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

FEMA Warns Americans of Scams After Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

By Jack Phillips The Federal Emergency Management Agency warned Americans that scams may be proliferating in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation across several states. The ...

California Faces Wave of Lawsuits Over Gender Identity Notification in Schools

By Brad Jones A mother’s tears of worry and frustration over her 17-year-old daughter’s secret social gender transition at school tell the story of what ...

‘It’s Our Hurricane Katrina’: Asheville Residents Describe Death, Destruction, Danger After Hurricane Helene

By Arjun Singh ASHEVILLE. N.C.—Tunnel Road is a major thoroughfare between Asheville and the Swannanoa Valley in western North Carolina. Before Hurricane Helene, hundreds of ...

Musk Launches PAC to Back Candidates Focused on Secure Borders, Free Speech, Sensible Spending

By Tom Ozimek Business mogul Elon Musk has launched a new political action committee (PAC), called America PAC, to endorse candidates aligned with a set ...

Trump Returning to Butler, Where He Survived Assassination Attempt

By Janice Hisle and Savannah Hulsey Pointer BUTLER TOWNSHIP, Pa.—Under enhanced security, throngs are expected to join former President Donald Trump and dozens of special ...

Elon Musk to Attend Trump Rally at Site of Attempted Assassination

By Zachary Stieber Elon Musk said on Oct. 3 that he will attend former President Donald Trump’s upcoming rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. “I will be there ...

Firefighters Union Declines to Endorse Trump or Harris in Presidential Race

By Katabella Roberts With only weeks to go until the November election, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), a labor union representing more than ...

High New Car Prices Spur Increased Incentives, but End of Low Cost Sedan Is Affecting Buyer Enthusiasm

By Mark Gilman If you’re in the market for an inexpensive second car, a first car for a family member, or just want to save ...

A Long Dockworker Strike May Bring More Pain to Consumers at the Grocery Store

By Mark Gilman Food prices went up 25 percent from 2019 to 2023 and were expected to increase by another 2.2 percent this year—but that ...

Massachusetts Couple Indicted for Wrongful Voting in New Hampshire

By Matt McGregor A New Hampshire grand jury has issued six indictments charging a Massachusetts couple with wrongful voting in three election cycles. New Hampshire Attorney ...

Taxpayers Affected by Hurricane Helene Can Delay Their Tax Filing Deadline: IRS

By Naveen Athrappully The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is extending tax deadlines for multiple states affected by Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Helene hit the United States late ...

California Lawmakers Advance Bill That Aims to Keep Gas Prices From Spiking

By The Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California state Assembly approved a bill Tuesday backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom aimed at preventing gas prices from spiking, ...