Syria Today | News

Syria and Iraq recall ambassadors

Syria and Iraq recalled their ambassadors on August 25 after Baghdad demanded Damascus hand over two people it accuses of masterminding a series of bombings in Baghdad which killed close to 100 people.

Assad condemns foreign interference in Iran

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad condemned Western powers for interfering in Iranian affairs in the aftermath of the Islamic State’s controversial presidential election during a one-day visit to Tehran on August 19, Reuters news agency reported.

Syrian soap opera industry in dire straits

The number of Syrian soap operas hitting TV screens around the region this Ramadan has dropped by 50 percent due to a lack of investment as the global financial crisis kicks in.

Syria’s electricity shortfall set to worsen

The shortfall in Syria’s electricity supply is expected to increase from its present 1,000 Megawatt (MW) deficit to 1,800 MW by 2012, the state-run daily newspaper Al-Thawra reported on August 9.

Rules of Syria’s first blogging competition stir up controversy

The popular Syrian blogging site Al-Mudawen launched the country’s first blogging competition last month. The rules of the contest, however, came under criticism from Syrian bloggers.

Syrian Arab Red Crescent holds Family Fun Day

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) organised a ‘Family Fun Day’ for Iraqi and Syrian families at the Duma Sports Stadium in Damascus on August 19.

Centre for vulnerable women to be established

The Syrian Women’s Union (SWU) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) signed an agreement aimed at empowering women at risk and victims of gender-based violence on August 20. As part of the agreement, a centre, funded by the UNHCR and run by the SWU, will be set up to provide support to vulnerable local and refugee women in the country.

Smile, you’re on camera

Speed cameras on Damascus’s busiest roads began operating last month. Syria Today spoke to local drivers to find out if they think the new measure will ease traffic problems and make the capital’s roads safer.

UNHCR holds refugee protection conference

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held a three-day conference on refugees and their rights to international protection from August 11-13 at Damascus’s Four Seasons Hotel. International law experts, Syrian government officials and senior academics participated in the event.

Sarkozy thanks Syria for assistance freeing French prisoners in Iran

French President Nicholas Sarkozy thanked his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad for his role in securing the release of two French citizens imprisoned by Iranian authorities in the wake of the Islamic Republic’s post-election violence on August 11.