Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Mohammad bin Salman. Photo: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images.
Saudi Arabia's attorney general says journalist Jamal Khashoggi died after a fight broke out between him and people who met him at the consulate in Istanbul, according to Saudi state TV.
Why it matters: The Saudis and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are walking a tightrope here in an effort to avoid the massive international backlash that would accompany a conclusion that this was an assassination ordered from the top. The Trump administration has been waiting for their explanation. Finally, after 17 days, it's starting to emerge.
The details: In a statement from the Public Prosecutor's Office: Its investigations continue in this case with 18 detainees so far, all of whom are Saudi nationals. The account contradicts its own earlier claim that Khashoggi left shortly after arriving the consulate.
The kingdom has also fired five top officials, including deputy chief of general intelligence Ahmad bin Hassan Assiri, royal court advisor Abdullah Al-Qahtani, and assistant to intelligence chief Mohammed Bin Saleh Al Rumaih.