CNN: Saudi Arabia prepares to formally acknowledge journalist's death in consulate

Saudi Arabian authorities have begun preparing to officially acknowledge the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi , CNN reports, citing two sources.

According to one of the channel's sources, the final report will state that the journalist's death was the result of a special operation that was not sanctioned by the country's top leadership, and that those responsible will be punished. Another source noted that the content of the report has not been finalized and may change.

• Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi Arabian embassy on October 2 and has not been seen since. Riyadh still officially claims that he left the embassy freely.
• US President Donald Trump has promised "severe punishment" for Saudi Arabia if it emerges that the journalist was killed.