August 2010Issue No. 64
Syria holds country’s first TV drama conference
In a bid to boost local TV drama production, the Syrian government organised the first conference for producers, writers and actors working in the country’s TV drama industry on December 7.
Syria and Iran boost defence cooperation
Syria and Iran signed an agreement to bolster defence cooperation during a three-day visit by Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi to Damascus between December 8 and 11.
Damascus hosts Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum
Damascus hosted the second meeting of foreign ministers of the Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum on December 15.
Syria attacks Israel’s ‘conflict diamond’ leadership role
Syria surprised nations gathered at a UN General Assembly session on the Kimberley Process last month when it demanded Israel’s name be removed from a key resolution, the AP reported on December 11.
2010 Wish List
At the beginning of the New Year, Syria Today went out to discover what the country’s young generation hopes and wishes for in 2010.
Syrian government launches AIDS booklet for journalists
Last month the Syrian government launched the first handbook on AIDS for journalists, which aims to give them a clearer insight into the illness and ways of covering it in the media.
Assad’s younger brother passes away
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s younger brother Majd Hafez al-Assad passed away on December 12 after suffering from a chronic disease, Syria’s state-run news agency SANA reported.
Syria participates in Copenhagen Climate Change Conference
Syria’s Minister of the Environment Kawkab al-Daieh travelled to Copenhagen last month as part of a Syrian delegation at the COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Q&A: Keith Ellison Democrat Member of US Congress
Keith Ellison, a Democrat who became the first Muslim congressman in the United States in January 2007, believes that while the change in US-Syrian relations may have been slow in 2009, steady progress has been made.
Weighing up the Consequences
Syria’s delay in signing the EU Association Agreement is justified. The country must carefully consider the ramifications of such a deal.
Free Zone revenues up SYP 300m (USD 6.4m) over last year: Revenue figures released for the industrial districts from the first six months of 2010.
Eleventh five-year plan focused on investments: PM Otri said the plan includes investment projects valued at SYP 4bn (USD 85m) with a special focus on Dier ez-Zor governorate.
Campaign to preserve oral heritage announced: The ministry of culture's folklore department will document Syria's story-telling tradition.
Oxford Business Group report released: The study of Syria's economy looks at the role of public-private partnerships in the oil industry and key transport projects.
Emirates Telecom Corp. bids to become Syria's third mobile carrier: The company is the bigger of two mobile operators in the UAE.
New law reorganises telecoms: The sector now contributes to 5 percent of GDP.
Man age 125 dies in Hassakeh: He left behind 187 children and grandchildren.
Homs archaeologocal find proves link between Mesopotamia, Mediterranean and Nile Valley: The dig indicates that the Katana Kingdom had important international-trade ties.
Third mobile phone operater to enter the market: The firm will join carriers Syriatel and MTN Syria.
Regional Special Olympics to be hosted in Syria: 2,500 athletes from 23 countries will participate in the games.
Authorities confiscate drugs: About two million illegal pills were smuggled into Syria from Lebanon.
Venezuela defends flights to Syria: The US c riticised the flights between Caracas, Damascus and Tehran.
Syrian and Iranian officials meet in Tehran: Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs Abdullah al-Dardari led the delegation.
Ancient coins confiscated in Hama: Police uncovered the 245 coins in an abandoned car.
Tourist visits up in 2010: The figure increased 56 percent during the first seven months of the year.
Syria and Iran signed an agreement to bolster defence cooperation during a three-day visit by Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi to Damascus between December 8 and 11.
Damascus hosted the second meeting of foreign ministers of the Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum on December 15.
Syria surprised nations gathered at a UN General Assembly session on the Kimberley Process last month when it demanded Israel’s name be removed from a key resolution, the 
At the beginning of the New Year, Syria Today went out to discover what the country’s young generation hopes and wishes for in 2010.
Syria’s Minister of the Environment Kawkab al-Daieh travelled to Copenhagen last month as part of a Syrian delegation at the COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Keith Ellison, a Democrat who became the first Muslim congressman in the United States in January 2007, believes that while the change in US-Syrian relations may have been slow in 2009, steady progress has been made.
Syria’s delay in signing the EU Association Agreement is justified. The country must carefully consider the ramifications of such a deal.
