Egypt Today’s evening international news

CAIRO – 5 November 2017: Egypt Today briefs the top political news of the past 24 hours, starting with the Saudi Arabian government detaining four current ministers and dozens of princes.

Saudi Arabia detains princes, ex-ministers in anti-corruption drive

Saudi Arabia has detained four current ministers as part of its anti-corruption campaign, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported on Sunday.

Saudi’s government has detained 10 princes and dozens of former ministers through its newly formed anti-corruption committee, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported, citing unnamed sources.

The new committee, headed by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, was formed by royal decree hours earlier on Saturday.


Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman - File Photo

Al-Waleed bin Talal, who is one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent businessman and former finance minister, was also detained, a senior Saudi official said on Sunday.

Ex-Catalonia leader turns himself and four advisors to Belgian police

Belgian prosecutors announced on Sunday morning that ex-Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont and his four advisors turns themselves over to the local police.

"This is the time for all the democrats of the Union for Catalonia and for the freedom of political prisoners," Puigdemont said in a tweet.


Catalan President Carles Puigdemont signs a declaration of independence at the Catalan regional parliament in Barcelona, Spain, October 10, 2017. REUTERS/Albert Gea

According to the Catalonia news network, the Democratic Party in Catalonia led by Puigdemont announced yesterday that it will seek to form an alliance.

Two suicide attacks kill at least five in Iraq's Kirkuk

Two suicide bombers struck in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Sunday, killing at least five people and wounding more than 20, police and medical sources said.


Residents inspect the site of a bomb attack in Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, July 15, 2013. (Reuters)

The interior ministry said that the attacks targeted a Shi'ite Muslim mosque on Atlas Street in central Kirkuk.

Thousands urge peace in anti-Trump protest in South Korea

Thousands of South Koreans protested Sunday against an upcoming visit by Donald Trump and called for peace as the U.S. president begins an Asian tour dominated by North Korea's nuclear program.


Demonstrators hold placards during a peace rally in Seoul on November 5, 2017 - AFP

Trump arrived in Tokyo Sunday and will stay from until Wednesday as part of his first Asian trip as head of state that also includes Vietnam, China and the Philippines.

Trump is scheduled to hold a summit with President Moon Jae-In and visit a US military base, with all eyes on his message to the North and its leader Kim Jong-Un.