The political debacle over the failure of the Dublin Government's attempt to obtain the £147,000 a year job of vice-president of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for Hugh O'Flaherty rumbles on. What have not been examined are the dealings that led to the nomination. Free article

SDLP leader John Hume announced on Wednesday, 30 August, that he is to resign his seat in the Six-County Assembly. Hume, who suffered a serious illness last year, cited ill health as the reason for his decision. The 63-year-old intends staying on as SDLP leader, Foyle MP and Six-County MEP. Free article

As proposals to open Irish passport offices in Belfast and Derry appear ready to come to fruition, unionists have launched a fresh campaign to block the project. Free article

Several people were injured by stones and glass on Tuesday, 29 August, when a loyalist mob of 20 people launched a fresh spate of attacks on residents of the Springfield Road. Free article

The murder charge against loyalist William Stobie in connection with the killings of leading human rights solicitor Pat Finucane was reduced at the Belfast Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 30 August. Free article

Sinn Féin Councillor Seán Crowe stands at the gate to a factory unit in Whitestown Industrial Estate in Tallaght that is being used as an illegal asbestos dump. Free article

There was good news at last for the North of the city last week as the computer giant TeleTech confirmed that it will be occupying a hi-tech factory in Duncairn Gardens within weeks with an £11 million investment package. Free article

Demonstrations across the United States and around the world took place on Wednesday, 30 August, to coincide with US President Bill Clinton's trip to Cartagena, Colombia. The main demands were: ``Stop the US war against Colombia! No to Plan Colombia!'' In Dublin, a soliodarity vigil was held on Wednesday evening outside the US Embassy in Ballsbridge, organised by Trocaire, AfrI and friends and the family of Fr. Brendan Forde, an Irish priest working in Colombia. . Free article

Members of Altan and Clannad performed at a successful fund-raising event in Gortahawk on Sunday, 27 August organised by the Alternatives to Poles and Pylons (ATP) group in Donegal. The big name acts participating demonstrate the strength of feeling in this scenic area against an ESB plan to route a 110kv power line overland from Letterkenny to Binbane near Ardara via Creeslough and Gortahork. Free article

Children, pensioners, community workers and other residents of the lower Falls Road rolled up their sleeves on Monday, 28 August, for a major clean-up operation of Dunville Park in West Belfast. Armed with bin bags and brushes, hundreds demonstrated their determination to reclaim a park that has become a focal point for drug addicts and joyriders. Free article