By Jasmine Zahabi Pope Francis’ papacy was a portrait of paradoxes — celebrated and scorned, tender yet tenacious, deeply spiritual yet fiercely political. And while the world mourns the passing of the 88-year-old pontiff, we’re left not just with memories of a man who changed the tone of the Church, but with a roadmap of what it looks like to lead with courage in the face of relentless resistance. Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) Even before his death, Pope Francis had become one of the most controversial popes in modern history. In 2019, a symbolic moment played out in Rome that would become emblematic of the firestorm he often found himself in. During the Amazon synod, as bishops gathered to discuss pastoral care and environmental justice, a man stormed into a nearby church and stole three Indigenous statues. He hurled them into the Tiber River in protest, calling the artwork “pagan idolatry” and accusing Francis of betraying Catholic tradi...

By Jasmine Zahabi  In a landmark decision that highlights the often-overlooked human element of immigration law, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that when a voluntary deportation deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it must extend to the next business day.  The U.S. Supreme Court Though the ruling may seem procedural, it reveals a much deeper issue—how rigid bureaucratic systems can upend the lives of immigrants who have lived, worked, and built families in the U.S. for years. The case , revolved around Hugo Monsalvo Velázquez, a man who came to the U.S. as a teenager and spent nearly 20 years building a life in Colorado. He became a student, husband, father, and small business owner—but all of that was threatened when he was told to self-deport by a deadline that landed on a Saturday. When he submitted his motion to stay on a Friday, it wasn’t officially recorded until Monday, and that technicality nearly led to his deportation. The consequences of missing a voluntary departu...

By Jasmine Zahabi The beach behind the Christianborg Castle and Black Star Square in Osu. During a recent visit to the beach behind the Christianborg Castle in Osu, we were confronted with a heartbreaking sight, a dead sea turtle, tangled in plastic, washed ashore. It was a stark and gut-wrenching reminder of the pollution suffocating this once-vibrant shoreline.  The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the beach, once filled with laughter and life, now lay eerily silent. Dead sea turtle tangled in plastic on the beach  behind the Christianborg Castle We spoke to residents, their voices thick with frustration and despair, about the waste collectors who use tricycles, commonly known as “aboboyaa borla cars.” The tricycles, commonly known as “aboboyaa borla cars.” “Most of these ‘aboboyaa’ waste trucks dump their waste into drains and gutters, which get swept into the ocean when it rains,” one resident said,  “They don’t care about our health or safety." Mama Adjork...

By Jasmine Zahabi  The United States has expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, after Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused him of being a "race-baiting politician" who hates President Donald Trump. South Africa's ambassador to the U.S. Ebrahim Rasool  The decision marks a new low in U.S.-South Africa relations, which have been tense since Trump cut financial aid to the country.  The U.S. also disapproves of South Africa’s land reform policies and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Rubio announced the expulsion on social media platform X, stating that Rasool was "no longer welcome" in the U.S.  He also shared an article from Breitbart, which quoted Rasool as saying Trump was leading a white supremacist movement. South Africa has called the move “regrettable” but insists it remains committed to strong diplomatic relations.  The country plans to address the issue through official channels. The U.S. State Departme...

By Jasmine Zahabi Last weekend, our School of Communication class, level 300 Upper, from Wisconsin International University College took a trip to Boti Falls, one of Ghana’s most famous waterfalls. I had heard a lot about it, but seeing it in person was something else! The sound of the water crashing down, the wet fresh air, and the forest all around made it feel like I had stepped into another world. But while the falls were stunning, the most surprising thing I saw wasn’t the water—it was a 123 (one hundred and twenty three) years old three-headed palm tree! The 123 year old 3 headed palm tree  How Boti Falls Was Discovered Boti Falls wasn’t always famous.  It was hidden deep in the forest until a white Catholic priest discovered it.  Locals say he loved the place so much that he used it as a private picnic spot for himself and his friends.  But soon, people found out about it, and there was even a fight over who owned the land.  In the end, the matter went t...