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Haiti’s Historic Hotel Oloffson Burnt By Gangs

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By Staff Writer

News Americas, PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Tues. July 8, 2025: One of Haiti’s most treasured architectural landmarks, the iconic Hotel Oloffson, was reduced to ashes this week after gang members reportedly set fire to the property in the upscale Pacot neighborhood of Port-au-Prince.

The hotel’s owner, Richard Auguste Morse, confirmed the devastating loss via social media.

“The Hotel Oloffson has burned to the ground…” Morse posted on X (formerly Twitter), marking a somber end to the centuries-old cultural institution.

Authorities have attributed the arson attack to the notorious “Viv Ansanm” gang coalition, which continues to sow chaos across the capital. The destruction of the Oloffson represents not just a loss of property, but a blow to Haiti’s historical and cultural fabric.

The front of the Victorian-style Grand Hotel Olaffson in Port au Prince, Haiti before it was burnt by gangs in July 2025.

Built entirely of wood in the intricate “gingerbread” architectural style, the hotel was originally constructed in the 1890s as a private residence for the family of Haitian President Tirésias Simon Sam (1896–1902). During the U.S. Marine occupation of Haiti beginning in 1915, the property was repurposed as a military hospital until the occupation ended in 1934.

In 1935, Swedish Navy Captain Werner Gustav Oloffson converted the building into a hotel, which quickly became a hub for artists, intellectuals, and global celebrities. Over the decades, it hosted names such as Jackie Onassis Kennedy, Mick Jagger, Graham Greene, and Jean-Claude Van Damme.

However, the hotel’s popularity waned during the 1980s under the repressive regime of Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. In 1987, musician and cultural figure Richard Morse took over as owner and began reviving the space with weekly performances by his band RAM and other cultural events, reestablishing the Oloffson as a heartbeat of Haitian artistic life.

Despite its legacy, the hotel had not been accepting guests in recent months due to escalating gang violence in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. The fire marks yet another tragic chapter in Haiti’s ongoing security crisis.

Photos circulating online show the once-vibrant structure reduced to smoldering ruins – a haunting image of a nation struggling to preserve its cultural identity amid lawlessness and unrest.

Haitian Group Urges Action To End Racist Policies As Court Blocks Trump’s Attack On TPS

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News Americas, BROOKLYN, NY, Mon. July 7, 2025: Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, (HWHR), a Black, women-led grassroots organization in Brooklyn, is calling on elected officials to stand firmly against the racist immigration policies that continue to criminalize Black families striving to survive and provide for their loved ones. The demand comes in the wake of a major legal victory for Haitian communities nationwide.

(L-R) Alexei Laushkin, Rev. Patrick Mahoney and Katie Mahoney hold a banner that reads “Protect the Haitian Community!” on the House East Front Steps at the U.S. Capitol Building on March 6, 2025 in Washington, DC. The three were on Capitol Hill with the Christian Defense Coalition to demonstrate against the Trump administration’s plan to revoke Temporary Protected Status for the Haitian community. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to illegally shorten Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, blocking a plan that would have left over half a million Haitian immigrants vulnerable to deportation.

For HWHR, this is not just a legal win-it is a reminder that the fight is far from over.

“We welcome this decision, but make no mistake—the policies that criminalize and dehumanize Black immigrants are still in place,” said Aline Gue, Executive Director of HWHR. “Our communities deserve more than temporary relief. We deserve dignity, safety, and the ability to live without fear of deportation or displacement.”

The court’s ruling preserves TPS protections for Haitians through February 2026, rejecting an effort to cut that timeline by six months. TPS is a humanitarian safeguard meant to protect people from returning to life-threatening conditions. Yet the Trump administration, even while advising Americans against travel to Haiti, sought to undermine these protections for political gain.

Haitian Immigrants Are Essential to the U.S.

Haitian TPS holders are essential to the American economy and communities, contributing to industries such as healthcare, construction, hospitality, and education. Many have lived in the U.S. for over a decade, raising families, building businesses, and enriching neighborhoods from New York to Florida and beyond.

“We are your neighbors, workers, caregivers, and community members,” Gue emphasized. “This ruling affirms that our futures are not disposable.”

The Fight for Justice Continues

While advocates celebrate the court’s decision, they stress the urgent need for broader change. The Trump administration continues to push policies that target Black immigrants, including efforts to dismantle humanitarian parole programs and reinstate discriminatory travel bans.

Recent Supreme Court decisions have also heightened fears within immigrant communities, with TPS protections for Venezuelans now under threat. HWHR warns that similar attacks could be launched against Haitians again without sustained resistance.

Community Power Makes the Difference

The ruling follows years of grassroots organizing, legal advocacy, and courageous leadership from Haitian TPS holders who served as plaintiffs in the case. HWHR credits this victory to the relentless work of affected communities and their allies.

“Our presence in the streets and the courts made this possible,” Gue said. “But we will not stop until all Haitians can live free from the fear of deportation, family separation, and racist immigration laws.”

HWHR is urging elected officials to:

Oppose racist policies that criminalize Black immigrants.
Defend and expand protections like TPS.
Support pathways to permanent residency for Haitian families.
Reject political attacks that scapegoat immigrants for partisan agendas.

“We will continue to organize, educate, and fight alongside our community,” Gue vowed. “Our survival is non-negotiable. Our dignity is not up for debate.”

Tributes Pour In For Veteran Caribbean Journalist Rickey Singh

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. July 8, 2025: Tributes are pouring in from across the Caribbean as the region mourns the passing of one of its most respected journalists — Rickey Singh, a pioneering figure in Caribbean media whose career spanned over six decades. Singh, born in Guyana and a lifelong advocate for press freedom and regional unity, passed away Saturday, July 5th at the age of 88 after a prolonged illness.

The late Ricky Singh.

From political leaders to media veterans, Singh’s death has been described as “the end of an era” in Caribbean journalism — one defined by fearless reporting, integrity, and a relentless commitment to truth.

Mia Mottley: Singh’s Legacy Is A Model for Young Journalists

Outgoing CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, hailed Singh as a journalist whose influence transcended national boundaries.

“Rickey Singh, like many of the media practitioners of his time, had his roots in one nation but his heart and spirit flowed throughout the region like the Caribbean Sea,” Mottley said in her statement. “Few commanded the respect he did when it came to regional politics and current affairs.”

She noted that Singh’s byline was synonymous with major political events in the Caribbean, from the overthrow of Grenada’s Eric Gairy in 1979 to the assassination of Walter Rodney in Guyana and the U.S. intervention in Grenada in 1983.

“His work epitomized a spirit of regional cooperation, even when our leaders still struggled with that concept,” Mottley reflected, adding, “Rickey was 100 percent a Caribbean journalist… his commitment to regionalism over insularity ought to be top of mind for all of us.”

Kwame McCoy: A Master of the Craft

In Guyana, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, also paid tribute, recalling Singh’s early years at the Guiana Graphic (later the Guyana Chronicle), where he launched his journalism career in 1957.

“Rickey gave his life to journalism,” McCoy stated. “To know the work of Rickey Singh was to appreciate his mastery of language, the sharpness of his critical thinking, and the smoothness with which he communicated complex political situations.”

McCoy remembered Singh’s work as “must-read journalism,” adding, “His work was never confined to Guyana. He left his mark in Trinidad, Barbados, and across the region.”

Sir Ron Sanders: A Courageous Regional Voice

Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to Washington, Sir Ron Sanders, called Singh “a giant of Caribbean journalism,” underscoring his courage and unwavering commitment to justice, even when it came at great personal cost.

“He never hesitated to hold recalcitrant leaders to account, earning both admiration and fear,” Sanders remarked. “His unyielding commitment to truth came at a cost — he was made an exile, a refugee, even a deportee within the Caribbean.”

Despite these challenges, Singh remained steadfast, advocating for Caribbean unity and regional integration through incisive commentary that shaped the discourse across the region.

“Though diminutive in physical stature, Rickey Singh was a giant,” Sanders declared. “His legacy endures. His writings will continue to remind us of the importance of human rights, freedom of expression, and the imperative of integration.”

A Life Dedicated to Caribbean Journalism

Singh’s impact on Caribbean journalism cannot be overstated. From his early reporting days in Guyana to his work as Editor of Caribbean Contact, the publication of the Caribbean Conference of Churches, Singh championed regional issues long before CARICOM leaders unified around them.

He founded the Caribbean Association of Media Workers, (CAMWORK), and later, his influence carried into its successor, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM).

ACM, in its statement, described Singh as a journalist “born in Guyana but belonging to the Caribbean,” echoing sentiments from veteran Trinidadian journalist Tony Fraser.

His work spanned coverage of every major election in the region, interviews with world leaders like Fidel Castro and Eric Williams, and advocacy for the rights of Haitians and marginalized Caribbean communities.

In 2023, Singh was honored with both an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Guyana government, cementing his status as one of the region’s most revered journalistic voices.

A Family Man and a Regional Icon

Rickey Singh is survived by his children — Donna, Debbie, Raoul, Allison, Wendy, and Ramon — as well as several grandchildren and other relatives.

The family has indicated that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

As the Caribbean reflects on his life and legacy, Singh’s passing is seen not only as the loss of a journalist but of a regional patriot whose voice, though silenced, leaves an indelible mark on the Caribbean’s collective journey toward unity, justice, and democracy.

CARICOM Urged To Sanction Israel, Impose Military Embargo

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News Americas, Kingston, Jamaica, Fri. July 4, 2025: More than 40 civil society organizations and prominent individuals from across the Caribbean are urging the region’s leaders to take decisive action against Israel, calling for sanctions, a military embargo, and the suspension of diplomatic ties in response to what they describe as Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

A Palestinian mother and her daughter rush for cover during an Israeli strike in the Al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip on July 4, 2025. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) (Photo by EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images)

In an open letter to the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, (CARICOM), the groups demand an end to what they label as complicity with Israel’s occupation, apartheid regime, and military actions that have left 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza under siege.

The call to action comes ahead of the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, set to take place in Jamaica from July 6th to 8th.

Maren Mantovani, a member of the International Secretariat of the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, (BDS) movement, is expected to arrive in Jamaica this weekend to meet with regional civil society actors, BDS partners, and CARICOM representatives. Her visit aims to deepen Caribbean solidarity with Palestine and push for concrete state-level action.

A Palestinian man inspects the damage after an Israeli strike in the Al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip on July 4, 2025. (Photo by EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images)

“Compliance with international law, including through imposing sanctions, is not optional—it is a legal obligation for UN member states,” Mantovani stated. “The people of the Caribbean share with Palestine a history of anti-colonial struggle and can give vital support to the fight for human rights.”

The coalition is calling for a series of measures, including:

A comprehensive military embargo on Israel and prohibition of CARICOM-flagged vessels from delivering arms or dual-use goods to the region.

Cancellation of visa-free entry for Israeli citizens and enforcement of immigration checks to deny entry to individuals linked to war crimes.

Suspension of diplomatic relations with Israel.

Support for legal action at the International Court of Justice, (ICJ) and International Criminal Court, (ICC), including South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.

Participation in the upcoming Emergency Meeting of The Hague Group in Bogotá, Colombia, on July 15–16, which focuses on coordinated legal and diplomatic action against Israel.

Ending all cultural, sporting, economic, trade, and financial ties with Israel.

Advocating for Israel’s expulsion from international fora, including the UN General Assembly, FIFA, and the Olympics.

The demands echo the recommendations of a recent UN report, From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide, authored by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. The report outlines corporate complicity in Israel’s occupation and calls for international boycotts, divestment, and sanctions.

Civil society groups are also citing a 2024 statement from UN human rights experts, which urges states to suspend economic and academic relations with Israel that contribute to its occupation and apartheid regime in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Antigua and Barbuda recently became the first CARICOM member to prohibit vessels under its flag from carrying military supplies to conflict zones – a move activists want replicated across the region. However, concerns remain about enforcement after a flagged vessel was reported to have delivered 10 tons of explosives to Israel on June 4th.

“The shores of the Caribbean should not be a safe haven for Israel’s genocidaires or war criminals,” Mantovani added, urging immediate visa restrictions.

The letter represents a growing global movement calling for accountability over Israel’s actions and for states to align with international legal standards. Caribbean civil society actors say the region’s history of anti-colonialism and solidarity with oppressed peoples demands no less.

Suriname’s Digital Archives: Preserving Jewish History

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News Americas, PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Tues. July 1, 2025: Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo, is a UNESCO World Heritage site – and also the home of an extensive digital archive that saves centuries of Jewish history. Paper documents have been digitized, made accessible, and protected against climate, decay, and disaster. The Dutch team led by Dr Rosa de Jong has collected over 600 gigabytes of documents. One hard drive is to be donated to the National Archives of Suriname for their digital collections. 

The Neveh Shalom Synagogue in Paramaribo, Suriname. One of the few synagogues in the world located immediately next door to a mosque.

Jewish roots in Suriname

Jewish settlers arrived from Brazil and Europe in the 1600s. They founded agricultural communities, with Jodensavanne becoming a plantation centre along the Suriname River. Around 1700, about 500 Jewish planters owned nearly 9,000 enslaved people. The community later relocated to Paramaribo, and by the mid-1700s, there were two synagogues: Neveh Shalom and Tzedek ve-Shalom.

Personal narratives

The digital archive holds personal testimonies of World War II. Letters from Dutch Jewish refugees tell of survival and refuge in Suriname. In 1942, over 100 refugees fled the Holocaust and arrived in Paramaribo. Liny Pajgin Yollick described hearing the Dutch National Anthem when they arrived, writing that it was “very emotional” having thought they would never hear it again (per The Times of Israel). Teroenga, a magazine published for Jewish people in Suriname, ran a “Bevrijding” (“Liberation”) headline when the Netherlands was free from Nazi occupation. The archive includes a copy of every Teroenga issue.

Collaboration

De Jong was assisted in large part by Lilly Duijm, a 78-year-old who had kept physical documents of the archive for over 20 years. Duijm was born in Suriname and moved to the Netherlands at 14. She returned to Suriname in 1973 shortly before its independence. She said that even after her death, the archive will keep alive the history of her people.

Religious, social traditions, and heritage

Suriname’s Jewish community was once among the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The early settlers established synagogues, schools, and their own judicial systems. The community’s synagogues were places for worship, education, and social gatherings. They celebrated with unique customs, mixing Surinamese, Ashkenazi, and Sephardic influences, during holidays like Passover and Hanukkah. This tradition of blending cultural elements is seen in contemporary Judaica like the artistic menorahs featured at www.nadavart.com. 

Simon Goldstone, PhD candidate, researched Suriname Jews for a piece entitled “The Lost Jews of Suriname”, published at the UF Liberal Arts and Sciences website. Goldstone wrote that Jewish migrants arrived in the Caribbean from Iberia in the 17th century. They found a chance to reclaim their religious and cultural heritage in Suriname’s Dutch colony, having been forced to live as Christians during the Inquisition. 

As Goldstone notes, the Cassipora Creek and Jodensavanne colonies are the first examples of early modern Jews who had the freedom to construct their own communities on a new landscape. There were hundreds of Jewish families who lived here, but there were also thousands of indigenous Surinamese and enslaved Africans who brought their own cultural and religious practices. Goldstone writes that the convergence of these cultures led to a unique society and new religious forms.

Today, the headstones of Cassipora Creek’s cemetery are the only visible remains of the community. They’re managed by local Redi Doti villagers and the Jodensavanne Foundation. Goldstone and fellow researchers aimed to establish a plan for future research at the Cassipora Creek site.

Legacy in the digital age

Such efforts preserve Jewish history in the digital world – not only for scholars, but future generations seeking to understand colonialism, faith, and resilience.

Confronting Caribbean Obesity With Healing And Hope

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By Suzette A. Henry

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. June 25, 2025: Along the sun-kissed shores of the Eastern Caribbean, a silent epidemic is growing. It threatens the future of our youth and the strength of our communities. Obesity, particularly among adolescents, has surged at alarming rates. Nevis, a small but vibrant island, now bears the unfortunate distinction of having the highest per capita adolescent obesity rate in the region. According to the World Health Organization, (WHO, 2023), nearly one in three Caribbean adolescents is either overweight or obese, with Nevis reaching over 35 percent. This is a public health emergency unfolding in plain sight.

As I have journeyed across Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Montserrat, Guyana, and the twin-island federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, my heart has been both refreshed by our cultural richness and heavy with concern. Vending stalls overflow with sugary drinks and ultra-processed snacks. Schoolyards once alive with play now show signs of inactivity. The data confirms what the eye cannot ignore. A 2022 Pan American Health Organization, (PAHO) study revealed that more than 60 percent of Caribbean adults are overweight or obese, many from as early as adolescence. This trend increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, infertility, and even early death.

A broader regional snapshot further underscores the scale of this health crisis. Based on a 2019 PAHO comparative analysis, WHO Global Health Observatory data (2022), and Caribbean Public Health Agency, (CARPHA) reports, adult obesity prevalence in the Eastern Caribbean remains among the highest worldwide:
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: 45.6%
• Antigua and Barbuda: 33.3%
• Barbados: 38.0%
• Jamaica: 33.8%
• Dominica: 31.3%
• Saint Lucia: 33.5%
• Saint Vincent & the Grenadines: 33.2%

While the general Caribbean average is around 25%, several Eastern Caribbean nations now exceed 30%, and in the case of Saint Kitts and Nevis, nearly 46%. Antigua and Barbuda’s prevalence of 33.3% places it in step with this concerning regional trend.

In Saint Kitts and Nevis specifically, the Global Nutrition Report 2025 reveals that 33.6% of adult women and 18.1% of adult men are living with obesity – higher than the regional average for women (30.7%) and slightly below for men (22.8%). According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Observatory, approximately 23.1% of adults in Saint Kitts and Nevis have obesity (BMI ≥ 30, age-standardized), confirming a national burden in line with regional trends. Alarmingly, diabetes is estimated to affect 19.3% of adult women and 15.3% of adult men. Despite the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, there is still inadequate data on obesity prevalence among children under five, and no clear sign the nation is reversing these trends.

What is driving this growing health crisis? It is not only the food but the full plate of modern life. Our diets have shifted from vibrant local produce to heavily processed imports. Physical activity has declined, replaced by screen time and sedentary habits. Aggressive marketing of unhealthy products to children and economic barriers to healthy eating further compound the problem. In Nevis, the shift from farm-fresh ground provisions to convenient processed foods, combined with the loss of active communal living, paints a picture of lifestyle disconnection and cultural drift.

Yet the roots of our healing are still present in our soil, our traditions, and our kitchens. Alternative and integrative approaches, rooted in Caribbean heritage, offer hope. Herbal remedies like moringa for metabolism, neem for blood sugar regulation, cerasee for detoxification, and turmeric for inflammation have long been used in our communities. When paired with plant-based diets rich in callaloo, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, and guava, these natural interventions can significantly improve health outcomes. A clinical trial in Barbados by Best et al. (2020) demonstrated that culturally tailored lifestyle interventions led to measurable weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity within just six months. Healing does not always come in a capsule; it often comes in a calabash.

Medically appropriate strategies must support these lifestyle shifts. School-based screening and early intervention programs, community nutrition education, regular BMI tracking, and multidisciplinary wellness clinics should be prioritized. Pediatricians, dietitians, behavioral therapists, and exercise coaches must work together with families to support sustainable change. For young people already facing obesity, early referrals and ongoing support are critical. The earlier the intervention, the greater the chance of recovery and resilience.

The cost of inaction is far too great. Obesity burdens our healthcare systems, weakens our workforce, and shortens life expectancy. It disrupts families, fuels absenteeism in schools, and contributes to emotional distress and mental health challenges among our youth. A 2021 CARPHA report linked adolescent obesity to increased depression, social isolation, and early-onset non-communicable diseases. If left unchecked, this crisis will not only shorten lives but diminish the Caribbean’s collective future.

We do not need a temporary fix. We need a movement. A movement of parents who cook from the garden, teachers who inspire active learning, churches that preach wholeness, and leaders who legislate for health equity. We must return to homegrown habits, traditional knowledge, and faith-fueled purpose. The Caribbean’s healing lies not in imported pills but in the power of our people to reclaim their health, their heritage, and their hope. Acting now, with courage and compassion, to ensure our children carry dreams and not disease is a high priority.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Suzette A. Henry, MBA, MD, PhD, is a physician, public health advocate, and long-term health executive with over 27 years of experience in clinical care, education, and leadership. She holds degrees in nursing, biomedical sciences, business administration, and medicine from SUNY Downstate, Kaplan University, and the University of Science, Arts, and Technology.

Jamaican Company Completes Landmark Psilocybin Export

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News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Tues. June 24, 2025: Rose Hill Apothecary, a Jamaican pioneer in psychedelic cultivation and research, has completed its first major international export – 18 kilograms of dried psilocybin mushrooms shipped to Brazil.

The historic agreement with Biocase Brasil Importação e Comércio de Medicamentos marks a significant milestone for Jamaica’s legal psilocybin industry. While magic mushrooms are permitted in Jamaica, they remain strictly prohibited in most countries, classified similarly to hard drugs.

The shipment underwent comprehensive testing by ACS Laboratory in Florida, ensuring it met stringent international standards for safety, potency, and quality — requirements that are increasingly critical as global interest in psychedelics grows.

“This achievement reflects the expertise Rose Hill brings to the global psychedelics space,” said Charles Lazarus, CEO of Rose Hill Apothecary. “From advanced cultivation to rigorous testing and navigating complex international regulations, we are setting new benchmarks for the industry.”

Rose Hill’s partnership with Biocase aligns with Brazil’s evolving regulatory approach to psychedelics, strengthening Jamaica’s position as a leader in legal psychedelic innovation. The company operates facilities in Jamaica, the US, and Canada, providing both therapeutic retreats and clinical-grade research material.

“This milestone reflects our operational excellence and commitment to advancing safe, high-quality psychedelic therapies worldwide,” added Rose Hill COO Domenic Suppa. As one of the seven countries worldwide where the cultivation and consumption of psychedelic mushrooms are legal, Jamaica is a prominent region for the psilocybin industry. Rose Hill has emerged as the largest legal, natural psilocybin producer in Jamaica and the first legal exporter globally. Since 2015, the Company has been cultivating and breeding multiple varieties of psychedelic mushrooms, while adhering to sustainable and ethical cultivation practices that surpass industry standards.

Many people’s knowledge of psilocybin – the primary psychoactive ingredient found in so-called “magic mushrooms” – is limited to its use as a recreational drug and perhaps its association with 1960s counterculture. But over the past 20 years, a growing body of research has shown that psilocybin has significant potential in the treatment of a number of mental and behavioral health disorders. One study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that taking psilocybin in combination with talk therapy significantly improved symptoms of clinical depression. Some study participants continued to experience benefits for as long as one year after receiving just two doses of the compound.

Psilocybin has also shown positive results in smoking cessation and anorexia nervosa treatment studies. In October 2021, the National Institute of Health awarded Johns Hopkins a grant to explore the potential value of psilocybin as a smoking cessation tool — the first federal grant given in 50 years for the study of a psychedelic treatment in the U.S.

In May 2022, UK-based mental healthcare firm COMPASS Pathways completed an exploratory study of psilocybin therapy for patients with anorexia nervosa, with encouraging preliminary results that warrant further investigation in larger-scale clinical studies.

Rose Hill currently operates through three main business channels: Rose Hill, responsible for overseeing the science, research, and development; PATOO, Jamaica’s first legal psychedelic CPG line of psilocybin products; and most recently, ONE Retreats, an experiential psilocybin retreat centered around wellness and healing.

Since 2018, PATOO has employed a natural harvesting process of indigenous Jamaican psilocybin fungi curated with the utmost quality standards to ensure the medicine’s integrity, consistency, and efficacy. The Company currently offers a range of legal and lab-tested psilocybin-infused products, including their premium chocolate bar crafted with organic Jamaican cacao, and their handcrafted micro dose honey, which undergoes a meticulous three-month infusion process to deliver a pure, undiluted, and unprocessed final product. This July, PATOO launched their vegan psilocybin gummies, made with extract, and earthed from the same organic psilocybin biomass and ingredients found in their industry-revered products. PATOO products are available through over 30 retailers in Jamaica including dispensaries, hotels/retail stores, and retreats.

Beyond supplying wholesale and retail outlets, mushrooms supplied from Rose Hill are also part of ongoing research and clinical trials through its export contract with Mydecine Innovations Group, a publicly traded company based in Canada with headquarters in Denver, CO. This groundbreaking partnership marked the first legal international export of psilocybin in March 2021. Furthermore, Rose Hill is currently in the process of applying for a manufacturing and services license in Oregon, leveraging its team’s expertise in cannabis operations and retail networks.

University of West Indies – Cave Hill Campus, EarlyHealth Caribbean Limited, & EarlyHealth Group

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NEWS AMERICAS, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, June 20, 2025: EarlyHealth Group (EHG), a global pharmaceutical company, and The University of the West Indies (The UWI) have announced a landmark partnership to accelerate clinical research and biomarker innovation throughout Barbados and the wider Caribbean.

This collaboration aims to accelerate advanced biobanking infrastructure and incorporate genotype-based biomarkers into regional clinical and translational research. The initiative will focus on identifying the genetic basis of hereditary disorders that disproportionately affect Caribbean populations, including hemoglobinopathies, oncogenic mutations, and metabolic syndromes.

By leveraging the region’s distinct genomic diversity and The UWI’s strong research capacity, the partnership is poised to drive precision medicine approaches tailored to Caribbean communities. This will improve diagnostic accuracy, enhance therapeutic targeting, and lead to better health outcomes across the region.

“This collaboration represents an important step forward in The UWI’s mission to elevate health research in the Caribbean,” said Dr. Damian Cohall, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences. “Through this partnership, EarlyHealth will not only support capacity-building efforts, such as laboratory enhancements and regulatory training, but help empower our scientific community to bring cutting-edge research closer to the people of the Caribbean, while contributing to the global scientific landscape.”

“We are excited to leverage our global sponsor network alongside The UWI’s deep understanding of Caribbean health needs, to create new clinical research opportunities for the region,” said Mr. Shaquille Williams, Director of Business Development for the Caribbean Region.

This strategic alliance underlines EHG’s and The UWI’s commitment to advancing evidence-based healthcare solutions for the Caribbean, while positioning the region as an emerging contributor to global pharmaceutical and biomedical innovation.

This initiative, facilitated by the Embassy of Barbados in the United Arab Emirates, highlights the growing importance of commercial diplomacy in a fast-changing multi-polar world.

About EarlyHealth Group

EarlyHealth Group is a global pharmaceutical company specializing in research, clinical trial management, and commercialization, driven by a core mission to make healthcare accessible.

Learn more at www.early-health.com

About The University of the West Indies

The UWI has been central to Caribbean development for over 75 years. Today, it is an internationally respected institution with five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, with global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu

Paradise Lost? Sargassum Crisis Turns Caribbean Beaches Brown

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By Felicia J. Persaud in Barbados

News Americas, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Weds. June 18, 2025: The turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of Barbados – long celebrated as a jewel of the Caribbean – are under siege. A thick, brown tide of sargassum seaweed now dominates many of the beaches, turning once-pristine shores into foul-smelling, uninviting sands of discontent.

Seaweed pile up outside the beach infront the Sands hotel in Christ Church. (Felicia J. Persaud image)

Outside The Sands Hotel, tourists are greeted not by white sand and clear, blue waters, but by huge dark piles of rotting, smelly algae. Fresh sargassum is washing up daily, tainting the water and spoiling the scenic charm that draws visitors from across the globe. The same scene is unfolding on Barbados’ east coast in Bathsheba as well as the remote beach at Skeetes Bay, and across the Caribbean, from Saint Lucia to Puerto Rico.

Rotting seaweed on the beach infront the Sands Hotel in Christ Church, Barbados. (Felicia J.Persaud image)

The decomposing algae is producing toxic gases, including ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, both of which pose a threat to human health.

Scientists warn the invasion is far from over.

The seaweed has turned the usually pristine clear turquoise waters brown. (Felicia J. Persaud image)

According to a new report from the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab, a record-breaking 38 million metric tons of sargassum was observed across the Caribbean in May 2025—shattering the previous record of 22 million tons set in 2022. Even more is expected in June.“Sargassum has experienced a robust population so far this year,” said Barry Rosen, professor of ecology at Florida Gulf Coast University.

“Sargassum has experienced a robust population so far this year,” said Barry Rosen, professor of ecology at Florida Gulf Coast University.

The phenomenon is fueled by a complex mix of nutrient-rich runoff from South American rivers, warming ocean temperatures, and changing weather patterns. Droughts in the Amazon in 2023 and 2024 allowed nitrogen and phosphorus to accumulate, and recent floods triggered a massive release into the Atlantic—a “first flush” that scientists believe ignited this year’s explosion of sargassum blooms.

“Sargassum has experienced a robust population so far this year,” said Barry Rosen, professor of ecology at Florida Gulf Coast University.

“It came out of the drought with a vengeance,” said Brian Lapointe, a veteran marine ecologist

While sargassum in open waters helps support marine ecosystems, its arrival in nearshore zones is destructive. The seaweed smothers coral reefs, depletes oxygen, and blocks fish spawning grounds, jeopardizing fragile marine life and island economies. When it rots, it emits hydrogen sulfide gas, which smells like rotten eggs and can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation.

Communities in Saint Lucia report health issues tied to long-term exposure. Fisheries officials report that sargassum is blocking fishing grounds and reducing fish stocks but recent readings show gas levels haven’t yet reached hazardous thresholds, concern is growing.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has pledged support for the region, including feasibility studies on reuse strategies and specialized cleanup equipment to help countries like Barbados combat the growing crisis.

Still, officials warn this is not a short-term problem.

Crashing waves bring more seaweed to the shores daily. (Felicia J. Persaud image)

“It came out of the drought with a vengeance,” said Brian Lapointe, a veteran maWe’re exploring how we can utilise sargassum for productive purposes,” said Keith Nichols of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. “But the volumes we are seeing now are unprecedented—we haven’t even fully quantified the impact.”

French Caribbean territories have started using containment booms to control the algae offshore before it hits land—a strategy that Saint Lucia and others may adopt. But the financial burden, ecological damage, and tourism fallout pose steep challenges.

With peak summer tourism around the corner, the Caribbean’s most valuable asset – its beaches – is under threat. Unless coordinated regional action takes hold soon, what was once paradise may quickly become uninhabitable for visitors and residents alike.

Guyana Warns Nationals Of U.S. Crackdown Over Illegal Immigration

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News Americas, New York, NY, June 11, 2025: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is warning its nationals about stricter U.S. immigration enforcement following a formal Diplomatic Note from the Government of the United States.

People participate in the annual Guyana Independence Parade in Brooklyn on June 01, 2025 in New York City. This year’s parade, which also includes an afternoon of food and celebrations, is dedicated to Adriana Younge’s memory. Younge was an 11-year-old Guyanese girl whose death sparked national protests and international outcry over allegations that officials with the government were involved in a cover-up. The Brooklyn Independence celebration is the largest Guyanese celebration outside of Guyana and one of the largest West Indian celebrations in New York City, following the West Indian American Day Parade. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The warning comes as the administration of President Donald Trump reinstates and expands a number of hardline immigration policies. According to the U.S. government, these measures include the strict prosecution of individuals entering or remaining in the country unlawfully, and extend to criminal penalties and legal action against those violating their terms of entry.

The U.S. Secretary of State has reportedly made it clear that while the United States continues to welcome legitimate, documented travelers, there will be zero tolerance for violations of immigration law. The policies cover unauthorized entry, overstaying visas, and engaging in criminal activities as a non-citizen.

The Ministry emphasized that Guyanese nationals found to be in violation of U.S. immigration rules could face arrest, prosecution, imprisonment, or substantial fines. Nationals currently residing illegally in the U.S. are being strongly advised to leave the country immediately.

Guyanese citizens are encouraged to use legal and authorized avenues for travel, employment, education, or permanent relocation to the U.S. The Ministry also urges full compliance with American immigration regulations to avoid serious legal consequences.

This latest development adds urgency for those seeking to migrate to the United States to ensure all documentation and entry methods are in line with U.S. law.