Venezuelan president is sanctioned after election that critics called 'illegitimate'; Pence takes tough tone on Russia after Putin retaliates against sanctions ; Cowboy-style poet was among the 20th century's great American playwrights; A transgender candidate takes on Virginia's 'Minister of Private Parts'; Former Ariz. sheriff Joe Arpaio, who took extreme stance on immigration, is convicted of criminal contempt; John Kelly’s greatest challenge now is ‘without question’ Trump himself, expert says; A soldier survived 48 hours of terror in Vietnam. Today, he received the Medal of Honor.; 4 ways the GOP could restart its efforts to repeal Obamacare; Former staffer with U.S. contractor pleads guilty in State Department scam; Hackers may have stolen 'Game of Thrones' episodes in attack on HBO; Citing ‘basic physics,’ a judge berated the FAA over shrinking airline seats; | | | Democracy Dies in Darkness | | | | | The day's most important stories | | | | | Scaramucci out as White House communications director | Anthony Scaramucci has been removed at the request of newly installed Chief of Staff John Kelly just days after he was named to the job, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. Scaramucci's brief tenure was marked by turmoil as he feuded publicly with Kelly's predecessor, Reince Priebus. | By Abby Phillip and Damian Paletta • Read more » | Pence takes tough tone on Russia after Putin retaliates against sanctions | The vice president, on his first full day in Eastern Europe, twice offered a direct message warning the Kremlin that the United States will not tolerate Russian force or intimidation toward its neighbors. His remarks came on the heels of Vladimir Putin calling for the U.S. to cut 755 workers at its diplomatic mission in Russia. | By Ashley Parker • Read more » | | | | | Sam Shepard | 1943–2017 | Cowboy-style poet was among the 20th century's great American playwrights | In theatrical works both poetic and mythical, he explored the intersections of an unruly American West and the deep complexities of the fracturing American family. He won the 1979 Pulitzer Prize for drama for his play "Buried Child" and an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of aviator Chuck Yeager in 1983's "The Right Stuff." | By Nelson Pressley • Read more » | | | | | | | | | | | | ©2017 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071 | | | | | | | |