RIYADH, 22 August 2005 — An SR75 million project to induce artificial rains by injecting and seeding moisture-heavy clouds will be launched before the end of this year. The successful test run carried out in the Asir province last summer encouraged the authorities to design a national artificial rain project to cover all regions of the Kingdom, Naif Selhu, director of environmental awareness at the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), said here yesterday.
RIYADH, 11 August 2005 — The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MOMRA) has increased efforts to constitute all 178 municipal councils and make them functional across the Kingdom as early as possible. The MOMRA has also created a separate department within the ministry which will work to provide a broad framework within which the municipal councils will function, said Dr. Ibrahim ibn Hamad Al-Quayid, an elected member of the Riyadh Municipal Council.
RIYADH, 4 August 2005 — A cross-section of Saudis from different walks of life expect the new leadership to carry forward the reforms program set in motion by King Fahd in the economic, political and administrative fields. “As crown prince, King Abdullah was instrumental in moving the Saudi nation toward social and political reforms, while giving a stable government in the Kingdom,” said Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, chairwoman of the “Friends of Saudi Arabia” — a forum set up at the initiative of then Crown Prince Abdullah.