At the start of June 2013, a large number of documents detailing surveillance by intelligence agencies such as the US’s NSA and UK’s GCHQ started to be revealed, based on information supplied by NSA whistle blower, Edward Snowden.

These leaks revealed a massive surveillance program that included interception of email and other Internet communications and phone call tapping. Some of it appears illegal, while other revelations show the US spying on friendly nations during various international summits.

Unsurprisingly, there has been a lot of furor. While some countries are no doubt using this to win some diplomatic points, there has been an increase in tension with the US and other regions around the world.

Much of the US surveillance programs came from the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the US in 2001. Concerns about a crackdown on civil rights in the wake of the so-called war on terror have been expressed for a long time, and these revelations seem to be confirming some of those fears.

Given the widespread collection of information, apparently from central servers of major Internet companies and from other core servers that form part of the Internet backbone, activities of millions (if not billions) of citizens have been caught up in a dragnet style surveillance problem called PRISM, even when the communication has nothing to do with terrorism.

What impacts would such secretive mass surveillance have on democracy?

Read full article: Surveillance State: NSA Spying and more

An overview of the Climate Change Conference (also known as COP 19), held in Warsaw, Poland in November 2013.

Predictably and sadly, the same issues have resurfaced: West stalling on doing anything, lack of funding, disagreement on priorities, etc.

This page is an overview of the Warsaw Climate conference and also includes a feed of latest news stories from Inter Press Service’s coverage of the conference.

Read full article: COP19 - Warsaw Climate Conference

It is well known that tobacco smoking kills. But it also exacerbates poverty, contributes to world hunger by diverting prime land away from food production, damages the environment and reduces economic productivity. Second hand smoking also affects other people’s lives. Despite many attempts to prevent it, a global tobacco control treaty became international law in 2005.

However, challenges still remain as tobacco companies try to hit back, for example, by targeting developing nations, increasing advertising at children and women, attempting to undermine global treaties and influence trade talks, etc.

This update includes updated stats, as well as more information on the above issues.

Read full article: Tobacco

A recent study has found that three quarters of the world’s big carnivores are in decline, due to declining habitats and persecution by humans. This is also having a negative impact on the environment because top predators have a crucial role in any given ecosystem which is hard to replace.

At the same time, the number of rhinos being poached in South Africa (where most rhinos now remain) has soared exponentially in recent years.

This update includes more information on the above issues.

Read full article: Nature and Animal Conservation

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

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

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

Recently released data showed that 2014 was the hottest year since records began in 1880.

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

Read full article: Climate Change and Global Warming Introduction

Many are afraid that tackling climate change is going to be too costly. But increasingly, studies are showing action will not just be cheaper than inaction, but could actually result in economic, environmental and even health benefits, while improving sustainability.

This new page includes more information on the above issues.

Read full article: Action on climate change is cheaper than inaction

Rangers could be without Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield for their trip to play Hearts on Sunday.

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.

Steven Gerrard spoke about Alfredo Morelos after the Colombian scored two in Rangers' Scottish League Cup semi-final against Hearts.

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

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.

Celtic host Hearts in the Scottish Premiership today and Express Sport is on hand with all the live stream and TV information.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has suggested he could leave Ibrox after their defeat to Hearts as the manager said he will consider his future over the next couple of days.

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.

The FA Cup fifth round takes place on Wednesday evening and Express Sport is on hand with all the info you need as the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United find out their opponents.

The FA Cup quarter-final draw takes place this evening but what ball number is your team? Express Sport has all the details.

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.

Holders Manchester City were drawn away at Newcastle in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Sheffield United will host Arsenal, while Chelsea travel to Leicester.

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.

In these unprecedented times, we have published the following open letter thanking those working in the meat industry in Wales for their co-operation.

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

TENCENT has confirmed that issues with the latest PUBG Mobile update process are being looked into this weekend, ahead of the Season 13 Royale Pass release.

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

ELVIS PRESLEY's Sunday Meatloaf can be made at home and now Graceland chef's has shown fans how from the mansion's kitchen in a new video.

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.

Tiger Woods was originally scheduled to defend his Masters jacket in Augusta this weekend.

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.

The Ryder Cup remains scheduled to take place in September despite other major golf tournaments being postponed.

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?

Rory McIlroy would rather get abuse from American fans and delay the Ryder Cup by a year than play behind closed doors.

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?

Rory McIlroy is teaming up with Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff to help raise funds for COVID-19 relief in a skins match.

Brooks Koepka admits talking smack with Michael Jordan backfired on the golf course.

LYING flat out on a hot stone table, wearing nothing but the skimpiest of briefs, I suddenly felt incredibly uneasy. A Turkish man, topless and muscular, entered the room, threw freezing water over me then rubbed my stomach with abrasive mittens… and this was meant to be a holiday!

PINK sunsets, shady pines and views stretching for miles across the vivid blue waters of the Aegean… hotel settings don’t come more spectacular than this.

Waking up in the Maldives is pure joy.

MALDIVES holidays are on the bucket list of so many Britons thanks to the picture postcard-worthy scenery and year-round sun. Kandima Maldives is one of many hotels in the Indian Ocean nation, so what makes it stand out? This writer headed to the resort to find out.

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.