National

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."

Does The State Department Need So Many Special Envoys?

While President Trump has just named Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback as a special ambassador for religious freedom, many diplomatic special envoy posts remain unfilled. Steve Inskeep talks to retired ambassador Ronald Neumann about such posts.