CUENCA, Ecuador — In a move that Venezuela’s opposition decried as a “coup,” Venezuela’s Supreme Court effectively shut down congress, saying it would assume all legislative functions amid its contention that legislators are operating outside of the law. The decision will undoubtedly increase tensions in the South American nation where the opposition-controlled congress was seen as…

Geneva (dpa) – Venezuela should take back the recent move to strip parliament of its powers, UN human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said on Friday, reacting to a controversial ruling by the country’s top court that has drawn international condemnation. “I strongly urge the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision,” Zeid said in Geneva.…