ICC bans USA cricketer Akhilesh Reddy for eight years

The International Criminal Court (ICC) member states met on Friday to decide the future of suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct made by a former staff member. Khan has firmly denied all accusations and insists he has done nothing wrong. Representatives from the court’s 125 member countries gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York to vote on whether Khan should continue in office or be removed permanently. The decision is being made through a secret ballot, and an absolute majority is required for a final outcome. Karim Khan stepped aside from his duties in May 2025 after the allegations emerged and an internal investigation was launched. Last month, the ICC’s governing bureau suspended him from office, stressing that the suspension was a temporary administrative measure and did not represent a final judgment on the case. During the meeting, Assembly of States Parties President Päivi Kaukoranta described the issue as a complex and sensitive disciplinary matter. She urged member states to conduct the proceedings fairly while respecting the rights, privacy and dignity of everyone involved and protecting the credibility of the court. The allegations gained wider international attention after the complainant, identified only as Sarah, publicly shared her account in a recent media interview. She alleged that repeated inappropriate behaviour by Khan eventually led to physical assault. She also said the significant difference in authority between them meant there could be no genuine consent. Khan has repeatedly denied the allegations. His legal team recently urged ICC member states not to remove him, arguing that he had not been given a fair opportunity to defend himself during the disciplinary process. His lawyers also warned that dismissing the prosecutor without proper legal safeguards could weaken the independence of future ICC prosecutors. Supporters of Khan argue that the investigation did not conclusively establish misconduct and say the case could create a dangerous precedent for future office holders. Others believe the seriousness of the allegations requires decisive action to maintain public trust in the court. Since becoming the ICC’s chief prosecutor in 2021, Khan has overseen several major international investigations. He gained global attention after seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over the Gaza conflict. The court also issued arrest warrants for several Hamas leaders during his tenure. Those decisions led to strong criticism from Israel and sanctions imposed by the United States on Khan and several ICC judges, increasing political pressure on the court. Legal experts remain divided over the case. Some argue that removing Khan is necessary to protect the ICC’s credibility and public confidence. Others maintain that any decision must be based strictly on due process and the rule of law rather than political considerations.

A growing youth protest movement in India has delivered one of the biggest political setbacks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in recent years, raising questions about the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s appeal among younger voters ahead of crucial state elections. What began as demonstrations over alleged examination paper leaks has developed into a wider expression of frustration over unemployment, education and economic uncertainty. The protests were led by the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, a youth movement that quickly gained massive attention on social media. Within days of launching its campaign in May, the group attracted around 22 million followers on Instagram, most of them from Generation Z. The movement demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after allegations that a medical entrance examination had been compromised. As protests spread across India, thousands of students gathered in central Delhi despite heavy police action. In an effort to calm public anger, Prime Minister Modi posted a rare selfie video on Instagram, saying he understood the concerns of young people and promising action to address their grievances. However, the message failed to ease the demonstrations. Days later, Education Minister Pradhan resigned, fulfilling the protesters’ main demand and handing the movement a significant political victory. The resignation is considered unusual because Modi’s government has generally resisted removing senior ministers in response to public pressure. Political observers say the outcome has encouraged many young Indians who believe their voices can influence government decisions. Analysts say the protests extend far beyond the issue of examination leaks. Many young people are increasingly worried about unemployment, rising competition for limited jobs and the possible impact of artificial intelligence on employment opportunities, particularly in India’s large information technology and business services sectors. While the exam controversy sparked the demonstrations, experts believe it exposed much deeper concerns among the country’s youth. Political analyst Amitabh Tiwari said the paper leak became a symbol of wider frustration felt by many young Indians who are anxious about their future. He noted that disappointment over employment prospects and economic opportunities has created growing dissatisfaction that cannot be ignored. Senior government officials have acknowledged these concerns. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the government remains committed to understanding students’ problems and ensuring that their concerns are addressed. However, critics argue the ruling party has struggled to connect with younger generations, particularly on social media platforms where political discussions are rapidly evolving. Demographic trends also highlight the challenge facing India’s political establishment. People between the ages of 18 and 40 make up roughly 40 percent of the country’s population but hold only a small share of seats in the lower house of Parliament. The average age of members of the federal cabinet remains above 60, leading some analysts to argue that younger voices are underrepresented in national decision making. Although the CJP is not officially a political party, opposition groups have openly supported the student protests and attempted to capitalize on growing public dissatisfaction. The first major political test could come during next year’s state elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat. The BJP currently governs both Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, making those contests particularly important. Some analysts believe the movement could have an even greater impact if it eventually enters electoral politics before the 2029 national election. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has said no decision has been made about transforming the movement into a political party, but its rapid popularity has already attracted widespread attention across the political spectrum. Observers also believe political campaigning in India is changing. For years, the BJP built a strong digital presence on platforms such as X and Facebook. However, younger audiences have increasingly shifted to Instagram, where authenticity and informal communication often attract greater engagement than carefully managed political messaging. While the BJP has around 10 million Instagram followers, the CJP gained more than twice that number in only a few days. Modi personally continues to command a much larger audience across multiple social media platforms, but analysts say younger users are responding differently to newer forms of political communication. Writers and political commentators argue that Generation Z is less influenced by traditional political authority and more willing to openly question established leaders. They believe successful politicians will increasingly need to engage directly with young voters rather than relying on conventional campaign strategies. For Modi, the protests represent a reminder that public expectations are changing. During much of his time in office, he built a reputation as a decisive leader who rarely reversed government decisions. Political analysts now say that demonstrating a willingness to listen and respond to public concerns may become increasingly important as India moves toward another cycle of state and national elections.