Author: Opastaff
878 A few dozen people attended the emotional funeral service of Konpa artist Gary Didier Perez, who was laid to rest on Saturday, September 13, 2025, following a service at the Holy Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Trenton, New Jersey. His brother and one of his children were there for his final farewell. Though the turnout was small, the service was heartfelt and beautiful, filled with love, music, and prayers that honored his life and legacy. Gary Didier Perez was a talented Konpa artist whose voice and presence touched many in the Haitian music community. Known for his passion for…
Haiti was shaken once again on September 13 when armed gangs descended upon the quiet fishing village of Labodrie, located just north of Port-au-Prince. What began as a routine day by the shoreline turned into a bloodbath. Heavily armed men stormed the village, torching homes, looting property, and indiscriminately killing residents. By night’s end, more than 40 people, including a 4-year-old child, lay dead, and countless families were left shattered. The attack appears to be a retaliation linked to the death of a gang leader named Vladimir, who was killed in Cabaret days earlier. According to analysts, the powerful gang…
After weeks of anticipation and a buzz that electrified Haitian social media, Haitian rapper Baky Popilè has officially released his brand-new album Kaia. The project, unveiled yesterday across all major streaming platforms, marks both a personal and artistic milestone for the rapper from Les Cayes. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nNTPB-i21iuC8B-jOygPHvO2cR4FOCERk&si=-vzaCGc5xJdPMWEY On August 3, 2025, Baky lit up social media with the release of a striking music video that ended with a bold declaration: “I’m ready.” That clip, infused with vibrant energy and carried by an irresistible production, signaled that something big was on the way. Fans quickly interpreted it as confirmation that Kaia, named…
On September 12, Haiti’s fragile sense of security suffered another blow when gangs ambushed an armored police vehicle in Kenscoff, a farming community nestled in the hills near Port-au-Prince. The vehicle, part of a routine security patrol, was struck with Molotov cocktails and forced off the road. The driver was killed instantly, while two police officers sustained serious injuries as the vehicle plummeted into a ravine. For years, Kenscoff had been known as a sanctuary for farmers and a retreat for those fleeing the dangers of Port-au-Prince. The community, vital for its agricultural output of vegetables and produce that feed…
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and one of the most outspoken conservative activists of his generation, was assassinated this week during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. The fatal shot came not from the “enemies” Kirk so often warned about, but from a white gunman, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. Kirk was addressing students as part of his American Comeback Tour when a single round struck him in the neck. Chaos followed as students scrambled for safety. Investigators confirmed the shot was fired from a nearby elevated position. Robinson was quickly identified and taken into custody. https://www.tiktok.com/@iamcheyna/video/7549228659337334029?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7540308309985019423…
September 11, 2001, will forever stand as one of the darkest days in American history. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania as hijacked planes tore through our sense of safety and into our collective memory. In an instant, families were shattered, first responders gave their lives without hesitation, and a city known for its toughness became a city united in grief and resilience. New Yorkers lined up to give blood, brought food to firehouses, consoled strangers on the street, and reminded the world that even in tragedy, solidarity and compassion could prevail. But…
On September 11, Haiti’s transitional government declared a three-month state of emergency across the West, Artibonite, and Centre departments. The move comes as the country faces a surge of gang attacks, deepening food insecurity, and a breakdown of essential services. Officials said the declaration was necessary to mobilize resources, restrict gang activities, and protect vulnerable communities. The announcement was coupled with significant changes in leadership. André Jonas Vladimir Paraison was appointed as the new head of the Haitian National Police, replacing Normil Rameau. The decision reflects growing frustration with past leadership’s inability to curb the growing influence of gangs. Transitional…
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. His sudden death left his supporters stunned, but for many others, it felt like a moment of reckoning. Kirk built a career on spreading division and inflaming tensions, and in the end, the chaos he unleashed seemed to return to him. A Career Built on Provocation https://youtu.be/-G0Kw_PM264?si=urR7MzLuK_IrpRj2 From the moment he launched Turning Point USA at age 18, Kirk made it clear that his mission was not simply to champion conservatism, but to provoke. He…
In the neighborhoods of Solino, Nazon, and Delmas 30 in Port-au-Prince, a slow and painful return has begun. Families who once fled with only the clothes on their backs are cautiously making their way home after months of displacement. What they are finding is heartbreaking: neighborhoods reduced to rubble, homes turned to ashes, and communities that once buzzed with life now standing eerily silent. These areas were overrun by gangs in late 2024, forcing tens of thousands to abandon their homes. Displacement camps sprouted across the capital, where overcrowding, disease, and hunger made survival difficult. Now, with some gangs pulling…
UPDATE: Evergreen High School Shooter Identified; Investigators Cite Online Radicalization Authorities have identified the gunman in Wednesday’s Evergreen High School shooting as 16-year-old Desmond Holly, a student at Evergreen High School. Two students were wounded before Holly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, preliminary evidence suggests Holly was radicalized online. Investigators are reviewing his phone, home, and locker to determine possible influences and communications leading up to the attack. Both injured students remained hospitalized as of Thursday, and officials have not released further details about their conditions. The school community continues to mourn…