Morning news brief: Ecuador prison workers freed, Congress leader Milind Deora resigns, and more

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Saturday (Jan 13) announced that 178 prison workers, held hostage since last Monday (Jan 1) by the inmates in at least seven prisons across the country, were finally freed. In other news, the Indian National Congress (INC) receiveda major jolt ahead of the general elections as young party leader Milind Deora announced his resignation, ending his family's '55-year-old relationship' with the political outfit.

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All prison staff held by inmates at prisons in Ecuador amid a sharp uptick in violence had been freed by Saturday (Jan 13) evening, the SNAI prisons agency said.

Congress leader Milind Deora on Sunday (Jan 14) announced his resignation from the Congress party, ending a 55-year-old association of the Deora family with the country's oldest political party.

The US Congress has reached an agreement on a short-term spending deal that would help avoid a government shutdown, according to aCNNreport that cites sources.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has taken a swipe at India, amid the ongoing diplomatic row after returning from his five-day trip to China.