UNITED NATIONS: The United States pressed all nations on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to 'stand with the forces of freedom' in Venezuela, encouraged by a tougher European line as Russia stood in the minority in backing embattled leader Nicolas Maduro.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a forceful case at a special session of the United Nations Security Council, where he described Maduro as part of an 'illegitimate mafia state' responsible for Venezuela's economic collapse.