Thirteen republican POWs, including remand prisoners, who have up until now been held in the `concrete coffins' of Special Secure Units in three prisons in England, have had their security classification downgraded from Exceptional High Risk Category A, to High Risk Category A after a ``security review'' by the Home Office announced late on Monday evening. Free article

There was a massive relaunch of the Saoirse campaign throughout the six counties this Wednesday. A series of rallies was organised to run simultaneously throughout towns and cities at 12 noon on Wednesday 20 August and prisoners from Maghaberry and Long Kesh took part in activities to coincide with events on the outside. Castlewellan, Coalisland, Cookstown, Armagh, Dunloy, Enniskillen, Dungiven, Lurgan, Newry, Omagh and Portadown all participated in rallies and events. Free article

Fern Lane of Fuaiscailt tells the new Labour government that it is time to match their rhetoric on human rights with deeds Free article

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesman Barry McElduff has hailed the forwarding of a report on the murder of Tyrone man Patrick Shanahan (32) to the UN Special Rapporteur on Summary and Arbitrary Executions, and has also called for similar controversial cases to be referred to the UN. Free article

Gerry Adams, MP for West Belfast, has been excluded from a Ford Motors luncheon for newly elected MPs who represent constituencies in which there are Ford plants. The luncheon, which was reported in Ford's in-house magazine, Ford News, was held in London, and the MPs were briefed on Ford's major new investment plan. Free article

Tar Anall spokesman Michael Ferguson has attacked the NIO for maintaining a vindictive policy on released POWs' clothes. Free article

A second tragedy hit the O'Hagan family in Greencastle this week when the youngest son of Paddy and Kathleen O'Hagan died after an accidental fire at his home. Free article

A full moon, on a balmy August night, complemented the fireworks exploding over the night sky last Friday, as the people of Creggan celebrated 50 years of the history of the estate. Free article

Sinn Fein Chairperson Mitchell McLaughlin welcomed the talks with the representatives of the IRSP held in Belfast this week, describing them as ``constructive and positive''. McLaughlin said the parties had discussed the current political situation, and the peace process. Free article

Preparations are continuing for the Sinn Féin Culture Department's annual Slogadh which this year will be held in Pullathomais in County Mayo. This year is the 11th Slogadh, a two day conference which moves from Gaeltacht to Gaeltacht each year and which prides itself in attracting local and national participation from republicans and non republicans alike. Free article