US campaign financing rules have been relaxed even further in recent years, making a worrying problem about the state of American democracy worse (because those with money have even more ability to try and buy votes or influence policy).

Media coverage of this issue, though it may pop up from time to time, seems quite limited. Perhaps because it is estimated that television stations this year could make as much as eight billion dollars from political campaigns.

The state of US mainstream media has unfortunately been lamentable for many years, and after the issues around hurricane Katrina, it was thought that the media would be rejuvenated. Unfortunately it does not seem that way.

This page has been updated with further information about campaign financing issues and how limits in the US have been lifted making the problem worse. Also added were notes on US press freedom, and an info graphic on media ownership concentration.

Read full article: Media in the United States

NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) monitors global surface temperatures on an ongoing basis. Their analysis shows temperatures around the globe in 2011 compared to the average global temperature from the mid-20th century. The comparison shows how Earth continues to experience warmer temperatures than several decades ago.

Global temperatures have warmed significantly since 1880, the beginning of what scientists call the “modern record.” At this time, the coverage provided by weather stations allowed for essentially global temperature data. As greenhouse gas emissions from energy production, industry and vehicles have increased, temperatures have climbed, most notably since the late 1970s. In this animation of temperature data from 1880-2011, reds indicate temperatures higher than the average during a baseline period of 1951-1980, while blues indicate lower temperatures than the baseline average.

Click on the image to see the video:

Read full article: Global Temperature Anomaly, 1880 - 2011

The latest data covering global arms sales shows that sale of arms in 2011 increased to around $85 billion, 84% of which went to developing countries. This was almost double the arms sales compared to 2010 which was the lowest since 2004.

One major factor for the increase was the US sales of arms to Saudi Arabia. Most other major arms sellers otherwise saw a decrease in sales and the trend in recent years had been declining sales.

The global financial crisis has affected many countries, and many developing countries started to see a decrease in purchases in the last few years. However, just 10 developing countries account for some 85% of all sales to developing countries in the period 2004 to 2011, which the data covers. Saudi Arabia tops that list followed by India and the United Arab Emirates. (As well as concerns about some of the regimes in the top buyers, some of this spending is also said to be due to modernizing efforts.)

Updated graphs and charts on arms sales data are provided here.

The arms trade is big business. The 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council (US, Russia, France, United Kingdom and China), together with Germany and Italy, account for approximately 85% of all arms sold between 2004 and 2011.

Some of the arms sold go to regimes where human rights violations will occur. Corruption often accompanies arms sales due to the large sums of money involved.

Read full article: The Arms Trade Is Big Business

A recent study found that coral reefs will face severe challenges even if average global warming temperature rise is restricted to 2 degrees Celsius. This is a rise that most countries are struggling to negotiate and meet. But reefs are very sensitive to temperature changes, experts fear the window of opportunity to prevent massive reef loss is very small.

Read full article: Nature and Animal Conservation

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 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.

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

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.

Express Sport have rounded up five deals that could yet still happen between now and the transfer deadline at 11pm later tonight.

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

Steven Gerrard believes Ryan Kent will get even better for Rangers as he’s not even fully fit yet.

All the latest rumours and gossip coming out of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United's surprise pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani.

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

THE CORONAVIRUS lockdown is now causing serious damage to the UK's economy, Tory MP Steve Baker has warned - stressing he was now "gravely concerned" at the situation

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.

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

Tottenham have been compared to Stoke sides of the past after their loss to Chelsea.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is planning for the future this summer as the Blues add two more highly rated youngsters to their list of transfer targets.

Co-op is recalling Chicken and Stuffing Sandwich due to the possible presence of metal. The possible presence of metal makes this product unsafe to eat.

MARTIN LEWIS has urged motorists to maintain their car in a good condition to prevent drivers from "shelling out" for repairs once the coronavirus lockdown is lifted.

MOTORISTS could be putting themselves at risk of being hit by lorries and heavy goods vehicles at roundabouts in what could become a serious car crash.

CAR INSURANCE companies should work out how much they have saved due to coronavirus and pass over savings based on customer premiums, says experts.

GOOGLE CHROME is the undisputed champion of the internet browser marketplace, but one of its big rivals has received a major update that may tempt you over.

Middlesbrough host Leeds in the Championship tonight and Express Sport is on hand with all the live stream and TV information.

Arsenal have released a statement after Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis tested positive for coronavirus - less than two weeks after the Greek Super League outfit dumped the Gunners out of the Europa League at the Emirates Stadium.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has announced he has coronavirus - he attended the home game against Millwall on Friday.

Olympiakos claim Evangelos Marinakis contracted coronavirus during a recent trip to the UK.

A statement from Arsenal on Thursday night revealed that the manager had contracted the disease after starting to feel ill.

BRITON'S are due to see temperatures soar to 26C on Saturday in a heatwave hotter than Lanzarote.

Leeds host Reading in the Championship this afternoon and Express Sport is on hand with all the live stream and TV information.

Stuart Lancaster spoke to Daily Express Chief Sports Writer about his season with Leinster.

BREXIT was almost thwarted before it could even begin as former Prime Minister David Cameron planned legislation that could have significantly damaged Vote Leave's referendum campaign, a book claims.

THE SPFL title race is hotting up and a super computer has given us an idea of how the season may pan out.

AT 660FT WIDE, the waterway was so big I assumed it was a river. It wasn't. This was just the 3.4-mile long moat around the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia. Our genial tuk-tuk driver Mr Chantol laughed when I explained my mistaken assumption and said "bigger things'' awaited.

Manchester United have made Jude Bellingham one of their top transfer targets, although the Red Devils face competition from Liverpool and Manchester City to sign the Birmingham City star.

BREXIT was almost thwarted before it could even begin as former Prime Minister David Cameron planned legislation that could have significantly damaged Vote Leave's referendum campaign, a book claims.

Celtic fans are raving about youngster Jeremie Frimpong, after the 18-year-old scored in the Hoops’ 4-0 win against Aberdeen, with some supporters claiming the former Manchester City youth prospect is going to be a big player for Neil Lennon’s side in the future.

Celtic fans have trolled Rangers after their 2-1 win against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, with some supporters claiming that they've already won the title and that Neil Lennon's side should be named as Champions.

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

Chelsea and Manchester United have joined Tottenham in the pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain star Thomas Meunier.

ELON Musk's Neuralink company will implant a computer-brain interface into a human in "less than a year", the controversial billionaire has revealed.

WEIGHT LOSS can be a very hard journey for many people, especially in the current climate where Brits are mid-way through their sixth week in lockdown. However it is possible to lose weight in a healthy way, by not restricting your diet and at the same time, also looking after your digestive system, one of the most important parts of the body. An expert has revealed how to lose weight whilst looking after your body.

MELANIA TRUMP is the only First Lady to be a former lingerie model, and is certainly one of the most glamorous. But how does she keep her figure so trim now that she's in the White House?

On 15 January 2020 Express.co.uk published an article with the headline: “Weather warning: Britain braced for ferocious 150mph winds this weekend - SHOCK MAP.”

FACE MASKS are in short supply across the UK with the Government facing criticism for failing to deliver enough essential PPE equipment for those NHS workers on the frontline. But how can you make a face mask at home?

TESCO, Asda, Sainsbury's and Waitrose customers are among those being warned of an urgent product recall, because an item which has been sold by the aforementioned retailers is at risk of potentially containing small pieces of metal.

Phil Taylor will take on women's darts superstar Mikuru Suzuki in a special virtual darts match on Thursday evening.

The PDC Home Tour sees the world's leading darts players battle it out from their homes and Express Sport is on hand with the latest schedule and results.