Author: Opastaff

Federal prosecutors have unsealed a criminal complaint charging Haitian national Johnson Andre, better known as “Izo,” the 27-year-old boss of the 5 Segond gang, with the armed kidnapping of a United States citizen near Port-au-Prince in March 2023. According to the charges, Andre ordered his gunmen to seize the victim at gunpoint, transport him to the gang’s stronghold of Village de Dieu, and subject him to torture, including beatings and being burned with molten plastic. The victim was held captive for nine days while Andre personally negotiated a ransom with the family. The hostage was released after the ransom was…

The pews of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church were filled with love, tears, and music as the world gathered to say goodbye to Roberta Flack, a woman whose voice defined generations. She wasn’t just a singer. She was a storyteller. A healer. A vessel for emotions too deep for words. The Harlem-born, North Carolina-raised icon passed away peacefully in January. And while months have gone by, the wound of her absence still feels fresh. Her memorial was not just a funeral. It was a celebration of life, legacy, and the indelible mark she left on soul music and Black culture.…

Victoria: Mèsi anpil pou w la avèk nou, e pou pale avèk nou. Mwen ta renmen kòmanse pa mande w sou sa ki te pase Vandredi. Ou te mande Prezidan Zelensky, “Poukisa ou pa mete kostim?” Èske ou kapab eksplike nou rezonman ou pou kesyon sa a? Brian Glenn: Anvan tout bagay, mèsi pou envitasyon an. Depi konplik la te kòmanse an Ikrèn, nou te ap kouvri li, e mwen te swiv Prezidan Trump pandan plizyè ane sou chan eleksyon. Anpil Ameriken t ap poze kesyon an, “Poukisa Prezidan Zelensky pa mete kostim?” Li ale nan rankont trè wo nivo,…

149 Repeat Offender Arrested for Stalking and Burglary in Miami A Reflection of a Bigger Problem. Miami has once again been forced to confront the reality of repeat offenders roaming the streets, with the latest case being 26-year-old Mike Kevin Jacques, who was arrested Tuesday and charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and stalking. The victim, a woman who had no prior connection to Jacques, first encountered him on January 24, when he was caught lurking outside her home. Thinking it was a one-time incident, she dismissed it—until February 9, when Jacques was again caught peering into her windows.…

Two heartbreaking cases in Massachusetts have drawn attention to the urgent need for mental health awareness in the Haitian community. These tragedies, where young men took the lives of their own mothers, reflect a larger crisis—one that is often misunderstood and stigmatized within Haitian culture. Instead of recognizing mental illness as a medical condition, many within the community attribute such incidents to Vodou, curses, or supernatural forces, which delays critical mental health intervention. The following cases serve as tragic reminders of what can happen when mental health remains unaddressed, and they highlight the cultural barriers that prevent many Haitian families…

Haiti is among the countries that are not eligible for social media monetization on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The reasons for this restriction stem from financial, economic, legal, and infrastructural challenges. Below are the key factors explaining why Haiti remains excluded from these monetization programs. Lack of Payment Infrastructure Monetization platforms such as YouTube (Google AdSense) and Facebook (Meta’s Creator Program) require a secure and stable banking system to process payments. Haiti faces several challenges in this regard: Limited Financial Services: Many international financial services, including PayPal, Stripe, and other digital payment processors, either do not operate in…

In a display of diplomatic finesse that only the Trump administration could muster, President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance recently hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. The meeting, intended to solidify relations and discuss a minerals deal, instead showcased the administration’s unparalleled ability to turn allies into adversaries. https://www.tiktok.com/@iamcheyna/video/7477671670514289962?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7440860873235940894 Setting the Stage: The Welcoming Committee President Zelenskyy arrived with hopes of securing continued support against Russian aggression. Little did he know, he was about to receive a masterclass in American hospitality. The meeting began cordially, but as history has shown, calm waters often precede a…

On March 1, 2025, legendary R&B and neo-soul singer Angie Stone tragically lost her life in what was initially reported as a fatal car accident in Montgomery, Alabama. She and her band were traveling from a performance in Mobile back to Atlanta when their vehicle flipped and was subsequently hit by a big rig. Yet in the wake of her passing, a darker question emerged: Was this truly just a tragic accident, or did her recent decision to speak out against Universal Music Group (UMG) somehow seal her fate? https://www.tiktok.com/@iamcheyna/video/7477298130573200682?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7440860873235940894 In December 2024, just months before her death, Stone went…

Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Fridayy (Francis Leblanc )invites listeners into a deeply personal journey on his sophomore album, “Some Days I’m Good, Some Days I’m Not,” out now via Def Jam Recordings. The Philadelphia-raised artist, whose family hails from Haiti, continues to blur genre lines by folding elements of R&B, Afrobeats, hip-hop, and his beloved Haitian Konpa into a body of work that explores love, faith, and personal battles. From high-energy tracks featuring Chris Brown, Kehlani, and Wale, to introspective moments that reveal the grief of losing his father, Fridayy proves that his music is just as expansive as…

997 Stanley Jean Gilles, has resurfaced from his supposed “hiatus” to address investors. In a Vimeo video released on February 28th, 2024, he pledges to repay his clients and blames the delay on relocating his company from New Jersey to New York and switching his payment processor. He assures everyone they’ll be paid within two to three weeks, with no losses. He also name-drops his ambassadors, Maestro Richie, Pipo, Tafa, and Strings, claiming they’re the messengers but don’t actually get a say in his decisions. If you look closely, you’ll notice his Pinocchio-like nose in full effect. It appears he…