Children in Lebanon flock to public playground to enjoy Eid al-Fitr

STORY: Children in Lebanon flock to public playground to enjoy Eid al-Fitr DATELINE: April 23, 2023 LENGTH: 0:04:34 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of children playing in the public playground 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABED TERIAKI, Owner of a swing in old Sidon market 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): ADEL ABED, Parent STORYLINE: As Lebanon continues to suffer from an unprecedented crisis and a tremendous increase in prices, the country still offers children a chance to enjoy Eid al-Fitr festivities at affordable costs. On the first and second days of Eid, a large number of children flocked to the playground in the old Sidon market. While the playground charged 5,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP) or 3 U.S. dollars at the old dollar rate of 1,500 LBP ahead of the crisis, it now charges 0.3 U.S. dollars to help children access these playgrounds and feel the joy of Eid. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABED TERIAKI, Owner of a swing in old Sidon market "We offer a space for vulnerable and poor people to enjoy

Lebanese citizens respond differently to U.S. dollar pricing in supermarkets

STORY: Lebanese citizens respond differently to U.S. dollar pricing in supermarkets DATELINE: March 16, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:38 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of supermarkets in Beirut 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): YAMEN AL AYASH, Customer 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): TANIOS LAHOUD, Customer 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): BASSEM NASR, Supermarket owner STORYLINE: The Lebanese currency on Tuesday collapsed to 100,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP) per dollar for the first time in history as the country's financial crisis and political deadlock linger on. One month ago, Lebanese caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam announced a decision to price all products in supermarkets in U.S. dollars amid the unprecedented collapse in the local currency. The decision also allows customers to pay for their products in Lebanese pounds according to the daily exchange rate of the U.S. dollar. Lebanese citizens responded to the decision differently. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): YAMEN AL AYASH, Customer "Prices in U.S. dollars ar

LEBANON-TRIPOLI-FINANCIAL CRISIS-CURRENCY-COLLAPSE

LEBANON-TRIPOLI-FINANCIAL CRISIS-CURRENCY-COLLAPSE

(230314) -- TRIPOLI (LEBANON), March 14, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A teller arranges stacks of Lebanese pound banknotes at a foreign exchange office in Tripoli, Lebanon, on March 14, 2023. The Lebanese currency on Tuesday collapsed to 100,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP) per dollar for the first time in history as the country's financial crisis and political deadlock linger on. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

LEBANON-TRIPOLI-FINANCIAL CRISIS-CURRENCY-COLLAPSE

LEBANON-TRIPOLI-FINANCIAL CRISIS-CURRENCY-COLLAPSE

(230314) -- TRIPOLI (LEBANON), March 14, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A teller uses a bill counter to count Lebanese currency at a foreign exchange office in Tripoli, Lebanon, on March 14, 2023. The Lebanese currency on Tuesday collapsed to 100,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP) per dollar for the first time in history as the country's financial crisis and political deadlock linger on. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

LEBANON-TRIPOLI-FINANCIAL CRISIS-CURRENCY-COLLAPSE

LEBANON-TRIPOLI-FINANCIAL CRISIS-CURRENCY-COLLAPSE

(230314) -- TRIPOLI (LEBANON), March 14, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Stacks of Lebanese pound banknotes are seen on a counter of a foreign exchange office in Tripoli, Lebanon, on March 14, 2023. The Lebanese currency on Tuesday collapsed to 100,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP) per dollar for the first time in history as the country's financial crisis and political deadlock linger on. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

LEBANON-TRIPOLI-FINANCIAL CRISIS-CURRENCY-COLLAPSE

LEBANON-TRIPOLI-FINANCIAL CRISIS-CURRENCY-COLLAPSE

(230314) -- TRIPOLI (LEBANON), March 14, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man puts stacks of Lebanese pound banknotes into a bag at a foreign exchange office in Tripoli, Lebanon, on March 14, 2023. The Lebanese currency on Tuesday collapsed to 100,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP) per dollar for the first time in history as the country's financial crisis and political deadlock linger on. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

LEBANON-TRIPOLI-FINANCIAL CRISIS-CURRENCY-COLLAPSE

LEBANON-TRIPOLI-FINANCIAL CRISIS-CURRENCY-COLLAPSE

(230314) -- TRIPOLI (LEBANON), March 14, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man walks past a closed bank in Tripoli, Lebanon, on March 14, 2023. The Lebanese currency on Tuesday collapsed to 100,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP) per dollar for the first time in history as the country's financial crisis and political deadlock linger on. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

Lebanon's parliament approves 150 mln USD World Bank loan to import wheat

STORY: Lebanon's parliament approves 150 mln USD World Bank loan to import wheat DATELINE: July 27, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:23 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: ECONOMY/POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the interview 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): AMIN SALAM, Lebanon's Minister of Economy and Trade 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AMIN SALAM, Lebanon's Minister of Economy and Trade 4. various of people buying bread STORYLINE: Lebanon's parliament on Tuesday approved a 150 million U.S. dollars World Bank loan to import wheat, as shortages of subsidized bread intensified in the crisis-hit country. Lebanon's Minister of Economy and Trade Amin Salam said at a press conference that the loan will secure bread supply for the Lebanese people over a period of six to nine months while increasing its price slightly to 13,000 Lebanese pounds (0.4 U.S. dollars) instead of witnessing a rise in the price to 40,000 LBP and 50,000 LBP. Salam added that the loan will work on securing bread needs for citizens until the government is able to secure f