In the Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, Hanan Zarura, a master craftswoman of Palestinian tatreez embroidery, works with other women to create intricate designs on black linen. Despite never having been to the Palestinian Territories, Zarura knows all the unique embroidery designs from different regions. The women in the workshop, second and third-generation Palestinian refugees, use their trade to earn a living and maintain a connection to their homeland. Beit Atfal Assumoud, a NGO supporting the workshop, was founded after a massacre of Palestinians in 1976 and aims to provide employment opportunities for widows and impoverished Palestinian women.
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Leasehold flats to be banned in overhaul of centuries-old system
The housing minister in England and Wales has pledged to abolish the centuries-old leasehold system before the next general election, banning the sale of new leasehold flats in favor of commonhold tenure. Homeowners will gain greater control over their properties, with measures outlined in a white paper marking the end of the "feudal" system, which has been criticized for unfair costs and practices. The proposed reforms will eliminate extra expenses like ground rent, giving homeowners...
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