Scottish campaigners looking for action on hunger

Scottish campaigners at the anti-hunger rally in Belfast

Hundreds of Scots were in Belfast over the weekend to take part in a rally calling upon G8 leaders meeting in Northern Ireland to take action to end global hunger.

The rally, organised by the IF campaign, was held to highlight the scandal of 870 million people going without enough food every day. Scots campaigners at the rally included supporters of SCIAF, the Scottish Catholic development agency.

The UK Government has been hosting the G8 meeting of some of the world's most powerful leaders in Enniskillen yesterday and today.

SCIAF and other IF campaigners are calling upon the leaders to stop large corporations avoiding paying tax on the profits they make in the poorest countries - lost revenue they say could be spent on food and development.

They also want action to protect poor farmers from land grabs and make sure that the agricultural land in the poorest countries is actually used to grow food, rather than biofuels for cars.

John Sharp, SCIAF's Campaigns Officer said "We're delighted to see so many Scots make the journey to the Big IF rally in Belfast.

"The G8 leaders meeting this week have to listen to the roar of the people who are demanding action to end the scandal of global hunger.

"They must seize this opportunity to stamp out corporate tax avoidance which robs developing nations of billions of pounds and halt land grabs which lead to poor farmers being evicted from their land in the name of profits from foreign corporations."

News
Almost half of UK adults plan to attend church this Christmas, new poll finds
Almost half of UK adults plan to attend church this Christmas, new poll finds

Churches across the UK are expecting fuller pews this Christmas, as new research suggests a significant rise in the number of people planning to attend services and church-run events over the festive season.

ACNA panel recommends archbishop stand trial
ACNA panel recommends archbishop stand trial

The Board of Inquiry issued a short statement on Friday stating that there was “probable cause to present” ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood “for trial for violation of Canon 2 of this Title.”

Controversial US bishop to give BBC Christmas message
Controversial US bishop to give BBC Christmas message

The BBC has invited Bishop Mariann Budde, the US bishop who challenged President Donald Trump at an inauguration service in January, to give a Christmas message.

Australian church leaders stand in solidarity with Jewish community after Bondi Beach terrorist attack
Australian church leaders stand in solidarity with Jewish community after Bondi Beach terrorist attack

Christian leaders in Australia have expressed their solidarity with the country's grief-stricken Jewish community after a deadly terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday night.