A bitter aftertaste in the sugar industry

A new report looking at the tax affairs of multinational company, Associated British Foods (ABF) reveals a bitter link between its operations in Zambia and its tax practices.

ABF produces brands like Silver Spoon sugar, Ryvita and Kingsmill bread and owns Primark.

Risking prison to fight corruption

This article was updated on 28 March 2013 - see below

This Thursday 14 February Rev David Zac Niringiye will report to Wandegeya Police Station in Kampala and there is a chance that he could be taken to court and charged with the crime of ‘inciting violence’ and asked to report again.  But he is also hoping that the case will be dismissed on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution.

Last Monday, Anglican bishop, Niringiye, was arrested and detained in Kampala for distributing materials denouncing corruption, to students at Makerere University in Kampala.
His action was part of Black Monday, a movement of many different groups raising awareness and demanding action against the theft of public resources by politicians and public servants.  Bishop Niringiye has written that, “Corruption is stealing right out of the pockets of ordinary Ugandans. People are dying because they cannot access basic health care from trained staff.”

Philippines hit by 'Pablo', its 16th typhoon this year

Please pray for The Philippines which was hit by its 16^th typhoon this year a few days ago. 

Typhoon Bopha (Pablo) caused massive damage to several provinces in southern Philippines, particularly Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.  It also brought personal tragedy to hundreds of families who lost their loved ones to flash floods, landslides, storm surges and other incidents caused by the typhoon.  

Most residents of the devastated towns in these two provinces experienced the full brunt of a cyclone for the first time in their lives, and they are still in shock.  Their whole villages were simply wiped out; public infrastructures and facilities rendered useless; plantations devastated.  As the Davao Oriental governor lamented: “Every structure there collapsed; houses, public buildings, hospitals, churches; nothing was spared.” 

Jim Wallis: "If your gospel isn't good news to poor people it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ."

LEADERS from both sides of the pond have urged the global church to ensure its 'Good News' is active and embraces the poor - just as Jesus intended.

US-based Christian author Jim Wallis told Joel Edwards that Jesus' gospel and justice go together, during an interview for the 9-week The Jesus Agenda DVD resource for the global Church.

Mr Wallis is best known as the founder and editor of Sojourners magazine and as the founder of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian community of the same name.

During The Jesus Agenda, Mr Wallis said that Jesus' words in Luke 4:18-19 were his "mission statement" for Christians to follow.

He said: "If your gospel isn't good news to poor people it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ."