Video taken by IDF naval boat shows the passengers of the Mavi Marmara, one of the ships in the ‘Free Gaza’ Flotilla, violently attacking IDF soldiers who were trying to board the ship after having sent repeated requests for the boat to change course.

Large groups of passengers surrounded soldiers and beat them with metal poles and chairs, and threw one soldier over the side of the ship. Some passengers grabbed pistols from the IDF soldiers and opened fire. As a result of the attacks, seven IDF soldiers were injured, and nine of the passengers were killed.

The ‘Free Gaza’ Flotilla had publicly insisted on their non-violent intentions, however their violent attack on the IDF soldiers was clearly premeditated. They had knives, metal rods, firebombs and other items ready to use.

These non-smoking ads are tops in my book, brilliant creativity!

Former President Bill Clinton’s charity drew an impressive international roster of donors last year, ranging from Norway and Oman to foreign lotteries, businessmen and celebrities, a contributor list released under an ethics promise by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton showed.

The Clintons agreed to annually disclose the names of donors to the foundation to address concerns about potential conflicts of interest between the former president’s fundraising abroad and his wife’s role in helping direct Obama administration foreign policy.

Here is a rundown of some of the more interesting contributors:

-Saudi Arabian businessman Nasser Al-Rashid, who has given at least $1 million.

-The Coca-Cola Co. and the Swedish Postcode Lottery, which each donated $1 million to $5 million since the foundation started.

-The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a labour union which gave $250,001 to $500,000 over the years.

-International online retailer Alibaba Group, which gave $100,001 to $250,000 in all.

-Professional golf’s PGA Tour Inc., which donated $50,001 to $100,000 overall.

-Celebrity businessman Donald Trump, who gave $50,001 to $100,000 overall.

-Automaker Nissan North America Inc. and the Metropolitan National Bank, which each has given $25,000 to $50,000 total.

I read the Bill Clinton biography, or I should say I listened to it and he is a very interesting and down-to-earth guy.  Go Bill!

In the UK the reccesion has hit quite hard and it seems charities are feeling some of that pressure.  Donations made to the UK’s 170,000 charities have dropped by 11 percent to £9.9bn (£1.3bn in real-terms) according to UK Giving 2009, published today by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

In what is the most comprehensive research into UK charitable giving habits, the survey of 3,316 UK adults, carried out in June and October 2008 and February 2009 shows that the median amount donated per month was £10 per person in 2008/09, a decrease of £1 on the previous year.

Whilst the economic downturn has affected the total amount given there has only been a two per cent fall in the number of adults in the UK who donate to a charity each month, to 54 percent. This equates to 774,000 fewer people giving.

Medical research (20 percent), hospitals and hospices (15 percent) and children and young people (14 percent) are the most popular causes. Cash remains the most common method of giving with nearly half of donors (48%) giving cash and around a third of donors (31 percent) giving via direct debit.

Every year it is estimated that around £750m of Gift Aid goes unclaimed (2) on donations. UK Giving found that only four in ten donors Gift Aided their donations. Stuart Etherington, CEO, NCVO said: “Inevitably the recession is having an effect on charities, and on the levels of giving. But it would be wrong to predict the collapse of the sector because of the current climate.

“It is reassuring to know that the public are continuing to support the vital work that voluntary and community organisations do in local communities across the country. We would like to thank people for their on-going generosity.”

Commenting on the research, CAF Chief Executive John Low, added: “Even though there are welcome signs the recession is technically ending, the economic downturn is still severely impacting charities, many of whom have had to cut jobs while facing increased demand for their services.

Regardless of the challenges, UK residents are still donating a healthy amount to charities, keep up the good work!