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The US President has withdrawn his nomination for Texas Republican John Ratcliffe.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".
Saudi Arabia says shrapnel from intercepted ballistic missile in Asir injures one
An Asian expat was injured after shrapnel from an intercepted ballistic missile fell in Ahad Rafidah governorate in the Asir region, Saudi Arabia's state news agency reported.
Nine injured in Australia as car crashes into crowd north of Sydney
A man appeared to lose control of a car that drove into a crowd in the Australian city of Newcastle on Saturday, injuring nine, authorities said.
India's 'cockroach' youth party to protest, demand poll chief's resignation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced renewed pressure on Friday as the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party and a separate coalition of student and activist groups stage fresh protests, demanding the resignation of the elections commission chief over a controversial voter roll revision.
Congo's Ebola outbreak has killed more than 4,000, government data shows
The number of deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has surpassed 4,000, government data showed on Friday, as the worst epidemic in the country's history resists containment efforts.
About 400 French schools closed as some student protests turn violent
About 400 schools in France are expected to remain closed on Friday after student protests that began over education-related grievances escalated into violence in some places.
