SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

The Ministry of Information and the Central Bank of Syria held a coordination meeting today at the Central Bank headquarters in Damascus to prepare for the launch of a comprehensive media campaign marking the upcoming issuance of Syria’s new national currency.

The meeting was chaired by Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa and CBS Governor Abdulkader al-Husrieh, with the participation of senior officials from both institutions.

Discussions focused on the technical and communication aspects of the national campaign to ensure the effective delivery of awareness messages to all segments of society. The campaign aims to build public confidence in the new monetary policies and highlight the positive economic impact of the new currency issue.

Both sides emphasized the importance of close coordination between media institutions and financial authorities to support Syria’s broader economic plans. The Minister of Information underscored the role of national media in providing accurate information about the currency’s introduction, while the Central Bank Governor highlighted the importance of transparency and public engagement in strengthening trust in national financial institutions.

The meeting reflects the government’s commitment to open communication with citizens on key economic developments and to ensuring clarity around the objectives and benefits of the new national currency.

Amer Dhawa

Three cargo ships carrying more than 70,000 tons of wheat have arrived at Tartous Port for the General Company for Grain Trading and Manufacturing, in line with government efforts to strengthen Syria’s strategic grain reserves and secure the local market’s needs.

Youssef Arnous, head of operations at Tartous Port, told SANA that two of the vessels came from Ukraine and one from Russia. “Unloading is currently under way, with part of the cargo stored in port silos and the rest transported directly by trucks and rail in coordination with the General Establishment of Syrian Railways,” Arnous said.

He added that a fourth vessel, carrying 26,000 tons of wheat, is awaiting its turn to discharge its cargo, in addition to shipments totaling about 50,000 tons expected to arrive soon. Arnous stressed that the port continues to provide all required logistical and handling services in cooperation with relevant authorities.

While the deputy director of the Tartous branch of the Syrian Railways, Nidal Abdel Qader, said that one of the ships, “Golden Nour”, arrived carrying more than 30,000 tons of wheat. “Part of the shipment has already been delivered to the Shinshar silos in Homs by rail,” he said, noting that it was the fourth shipment to be transported by railways recently.

Earlier this month, four ships carrying 94,000 tons of wheat also arrived at Tartous Port under the country’s supply program aimed at meeting the needs of mills across all provinces and reinforcing national food security.

Homs Governor Abdul Rahman Al-Ama met with a German delegation comprising representatives from the German Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation and Development to discuss ways to support recovery and reconstruction projects in the province.

Discussions dealt with the status of several projects funded by Germany and implemented by various United Nations organizations.

Chargé d’Affaires at the German Embassy in Damascus, Clemens Hach, highlighted the importance of addressing Homs’ challenges and praised the positive impact of UN-led projects in cooperation with local authorities.

Bashar Al-Sibai, Head of Homs City Council, emphasized the need to track implementation rates of German-funded initiatives and discussed priorities for reconstruction and the return of displaced residents. He presented statistical data on damage levels and population resettlement.

Earlier, the German delegation also visited the restoration site of Al-Rastan Bridge, reviewing the project’s progress and the technical and logistical challenges involved.

The National Museum of Damascus has launched Echoes of Rust, a solo exhibition by 18-year-old Syrian-Cuban artist Pedro Nadaf, organized by Syria’s Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Cuban Embassy. The exhibition drew a wide audience of officials, diplomats, and art enthusiasts.

The exhibition featuring 37 mixed-media works made from war remnants—mortar shells, rocket fragments, and shrapnel—reimagines destruction as a source of beauty and resilience.

Cuban Ambassador Luis Mariano Fernández Rodríguez hailed the art as a symbol of unity and healing, and affirmed that: “Cultural cooperation between Syria and Cuba serves as a cornerstone for fostering human dialogue, and Pedro embodies a model of this artistic and cultural convergence.”

Part of a 2025 initiative to support emerging Syrian artists, the exhibition reflects a new generation’s ability to express hope and renewal through creative vision.

Gold prices in the Syrian market dropped Sunday by 40,000 SYP per gram of 21-karat gold, compared to Saturday’s price, which recorded 1,340,000 SYP.

The Goldsmiths Syndicate on Sunday set the selling price of the 21-karat gram of at 1,300 ,000 SYP and the buying price at 1,270,000 SYP.

The price of a gram of 18-karat gold reached 1,115 ,000 SYP for selling, and 1,085,000 SYP for buying.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani agreed on Sunday to maintain full coordination between Cairo and Doha to strengthen the Gaza ceasefire.

During a phone call, the two ministers emphasized the importance of linking the West Bank and Gaza Strip to preserve the unity of Palestinian territories.

The talks were part of ongoing Egyptian-Qatari efforts, in cooperation with the United Nations, to sustain the truce despite continued Israeli violations.

Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, Egypt and Qatar have taken the lead in efforts to maintain the truce and ensure Israeli compliance.

A delegation from the Syrian Arab Republic participated on Sunday in the opening session of the Group of 77 + China, held in the city of Belém, northern Brazil. The meeting is part of the preparatory sessions for the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30).

Syria’s participation in the Climate Change Summit underscores its commitment to actively contributing to international efforts aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change and promoting the principles of climate justice.

The Group of 77 + China, founded in 1964, is the main bloc of developing countries at the United Nations working to promote shared economic and environmental interests, including climate action and sustainable development.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported on Sunday that hospitals have received seven bodies and treated five injured individuals over the past 24 hours, with one of the fatalities attributed to recent Israeli airstrikes.

In a statement, the ministry confirmed that “one of the victims was recently killed, while six bodies were recovered from under the rubble.” It added that rescue teams are still facing significant challenges in reaching those trapped under debris or stranded on the roads due to widespread destruction in several areas.

According to the ministry, since the ceasefire went into effect on October 11, 2025, 241 people have been killed and 619 others injured. During this period, 528 bodies have been recovered.

The ministry also reported that the overall death toll since October 7, 2023, has risen to 69,176, with 170,690 people injured in the ongoing Israeli military offensive.

Additionally, the ministry has urged the families of the deceased and missing persons to complete their information through the official registration platform available on its website.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with representatives of Syrian-American organizations in Washington on Sunday, according to a statement by the Presidency on its Telegram channel. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani attended the meeting.

The President praised the organizations’ contributions to raising awareness of Syrian issues and strengthening Syria’s active presence within American society. He emphasized the importance of their role in supporting national causes and deepening ties with the homeland.

President al-Sharaa arrived in the United States late on Saturday (local time) for an official visit and is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Monday, November 10, at the White House.

Emirati businessman Khalaf Al Habtoor, chairman of Al Habtoor Group, began a working visit to Syria on Sunday to discuss a number of economic issues with relevant Syrian authorities.

Upon his arrival at Damascus International Airport, where he was received by Talal al-Hilali, director general of the Syrian Investment Authority, Al Habtoor told SANA that the goal of his visit is to cooperate in creating job opportunities for Syrian youth and to provide support that leads to positive outcomes in production and business, stressing that the UAE has always stood by the Syrian people.

He noted that there are many ideas for cooperation with Syrian partners, explaining that these ideas can currently be described as “initiatives” that will later develop into practical projects of greater value than any formal agreement, with the ultimate objective of achieving tangible results on the ground.

Al Habtoor expressed confidence that Syria is poised to become one of the region’s key economic hubs within a few years, noting that Syrians possess a remarkable entrepreneurial mindset and are entering “a new chapter of economic recovery and success.”

He emphasized that the Syrian people are productive and creative in all fields, reaffirming that relations between the UAE and Syria remain strong and deep-rooted, and that economic cooperation must remain the cornerstone of these ties.

Al Habtoor last visited Syria in September, during which he held several meetings with Syrian officials and noted that Syria’s promising potential makes it a fertile ground for investment and a destination for Arab and Gulf capital.

Lonvi Biosciences, a Chinese startup specializing in longevity medicine, has developed anti-aging pills that could extend human lifespan to 100-120 years.

According to a report by The New York Times, the pills are based on a compound found in grape seed extract. The company claims that specific molecules in the seeds target and eliminate senescent cells, which refuse to die and can damage healthy cells.

Lonvi claims to have developed a method for producing capsules with a high concentration of these molecules. Combined with a healthy lifestyle and quality medical care, the pills could help people live well beyond a century.

Grape seeds have long been used as a health food in the West and are also popular in traditional Chinese medicine.

Four people were injured on Sunday in two separate traffic accidents in Damascus and its countryside, according to the Syrian Civil Defense.

The Civil Defense reported on its Telegram channel that an accident occurred on the Damascus International Airport road, injuring a young man. He was transported to Al-Mujtahid Hospital in Damascus for treatment.

In a second accident, two cars collided on the Zamalka bridge road in the Damascus countryside, injuring three civilians. Emergency teams transported one person, who had lost consciousness, to Harasta Hospital, while bystanders helped the other two injured individuals before rescue teams arrived. The Civil Defense urged drivers to act responsibly and follow traffic regulations to reduce accidents and protect lives

Israeli forces killed one Palestinian on Sunday, continuing their violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Palestinian media reported that the victim was killed by an Israeli drone strike in the town of Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli warships continued to target Gaza’s port and eastern areas of Rafah.

Since the ceasefire on October 10, the death toll has risen to 242 Palestinians, with approximately 614 others injured.

Also on Sunday, Israeli forces arrested nine Palestinians during raids in the West Bank cities of Jenin, Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. The forces stormed Palestinian villages and towns, raided homes, ransacked their contents, assaulted residents, and arrested nine individuals.

Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli settlers attacked the Bedouin community of al-Ma’azi, east of Jaba’a, north of Jerusalem, throwing stones at Palestinians, injuring seven, and causing extensive damage.

These Israeli attacks are part of a broader escalation of settlement expansion, with neighboring Bedouin villages experiencing ongoing violence and displacement, raising growing concerns for the future of Palestinian communities in the area.

Philippine authorities evacuated more than 100,000 people from eastern and northern provinces on Sunday as Typhoon Fung-wong intensified while approaching the main island of Luzon, unleashing heavy rain and fierce winds.

According to local media, the government issued storm warnings across wide areas of the country. Signal No. 5, the highest alert, was raised over southeastern Luzon, including Catanduanes and the coastal provinces of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, while the capital Manila and surrounding regions were placed under Signal No. 3.

The typhoon, known locally as Uwan, is expected to make landfall in Aurora province in central Luzon late Sunday, with sustained winds of up to 230 kilometers per hour, the national meteorological agency said. It warned of rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters, likely to trigger widespread flooding and landslides.
The Civil Aviation Authority said more than 300 domestic and international flights were canceled.

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that 6,607 people, including passengers, crew, and cargo workers, were stranded at 86 ports nationwide. With wind signals raised to Level 5, maritime travel was suspended in all affected regions.

Fung-wong’s arrival comes only days after Typhoon Kalmaegi struck the country, killing 204 people and causing extensive damage before moving on to Vietnam, where it claimed five more lives and devastated coastal communities.

Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa held discussions with a delegation from the Washington-based Middle East Institute, headed by Stuart Jones, on Saturday to explore ways to enhance cooperation in the media field and present an accurate image of Syria to American and international audiences.

The Minister reviewed the Ministry’s strategy to enhance the technical infrastructure of national media institutions and promote transparency and freedom of expression, while highlighting the challenges the sector faces due to technical and economic sanctions, as well as media disinformation campaigns.

He also mentioned the Ministry’s open policy towards foreign media, noting that more than 450 new media licenses have been issued to facilitate the work of both Arab and foreign journalists in Syria.

For his part, the Director of the Middle East Institute expressed his keenness to maintain coordination and cooperation with the Syrian government, inviting the Minister to take part in the institute’s programs to highlight political and media developments in Syria.
Founded in 1946, the Middle East Institute is the oldest Washington-based institution dedicated to the study of the Middle East. It is a non-partisan think tank offering expert policy analysis, educational services, and a platform for engaging with the region’s arts and culture.

The World Health Organization announced that 16,500 Palestinian patients in Gaza are waiting to be evacuated for treatment abroad, calling for unrestricted humanitarian access through all crossings and for more countries to receive critical cases.

In a statement issued Saturday, the WHO said its medical supplies are ready at the border, stressing the need to urgently reopen the Rafah crossing and all entry points to the Gaza Strip.

The organization described Rafah as a vital corridor for medical evacuations and a main route for health supplies into the enclave.

Since the ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10, Israeli occupation authorities have allowed only limited quantities of humanitarian aid to enter through two of seven crossings, while keeping the Rafah border crossing closed until further notice, in what the WHO said constitutes a violation of the truce’s terms.

Israeli forces launched another incursion into the Quneitra countryside in southern Syria on Saturday, advancing into the villages of Joret al-Sheikh and al-Samdaniyah al-Gharbiyah, local sources in Quneitra told a SANA reporter.

According to the sources, the incursion began when nine Israeli military vehicles moved from the al-Hamidiyah checkpoint toward the town of al-Hurriya. The convoy continued toward the village of Ofania before advancing into the agricultural area between Joret al-Sheikh and Tell Ahmar.

In a separate maneuver, a smaller contingent of four Israeli military vehicles advanced from the al-Burj checkpoint in the destroyed city of Quneitra. This unit moved toward al-Samdaniyah al-Gharbiyah and established a checkpoint between the towns of al-Ajraf and al-Samdaniyah al-Sharqiyah in the southern part of the province.

These latest movements are part of an ongoing series of incursions that violate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and relevant UN resolutions. Syria has called on the international community to intervene and stop these incursions

Syrian-French Council Holds Celebration in Paris Marking Victory of Syrian Revolution
The Syrian-French Council held an honorary celebration on Saturday in Paris, marking the victory of the blessed Syrian revolution. The event brought together Syrian, Arab, and international figures from political, cultural, and diplomatic circles.
Representing the Syrian Arab Republic, a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates attended the ceremony, highlighting Syria’s continued commitment to engaging its expatriate communities and strengthening national unity abroad.