When Saudi General Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz went shopping in the late 1980s for Chinese medium-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear, chemical or biological warheads he made no bones about keeping the United States, one of the kingdom’s closest allies, in the dark.

It was “my task to negotiate the deal, devise an appropriate deception plan, choose a team of Saudi officers and men and arrange for their training in both Saudi Arabia and China, build and defend operation bases and storage facilities in different parts of the kingdom, arrange for the shipment of the missiles from China and, at every stage, be ready to defend the project against sabotage or any form of attack,” General Bin Sultan, a son of the late Saudi crown prince and defense minister, Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, and commander of the US-led international alliance that forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait in 1991, recounted in his memoir.

The incident coupled with more recent Saudi statements and the kingdom’s inability to present from the outset a credible and sustainable version of events surrounding the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on the premises of its Istanbul consulate is complicating its negotiations with the United States for the acquisition of designs for nuclear power plants, a deal valued at up to $80 billion depending on how many Saudi Arabia ultimately decides to build.

Prospects of a massive deal go to the heart of US President Donald J Trump’s jobs and deals-focussed America First policy. Yet, growing criticism and distrust of Saudi Arabia in the US Congress and intelligence community as a result of the Khashoggi crisis and the kingdom’s handling of the Yemen war that has sparked the world’s worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two are likely to strengthen efforts to thwart an agreement that honours Saudi insistence on producing its own nuclear fuel, even though it could buy it more cheaply abroad.

The Saudi insistence has fuelled concerns that the kingdom may divert their fuel for military purposes. Those kinds of fears coupled with Iran’s ballistic missile program drove world powers to first sanction Iran and then conclude a 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program. Trump withdrew from the agreement earlier this year, charging that it did not provide sufficient guarantees that Iran would not be able to develop a nuclear weapon.

Democrats in the US Congress have described refusing to sell Saudi Arabia nuclear technology as proper punishment for the killing of Khashoggi that the kingdom insists was done without the knowledge of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

While the Trump administration has as yet not abandoned long-standing strict US nuclear export safeguards to secure a deal with Saudi Arabia, it has also not unambiguously said that it would uphold them.

Like with his rejection of hard-hitting sanctions in the wake of the Khashoggi killing, Trump is likely to ultimately argue that if the United States does not conclude a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, countries like China, Russia and South Korea, that have less strict controls will. The argument amounts to the equivalent of committing a wrong because if one doesn’t, someone else will.

Saudi officials have repeatedly insisted that the kingdom is developing nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes such as medicine, electricity generation, and desalination of sea water. They say that Saudi Arabia is committed to putting its future facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Yet, with a $56 billion military budget for 2018, Saudi Arabia is stepping up the development of a domestic military industry. The kingdom aims to source 50 per cent of its military procurement domestically by 2030, up from its current two per cent.

Speaking to CBS earlier this year, Prince Mohammed appeared to put conditions on Saudi nuclear assurances by warning that “Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.”

In putting forward &nbsp;demands for parity with Iran by getting the right to controlled enrichment of uranium and the reprocessing of spent fuel into plutonium, potential building blocks for nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia was also seen as potentially backing away from a 2009 memorandum of understanding with the United States in which it pledged to acquire nuclear fuel from international markets.

Nuclear energy cooperation was one of a host of agreements concluded last year by Saudi Arabia and China during a visit to Beijing by Saudi King Salman. The agreement included a feasibility study for the construction of high-temperature gas-cooled (HTGR) nuclear power plants in the kingdom as well as cooperation in intellectual property and the development of a domestic industrial supply chain for HTGRs built in Saudi Arabia. The HTGR agreement built on an accord signed in 2012 that involved maintenance and development of nuclear power plants and research reactors, as well as the provision of Chinese nuclear fuel.

A report by the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) released shortly after the king’s visit warned that the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement had “not eliminated the kingdom’s desire for nuclear weapons capabilities and even nuclear weapons.”

Much like the era of General Bin Sultan, potential Chinese sales to Saudi Arabia of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles remain one of the murkier areas of Sino-Saudi military cooperation.

Military experts say that satellite imagery of missile bases in Saudi Arabia in recent years and other open-source circumstantial evidence, including Saudi press coverage of graduation ceremonies at the kingdom’s Strategic Missile Force school in Wadi ad-Dawasir, attest to ongoing transfers.

Saudi Arabia in 2014 showcased Chinese-made Dongfeng-3 missiles that have a range of up to 5,000 kilometres. Media reports said the missiles had been purchased in 2007, possibly with US acquiescence.

“Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in conventional ballistic and cruise missiles to provide the kingdom a shot of strategic deterrence,” said non-proliferation expert Jeffrey Lewis. Lewis’ conclusion was confirmed by Anwar Eshqi, a retired Saudi major general and advisor to the Saudi military.

“The Saudi military did indeed receive DF-21 missiles from China and the integration of the missiles, including a full maintenance check and upgraded facilities, is complete, “ Eshqi said referring to the People’s Republic’s East Wind solid-fuel, medium-range ballistic missile. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

When Saudi General Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz went shopping in the late 1980s for Chinese medium-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear, chemical or biological warheads he made no bones about keeping the United States, one of the kingdom’s closest allies, in the dark.

When Saudi General Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz went shopping in the late 1980s for Chinese medium-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear, chemical or biological warheads he made no bones about keeping the United States, one of the kingdom’s closest allies, in the dark. It was “my task to negotiate the deal, devise an appropriate deception plan, choose a team of Saudi officers and men and arrange for their training in both Saudi Arabia and China, build and defend operation bases and storage facilities in different parts of the kingdom, arrange for the shipment of the missiles from China and, at every stage, be ready to defend the project against sabotage or any form of attack,” General Bin Sultan, a son of the late Saudi crown prince and defense minister, Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, and commander of the US-led international alliance that forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait in 1991, recounted in his memoir. The incident coupled with more recent Saudi statements and the kingdom’s inability to present from the outset a credible and sustainable version of events surrounding the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on the premises of its Istanbul consulate is complicating its negotiations with the United States for the acquisition of designs for nuclear power plants, a deal valued at up to $80 billion depending on how many Saudi Arabia ultimately decides to build. Prospects of a massive deal go to the heart of US President Donald J Trump’s jobs and deals-focussed America First policy. Yet, growing criticism and distrust of Saudi Arabia in the US Congress and intelligence community as a result of the Khashoggi crisis and the kingdom’s handling of the Yemen war that has sparked the world’s worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two are likely to strengthen efforts to thwart an agreement that honours Saudi insistence on producing its own nuclear fuel, even though it could buy it more cheaply abroad. The Saudi insistence has fuelled concerns that the kingdom may divert their fuel for military purposes. Those kinds of fears coupled with Iran’s ballistic missile program drove world powers to first sanction Iran and then conclude a 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program. Trump withdrew from the agreement earlier this year, charging that it did not provide sufficient guarantees that Iran would not be able to develop a nuclear weapon. Democrats in the US Congress have described refusing to sell Saudi Arabia nuclear technology as proper punishment for the killing of Khashoggi that the kingdom insists was done without the knowledge of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While the Trump administration has as yet not abandoned long-standing strict US nuclear export safeguards to secure a deal with Saudi Arabia, it has also not unambiguously said that it would uphold them. Like with his rejection of hard-hitting sanctions in the wake of the Khashoggi killing, Trump is likely to ultimately argue that if the United States does not conclude a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, countries like China, Russia and South Korea, that have less strict controls will. The argument amounts to the equivalent of committing a wrong because if one doesn’t, someone else will. Saudi officials have repeatedly insisted that the kingdom is developing nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes such as medicine, electricity generation, and desalination of sea water. They say that Saudi Arabia is committed to putting its future facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Yet, with a $56 billion military budget for 2018, Saudi Arabia is stepping up the development of a domestic military industry. The kingdom aims to source 50 per cent of its military procurement domestically by 2030, up from its current two per cent. Speaking to CBS earlier this year, Prince Mohammed appeared to put conditions on Saudi nuclear assurances by warning that “Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.” In putting forward demands for parity with Iran by getting the right to controlled enrichment of uranium and the reprocessing of spent fuel into plutonium, potential building blocks for nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia was also seen as potentially backing away from a 2009 memorandum of understanding with the United States in which it pledged to acquire nuclear fuel from international markets. Nuclear energy cooperation was one of a host of agreements concluded last year by Saudi Arabia and China during a visit to Beijing by Saudi King Salman. The agreement included a feasibility study for the construction of high-temperature gas-cooled (HTGR) nuclear power plants in the kingdom as well as cooperation in intellectual property and the development of a domestic industrial supply chain for HTGRs built in Saudi Arabia. The HTGR agreement built on an accord signed in 2012 that involved maintenance and development of nuclear power plants and research reactors, as well as the provision of Chinese nuclear fuel. A report by the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) released shortly after the king’s visit warned that the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement had “not eliminated the kingdom’s desire for nuclear weapons capabilities and even nuclear weapons.” Much like the era of General Bin Sultan, potential Chinese sales to Saudi Arabia of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles remain one of the murkier areas of Sino-Saudi military cooperation. Military experts say that satellite imagery of missile bases in Saudi Arabia in recent years and other open-source circumstantial evidence, including Saudi press coverage of graduation ceremonies at the kingdom’s Strategic Missile Force school in Wadi ad-Dawasir, attest to ongoing transfers. Saudi Arabia in 2014 showcased Chinese-made Dongfeng-3 missiles that have a range of up to 5,000 kilometres. Media reports said the missiles had been purchased in 2007, possibly with US acquiescence. “Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in conventional ballistic and cruise missiles to provide the kingdom a shot of strategic deterrence,” said non-proliferation expert Jeffrey Lewis. Lewis’ conclusion was confirmed by Anwar Eshqi, a retired Saudi major general and advisor to the Saudi military. “The Saudi military did indeed receive DF-21 missiles from China and the integration of the missiles, including a full maintenance check and upgraded facilities, is complete, “ Eshqi said referring to the People’s Republic’s East Wind solid-fuel, medium-range ballistic missile. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What Khashoggi killing means for US-Saudi Nuclear talks

Turkish police on Monday were searching two villas in a northwestern province for the remains of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, state media reported.

The officers began searching a two-storey building in Termal district in Yalova with the help of sniffer dogs and drones on Monday morning, and the investigation later widened to the adjacent villa, state news agency Anadolu said.

Crime scene investigators were inspecting a well in the garden of the first villa in Samanli village, Anadolu reported, while images showed fire trucks at the scene.

Khashoggi, a contributor for The Washington Post, was killed by Saudi officials on October 2 during a visit to the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul for paperwork before his wedding.

His body has not been found and his death has triggered widespread international criticism of Riyadh. There have been reports in pro-government media that his remains could have been dissolved in acid.

The searches on Monday comes over two weeks after Sabah daily had reported that samples taken from the consulate drains showed traces of acid.

Turkish authorities say a team of 15 Saudi officials were sent especially to kill Khashoggi, 59, but Riyadh insists the team conducted a rogue operation.

Anadolu said some of the suspects had spoken to an unnamed Saudi citizen on the phone.

After learning this, authorities initiated the search of the Saudi businessman's villas, Anadolu added, but he was not in Turkey during the phone calls with the suspects.

Yalova governor Muammer Erol told Anadolu in a written statement that the Istanbul public prosecutor in charge of the murder investigation would provide the "necessary information" about the results of the search later.

There have been previous inspections of the Saudi consulate and the consul general's residence in Istanbul as well as a forest in the city.

Turkish police on Monday were searching two villas in a northwestern province for the remains of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, state media reported.

Turkish police on Monday were searching two villas in a northwestern province for the remains of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, state media reported. The officers began searching a two-storey building in Termal district in Yalova with the help of sniffer dogs and drones on Monday morning, and the investigation later widened to the adjacent villa, state news agency Anadolu said. Crime scene investigators were inspecting a well in the garden of the first villa in Samanli village, Anadolu reported, while images showed fire trucks at the scene. Khashoggi, a contributor for The Washington Post, was killed by Saudi officials on October 2 during a visit to the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul for paperwork before his wedding. His body has not been found and his death has triggered widespread international criticism of Riyadh. There have been reports in pro-government media that his remains could have been dissolved in acid. The searches on Monday comes over two weeks after Sabah daily had reported that samples taken from the consulate drains showed traces of acid. Turkish authorities say a team of 15 Saudi officials were sent especially to kill Khashoggi, 59, but Riyadh insists the team conducted a rogue operation. Anadolu said some of the suspects had spoken to an unnamed Saudi citizen on the phone. After learning this, authorities initiated the search of the Saudi businessman's villas, Anadolu added, but he was not in Turkey during the phone calls with the suspects. Yalova governor Muammer Erol told Anadolu in a written statement that the Istanbul public prosecutor in charge of the murder investigation would provide the "necessary information" about the results of the search later. There have been previous inspections of the Saudi consulate and the consul general's residence in Istanbul as well as a forest in the city.

Police search villas in northwest Turkey for 'Khashoggi remains'

In a poignant farewell to their father published in The Washington Post, the daughters of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi vowed that "his light would never fade" and that his legacy lived through them.

Khashoggi, former Saudi royal insider who became a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul last month.

His death unleashed a global wave of criticism against the crown prince, who Saudi officials say had no role in the killing.

"This is no eulogy, for that would confer a state of closure," Noha Khashoggi and Razan Jamal Khashoggi wrote in a Post opinion piece published online Friday.

"Rather, this is a promise that his light will never fade, that his legacy will be preserved within us."

The 59-year-old journalist was at the consulate in Istanbul seeking documents needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Riyadh -- after weeks of denial -- said he was killed in a "rogue" operation.

The daughters remember their father, affectionately referred to as "Baba," as a "loving man with a big heart" who travelled widely and always returned bearing "gifts and fascinating stories."

"As bittersweet as it was, we knew from a young age ... that he was an important man whose words had an effect on people over a great distance." 
It was vital for him "to speak up, to share his opinions, to have candid discussions," the daughters recall.

For him "writing was not just a job; it was a compulsion. It was ingrained into the core of his identity, and it truly kept him alive.

"Now, his words keep his spirit with us, and we are grateful for that."

Khashoggi had created a new life in the United States, but "he grieved" for his native Saudi Arabia, never abandoning hope for his country.

"Dad was no dissident," the daughters wrote.&nbsp;

"If being a writer was ingrained in his identity, being a Saudi was part of that same grain."

In a poignant farewell to their father published in The Washington Post, the daughters of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi vowed that "his light would never fade" and that his legacy lived through them.

In a poignant farewell to their father published in The Washington Post, the daughters of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi vowed that "his light would never fade" and that his legacy lived through them. Khashoggi, former Saudi royal insider who became a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul last month. His death unleashed a global wave of criticism against the crown prince, who Saudi officials say had no role in the killing. "This is no eulogy, for that would confer a state of closure," Noha Khashoggi and Razan Jamal Khashoggi wrote in a Post opinion piece published online Friday. "Rather, this is a promise that his light will never fade, that his legacy will be preserved within us." The 59-year-old journalist was at the consulate in Istanbul seeking documents needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Riyadh -- after weeks of denial -- said he was killed in a "rogue" operation. The daughters remember their father, affectionately referred to as "Baba," as a "loving man with a big heart" who travelled widely and always returned bearing "gifts and fascinating stories." "As bittersweet as it was, we knew from a young age ... that he was an important man whose words had an effect on people over a great distance." It was vital for him "to speak up, to share his opinions, to have candid discussions," the daughters recall. For him "writing was not just a job; it was a compulsion. It was ingrained into the core of his identity, and it truly kept him alive. "Now, his words keep his spirit with us, and we are grateful for that." Khashoggi had created a new life in the United States, but "he grieved" for his native Saudi Arabia, never abandoning hope for his country. "Dad was no dissident," the daughters wrote. "If being a writer was ingrained in his identity, being a Saudi was part of that same grain."

Slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi's daughters promise to keep his legacy alive

The French foreign ministry said Thursday that it would impose sanctions against 18 Saudi citizens over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month.

"These measures... aim to prohibit these individuals from entering national territory and the entire Schengen area" of Europe, the ministry said in a statement.

Khashoggi, a US resident and Saudi citizen, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and dismembered, according to Turkish prosecutors.

After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody.&nbsp;

However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at the crown prince.

Earlier the United States had<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killing-saudi-arabia-says-crown-prince-salman-was-not-involved-5-others-face-death-penalty-for-the-murder-177533">&nbsp;imposed economic sanctions against</a>&nbsp;seventeen Saudi officials for their role in the killing of the Saudi journalist.

(With inputs from AFP)

The French foreign ministry said Thursday that it would impose sanctions against 18 Saudi citizens over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month.

The French foreign ministry said Thursday that it would impose sanctions against 18 Saudi citizens over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month. "These measures... aim to prohibit these individuals from entering national territory and the entire Schengen area" of Europe, the ministry said in a statement. Khashoggi, a US resident and Saudi citizen, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and dismembered, according to Turkish prosecutors. After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody. However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at the crown prince. Earlier the United States had imposed economic sanctions against seventeen Saudi officials for their role in the killing of the Saudi journalist. (With inputs from AFP)

France imposes sanctions against 18 Saudis over Khashoggi murder

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ignored criticism that he gave <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/donald-trump-stands-by-saudi-prince-despite-journalist-khashoggis-murder-178466">Saudi Arabia a free pass on the murder </a>of a dissident journalist, instead praising the Islamic kingdom for keeping oil prices low.

Trump, on holiday at his Florida Mar-a-Lago Club, doubled down on an unusually worded statement from Tuesday that he was essentially ignoring the killing of Jamal Khashoggi because of what he said were more important US strategic and commercial interests.

"Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82," he tweeted. "Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let's go lower!"

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Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82. Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let’s go lower!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1065225779825598465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The fulsome praise for Saudi Arabia's help in maintaining cheap oil built on comments he made Tuesday at the White House, saying that "if we broke with them, I think your oil prices would go through the roof."

"They've helped me keep them down," he said.

Guns and money

The focus on oil prices is one strand of Trump's argument against punishing the US ally for Khashoggi's death, even though the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cia-has-concluded-saudi-crown-prince-ordered-journalists-killing-report-177782">CIA reportedly found strong evidence </a>that de facto Saudi leader, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/crown-prince-a-red-line-in-khashoggi-murder-probe-saudi-foreign-minister-178668">Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a>, was involved.

Khashoggi, a US resident who wrote for The Washington Post and had been critical of Prince Mohammed, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and reportedly dismembered.

After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody. However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at Prince Mohammed, who has especially close contacts with the Trump White House.

In a formal statement, Tuesday -- released just after nearly the entire White House press corps had left to cover the lighthearted annual ritual of the president sparing a turkey from the Thanksgiving table -- Trump said the prince "could very well be" in on the crime.

But he then went on to flatly reject any suggestion of punishing the Saudi leader, saying Washington "intends to remain a steadfast partner."

Trump's reasoning was that Saudi Arabia and the United States are partners in opposing Iran and the Saudis have committed to $450 billion in weapons contracts and other investments, as well as being a major oil producer.

"Very simply it is called America first!" Trump concluded.

This was in contrast to previously stated positions where Trump promised a tough response, warning in an October interview with The Wall Street Journal, for example, that the US-Saudi relationship "would take a while to rebuild."

'Crazy' prince&nbsp;

Trump's posture has provoked rare dissension among the ranks of senior Republicans.

Senator Lindsey Graham said on Fox News that Prince Mohammed is "crazy."

"It's not too much to ask an ally not to butcher a guy in a consulate," he said.&nbsp;

And Senator Bob Corker, the Republican leader of the foreign relations committee, tweeted scathingly: "I never thought I'd see the day a White House would moonlight as a public relations firm for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia."

Corker and the senior Democrat on the committee, Bob Menendez, demanded that the Trump administration issue a clear statement on whether Prince Mohammed was involved.

Another prominent Republican, Senator Rand Paul, added "Let's put America first, not Saudi Arabia," while Khashoggi's old employer the Post said in an editorial that Trump's position meant "a world where dictators know they can murder their critics and suffer no consequences."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed back in a radio interview Wednesday, saying: "We are going to make sure that America always stands for human rights. We've watched the Saudis actually move in that direction during our time in office as well.

"It's not an unblemished record, but there certainly have been steps forward."

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ignored criticism that he gave Saudi Arabia a free pass on the murder of a dissident journalist, instead praising the Islamic kingdom for keeping oil prices low.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ignored criticism that he gave Saudi Arabia a free pass on the murder of a dissident journalist, instead praising the Islamic kingdom for keeping oil prices low. Trump, on holiday at his Florida Mar-a-Lago Club, doubled down on an unusually worded statement from Tuesday that he was essentially ignoring the killing of Jamal Khashoggi because of what he said were more important US strategic and commercial interests. "Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82," he tweeted. "Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let's go lower!" Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82. Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let’s go lower! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 21, 2018 × The fulsome praise for Saudi Arabia's help in maintaining cheap oil built on comments he made Tuesday at the White House, saying that "if we broke with them, I think your oil prices would go through the roof." "They've helped me keep them down," he said. Guns and money The focus on oil prices is one strand of Trump's argument against punishing the US ally for Khashoggi's death, even though the CIA reportedly found strong evidence that de facto Saudi leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was involved. Khashoggi, a US resident who wrote for The Washington Post and had been critical of Prince Mohammed, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and reportedly dismembered. After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody. However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at Prince Mohammed, who has especially close contacts with the Trump White House. In a formal statement, Tuesday -- released just after nearly the entire White House press corps had left to cover the lighthearted annual ritual of the president sparing a turkey from the Thanksgiving table -- Trump said the prince "could very well be" in on the crime. But he then went on to flatly reject any suggestion of punishing the Saudi leader, saying Washington "intends to remain a steadfast partner." Trump's reasoning was that Saudi Arabia and the United States are partners in opposing Iran and the Saudis have committed to $450 billion in weapons contracts and other investments, as well as being a major oil producer. "Very simply it is called America first!" Trump concluded. This was in contrast to previously stated positions where Trump promised a tough response, warning in an October interview with The Wall Street Journal, for example, that the US-Saudi relationship "would take a while to rebuild." 'Crazy' prince Trump's posture has provoked rare dissension among the ranks of senior Republicans. Senator Lindsey Graham said on Fox News that Prince Mohammed is "crazy." "It's not too much to ask an ally not to butcher a guy in a consulate," he said. And Senator Bob Corker, the Republican leader of the foreign relations committee, tweeted scathingly: "I never thought I'd see the day a White House would moonlight as a public relations firm for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia." Corker and the senior Democrat on the committee, Bob Menendez, demanded that the Trump administration issue a clear statement on whether Prince Mohammed was involved. Another prominent Republican, Senator Rand Paul, added "Let's put America first, not Saudi Arabia," while Khashoggi's old employer the Post said in an editorial that Trump's position meant "a world where dictators know they can murder their critics and suffer no consequences." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed back in a radio interview Wednesday, saying: "We are going to make sure that America always stands for human rights. We've watched the Saudis actually move in that direction during our time in office as well. "It's not an unblemished record, but there certainly have been steps forward."

President Donald Trump thanks Saudi Arabia for lower oil prices 

A Turkish newspaper reported on Thursday CIA director Gina Haspel signalled to Turkish officials last month that the agency had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-tapes-given-to-key-foreign-nations-turkeys-erdogan-176556">a recording of a call</a> in which Saudi Arabia's crown prince gave instructions to "silence" Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Asked about the report, a Turkish official told Reuters he had no information about such a recording. Saudi Arabia has said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had no prior knowledge of Khashoggi's killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul six weeks ago.

"There is talk of another recording," Hurriyet newspaper journalist Abdulkadir Selvi wrote in a column, saying the purported call took place between Prince Mohammed and his brother, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington.

"It is being said that CIA chief Gina Haspel indicated this during her visit to Turkey," he wrote, adding that they had discussed Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdom's de facto ruler.

"It is being said the crown prince gave orders to 'silence Jamal Khashoggi as soon as possible'," in a call which was monitored by the U.S. agency, he said.

Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 in an operation that Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan has said was ordered by the highest level of Saudi leadership.

After offering numerous contradictory explanations, Riyadh said last week Khashoggi had been killed and his body dismembered when negotiations to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed.

A Turkish newspaper reported on Thursday CIA director Gina Haspel signalled to Turkish officials last month that the agency had a recording of a call in which Saudi Arabia's crown prince gave instructions to "silence" Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

A Turkish newspaper reported on Thursday CIA director Gina Haspel signalled to Turkish officials last month that the agency had a recording of a call in which Saudi Arabia's crown prince gave instructions to "silence" Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Asked about the report, a Turkish official told Reuters he had no information about such a recording. Saudi Arabia has said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had no prior knowledge of Khashoggi's killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul six weeks ago. "There is talk of another recording," Hurriyet newspaper journalist Abdulkadir Selvi wrote in a column, saying the purported call took place between Prince Mohammed and his brother, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington. "It is being said that CIA chief Gina Haspel indicated this during her visit to Turkey," he wrote, adding that they had discussed Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdom's de facto ruler. "It is being said the crown prince gave orders to 'silence Jamal Khashoggi as soon as possible'," in a call which was monitored by the U.S. agency, he said. Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 in an operation that Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan has said was ordered by the highest level of Saudi leadership. After offering numerous contradictory explanations, Riyadh said last week Khashoggi had been killed and his body dismembered when negotiations to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed.

CIA has recording of Saudi Crown Prince Salman saying 'silence Khashoggi': Report

Calls for Saudi Crown Prince <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-khashoggi-murder-some-saudi-royals-turn-against-kings-favourite-son-178419">Mohammed bin Salman</a> to be held accountable for the murder of journalist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/khashoggi-crisis-reshaping-us-politics-and-relations-with-saudi-arabia-178498">Jamal Khashoggi</a> are a "red line", Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Wednesday.

In a BBC television interview, Jubeir said any disparaging discussion about Prince Mohammed or his father, the Saudi monarch, would not be tolerated.

"In Saudi Arabia our leadership is a red line. The custodian of the two holy mosques (King Salman) and the crown prince are a red line," Jubeir said.

"They represent every Saudi citizen and every Saudi citizen represents them. And we will not tolerate any discussion of anything that is disparaging towards our monarch or our crown prince."

Khashoggi, a US resident who wrote for The Washington Post and had been critical of Prince Mohammed, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and reportedly dismembered.

After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody. However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at the crown prince.

Jubeir insisted that Prince Mohammed had not been involved in the killing.

"We have made that very clear. We have investigations ongoing and we will punish the individuals who are responsible for this," he said.

He called on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-accuses-us-of-turning-blind-eye-to-saudi-killing-of-khashoggi-178591">Turkey</a> to come forward with all its evidence about the slaying and stop leaking out information.

The foreign minister said the murder was a "rogue operation" by intelligence officers.

Jubeir also said any possible US sanctions on Saudi Arabia would be short-sighted.

US President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/donald-trump-stands-by-saudi-prince-despite-journalist-khashoggis-murder-178466">Donald Trump on Wednesday ignored criticism</a> that he gave Saudi Arabia a free pass on Khashoggi's murder, instead praising the Islamic kingdom for keeping oil prices low.

Calls for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be held accountable for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are a "red line", Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Wednesday.

Calls for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be held accountable for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are a "red line", Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Wednesday. In a BBC television interview, Jubeir said any disparaging discussion about Prince Mohammed or his father, the Saudi monarch, would not be tolerated. "In Saudi Arabia our leadership is a red line. The custodian of the two holy mosques (King Salman) and the crown prince are a red line," Jubeir said. "They represent every Saudi citizen and every Saudi citizen represents them. And we will not tolerate any discussion of anything that is disparaging towards our monarch or our crown prince." Khashoggi, a US resident who wrote for The Washington Post and had been critical of Prince Mohammed, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and reportedly dismembered. After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody. However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at the crown prince. Jubeir insisted that Prince Mohammed had not been involved in the killing. "We have made that very clear. We have investigations ongoing and we will punish the individuals who are responsible for this," he said. He called on Turkey to come forward with all its evidence about the slaying and stop leaking out information. The foreign minister said the murder was a "rogue operation" by intelligence officers. Jubeir also said any possible US sanctions on Saudi Arabia would be short-sighted. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ignored criticism that he gave Saudi Arabia a free pass on Khashoggi's murder, instead praising the Islamic kingdom for keeping oil prices low.

Crown prince a 'red line' in Khashoggi murder probe: Saudi foreign minister

A transparent and credible investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has not yet been completed, Federica Mogherini, the European Union`s foreign affairs chief, said on Thursday, after talks with Turkey`s foreign minister.

Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdom`s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Riyadh has said it was seeking the death penalty for five suspects in the case.

Speaking at a joint news conference with EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara, Mogherini said she was completely against any application of the death penalty.&nbsp;

A transparent and credible investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has not yet been completed, Federica Mogherini, the European Union`s foreign affairs chief, said on Thursday, after talks with Turkey`s foreign minister.

A transparent and credible investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has not yet been completed, Federica Mogherini, the European Union`s foreign affairs chief, said on Thursday, after talks with Turkey`s foreign minister. Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdom`s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Riyadh has said it was seeking the death penalty for five suspects in the case. Speaking at a joint news conference with EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara, Mogherini said she was completely against any application of the death penalty.

EU says transparent, credible investigation into Khashoggi killing not completed yet

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have gotten more than they bargained for.

The killing has sparked multiple battles that are likely in coming months to shape relationships ranging from that between the United States and Saudi Arabia to those between US President Donald J Trump, his Republican party, the US Congress, and the country’s intelligence community.

The fallout of the killing could also shape Trump’s ability to pursue his policy goals in the Middle East, including forcing Iran to its knees and imposing a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Rather than putting an end to differences over how to respond to &nbsp;Khashoggi’s killing, Trump’s decision to stand by Saudi Arabia and its crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, irrespective of who may have been responsible for the murder, marks the opening of a new round in what prominent journalist Rami Khouri dubbed “a new era in the Khashoggi case.”

The battles are likely to be fought on multiple fronts. One venue will be the Group of 20 (G-20) summit at the end of this month in Argentina with Prince Mohammed, whom the Central Intelligence Agency and many in the US Congress believe to be responsible for the killing, in attendance.

How Prince Mohammed is received at the summit is certain to indicate to what degree the crown prince’s international standing has been tarnished and may constitute a reality check for him of the damage Saudi Arabia has suffered as a result of Khashoggi’s killing.

It will also serve as one indication of how much of a battle Trump may have to fight in seeking to ensure that Prince Mohammed remains insulated from consequences of Khashoggi’s death.

To be sure, Prince Mohammed decided to attend the G-20 summit prior to Trump’s decision to take no further action against Saudi Arabia. Nonetheless, by attending the crown prince, emboldened by Trump’s support, “is daring his international critics to put their rhetoric into action and betting that they won't," said Gulf scholar Kristian Ulrichsen.

The stakes for both Trump and Prince Mohammed are high.

In leaking its conclusion that Prince Mohammed was responsible for the killing, the CIA was sending two messages: its willingness to take on Trump against the backdrop of a long-strained relationship between the president and the intelligence community and the suggestion that the agency does not believe that Prince Mohammed’s survival as king-in-waiting is crucial to US national security or the stability of the kingdom.

Both messages feed into what potentially constitutes the first major policy confrontation between Trump, the Republican party and Congress. The anti-Saudi sentiment was mounting in Congress already before Khashoggi’s killing because of Saudi conduct of its war in Yemen that has created the worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two. The killing appears to be propelling the Congress into action.

The CIA’s implicit challenging of Trump’s assessment of the importance of Prince Mohammed was followed by a report &nbsp;by the Washington-based Center for International Policy that concluded that US arms sales to the kingdom accounted for fewer than 20,000 US jobs a year – a far cry from the hundreds of thousands of jobs asserted by the president.

Prince Mohammed’s reception at the G-20 summit coupled with the outcome of the potential battle between Trump, the CIA and Congress could also shape developments in Saudi Arabia.

The kingdom has so far dug in its heels with King Salman relying on concepts of prestige and honour as well as patronage to signal full support for his son while Prince Mohammed appears to be trying to show that Saudi Arabia is not wholly dependent on the United States.

Bolstering the Center for International Policy report, Reuters reported this week seeing a letter pre-dating the Khashoggi killing in which Prince Mohammed instructs the defence ministry to “focus on purchasing weapon systems and equipment in the most pressing fields” and get training on them, including the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system.

The letter takes on added significance with Germany this week imposing an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia and the US Congress potentially adopting similar measures.

The letter goes to the heart of the debate in Washington that beyond issues of values is about the importance of the US-Saudi relationship. Members of Congress, and the intelligence and foreign policy community question the relationship’s significance despite Trump’s insistence on the value of Saudi arms purchases as well as the kingdom’s importance in managing oil prices and supporting US policy in the Middle East.

“The real facts are: 1) the Saudis need US weapons and equipment more than we need to sell them, in part because they demonstrate the US security commitment to the kingdom; and 2) it would be very difficult and expensive for the Saudis to make good on their periodic threats to ‘buy foreign’ if they can't get what they want from the United States,” said former US Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller in an article for CNN co-authored by Richard Sokolsky.

Messrs. Miller and Sokolsky went on to question Saudi Arabia’s importance in countering Iran and forging an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement. “Saudi Arabia has proven to be too weak and incompetent to be a bulwark against Iran; on the contrary, it has been an enabler of Tehran's influence,” the two men said.

They cautioned that “direct and under-the-table (Saudi) contacts (with Israel) are a far cry from open meetings or support for a US peace plan that on issues like Jerusalem and borders violates the Arab consensus and could hand Iran and Sunni Muslims a propaganda windfall.”

Despite mounting criticism of the kingdom, most analysts argue that Prince Mohammed is likely to weather the Khashoggi crisis.

Saudi Arabia is, nevertheless, already feeling the fallout of the crisis not only internationally but also in terms of the prospects for Prince Mohammed’s plans to reform and diversify the kingdom’s economy.

The crisis was one reason why Aramco, the kingdom’s giant national oil company, shelved plans to embark on a massive corporate-bond sale to fund a $70 billion stake in national petrochemical firm SABIC. The sale was considered after Saudi Arabia earlier suspended plans to take Aramco public in a move that Prince Mohammed had hoped would raise $100 billion.

Close ties with the United States have long been at the core of the ruling Al Saud family’s survival strategy. They were also at the heart of the approach of Prince Mohammed who appeared determined to ensure at whatever cost US reengagement in the Middle East in alliance with the kingdom following former President Barak Obama’s perceived pivot towards Asia and determination to bring Iran back into the international fold.

The rise of Trump appears to hold out that promise. Trump’s decision to stand by Saudi Arabia and its rulers no matter what positions the president as the kind of friend the kingdom can rely on. The coming weeks and months are likely to be a litmus test of Trump’s ability to keep his end of the bargain.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have gotten more than they bargained for. The killing has sparked multiple battles that are likely in coming months to shape relationships ranging from that between the United States and Saudi Arabia to those between US President Donald J Trump, his Republican party, the US Congress, and the country’s intelligence community.

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have gotten more than they bargained for. The killing has sparked multiple battles that are likely in coming months to shape relationships ranging from that between the United States and Saudi Arabia to those between US President Donald J Trump, his Republican party, the US Congress, and the country’s intelligence community. The fallout of the killing could also shape Trump’s ability to pursue his policy goals in the Middle East, including forcing Iran to its knees and imposing a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rather than putting an end to differences over how to respond to Khashoggi’s killing, Trump’s decision to stand by Saudi Arabia and its crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, irrespective of who may have been responsible for the murder, marks the opening of a new round in what prominent journalist Rami Khouri dubbed “a new era in the Khashoggi case.” The battles are likely to be fought on multiple fronts. One venue will be the Group of 20 (G-20) summit at the end of this month in Argentina with Prince Mohammed, whom the Central Intelligence Agency and many in the US Congress believe to be responsible for the killing, in attendance. How Prince Mohammed is received at the summit is certain to indicate to what degree the crown prince’s international standing has been tarnished and may constitute a reality check for him of the damage Saudi Arabia has suffered as a result of Khashoggi’s killing. It will also serve as one indication of how much of a battle Trump may have to fight in seeking to ensure that Prince Mohammed remains insulated from consequences of Khashoggi’s death. To be sure, Prince Mohammed decided to attend the G-20 summit prior to Trump’s decision to take no further action against Saudi Arabia. Nonetheless, by attending the crown prince, emboldened by Trump’s support, “is daring his international critics to put their rhetoric into action and betting that they won't," said Gulf scholar Kristian Ulrichsen. The stakes for both Trump and Prince Mohammed are high. In leaking its conclusion that Prince Mohammed was responsible for the killing, the CIA was sending two messages: its willingness to take on Trump against the backdrop of a long-strained relationship between the president and the intelligence community and the suggestion that the agency does not believe that Prince Mohammed’s survival as king-in-waiting is crucial to US national security or the stability of the kingdom. Both messages feed into what potentially constitutes the first major policy confrontation between Trump, the Republican party and Congress. The anti-Saudi sentiment was mounting in Congress already before Khashoggi’s killing because of Saudi conduct of its war in Yemen that has created the worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two. The killing appears to be propelling the Congress into action. The CIA’s implicit challenging of Trump’s assessment of the importance of Prince Mohammed was followed by a report by the Washington-based Center for International Policy that concluded that US arms sales to the kingdom accounted for fewer than 20,000 US jobs a year – a far cry from the hundreds of thousands of jobs asserted by the president. Prince Mohammed’s reception at the G-20 summit coupled with the outcome of the potential battle between Trump, the CIA and Congress could also shape developments in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has so far dug in its heels with King Salman relying on concepts of prestige and honour as well as patronage to signal full support for his son while Prince Mohammed appears to be trying to show that Saudi Arabia is not wholly dependent on the United States. Bolstering the Center for International Policy report, Reuters reported this week seeing a letter pre-dating the Khashoggi killing in which Prince Mohammed instructs the defence ministry to “focus on purchasing weapon systems and equipment in the most pressing fields” and get training on them, including the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system. The letter takes on added significance with Germany this week imposing an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia and the US Congress potentially adopting similar measures. The letter goes to the heart of the debate in Washington that beyond issues of values is about the importance of the US-Saudi relationship. Members of Congress, and the intelligence and foreign policy community question the relationship’s significance despite Trump’s insistence on the value of Saudi arms purchases as well as the kingdom’s importance in managing oil prices and supporting US policy in the Middle East. “The real facts are: 1) the Saudis need US weapons and equipment more than we need to sell them, in part because they demonstrate the US security commitment to the kingdom; and 2) it would be very difficult and expensive for the Saudis to make good on their periodic threats to ‘buy foreign’ if they can't get what they want from the United States,” said former US Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller in an article for CNN co-authored by Richard Sokolsky. Messrs. Miller and Sokolsky went on to question Saudi Arabia’s importance in countering Iran and forging an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement. “Saudi Arabia has proven to be too weak and incompetent to be a bulwark against Iran; on the contrary, it has been an enabler of Tehran's influence,” the two men said. They cautioned that “direct and under-the-table (Saudi) contacts (with Israel) are a far cry from open meetings or support for a US peace plan that on issues like Jerusalem and borders violates the Arab consensus and could hand Iran and Sunni Muslims a propaganda windfall.” Despite mounting criticism of the kingdom, most analysts argue that Prince Mohammed is likely to weather the Khashoggi crisis. Saudi Arabia is, nevertheless, already feeling the fallout of the crisis not only internationally but also in terms of the prospects for Prince Mohammed’s plans to reform and diversify the kingdom’s economy. The crisis was one reason why Aramco, the kingdom’s giant national oil company, shelved plans to embark on a massive corporate-bond sale to fund a $70 billion stake in national petrochemical firm SABIC. The sale was considered after Saudi Arabia earlier suspended plans to take Aramco public in a move that Prince Mohammed had hoped would raise $100 billion. Close ties with the United States have long been at the core of the ruling Al Saud family’s survival strategy. They were also at the heart of the approach of Prince Mohammed who appeared determined to ensure at whatever cost US reengagement in the Middle East in alliance with the kingdom following former President Barak Obama’s perceived pivot towards Asia and determination to bring Iran back into the international fold. The rise of Trump appears to hold out that promise. Trump’s decision to stand by Saudi Arabia and its rulers no matter what positions the president as the kind of friend the kingdom can rely on. The coming weeks and months are likely to be a litmus test of Trump’s ability to keep his end of the bargain. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Khashoggi crisis: Reshaping US politics and relations with Saudi Arabia

Turkey accused the United States on Wednesday of trying to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/khashoggi-crisis-reshaping-us-politics-and-relations-with-saudi-arabia-178498">turn a blind eye</a> to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, and dismissed comments from President Donald Trump on the issue as "comic".

Trump vowed on Tuesday to remain a "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/donald-trump-stands-by-saudi-prince-despite-journalist-khashoggis-murder-178466">steadfast partner</a>" of Saudi Arabia, despite saying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have known about the plan to murder to Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist.

Of the possibility Prince Mohammed had a hand in the murder, Trump said: "Maybe he did, maybe he didn`t". His comments contradicted the CIA, which believes Khashoggi`s death was ordered directly by the crown prince, Saudi Arabia`s de facto ruler.

Numan Kurtulmus, the deputy chairman of President Tayyip Erdogan`s AK Party, dismissed Trump`s assessment. "Yesterday`s statement is a comic statement," he told state broadcaster TRT Haber.

"It is not possible for an intelligence agency such as the CIA, which even knows the colour of the fur on the cat walking around the Saudi consulate`s garden ... to not know who gave this order," he said. "This is not credible either for US public opinion or the world public opinion."

Since Khashoggi`s killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month, Turkey has repeatedly said the order came from the "highest levels" of the Saudi government, although it has not directly accused Prince Mohammed.

Saudi Arabia has denied that the crown prince ordered the killing. After offering numerous contradictory explanations, Riyadh said last week Khashoggi had been killed and his body dismembered when "negotiations" to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed.

Trump said Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer, was an important business partner and a "great ally" in the fight against Iranian power in the Middle East.&nbsp;

Following a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara is not entirely satisfied with the level of cooperation it is receiving from Saudi Arabia regarding the case.

Cavusoglu said Ankara may seek a formal United Nations inquiry if its liaising with Riyadh comes to an impasse.

Turkey accused the United States on Wednesday of trying to turn a blind eye to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, and dismissed comments from President Donald Trump on the issue as "comic".

Turkey accused the United States on Wednesday of trying to turn a blind eye to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, and dismissed comments from President Donald Trump on the issue as "comic". Trump vowed on Tuesday to remain a "steadfast partner" of Saudi Arabia, despite saying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have known about the plan to murder to Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist. Of the possibility Prince Mohammed had a hand in the murder, Trump said: "Maybe he did, maybe he didn`t". His comments contradicted the CIA, which believes Khashoggi`s death was ordered directly by the crown prince, Saudi Arabia`s de facto ruler. Numan Kurtulmus, the deputy chairman of President Tayyip Erdogan`s AK Party, dismissed Trump`s assessment. "Yesterday`s statement is a comic statement," he told state broadcaster TRT Haber. "It is not possible for an intelligence agency such as the CIA, which even knows the colour of the fur on the cat walking around the Saudi consulate`s garden ... to not know who gave this order," he said. "This is not credible either for US public opinion or the world public opinion." Since Khashoggi`s killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month, Turkey has repeatedly said the order came from the "highest levels" of the Saudi government, although it has not directly accused Prince Mohammed. Saudi Arabia has denied that the crown prince ordered the killing. After offering numerous contradictory explanations, Riyadh said last week Khashoggi had been killed and his body dismembered when "negotiations" to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed. Trump said Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer, was an important business partner and a "great ally" in the fight against Iranian power in the Middle East. Following a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara is not entirely satisfied with the level of cooperation it is receiving from Saudi Arabia regarding the case. Cavusoglu said Ankara may seek a formal United Nations inquiry if its liaising with Riyadh comes to an impasse.

Turkey accuses US of turning blind eye to Saudi killing of Khashoggi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/have-made-up-my-mind-not-to-contest-next-elections-sushma-swaraj-178379">Have made up my mind not to contest next elections: Sushma Swaraj</a>

The BJP's Sushma Swaraj said Wednesday that she will not contest the 2019 elections.&nbsp;

"It is the party which decides, but I have made up my mind not to contest next elections," Swaraj said (watch video below).

News reports said Swaraj was stepping down for health reasons.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/after-rbi-relaxes-deadline-banks-will-be-able-to-lend-extra-35-42-billion-sources-178403">After RBI relaxes deadline, banks will be able to lend </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/after-rbi-relaxes-deadline-banks-will-be-able-to-lend-extra-35-42-billion-sources-178403">extra</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/after-rbi-relaxes-deadline-banks-will-be-able-to-lend-extra-35-42-billion-sources-178403"> $35-42 billion: Sources</a>

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) estimates that Indian banks will have capacity to lend an extra 2.5 trillion rupees to 3.0 trillion rupees ($35 billion to $42 billion) over the next year after it decided to relax a deadline for lenders to boost capital ratios, two sources aware of discussions on the matter said on Tuesday.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-khashoggi-murder-some-saudi-royals-turn-against-kings-favourite-son-178419">After Khashoggi murder, some Saudi royals turn against king’s favourite son</a>

Amid international uproar over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, some members of Saudi Arabia's ruling family are agitating to prevent Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from becoming king, three sources close to the royal court said.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imf-demands-details-of-pakistans-financial-assistance-deal-with-china-report-178365">IMF demands details of Pakistan's financial assistance deal with China: Report</a>

The IMF has demanded Pakistan provide all details of China's financial support to the cash-strapped country to avail a bailout package from it, according to media reports.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-believes-maldives-will-make-correct-choice-on-trade-deal-178402">China believes </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-believes-maldives-will-make-correct-choice-on-trade-deal-178402">Maldives</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-believes-maldives-will-make-correct-choice-on-trade-deal-178402"> will make 'correct choice' to continue with </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-believes-maldives-will-make-correct-choice-on-trade-deal-178402">free</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-believes-maldives-will-make-correct-choice-on-trade-deal-178402"> trade deal</a>

China believes the Maldives will make the "correct choice" to continue with a bilateral free trade deal, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday, after a Maldives politician said the tiny nation would pull out of the pact.

Mohamed Nasheed, the chief of the Maldivian Democratic Party, which leads the ruling federal alliance, told Reuters this week that it was a mistake to strike such a deal with the world's second biggest economy.

Have made up my mind not to contest next elections: Sushma Swaraj The BJP's Sushma Swaraj said Wednesday that she will not contest the 2019 elections. "It is the party which decides, but I have made up my mind not to contest next elections," Swaraj said (watch video below).

Have made up my mind not to contest next elections: Sushma Swaraj The BJP's Sushma Swaraj said Wednesday that she will not contest the 2019 elections. "It is the party which decides, but I have made up my mind not to contest next elections," Swaraj said (watch video below). News reports said Swaraj was stepping down for health reasons. After RBI relaxes deadline, banks will be able to lend extra $35-42 billion: Sources The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) estimates that Indian banks will have capacity to lend an extra 2.5 trillion rupees to 3.0 trillion rupees ($35 billion to $42 billion) over the next year after it decided to relax a deadline for lenders to boost capital ratios, two sources aware of discussions on the matter said on Tuesday. After Khashoggi murder, some Saudi royals turn against king’s favourite son Amid international uproar over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, some members of Saudi Arabia's ruling family are agitating to prevent Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from becoming king, three sources close to the royal court said. IMF demands details of Pakistan's financial assistance deal with China: Report The IMF has demanded Pakistan provide all details of China's financial support to the cash-strapped country to avail a bailout package from it, according to media reports. China believes Maldives will make 'correct choice' to continue with free trade deal China believes the Maldives will make the "correct choice" to continue with a bilateral free trade deal, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday, after a Maldives politician said the tiny nation would pull out of the pact. Mohamed Nasheed, the chief of the Maldivian Democratic Party, which leads the ruling federal alliance, told Reuters this week that it was a mistake to strike such a deal with the world's second biggest economy.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Germany will bar 18 Saudis from entering its territory and Europe's Schengen passport-free zone over their alleged links to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Monday.

Maas said the move was "coordinated very closely with" states France and Britain and the broader EU as they seek more information in Khashoggi's death last month in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Berlin has "decided that Germany should impose an entry ban on 18 Saudi citizens, who are presumed to be in connection with this deed, in the Schengen information system," Maas told reporters.

"We are in close coordination on this issue within the European Union," he said, speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels.&nbsp;

"Over the weekend, we stated that we expected further steps to be taken to clarify the situation. We will follow on this closely and reserve further steps for ourselves."

The Schengen zone -- which is composed of 22 EU nations and four non-EU countries. EU member Britain is not part of the passport-free Schengen zone, but shares intelligence through Shengen Information System (SIS) for law enforcement purposes.

Germany called last month for EU countries to follow its lead and suspend arms sales for the moment to Saudi Arabia, prompting a dismissive response from French President Emmanuel Macron.

France is the kingdom's second biggest customer after India.

Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post who was critical of Saudi crown prince Mohamed bin Salman, was killed after going to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to retrieve documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiancee.

According to Turkish officials, an audio recording proves that Khashoggi was deliberately killed and dismembered soon after entering the consulate.

Saudi Arabia has offered shifting accounts of what happened, initially saying Khashoggi left the embassy after receiving his documents and later that he was killed when an argument degenerated into a fistfight.

In the latest version, the Saudi prosecutor said a 15-member team went to Istanbul to bring Khashoggi back to the kingdom but killed him instead in a rogue operation.

The prosecutor exonerated the crown prince, after indicting 11 Saudis and sacking five officials, including two members of Prince Mohammed's inner circle.

The United States, traditionally Riyadh's closest ally, has sanctioned 17 Saudis for the crime.

Germany will bar 18 Saudis from entering its territory and Europe's Schengen passport-free zone over their alleged links to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Monday.

Germany will bar 18 Saudis from entering its territory and Europe's Schengen passport-free zone over their alleged links to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Monday. Maas said the move was "coordinated very closely with" states France and Britain and the broader EU as they seek more information in Khashoggi's death last month in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Berlin has "decided that Germany should impose an entry ban on 18 Saudi citizens, who are presumed to be in connection with this deed, in the Schengen information system," Maas told reporters. "We are in close coordination on this issue within the European Union," he said, speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels. "Over the weekend, we stated that we expected further steps to be taken to clarify the situation. We will follow on this closely and reserve further steps for ourselves." The Schengen zone -- which is composed of 22 EU nations and four non-EU countries. EU member Britain is not part of the passport-free Schengen zone, but shares intelligence through Shengen Information System (SIS) for law enforcement purposes. Germany called last month for EU countries to follow its lead and suspend arms sales for the moment to Saudi Arabia, prompting a dismissive response from French President Emmanuel Macron. France is the kingdom's second biggest customer after India. Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post who was critical of Saudi crown prince Mohamed bin Salman, was killed after going to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to retrieve documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiancee. According to Turkish officials, an audio recording proves that Khashoggi was deliberately killed and dismembered soon after entering the consulate. Saudi Arabia has offered shifting accounts of what happened, initially saying Khashoggi left the embassy after receiving his documents and later that he was killed when an argument degenerated into a fistfight. In the latest version, the Saudi prosecutor said a 15-member team went to Istanbul to bring Khashoggi back to the kingdom but killed him instead in a rogue operation. The prosecutor exonerated the crown prince, after indicting 11 Saudis and sacking five officials, including two members of Prince Mohammed's inner circle. The United States, traditionally Riyadh's closest ally, has sanctioned 17 Saudis for the crime.

Germany says will bar 18 Saudis over Khashoggi murder

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said in an interview that aired on Sunday the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "very vicious" but that he wants to stick with Saudi Arabia as a close ally in the Middle East.

Under pressure to punish Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi`s death inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, Trump questioned the alleged role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is known as MbS and is the kingdom`s de facto ruler.

"He told me that he had nothing to do with it," Trump said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday", adding that "many people" also said the crown prince had no knowledge of the killing.

The interview was taped on Friday, hours before government sources said the CIA had briefed the Trump administration on the murder and its belief that MbS ordered it.&nbsp;

Trump said on Saturday that the CIA assessment was "very premature" and in the interview that aired on Sunday he said it may never be possible to know who ordered Khashoggi`s murder.&nbsp;

"Well, will anybody really know?" he said.

"He did have certainly people that were reasonably close to him and close to him that were probably involved ... But at the same time we do have an ally and I want to stick with an ally that in many ways has been very good."

Trump faces intense pressure from senior Democratic and Republican lawmakers to take tougher action against Saudi Arabia. Some have said the United States should suspend arms sales to the kingdom and drop his support for MbS, but Trump has so far resisted that pressure.&nbsp;

The US government on Thursday imposed economic sanctions on 17 Saudi officials for their alleged role in the killing, but the sanctions did not target the Saudi government.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia is a major oil supplier and a close ally of the United States in countering Iranian power in the Middle East.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump, said on Sunday he had no doubt about MbS` involvement in ordering the murder of Khashoggi. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"They are an important ally but when it comes to the crown prince, he`s irrational, he`s unhinged and I think he`s done a lot of damage to the relationship (between) the United States and Saudi Arabia. And I have no intention of working with him ever again," he said on NBC`s "Meet the Press."&nbsp;

Trump said his administration has a taped recording related to the Khashoggi murder, provided by the Turkish government, but that he has not listened to it and does not want to.

"I know everything that went on in the tape without having to hear it," he said. "It was very violent, very vicious and terrible."

US President Donald Trump said in an interview that aired on Sunday the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "very vicious" but that he wants to stick with Saudi Arabia as a close ally in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump said in an interview that aired on Sunday the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "very vicious" but that he wants to stick with Saudi Arabia as a close ally in the Middle East. Under pressure to punish Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi`s death inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, Trump questioned the alleged role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is known as MbS and is the kingdom`s de facto ruler. "He told me that he had nothing to do with it," Trump said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday", adding that "many people" also said the crown prince had no knowledge of the killing. The interview was taped on Friday, hours before government sources said the CIA had briefed the Trump administration on the murder and its belief that MbS ordered it. Trump said on Saturday that the CIA assessment was "very premature" and in the interview that aired on Sunday he said it may never be possible to know who ordered Khashoggi`s murder. "Well, will anybody really know?" he said. "He did have certainly people that were reasonably close to him and close to him that were probably involved ... But at the same time we do have an ally and I want to stick with an ally that in many ways has been very good." Trump faces intense pressure from senior Democratic and Republican lawmakers to take tougher action against Saudi Arabia. Some have said the United States should suspend arms sales to the kingdom and drop his support for MbS, but Trump has so far resisted that pressure. The US government on Thursday imposed economic sanctions on 17 Saudi officials for their alleged role in the killing, but the sanctions did not target the Saudi government. Saudi Arabia is a major oil supplier and a close ally of the United States in countering Iranian power in the Middle East. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump, said on Sunday he had no doubt about MbS` involvement in ordering the murder of Khashoggi. "They are an important ally but when it comes to the crown prince, he`s irrational, he`s unhinged and I think he`s done a lot of damage to the relationship (between) the United States and Saudi Arabia. And I have no intention of working with him ever again," he said on NBC`s "Meet the Press." Trump said his administration has a taped recording related to the Khashoggi murder, provided by the Turkish government, but that he has not listened to it and does not want to. "I know everything that went on in the tape without having to hear it," he said. "It was very violent, very vicious and terrible."

Trump wants Saudi Arabia as an ally despite 'vicious' Khashoggi murder

A day after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cia-has-concluded-saudi-crown-prince-ordered-journalists-killing-report-177782">Central Investigation Agency reportedly concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist</a> Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-discuss-jamal-khashoggi-murder-with-cia-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-177879">President Donald Trump</a> has said that the United States would determine the killer Saudi critic "within the next two days."

Speaking to reporters in Malibu, California after surveying damage from wildfires, Trump said a "full report" on "who did it" would be completed by Monday or Tuesday, AFP reported.

On Friday, the Washington Post reported that the CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Salman ordered the assassination of Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, contradicting&nbsp;the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killing-saudi-arabia-says-crown-prince-salman-was-not-involved-5-others-face-death-penalty-for-the-murder-177533">conclusions of a Saudi prosecutor a day earlier</a>, which exonerated the prince of involvement in the brutal murder.

However, on Saturday, the state department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that&nbsp;US government has not reached a final conclusion over the killing and reports indicating that&nbsp;are "inaccurate".

"There remain numerous unanswered questions with respect to the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. The State Department will continue to seek all relevant facts," she said.&nbsp;

She further said that in the meantime, the US will continue to consult and Congress and work with other nations to hold accountable those who were involved in the killing, adding that Washington had already taken "decisive measures" against individuals, including visa and sanctions actions.&nbsp;

"We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those accountable who planned, led and were connected to the murder. And, we will do that while maintaining the important strategic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia."

Meanwhile, Vice President&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-hold-khashoggi-murderers-to-account-mike-pence-177828">Mike Pence also vowed that the US would hold the murderers to account</a>&nbsp;as he decribed the Khashoggi's killing as an atrocity and&nbsp;&nbsp;"affront to a free and independent press" but declined to comment on classified information.

"We are going to follow the facts," said Pence. However, he also added the US wanted to find a way of preserving a "strong and historic partnership" with Saudi Arabia.

Khashoggi, a Post columnist, had gone to the consulate to obtain documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiancee.

Saudi Arabia -- which quickly dismissed the reported CIA findings -- has repeatedly changed its official narrative of the October 2 murder, first denying any knowledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts and later saying he was killed when an argument degenerated into a fistfight.

In the latest version presented by the Saudi prosecutor on Thursday, a 15-member squad was formed to bring Khashoggi back from Istanbul "by means of persuasion" -- but instead ended up killing the journalist and dismembering his body in a "rogue" operation.

(With inputs from news agencies)

A day after Central Investigation Agency reportedly concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, President Donald Trump has said that the United States would determine the killer Saudi critic "within the next two days.

A day after Central Investigation Agency reportedly concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, President Donald Trump has said that the United States would determine the killer Saudi critic "within the next two days." Speaking to reporters in Malibu, California after surveying damage from wildfires, Trump said a "full report" on "who did it" would be completed by Monday or Tuesday, AFP reported. On Friday, the Washington Post reported that the CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Salman ordered the assassination of Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, contradicting the conclusions of a Saudi prosecutor a day earlier, which exonerated the prince of involvement in the brutal murder. However, on Saturday, the state department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that US government has not reached a final conclusion over the killing and reports indicating that are "inaccurate". "There remain numerous unanswered questions with respect to the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. The State Department will continue to seek all relevant facts," she said. She further said that in the meantime, the US will continue to consult and Congress and work with other nations to hold accountable those who were involved in the killing, adding that Washington had already taken "decisive measures" against individuals, including visa and sanctions actions. "We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those accountable who planned, led and were connected to the murder. And, we will do that while maintaining the important strategic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia." Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence also vowed that the US would hold the murderers to account as he decribed the Khashoggi's killing as an atrocity and "affront to a free and independent press" but declined to comment on classified information. "We are going to follow the facts," said Pence. However, he also added the US wanted to find a way of preserving a "strong and historic partnership" with Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi, a Post columnist, had gone to the consulate to obtain documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiancee. Saudi Arabia -- which quickly dismissed the reported CIA findings -- has repeatedly changed its official narrative of the October 2 murder, first denying any knowledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts and later saying he was killed when an argument degenerated into a fistfight. In the latest version presented by the Saudi prosecutor on Thursday, a 15-member squad was formed to bring Khashoggi back from Istanbul "by means of persuasion" -- but instead ended up killing the journalist and dismembering his body in a "rogue" operation. (With inputs from news agencies)

Donald Trump says US to report who killed Jamal Khashoggi in 'next two days'

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have taken his dismembered body out of Turkey in luggage, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying by broadcaster CNN Turk on Sunday.

Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, sparking global outrage against the kingdom and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Riyadh had offered numerous contradictory explanations for his disappearance, before saying Khashoggi was killed after "negotiations" to convince him to return to Saudi Arabia failed.

Speaking at a panel as part of an international conference in Halifax, Canada, Akar said Khashoggi`s killers may have taken the journalist`s body parts out of Turkey in luggage.

"One probability is that they left the country three to four hours after committing the murder. They may have taken out Khashoggi`s dismembered corpse inside luggage without facing problems due to their diplomatic immunity," CNN Turk cited Akar as saying.&nbsp;

Turkey has said a group of 15 individuals, including a two-man "clean-up team", was involved and that Khashoggi`s body had been dismembered. Turkish officials have also called for an investigation into whether the body was dissolved in acid.

Saudi public prosecutor Shalaan al-Shalaan said on Thursday that Khashoggi`s body was dismembered, removed from the building and handed to an unidentified "local cooperator".

More than a month after the murder, Turkey is trying to maintain pressure on Prince Mohammed, releasing a stream of evidence that undermined Riyadh`s early denials.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday called a CIA assessment blaming Prince Mohammed for the killing "very premature" and said he would receive a complete report on the case on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Turkey says it has recordings related to the killing which it shared with Western allies. One Turkish official told Reuters that officials who heard the recordings, which include Khashoggi`s killing and conversations leading up to the operation, were horrified but their countries had done nothing.

On Thursday, without naming them, Shalaan said the Saudi prosecutor had requested the death penalty for five individuals "charged with ordering and committing the crime, and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals".

He said 11 of 21 suspects had been indicted and would be referred to court, while investigations of the remaining suspects would continue.

However, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said he was not satisfied with Shalaan`s statement, pushing Riyadh to disclose the location of Khashoggi`s remains and calling for the suspects to be tried in Turkey.

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have taken his dismembered body out of Turkey in luggage, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying by broadcaster CNN Turk on Sunday.

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have taken his dismembered body out of Turkey in luggage, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying by broadcaster CNN Turk on Sunday. Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, sparking global outrage against the kingdom and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Riyadh had offered numerous contradictory explanations for his disappearance, before saying Khashoggi was killed after "negotiations" to convince him to return to Saudi Arabia failed. Speaking at a panel as part of an international conference in Halifax, Canada, Akar said Khashoggi`s killers may have taken the journalist`s body parts out of Turkey in luggage. "One probability is that they left the country three to four hours after committing the murder. They may have taken out Khashoggi`s dismembered corpse inside luggage without facing problems due to their diplomatic immunity," CNN Turk cited Akar as saying. Turkey has said a group of 15 individuals, including a two-man "clean-up team", was involved and that Khashoggi`s body had been dismembered. Turkish officials have also called for an investigation into whether the body was dissolved in acid. Saudi public prosecutor Shalaan al-Shalaan said on Thursday that Khashoggi`s body was dismembered, removed from the building and handed to an unidentified "local cooperator". More than a month after the murder, Turkey is trying to maintain pressure on Prince Mohammed, releasing a stream of evidence that undermined Riyadh`s early denials. US President Donald Trump on Saturday called a CIA assessment blaming Prince Mohammed for the killing "very premature" and said he would receive a complete report on the case on Tuesday. Turkey says it has recordings related to the killing which it shared with Western allies. One Turkish official told Reuters that officials who heard the recordings, which include Khashoggi`s killing and conversations leading up to the operation, were horrified but their countries had done nothing. On Thursday, without naming them, Shalaan said the Saudi prosecutor had requested the death penalty for five individuals "charged with ordering and committing the crime, and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals". He said 11 of 21 suspects had been indicted and would be referred to court, while investigations of the remaining suspects would continue. However, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said he was not satisfied with Shalaan`s statement, pushing Riyadh to disclose the location of Khashoggi`s remains and calling for the suspects to be tried in Turkey.

Turkey says Khashoggi killers may have taken body parts out of country: Report

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cia-has-concluded-saudi-crown-prince-ordered-journalists-killing-report-177782">CIA has concluded Saudi crown prince ordered journalist's killing: Report</a>

The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, the Washington Post reported on Friday, a finding that contradicts Saudi government assertions that he was not involved.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/over-1000-missing-71-dead-in-california-wildfire-177802">Over 1000 missing, 71 dead in California wildfire</a>

The number of people missing in a devastating wildfire in northern California jumped to more than 1,000 on Friday, authorities said, as the remains of eight other victims were found by rescuers.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-explosion-in-karachi-kills-two-injures-eight-177790">Pakistan: Explosion in Karachi kills 2, injures 8</a>

A bomb killed at least two people and wounded eight others in Pakistan's port city of Karachi Friday, police and hospital officials said.

The blast reportedly damaged buildings and triggered panic in the densely populated Malir district.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-embraces-maldives-as-new-leader-mohamed-solih-takes-office-china-out-of-favour-177785">PM Modi embraces </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-embraces-maldives-as-new-leader-mohamed-solih-takes-office-china-out-of-favour-177785">Maldives</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-embraces-maldives-as-new-leader-mohamed-solih-takes-office-china-out-of-favour-177785"> as new leader Mohamed Solih takes office, China out of favour</a>

Maldives' President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih takes office on Saturday, seeking help from India and the United States to climb out from under a mountain of Chinese debt that his predecessor racked up in a breakneck development of the coral islands.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-orders-white-house-to-restore-press-pass-to-cnns-acosta-177783">US judge orders White House to restore press pass to CNN's Acosta</a>

A US judge on Friday ordered the White House to temporarily restore CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's press pass, which was revoked after a contentious news conference last week with President Donald Trump.

The White House withdrew Acosta's credentials on November 7 in an escalation of the Republican president's attacks on news organizations, who he has called enemies of the people.

CIA has concluded Saudi crown prince ordered journalist's killing: Report The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, the Washington Post reported on Friday, a finding that contradicts Saudi government assertions that he was not involved.

CIA has concluded Saudi crown prince ordered journalist's killing: Report The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, the Washington Post reported on Friday, a finding that contradicts Saudi government assertions that he was not involved. Over 1000 missing, 71 dead in California wildfire The number of people missing in a devastating wildfire in northern California jumped to more than 1,000 on Friday, authorities said, as the remains of eight other victims were found by rescuers. Pakistan: Explosion in Karachi kills 2, injures 8 A bomb killed at least two people and wounded eight others in Pakistan's port city of Karachi Friday, police and hospital officials said. The blast reportedly damaged buildings and triggered panic in the densely populated Malir district. PM Modi embraces Maldives as new leader Mohamed Solih takes office, China out of favour Maldives' President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih takes office on Saturday, seeking help from India and the United States to climb out from under a mountain of Chinese debt that his predecessor racked up in a breakneck development of the coral islands. US judge orders White House to restore press pass to CNN's Acosta A US judge on Friday ordered the White House to temporarily restore CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's press pass, which was revoked after a contentious news conference last week with President Donald Trump. The White House withdrew Acosta's credentials on November 7 in an escalation of the Republican president's attacks on news organizations, who he has called enemies of the people.

US President Donald Trump said he had not yet been briefed on the CIA`s conclusions regarding the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but that he would speak with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the CIA about the issue later on Saturday.

The CIA believes Saudi Arabia`s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country`s de-facto ruler, ordered Khashoggi`s killing, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.

But Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House before flying to California, also reiterated that he had been told the crown prince had not played a role in the journalist`s death.

"We haven`t been briefed yet," Trump said. "We will be talking with the CIA later and lots of others. I`ll be doing that while I`m on the plane. I`ll be speaking also with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo."

Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was killed in October at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul when he went there to pick up documents he needed for his planned marriage.

Trump and top administration officials have said Saudi Arabia should be held to account for any involvement in Khashoggi`s death and have imposed sanctions on 17 Saudis for their role in the killing.

But they have also stressed the importance of Washington`s ties with Riyadh, even while U.S. lawmakers have called on the administration to punish Saudi Arabia over the murder.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said he had not yet been briefed on the CIA`s conclusions regarding the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but that he would speak with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the CIA about the issue later on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump said he had not yet been briefed on the CIA`s conclusions regarding the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but that he would speak with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the CIA about the issue later on Saturday. The CIA believes Saudi Arabia`s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country`s de-facto ruler, ordered Khashoggi`s killing, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday. But Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House before flying to California, also reiterated that he had been told the crown prince had not played a role in the journalist`s death. "We haven`t been briefed yet," Trump said. "We will be talking with the CIA later and lots of others. I`ll be doing that while I`m on the plane. I`ll be speaking also with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo." Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was killed in October at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul when he went there to pick up documents he needed for his planned marriage. Trump and top administration officials have said Saudi Arabia should be held to account for any involvement in Khashoggi`s death and have imposed sanctions on 17 Saudis for their role in the killing. But they have also stressed the importance of Washington`s ties with Riyadh, even while U.S. lawmakers have called on the administration to punish Saudi Arabia over the murder.

Trump to discuss Jamal Khashoggi murder with CIA, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

The United States<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killing-saudi-arabia-says-crown-prince-salman-was-not-involved-5-others-face-death-penalty-for-the-murder-177533"> imposed economic sanctions against</a> seventeen Saudi officials for their role in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi although it said the move to find the killers was a"good first step".

Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor after conducting the enquiry said Khashoggi died by lethal injection after a struggle. The Saudi prosecutor requested the death penalty for five people "charged with ordering and committing the crime, and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals".

The Saudi prosecutor informed that 11 of 21 suspects have been indicted and will be referred to court.

The US meanwhile imposed sanctions against Saud al-Qahtani, a former aide of Prince Salman, consul general Mohammad al-Otaibi and members of 15-member team which flew to Turkey. The US sanctions do not specifically the Saudi government. The US sought to freeze the assets of those it targeted and barred them from its financial system.&nbsp;

"These individuals who targeted and brutally killed a journalist who resided and worked in the United States must face consequences for their actions," Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said there could be further sanctions against Saudi officials involved in the murder of &nbsp;Khashoggi.

"It’s a step in the right direction. It is an initial investigation finding. It is important that those steps continue to be taken for a full accountability. We will continue to work diligently to ascertain the facts,” the US state department spokesman said.

"It’s a step in the right direction. It is an initial investigation finding. It is important that those steps continue to be taken for a full accountability. We will continue to work diligently to ascertain the facts,” she added.

Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2nd after he entered the premises to submit documents, a known critic of the Saudi government his killing led&nbsp;Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to declare that operation came from the highest level of Saudi leadership but probably not King Salman.

The United States imposed economic sanctions against seventeen Saudi officials for their role in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi although it said the move to find the killers was a"good first step".

The United States imposed economic sanctions against seventeen Saudi officials for their role in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi although it said the move to find the killers was a"good first step". Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor after conducting the enquiry said Khashoggi died by lethal injection after a struggle. The Saudi prosecutor requested the death penalty for five people "charged with ordering and committing the crime, and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals". The Saudi prosecutor informed that 11 of 21 suspects have been indicted and will be referred to court. The US meanwhile imposed sanctions against Saud al-Qahtani, a former aide of Prince Salman, consul general Mohammad al-Otaibi and members of 15-member team which flew to Turkey. The US sanctions do not specifically the Saudi government. The US sought to freeze the assets of those it targeted and barred them from its financial system. "These individuals who targeted and brutally killed a journalist who resided and worked in the United States must face consequences for their actions," Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said there could be further sanctions against Saudi officials involved in the murder of Khashoggi. "It’s a step in the right direction. It is an initial investigation finding. It is important that those steps continue to be taken for a full accountability. We will continue to work diligently to ascertain the facts,” the US state department spokesman said. "It’s a step in the right direction. It is an initial investigation finding. It is important that those steps continue to be taken for a full accountability. We will continue to work diligently to ascertain the facts,” she added. Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2nd after he entered the premises to submit documents, a known critic of the Saudi government his killing led Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to declare that operation came from the highest level of Saudi leadership but probably not King Salman.

US imposes sanctions against Saudi officials implicated in Khashoggi's murder

Five Saudi officials face the death penalty for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-was-dead-in-twenty-minutes-says-tura-khislakchi-as-he-unfolds-the-incident-to-wion-173771">who was dismembered</a> inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, but <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudis-king-salman-prince-mohammed-makes-condolence-call-to-jamal-khashoggis-son-172794">Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a> was not involved, the prosecutor said Thursday.

The announcement follows growing international outcry over the killing of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi rulers who was last seen entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain paperwork for his marriage.

Khashoggi died after being drugged and then dismembered, a spokesman for the public prosecutor's office said in the first Saudi confirmation of how he was killed.

The journalist's body parts were then handed over to an agent outside the consulate grounds, the spokesman said.

He denied Prince Mohammed had any knowledge of the murder.

The deputy chief of Saudi Arabia's intelligence, General Ahmed al-Assiri, gave the order to repatriate Khashoggi -- and "the head of the negotiating team" that flew to the Istanbul consulate had ordered his murder, the spokesman said.

After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia finally admitted in mid-October that Khashoggi had been murdered at the compound, but blamed it on a "rogue" operation.

The prosecutor has requested the death penalty for the five who "are charged with ordering and committing the crime and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals," an official statement published by state news agency SPA said.

It said a total of 21 individuals were in custody in connection with the killing, 11 of whom have been indicted with investigations to continue into the others.&nbsp;

Turkey on Wednesday called for an international investigation into the murder.&nbsp;

Ankara has already shared voice recordings linked to the murder with a number of countries including Saudi Arabia, the United States and its Western allies.

'Global fallout' 
Khashoggi's killing has plunged the world's top oil exporter into its worst diplomatic crisis since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, in which most of the hijackers were identified as Saudi nationals.

After first insisting Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, Saudi authorities said he was killed in an argument that degenerated into a brawl before finally accepting what Turkey had said virtually from the start -- that he was killed in a premeditated hit.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order to murder Khashoggi came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government.

The global fallout over the murder has tainted the image of 33-year-old Prince Mohammed -- the de facto ruler and heir apparent -- despite persistent Saudi denials that he was involved.

Khashoggi's murder has also led to increased scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's role in the Yemen war, which has pushed the impoverished country to the brink of famine.

The journalist went into self-imposed exile in the United States in 2017 after falling out with Prince Mohammed.

Five Saudi officials face the death penalty for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was not involved, the prosecutor said Thursday.

Five Saudi officials face the death penalty for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was not involved, the prosecutor said Thursday. The announcement follows growing international outcry over the killing of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi rulers who was last seen entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain paperwork for his marriage. Khashoggi died after being drugged and then dismembered, a spokesman for the public prosecutor's office said in the first Saudi confirmation of how he was killed. The journalist's body parts were then handed over to an agent outside the consulate grounds, the spokesman said. He denied Prince Mohammed had any knowledge of the murder. The deputy chief of Saudi Arabia's intelligence, General Ahmed al-Assiri, gave the order to repatriate Khashoggi -- and "the head of the negotiating team" that flew to the Istanbul consulate had ordered his murder, the spokesman said. After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia finally admitted in mid-October that Khashoggi had been murdered at the compound, but blamed it on a "rogue" operation. The prosecutor has requested the death penalty for the five who "are charged with ordering and committing the crime and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals," an official statement published by state news agency SPA said. It said a total of 21 individuals were in custody in connection with the killing, 11 of whom have been indicted with investigations to continue into the others. Turkey on Wednesday called for an international investigation into the murder. Ankara has already shared voice recordings linked to the murder with a number of countries including Saudi Arabia, the United States and its Western allies. 'Global fallout' Khashoggi's killing has plunged the world's top oil exporter into its worst diplomatic crisis since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, in which most of the hijackers were identified as Saudi nationals. After first insisting Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, Saudi authorities said he was killed in an argument that degenerated into a brawl before finally accepting what Turkey had said virtually from the start -- that he was killed in a premeditated hit. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order to murder Khashoggi came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government. The global fallout over the murder has tainted the image of 33-year-old Prince Mohammed -- the de facto ruler and heir apparent -- despite persistent Saudi denials that he was involved. Khashoggi's murder has also led to increased scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's role in the Yemen war, which has pushed the impoverished country to the brink of famine. The journalist went into self-imposed exile in the United States in 2017 after falling out with Prince Mohammed.

Khashoggi killing: Saudi Arabia says Crown Prince Salman was not involved

Turkey on Thursday said the Saudi statement over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "insufficient" and insisted that the killing was "premeditated."

"We find all those steps positive but insufficient," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a televised speech.

His comments came shortly after Saudi Arabia admitted that 59-year-old Khashoggi was drugged and dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate last month.

Riyadh's public prosecutor said the journalist's body parts were then handed over to an agent outside the consulate grounds and that five Saudi officials were facing the death penalty over the murder.

"I want to say personally that I don't find some of the statements satisfactory," Cavusoglu said. "This murder was premeditated."

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was last seen stepping into the doors of the Istanbul consulate to obtain paperwork for his marriage to a Turkish woman.&nbsp;

Turkey has said he was murdered and his body was cut into pieces. After denials, Riyadh admitted that the man was killed in a "rogue" operation.

On Thursday, a spokesman for the Saudi public prosecutor's office said the deputy chief of Saudi intelligence, General Ahmed al-Assiri, had given an order to force Khashoggi home -- and "the head of the negotiating team" that flew to Istanbul had ordered his murder.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order came from "the highest levels" of the Riyadh government but stopped short of pointing the finger of blame at the Saudi crown prince.

Cavusoglu said: "Those who gave the command, as well as instigators, should also be clarified and this process should not be covered up."

He said Turkey would continue to do what was necessary "to shed light on this murder in all its aspects."

Turkey on Thursday said the Saudi statement over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "insufficient" and insisted that the killing was "premeditated." "We find all those steps positive but insufficient," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a televised speech.

Turkey on Thursday said the Saudi statement over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "insufficient" and insisted that the killing was "premeditated." "We find all those steps positive but insufficient," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a televised speech. His comments came shortly after Saudi Arabia admitted that 59-year-old Khashoggi was drugged and dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate last month. Riyadh's public prosecutor said the journalist's body parts were then handed over to an agent outside the consulate grounds and that five Saudi officials were facing the death penalty over the murder. "I want to say personally that I don't find some of the statements satisfactory," Cavusoglu said. "This murder was premeditated." Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was last seen stepping into the doors of the Istanbul consulate to obtain paperwork for his marriage to a Turkish woman. Turkey has said he was murdered and his body was cut into pieces. After denials, Riyadh admitted that the man was killed in a "rogue" operation. On Thursday, a spokesman for the Saudi public prosecutor's office said the deputy chief of Saudi intelligence, General Ahmed al-Assiri, had given an order to force Khashoggi home -- and "the head of the negotiating team" that flew to Istanbul had ordered his murder. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order came from "the highest levels" of the Riyadh government but stopped short of pointing the finger of blame at the Saudi crown prince. Cavusoglu said: "Those who gave the command, as well as instigators, should also be clarified and this process should not be covered up." He said Turkey would continue to do what was necessary "to shed light on this murder in all its aspects."

Turkey says Saudi explanation of Khashoggi murder 'insufficient'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/theresa-may-says-no-brexit-is-an-alternative-to-draft-deal-177526">UK PM May says 'no Brexit' is alternative to draft deal after 4 ministers quit</a>

Prime Minister Theresa May told British MPs Thursday that they faced the possibility of Britain exiting the EU with no deal or no Brexit at all if they failed to back her draft agreement with Brussels.

"We can choose to leave with no deal, we can risk no Brexit at all or we can choose to unite and support the best deal that can be negotiated," May told parliament, to cheers from some lawmakers when she mentioned the possibility of no Brexit.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killing-saudi-arabia-says-crown-prince-salman-was-not-involved-5-others-face-death-penalty-for-the-murder-177533">Khashoggi killing: Saudi Arabia says Crown Prince Salman was not involved, 5 others face </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killing-saudi-arabia-says-crown-prince-salman-was-not-involved-5-others-face-death-penalty-for-the-murder-177533">death</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killing-saudi-arabia-says-crown-prince-salman-was-not-involved-5-others-face-death-penalty-for-the-murder-177533"> penalty</a>

Five Saudi officials face the death penalty for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was not involved, the prosecutor said Thursday.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-double-murder-after-killing-3-accused-went-to-police-station-confessed-177525">Delhi double murder: After killing, 3 accused went to </a><a class="gr-progress" href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-double-murder-after-killing-3-accused-went-to-police-station-confessed-177525">police</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-double-murder-after-killing-3-accused-went-to-police-station-confessed-177525"> station &amp; confessed</a>

Fashion designer Mala Lakhani and her domestic help Bahadhur were murdered late Wednesday night in Delhi's Vasant Kunj.&nbsp;

Three men have been arrested for the murder. Police said the men murdered Lakhani and Bahadur and robbed valuables from her home.&nbsp;

"Lakhani had set up a workshop in her house for cutting and tailoring. Accused Rahul was working as a tailor master there. He along with his associates Rahmat and Wasim made a plan to murder. They stole valuables from the house," Delhi Police told ANI.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-agree-on-importance-of-maintaining-peace-along-border-177542">India, China agree on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-agree-on-importance-of-maintaining-peace-along-border-177542">importance</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-agree-on-importance-of-maintaining-peace-along-border-177542"> of maintaining peace along </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-agree-on-importance-of-maintaining-peace-along-border-177542">border</a>

A year after the Doklam standoff, top defence officials of India and China have agreed on the importance of maintaining peace in the border areas while implementing the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at Wuhan.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/france-is-us-ally-not-vassal-state-macron-hits-back-at-trump-177519">France is US ally, not vassal state: Macron hits back at Trump</a>

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday told Donald Trump that France was the United States' ally and not a vassal state after the US president attacked him in a series of tweets that demonstrated how much their relationship had soured.

UK PM May says 'no Brexit' is alternative to draft deal after 4 ministers quit Prime Minister Theresa May told British MPs Thursday that they faced the possibility of Britain exiting the EU with no deal or no Brexit at all if they failed to back her draft agreement with Brussels.

UK PM May says 'no Brexit' is alternative to draft deal after 4 ministers quit Prime Minister Theresa May told British MPs Thursday that they faced the possibility of Britain exiting the EU with no deal or no Brexit at all if they failed to back her draft agreement with Brussels. "We can choose to leave with no deal, we can risk no Brexit at all or we can choose to unite and support the best deal that can be negotiated," May told parliament, to cheers from some lawmakers when she mentioned the possibility of no Brexit. Khashoggi killing: Saudi Arabia says Crown Prince Salman was not involved, 5 others face death penalty Five Saudi officials face the death penalty for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was not involved, the prosecutor said Thursday. Delhi double murder: After killing, 3 accused went to police station & confessed Fashion designer Mala Lakhani and her domestic help Bahadhur were murdered late Wednesday night in Delhi's Vasant Kunj. Three men have been arrested for the murder. Police said the men murdered Lakhani and Bahadur and robbed valuables from her home. "Lakhani had set up a workshop in her house for cutting and tailoring. Accused Rahul was working as a tailor master there. He along with his associates Rahmat and Wasim made a plan to murder. They stole valuables from the house," Delhi Police told ANI. India, China agree on importance of maintaining peace along border A year after the Doklam standoff, top defence officials of India and China have agreed on the importance of maintaining peace in the border areas while implementing the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at Wuhan. France is US ally, not vassal state: Macron hits back at Trump President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday told Donald Trump that France was the United States' ally and not a vassal state after the US president attacked him in a series of tweets that demonstrated how much their relationship had soured.

A complex man of contradictions, journalist Jamal Khashoggi went from being a Saudi royal family insider to an outspoken critic of the ultra-conservative kingdom's government, and was ultimately killed inside its consulate in Istanbul.

In his final column for The Washington Post, Khashoggi perhaps presciently pleaded for greater freedom of expression in the Middle East.

"The Arab world is facing its own version of an Iron Curtain, imposed not by external actors but through domestic forces vying for power," he wrote.

"The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events. More important, we need to provide a platform for Arab voices," Khashoggi wrote.

The Saudi journalist -- who disappeared after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul on October 2 -- went into self-imposed exile in the United States in 2017 after falling out with Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

His disappearance was initially shrouded in mystery, and triggered an international crisis for both Riyadh and Washington as Turkish officials accused Saudi Arabia of a state-sponsored killing.

Riyadh, after insisting that Khashoggi left its consulate alive, said more than two weeks afterwards that he died in a "brawl" that arose from a dispute with people he met there.

Three weeks on, the Saudi public prosecutor said the murder was "premeditated" according to information supplied by Turkey.

On Thursday, the public prosecutor sought the death penalty for five Saudi officials accused of the murder as he admitted Khashoggi was drugged and dismembered inside the Istanbul mission.

Bin Laden to Brotherhood

Khashoggi came from a prominent Saudi family with Turkish origins.

His grandfather, Mohammed Khashoggi, was the personal doctor of Saudi Arabia's founder, King Abdul Aziz al-Saud. His uncle was the notorious arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi.

A friend of the young Osama bin Laden, a Muslim Brotherhood sympathiser, an aide to the Saudi royal family, a critic of the kingdom's regime and a liberal -- such conflicting descriptions were all ascribed to Khashoggi.&nbsp;

After graduating from Indiana State University in 1982, he began working for Saudi newspapers, including the Saudi Gazette and Al-Sharq al-Awsat. 
Sent to cover the conflict in Afghanistan, Khashoggi sympathised with the mujahedeen in the 1980s war against the Soviet occupation, which was funded by the Saudis and the CIA.

He was known to have been drawn to the Brotherhood's policies seeking to erase the remnants of Western colonialism from the Arab world.

It was this shared vision that brought him closer to Bin Laden, who went on to found Al-Qaeda, which carried out the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

'Too progressive'

Born in the Saudi holy city of Medina on October 13, 1958, Khashoggi spent his youth studying Islamic ideology and embraced liberal ideas.

But Saudi authorities came to see Khashoggi as too progressive and he was forced to resign as editor-in-chief of the Saudi daily Al-Watan in 2003 after serving just 54 days.&nbsp;

Over the years, he maintained ambiguous ties with Saudi authorities, having held advisory positions in Riyadh and Washington, including to Prince Turki al-Faisal, who ran Saudi Arabia's intelligence agency for more than 20 years.

When Faisal was appointed ambassador to Washington in 2005, Khashoggi went with him. 
In 2007, Khashoggi returned to Al-Watan newspaper, lasting almost three years before being fired for "his editorial style," according to his website.

He became close to Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, and together they launched in Manama a 24-hour news station, Al-Arab.

But staunch Saudi ally Bahrain shut the station down in 2015, less than 24 hours after it broadcast an interview with an opposition official.&nbsp;

Khashoggi fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017, just months after Prince Mohammed was named heir to the throne.

He spoke out against a Saudi-led boycott of Qatar and also criticised Prince Mohammed for stifling debate about his reforms.

Khashoggi made his fateful visit to the Istanbul consulate in order to obtain the papers he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz.

A complex man of contradictions, journalist Jamal Khashoggi went from being a Saudi royal family insider to an outspoken critic of the ultra-conservative kingdom's government, and was ultimately killed inside its consulate in Istanbul.

A complex man of contradictions, journalist Jamal Khashoggi went from being a Saudi royal family insider to an outspoken critic of the ultra-conservative kingdom's government, and was ultimately killed inside its consulate in Istanbul. In his final column for The Washington Post, Khashoggi perhaps presciently pleaded for greater freedom of expression in the Middle East. "The Arab world is facing its own version of an Iron Curtain, imposed not by external actors but through domestic forces vying for power," he wrote. "The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events. More important, we need to provide a platform for Arab voices," Khashoggi wrote. The Saudi journalist -- who disappeared after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul on October 2 -- went into self-imposed exile in the United States in 2017 after falling out with Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. His disappearance was initially shrouded in mystery, and triggered an international crisis for both Riyadh and Washington as Turkish officials accused Saudi Arabia of a state-sponsored killing. Riyadh, after insisting that Khashoggi left its consulate alive, said more than two weeks afterwards that he died in a "brawl" that arose from a dispute with people he met there. Three weeks on, the Saudi public prosecutor said the murder was "premeditated" according to information supplied by Turkey. On Thursday, the public prosecutor sought the death penalty for five Saudi officials accused of the murder as he admitted Khashoggi was drugged and dismembered inside the Istanbul mission. Bin Laden to Brotherhood Khashoggi came from a prominent Saudi family with Turkish origins. His grandfather, Mohammed Khashoggi, was the personal doctor of Saudi Arabia's founder, King Abdul Aziz al-Saud. His uncle was the notorious arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. A friend of the young Osama bin Laden, a Muslim Brotherhood sympathiser, an aide to the Saudi royal family, a critic of the kingdom's regime and a liberal -- such conflicting descriptions were all ascribed to Khashoggi. After graduating from Indiana State University in 1982, he began working for Saudi newspapers, including the Saudi Gazette and Al-Sharq al-Awsat. Sent to cover the conflict in Afghanistan, Khashoggi sympathised with the mujahedeen in the 1980s war against the Soviet occupation, which was funded by the Saudis and the CIA. He was known to have been drawn to the Brotherhood's policies seeking to erase the remnants of Western colonialism from the Arab world. It was this shared vision that brought him closer to Bin Laden, who went on to found Al-Qaeda, which carried out the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. 'Too progressive' Born in the Saudi holy city of Medina on October 13, 1958, Khashoggi spent his youth studying Islamic ideology and embraced liberal ideas. But Saudi authorities came to see Khashoggi as too progressive and he was forced to resign as editor-in-chief of the Saudi daily Al-Watan in 2003 after serving just 54 days. Over the years, he maintained ambiguous ties with Saudi authorities, having held advisory positions in Riyadh and Washington, including to Prince Turki al-Faisal, who ran Saudi Arabia's intelligence agency for more than 20 years. When Faisal was appointed ambassador to Washington in 2005, Khashoggi went with him. In 2007, Khashoggi returned to Al-Watan newspaper, lasting almost three years before being fired for "his editorial style," according to his website. He became close to Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, and together they launched in Manama a 24-hour news station, Al-Arab. But staunch Saudi ally Bahrain shut the station down in 2015, less than 24 hours after it broadcast an interview with an opposition official. Khashoggi fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017, just months after Prince Mohammed was named heir to the throne. He spoke out against a Saudi-led boycott of Qatar and also criticised Prince Mohammed for stifling debate about his reforms. Khashoggi made his fateful visit to the Istanbul consulate in order to obtain the papers he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz.

Khashoggi: From Saudi royal insider to open critic

Audio linked to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/jamal-khashoggi-murder-saudi-kill-teams-luggage-contained-syringes-scissors-says-report-177063">Jamal Khashoggi's murder</a> inside Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate does not implicate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Tuesday, citing others who have heard the tapes.

Turkey has previously said it shared <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/im-suffocating-take-this-bag-off-my-head-jamal-khashoggis-last-words-176839">recordings linked to the murder</a> of Khashoggi - a Saudi dissident and fierce critic of the crown prince - with officials in Riyadh, Washington and other capitals.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-was-dead-in-twenty-minutes-says-tura-khislakchi-as-he-unfolds-the-incident-to-wion-173771">Khashoggi</a> was last seen entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain documents for his forthcoming marriage.

After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia finally admitted the 59-year-old had been murdered at the mission in a "rogue" operation.

Bolton, speaking to reporters in Singapore ahead of a regional summit, was asked whether it was right to say the audio contained nothing that implicated the crown prince. &nbsp;

"I haven't listened to the tape myself but in the assessment of those who have listened to it that’s right," he said.

Khashoggi's brazen murder has caused intense speculation over what, if anything, Crown Prince Salman might have known about the operation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order to murder Khashoggi came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government and pointedly failed to absolve Crown Prince Salman of responsibility.

The New York Times reported that a member of the team at the consulate had told a superior by phone to "tell your boss", suspected to be the crown prince, that the operation had been accomplished.

The Trump administration embraced the young prince as a reform-minded ally, but the murder of Khashoggi - a US resident - has soured that narrative.

Bolton emphasised that Trump has demanded a full investigation from the Saudis and for those responsible to be held accountable. &nbsp;

"The president has made it very clear that he expects we’re going to get the truth from the Saudis - and the king and the crown prince, in the conversations they’ve had with the president, have committed to that," he said.

But Trump has also emphasised America's important commercial, strategic and national security relationships with the petro-state as well as lucrative arms contracts.

Audio linked to Jamal Khashoggi's murder inside Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate does not implicate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Tuesday, citing others who have heard the tapes.

Audio linked to Jamal Khashoggi's murder inside Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate does not implicate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Tuesday, citing others who have heard the tapes. Turkey has previously said it shared recordings linked to the murder of Khashoggi - a Saudi dissident and fierce critic of the crown prince - with officials in Riyadh, Washington and other capitals. Khashoggi was last seen entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain documents for his forthcoming marriage. After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia finally admitted the 59-year-old had been murdered at the mission in a "rogue" operation. Bolton, speaking to reporters in Singapore ahead of a regional summit, was asked whether it was right to say the audio contained nothing that implicated the crown prince. "I haven't listened to the tape myself but in the assessment of those who have listened to it that’s right," he said. Khashoggi's brazen murder has caused intense speculation over what, if anything, Crown Prince Salman might have known about the operation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order to murder Khashoggi came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government and pointedly failed to absolve Crown Prince Salman of responsibility. The New York Times reported that a member of the team at the consulate had told a superior by phone to "tell your boss", suspected to be the crown prince, that the operation had been accomplished. The Trump administration embraced the young prince as a reform-minded ally, but the murder of Khashoggi - a US resident - has soured that narrative. Bolton emphasised that Trump has demanded a full investigation from the Saudis and for those responsible to be held accountable. "The president has made it very clear that he expects we’re going to get the truth from the Saudis - and the king and the crown prince, in the conversations they’ve had with the president, have committed to that," he said. But Trump has also emphasised America's important commercial, strategic and national security relationships with the petro-state as well as lucrative arms contracts.

Khashoggi murder tapes do not implicate Mohammed bin Salman: US's Bolton

A Turkish newspaper has said Jamal Khashoggi's last words were: "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-was-dead-in-twenty-minutes-says-tura-khislakchi-as-he-unfolds-the-incident-to-wion-173771">I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head</a>, I'm claustrophobic."&nbsp;

The revelation was made by the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah, which said Khashoggi's murder took seven minutes.&nbsp;

Sabah added that it would soon release audio of Khashoggi's last minutes.&nbsp;

Khashoggi — he was a columnist for the Washington Post columnist and a critic of the Saudi Arabian regime — was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2.&nbsp;

Khashoggi had gone to the consulate to pick up papers that would allow him to remarry.&nbsp;

The revelations about Khashoggi's last words and the time take to kill him were made by Nazif Karaman, head of investigations at Daily Sabah, to Al Jazeera.&nbsp;

The Saudis had at first denied any knowledge of the murder, before finally confessing to it two weeks later.&nbsp;

News reports have since said a 15-man hit squad was flown into Istanbul to kill Khashoggi. That his body was dismembered with a bone saw after the killing and dissolved in acid before being disposed of.&nbsp;

Khashoggi's body or the remains of it have not yet been found.&nbsp;

Karaman told Al Jazeera the hit squad had covered the floor with plastic bags before dismembering Khashoggi's body

Karaman said the Sabah would soon publish images of the tools the hit squad brought into Turkey. He added that his newspaper would also publish recordings that document the last moments of Khashoggi's life.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A Turkish newspaper has said Jamal Khashoggi's last words were: "I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head, I'm claustrophobic." The revelation was made by the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah, which said Khashoggi's murder took seven minutes.

A Turkish newspaper has said Jamal Khashoggi's last words were: "I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head, I'm claustrophobic." The revelation was made by the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah, which said Khashoggi's murder took seven minutes. Sabah added that it would soon release audio of Khashoggi's last minutes. Khashoggi — he was a columnist for the Washington Post columnist and a critic of the Saudi Arabian regime — was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2. Khashoggi had gone to the consulate to pick up papers that would allow him to remarry. The revelations about Khashoggi's last words and the time take to kill him were made by Nazif Karaman, head of investigations at Daily Sabah, to Al Jazeera. The Saudis had at first denied any knowledge of the murder, before finally confessing to it two weeks later. News reports have since said a 15-man hit squad was flown into Istanbul to kill Khashoggi. That his body was dismembered with a bone saw after the killing and dissolved in acid before being disposed of. Khashoggi's body or the remains of it have not yet been found. Karaman told Al Jazeera the hit squad had covered the floor with plastic bags before dismembering Khashoggi's body Karaman said the Sabah would soon publish images of the tools the hit squad brought into Turkey. He added that his newspaper would also publish recordings that document the last moments of Khashoggi's life.

I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head: Jamal Khashoggi's last words

US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan met in Paris on Sunday. The meeting came on the sidelines of a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on the occasion of the Armistice Day commemorations.

The meeting comes amid&nbsp;international pressure mounting&nbsp;on the Trump administration to adopt a stricter stance on Saudi Arabia over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

According to a Reuters report, the two leaders discussed how to respond to Khashoggi's killing.&nbsp;

Khashoggi, a critic of ruling Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered at the kingdom's Istanbul consulate by a team sent from Riyadh. Saudi authorities have acknowledged that the killing was premeditated, but his body has not been found.

As per a report published in a Turkish newspaper on Saturday, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-journalist-khashoggi-corpse-went-down-the-drains-report-176538">Khashoggi's killers poured his remains down the drain</a> after dissolving him in acid.

Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources, AFP reported.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Erdogan on Saturday noted that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-tapes-given-to-key-foreign-nations-turkeys-erdogan-176556">Turkey has given recordings related to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi</a> to Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain.

"We gave the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to the United States, Germans, French and British, all of them. They have listened to all the conversations in them. They know," Erdogan said.

"There's no need to distort this issue, they know for certain that the killer, or the killers, is among these 15 people. Saudi Arabia's government can disclose this by making these 15 people talk," Erdogan was quoted by news agency Reuters.

Saudi journalist Khashoggi disappeared at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. He was a Washington Post columnist and was known to have been critical of the Saudi government and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan met in Paris on Sunday. The meeting came on the sidelines of a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on the occasion of the Armistice Day commemorations.

US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan met in Paris on Sunday. The meeting came on the sidelines of a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on the occasion of the Armistice Day commemorations. The meeting comes amid international pressure mounting on the Trump administration to adopt a stricter stance on Saudi Arabia over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. According to a Reuters report, the two leaders discussed how to respond to Khashoggi's killing. Khashoggi, a critic of ruling Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered at the kingdom's Istanbul consulate by a team sent from Riyadh. Saudi authorities have acknowledged that the killing was premeditated, but his body has not been found. As per a report published in a Turkish newspaper on Saturday, Khashoggi's killers poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid. Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources, AFP reported. Meanwhile, Erdogan on Saturday noted that Turkey has given recordings related to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain. "We gave the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to the United States, Germans, French and British, all of them. They have listened to all the conversations in them. They know," Erdogan said. "There's no need to distort this issue, they know for certain that the killer, or the killers, is among these 15 people. Saudi Arabia's government can disclose this by making these 15 people talk," Erdogan was quoted by news agency Reuters. Saudi journalist Khashoggi disappeared at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. He was a Washington Post columnist and was known to have been critical of the Saudi government and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump, Erdogan met in Paris, discussed how to respond to Khashoggi's killing

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-journalist-khashoggi-corpse-went-down-the-drains-report-176538">Saudi journalist Khashoggi's corpse went down the drains: Report</a>

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid, a Turkish newspaper reported Saturday.

Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-blames-forest-mismanagement-for-california-wildfire-176536">No reason for these massive forest fires in California except that management is so poor: Trump</a>

Two monster wildfires burned out of control on Saturday in northern and southern California, having already killed at least nine people and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-presses-china-to-halt-militarization-of-south-china-sea-176537">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-presses-china-to-halt-militarization-of-south-china-sea-176537"> presses China to halt militarization of South China Sea</a>

Standing side by side, top US officials urged their Chinese counterparts on Friday to halt militarization of the disputed South China Sea, drawing a rebuke from the Chinese for sending US warships close to islands claimed by Beijing.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-anti-graft-body-arrests-pml-n-chief-shehbaz-sharif-in-another-corruption-case-176540">Pak anti-graft body arrests PML-N chief </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-anti-graft-body-arrests-pml-n-chief-shehbaz-sharif-in-another-corruption-case-176540">Shehbaz</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-anti-graft-body-arrests-pml-n-chief-shehbaz-sharif-in-another-corruption-case-176540"> Sharif in another corruption case&nbsp;</a>

Pakistan's anti-graft body on Saturday arrested opposition leader and PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif in another corruption case and had his physical remand extended till November 24.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-economic-growth-held-back-due-to-demonetisation-gst-raghuram-rajan-176545">India's economic growth held back due to demonetisation, GST: Raghuram Rajan&nbsp;</a>

Demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) are the two major headwinds that held back India's economic growth last year, former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has said, asserting that the current seven per cent growth rate is not enough to meet the country's needs.

Saudi journalist Khashoggi's corpse went down the drains: Report The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid, a Turkish newspaper reported Saturday.

Saudi journalist Khashoggi's corpse went down the drains: Report The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid, a Turkish newspaper reported Saturday. Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources. No reason for these massive forest fires in California except that management is so poor: Trump Two monster wildfires burned out of control on Saturday in northern and southern California, having already killed at least nine people and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. US presses China to halt militarization of South China Sea Standing side by side, top US officials urged their Chinese counterparts on Friday to halt militarization of the disputed South China Sea, drawing a rebuke from the Chinese for sending US warships close to islands claimed by Beijing. Pak anti-graft body arrests PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif in another corruption case Pakistan's anti-graft body on Saturday arrested opposition leader and PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif in another corruption case and had his physical remand extended till November 24. India's economic growth held back due to demonetisation, GST: Raghuram Rajan Demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) are the two major headwinds that held back India's economic growth last year, former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has said, asserting that the current seven per cent growth rate is not enough to meet the country's needs.

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid, a Turkish newspaper reported Saturday.

Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources.

This led investigators to believe the dead body of the insider-turned-critic of the Riyadh regime was disposed of through the drains as liquid, the paper said.

Khashoggi was last seen entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain documents for his forthcoming marriage. His body has never been found.

After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia finally admitted the 59-year-old had been murdered at the mission in a "rogue" operation.

However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the "highest levels" of the Saudi government of ordering the hit, while some officials have pointed the finger at the all-powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Erdogan, suggested last week the body may have been dissolved in acid.

And on Monday, a Turkish official said Saudi Arabia sent two experts to Istanbul with the specific aim of covering up evidence after the murder.

Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz took to Twitter on Thursday writing, "I'm unable to express my sorrow to hear about dissolving your body, Jamal!"

"They killed you and chopped up your body, depriving me and your family of conducting your funeral prayer and burying you in Madinah as wished."

A Turkish official this week confirmed a Sabah report that chemicals expert Ahmad Abdulaziz al-Janobi and toxicology expert Khaled Yahya al-Zahrani were among a team sent from Saudi amid investigations into the murder.

The paper said they visited the consulate every day from their arrival on October 11 until October 17. Saudi Arabia only allowed Turkish police to search the building on October 15.

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid, a Turkish newspaper reported Saturday. Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources.

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid, a Turkish newspaper reported Saturday. Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources. This led investigators to believe the dead body of the insider-turned-critic of the Riyadh regime was disposed of through the drains as liquid, the paper said. Khashoggi was last seen entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain documents for his forthcoming marriage. His body has never been found. After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia finally admitted the 59-year-old had been murdered at the mission in a "rogue" operation. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the "highest levels" of the Saudi government of ordering the hit, while some officials have pointed the finger at the all-powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Erdogan, suggested last week the body may have been dissolved in acid. And on Monday, a Turkish official said Saudi Arabia sent two experts to Istanbul with the specific aim of covering up evidence after the murder. Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz took to Twitter on Thursday writing, "I'm unable to express my sorrow to hear about dissolving your body, Jamal!" "They killed you and chopped up your body, depriving me and your family of conducting your funeral prayer and burying you in Madinah as wished." A Turkish official this week confirmed a Sabah report that chemicals expert Ahmad Abdulaziz al-Janobi and toxicology expert Khaled Yahya al-Zahrani were among a team sent from Saudi amid investigations into the murder. The paper said they visited the consulate every day from their arrival on October 11 until October 17. Saudi Arabia only allowed Turkish police to search the building on October 15.

Saudi journalist Khashoggi's corpse went down the drains: Report

Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for a potentially more strained relationship with the United States in the wake of Democrats gaining control of the House of Representatives in this week's mid-term elections and mounting Turkish efforts to corner the kingdom in the Khashoggi crisis.

To counter possible US pressure, the kingdom is exploring opportunities to diversify its arms suppliers and build a domestic defense industry. It is also rallying the wagons at home with financial handouts and new development projects in a bid to bolster domestic support for crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Democrats' election victory has strengthened Saudi concerns that the Trump administration may pressure the kingdom to back down on key issues like the Yemen war that has sparked the world's worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two and the 17-month old Saudi-United Arab Emirates-led economic and diplomatic boycott of Qatar.

US officials have argued that Saudi policies complicate their efforts to isolate and economically cripple Iran.

The officials assert that the boycott of Qatar and the fallout of the October 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul constitute obstacles to the creation of a Sunni Muslim alliance against the Islamic republic, dubbed an Arab NATO, as well as the achievement of other US goals in the Middle East, including countering political violence and ensuring the free flow of oil.

Going a step further, senior Israelis say they have given up on the notion of a Sunni Muslim alliance whose interests would be aligned with those of the Jewish state and see their budding relations with Gulf states increasingly in transactional terms.

The Trump administration signalled its concerns even before the killing of Khashoggi.

"Our regional partners are increasingly competing and, in the case of the Qatar rift, entering into outright competition to the detriment of American interests and to the benefit of Iran, Russia and China," National Security Adviser John Bolton wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in a letter late summer, according to Reuters.

With the House expected to be tougher on arms sales to the kingdom and possibly go as far as imposing an arms embargo because of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen caused by Saudi and UAE military operations, Saudi Arabia has wasted no time in casting around for alternative weapons suppliers.

In apparent recognition that the Saudi military, reliant on US and European arms acquisitions, would find it difficult to quickly shift to Russian or Chinese systems, Saudi Arabia appears for now to be focussing on alternative Western suppliers.

That could prove to be risky with anti-Saudi sentiment because of the Yemen war also running high in European parliaments and countries like Spain and Germany either teetering on the brink of sanctions or having toyed with restrictions on weapons sales to the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia, nonetheless, has in recent days contracted Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to jointly build five corvettes for the Saudi navy and offered South African state-owned defense group Denel $1 billion to help the kingdom build a domestic defense industry.

The partnership with Denel would involve Saudi Arabia taking a minority stake in German defense contractor Rheinmetall, which designs armoured fighting vehicles and howitzers.

With sale of the US-made precision-guided munitions bogged down in Congress, Spain has stepped in to address Saudi Arabia's immediate need. The question is however whether Spain can fully meet Saudi demand.

A US refusal already before the Gulf crisis and the Khashoggi incident to share with Saudi Arabia its most advanced drone technology, paved the way for Chinese agreement to open its first overseas defense production facility in the kingdom.

State-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) will manufacture its CH-4 Caihong, or Rainbow drone, as well as associated equipment in Saudi Arabia. The CH-4 is comparable to the US armed MQ-9 Reaper drone.

Saudi Arabia also fears that Democratic control of the House could strengthen opposition to a nuclear energy agreement with the kingdom. Five Republican senators called on President Donald J. Trump days before the mid-term election to suspend talks with Saudi Arabia.

Development of a defense industry would over time serve Prince Mohammed's efforts to diversify the Saudi economy and create jobs.

So would &nbsp;King Salman's inauguration this week of 259 development projects worth US$6.13 billion ranging from tourism, electricity, environment, water, agriculture, housing, and transport to energy. &nbsp;King Salman launched the projects during a curtailed visit to Saudi provinces designed to bolster support for his regime as well as his son, Prince Mohammed

On the other hand, the government's most recent decision to restore annual bonuses and allowances for civil servants and military personnel without linking them to performance constitutes an attempt to curry public favour that runs contrary to Prince Mohammed's intention to streamline the bureaucracy and stimulate competition.

Bonuses were cut in 2016 as part of austerity measures. They were restored last year and linked in May to job performance.

In a further populist move, King Salman also pardoned prisoners serving time on financial charges and promised to pay the debts up to US$267,000 of each one of them.

King Salman's moves appear designed to lessen Saudi dependence on US arms sales and project a united front against any attempt to implicate Prince Mohammed in the death of Khashoggi.

The moves come as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists that the order to kill the journalist came "from the highest levels of the Saudi government" and the Trump administration demands Saudi action against the perpetrators and those responsible for the murder.

Failure to be seen to be taking credible action may not undermine King Salman's rallying of the wagons at home but will do little to weaken calls in Washington as well as European capitals for tougher action in a bid to force Saudi Arabia to come clean on the Khashoggi case and adopt a more conciliatory approach towards ending the Yemen war and resolving the Gulf crisis.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for a potentially more strained relationship with the United States in the wake of Democrats gaining control of the House of Representatives in this week's mid-term elections and mounting Turkish efforts to corner the kingdom in the Khashoggi crisis.

Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for a potentially more strained relationship with the United States in the wake of Democrats gaining control of the House of Representatives in this week's mid-term elections and mounting Turkish efforts to corner the kingdom in the Khashoggi crisis. To counter possible US pressure, the kingdom is exploring opportunities to diversify its arms suppliers and build a domestic defense industry. It is also rallying the wagons at home with financial handouts and new development projects in a bid to bolster domestic support for crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Democrats' election victory has strengthened Saudi concerns that the Trump administration may pressure the kingdom to back down on key issues like the Yemen war that has sparked the world's worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two and the 17-month old Saudi-United Arab Emirates-led economic and diplomatic boycott of Qatar. US officials have argued that Saudi policies complicate their efforts to isolate and economically cripple Iran. The officials assert that the boycott of Qatar and the fallout of the October 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul constitute obstacles to the creation of a Sunni Muslim alliance against the Islamic republic, dubbed an Arab NATO, as well as the achievement of other US goals in the Middle East, including countering political violence and ensuring the free flow of oil. Going a step further, senior Israelis say they have given up on the notion of a Sunni Muslim alliance whose interests would be aligned with those of the Jewish state and see their budding relations with Gulf states increasingly in transactional terms. The Trump administration signalled its concerns even before the killing of Khashoggi. "Our regional partners are increasingly competing and, in the case of the Qatar rift, entering into outright competition to the detriment of American interests and to the benefit of Iran, Russia and China," National Security Adviser John Bolton wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in a letter late summer, according to Reuters. With the House expected to be tougher on arms sales to the kingdom and possibly go as far as imposing an arms embargo because of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen caused by Saudi and UAE military operations, Saudi Arabia has wasted no time in casting around for alternative weapons suppliers. In apparent recognition that the Saudi military, reliant on US and European arms acquisitions, would find it difficult to quickly shift to Russian or Chinese systems, Saudi Arabia appears for now to be focussing on alternative Western suppliers. That could prove to be risky with anti-Saudi sentiment because of the Yemen war also running high in European parliaments and countries like Spain and Germany either teetering on the brink of sanctions or having toyed with restrictions on weapons sales to the kingdom. Saudi Arabia, nonetheless, has in recent days contracted Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to jointly build five corvettes for the Saudi navy and offered South African state-owned defense group Denel $1 billion to help the kingdom build a domestic defense industry. The partnership with Denel would involve Saudi Arabia taking a minority stake in German defense contractor Rheinmetall, which designs armoured fighting vehicles and howitzers. With sale of the US-made precision-guided munitions bogged down in Congress, Spain has stepped in to address Saudi Arabia's immediate need. The question is however whether Spain can fully meet Saudi demand. A US refusal already before the Gulf crisis and the Khashoggi incident to share with Saudi Arabia its most advanced drone technology, paved the way for Chinese agreement to open its first overseas defense production facility in the kingdom. State-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) will manufacture its CH-4 Caihong, or Rainbow drone, as well as associated equipment in Saudi Arabia. The CH-4 is comparable to the US armed MQ-9 Reaper drone. Saudi Arabia also fears that Democratic control of the House could strengthen opposition to a nuclear energy agreement with the kingdom. Five Republican senators called on President Donald J. Trump days before the mid-term election to suspend talks with Saudi Arabia. Development of a defense industry would over time serve Prince Mohammed's efforts to diversify the Saudi economy and create jobs. So would King Salman's inauguration this week of 259 development projects worth US$6.13 billion ranging from tourism, electricity, environment, water, agriculture, housing, and transport to energy. King Salman launched the projects during a curtailed visit to Saudi provinces designed to bolster support for his regime as well as his son, Prince Mohammed On the other hand, the government's most recent decision to restore annual bonuses and allowances for civil servants and military personnel without linking them to performance constitutes an attempt to curry public favour that runs contrary to Prince Mohammed's intention to streamline the bureaucracy and stimulate competition. Bonuses were cut in 2016 as part of austerity measures. They were restored last year and linked in May to job performance. In a further populist move, King Salman also pardoned prisoners serving time on financial charges and promised to pay the debts up to US$267,000 of each one of them. King Salman's moves appear designed to lessen Saudi dependence on US arms sales and project a united front against any attempt to implicate Prince Mohammed in the death of Khashoggi. The moves come as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists that the order to kill the journalist came "from the highest levels of the Saudi government" and the Trump administration demands Saudi action against the perpetrators and those responsible for the murder. Failure to be seen to be taking credible action may not undermine King Salman's rallying of the wagons at home but will do little to weaken calls in Washington as well as European capitals for tougher action in a bid to force Saudi Arabia to come clean on the Khashoggi case and adopt a more conciliatory approach towards ending the Yemen war and resolving the Gulf crisis. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Khashoggi crisis: Saudi Arabia braces for tougher post-election US attitude

By Sahar Khamis

The gruesome and dramatic killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey has captivated media outlets around the world.

A columnist for the Washington Post, Khashoggi had been living in the United States since 2017 as a Saudi exile.

Some have frowned upon this excessive coverage, wondering why one particular instance of Saudi butchery was making headlines, while the Saudi-backed war in Yemen has been going on for years, has claimed the lives of thousands of children and hasn’t received a fraction of the attention.

But I think the coverage of Khashoggi’s murder is important. As an expert in Arab media, I’ve studied the cyberactivists who work to bring about political and social change in the Arab world.

For the first time, the media is bringing widespread attention to the real dangers faced every day by opponents of Arab regimes living abroad.

This was not the first, nor will it be the last, government-orchestrated crime against Arab journalists and activists who are living in exile. However, before Khashoggi’s death, many of these crimes went unnoticed or underreported.

The Arab Spring fizzles – and many flee 
 
Beginning in 2011, waves of opposition to the regimes in power swept through six Arab countries: Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain.

Known as the Arab Spring, many of these protest movements had a similar set of demands: freedom, dignity and democracy.

Some of these countries were long led by dictators, such as Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for 30 years; Moammar Gadhafi, who ruled Libya for 42 years; and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who ruled Tunisia for 23 years. It was the first time in decades that these countries witnessed popular uprisings that shook the thrones of political leaders and ousted them from power.

Tunisia was able to chart a relatively smooth, peaceful path toward reform and democratization.

But it ended up being the exception.

The rest of the Arab Spring countries had brief dalliances with democracy, only to revert to a system of political oppression and authoritarianism.

Today, Libya is torn by sectarian strife; Yemen is being bombed day and night; Syria is experiencing the worst civil war in modern history; Egypt returned to a military dictatorship far worse than Mubarak’s; and Bahrain’s uprising was suppressed.

Fearing for their lives and safety – and unable to openly organize and express themselves – many of the leading Arab Spring activists and journalists fled their home countries.

Some, such as Egyptian blogger Wael Abbas, didn’t make it out and remain imprisoned in their home countries. Others, such as Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad, are now living in exile.

Although Saudi Arabia wasn’t officially one of the Arab Spring countries, anti-government protests did crop up across the nation in 2011 and 2012. There was enough concern among the ruling class to further crackdown and suppress opposing voices.

The heightened repression and stifling of freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia forced many dissidents and opponents to flee the country and, like their Arab Spring peers, exercise their opposition in the diaspora.

For many years, Jamal Khashoggi worked as a journalist in Saudi Arabia, eventually becoming editor-in-chief of the Saudi Arabian daily al-Watan. But in 2003, authorities removed him from his position after one of his columnists wrote a piece critical of an Islamic scholar. Khashoggi moved to London, bounced around the Middle East, and regularly wrote for the Dubai-based periodical al-Arabiya.

An attack on one, an attack on all

While Khashoggi eventually relocated to the US in 2017, many political bloggers and activists who oppose Arab ruling regimes have moved to Turkey.

Ayman Nour, for example, was arrested in Egypt in 2005 for daring to run as a presidential candidate against former President Hosni Mubarak. After the military coup in Egypt in 2013, Nour founded al-Sharq, a Turkey-based opposition TV channel, which aims to expose the repression and authoritarianism of the current Egyptian regime.

Shaken by Khashoggi’s murder, he and a number of prominent Arab and Turkish figures created the group “Jamal Khashoggi Friends Association” to raise international awareness about this hideous crime and the alarming message it sends to other opponents of autocratic regimes.

To activists like Nour, the attack on Khashoggi is an attack on everyone in the Arab opposition movement in the diaspora.

Unfortunately, their safety in their host countries has been far from guaranteed. In recent years, there have been a number of tragic incidents of violence and aggression directed at some of these activists.

Last year, Ahmed Barakat broke into the Istanbul apartment of his cousin, Syrian opposition activist Orouba Barakat, and her daughter, Halla Barakat, a journalist who worked for the Syrian opposition channel Orient News TV, and gruesomely slaughtered both of them. Many suspect that Ahmed Barakat, a former Free Syrian Army fighter, had been directed by the Assad regime to carry out the murders.

In March of this year, Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was plucked from the streets of Abu Dhabi by security forces who returned her to Saudi Arabia, where she remains imprisoned.

After Khashoggi’s murder, I reached out to a Syrian-American journalist living in exile in the United States, but who has contact with people in Turkey. Due to safety concerns, she spoke with me under the condition of anonymity.

She noted that “especially after Khashoggi’s murder…the Turkish government [has] adopted tougher security measures.” But his death was only the latest. “Several Syrian opposition figures have been previously targeted and killed in Turkey,” she added.

Saudi opposition weak at home and abroad 
 
Why aren’t the loudest voices opposing Khashoggi’s murder Saudi ones?

The country is, in many ways, a paradox.

On one hand, it has a very large, young, tech-savvy population and is the country with the fourth-largest number of Twitter users in the world.

On the other hand, however, there’s no freedom of the press, and public debate is pretty much nonexistent.

This explains why there has been complete silence inside Saudi Arabia around Khashoggi’s death aside from the ruling regime’s narrative, which has evolved from denial, to evasion, to partial confession.

While there has been a growing movement of Saudi opposition in the diaspora, unlike the Egyptian and Syrian opposition movements, which have been more organized and capable of creating their own associations, Saudi opponents remain few and far between. They are mostly young activists using their social media platforms to voice individual criticisms.

One such activist is Omar Abdulaziz. A friend of Khashoggi’s, the young Saudi dissident lives in Montreal, Canada.

Using his YouTube, Twitter and Instagram accounts, Omar is openly critical of the Saudi regime for its repression, corruption and human rights violations.

His vocal opposition hasn’t gone unpunished. In August 2018, the Saudi regime arrested two of his brothers and some of his friends in an act of retaliation. Yet, Omar has insisted that he won’t be silenced, intimidated or blackmailed.

Following Khashoggi’s murder, Omar described the Saudi crown prince as an “illegitimate leader” and a “killer” on Twitter and YouTube.

Because the price of activism – even abroad – can be so high, the public-facing Abdulaziz is an exception. Most Saudi opponents will keep a much lower profile, using pseudonyms or posting anonymously.

What happens next? 
 
Authoritarian Arab regimes have tightened their grip on power and escalated their mechanisms of repression in the years since the Arab Spring uprisings.

Many of these regimes have been enabled by their own people, many of whom are either apathetic or supportive of their repressive policies: They prioritize the promise of stability over the dream of freedom.

They’ve also been emboldened by the current American administration, which practices a brand of realpolitik that prioritizes its economic interests over its values when dealing with autocrats and dictators.

But the death of Arab opponents such as Jamal Khashoggi doesn’t signal the death of Arab opposition.

With the whole world watching, texting, tweeting and chatting, I believe that many of these governments will eventually be condemned in the court of public opinion, both at home and abroad.

If anything positive came out of the tragic murder of Khashoggi, it is that there has finally been extensive global media attention given to an extrajudicial killing in the diaspora.

The Saudi regime might think twice about trying to pull off something similar.

(Sahar Khamis is Associate Professor of Communication, University of Maryland)

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/jamal-khashoggis-murder-finally-brings-media-attention-to-plight-of-arab-worlds-exiled-critics-105705">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Sahar Khamis The gruesome and dramatic killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey has captivated media outlets around the world. A columnist for the Washington Post, Khashoggi had been living in the United States since 2017 as a Saudi exile.

By Sahar Khamis The gruesome and dramatic killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey has captivated media outlets around the world. A columnist for the Washington Post, Khashoggi had been living in the United States since 2017 as a Saudi exile. Some have frowned upon this excessive coverage, wondering why one particular instance of Saudi butchery was making headlines, while the Saudi-backed war in Yemen has been going on for years, has claimed the lives of thousands of children and hasn’t received a fraction of the attention. But I think the coverage of Khashoggi’s murder is important. As an expert in Arab media, I’ve studied the cyberactivists who work to bring about political and social change in the Arab world. For the first time, the media is bringing widespread attention to the real dangers faced every day by opponents of Arab regimes living abroad. This was not the first, nor will it be the last, government-orchestrated crime against Arab journalists and activists who are living in exile. However, before Khashoggi’s death, many of these crimes went unnoticed or underreported. The Arab Spring fizzles – and many flee Beginning in 2011, waves of opposition to the regimes in power swept through six Arab countries: Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain. Known as the Arab Spring, many of these protest movements had a similar set of demands: freedom, dignity and democracy. Some of these countries were long led by dictators, such as Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for 30 years; Moammar Gadhafi, who ruled Libya for 42 years; and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who ruled Tunisia for 23 years. It was the first time in decades that these countries witnessed popular uprisings that shook the thrones of political leaders and ousted them from power. Tunisia was able to chart a relatively smooth, peaceful path toward reform and democratization. But it ended up being the exception. The rest of the Arab Spring countries had brief dalliances with democracy, only to revert to a system of political oppression and authoritarianism. Today, Libya is torn by sectarian strife; Yemen is being bombed day and night; Syria is experiencing the worst civil war in modern history; Egypt returned to a military dictatorship far worse than Mubarak’s; and Bahrain’s uprising was suppressed. Fearing for their lives and safety – and unable to openly organize and express themselves – many of the leading Arab Spring activists and journalists fled their home countries. Some, such as Egyptian blogger Wael Abbas, didn’t make it out and remain imprisoned in their home countries. Others, such as Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad, are now living in exile. Although Saudi Arabia wasn’t officially one of the Arab Spring countries, anti-government protests did crop up across the nation in 2011 and 2012. There was enough concern among the ruling class to further crackdown and suppress opposing voices. The heightened repression and stifling of freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia forced many dissidents and opponents to flee the country and, like their Arab Spring peers, exercise their opposition in the diaspora. For many years, Jamal Khashoggi worked as a journalist in Saudi Arabia, eventually becoming editor-in-chief of the Saudi Arabian daily al-Watan. But in 2003, authorities removed him from his position after one of his columnists wrote a piece critical of an Islamic scholar. Khashoggi moved to London, bounced around the Middle East, and regularly wrote for the Dubai-based periodical al-Arabiya. An attack on one, an attack on all While Khashoggi eventually relocated to the US in 2017, many political bloggers and activists who oppose Arab ruling regimes have moved to Turkey. Ayman Nour, for example, was arrested in Egypt in 2005 for daring to run as a presidential candidate against former President Hosni Mubarak. After the military coup in Egypt in 2013, Nour founded al-Sharq, a Turkey-based opposition TV channel, which aims to expose the repression and authoritarianism of the current Egyptian regime. Shaken by Khashoggi’s murder, he and a number of prominent Arab and Turkish figures created the group “Jamal Khashoggi Friends Association” to raise international awareness about this hideous crime and the alarming message it sends to other opponents of autocratic regimes. To activists like Nour, the attack on Khashoggi is an attack on everyone in the Arab opposition movement in the diaspora. Unfortunately, their safety in their host countries has been far from guaranteed. In recent years, there have been a number of tragic incidents of violence and aggression directed at some of these activists. Last year, Ahmed Barakat broke into the Istanbul apartment of his cousin, Syrian opposition activist Orouba Barakat, and her daughter, Halla Barakat, a journalist who worked for the Syrian opposition channel Orient News TV, and gruesomely slaughtered both of them. Many suspect that Ahmed Barakat, a former Free Syrian Army fighter, had been directed by the Assad regime to carry out the murders. In March of this year, Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was plucked from the streets of Abu Dhabi by security forces who returned her to Saudi Arabia, where she remains imprisoned. After Khashoggi’s murder, I reached out to a Syrian-American journalist living in exile in the United States, but who has contact with people in Turkey. Due to safety concerns, she spoke with me under the condition of anonymity. She noted that “especially after Khashoggi’s murder…the Turkish government [has] adopted tougher security measures.” But his death was only the latest. “Several Syrian opposition figures have been previously targeted and killed in Turkey,” she added. Saudi opposition weak at home and abroad Why aren’t the loudest voices opposing Khashoggi’s murder Saudi ones? The country is, in many ways, a paradox. On one hand, it has a very large, young, tech-savvy population and is the country with the fourth-largest number of Twitter users in the world. On the other hand, however, there’s no freedom of the press, and public debate is pretty much nonexistent. This explains why there has been complete silence inside Saudi Arabia around Khashoggi’s death aside from the ruling regime’s narrative, which has evolved from denial, to evasion, to partial confession. While there has been a growing movement of Saudi opposition in the diaspora, unlike the Egyptian and Syrian opposition movements, which have been more organized and capable of creating their own associations, Saudi opponents remain few and far between. They are mostly young activists using their social media platforms to voice individual criticisms. One such activist is Omar Abdulaziz. A friend of Khashoggi’s, the young Saudi dissident lives in Montreal, Canada. Using his YouTube, Twitter and Instagram accounts, Omar is openly critical of the Saudi regime for its repression, corruption and human rights violations. His vocal opposition hasn’t gone unpunished. In August 2018, the Saudi regime arrested two of his brothers and some of his friends in an act of retaliation. Yet, Omar has insisted that he won’t be silenced, intimidated or blackmailed. Following Khashoggi’s murder, Omar described the Saudi crown prince as an “illegitimate leader” and a “killer” on Twitter and YouTube. Because the price of activism – even abroad – can be so high, the public-facing Abdulaziz is an exception. Most Saudi opponents will keep a much lower profile, using pseudonyms or posting anonymously. What happens next? Authoritarian Arab regimes have tightened their grip on power and escalated their mechanisms of repression in the years since the Arab Spring uprisings. Many of these regimes have been enabled by their own people, many of whom are either apathetic or supportive of their repressive policies: They prioritize the promise of stability over the dream of freedom. They’ve also been emboldened by the current American administration, which practices a brand of realpolitik that prioritizes its economic interests over its values when dealing with autocrats and dictators. But the death of Arab opponents such as Jamal Khashoggi doesn’t signal the death of Arab opposition. With the whole world watching, texting, tweeting and chatting, I believe that many of these governments will eventually be condemned in the court of public opinion, both at home and abroad. If anything positive came out of the tragic murder of Khashoggi, it is that there has finally been extensive global media attention given to an extrajudicial killing in the diaspora. The Saudi regime might think twice about trying to pull off something similar. (Sahar Khamis is Associate Professor of Communication, University of Maryland) (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Jamal Khashoggi’s murder finally brings media attention to plight of Arab world’s exiled critics

Saudi Arabia's human right's<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-was-dead-in-twenty-minutes-says-tura-khislakchi-as-he-unfolds-the-incident-to-wion-173771"> commission chief Bandar Al Aiban </a>said that King Salman had instructed the prosecution to investigate Jamal Khashoggi's murder according to applicable Saudi laws.

"We should affirm that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded on the basis of Islamic Sharia with its provisions stemming from the realisation of the principles of justice and its criteria," Aiban said at a UN meeting.

The United States Charge d'Affaires, Mark Cassayre, said that US condemned the "premeditated killing" of Khashoggi who was allegedly killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month. Cassayre said a "thorough, conclusive and transparent investigation" was essential in accordance with "due process with results made public."

"Reports that the killing was pre-meditated are deeply alarming," Australian ambassador Sally Mansfield told the UN Human Rights Council.&nbsp;Mansfield said Australia "deplores the killing of Jamal Khashoggi". 
&nbsp; 
"The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to carrying out a fair investigation, and the hands of justice will reach all persons involved with this crime, and the investigation is still underway in accordance with the established regulations and procedures," Aiban said.

Saudi Arabia had said earlier that Khashoggi was killed in a "rogue operation" after initially denying any involvement. The kingdom's public prosecutor Saud al-Mojeb later said he was killed in a premeditated attack.

France's ambassador Francois Rivasseau said Saudi Arabia should "immediately halt imprisonment and arbitrary arrests" of journalists and activists.

The meeting was attended by diplomats of over 40 countries who called for a thorough probe into the disappearance and murder of &nbsp;Khashoggi who was a well-known critic of the Saudi regime headed by King Salman.

Khashoggi's sons on Monday demanded the return of the body as the controversy over the death of the Saudi journalist continued to seize the headlines. &nbsp;

Saudi Arabia's human right's commission chief Bandar Al Aiban said that King Salman had instructed the prosecution to investigate Jamal Khashoggi's murder according to applicable Saudi laws.

Saudi Arabia's human right's commission chief Bandar Al Aiban said that King Salman had instructed the prosecution to investigate Jamal Khashoggi's murder according to applicable Saudi laws. "We should affirm that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded on the basis of Islamic Sharia with its provisions stemming from the realisation of the principles of justice and its criteria," Aiban said at a UN meeting. The United States Charge d'Affaires, Mark Cassayre, said that US condemned the "premeditated killing" of Khashoggi who was allegedly killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month. Cassayre said a "thorough, conclusive and transparent investigation" was essential in accordance with "due process with results made public." "Reports that the killing was pre-meditated are deeply alarming," Australian ambassador Sally Mansfield told the UN Human Rights Council. Mansfield said Australia "deplores the killing of Jamal Khashoggi". "The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to carrying out a fair investigation, and the hands of justice will reach all persons involved with this crime, and the investigation is still underway in accordance with the established regulations and procedures," Aiban said. Saudi Arabia had said earlier that Khashoggi was killed in a "rogue operation" after initially denying any involvement. The kingdom's public prosecutor Saud al-Mojeb later said he was killed in a premeditated attack. France's ambassador Francois Rivasseau said Saudi Arabia should "immediately halt imprisonment and arbitrary arrests" of journalists and activists. The meeting was attended by diplomats of over 40 countries who called for a thorough probe into the disappearance and murder of Khashoggi who was a well-known critic of the Saudi regime headed by King Salman. Khashoggi's sons on Monday demanded the return of the body as the controversy over the death of the Saudi journalist continued to seize the headlines.

Government committed to carrying out fair investigation on Khashoggi: Saudi Arabia to UN

Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a top international businessman from the kingdom, said on Sunday that an official investigation into the death of journalist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-was-dead-in-twenty-minutes-says-tura-khislakchi-as-he-unfolds-the-incident-to-wion-173771">Jamal Khashoggi</a> will exonerate the country's leader.

On the Fox News program "Sunday Morning Futures," he asked Saudi Arabia to make public as soon as possible the results of the investigation.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in early October.

Prince Alwaleed told Fox News that an official Saudi investigation would show that the crown prince was not involved in Kashoggi's killing.

"Please let's give some time for the investigation to finish," he said. "I ask Saudi Arabia now publicly, through your program, to have the investigation made public as soon as possible so whereby I believe the Saudi Crown Prince will be 100 percent vindicated and exonerated."

Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a top international businessman from the kingdom, said on Sunday that an official investigation into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi will exonerate the country's leader.

Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a top international businessman from the kingdom, said on Sunday that an official investigation into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi will exonerate the country's leader. On the Fox News program "Sunday Morning Futures," he asked Saudi Arabia to make public as soon as possible the results of the investigation. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in early October. Prince Alwaleed told Fox News that an official Saudi investigation would show that the crown prince was not involved in Kashoggi's killing. "Please let's give some time for the investigation to finish," he said. "I ask Saudi Arabia now publicly, through your program, to have the investigation made public as soon as possible so whereby I believe the Saudi Crown Prince will be 100 percent vindicated and exonerated."

Saudi prince: Probe into Khashoggi killing will exonerate Crown Prince Salman

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