An unlikely union of US business executives and farmers, as well as 179 diplomats from across the globe, delivered a double setback last week to President George Bush's plan to stiffen the trade blockade on Cuba. Free article

In the second part of a three-week series, An Phoblacht tracks the Sinn Féin vote share across the 18 constituencies and the state of play between the other political parties. Free article

Sinn Féin Upper Bann Assembly candidate Dara O'Hagan has accused a judge at Belfast Court of leniency after he allowed 15 loyalists convicted of serious rioting at Drumcree to walk free with only suspended sentences. Free article

Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe described as "horrendous" scenes in Dublin hospitals on Monday as 120 patients were left on trolleys in five A&Es across the city. Tallaght Hospital, with almost 40 people waiting on trolleys — 19 of them in hospital corridors — was the worst hit. The Tallaght-based TD called on the government to facilitate a debate on a crisis set to worsen and for increases in the Carers' Allowance. Free article

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development, Martin Ferris TD, has expressed concern over figures that show a continuing decline in the number of family farms.The North Kerry TD was commenting upon statistics contained in the 'Compendium of Irish Agricultural Statistics 2003', published last week by the Department of Agriculture and Food. Free article

Sinn Féin Dáil Finance spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has described as "a blast of hot air" the spin being put on Finance Minister McCreevy's address to the Construction Industry Federation where he 'warned' over the spiralling cost of infrastructure projects. Ó Caoláin said the Minister had no intention of challenging the industry which had so many "friends of Fianna Fáil" within it. Free article

The Celtic League has this week highlighted another incident involving an RAF Puma helicopter, when a machine flying between Britain and Ireland was forced to make an emergency landing on the Isle of Man early on Tuesday morning. Free article

South Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly candidate Alex Maskey has welcomed the decision of the BBC to modify its position relating to election coverage in the light of a Sinn Féin court challenge on Wednesday 5 November. Free article

Alex Maskey is pictured signing copies of Man and Mayor at the Art Shop, Falls Road on Thursday 6 November. The book charts the remarkable development of Alex Maskey's career, from his days as a young idealist regularly arrested for his part in the confrontational street politics in the early days of the conflict, through internment and escape attempts from Long Kesh, to the lonely and intimidating "bear garden" of Belfast City Council chamber, where he was the sole Sinn Féin representative. Free article