The GPR Digest- April 21, 2025

Pope Francis, Harvard v. White House, Amanda Nguyễn, and more!

Apr 21, 2025

Georgia high court hears Sapelo Island zoning case

On Wednesday, April 16, the Georgia Supreme Court heard arguments about a controversial zoning decision allowing the construction of large houses in the Hogg Hummock community—one of the last Gullah Geechee communities in the United States. Originally made in September 2023, the decision by the Mcintosh Superior Court, created fears of gentrification and the loss of ancestral and cultural sites for the Gullah Geechee.

Although there were earlier attempts to hold a referendum on the decision—approved by Probate Court Judge Harold Webster—Mcintosh County sued Webster and forced the effort to come to a stop. However, 9 black residents of Sapelo initiated a separate lawsuit suing the County Mcintosh Superior Court for unjust and discriminatory measures, still hoping to protect their cultural and historic heritage. As hearings for the lawsuit began Wednesday, the Mcintosh County community awaits the resulting ruling.

International students get temporary court victory

A federal judge has ruled that over 100 students have been granted temporary protection from immediate deportation. Prior to this ruling there were over 27 Georgia students and recent alumni who faced deportation after the Trump Administration’s decision to revoke visas.

The judge wrote in his ruling that the protected students would face irreparable harm if their temporary stay was not put in place. These rulings have given students a sense of protection for now, but in the future, Trump’s government may continue arguing that these international students should continue their education in their home country.

NATIONAL

Shooting occurs at Florida State University, leaving 2 dead

Two people were killed and six were wounded on Thursday, April 17 when Phoenix Ikner, a Florida State student and stepson of a sheriff’s deputy, opened fire near the university’s student union. Ikner is believed to have attained the gun from his stepmother. Upon receiving the threat, the school went into immediate lockdown to protect its students. This lockdown was lifted shortly after 3 P.M when officers finished confronting and shooting Ikner.

The six wounded have been declared to survive at the hospital. Meanwhile, the two deceased have been identified as Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba. Neither of the men were students at Florida State. Nonetheless, on Friday, April 18, a vigil was hosted by the Florida State community to honor both the dead and wounded individuals in the tragedy. Since the vigil, the shooting has sparked further controversy surrounding gun laws and school safety.

Harvard University enters showdown with White House

On Monday, Harvard University responded to a joint letter from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the General Services Administration claiming that the school had become too ideological and in violation of civil rights law. The letter also called for numerous changes to its structure, admissions, and hiring practices in addition to third-party audits of viewpoints within the University, threatening to terminate federal funding if it did not comply. Harvard’s official response cited many efforts it had made in recent months to combat antisemitism on campus, expressed disappointment in a proposed First Amendment violation, and stated it would not agree to the demands. The Trump administration subsequently slashed $2.26 billion of Harvard’s $9 billion in federal investments, the majority of which support Boston-area hospitals and medical programs, and is seeking to remove the University’s tax exemption status.

The clash is one of the first major shows of defiance after the Department of Education told 60 universities across the United States to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act or face funding cuts. Approximately $3.1 billion has been taken from other prestigious universities like Cornell and Northwestern University over responses to antisemitism and pro-Palestinian protests and transgender athletes, but some were given no reason. Columbia University made several changes following a $400 million cut, but Harvard’s move has inspired the school to reject the Trump administration’s “heavy-handed orchestration.” Saturday later revealed that the letter sent to Harvard was done so by mistake, but with things already in motion, another $1 billion was put at risk.

Luigi Mangione indicted; prosecutors push for death penalty

On Thursday, April 17, Luigi Mangione was indicted on a federal murder charge for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. His indictment by a federal grand jury in Manhattan indicates the possibility of a death penalty—an outcome supported by the U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi earlier this April.

Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, countered that Bondi’s call for the death penalty was a “publicity stunt” interfering with the right to due process and corrupting the grand jury. To Agnifilo, this ultimately led to his indictment. More updates are expected as Mangione’s case proceeds to court in two separate trials.

INTERNATIONAL

Pope Francis dead at 88

Pope Francis was declared dead today, Monday April 21, in the Vatican’s Domus Santa Marta. Pope Francis was the first Latin American Pope, born in Argentina and serving as Pope since early 2013 . Despite the Pope’s struggles with double pneumonia this year, the announcement came as a serious shock considering the Pope attended Easter celebrations just yesterday, waving to crows from the Popemobile and blessing celebrators in St. Peter’s Square. He also met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell delivered the news from the chapel of the Santa Marta. Bells tolled across the globe in Pope Francis’ honor. Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, is taking charge after Francis’ death. However, a new pope will be elected for the future.

Easter Truce partially pauses fighting in Russo-Ukrainian War

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a 30-hour ceasefire in their war against Ukraine to commemorate Easter, stating that he “assumed that the Ukrainian side will follow [their] example.” While the brief reprieve calmed portions of the front, there were still several reports that both sides had launched drones, missiles, and artillery through the weekend.

Putin’s announcement followed the largest prisoner exchange of the war, with 261 Russian POWs being swapped for 308 Ukrainian POWs. Ukrainian leaders have since expressed hope that the Kremlin might consider expanding the truce to the full 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States in March, but it later affirmed that they would resume fighting at midnight on April 21st. Recent comments by the Trump administration added another dimension to the truce, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating the US would “move on” if there was no significant progress to reach a peace deal in the coming days.

CULTURE

Blue Origin launches historic, all-female rocket; Amanda Nguyễn becomes first Vietnamese woman to fly to space

On Monday, April 14, Blue Origin launched an all-female rocket flight, the first in over 60 years. The flight crew included Aisha Bowe, Kerianne Flynn, Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, singer-songwriter Katy Perry, and Amanda Nguyễn, who became the first Vietnamese woman to fly to space.

Nguyễn’s journey marked a milestone not only for NASA but for civil rights—having paused her 10 years at Harvard to serve as an advocate for sexual assault. Formerly a Harvard student, Nguyễn was assaulted at a frat party and paused her education to fight for assault victims. She is credited with passing the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill, which entitles survivors to free medical exams and mandates all forensic evidence be kept regarding rape cases. Because of her efforts, Nguyễn was a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. After her journey to space, she will continue her research in bioastronautics to improve conditions for female astronauts.

UNESCO names 16 new global geoparks

On April 17, 2025, UNESCO named 16 new geoparks to its Global Geoparks Network. Sites in the network are highlighted for conservation and environmental education, especially for indigenous communities involved with them. The sixteen geoparks were located in China, North Korea, Ecuador, Indonesia, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Of these countries, China, Ecuador, Indonesia, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia had two parks elected.

UENESCO adds new parks to the network each year. Decisions are made by UNESCO’s Executive Board after applications are evaluated by UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Council, which is composed of geopark experts around the globe.

Contributors: Sophia Nguyen, Jackson Bost, Jason Eappen