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Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services.

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services

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The Fifth Floor: Beirut port explosion: 3 years on

Documentaries

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04/08/2023 GMT

Beirut port explosion: 3 years on

BBC World Service - The Fifth Floor, Beirut port explosion: 3 years on

BBC Arabic’s Carine Torbey meets the people living without answers or justice

BBC Arabic’s Carine Torbey meets the families of victims of the Beirut port explosion who are living without answers or justice three years on.

Beirut's devastating port explosion killed more than 200, and injured thousands, but three years on, while neighbourhoods have largely returned to normal the families of victims are still waiting for answers.  BBC Arabic's Carine Torbey spoke to three people directly affected by the explosion about their experiences and perspectives. 

Why being a 'pure vegetarian' got Sudha Murty into trouble 
Sudha Murty is married to one of the richest men in India and mother-in-law to the British Prime Minister. But she recently sparked debates with comments about vegetarianism on a popular TV food programme, with her claim to being a ‘pure vegetarian’ offending many.  From BBC Delhi, Geeta Pandey joins us to explore why vegetarianism can be such a controversial topic in India.  

Ibrat Safo: finding my Ukrainian nanny 
When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, BBC journalist Ibrat Safo's first thought was for Natasha, the Ukrainian nanny who had cared for him as a baby in Uzbekistan.  He decided to try and find her, and after more than a year, finally tracked her down.  

Iran's hijab problem 
Efforts to enforce hijab rules in Iran have stepped up recently, with businesses being shut down, and women convicted of breaking the rules given bizarre sentences by courts, like being compelled to receive psychotherapy, or washing corpses.  BBC Monitoring Iranian journalist Sonia has been following the story.  

Myanmar's new banknote 
The military regime in Myanmar has just issued a new banknote worth 20,000 kyat, just less than $10. It bears the image of a white elephant, and its issue coincided with the unveiling of an enormous statue of Buddha in the capital Naypyidaw. BBC Burmese editor Soe Win Than explains the significance of the imagery and the timing.

(Photo: Lebanese army member by damaged grain silo, Beirut port blast site (August 7, 2020). Credit: Reuters/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo)

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