JEDDAH, 15 March 2006 — Prince Mansour ibn Miteb has been appointed deputy minister of municipal and rural affairs, a Royal Court announcement said yesterday. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has issued a Royal Decree in this regard, the Saudi Press Agency said.
Cologne Deaths
JEDDAH, 15 March 2006 — The number of Saudis who died after drinking cologne in Madinah has increased to eight by Monday, press reports said yesterday. Sahl ibn Darwish Salama, director of health in Madinah, confirmed the deaths caused by the habit of drinking products not meant for consumption. The official said 16 others fell sick, two of them seriously, after taking cologne.
Newspaper Subscriptions
RIYADH, 15 March 2006 — Saudi newspapers and magazines are now free to increase or decrease their prices and subscription charges, according to a decision taken by Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani. “All local newspapers and magazines will be allowed to fix sales prices and subscription charges to both individuals and private companies and increase or decrease their prices in order to safeguard their interests,” the Saudi Press Agency said yesterday quoting the minister.
