Latest news with #IPSC
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
Four arrests following protests against pro-Gaza march as cops probe terror flag
There was a heavy police presence at the 'Great March for Gaza' Four men have been arrested following disorder at a pro-Palestine protest and counter demonstrations in Co Armagh over the weekend. There was a heavy police presence at the 'Great March for Gaza' as hundreds of activists made their way through Lurgan, Bleary, Moneypenny Bridge, Scarva, Portadown, Newry, and Victoria Lock on Saturday. Those walking the 25 mile route – which is the same length of the Gaza Strip – to raise funds for Palestinian aid encountered counter demonstrations as they passed through three counties. Police confirmed three other men were cautioned in relation to the event which was organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) Lurgan, in collaboration with IPSC branches in Mid Ulster, Newry, Armagh, Portadown, and Louth. They also said a flag believed to represent a proscribed terror group was confiscated from a parade participant and is the subject of an ongoing investigation. Superintendent Norman Haslett said: 'We were also present at a number of protests that were held in connection with this event. "Three males were cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry and four males were arrested following minor disorder associated with a protest held at the Main Street in Scarva. "These protests had not been notified to the Parades Commission as required by law and officers issued warnings to this effect. An evidence-gathering operation was in place and we will now review the footage gathered and consider any potential offences. 'In Newry, a flag believed to be associated with a prescribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police and this is subject to an ongoing police investigation. "This was an appropriate and proportionate policing operation to ensure that the safety of everyone involved was maintained and that the law was upheld.' (Alamy/PA) Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Four arrests after disorder at ‘Great March for Gaza' protest in Co Armagh as police probe terror flag
There was a heavy police presence at the 'Great March for Gaza' as hundreds of activists made their way through Lurgan, Bleary, Moneypenny Bridge, Scarva, Portadown, Newry, and Victoria Lock on Saturday. Those walking the 25 mile route – which is the same length of the Gaza Strip – to raise funds for Palestinian aid encountered counter demonstrations as they passed through three counties. Police confirmed three other men were cautioned in relation to the event which was organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) Lurgan, in collaboration with IPSC branches in Mid Ulster, Newry, Armagh, Portadown, and Louth. They also said a flag believed to represent a proscribed terror group was confiscated from a parade participant and is the subject of an ongoing investigation. Superintendent Norman Haslett said: 'We were also present at a number of protests that were held in connection with this event. "Three males were cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry and four males were arrested following minor disorder associated with a protest held at the Main Street in Scarva. "These protests had not been notified to the Parades Commission as required by law and officers issued warnings to this effect. An evidence-gathering operation was in place and we will now review the footage gathered and consider any potential offences. 'In Newry, a flag believed to be associated with a prescribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police and this is subject to an ongoing police investigation. "This was an appropriate and proportionate policing operation to ensure that the safety of everyone involved was maintained and that the law was upheld.'
Iraq Business
02-06-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Petroleum Sector in New AI-based Iraqi National Memory Project
By Ahmed Mousa Jiyad . Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Petroleum Sector in A New AI-based Iraqi National Memory Project A group of dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) specialists and professionals are enthusiastically racing against time and actively working on a first of its kind major mission: Iraqi National Memory Project (INMP). It is a national initiative to preserve and digitize over a century of historical, political, economic, and cultural documents, among others, by using AI tools and facilities. INMP is a collaborative effort between the NewsSocial[1], which is a UK-registered cooperative society building a next-generation platform for collaborative intelligence, memory, and AI-enabled public infrastructure, and the Mushtarek Platform of Iraq, where it plays a key role in the INMP.[2] Currently, INMP is in the formation and testing phase, the formal launching of the project is scheduled for the end of the year. The first public activity during this experimental phase was about petroleum sector in Iraq; the backbone of the Iraqi economy. The Mushtarek Platform called for and convened a meeting using Zoom facility on Friday, 9 May 2025.[3] A brief introduction to the event was delivered by Ms. Bayda Hamed, Editor of the INMP and the moderator of the event, followed by my presentation linking Iraq Petroleum Sector Chronicle (IPSC) with INMP, then Dr. Ali Al-Assam, Director at NewsSocial, outlined in a concise way what, how and why AI facilities are used for this project. The moderator starts the session for comments, Q & A and debate until the end of the event. In my PowerPoint participation I reiterated my emphatic support for INMP and highlighted the strong links and synergies between this initiative and my own database, which I have been working on it for nearly three decades. My major research and publishing work is documented through a series of books, published under unified title- Iraq Petroleum Sector Chronicle (IPSC); six volumes are already published, covering the period up to end 2015, and new volumes are in the pipeline, covering the period from 2016 onwards. All IPSC books rest on three pillars: Database, Connectivity & Networking, and Research Methodology. Large, wide, detailed, well organised and continuously updated database . Roughly, 80% of the database is related to Iraqi issues and topics, 70% of which are on the sector-wide petroleum. Each year has its own "master annual file-MAF", which in turn feeds into numerous "thematic or specific" files. These MAFs and the thematic files are the core of IPSC project books. There are 15 MAFs up to and including this year. . Roughly, 80% of the database is related to Iraqi issues and topics, 70% of which are on the sector-wide petroleum. Each year has its own "master annual file-MAF", which in turn feeds into numerous "thematic or specific" files. These MAFs and the thematic files are the core of IPSC project books. There are 15 MAFs up to and including this year. Connectivity & Networking . Broad network of contacts and resources comprising two main categories- Outbox and Inbox. The outbox comprises more than 2500 contacts emails divided over ca. 84 mailing lists, sharing with them my articles, commentaries, research work and notes on my books. These are reposted by more than ten websites and by good number of others' social networks and groups. Moreover, for the inbox , I have subscription in many national and international sources such as organisations, government entities, research institutions, think-tanks, and media among others. Inputs from such networking are important source of information, data and analyses. . Broad network of contacts and resources comprising two main categories- Outbox and Inbox. The comprises more than 2500 contacts emails divided over ca. 84 mailing lists, sharing with them my articles, commentaries, research work and notes on my books. These are reposted by more than ten websites and by good number of others' social networks and groups. Moreover, for the , I have subscription in many national and international sources such as organisations, government entities, research institutions, think-tanks, and media among others. Inputs from such networking are important source of information, data and analyses. Elaborated research methodology. A detailed document outlines the main principles and the research methodology of IPSC books. All my IPSC books have unified main title, i.e., Iraq Petroleum Sector Chronicle, but differ in number of volumes, the covered period and the sub-title. All the published books have similar structure of contents. So far six books have been published covering the period up to end 2015. Books covering 2016 onwards are in the pipeline and forthcoming. First book Book title: Iraq Petroleum Sector Chronicle Book Sub-title: Grand Opening for Big Push Strategy, Volume 1, 2010 & Earlier Published October 2021 Second book Book title: Iraq Petroleum Sector Chronicle Book Sub-title: A Game Changer No More, Volume 2, 2011 Published May 2022 Third Book Book title: Iraq Petroleum Sector Chronicle Sub-title: Reality Seldom Coincides with Expectations, Volume 3, 2012 Published November 2022 Fourth book Book title: Iraq Petroleum Sector Chronicle Sub-title: Contracts Amendments in the Making, Volume 4, 2013 Published April 2023 Fifth book Book title: Iraq Petroleum Sector Chronicle- Book Sub-title: Convergence of Threats and Challenges, Volume 5, 2014 Published August 2023 Sixth book Book title: Iraq Petroleum Sector Chronicle Sub-title: Predicaments Continued, Development Derailed-Volume 6, 2015 Published January 2025 Part four in each IPSC book is for data and statistics and has many sections. The sixth book has ten sections, and some data goes back to 2005: Section 1- Oil Production and its Fiscal Aspects Section 2- Oil Export, Revenues and Prices Section 3- Refining Sector: Capacities, Location and P-D Misalignment Section 4- Associated Gas: Production and Flaring Section 5- Oil Supplies to Domestic Refining Sector Section 6- Iraqi Oil Exports Market Destinations Section 7- Oil Supplied for Electricity Generation Section 8- Development Fund for Iraq- DFI Section 9: Oil and Annual State Budget Laws Section 10: Oil and Gas in Iraqi Kurdistan Region This part has 67 tables and 38 charts. Selected charts representing the main development in the petroleum sector were presented. I concluded my presentation by emphasising my unwavering support for INMP and call others, particularly the young generation of professionals, to follow suit. The event lasted more than two hours and was attended by relatively good number of interested individuals, mostly oil and economic professionals among others.[4] Endnotes [1] For more information on NewsSocial write to: [email protected] or visit [2] More on Oil related sub-group: [3] [4] The full record of the meeting, including my PowerPoint, is accessible through the following link: Click here to read the full article in pdf format. Mr Jiyad is an independent development consultant, scholar and Associate with the former Centre for Global Energy Studies (CGES), London. He was formerly a senior economist with the Iraq National Oil Company and Iraq's Ministry of Oil, Chief Expert for the Council of Ministers, Director at the Ministry of Trade, and International Specialist with UN organizations in Uganda, Sudan and Jordan. He is now based in Norway (Email: mou-jiya(at) Skype ID: Ahmed Mousa Jiyad). Read more of Mr Jiyad's biography here.
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Hundreds march through Sligo to show solidarity with Palestine – ‘We stand on the right side of history'
Well over 500 people attended the IPSC protest which saw local politicians and activists lead the crowd on a march from the GPO through Sligo town centre before finishing at Sligo City Hall. The demonstration was centred around the message 'Stand with Palestine – Stand against Genocide'. Following the march, a number of speakers addressed the crowd assembled at City Hall, including Councillor Gino Boyle who chaired the event; Councillor Declan Bree, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council; Niamh Sullivan, North-West Mothers for Social Justice (NWMSJ); Chris MacManus, former Sinn Féin MEP; Brian O'Boyle of People Before Profit; and Davina Utting of Sligo IPSC. The keynote comments was delivered by Yazan Odeh, a Palestinian resident of Sligo and an ATU research student. Mr Odeh told the crowd that he celebrated his wedding last month in the West Bank where his family reported taking hope and encouragement from Irish protests against Israel's destruction of Gaza. 'The Palestinian people are still here because free people are supporting us. I am strong because of you,' he told the crowd, adding that Irish people's kinship with Palestinians is felt strongly in return. 'We are Irish as you are Palestinian.' Addressing the crowd, Councillor Declan Bree outlined the devastation that Israel has inflicted on Gaza and said pressure must be applied to Sligo-Leitrim TDs Marian Harkin, Frank Feighan and Eamon Scanlon to ensure that sanctions are imposed on Israel. 'Talk to them, phone them, write to them and, if necessary, plead with them to ensure that the OTB is enacted without any further delay,' he said. Niamh Sullivan of NWMSJ pointed to the thousands of children killed by Israeli military actions in Gaza. 'We know now that the killing of children isn't a red line. We have a duty to the children and people of Gaza to create hope. That's why we are calling for people to take action and join the IPSC,' she said. Former Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus said ordinary Irish citizens' protests against South African apartheid in 1984 is what set the stage for Ireland's sanctioning of South Africa in 1987. The episode, he said, provides a model for action against Israel. 'Just as Ireland led by sanctioning Apartheid South Africa in 1987, it must again take the lead today by sanctioning apartheid, genocidal Israel,' he said. 'The ordinary people of Ireland have stood resolutely with the Palestinian people during this onslaught. 'We stand on the right side of history, and we call on the government to the stand on the right side of that line by enacting the Occupied Territories Bill,' he said. Brian O'Boyle of People Before Profit referenced the media storm over Belfast hip-hop group Kneecap's vocal opposition to the war. 'There's more anger at Kneecap for telling the truth about genocide than the genocide itself. We punch through the lies by coming out and protesting,' he said. Davina Utting of Sligo IPSC offered tips on what consumers can do to register their objection via their own consumer choices. 'We can hit companies who won't divest in the back pocket,' she said.
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Standing with the people of Palestine as over 500 march through Sligo
Well over 500 people attended the IPSC protest which saw local politicians and activists lead the crowd on a march from the GPO through Sligo town centre before finishing at Sligo City Hall. The Demonstration was centred around the message 'Stand with Palestine – Stand against Genocide'. Following the march, a number of speakers addressed the crowd assembled at City Hall, including Councillor Gino Boyle who chaired the event; Councillor Declan Bree, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council; Niamh Sullivan, North-West Mothers for Social Justice (NWMSJ); Chris MacManus, former Sinn Féin MEP; Brian O'Boyle of People Before Profit; and Davina Utting of Sligo IPSC. The keynote comments was delivered by Yazan Odeh, a Palestinian resident of Sligo and an ATU research student. Mr Odeh told the crowd that he celebrated his wedding last month in the West Bank where his family reported taking hope and encouragement from Irish protests against Israel's destruction of Gaza. 'The Palestinian people are still here because free people are supporting us. I am strong because of you,' he told the crowd, adding that Irish people's kinship with Palestinians is felt strongly in return. 'We are Irish as you are Palestinian.' Addressing the crowd, Councillor Declan Bree outlined the devastation that Israel has inflicted on Gaza and said pressure must be applied to Sligo-Leitrim TDs Marian Harkin, Frank Feighan and Eamon Scanlon to ensure that sanctions are imposed on Israel. 'Talk to them, phone them, write to them and, if necessary, plead with them to ensure that the OTB is enacted without any further delay,' he said. Niamh Sullivan of NWMSJ pointed to the thousands of children killed by Israeli military actions in Gaza. 'We know now that the killing of children isn't a red line. We have a duty to the children and people of Gaza to create hope. That's why we are calling for people to take action and join the IPSC,' she said. Former Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus said ordinary Irish citizens' protests against South African apartheid in 1984 is what set the stage for Ireland's sanctioning of South Africa in 1987. The episode, he said, provides a model for action against Israel. 'Just as Ireland led by sanctioning Apartheid South Africa in 1987, it must again take the lead today by sanctioning apartheid, genocidal Israel,' he said. 'The ordinary people of Ireland have stood resolutely with the Palestinian people during this onslaught. 'We stand on the right side of history, and we call on the government to the stand on the right side of that line by enacting the Occupied Territories Bill,' he said. Brian O'Boyle of People Before Profit referenced the media storm over Belfast hip-hop group Kneecap's vocal opposition to the war. 'There's more anger at Kneecap for telling the truth about genocide than the genocide itself. We punch through the lies by coming out and protesting,' he said. Davina Utting of Sligo IPSC offered tips on what consumers can do to register their objection via their own consumer choices. 'We can hit companies who won't divest in the back pocket,' she said.
