Chapter 1: A way of viewing a business. Question 2

Here are three assets, liabilities and equity items from my firm UBM.  I found these on the statement of financial position (balance sheet) from the 2014 annual report. 

Assets:
1) Trade and other receivables: I had no idea what this was, however, from looking through the notes it appears to be amounts UBM have invoiced, therefore revenue to be received.  These invoices will be paid providing future economic benefit.
2) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash which provides future economic benefit.
3) Assets of disposal group classified as held for sale: This is relating to groups disposal of units within UBM.  These assets will be sold for future economic benefit.

Liabilities:
1) Current tax liabilities: This is recognition of unpaid tax that is expected to be paid to tax authorities and will use up future economic benefit.
2) Trade and other payables: These are amounts outstanding for purchases and ongoing costs, which will be paid at some point using up future economic benefit.
3) Provisions: What does this mean? From the notes they are a recognised obligation of a past event, put aside for future liability and the use of economic benefit. Examples: Guarantees, losses, deferred tax.

Equity:
1) Share Capital: Capital that has come from issuing shares increasing the value of interests of the owners.
2) Share Premium: The difference between selling price of shares and their initial value.
3) Other reserves: If anyone could please comment on what this is? In the notes Merger Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Reserve, and ESOP. My question is how exactly these are equity? For example how does an 'employee stock ownership plan' increase value of interest of owners equity?