Saudi king extends allowances as living costs rise

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has extended monthly allowances for government employees, military personnel, pensioners, social security recipients and students into next year.
The announcement, carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday, comes on the same day the kingdom’s 2019 budget is scheduled to be unveiled. The government will also release its deficit for this year as lower oil prices squeeze its main source of revenue.
The royal decree extends