#PAKISTAN: Desperate, Cash-Strapped Nation Cannot Afford To Boycott Saudi Conference, Says Prime Minister

[world politics news]

Newly installed Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says his country must continue its good relations with Saudi Arabia, despite the killing of Jamal Khashoggi because of its dire economic crisis.

Khan was slated to travel to the Saudi capitol of Riyadh Tuesday to attend an investment summit that has been boycotted by many western officials and companies following the murder of the journalist. In an interview with foreign journalists, Khan admitted that he could not afford not to attend.

He said the Pakistani government needed urgent access to Saudi loans to avoid defaulting on record levels of debt within months. "We’re desperate at the moment," Khan said. He also blamed Pres. Trump with stoking conflict in the region with continued sanctions on neighboring Iran, which he says is hurting Pakistan's economy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SAUDIARABIA: Gov't Says It Will Respond With "Bigger" Actions If US Imposes Sanctions Over Alleged Khashoggi Murder

[world politics news]

Saudi Arabia rejects political and economic "threats" over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, reports the BBC. The country would respond to any punitive action "with a bigger one," the unnamed senior source said. Khashoggi vanished October 2nd after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkey's president has said his government has proof that he was killed while inside the building, allegedly on orders of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, who is the nation's de facto ruler.

Pres. Trump said last week he would "punish" Saudi Arabia if it were found responsible for killing him. Khashoggi, a Saudi has been a critic of the Saudi monarchy, has been living in the US in self-imposed exile and writing for the Washington Post about the king's tactics against his enemies.

WHY IT MATTERS TO US:
You could feel any stoppage of oil flowing from Saudi Arabia to the US at the gas pumps, as prices would rise almost immediately after an embargo was announced (and it may happen even before then, just on the threat of a cut-off.) Stocks could plunge this week, because the Markets hate uncertainty.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.