Khan Younis

Israeli troops move into Khan Younis, Gaza's second largest city.  Palestinian death toll reaches to approximately 550 with 2,500 injured.  Hospitals are overwhelmed. Food supplies low. Electricity and water down.  

Here are some quotes to ponder:

"The Zionists have legitimised the killing of their children by killing our children. They have legitimised the killing of their people all over the world by killing our people."  -Mahmoud Zahar, senior leader of Hamas

"When Israel is targeted, Israel is going to retaliate,"  - Tzipi Livni, Israeli Foreign Minister

An eye for an eye indeed. 

Last Night in London

Here is the last handkerchief embroidered in London.  About an hour of stitching was done in Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern.  The current exhibition there looked like an Ikea concentration camp.  A very strange place to stitch.

Crystal and Porcelain

The Waterford Wedgwood company falls into administration (British English for Bankruptcy, I suspect) after failing to raise 200m pounds in capital. Not a peep about a government bailout in the article. High tea will never be the same again if this company goes under.

On another note, I woke up this morning to discover snow on the ground.  It will be interesting walking the streets of London without my snow gear.  

No End in Sight

I went to Trafalgar Square today and took this photo.  It looks so calm but yesterday it was the sight of a protest rally with estimated figures of 60,000 people. 

 

Day #104

For Kashif Irfan and his family who were wrongly forced to leave their AirTran flight.

Day #103

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam 

Ground Attack Begins in Gaza

The situation in Gaza is quickly deteriorating as Israeli forces start ground attack. Ibrahim al-Maqadna Mosque was hit at dusk killing 12 people.  Six of the 12 casualties were children. 

People around the world join in protest. I stumbled across this photograph of the protest in Rome:

Loaded, isn't it?

Battery Died

My camera battery died and is charging.  Looks like I will be posting three handkerchiefs tomorrow night. 

Ridiculous

On an AirTran flight from Washington to Florida, a group of 8 Muslims were forced off a plane after a passenger reported a "suspicious" comment  made by fellow passenger, Kashif Irfan. The remark said to Irfan's wife and brother was,

 

"Wow, the jets are right next to my window."

After the flight crew was informed, all 104 passengers were removed from the plane. After every passenger was cleared by the FBI, only the group of 8 were prohibited from re-boarding the flight and forced to buy a flight on a different carrier.  

Unfortunately, this story proves racial profiling is alive and well. Paranoia persists and it is down right ugly and unjust.

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

Sri Lankan troops enter the Tamil Tiger Capital of Kilinochchi. The capture of the LTTE stronghold marks a major defeat for the militant organization which is considered a terrorist organization in 31 countries. 

(photo documentation of today's hanky will be posted tomorrow)

Out of Gas

Russian, state-owned Gazprom shuts down gas supply to the Ukraine due to unpaid bills from intermediary company RosUkrEnergo.  

Last Handkerchief of 2008

2009!

I welcomed the arrival of 2009 in a London bar.  The first song played after the countdown was "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins.  I can't imagine what the DJ was thinking.  

I was dreading waking up today.  I knew the news would not be pleasant.

Headlines for today:

• Gaza bombings continue as Israel rejects ceasefire
• At least 61 killed in Bangkok club fire
• Russia cuts Ukraine gas supply
• Royal Marine killed in Afghanistan
• Cubans less enthusiastic for celebration

Last Rites for 2008

New Year's Eve.  I think it is time for a new start.

More Heartbreak

Upon arrival in London this morning, I decided I would mine my source material from a local newspaper, The Guardian.  The front page had an excruciatingly heart-wrenching story about the Balousha Family in Gaza who lost 5 daughters in the air strikes.  The monogram is for the youngest of the casualties, Jawahar, who was only four years old.

  

Unfortunately I was not able to finish this one.