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Trump-Era Sanctions Cripple ICC’s Operations Amid War Crimes Probes and Misconduct Allegations
Sanctions imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its senior officials have severely disrupted the tribunal’s ability to function, staff members say, complicating its mission to investigate and prosecute war crimes around the world.
The sweeping measures, issued via executive order in February, were introduced in response to the ICC’s controversial arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, announced in late 2024. The sanctions specifically targeted ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, barring him from entering the United States and freezing his personal assets.
ICC officials now report that the sanctions have gone beyond symbolic gestures, severely limiting their operational capabilities. Staff say basic tasks have become “near impossible,” with work across various investigations — including ongoing probes in Sudan and Ukraine — now effectively stalled.
The court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has reportedly lost access to essential services, including his official Microsoft email account. Additionally, several of his personal bank accounts in the United Kingdom have been blocked. The U.S. order threatens fines and prison time for individuals or institutions providing Khan with any financial, material, or technological support. American nationals working for the court have also been warned they may face arrest if they return to the U.S.
The investigation into war crimes in Sudan, including charges of genocide against former President Omar al-Bashir, has also been paused. The prosecutor overseeing the case, Eric Iverson, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. seeking legal protection from the sanctions. His attorney, Allison Miller, said the restrictions have made it impossible for him to perform “basic lawyer functions.”
Three lawsuits have been filed in U.S. courts by ICC-affiliated staff and consultants, arguing the sanctions infringe upon their constitutional rights, including freedom of expression.
The ICC’s challenges have been compounded by a separate scandal involving allegations of sexual misconduct against Khan himself. A Wall Street Journal report revealed accusations from a Malaysian staffer who alleged coercion and sexual assault across several ICC missions. Khan’s legal team has denied all claims, calling them “categorically untrue.”
Further scrutiny has followed, with allegations that Khan retaliated against staff members who supported the accuser. An internal UN oversight investigation into the claims is reportedly underway, with findings expected in the coming months.
As the ICC faces mounting external and internal pressures, its future credibility and capacity to pursue international justice may hang in the balance.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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