Donald Trump has done a U-turn on his choice for the new director of national intelligence.
The US President has withdrawn his nomination for Texas Republican John Ratcliffe.
It comes after strong criticism that the congressman is not qualified for the job.
Ratcliffe has responded by saying that he does not want the job to become "a purely political and partisan issue".
UK government sparks confusion over 'pause' on Chagos Islands deal
Britain on Wednesday rowed back from saying it had paused ratification of a deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, which is home to a strategically important US-UK air base.
Swiss government to pay $56,000 to each victim of Crans-Montana bar fire
Switzerland said on Wednesday it would make a one-off payment of 50,000 Swiss francs ($56,000) to severely injured survivors and bereaved families of the New Year bar fire in the ski resort of Crans-Montana that killed 41 people and injured over 100 more.
Arab League condemns Israeli settlers' attack on West Bank mosque
The Arab League has strongly condemned the burning of the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque in the West Bank by a group of Israeli settlers on Monday, stating that the crime constitutes a deliberate attack on places of worship.
Death toll from Brazil floods rises, dozens still missing
The death toll from the heavy rains in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais has risen to 40, according to figures released by the state fire department on Wednesday.
India's Modi to address Israel's Knesset during Israel visit
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Israel for a two-day visit that both countries have cast as a chance to deepen relations.
