A number of international business leaders and media companies are distancing themselves from Saudi Arabia ahead of an investment summit in the kingdom later this month. Last October, the World Bank reported the kingdom had carried out a record number of business reforms during the past year to attract foreign investment. But Khashoggi's disappearance, and suspicions he may have been targeted over his criticism of the crown prince, have led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming high-profile investment conference. He also said he was suspending talks over possible Saudi investment in his space companies Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit. Representatives for those companies, as well as Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley did not respond to requests for comment.

Source: CBC News October 14, 2018 14:15 UTC