BREAKING NEWS

French finance minister Le Maire cancels trip to Saudi conference

PARIS - French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday he had canceled his attendance at an investment conference in Riyadh next week, following the disappearance of a Saudi journalist that has led to a worldwide diplomatic dispute.
"No, I will not go to Riyadh next week," Le Maire told Public Senat TV. "The conditions are not right," he added.
The disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has raised concerns around the world.
Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who was critical of the authoritarian kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and his body removed. The Saudis have denied the allegations.