Israel's deputy foreign minister has canceled meetings with Belgian officials after a decision by Brussels earlier this week to begin labeling products made in Jewish West Bank settlements.

Idan Roll said on Twitter he was scrapping meetings with the Belgian Foreign Ministry and parliament during a visit this week to the European country.

Hours after being tapped as Sweden's first female prime minister, Magdalena Andersson resigned Wednesday after suffering a budget defeat in parliament and her coalition partner the Greens left the two-party minority government.

The government's own budget proposal was rejected in favor of one presented by the opposition that includes the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats. Sweden's third-largest party is rooted in a neo-Nazi movement. The vote was 154-143 in favor of the opposition's budget proposal.

Libya's top electoral body has disqualified the son and onetime heir apparent of the late dictator Moammar Gadhafi from running for president in elections to be held next month, citing his previous convictions.

The name of Seif al-Islam Gadhafi appeared on a list of ineligible candidates issued by the country's High National Elections Committee. He can appeal the decision in court in the coming days.

The United States will not "sit idly" on Iran if it does not work quickly to return to a nuclear accord in talks resuming next week, the U.S. special envoy said.

"If they start getting too close, too close for comfort, then of course we will not be prepared to sit idly," U.S. negotiator Rob Malley told National Public Radio.

At a Kabul market, coal is arriving by the ton as the winter cold sets in.

Even as prices rise, Afghans have few options but to burn it for heat, creating some of the world's most dangerous air.

German business confidence has dropped for the fifth consecutive month amid persistent supply-chain bottlenecks and a resurgence of coronavirus infections in Europe's biggest economy, a closely watched survey showed Wednesday.

The Ifo institute said its monthly confidence index dropped to 96.5 points in November from 97.7 last month. Companies' assessment of both their current situation and their outlook for the next six months worsened. It was the lowest figure since February.

France and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema was given a one-year suspended jail sentence and a fine of 75,000 euros ($84,000) Wednesday in a sex-tape case that rocked French soccer and put the talented striker's international career on hold for more than five years.

Benzema was found guilty of being involved in an attempt in 2015 to blackmail France teammate Mathieu Valbuena. In addition to the fine, Benzema was ordered to pay Valbuena 80,000 euros ($89,700) in damages.

Energized by a change of manager and another opportunistic finish by Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League with a game to spare on Tuesday.

Another newly appointed coach sill has work to do, though, to get Barcelona into the last 16.

A list of nominees in the top categories at the 64th annual Grammy Awards, was announced by The Recording Academy.

— Album of the year: "We Are," Jon Batiste; "Love For Sale," Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga; "Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe)," Justin Bieber; "Planet Her (Deluxe Edition)," Doja Cat; "Happier Than Ever," Billie Eilish; "Back of My Mind," H.E.R.; "MONTERO," Lil Nas X; "Sour," Olivia Rodrigo; "Evermore," Taylor Swift; "Donda," Kanye West.

Helen Mirren is oddly absent from the Harry Potter film franchise that proved close to a full-employment act for Britain's acting greats. But she's found her own path into its magical world.

Dame Helen, as the Oscar, Emmy and Tony-winning actor is properly addressed, makes her debut as a quiz host with "Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses." The weekly, four-part series begins 8 p.m. EST Sunday on TBS and Cartoon Network.