[03:35.08]Critics see it as another attempt by the Prime Minister Viktor Orban to concentrate power in his own hands.
[03:40.81]Nick Thorpe reports.
[03:42.34]This is the fourth amendment to Hungary’s new basic law since it came into force just 14 months ago,
[03:49.13]a fact which helps underpin criticism that the new constitution was both hurried and flawed.
[03:55.33]The lengthy amendment overturns earlier constitutional court rulings and limits the court’s right in future to challenge laws passed by parliament.
[04:05.06]The government majority say this was necessary to make a clean break with the previous constitution.
[04:11.23]Critics at home and abroad say it dismantles the architecture of democracy established since the fall of communism.
[04:18.70]The United States has expelled two Venezuelan diplomats in retaliation for the expulsion of two US military officials from Caracas last week.
[04:26.61]At the time Venezuela’s vice president accused the Americans of attempting to destabilise his country.
[04:32.62]The two countries haven’t had ambassadors in their respective capitals since 2010.
[04:37.86]A law banning the sale of large-sized containers of sugary drinks in New York City has been overturned a day before it was due to come into effect.
[04:47.19]The regulation had been challenged by drinks manufacturers and other industry groups.