WORLD NEWS FLASH
UNITED STATES
After Border Czar Tom Homan and Attorney General Pam Bondi made threats about prominent figures getting arrested over illegal immigrants, everyone took it with a grain of salt… until now.
On April 25, Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI for allegedly obstructing ICE officials in their attempt to detain a suspected illegal immigrant.
“Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction – after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week…
“We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject – an illegal alien – to evade arrest… Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X.
According to their side of the story, the FBI alleges that when Dugan was notified that ICE agents had entered her courthouse on April 18 to detain a suspect, Dugan asked one of the agents if they had a judicial warrant.
Then, after a back and forth argument, Judge Dugan sent the agents to the chief judge’s office, where she then had Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer moved to a private area, away from the agents.
“In this country, people who are suspected of criminal wrongdoing are innocent until their guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt and they are found guilty by a jury of their peers – this is the fundamental demand of justice in America,” Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump Administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor.
“I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nation’s judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law.”
Time will tell whether or not this was a one-time thing, or if other officials, including mayors of sanctuary cities, will be in the Bureau’s crosshairs.
MASS SHOOTING UPDATE
Information from 4-29-2025
2025 Mass Shooting Stats: (Source: Mass Shooting Tracker, https://www.massshootingtracker.site/data/?year=2025)
- Total Mass Shootings: 107
- Total Dead: 138
- Total Wounded: 428
- Shootings Per Day: 0.90
- Days Reached in Year 2025 as of April 29: 119
ASIA
TENSION REKINDLED BETWEEN RIVALS
The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed at least 26 tourists and left many more injured, calling for accountability and international cooperation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In a press statement issued on Friday, Council members expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Governments of India and Nepal.
They also extended wishes for a speedy and full recovery to those injured in Tuesday’s attack in which a group of gunmen fired on tourists visiting the Himalayan region, which both India and Pakistan claim sovereignty over.
“Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” the ambassadors reaffirmed.
They underscored that such acts are “criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”
Also, they stressed that the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors must be held accountable and brought to justice.
Finally, they urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities.
Ambassadors reaffirmed the need for States to “combat by all means” threats to international peace and security resulting from acts of terrorism, in accordance with the UN Charter and other obligations under international law.
Meanwhile, the UN continues to follow the situation in the region “with very deep concern,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
“We again urge both the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint to ensure the situation does not deteriorate further,” he said during the regular news briefing in New York.
India and Pakistan both administer parts of Kashmir but claim the territory in its entirety.
Since the attack, air travel in the region has been in upheaval over the Indian-Pakistani disagreement.
MIDDLE EAST
TWO STATE SOLUTION HOPES FADING
The UN Secretary-General has warned that the two-State solution for Israel and Palestine is nearing collapse, urging world leaders to take bold, irreversible steps to preserve hopes for lasting peace.
Addressing a Security Council debate on April 29, António Guterres said the Middle East stands at a critical crossroads.
“The promise of a two-State solution is at risk of vanishing altogether,” he said. “Political will to achieve that goal feels more distant than ever.”
He stressed that this erosion undermines the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace and security, while denying Palestinians their legitimate national aspirations.
Mr. Guterres expressed deep concern over the worsening crisis in Gaza, where nearly 2,000 Palestinians have been killed since the March ceasefire collapsed.
He condemned the ongoing blockade of aid – including food, fuel and medicine – which has pushed over two million people into a humanitarian emergency he called “beyond imagination.”
“I am alarmed by statements from Israeli officials suggesting aid is being used as leverage for military gain,” he said. “Aid is not a bargaining chip. It is non-negotiable.”
He renewed calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full humanitarian access. He also underscored the need to uphold international law, protect UN personnel and facilities, and ensure accountability for attacks on aid workers.
Turning to the West Bank including East Jerusalem, the Secretary-General described a worsening situation marked by Palestinian displacement, home demolitions, restricted movement and expanding Israeli settlements that are reshaping the territory in violation of international law.
“Palestinians are being contained and coerced,” he said – contained in areas under growing military pressure and coerced out of others where settlements are expanding.
Settler violence continues to rise amid impunity, while Palestinian attacks on Israelis also persist in both Israel and the occupied West Bank.
With the region in turmoil, Mr. Guterres urged countries to move beyond statements and outline specific steps to revive the two-State solution.
“This is not a time for box-ticking,” he said. “The clock is ticking – and time is running out.”
He called on the international community to prevent a future of endless occupation and violence through sustained and serious action.
The Secretary-General highlighted the upcoming high-level conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia as a key chance to reenergize international support.
“I urge Member States to go beyond declarations and consider concrete steps to save the two-State solution – before it disappears altogether,” he said.
UNITED KINGDOM
HELP FOR PEOPLE IN DEBT
More than one million households struggling with debt will get to keep an average £420 more of their benefits each year, under a change to Universal Credit coming into force April 30, 2025.
The Fair Repayment Rate places a limit on how much people in debt can have taken off their benefits to pay what they owe. The maximum amount that can be taken from someone’s Universal Credit standard allowance payment to repay debt has been 25% – but from now this is reduced to 15%.
This will mean an average £420 extra a year for 1.2 million of the poorest households, including 700,000 households with children, while helping people to pay down their debts in a sustainable way.
It forms part of the Government’s Plan for Change to put more money into people’s pockets and boost living standards and marks the Government’s first step in a wider review of Universal Credit to ensure it is still doing its job.
The Fair Repayment Rate was introduced by the Chancellor at the Autumn Budget, as part of broader efforts to raise living standards, combat poverty, and tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “As announced at the budget, from today, 1.2 million households will keep more of their Universal Credit and will be on average £420 better off a year. This is our plan for change delivering, easing the cost of living and putting more money into the pockets of working people.
“With as many as 2.8 million households seeing deductions made to their Universal Credit award to pay off debt each month, the new rate is designed to ensure money is repaid where it is owed, and people can still cover their day-to-day needs.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “As part of our Plan for Change, we are taking decisive action to ensure working people keep more of the benefits they’re entitled to – which will boost financial security and improve living standards up and down the country.
“We’re delivering meaningful change to ensure everyone has a fair chance, the support they need, and real hope for the future.
The Fair Repayment Rate is one of a number of bold measures the Government is taking as part of its Plan for Change to kickstart growth and spread prosperity across the country.
Viewing work as a key route out of poverty, the Government set out the Get Britain Working White Paper – aiming to achieve its target 80% employment rate by overhauling Jobcentres, introducing a new jobs and careers service, and launching a youth guarantee so every young person is earning or learning. This comes on top of increasing the National Minimum and National Living Wage to ensure being in work pays.
To support those in greatest need, the Household Support Fund has been extended another year – backed by £742 million, so local councils can continue to support low-income households with energy bills, food and essential items, while also funding long-term solutions, like home insulation, to help people at risk of falling into poverty.
The Government is also working to tackle child poverty, rolling out free breakfast clubs in all primary schools in England as the dedicated ministerial taskforce builds its ambitious strategy to ensure every child has the best start in life.
EUROPE
ARMS NETWORK CANCELLED
Cooperation between authorities from France, Slovenia, Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support from Eurojust and Europol, has resulted in the dismantling of an arms traffickers group. Actions taking place simultaneously in France, Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina led to the arrest of seven members of the criminal group.
Investigations into the group started when authorities found a large number of weapons, ammunition and grenades. Further investigations in the group led to suspicions that some members of the group resided in France. Authorities found out that the criminal group trafficked large numbers of weapons that they bought on illegal marketplaces in Bosnia and Herzegovina to smuggle them into France.
Authorities started to work together through Eurojust to stop the criminal group and arrest its members. Eurojust ensured that European Arrest Warrants and European Investigation Orders were prepared ahead of the coordinated operation. Europol supported the investigation from the outset, delivering operational analysis to the cases in the involved countries, coordinating international cooperation by organizing operational meetings, and deploying officers to France and Spain for the action day.
A coordinated operation to take down the group started on 18 March. The cooperation between authorities led to the arrest of seven members of the criminal group, four in France, one in Spain and two in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Searches were carried out in Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina to collect information and evidence on the group’s activities. Bosnian authorities are actively searching for the main target.
The following authorities carried out the operations:
- France: JIRS Paris (Interregional Specialized Jurisdiction); OCLCO (National Police Office against organized crime)
- Slovenia: District State Prosecutor’s Office in Kranj; Police Directorate Kranj
- Spain: PPO Audiencia Nacional; Central Investigating Court num 5 at Audiencia Nacional; Guardia Civil
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ministry of Interior Affaires – Republic of Srpska (part of the investigation before the operation)
