Twenty years ago at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, countries adopted Agenda 21 — a blueprint to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection. Marking that anniversary, this year sees Rio+20, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, with aims to get bold agreements to address things like poverty, sustainable development, decent jobs, etc.

This page provides coverage of recent events via Inter Press Service’s news feed.

Read full article: Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development

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

Over 40 years ago, rich country governments agreed to give 0.7% of their GNI (Gross National Income) as official aid to poor countries for development assistance.

The average aid delivered each year has actually been between 0.2 to 0.4%. The shortfall has therefore accumulated to almost $5 trillion dollars at 2012 prices, while total aid delivered in that same time frame has reached $3.6 trillion.

This update includes updated charts and graphs that look into this further.

Read full article: Official global foreign aid shortfall: $4 trillion

An overview of the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa that has been described by the World Health Organization as the largest, most severe and most complex outbreak in the history of the disease.

The epidemic began at the end of 2013, in Guinea. From there it spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal. Many of the affected countries face enormous challenges in stopping its spread and providing care for all patients.

Thousands of people have died and many are at risk as the fatality rate from this virus is very high. As the crisis worsens, as well as the enormous health challenges involved, the social and economic consequences may set these countries back, reversing some gains a number of these countries have made in recent years.

This new page includes more information on the above issues.

Read full article: Ebola Outbreak In West Africa

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.

Celtic host Hearts as top takes on bottom in the Scottish Premiership, with Neil Lennon hoping to maintain his seven-point lead over title rivals Rangers. Express Sport is on hand to provide all of the Hoops' team news, as well the predicted line-up, as two stars return from injury.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY 2, a possible Freddie Mercury sequel, has had an update from Brian May.

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

QUEEN and Adam Lambert's tour has already been postponed until next year but Brian May has concerns for performing in a post-pandemic world.

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?

NEXT JAMES BOND odds favourite Tom Hardy has overtaken Richard Madden in the race to replace Daniel Craig after No Time To Die.

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 is all about the roars that sweep around Augusta National on the back nine on a Sunday but sometimes it is a different noise that carries through golf's most evocative landscape. The collective gasps of thousands of patrons; the soundtrack to calamity.

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?

NATWEST customers are being warned to watch out for potential scams, as fraudsters attempt to take advantage during the coronavirus crisis.

STATE pension age is continually being reviewed and altered by the government. The latest change occurred earlier this week.

STATE PENSIONS are calculated by National Insurance contributions - but can you top up any missed years?

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

COSTA RICA is a name to send a chill down any Scotsman’s spine. For me it’s up there with Peru when I think of football nightmares on a world stage.

PARTICK THISTLE were left baffled after a goal was disallowed despite hitting the net during their clash with Greenock Morton.

If you are considering planning a trip to Greece and are wondering which island to visit, you should definitely check out the majestic island of Corfu. There are infinite reasons to plan a trip to...

The post 5 Reasons to Plan a Trip to Corfu 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.

Travelling to Antarctica is usually a once in a lifetime experience, and one many people have on their bucket lists. It’s not surprising, considering the dramatic icebergs, huge areas of wilderness and sensational lagoons. Just...

The post 5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of A Trip To Antarctica appeared first on Geeky Traveller.

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.

THE GOVERNMENT is to enforce a new rule which will see all travellers arriving into the UK being instructed to go into a 14-day quarantine period. It is not yet known how this rule will be enforced, or for how long, but it has the potential to change the way we experience holidays.

DUBAI hotels are slashing prices by up to 60 percent as part of its wider plans to boost tourism to the country.

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?

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.

APRIL saw 20.5 million job losses in the United States, the biggest rise in the jobless rate since the Great Depression.

GEORGE SOROS made a chilling warning about the state of global markets in 2012 that has fresh relevance today as world leaders grapple with the unprecedented challenge of rebuilding the post-coronavirus economy.

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

Tottenham will need to be creative in the transfer market this summer.

Rafael Nadal expressed his worry this week that there may not be any more tennis in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Novak Djokovic has been involved in controversial talks with a friend on Instagram.

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.

FINISH THE LYRICS is one of the most fun rounds in a pub quiz - here is our pick of the best pub quiz questions to include.

QUEEN and Adam Lambert's tour has already been postponed until next year but Brian May has concerns for performing in a post-pandemic world.

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?

Lionel Messi boasts the most viewed goal on YouTube, according to a new study that has analysed the most iconic strikes on the internet.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has been told that he'll have to pay at least £20million to complete the transfer of youngster Eberechi Eze by QPR chiefs, with Spurs the favourites to land the in-demand Championship midfielder.

Liverpool tried to sign Tanguy Ndombele last summer from Lyon and now French reports claim they will return for the Tottenham midfielder.

Liverpool are looking to make Sadio Mane an offer that would tarnish Real Madrid's hopes of signing him.