August 2010Issue No. 64
Local News
Student stabbed eight times in school fight A young man was stabbed eight times during a fight which broke out between students at two secondary schools in Safita and Tartous on October 2, Syria News reported.
National Museum hosts Damascus-Paris exhibition
The National Museum of Damascus opened its doors to a one-off Syrian-French contemporary art exhibition titled Damascus-Paris: Crossed Glances on October 11.
Reading in the spotlight
A number of campaigns have been launched in recent months to promote reading throughout the country. Syria Today hit the streets of Damascus to ask what can be done to encourage people to read more regularly.
Follow the Women in Syria
Some 250 women from 21 countries, including 35 from Syria, took part in the annual ‘Follow the Women’ event which passed through Syria from October 12 to 14.
Israel frees two Syrian prisoners
Two Syrian prisoners from the occupied Golan Heights were released unexpectedly from an Israeli prison on October 15. Bisher Suleiman Ahmad Maqt and Assem Mahmud Ahmed Wali still had 12 and two years of their respective sentences left to serve, the AFP reported.
White House calls for release of prominent lawyer
The White House has called for the release of Haitham al-Maleh, a 78-year-old human rights activist and lawyer who was detained by Syrian security services early last month.
UN donates medical supplies
The UNHCR donated 20 ambulances and 10 cooling chambers for storing medical supplies to the Syrian Ministry of Health on October 15.
Assad calls on EU to play bigger role in peace process
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called on the European Union (EU) to play a larger role in the Middle East peace process on October 14, Syria’s state-run news agency SANA reported. The comments came during a press conference with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
Syria on UNESCO executive council
Syria was voted onto the executive council of UNESCO last month. The vote was held in Paris during the organisation’s 35th General Assembly held on October 14, with Syria gaining 151 out of 167 possible votes.
Palestinian protestors picket EU offices in Damascus
Representatives and sympathisers of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) gathered outside the offices of the European Commission Delegation in Damascus on October 22, calling on the international community to pressure Israel to release PFLP Secretary-General Ahmad Sa’adat.
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.
The National Museum of Damascus opened its doors to a one-off Syrian-French contemporary art exhibition titled 
A number of campaigns have been launched in recent months to promote reading throughout the country. 
Some 250 women from 21 countries, including 35 from Syria, took part in the annual ‘Follow the Women’ event which passed through Syria from October 12 to 14.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called on the European Union (EU) to play a larger role in the Middle East peace process on October 14, Syria’s state-run news agency 
Representatives and sympathisers of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) gathered outside the offices of the European Commission Delegation in Damascus on October 22, calling on the international community to pressure Israel to release PFLP Secretary-General Ahmad Sa’adat.
