an attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day that left at least ...

10 Dead, Dozens Injured After Vehicle Plows Into Crowd in New Orleans: Officials

By Zachary Stieber Ten people are dead and dozens of others are injured after a vehicle plowed into a large crowd in New Orleans, officials ...

Chinese Hackers Breached Workstations, Stole Documents, Treasury Department Says

By Emel Akan WASHINGTON—Chinese hackers remotely breached the U.S. Treasury Department earlier this month, stealing documents from its workstations, according to a letter the agency ...

Trump Issues Warning to Republicans on Potential Delays for Cabinet Nominees

By Jack Phillips President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday called on Republicans to try to overcome possible Democrat efforts to delay Senate confirmation of his Cabinet ...

Trump Endorses Mike Johnson for House Speaker

By Joseph Lord President-elect Donald Trump has given a full endorsement to embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), potentially hedging off a divisive fight later ...

Jimmy Carter, 39th President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dies at 100

By Jack Phillips and Jacob Burg Former President Jimmy Carter, the longest-lived president in U.S. history, died at his home, his family and the Carter ...