USNN World News

World

Behind the top-secret Russian military intelligence unit accused of paying insurgents to kill Americans in Afghanistan

by USNN World NewsJuly 2, 2020June 13, 2025

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

World

How much of the United States does China really own?

by USNN World NewsJune 30, 2020May 30, 2025

World

Inside ‘Office 39’: North Korea’s illicit global smuggling network

by USNN World NewsJune 28, 2020June 28, 2020

World

Trump pushes back on NY Times report on Russian Afghan attacks, says ‘nobody briefed’ him, Pence

by USNN World NewsJune 28, 2020June 13, 2025

World

Lightning kills 83 people across India’s Bihar state

by USNN World NewsJune 25, 2020June 25, 2020

World

Everywhere Statues Are Torn Down By The Mob, History Promises People Are Next

by USNN World NewsJune 24, 2020August 15, 2025

World

Trudeau points to ‘direct link’ between detained Canadians and arrest of Huawei executive

by USNN World NewsJune 23, 2020June 23, 2020

World

Trudeau slams ‘political’ detentions, after China spy charges

by USNN World NewsJune 23, 2020June 23, 2020

World

Pompeo urges China to release detained Canadians after ‘groundless’ charges

by USNN World NewsJune 23, 2020June 30, 2020

World

American among UK terror victims, US ambassador confirms

by USNN World NewsJune 22, 2020June 22, 2020

World

China to create controversial Hong Kong security bureau

by USNN World NewsJune 21, 2020February 26, 2025

NATIONAL NEWS

Army Presents Congress With Plan to Reorganize Fighting Forces, Adapt to Changing Battles

By Ryan Morgan U.S. Army leaders fielded questions from lawmakers on May 7 over their latest plan to prepare the fighting force and streamline their ...

FAA to Address Newark Airport Turmoil With Tech Upgrades, Staffing Push

By Bill Pan The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Wednesday it is taking immediate steps to address problems that have escalated flight delays and cancellations ...

Bessent, Greer to Meet Chinese Officials in Switzerland

By T.J. Muscaro Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer will meet with their Chinese counterparts this week. The news was confirmed ...

Trump Says ‘Never Say Never’ as Carney Tells Him Canada Not for Sale

By Noe Chartier and Matthew Horwood At his first meeting with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump said his country ...

Columbia University Lays Off Nearly 180 Staff After Federal Grant Revocations

By Rudy Blalock Columbia University announced on Tuesday that it will lay off nearly 180 staff members after the Trump administration revoked more than $400 ...

Trump Announces National Holidays for World War I and II Victories

By Rudy Blalock President Donald Trump has expanded on his plans to alter the days honoring America’s participation in last century’s world wars by declaring ...

United Airlines Cancels 10 Percent of Daily Flights From Newark Amid FAA Staffing and Equipment Failures

By Rudy Blalock United Airlines cut 35 flights a day—10 percent of daily flights—from its Newark Liberty International Airport hub in New Jersey starting May ...

Trump Pledges to Donate Entire Salary Back to Government, Again

By Joseph Lord President Donald Trump on May 4 said that he would again be donating his entire presidential salary back to the federal government, ...

Trump Rules Out 3rd Term, Names Rubio and Vance as Best 2028 Contenders

By Rachel Acenas President Donald Trump has shut down speculation about serving a third term and named Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State ...

US Appeals Court Halts Order Allowing Voice of America Employees Back to Work

By Jack Phillips A U.S. appeals court on Saturday blocked a lower court ruling that ordered the Trump administration to return 1,000 Voice of America ...

US Creates New Military Zone Along Southern Border

By T.J. Muscaro The United States on Thursday announced the creation of a second military zone along its southern border with Mexico, further expanding the ...

Trump’s 25 Percent Auto Part Tariff Goes Into Effect

By Tom Ozimek A 25 percent tariff on imported automobile parts took effect on May 3, marking a significant step in President Donald Trump’s effort ...