Lebanese public school students fear losing school year as teachers' strike continues

STORY: Lebanese public school students fear losing school year as teachers' strike continues DATELINE: March 7, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:58 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street view 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): OSMAT DAO, Director of Zahia Salman school 3. various of students studying 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): JESSY ABOU DARGHAM, Public school student 5. various of street view STORYLINE: Lebanese public school students fear losing a complete academic year due to a teachers' strike starting in early January demanding for a salary increase, transport allowances, and medical aid. On Feb. 27, the Lebanese cabinet approved the granting of 5 liters of fuel per teacher per working day to help them reach their work, which was deemed insufficient by public school workers. Two different unions announced on Monday the resumption of classes in public schools but some teachers refused to return to work until their full demands are met. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): OSMAT DAO, Director of Zahia Salman schoo

Lebanon's Valentine's Day gloomy as financial crisis continues

STORY: Lebanon's Valentine's Day gloomy as financial crisis continues DATELINE: Feb. 17, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:25 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a flowers shop 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): RABIH BOU KHEIR, Flower shop salesman 3. various of street views in Lebanon 4. various of a gift shop 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): FADI BOU DARGHAM, Jewelry shop owner STORYLINE: Valentine's Day in Lebanon was usually celebrated enthusiastically in various ways. But this year, the financial crisis prompted many couples to either give up the tradition or turn to less expensive celebrations. Flower shops complained about the low demand for their items on this occasion amid the collapse of the local pound to the U.S. dollar. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): RABIH BOU KHEIR, Flower shop salesman "There is no demand because prices are rising and the dollar is expensive. Nobody is buying except for last year and the years before." Lebanon's financial crisis plunged over 80 percent of the population into poverty as sa

Lebanon's poor no longer able to afford traditional flatbread

STORY: Lebanon's poor no longer able to afford traditional flatbread DATELINE: March 7, 2022 LENGTH: 00:04:45 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of staff making Mankoushe, a traditional Lebanese flatbread 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): LATIFA MOURSEL, Beirut citizen 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): BASSAM BOU DARGHAM, Baker 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): ALI FARHAT, Baker 5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): ALI FARHAT, Baker 6. SOUNDBITE 5 (Arabic): BASSAM BOU DARGHAM, Baker STORYLINE: Lebanon's steep economic crisis deprived the Lebanese poor of their cheapest daily food the "Mankoushe," which consists of a dough covered in thyme and olive oil. A thyme Mankoushe used to sell at around 1,000 Lebanese pounds (0.66 USD), which was affordable for the most vulnerable population in the country. The situation has changed following the collapse of the Lebanese pound with bakeries selling each Mankoushe at a minimum of 8,000 Lebanese pounds in light of the increase in the prices of imported ingredients. Latifa Moursel, a