THE QUEEN addressed the nation as part of VE Day celebrations today, and Her Majesty wore her Aquamarine Clip Brooches, making a sweet nod to her father, who gave her the jewellery.

Leeds United take on Hull City on Saturday and Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa faces an important decision after Kiko Casilla was issued an eight-match ban.

Hull City host Leeds United in the Championship today and Express Sport is on hand with all the live stream and TV information.

The global financial crisis has spawned a global protest movement campaigning against things like inequality, corporate greed, lack of jobs, etc. Although these protests have occurred for decades, they have typically been in the developing countries, or about the situation in developing countries. As such, many Western nations, who have strongly influenced the conditions in developing countries, have typically not paid much attention to such protests, no matter how large. However, this time, the global financial crisis has hit the ordinary citizens of Western nations quite hard, and inspired by the Arab Spring and protests in Spain, a global movement seems to have sprung up.

The global protests page had not been updated since the end of 2003, but has not included a brief overview of more recent protests such as the so-called Occupy Movement. The older content remains because it is interesting to note some of the parallels too, and it is perhaps important to note that these protests are unfortunately not new. Whether this time it can make a difference is too early to tell but a lot of people in wealthy countries this time are also participating.

Read full article: Public Protests Around the World

In the US the protest movement is symbolically against the top 1%. Income data from the US Congressional Budget Office, however, shows that it isn’t just the top 1% benefiting far more than the rest of American society, but the top 0.1% in particular.

High levels of inequality is generally believed to affect social cohesion. Some findings suggest that once nations are industrialized, more equal societies almost always do better in terms of health, well-being and social cohesion and that large income inequalities within societies destroys the social fabric and quality of life for everyone.

This update to the poverty page adds a section on inequality in the US, as well as adding some additional information about research showing globally some 147 multinational companies having core global influence and power.

Read full article: Poverty Around the World

A recent IAEA report on Iran’s nuclear program was portrayed by most Western mainstream media and politicians as new proof Iran is close to building nuclear weapons. The US Senate passed sanctions on Iran targeting its central bank in response.

However, the report does not say what the mainstream media and politicians claim. It has been much more guarded and much of it is about the state of Iran’s program up to 2003. After that period, the report is much more uncertain. Furthermore, many experts contend that the speculations (not definitive proof) that are in the report are misguided, too, leaning on unreliable sources, for example.

This update to the page on Iran has more information about this. Although the page is long, look for the new section about half way down under the heading of Regurgitating old stories as new information to justify sanctions?

Read full article: Iran

It seems the world is awash with money, even though most governments are facing economic pressures. Trillions are being hidden away by a very few global super elite in offshore bank accounts, avoiding billions in taxes such that constrained governments turn to austerity and other measures, inflicting more hardship on people who are typically already victims of the global financial crisis. Furthermore, it turns out that many of the banks we have all bailed out help with these offshore practices in various ways.

Tax avoidance by the super rich results in lost revenues in the order of hundreds of billions a year, which would (in theory at least) benefit most of society. But if you can afford an army of ingenious lawyers and accountants, it seems you can play by a different set of rules.

Recent high profile cases of companies and individuals avoiding taxes in recent years has resulted in governments claiming they will address this issue thoroughly. But that is as far as it seems to go.

This update includes additional figures and examples of recent tax avoidance issues that have come to light.

Read full article: Tax Avoidance and Tax Havens; Undermining Democracy

For a while now many European governments have resorted to austerity measures to deal with the recession and financial crises affecting them. This may have either been by choice, or pressured from the outside.

However, as has been warned countless times, excessive austerity rarely works. Furthermore, focusing on debts and deficits appears to miss the point that the economic problems were caused by a collapse in markets and banking sector in particular, resulting in less revenues for governments; not necessarily an excessive overspend by governments.

Some of the policies being forced through even when evidence appears to show they do not work lead many to think that austerity and structural adjustment policies are being ideologically pushed for — just as they were on most of the developing countries for almost 2 decades with devastating results.

Indeed, in the US, investigations have found billionaires pouring hundreds of millions of dollars on campaigns to fix the debt making it appear as a grassroots movement. Fixing the debt of course happens to leave the elite less affected, so it works to their advantage to push for something like that.

Without more focus on appropriate economic growth, there is a real risk in going backwards, and even undermining democracy.

The global financial crisis page on this web site has been updated with new sections and videos on this issue.

Read full article: Global Financial Crisis

In recent years, global military expenditure has increased again and is now comparable to Cold War levels. Recent data shows global spending at over $1.7 trillion, despite the global economic conditions. It is still approximately 1% increase since 2008 when the financial crisis began, for example.

Not all nations have felt the impacts of the global financial crisis in the same way. Some have grown economically, including many Asian countries, which has allowed some of them to increase their military spending. There are geopolitical interests at stake for various powers, so economic troubles or not, military spending is seen as important to maintain, or at least to minimize possible reductions.

The highest military spender is the US accounting for 39% of the world’s spending, more than the next top 10 countries combined, and more than all its potential enemies, combined. But this represents a slight decline over previous years as other nations, especially China and Russia, increase their spending. At the same time, the US has reduced military spending for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, while Western Europe’s austerity programs affect their military spending budgets.

This update includes new and updated figures, graphs and charts exploring this further.

Read full article: World Military Spending

The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) recently published new preliminary figures for aid in 2013.

It showed official development assistance (ODA) aid from wealthy governments had increased to just under $135 billion in 2013 (at constant 2012 prices). This is roughly 0.3% of GNI (Gross National Income) of the donor nations.

Yet, over 40 years ago nations promised to reach 0.7% of their GNI by the mid-1970s. While each year the amount of aid falls quite short of that 0.7% target (less than half of that target), the quality and effectiveness of that aid is often questionable, sometimes benefiting the donor more than the recipient due to the types of conditions attached to this aid.

This update includes a number of new and updated charts and graphs.

Read full article: Foreign Aid for Development Assistance

Celtic legend Chris Sutton has bitten back Robbie Savage on Twitter, as the Hoops finished the week top of the Scottish Premiership table, after Rangers’ 1-1 draw against Hearts.

Steven Gerrard is very frustrated with Rangers’ poor performance against Hearts.

David Moyes came close to joining Celtic on two occasions and has opens up on his quest to return to management.

Manchester City face Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup fifth round at Hillsborough on Wednesday night, and Pep Guardiola has a number of injury concerns for his starting XI. This is the Citizens' predicted line up, as Sergio Aguero could feature, while Claudio Bravo starts in goal.

Manchester City fans are fuming with manager Pep Guardiola over his team selection for the FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday, as both Phil Foden and Eric Garcia are left out of his starting line up for the clash at Hillsborough.

Sergio Aguero kept Manchester City on course to retain the FA Cup with the only goal in a disappointing fifth-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday. City will travel to Newcastle in the quarter finals.

Manchester City beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 in the FA Cup clash at Hillsborough, as Pep Guardiola's side progress to the quarter-finals, just in time for the FA Cup draw. Express Sport is on hand to bring you all of the Citizens' player ratings after a tough evening against the Championship club.

THE next Fortnite live event is kicking off now and there's good news for UK gamers missing out on the Party Royale Concert.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 6 may go ahead without Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow and fans are having none of it.

JOHN LENNON revealed his least favourite Beatles song was one he "knocked off" from Elvis Presley.

TOM JONES had a huge number of famous friends - but did that include the late singer Little Richard?

BRIAN MAY is known for shredding it on his guitar for millions of Queen fans - but what has caused him to head to hospital?

The British Open has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Masters was scheduled to take place this weekend until it was called off due to the coronavirus outbreak - but would Tiger Woods have defended his title?

EXCLUSIVE: Justin Rose opens up on applauding the NHS from afar, supporting online fundraising efforts with fellow celebrities and why the Ryder Cup should not take place behind closed doors.

The PGA Tour has been disrupted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic - but will player eligibility be affected?

AS I SIT at the bar looking out across the best, white-sand beach in Jamaica, the chilled beats of reggae's latest superstar bounce across the breeze. The chorus to local boy Chronixx's "Skankin' Sweet" kicks in. An ode to parking the stresses of life and appreciating the good things, his lyrics "forget your troubles and rock with me," certainly resonate throughout this laid-back Caribbean island nation.

STARING out at the pounding Atlantic waves, I never thought I'd get in, let alone close to surfing, standing up on a board. The breakers pulsed toward me as I patted my feet in the shallows while trying to stay upright in the unrelenting wind.

MARTIN LEWIS, 47, appeared on his Money Show Live last night to discuss the latest news on all things finance and coronavirus. He responded to one viewer who had questions on their ISA options.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT claims have soared in recent weeks, as Britons have begun to feel the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis. How much is Universal Credit? The amount depends on whether certain circumstances apply.

CORONAVIRUS has forced people to re-evaluate their finances as income takes a hit and budgets are stretched. One of the first port of calls for change has been direct debits and new research reveals that some people may find themselves with more cash available once this all ends.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT claims have surged in recent weeks, as Britons have begun to feel the impact of the coronavirus crisis. How do earnings affect payments?

CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers admits he will need to delve back into the transfer market for another striker if Moussa Dembele leaves.

JOSH WINDASS silenced his Rangers hecklers – and won the backing of his boss.

All the latest rumours and gossip coming out of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Chelsea have entered negotiations with Leicester over Ben Chilwell after the left-back reportedly told his agent he wants a transfer to London.

California is the mecca of vacation attractions and excitement. It’s known for its beautiful scenery and infamous weather year-round. If you’re planning a family trip, you have your pick from Universal Studios Hollywood, Discovery Kingdom,...

The post Best Cities to Visit in Southern California appeared first on Geeky Traveller.

If there’s something worth investing in, that would be ‘experiences’. Creating fun memories, especially when traveling, is priceless. If you are into experiencing only the best, check out the following ideas and enjoy: Go on...

The post 5 Experiences to Suit Every Taste appeared first on Geeky Traveller.

Liverpool ace Rhian Brewster has joined Swansea on loan until the end of the season.

Chelsea transfer news is coming in thick and fast and Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the very latest from Stamford Bridge.

CELTIC will need to up their offer to David Turnbull if they want to salvage his £3million transfer.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II, 94, is the world's best-travelled monarch and has visited countries all over the world. Prince Philip, 98, often joins her on her many travels - but there's one thing he hates.

GREEK island Santorini is trialling new social distancing measures for beachgoers, with the introduction of new plexiglass screens surrounding sun loungers and beach chairs. Will these measures mean Britons can soon visit?

Odion Ighalo scored twice as Manchester United beat Derby to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals and leave their all-time top scorer Wayne Rooney on the losing side.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his side beat Derby 3-0 in their FA Cup showdown on Thursday night.

THE British economy is set to plummet into its worst recession for 300 years because of the coronavirus crisis, the Bank of England warned yesterday.

A SURGE in bitcoin prices has seen the cryptocurrency market jump by over $13 billion overnight.

BRITAIN'S summer holiday destinations will face some of the biggest economic hits of the coronavirus pandemic with fears of massive job losses in coastal communities, a study has claimed.

Rafael Nadal has been outspoken with his thoughts on how the Spanish government handled the coronavirus pandemic.

There is an ongoing debate to crown a member of the 'Big Three' as the greatest of all time.