Damascus, Sept. 17 (SANA)Syria will introduce subsidized diesel at 115 Syrian pounds ($0.94) per liter for heating, agriculture and eligible consumers, while a second grade will be sold at 150 pounds ($1.23) per liter for some productive and service sectors, Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir said Thursday. Standard-specification diesel will remain at 175 Syrian pounds ($1.43) per liter, below its actual cost of 206 pounds ($1.69) per liter, al-Bashir told a press conference in Damascus alongside Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Youssef Qablawi. The measures came a day after President Ahmad al-S…

Hasakah, Sept. 17 (SANA)On the balconies of Rabab Issa’s home, vegetables hang beneath the late-summer sun. Weeks of drying are nearly over. Soon, they will be packed away for winter. September, Issa says, isal-mounehmonth. Al-mouneh is the traditional Levantine practice of preserving seasonal produce for the months ahead.Across Hasakah, families are preserving the season while it lasts: drying okra and mulukhiyeh, pickling vegetables, making jams and cheeses and preparing staples such as makdous and kishk.The ritual is old. The calculations behind it are decidedly practical.“September is kn…

Brussels, Sept. 17 (SANA)The European Commission said Thursday that its proposal to strengthen partnership between the European Union and Canada is not directed against the United States. European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said in response to remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump: “Our proposal to strengthen our partnership with Canada is not directed against anyone,” according to Agence France-Presse. Trump threatened Wednesday to impose “very severe” tariffs or halt trade with the European Union if the bloc moves forward with a proposal to grant Canada “associate member” status. …

Washington, Sept. 17 (SANA)Researchers at Children’s HospitalLos Angeleshave developed a non-invasive imaging approach that may help identify molecular subtypes of medulloblastoma in children before surgery, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The technique can be performed alongside a standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and adds about five minutes to the examination, according toMedical Xpress. The researchers analyzed MRS data from 95 children with medulloblastoma to identify metabolic differences among the tumor’s four molecular groups. The study’s findings were publis…

Cairo, Sept. 17 (SANA)Egypt and Algeriastressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination amongArab countriesto address shared challenges and safeguard regional security and stability, during a phone call between their foreign ministers on Thursday. Egyptian ForeignMinister Badr Abdelattyand his Algerian counterpartAhmed Attafexchanged views on regional and international developments and their implications for Arab national security, according to a statement published by Egypt’s Foreign Ministry. The two ministers emphasized the importance of consultation, mutual understan…

La Paz, Sept. 17 (SANA)BoliviaandParaguayhave completed the demarcation of their shared border, ending an 88-year process that followed a peace treaty signed after theChaco War, AFP reported Thursday. Bolivia’s Foreign Ministry said the two countries completed the work after three days of meetings in La Paz, concluding a process carried out by technical commissions from both sides. “The completion of the border demarcation strengthens a bilateral relationship based on trust and cooperation between the two countries and closes a historic chapter by establishing a secure and mutually recognize…

Damascus, Sept. 17 (SANA)Syriaand theUnited NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) discussed in Damascus on Thursday ways to strengthen cooperation in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment Yousef Sharaf met with Ghada Derzi, head of the UNESCO section at the Syrian National Commission forEducation,Scienceand Culture, along with the accompanying technical team, to review areas of joint cooperation. The meeting addressed a proposed regional cooperation initiative on protected-area approaches, i…

Damascus, Sept. 17 (SANA)Syriais showcasing a large-scale installation inspired by the ancient funerary towers ofPalmyraat the 61stVenice Biennale, marking a renewed Syrian presence at one of the world’s leading contemporary art events. The Syrian national pavilion features Palmyra Tower Tomb, a project by Syrian artist Sara Shamma that combines painting, architecture, sound, light and scent. The full-scale installation draws on Palmyra’s funerary architecture while using contemporary portraits to connect the ancient city’s memory with present-day experience. The work has been on display at …

Occupied Jerusalem, Sept. 17 (SANA)The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club said Thursday that 92 identified Palestinian prisoners have been killed in Israeli occupation prisons since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip, including 53 detainees from Gaza. The Palestinian news agency WAFA cited the group as saying the deaths occurred amid a systematic crimes and violations against prisoners, including torture, starvation, medical negligence, sexual assaults, abuse and humiliation, as well as the denial of basic human rights. The group said the fate of a number of detainees from Gaza remains unknown …

Paris, Sept. 17 (SANA)Lebanese PresidentJoseph Aounand French PresidentEmmanuel Macrondiscussed Thursday efforts to haltIsraeli attackson Lebanon and developments insouthern Lebanon, the Lebanese presidency said. The talks at the Élysée Palace in Paris also covered political and economic issues and came ahead of a preparatory meeting for a conference to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces under the Aqaba Initiative launched by Jordan’s King Abdullah II. The presidency said Aoun and Macron reviewed efforts to halt Israeli attacks in light of Lebanese-U.S.-Israeli ne…

Damascus, Sept. 17 (SANA)Syria’s General Authority for Supply and Procurement has issued a tender to sell 200,000 tons of second- and third-grade durum wheat considered surplus to the country’s milling needs.The wheat is owned by theSyrian Grain Establishment. Bids are due by Oct. 20, with successful buyers required to collect contracted quantities within 60 days, according to the tender notice.The sale comes after the Syrian Grain Establishment said in August that wheat received from the 2026 harvest had reached about 2.7 million tons, exceeding the country’s estimated annual requirement of 2…

Ottawa, Sept. 17 (SANA)Canadahas formally applied to join the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a 10-nation rapid-response military partnership, asOttawaseeks closer defense cooperation with European countries, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office said. “Prime Minister Carney announced that Canada has formally applied to join the Joint Expeditionary Force and welcomed the UK’s support for Canada’s participation in this important initiative,” his office said in a statement. Canada, already a NATO member, has been seeking closer military cooperation with European countries as it move…

New York,Sept. 17 (SANA)TheUnited Nationswarned inNew Yorkof reprisals against individuals and organizations cooperating with it onhuman rightsissues, documenting cases in 32 countries and calling for stronger protection and accountability.A report issued by UN Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterreson Wednesday documented cases involving human rights defenders, victims of rights violations, journalists, lawyers and trade unionists who faced reprisals for cooperating, or seeking to cooperate, with the United Nations.Claudia Fuentes Julio, assistant secretary-general for human rights who leads UN eff…

Washington, Sept. 17 (SANA)Applehas introduced newchild-safetyandparental-controlfeatures across its latest operating system updates, giving parents more detailed tools to manage the content children see, who they communicate with and how long they use apps. Apple said in a Sept. 14 post on its Newsroom website that the features are available with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, after being previewed in June. Among the new tools is Ask to Browse, which allows parents to require approval before children access a new website in Safari. Apple has also introduced a simpler setup process for new …

Damascus, Sept. 17 (SANA)Tunisian writerImad Ali Qidahas won the 2026Khaled Khalifa Novel Awardfor his novel “Al-Munsarimoun,” the award’s organizers announced. Qida won the second edition of the annual award, which is open to Arab writers submitting their first previously unpublished novel. He will receive a $1,000 prize, and the winning novel will be published by an established publishing house. An award ceremony is scheduled for September 30 in Latakia, coinciding with the anniversary of the death of Syrian novelist Khaled Khalifa. The jury, chaired by Palestinian novelist Liana Badr and…

Idlib, Sept. 17 (SANA)Thefourth Idlib Book Fairhas attracted more than 14,000 visitors and recorded sales of over 10,000 books since its opening last Saturday through Tuesday evening, according to the fair’s administration. The event has drawn readers, students and cultural enthusiasts fromIdlib and other Syrian provinces, with active participation at publishers’ stands and strong engagement with accompanying cultural activities. Fair Director Khaled al-Youssef told SANA that attendance andbook purchasescontinued to rise during the event. He said more than 4,700 visitors attended on Sunday, …

Damascus, Sept. 17 (SANA)Syria and theUnited Statesare entering a new phase of partnership as political, security and economic contacts expand between the two countries, a senior Syrian Foreign Ministry official said Wednesday. Saad Baroud, director of the American Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, told Syria’s Al-Ikhbariya TV that a recent call between Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had addressed political, security and economic issues and could pave the way for continued communication between Damascus an…

Damascus, Sept. 17 (SANA)TheIMAR 2026 international reconstructionexhibition concluded in Damascus on Wednesday after generating 3,200 contracts worth more than $1.756 billion during the four-day event, organizer Effect Plus said. The company said in a statement received by SANA that 412 memorandums of understanding were signed by local, Arab and international companies and institutions during thesecond edition of the exhibition. The agreements covered construction, infrastructure, industry and services, with several large projects announced during the event. Saudi Arabia’s Al-Rawaf Contrac…

Beirut, Sept. 17 (SANA)Lebanese Prime MinisterNawaf Salamsaid Wednesday his government was working to strengthen relations with Syria based on mutual respect, shared interests and non-interference in each country’s internal affairs. Speaking during a parliamentary questioning session in Beirut, Salam saidLebanonand Syria were cooperating on a range of bilateral issues, including arrangements concerning Syrian nationals serving prison sentences in Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. Salam said the transfer of convicted Syrian nationals from Lebanese prisons to Syria to serve…

Madrid, Sept. 17 (SANA)Atletico MadridbeatOsasuna4-0 on Wednesday to move into third place inLa Ligaafter six rounds. Jonathan Davidopened the scoring in the 24th minute. The Canadian forward, who joined Atletico from Juventus this summer, gave the hosts the advantage before fellow newcomer Lee Kang-in doubled the lead in the 54th. Robin Le Normandmade it 3-0 in the 63rd minute before Alex Baena completed the scoring in the 82nd. The win lifted Atletico to 13 points, leaving them third in the standings ahead of Sunday’s derby againstReal Madrid. Osasuna remained on seven points after suffe…