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In Wake Of 'Sham Election,' U.S. Sanctions Venezuelan President Maduro

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro celebrates the results of Sunday's referendum to elect members of his constituent assembly. For this "fundamental assault on the freedoms of the Venezuelan people," the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on Maduro on Monday. Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

In Wake Of 'Sham Election,' U.S. Sanctions Venezuelan President Maduro

The move freezes "assets of Nicolas Maduro [that are] subject to U.S. jurisdiction," the Treasury Department says. It's only the fourth time the U.S. has imposed sanctions on a sitting head of state.

Israeli Authorities Arrest Antiquities Dealers In Connection With Hobby Lobby Scandal

Hobby Lobby agreed earlier this month to a forfeiture of smuggled artifacts. Holly Hildreth/Moment Editorial/Getty Images hide caption

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Holly Hildreth/Moment Editorial/Getty Images

Parallels

Israeli Authorities Arrest Antiquities Dealers In Connection With Hobby Lobby Scandal

Israel's Antiquities Authority says the dealers, arrested early Sunday morning, were involved in sales of antiquities to Hobby Lobby — including items that U.S. authorities determined were smuggled.

Israeli Authorities Arrest Antiquities Dealers In Connection With Hobby Lobby Scandal

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Putin Orders Cuts Of U.S. Diplomatic Corps In Russia

Russian President Vladimir has ordered the U.S. to cut its embassy and consulates staff in Russia by 755 people, in retaliation for new U.S. sanctions against Moscow.

Putin Orders Cuts Of U.S. Diplomatic Corps In Russia

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Latin America

Unrest In Venezuela Deepens After 'Sham Election'

Deadly protests erupted in Venezuela after Sunday's vote to elect a special assembly that will rewrite the constitution. Freelance journalist Mariana Zuniga speaks with NPR's Audie Cornish.

Unrest In Venezuela Deepens After 'Sham Election'

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Middle East

Qatar And Saudi Arabia Take Their Feud To The Airwaves, Internet

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have ramped up their lobbying efforts to gain international support in their 2-month-old feud. That includes TV attack ads, and flooding online media sites with competing messages.

Qatar And Saudi Arabia Take Their Feud To The Airwaves, Internet

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Sports

Chechen Leader's MMA Empire: A Tool For Propaganda And More

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has created a mixed martial arts empire that exports fighters to the UFC league — and also serves as a propaganda tool and farm team for special forces militia.

Chechen Leader's MMA Empire: A Tool For Propaganda And More

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In Search Of Love, Too Many Messages In The Bottles

A widower put messages inside hundreds of glass bottles. But when they started washing up on Britain's shores, a littering backlash forced him to stop. Still, he says several women have been in touch.

In Search Of Love, Too Many Messages In The Bottles

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News

Morning News Brief: A New White House Chief Of Staff, Russia Expels U.S. Diplomats

President Trump's new chief of staff is sworn in today, Russia expels hundreds of American diplomats and Venezuelans vote on their country's future.

Morning News Brief: A New White House Chief Of Staff, Russia Expels U.S. Diplomats

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A U.S.-Russia Low Point After U.S. Diplomats Expelled

The former diplomat who coordinated U.S. sanctions against Russia weighs in on the current low point in U.S.-Russia relations after the Kremlin orders more than 700 U.S. diplomats to leave the country and seizes diplomatic properties.

A U.S.-Russia Low Point After U.S. Diplomats Expelled

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U.S. Condemns Venezuela Vote As 'Sham Election'

Violence has broken out in Venezuela as people went to the polls to vote on a new constitutional assembly endowing President Nicolas Maduro's ruling socialist party with virtually unlimited powers. Electoral authorities say 8 million people participated, while opposition leaders claim that number is much lower. The U.S. has joined other nations saying it won't recognize the results. U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley tweeted, the "sham election is another step toward dictatorship."

U.S. Condemns Venezuela Vote As 'Sham Election'

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How Steve Jobs Helped This North Korean Defector 'Think Different'

Kim Hak-min, 30, is an electrical engineering student at Sogang University who fixes iPhones as a side business. Elise Hu/NPR hide caption

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Parallels

How Steve Jobs Helped This North Korean Defector 'Think Different'

When Kim Hak-min got to South Korea, he saw his first-ever smartphone, the iPhone 4. It changed his life trajectory.

How Steve Jobs Helped This North Korean Defector 'Think Different'

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Several Countries Reject Venezuela's Election To Rewrite Constitution

Members of Argentina's Venezuelan community protest against the election for a constituent assembly on Sunday, in Buenos Aires, as Venezuela holds the controversial vote. Alejandro Pagni/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Alejandro Pagni/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Several Countries Reject Venezuela's Election To Rewrite Constitution

The controversial vote has culminated in more violence between protesters and police, with at least 10 deaths Sunday. Opposition activists see the election as a power grab by President Nicolas Maduro.

Politics

Putin Responds To Sanctions Against Russia With Expulsion Of U.S. Diplomatic Staff

Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to expel 755 American diplomatic and technical personnel. NPR's Noel King talks with journalist Charles Maynes in Moscow about power plays between the countries.

Putin Responds To Sanctions Against Russia With Expulsion Of U.S. Diplomatic Staff

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