President Trump has reversed his earlier position of not pressuring the Saudi government to explain the disappearance of thorn-in-their-side journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and says he will use his substantial leverage to gets answers after all.

“On reflection I have decided they must give me a detailed account of how they accomplished this act if they want arms sales to continue.”

To show he means business, Trump has drawn up a list of pointed questions the Saudis must answer, including how big was the murder squad, and were there methods limited to only one journalist, or could they be easily scaled up.

“I will also insist on knowing the steps they took to cover it up, and what they feel they overlooked given it is now public knowledge.”

President Putin, meanwhile, has expressed concerns that Trump may ask the same of him, as he fears he would struggle to give a detailed explanation.

“I just say ‘kill him’ and next thing I know that person has fallen off roof.”