Latest news with #Sanction
Otago Daily Times
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
OUSA rescind Israel boycott
The Otago University Students' Association has backed down on a previous decision to boycott products and companies with ties to Israel. The issue came to a head earlier this year after the student body's decision to ban Domino's Pizza from "Tent City" during O Week. It was justified as being part of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) position — a Palestinian-led movement promoting boycotts, divestments and economic sanctions against Israel or products with ties to it. But OUSA walked back the policy at an executive meeting on Monday, citing a lack of information. This has led to Green Party MP Francisco Hernandez urging the association to rethink the damage done in a letter to the executive. Mr Hernandez asked OUSA to be mindful of their reputation. "While there may be sponsorship and funding opportunities that OUSA will lose as a result of taking this stance — there is no immediate expectation that OUSA seamlessly shift from 0-100 on the Boycott, Divest, Sanction campaign so the immediate impacts and costs are not as dramatic as you may have been advised. "But doing the right thing is rarely easy and politics is sometimes about making difficult choices." The letter also referred to the fact the executive had surveyed the students earlier this year, and more than 53% were in favour of the sanctions. A trio of action groups — Otago Students for Justice in Palestine, Muslim Student Association and Otago Staff for Palestine — also had stern criticism about OUSA's attempts to take a neutral position in a joint letter. "Purchasing decisions are not 'neutral'; they are actions. Currently, OUSA, on behalf of the students of Otago, wants to continue actively buying goods from companies directly complicit in war crimes." Academic Dr Olivier Jutel said the genocide in Gaza was "the moral horror of our time". Reuters has reported that Gaza's health ministry said Israel's post-October 7, 2023, military assault had killed more than 56,000 Palestinians. New Zealand Jewish Council representative Juliet Moses said she welcomed OUSA's about-face. "However, we believe it is a positive development to recognise the complexity of this war including the role of Hamas and its ongoing holding of hostages and oppression of Gazans, the desirability of constructive informed dialogue and engagement, and the need for two peoples to have self-determination and live with dignity and security." OUSA president Liam White defended the change in position. "This decision does not represent an abandonment of the underpinning principles of BDS. The OUSA executive remains committed to pursuing alternative actions that reflect solidarity and support in a more sustainable manner. "While the executive continues to express deep concern over the ongoing and distressing situation in the region, its foremost responsibility is to ensure the continuity and stability of essential student services provided by OUSA to benefit all students at the University of Otago."
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE Central Bank imposes financial sanction on exchange house
ABU DHABI - The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) imposed a financial sanction of AED100 million on an exchange house, pursuant to Article (137) of the Decretal Federal Law No. (14) of 2018, regarding the Central Bank and Organisation of Financial Institutions and Activities, and amendments thereto. The financial sanction is based on the results of the findings of examinations conducted by the CBUAE, which revealed significant failures in the exchange house's Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations framework, and related regulations. The CBUAE, through its supervisory and regulatory mandates, endeavours to ensure that all exchange houses, their owners, and staff abide by the UAE laws, regulations and standards established by the CBUAE to maintain transparency and integrity of the financial transactions and safeguard the UAE financial system.
Glasgow Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow University students block West End road amid protest
The protest, which began at around 11am, was in response to a University Court meeting scheduled for the same day at 1.45pm. The students, alongside supporters from the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee (GGEC), Glasgow University Celtic Supporters Club (GUCSC), and other pro-Palestinian organisations, are part of the Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) campaign. READ MORE: Manhunt launched after man stabbed in 'targeted' midday attack The protestors called on the court members to vote for unconditional divestment from arms companies, which make more than 10% of their earnings from arms sales. This demand followed the release of the court agenda on April 16, 2025, which made no mention of a vote on divestment, only a revision of the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) policy. The SRI policy does not include the requirement to divest from arms companies. The roadblock is the latest in a series of actions on the university campus by GUJPS. In March, the group increased their presence on campus through continued direct action. Students took part in a 10-day hunger strike, established an encampment on Library Hill, and last month, more than 100 students blocked University Avenue. READ MORE: Scottish TikTok in uproar after baby named this common Scots insult GUJPS argue that the university's investments in arms companies make it complicit in war crimes and the genocide in Palestine. The group are also protesting the university's increased crackdown on student activism, as one of their members, Neve Mclean, faces a ban from the university campus. This is the second Glasgow University student to face these disciplinary measures for their involvement in student activism this year, following the ban of Hannah Taylor, which was recently revoked. Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah, Rector of Glasgow University, recently commented on the use of 'authoritarian' measures from the University management following the ban placed on youth demand activist Hannah Taylor. In January 2024, a Demilitarise Education FOI request showed that there were 23 active grants totalling at least £60,343,849 at the University of Glasgow, which were in partnership with—or in a few cases, directly funded by—10 defence companies. These grants covered research grants, studentships, and research centres, and were held across four schools at the University of Glasgow, including Engineering and Physics and Astronomy. READ MORE: Do you know him? CCTV image released following assault at Old Firm According to Glasgow University's Student Representative Council (SRC), they held an indicative referendum last month. The motion was: "Should the University of Glasgow stop investing in companies that earn more than 10% of their revenue from the arms and defence industry?" The motion passed with 83.9% of votes in favour. An open letter was published by the SRC in the days following the vote, but there has been no response from university management.
