COLOMBIA: President Gustavo Petro today suspended peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) for a second time in less than a year, saying the group “has no will for peace.”

It came after a former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia accused the ELN of killing at least four demobilised members of the group and authorities revealed they are investigating other deaths.

SOUTH SUDAN: Authorities today imposed a country-wide dusk-to-dawn curfew following a night of violence, reportedly triggered by the alleged killings of South Sudanese nationals by militia groups in Sudan.

The curfew began at 6pm local time, with businesses closing an hour earlier, to curb looting incidents reported in Juba and other major towns, according to the police.

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian signed a broad co-operation pact today to deepen their partnership in the face of Western sanctions.

Officials said that the “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” covers all areas from trade and military co-operation to science, education and culture, and Mr Putin called it a “real breakthrough.”

US: Several Democrats voted with all Republicans in favour of legislation that would require federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft and violent crimes and give states the power to challenge immigration policies.

The vote in the Senate was a key procedural hurdle for the legislation, potentially making it the first Bill to be signed by the incoming President Donald Trump and signalling the tone of his administration.