The lawsuit, brought by Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) and the Taxpayer Alliance Against Genocide, comes as the Trump administration intensifies diplomatic efforts against the Hague-based court. Earlier this week, U.S. officials said the ICC posed a threat to U.S. sovereignty and pledged to expand sanctions, including travel restrictions on court personnel, while increasing pressure on the institution.

According to the complaint, the organizations contend that Trump’s February 2025 executive order has prevented them from engaging in activities protected under the First Amendment. They argue they have refrained from submitting information to the ICC and coordinating advocacy with individuals targeted by U.S. sanctions because of concerns they could face financial penalties or imprisonment.

The complaint also states that the sanctions extend to ICC judges and prosecutors as well as Palestinian human rights groups that called on the court to investigate allegations that the United States and Israel may have committed war crimes during the conflict in Gaza. Among those cited by the plaintiffs is Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, whose inclusion under the sanctions has, according to the lawsuit, further discouraged advocacy efforts.

“The Trump administration is using the blunt instrument of economic sanctions not only to punish human rights defenders but to police the political expression of millions of Americans,” Omar Shakir, executive director of Democracy for the Arab World Now, said in a statement.

Trump has consistently challenged the authority of the ICC, arguing that the court should not have jurisdiction over U.S. citizens, particularly members of the American military. His administration has maintained that international prosecutions involving U.S. personnel infringe upon national sovereignty.

The latest legal challenge follows a similar dispute during Trump’s first term. In 2020, his administration issued an executive order authorizing sanctions against ICC officials after the court pursued investigations that included possible crimes committed by U.S. forces in Afghanistan. A federal judge later blocked that order, finding it was likely to violate First Amendment protections. The sanctions were subsequently rescinded by President Joe Biden’s administration in 2021.

The Trump administration renewed its campaign against the ICC after the court issued an arrest warrant last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close U.S. ally. The renewed sanctions have also prompted separate legal action from three ICC judges, who have filed their own lawsuits challenging the measures.

Although ICC prosecutors opened an investigation in Afghanistan in 2020 that included alleged crimes involving U.S. forces, the court shifted its priorities in 2021. Since then, prosecutors have focused primarily on alleged crimes committed by Afghanistan’s former government and Taliban forces. According to the information provided, the court has not taken steps in recent years to investigate U.S. personnel.

The Trump administration’s latest announcement drew criticism from European partners that continue to support the ICC. On Tuesday, the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to the court and described it as an essential institution in efforts to combat impunity for serious international crimes.

European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said attacks or threats directed at the court, its elected officials, staff or individuals cooperating with its work were unacceptable. He added that the ICC does not target sovereign states and should not be regarded as a threat to their sovereignty.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry also reiterated its backing for the independence of international judicial institutions. In comments to Reuters, the ministry said it had taken note of the latest U.S. statements, describing Washington’s position as longstanding but expressing concern over what it called the increasingly hardened tone toward the court.

EU ambassadors approved the extension of the emergency protection scheme, first activated after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The mechanism grants eligible Ukrainians the right to live, work and access social benefits across the 27-member bloc without going through the standard asylum process.

The latest decision comes as the war enters its fifth year and European governments continue to balance humanitarian support for displaced Ukrainians with Kyiv’s evolving military requirements.

Under the revised arrangement, Ukrainians who are subject to military service obligations and arrive in the European Union after the new rules take effect will no longer qualify for temporary protection. The change was requested by the Ukrainian government as it seeks to preserve manpower needed for the country’s defense effort.

The European Union said the restriction would apply only to new applicants for temporary protection and would not affect Ukrainians who are already benefiting from the scheme.

“Taking into account Ukraine’s evolving defense needs, going forward temporary protection will be granted only to those who satisfy their military obligations in Ukraine,” the European Union said in a statement outlining the revised policy.

The bloc added that existing beneficiaries would retain their current rights, ensuring that those already living in EU countries under the temporary protection framework would not lose their legal status as a result of the changes.

Ukraine has maintained wartime restrictions on the movement of military-age men since Russia’s invasion. Under Ukrainian law, men between the ages of 23 and 60 who are subject to military obligations are generally prohibited from leaving the country.

According to the European Union, approximately 4.4 million Ukrainians currently hold temporary protection status across member states after fleeing the conflict.

Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic continue to host the largest Ukrainian refugee populations under the program, making them the principal destinations for those displaced by the war.

EU data show that women account for 43 percent of those benefiting from temporary protection, while minors represent 30 percent. Adult men make up the remaining 27 percent of registered beneficiaries.

The extension reflects the European Union’s continued commitment to providing legal certainty for Ukrainians unable to safely return home while the conflict persists.

At the same time, Brussels has been considering how to move beyond the emergency framework introduced in 2022. Last year, EU officials said they were exploring longer-term options that could provide Ukrainians with pathways to more permanent legal residence or facilitate voluntary returns once conditions in Ukraine allow.

The temporary protection mechanism has served as the European Union’s primary legal instrument for responding to the largest displacement of people on the continent in decades. By extending the scheme until 2028, member states aim to maintain support for those displaced by the war while adapting the policy to reflect Ukraine’s changing defense priorities.

The decision underscores the EU’s continued backing for Ukraine as the conflict shows no immediate sign of ending, while also aligning elements of its refugee policy with requests made by Kyiv regarding military-age citizens.

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan, Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, recently met Japan’s Minister for Economic Security, Kimi Onada, in Tokyo to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation across sectors expected to shape the future global economy, according to Arab News Japan.

The discussions covered economic security, artificial intelligence, space, advanced technologies and innovation, reflecting the growing breadth of cooperation between Riyadh and Tokyo beyond their longstanding energy relationship.

The two sides also emphasized the role of culture and creative industries in promoting economic resilience, strengthening national competitiveness and supporting long-term prosperity, highlighting the increasingly multidimensional nature of Saudi-Japanese ties.

Binzagr said the next stage of relations should focus not only on expanding cooperation into new sectors but also on reinforcing the foundations that sustain enduring strategic partnerships.

“The most enduring partnerships are built not only through projects, but through trust between people, strong institutional relationships, and a shared commitment to creating value for future generations,” the Saudi ambassador said.

The meeting underscored the importance of building stronger links among government institutions, universities, research organizations, industry leaders and younger generations, with both sides recognizing that durable cooperation depends on resilient institutional and people-to-people networks.

Saudi Arabia and Japan have steadily broadened bilateral collaboration in recent years, extending cooperation across investment, energy, innovation, tourism, education, culture and advanced industries.

As Riyadh and Tokyo implement their respective national development strategies, both governments see growing opportunities to coordinate on emerging technologies, strengthen economic resilience and develop industries expected to play a central role in future economic growth.

Officials said the dialogue forms part of broader efforts to elevate Saudi-Japanese relations into a more integrated and comprehensive strategic partnership. The expanding relationship reflects a shared ambition to contribute to technological advancement, sustainable economic development and regional stability through closer bilateral cooperation.

Binzagr also stressed that genuine resilience extends beyond economics and security to include stronger cultural and civilizational ties.

“In that sense we see great opportunity for Japan and the Kingdom as they continue to reach for each other with deep cultural curiosity and respect while they explore prosperity, stability and peace for their respective regions and the world,” he said.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Embassy diplomats Nayef Al-Talhi, Ahmed Al-Fadel and Noura Al-Otaibi.

Onada, a member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, currently serves as minister responsible for economic security, science and technology policy, and space policy. Her portfolio also includes responsibility for artificial intelligence, intellectual property strategy, the “Cool Japan” initiative and policies related to the coexistence of foreign nationals in Japanese society.

A two-term member of Japan’s House of Councilors from Okayama Prefecture, Onada previously served as parliamentary vice minister of defense and parliamentary vice minister of justice. She has also served on the Tokyo Kita City Council and worked in the private sector before entering national politics.

Government data released overnight showed confirmed infections had reached 2,011 since the outbreak began, while authorities described it as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak recorded in the country. The latest industrial action involved staff at Bunia General Hospital, where health workers blocked the facility’s entrance to protest the lack of compensation despite working under hazardous conditions.

Medical personnel and other frontline workers said they had not received payment for their efforts since joining the response, according to accounts reported from Bunia, the epicenter of the outbreak in Ituri province.

Health Ministry figures showed that 753 patients remain in isolation or are receiving treatment in hospitals, while 366 people have recovered from the disease. Officials also reported that contact tracing has reached only 67 percent of identified contacts, highlighting continuing difficulties in containing transmission.

Congo has been battling the outbreak since May 15, when authorities confirmed infections caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a less common variant for which no approved vaccine or treatment currently exists.

Two months into the emergency, the outbreak continues to outpace containment efforts. The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that at least 80 percent of newly confirmed infections are emerging from unknown chains of transmission, complicating efforts to isolate cases and interrupt the spread of the virus.

Health officials have also been unable to identify the outbreak’s index patient, limiting investigators’ ability to reconstruct the earliest transmission chain. Ongoing armed conflict and population movements linked to mining activities have further complicated efforts to locate and monitor thousands of people who may have been exposed.

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the World Health Organization’s executive director for health emergencies, said after returning from Bunia that many newly reported fatalities involved people who died in their communities without reaching healthcare facilities or receiving medical treatment.

The strike at Bunia General Hospital is the latest in a series of work stoppages involving healthcare workers across Ituri province. Some frontline staff told The Associated Press they had not received any salary or compensation since they joined the Ebola response at the beginning of the outbreak.

The labor action comes as health authorities attempt to expand surveillance, treatment and community outreach in affected areas while facing growing operational challenges.

Unlike outbreaks caused by the Zaire strain of Ebola, which has approved vaccines and treatments and accounted for most of Congo’s previous 16 Ebola epidemics, the Bundibugyo virus has no licensed medical countermeasures.

Health officials have nevertheless begun enrolling patients in a clinical study evaluating two experimental Ebola treatments, offering hope that additional therapeutic options may become available as researchers seek to improve outcomes during the outbreak.

The combination of rising infections, unpaid frontline workers, limited contact tracing, unidentified transmission chains and the absence of approved vaccines has intensified pressure on Congo’s public health system as authorities and international partners work to contain the country’s most rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak.

Emergency crews responded after receiving reports at about 3:35 p.m. local time of a boat on fire approximately 600 yards (550 meters) off Alcatraz Island, according to San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen. By the time rescuers reached the scene, the vessel had overturned.

Rescue personnel immediately began lifesaving efforts on one victim recovered from the water. The individual was transported to shore while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation but was later pronounced dead.

“We still have two missing and one deceased dog,” Crispen said in remarks shared by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s office.

The search for the two missing passengers continued into the night, with helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and rescue boats from the San Francisco Fire Department, local police and the U.S. Coast Guard combing the waters around the island.

San Francisco Fire Department Lt. Elias Mariano said search operations would continue overnight as authorities worked to locate the missing individuals.

Officials said the vessel was a privately owned cabin cruiser motorboat registered in Stockton, California. Authorities have not determined whether it was traveling to Alcatraz, one of San Francisco’s best-known tourist destinations and the site of the former federal prison that now attracts visitors from around the world.

The cause of the incident has not been disclosed, and investigators have not indicated whether the reported fire contributed to the boat’s capsizing.

Authorities confirmed that 16 of the 19 people aboard were rescued. At least one survivor sustained serious injuries after entering the water, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Television footage broadcast by local stations showed the vessel’s final moments before it disappeared beneath the waters of San Francisco Bay.

Emergency officials have not released the identities of the deceased or the missing, and no additional information about the passengers was immediately available.

The incident triggered a coordinated response from multiple agencies as rescue teams continued searching the bay for survivors while investigators worked to establish the circumstances that led to the sinking.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the infected bird was discovered near the capital and stressed that authorities had found no evidence of wider transmission among New Zealand’s wildlife or poultry.

The detection follows the emergence of the virus in Australia last month, making New Zealand the latest country in the region to report the highly pathogenic strain. Since 2021, H5N1 has spread across wild bird and mammal populations worldwide, killing millions of animals and infecting commercial poultry flocks, dairy farms and some farmworkers.

“There is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or transmission between wild birds in New Zealand. There has been no detection in poultry,” Hoggard said in a statement.

New Zealand has spent recent years preparing for the virus’s arrival by working with the poultry industry to strengthen biosecurity measures and develop contingency plans aimed at limiting the impact of a potential outbreak.

Hoggard said authorities expect New Zealand could experience a pattern similar to neighboring Australia, where officials had recorded 14 confirmed or presumed positive H5 bird flu detections as of Wednesday.

To help protect vulnerable wildlife, health authorities have launched a vaccination program targeting 300 breeding birds from five of New Zealand’s most endangered species, according to the minister.

The latest detection comes after H5 avian influenza was confirmed on Heard Island, Australia’s remote sub-Antarctic territory, in late 2025, underscoring the virus’s continued spread across the Southern Hemisphere.

Although the virus has now been identified in a wild migratory bird, officials said there is currently no indication of sustained transmission within New Zealand or infections in domestic poultry, while surveillance and biosecurity efforts remain in place to monitor the situation.

The Police Hospital confirmed the latest fatalities, while emergency officials said dozens of survivors remain hospitalized following the blaze that tore through the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub shortly before midnight on Sunday.

The Erawan Emergency Medical Center said 30 people were still receiving treatment in hospitals across the Thai capital, including 15 patients in intensive care units. Authorities added that 44 injured people have been discharged after receiving medical care.

The fire swept through the single-story entertainment venue in Bangkok’s northern Chatuchak district, an area known for its busy commercial activity and nightlife. Witnesses described hearing an explosion before flames and thick smoke rapidly spread through the building, engulfing patrons inside.

Investigators believe the blaze was most likely triggered by an electrical short circuit involving a ceiling-mounted air conditioning unit, although the exact cause has yet to be officially confirmed.

Police are examining whether negligence played a role in the incident, including whether emergency exits were blocked or otherwise unusable during the evacuation. The findings could determine whether criminal charges are warranted.

The Thai government has pledged to tighten safety oversight of entertainment venues following the tragedy. Officials said authorities will increase random inspections to ensure emergency exits remain unobstructed and that bars, pubs and similar establishments comply with fire safety regulations.

Authorities noted that the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub had undergone an official inspection in April, months before the fire.

Located at a busy intersection near train stations and two shopping malls, the venue is part of a cluster of popular establishments that attract large weekend crowds with live music, food, drinks and televised sporting events.

Fire safety experts believe combustible acoustic materials and decorative elements installed around the stage may have ignited almost instantly after the initial fire, producing intense heat, dense smoke and toxic fumes that quickly trapped customers inside.

The incident has renewed concerns about longstanding fire safety shortcomings in Thailand’s entertainment sector. Experts have repeatedly warned about the widespread use of flammable decorative materials, overcrowded venues and inaccessible emergency exits, issues that have featured in previous fatal fires.

Those concerns were highlighted after a major nightclub fire in Bangkok in 2009 that killed at least 65 people, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of building and fire safety standards.

As investigators continue gathering evidence, authorities remain focused on treating the injured while determining whether failures in safety measures contributed to the scale of the disaster.

The request, announced on Tuesday, concerns Banda’s alleged role in an assault on the Haskanita military base in North Darfur that killed 12 African Union peacekeepers. Banda had faced three counts of war crimes linked to the attack.

In a statement, the Office of the Prosecutor said the passage of time had significantly weakened the case, leaving investigators without a sufficient evidentiary basis to pursue prosecution.

“Due to the significant deterioration of evidence over time, and the exhaustion of available investigative avenues, there are no longer substantial grounds to believe that Mr. Banda is responsible,” prosecutors said.

According to the prosecution, witnesses have become unavailable or unwilling to cooperate, while credibility concerns have emerged regarding other key witnesses. Prosecutors also cited recently obtained exculpatory evidence as a major factor undermining the case.

“Witnesses becoming unavailable or uncooperative, serious credibility issues regarding some other key witnesses, and recently obtained exculpatory evidence have undermined the case against Mr. Banda,” the Office of the Prosecutor said.

Banda, who was born in 1963, first appeared voluntarily before the ICC in 2010. During that appearance, he urged others accused of similar crimes to come before the court and assert their innocence.

His trial had originally been scheduled to begin in 2014. However, proceedings were abandoned after the court concluded he was unlikely to appear voluntarily, leading judges to issue an arrest warrant.

The prosecution said that during the more than decade after Banda absconded from justice, the evidentiary foundation of the case continued to erode despite efforts to pursue additional investigative avenues.

Although prosecutors submitted their request to discontinue the case in October 2023, the application remained confidential until judges approved its publication.

ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan acknowledged the significance of the decision, particularly for victims who have waited years for accountability.

“We do not take this decision lightly,” Khan said. “We acknowledge the impact it will have on the victims who have been waiting for years for justice.”

She added that the ICC’s investigation into alleged crimes committed in Darfur remains a priority for the prosecution despite the request to end proceedings against Banda.

The ICC continues to seek the arrest of former Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, who remains wanted over allegations connected to the conflict that erupted in Darfur in 2003. The war began after ethnic African rebel groups accused the Arab-dominated Sudanese government of discrimination, triggering a conflict that led to widespread allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The court’s latest move marks a rare instance in which prosecutors have sought to withdraw charges because they no longer believe the available evidence meets the legal threshold required to proceed with a prosecution.

The attack occurred on Monday at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, where authorities said the suspect assaulted the victim with a knife after asking about his identity and religious faith. Police alleged the suspect later admitted he intended to kill the victim because he was Muslim.

According to a police booking affidavit, officers determined the suspect posed a significant threat to public safety after he allegedly stated that he “intends to kill Muslims” and expressed violent extremist views. Investigators also cited what they described as pre-planned intentions for mass-casualty violence in arguing that he should remain in custody.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim suffering from multiple stab wounds across his body and losing a significant amount of blood, according to the affidavit. Bystanders had restrained the suspect until police reached the mall.

Authorities identified the suspect as Peter Michael Larsen, 48. Salt Lake County jail records show he was booked while investigators pursue charges including attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct.

Police said Larsen admitted during questioning that he selected the victim because of his Muslim faith and intended to kill him.

Imam Shuaib Din, who leads the Utah Islamic Center and has been in contact with the victim’s family, told the Salt Lake Tribune that the suspect first approached the kiosk, asked the worker’s name and religion, and requested a bottle of water. According to Din, the attacker began stabbing the victim as he turned to retrieve the water.

The victim was hospitalized in critical condition. A fundraising page created by a friend said he had been stabbed 15 times and required multiple surgeries. Reuters could not independently verify the number of wounds reported on the fundraising page.

The suspect was also taken to hospital after sustaining injuries while being subdued by members of the public before being transferred to the Salt Lake County jail.

The attack drew condemnation from Muslim advocacy organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which denounced the violence.

Civil rights advocates have reported a rise in anti-Muslim incidents in the United States over the past two decades following the September 11, 2001, attacks. More recently, advocacy groups have linked growing concerns about Islamophobia to anti-immigration rhetoric, white supremacist ideology and tensions surrounding Israel’s war in Gaza.

The incident follows other high-profile attacks targeting Muslims in recent years, including the fatal stabbing of a six-year-old Muslim child in Illinois in 2023 and a 2026 shooting at a mosque in San Diego that left five people dead, according to the information provided.

The latest strikes followed a U.S. announcement that American forces had begun operations early Wednesday aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities used to target commercial shipping in the strategic waterway. The U.S. military said the campaign was intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten international maritime traffic but did not disclose the locations or scope of the latest attacks.

“At 6 a.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching a wave of strikes against Iran,” the U.S. military said in a statement.

It added that the operations were designed to further weaken military assets that Iranian forces had used to attack commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media did not immediately report strikes inside the country following the U.S. announcement.

The new operation came less than a day after the U.S. military said it had conducted a seven-hour campaign targeting dozens of military sites near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran’s coastline.

Iran responded on Wednesday by announcing strikes against U.S. military targets across the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had attacked American positions in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, underscoring the widening regional dimensions of the conflict.

Tehran also warned it could further disrupt regional energy exports, declaring that the United States “must brace for the closure of all other export corridors that benefit the U.S. and its allies.”

The confrontation has intensified following a series of attacks on commercial shipping. U.S. officials said Iran had attacked seven commercial vessels during the past week, leaving nearly a dozen crew members dead, injured or missing.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments moved before the outbreak of hostilities, has become the focal point of military operations by both sides. The waterway remains one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, making any disruption a significant concern for international energy markets.

The current conflict began after U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering Iranian retaliatory attacks against Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases and causing major disruptions to regional energy supplies.

Financial markets continued to reflect growing concerns over the security situation. Oil prices rose by about 1 percent on Wednesday after ending the previous session at their highest level in a month, as traders weighed the risk of further supply disruptions.

Diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have so far failed to produce lasting results. An interim ceasefire agreement reached last month was intended to pave the way for broader negotiations toward a permanent settlement, but progress has since stalled, leaving military confrontation as both sides continue to exchange strikes.

The latest exchange marks another escalation in a conflict that has expanded from direct military operations to threats against international shipping and critical energy infrastructure, increasing concerns over regional stability and the uninterrupted flow of global trade.