Venezuela court voids opposition-held legislature's actions

The decision has escalated the political turmoil gripping the crisis-hit country

Venezuela's Supreme Court has ruled the opposition-held National Assembly's actions are null and void after the new legislature defied its rulings, escalating the political turmoil gripping the crisis-hit country.

The decision, which applies to "all acts... That have been taken or will be taken" by the current National Assembly, comes after the legislature's new speaker swore in three opposition lawmakers whose inauguration had been barred by the court over an election dispute.