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  • itel strengthens cybersecurity framework amid rising global threats

    itel strengthens cybersecurity framework amid rising global threats

    Against a backdrop of rapidly escalating global cyber risks and sweeping digital transformation reshaping the global business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, Jamaican BPO leader itel has announced a major expansion of its cybersecurity infrastructure to shield client data, core operational systems and end-to-end service delivery from an increasingly complex threat landscape.

    As founder and chairman Yoni Epstein explains, BPO providers today manage massive volumes of sensitive personal customer information and proprietary business data on behalf of their global clients, making ongoing monitoring, regular infrastructure upgrades and proactive threat mitigation more critical than ever before. Unlike many organizations that treat cybersecurity as a one-time compliance check or static set of requirements, itel frames its security strategy around the core principle that cybersecurity is an evolving, permanent discipline rather than an end goal.

    “Security is not a destination – it is a discipline,” Epstein emphasized in a statement outlining the company’s updated approach. “The global threat landscape shifts constantly, and BPO operators like ours carry an outsized responsibility. We have to guarantee that every system, every network connection, and every data transfer is continuously secured, tested, and reinforced. Our clients entrust us with their core operations, and that trust demands nonstop protection at all times.”

    With cyber threats growing far more sophisticated in recent years – ranging from widespread ransomware campaigns to newly discovered zero-day exploits that bypass existing security controls – itel has rolled out a multi-layered defense-in-depth strategy built to outpace emerging risks before they can impact operations. This comprehensive framework includes advanced network protection tools, 24/7 real-time threat monitoring, and continuous system validation across every segment of the company’s digital technology ecosystem.

    At the network level, cutting-edge security tools block unauthorized access and keep sensitive client data sealed from external bad actors. Internal segmentation safeguards further isolate core systems from one another, limiting the spread of a potential breach if one part of the network is compromised. All of these defensive measures are subject to regular review and updates to align with the latest threat intelligence, ensuring protection does not stagnate as attackers develop new tactics.

    To address the constant risk of unanticipated vulnerabilities appearing in code or infrastructure, itel also maintains a rigorous ongoing program of vulnerability management and regular penetration testing. Any critical security flaws identified through this process are prioritized for immediate remediation, following strict, pre-established incident response protocols to resolve risks quickly.

    Epstein underscored that the company’s round-the-clock monitoring capability gives itel permanent full visibility across its entire digital footprint. When paired with modern endpoint detection and response tools, this setup allows security teams to identify, contain, and neutralize threats in real time, before they can cause downtime or data exposure.

    itel’s enhanced security posture mirrors a broader shift across the global BPO sector, where cybersecurity has transitioned from an optional add-on to a non-negotiable requirement for business continuity and retaining client trust. In an industry where even a short service disruption, minor data leak, or extended downtime can trigger cascading, long-lasting consequences for both the BPO provider and its clients, organizational resilience depends just as much on a widespread culture of security as it does on robust technical infrastructure, Epstein noted.

    “Our security program is proactive, systematic, and always evolving,” he said. “In today’s threat environment, it is no longer sufficient to react to attacks after they happen. We have to anticipate threats, prepare for them, and stay one step ahead of bad actors. That is the only way to protect our clients and preserve the integrity of the services we deliver.”

    As the global digital economy continues to expand and cyber risks intensify across all sectors, Epstein reaffirmed itel’s long-term commitment to ongoing investment in cutting-edge security technologies, continuous strengthening of defensive capabilities, and adherence to the highest possible cybersecurity standards in the global BPO industry.

  • ‘Resounding success’

    ‘Resounding success’

    Against the backdrop of post-hurricane recovery and an isolated violent incident, Jamaica’s 2026 Carnival has emerged as a defining demonstration of the nation’s resilience, cultural vitality, and economic determination, according to event organizers and government stakeholders who are pushing back against attempts to frame the entire season around a single negative event.

    Kamal Bankay, chairman of Carnival in Jamaica, emphasized that the annual celebration is far more than a one-off seasonal gathering. It is a year-round enterprise that demands consistent strategic planning, global brand promotion, and sustained cross-border engagement to drive tourism and industry growth. “Right after we close out one Carnival season, our team immediately shifts focus to preparing for the next,” Bankay explained, noting that organizers actively market the Jamaica Carnival brand at major international Caribbean events, including Trinidad’s Carnival, London’s Notting Hill Carnival, and Miami Carnival, to expand its global reach.

    Heading into 2026, the Carnival team had high hopes for the season’s growth — but those plans were upended when Hurricane Melissa tore through western Jamaica, causing widespread devastation and forcing the entire nation to prioritize emergency relief and long-term reconstruction over all other activities. “It was an incredibly painful period for our country, and recovery efforts had to come first before anything else,” Bankay said.

    Rather than canceling the season, however, stakeholders made a deliberate choice to reboot Carnival planning as a core component of Jamaica’s broader national recovery strategy. In the months following the storm, organizers worked overtime to rearrange logistics, secure venues, and revamp programming, determined to deliver an unforgettable experience for festival-goers in April.

    Their efforts paid off: the 2026 staging drew strong turnout that matched 2025 participation levels, generated high-energy celebrations, and even marked historic expansion, with new Carnival activities launched in Negril — a region still in the early stages of recovering from hurricane damage. Early projections indicate the 2026 event will match or exceed the economic impact of the 2025 season. “This year’s Carnival proved Jamaica can bounce back. Every element ran smoothly, it felt like one big, joyful national celebration, and that’s what the story should be,” Bankay noted.

    Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett echoed this assessment, hailing the 2026 road march as both a cultural and economic milestone. “After the massive hurricane and all the trauma it left behind, this was a perfect chance for people to let go of tension and breathe again. It was an outstanding showcase, and it sends a clear message: Jamaica is open for business, and we are back,” Bartlett said. He also praised the event’s seamless execution, framing it as proof of Jamaica’s ability to deliver complex, large-scale international events successfully.

    The widespread celebratory atmosphere was briefly interrupted by a shooting at an after-party in Kingston, widely referred to as the Big Wall incident, which left three men injured. The case, which involves public entertainment figures Jaii Frais and Jahvy Ambassador, is now working through the legal system and has drawn sustained public attention.

    Stakeholders across the board have strongly condemned the act of violence, but they are united in rejecting attempts to use the incident to define the entire 2026 Carnival season.

    Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby labeled 2026 Carnival a “resounding success” that drove economic activity across multiple sectors from hospitality to transportation to retail, even as he reiterated condemnation of the shooting. Bankay similarly emphasized that the isolated incident does not reflect the broader Carnival experience.

    “One violent incident at a single after-party is one too many, but we hosted more than 70 successful events across the season, plus a massive road parade that was executed flawlessly from start to finish,” Bankay said. “What happened does not represent Carnival as a whole. It was an extreme, isolated event, and once the attention fades, people will remember how extraordinary this season was.”

    For organizers and national stakeholders, the lasting narrative they hope to leave is not one defined by a single moment of disruption. Instead, it is a story of a nation that rebuilt after crisis, and used its most vibrant cultural celebration to showcase its unbroken spirit, creative strength, and ability to come back stronger than ever.

  • Daily News Limited – Newsday – Notice to Creditors 2026.jpg

    Daily News Limited – Newsday – Notice to Creditors 2026.jpg

    The provided entry labeled as news contains only metadata and a link to an external image, with no actual text-based news content included. The metadata shows the entry was posted by a user named “webmaster” two hours before it was accessed, and an image hosted at the address https://news-minio.triplec.cc/news/2026/04/24/f891a685afcf8ed3b979a4a1316f8301.jpg is referenced. No details about a specific event, development, or topic that would typically form the basis of a news report are included in this submission. Without additional core journalistic content, no full news narrative can be constructed from the provided materials.

  • Edwin Allen qualifies for three COA finals at Penn Relays

    Edwin Allen qualifies for three COA finals at Penn Relays

    PHILADELPHIA — The 130th Penn Relays Carnival got off to a thrilling start at Franklin Field Thursday, with Jamaican high school programs delivering a stunning series of performances that have positioned them as overwhelming favorites across multiple championship events heading into the competition’s second day. Blessed with near-ideal sunny conditions that saw temperatures hover in the mid-20s Celsius — far milder than many forecast — Jamaican athletes dominated qualifying rounds for all three high school girls relay competitions and claimed three gold medals in individual field events, setting the stage for a historic day of finals.

    Leading the charge is Edwin Allen High, which became the only program to qualify all three of its relay squads — 4x100m, 4x400m, and 4x800m — for the upcoming day’s finals. The squad already holds a historic legacy at the event, having claimed eight of the last 11 High School Girls 4x100m Championships of the Americas titles, and is chasing a fifth consecutive victory in the event Thursday. Edwin Allen clocked the fastest qualifying time of 45.63 seconds, cementing its status as the starting favorite. They will be joined in the final by fellow Jamaican squads St Jago High (45.73s), Excelsior High (46.03s), and first-time qualifiers Mt Alvernia High (46.35s), with an additional eight Jamaican teams advancing to the High School Girls International consolation final for non-American squads.

    The 4x400m final is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated races of the entire carnival, after three Jamaican schools all clocked qualifying times under 3 minutes 40 seconds Thursday. Hydel High, gunning for its fourth straight 4x400m title, posted the fastest qualifying mark of 3:39.55, edging out Edwin Allen’s 3:39.56 by just one hundredth of a second. Holmwood Technical rounded out the sub-3:40 trio with a 3:39.82 run, while Alphansus Davis High also advanced with a 3:44.81. The top American contender, Bullis School of Maryland, qualified fourth with 3:40.24, trailing all three leading Jamaican squads.

    In the 4x800m relay, Sydney Pagon STEM Academy — making just its second appearance at the Penn Relays — shocked observers by clocking the fastest qualifying time of 9:01.33 in the very first event of Thursday’s competition. The squad, anchored by a strong anchor leg from Alexia Palmer, finished ahead of former champion Edwin Allen (9:02.66), who also advanced. Last year’s second-place finishers Alphansus Davis won their qualifying heat in 9:08.30, while another former champion Holmwood Tech secured its final spot with a 9:14.80 run.

    Jamaican success was not limited to the track, with athletes delivering standout performances in the field competition to turn previous disappointments into gold. Clarendon College’s Marla-Kay Lampart rebounded from a disappointing 11th-place finish in 2024 to claim the high school girls shot put championship, launching a personal best 14.41m on her final throw to take the title. Lampart, who entered the competition targeting the 14.50m qualifying mark for the World Under-20 Championships, took the lead in the third round with a 14.10m throw and held on to become the first Jamaican winner of the event since 2023. She finished ahead of Isabella Furgison of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania (14.08m) and Nesta Oji of Livingston, New Jersey (13.43m), though her win comes with uncertainty: Lampart revealed she may end her season early to treat a sore elbow and nagging lower back pain.

    In the high school girls triple jump, Hydel High’s Zavien Bernard completed a historic season treble — adding a Penn Relays gold to his already claimed ISSA Championships and Carifta Games titles — with a dramatic come-from-behind win. Entering the final round in second place behind Seannah Parsons of Randolph, New Jersey, Bernard landed a wind-aided 12.76m jump (with a 3.1m/s tailwind) to snatch the gold, extending Jamaica’s consecutive winning streak in the event to four. Parsons finished second with 12.68m, while Jamaican athletes Mikayla Longmore of Holmwood Technical and Martina Moxam of Vere Technical finished fifth and tenth respectively.

    Additional top finishes for Jamaican athletes included Edwin Allen High’s Dionjah Shaw taking silver in the discus throw with a 48.87m best, Immaculate Conception’s Zoelle Jamel claiming silver in the javelin throw with 48.84m, and Mt Alvernia High’s Malia Housen finishing sixth in the high jump on her first Penn Relays appearance. With all three relay finals set to take place Thursday, fans are expecting a historic day of competition that could cement Jamaican high school track and field’s status as the dominant force in youth relay competition at one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious track and field carnivals.

  • Hosein’s heroics power CSK to record a 103-run win over MI

    Hosein’s heroics power CSK to record a 103-run win over MI

    On Thursday, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai played host to a lopsided 33rd match of the 2026 TATA Indian Premier League, where Chennai Super Kings delivered a masterclass in all-round cricket to secure a resounding 103-run win over home side Mumbai Indians.

    Mumbai captain Hardik Pandya won the pre-match toss and opted to put Chennai into bat first, a decision that appeared to pay off early when young quick Allah Ghazanfar broke through in the third over, dismissing Chennai skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for 22 runs. But what looked like a strong start for the home side quickly unraveled thanks to a career-best innings from star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson.

    Samson stepped onto the pitch with clear intent, putting on a flawless display of controlled power hitting that enthralled even the partisan Mumbai crowd. He notched up his second century of the 2026 campaign, finishing unbeaten on 101 runs off just 54 deliveries. His innings was decorated with 10 sharp, well-placed boundaries and six towering sixes that cleared the rope with ease, leaving spectators in awe of his timing and precision.

    Chennai faced a mid-innings collapse scare when Ghazanfar claimed two quick wickets, removing Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis in consecutive overs to leave the side at 122 for 4. But Samson found a reliable anchor in lower-order batter Kartik Sharma, who contributed 18 runs to a 43-run fifth-wicket stand that stabilized the innings. This partnership gave Samson the platform to accelerate in the death overs, and a quick-fire cameo of 15 runs off 7 balls from Jamie Overton added late momentum. Samson closed out the innings with a flourish, smashing two sixes and a boundary off Krish Bhagat’s final over to reach his century and lift Chennai to a daunting total of 207 runs for 6 wickets.

    The Mumbai chase never got off the ground, with the home side rocked in the very first over of their innings. Drafted in as Chennai’s Impact Player, West Indian left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein turned in a match-winning bowling masterclass that tore through Mumbai’s top order before the run chase could gain traction. Hosein dismissed openers Danish Malewar and Naman Dhir in quick succession, leaving Mumbai reeling at 11 runs for 3 wickets by the end of the third over.

    Mumbai’s star batters Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma attempted to rebuild the innings, putting together a 60-run fourth-wicket stand that briefly halted the side’s collapse. Suryakumar notched 36 runs off 30 balls, while Tilak contributed 37 runs off 29 deliveries, but their resistance was broken when Hosein returned to the attack to claim both of their wickets. The spinner finished his spell with sensational match figures of 4 wickets for just 17 runs, putting Mumbai completely out of the contest. Fellow spinner Noor Ahmad piled on the pressure, removing Hardik Pandya and Sherfane Rutherford off consecutive deliveries to further cement Chennai’s dominance, with the match ending in a 103-run victory for the visitors before the full allotment of overs could be completed.

  • OIL PAIN HITS CONSTRUCTION

    OIL PAIN HITS CONSTRUCTION

    The ongoing Middle East geopolitical conflict has sent global oil prices soaring, creating cascading cost pressures that are already pushing key construction material prices up by as much as 15% across parts of Jamaica, industry leaders have confirmed. In conversations with the Jamaica Observer this week, sector stakeholders outlined that while local distributors have opted to absorb a share of incremental cost increases to shield consumers temporarily, prolonged elevated oil prices will almost certainly trigger broader, steeper price hikes for end users in the coming months. This strain mirrors broader inflationary pressures rippling across the Caribbean nation, as climbing fuel costs push up transportation and other core consumer prices.

    Deanall Barnes, managing director of leading local supplier Atlantic Hardware and Plumbing Company Limited, explained that spiking oil costs have lifted both freight and raw material input expenses across the entire construction supply chain. “Undoubtedly, the factors pushing global oil prices higher have already hit local building material distributors,” Barnes noted. “It is not just the direct cost of imported goods that has climbed — shipping costs have also surged dramatically. Even for suppliers that locked in fixed contracts with shipping lines, carriers are now imposing extra charges including new fuel surcharges and broad general rate increases that were not factored into original agreements.”

    Recent across-the-board shipping rate hikes have placed unprecedented additional strain on Jamaican importers, who rely almost entirely on overseas sources for many core construction inputs. According to Barnes, however, most local distributors have opted to absorb a portion of these new costs rather than pass the full burden directly to consumers already grappling with broad cost-of-living increases. To illustrate this dynamic, he cited construction plywood, one of the most widely used building materials: raw export prices from Brazil, Jamaica’s primary plywood supplier, have jumped by roughly 20% in recent weeks, but local retailers have only passed through increases of between 7% and 12.5% to date.

    “Distributors have been able to temper price increases for the moment, but this buffer cannot last indefinitely,” Barnes warned. “If oil prices stabilize within the next 90 days, we may be able to avoid major, industry-wide hikes. But if prices continue their upward trajectory, further price increases for consumers will be unavoidable.”

    Beyond fuel-related supply chain costs, Jamaican construction and raw material producers are also facing concurrent pressures from rising wages and higher domestic transportation costs, creating a multi-front burden that squeezes already thin industry profit margins. Barnes specifically pointed to the upcoming $1,000 increase in Jamaica’s national minimum wage set to take effect on July 1, noting that while the wage adjustment is necessary to support workers amid rising living costs, it still adds to the cumulative cost pressure facing businesses across the sector. “We are being hit from multiple directions at once: higher raw material acquisition costs, higher transportation expenses, and increased labor costs,” he said. “That combination is putting consistent downward pressure on margins across every segment of the construction industry.”

    For Jamaica’s quarry operators, the strain of rising energy costs is even more acute, as fuel and electricity account for a large share of total operating expenses. Sam Millington, chief operating officer of Lydford Mining Company Limited and president of the Mining and Quarrying Association of Jamaica (MQAJ), explained that every stage of quarry production — from extraction to crushing to final product delivery — relies heavily on carbon-intensive energy inputs. “In a standard limestone quarry operation, energy costs alone make up between 25% and 35% of total operating expenses,” Millington said. “With fuel prices rising sharply right now, operators are seeing massive jumps in overall production costs at a time when industry margins are already extremely tight.”

    Millington added that profit margins across Jamaica’s mining and quarry sector typically range from just 15% to 25%, leaving little room for companies to absorb sustained cost increases without passing costs along to customers. Last week, Millington issued an official warning on behalf of the MQAJ that prices for core construction inputs including sand, gravel and limestone would need to rise to offset higher energy costs. In the week since that announcement, the sector has already recorded price increases ranging from 3% to 15%, varying by location and individual company cost structures.

    The current cost pressures come as Jamaica’s quarry sector is still working to recover from severe hurricane damage that cut total industry output by nearly 38% during the final quarter of 2025. Compounding these challenges, higher port fees and persistent global supply chain disruptions have eroded the sector’s international competitiveness over the past two months, with some long-term international buyers shifting their purchases to lower-cost alternative suppliers in other regions.

    Despite the widespread headwinds, Millington has encouraged MQAJ member companies to prioritize operational efficiency as part of their response, rather than relying exclusively on price increases to offset higher costs. “We have encouraged our members to focus on boosting operational efficiency, rolling out energy conservation strategies, and maintaining open communication with customers,” he said. “Raising prices cannot be the only solution to these ongoing pressures.”

    Caribbean Cement Company, Jamaica’s only domestic cement producer, confirmed it is facing the same set of cost pressures stemming from the Middle East conflict, which has lifted domestic fuel and energy costs while also creating challenges sourcing key production inputs. Company representatives added that these headwinds have been compounded in recent months by prolonged, above-average rainfall across the island, which has disrupted production operations and led to temporary cement shortages in some regional markets.

    “Like other players across the construction industry, we are also experiencing significant increases in fuel and energy costs,” said Chad Bryan, Caribbean Cement’s communications and social impact coordinator. “We are also facing ongoing sourcing challenges, as some key production inputs must now be sourced from more expensive alternative markets, which further pushes up overall production costs.”

    As the company prepares to implement its own planned price adjustments, Bryan said Caribbean Cement is working to keep any price increases below the current national inflation rate where possible, to limit the impact on consumers and contractors.

    Amid ongoing global geopolitical and market uncertainty, industry stakeholders across Jamaica’s construction sector are urging contractors, property developers and retail consumers to plan ahead for persistent cost pressures. While industry players are working to cushion the impact of price hikes where possible, all stakeholders agree that continued increases in global oil prices will inevitably translate to higher overall construction costs across the island.

    “If these geopolitical tensions are not resolved soon — which we believe would allow oil prices to stabilize — then customers will have to prepare for broad-based increases in the cost of all building materials,” Barnes said.

  • Wellington weathering well

    Wellington weathering well

    Jamaica’s Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has emerged from one of the toughest stretches in its modern history, pulling off full seasons of interscholastic sports against the dual threats of post-hurricane infrastructure damage and lingering COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. The crisis began last October, when Hurricane Melissa made landfall along Jamaica’s western coast right in the middle of the annual schoolboy football season, bringing all competition to a near total halt for roughly four weeks. The storm hit hardest at local educational institutions across the affected region, including St Elizabeth Technical High School — the campus where ISSA President Keith Wellington serves as principal. In the months that followed, the organisation faced a fresh test: preparing for the iconic ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, widely known as Champs, scheduled for this past March. Ultimately, just 25 schools from the hurricane-ravaged western parishes were able to field teams and participate in this year’s flagship competition. In the wake of the storm, dozens of institutions across western Jamaica continued operating at severely reduced capacity. Many campuses were converted into emergency shelters for displaced local residents, while others remained without reliable electrical power for weeks after the storm passed. Hundreds of student-athletes were displaced from their home parishes and forced to relocate to temporary accommodation across the island. Some schools suspended entire sports programs indefinitely to focus on recovery efforts, and many even held regular classes outdoors while crews worked to repair storm-damaged campus facilities. Wellington, who is currently serving his third term as ISSA president after first taking office in 2019, says the organisation would not have pulled off its competition calendar without cross-community collaboration. In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, he outlined the collective effort that kept school sports alive through the crisis. “It has been challenging, but I think we have a great team at ISSA, both in terms of the staff, as well as the executive. When we’re talking about Champs specifically, that extends to the persons who assisted with organising the event, the schools themselves, and their representatives,” Wellington explained. “I think that because we all work together it makes it a lot easier, and I think, as well, that those of us who are involved know the value of what we do for our children. Therefore we remain committed and we make the sacrifices to ensure that the opportunities are there for them. If we don’t ensure that it is there, even under trying circumstances, the long term effects would be too much for any of us to bear.” The recent stretch of disruptions echoes the unprecedented crisis ISSA faced in March 2020, when Jamaica confirmed its first locally transmitted case of COVID-19 just days before that year’s Champs was set to begin. The event was cancelled outright — the first cancellation of the championships since 1944, when the event was put on hold amid global World War II restrictions. Interscholastic school sports eventually resumed under strict public health protocols, including a period where competitions were held without any spectators in attendance. Even with the cumulative impact of back-to-back crises over the past five years, Wellington frames ongoing challenges not as a barrier to progress, but as a source of motivation for himself and the broader ISSA team. “I thrive on challenges,” he said. “I grew up having challenges in my personal life and it makes me stronger and makes me a better person. So, I don’t necessarily look at challenges as obstacles but as an antidote to make me stronger. So, I don’t really complain or think negatively about challenges. At the end of the day, I believe that once I give it my best shot, I will be happy and I will benefit from it too.” Most recently, the organisation has celebrated key competition milestones, including St Elizabeth Technical High School’s December 2025 victory in the ISSA daCosta Cup final at Kingston’s National Stadium, where the team defeated Glenmuir High School on penalties after a 0-0 regulation draw. In March 2026, Jamaica College’s under-14 team also claimed the title in the ISSA/Burger King Urban Under-14 competition, overcoming Kingston College 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Stadium East.

  • GR-eat 2027 Toyota RAV4

    GR-eat 2027 Toyota RAV4

    On April 18, Jamaica’s automotive market welcomed a highly anticipated new entry as Toyota Jamaica launched the sixth-generation 2027 RAV4 crossover SUV to the general public during a hands-on test drive event named the RAV4 Experience, hosted at the brand’s Old Hope Road showroom in St Andrew. The model, which has already built a loyal following across the island, drew enthusiastic crowds of eager customers eager to inspect, test drive, and place orders for the updated SUV.

    For decades, the RAV4 has held an unmatched position in Jamaica’s automotive sector, and company leaders emphasized that the nameplate remains the brand’s most critical and highest-performing product on the island. “We are extremely happy to have the all-new 2027 Toyota RAV4 for our Jamaican customers. I think persons have been waiting on it all this time, and now it’s here and they’re really happy with it. They’re coming in, looking, feeling, and test driving,” shared Howard Foster, branch manager of the Old Hope Road location, in an interview with Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.

    Kirk Williams, Toyota Jamaica’s general sales and marketing manager, mirrored Foster’s optimism, noting that early customer reception has already exceeded expectations. “The feedback from the customers is that they love the new RAV4. Our pre-orders are through the roof, and I’m looking forward to seeing the sales figures over the coming months,” Williams said. He added that the original RAV4 is widely credited with inventing the mid-sized crossover SUV segment, and its consistent track record as Jamaica’s top-selling Toyota model has built massive excitement for the sixth-generation update.

    The 2027 model retains the practical core characteristics that have made the nameplate so popular, while introducing a host of design, performance, and technology upgrades. The most noticeable update is the revised exterior styling, which adopts Toyota’s modern hammerhead front fascia design and adds sharper, more athletic body lines while keeping the vehicle’s overall footprint unchanged. Inside, the new RAV4 preserves the roomy passenger cabin that Jamaican buyers favor, and expands cargo capacity when the rear seats are folded flat.

    To meet diverse driver needs, the 2027 RAV4 is offered in five trim levels, split across two engine choices and multiple drivetrain configurations. The entry-level LE and XLE trims come equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, while consumers prioritizing fuel efficiency can opt for a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, which is also available on LE and XLE trims. Front-wheel drive paired with an eight-speed automatic CVT transmission comes standard across most trims, with all-wheel drive exclusively offered on the range-topping GR Sport hybrid model.

    This marks the first time in the RAV4’s history that Toyota’s in-house performance division Gazoo Racing (GR) has lent its expertise to the model. Beyond the cosmetic upgrades that set the GR Sport apart — including a custom grille, revised side skirts, 20-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, rear diffuser, and unique body accents — the GR Sport also delivers tangible performance improvements. The model sits 15mm lower than standard variants, with a fully retuned suspension featuring custom springs, adjusted damping rates, and additional rear structural reinforcement. Its power steering has also been recalibrated to deliver sharper, more responsive handling. Inside, the GR Sport gets GR-branded accents, suede-trimmed bolstered sport seats, and eye-catching red contrast stitching to reinforce its performance-focused identity.

    No trim of the 2027 RAV4 was overlooked in the update: every variant gets refinements to both on-road driving dynamics and cabin quietness, plus modern technology upgrades aligned with current consumer expectations. All trims come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, the Japanese automaker’s most advanced suite of driver assistance and active safety systems ever released. Infotainment screen sizes range from 10.5 inches to 12.9 inches, paired with a 12.3-inch digital multi-function driver’s display. Available convenience features across the lineup include 18-inch wheels, wireless smartphone charging, high-powered USB charging ports, a power-operated tailgate, and automatic headlights and wipers.

    Amid an increasingly competitive new vehicle market in Jamaica, Williams noted that the RAV4 has become a staple of the country’s transportation landscape, and customer feedback confirms ongoing strong demand for the model. “The RAV4 is one of those vehicles that is ingrained in the fabric of the Jamaican transport landscape. We imagine that it will continue, more so with the new RAV4. We understand that the market is more competitive than ever, but the Jamaican public has given us the feedback that they love the RAV4, and they want to continue driving the RAV4 for as long as they can,” he said.

    For consumers looking for maximum fuel efficiency to offset volatile fuel prices, the 2.5-liter hybrid front-wheel drive configuration delivers the highest miles per gallon rating in the lineup. A plug-in hybrid variant of the 2027 RAV4 is scheduled to arrive at Jamaican showrooms later this year to expand the lineup further.

  • Jamaican boys set to fire up Penn Relays

    Jamaican boys set to fire up Penn Relays

    PHILADELPHIA — One of the most anticipated showdowns of the 130th Penn Relays Carnival at Philadelphia’s historic Franklin Field is set to unfold on the event’s second day, as Jamaica’s elite boys’ high school track and field programs clash for their final team competition of the 2024 season. With powerhouse programs bringing stacked rosters of top-ranked athletes to the iconic U.S. meet, fans and analysts are already predicting record-breaking performances across both relay and field events.

    Leading the charge in the relay competitions are three of Jamaica’s most decorated programs: ISSA national champions Jamaica College, 4x100m title holders Calabar High, and perennial 4x400m powerhouse Kingston College. Kingston College will enter the 4x400m relay aiming to extend their unprecedented winning streak to five consecutive Penn Relays titles, a mark that would solidify their status as the most dominant program in the event’s history. Day two will host preliminary rounds for both the 4x100m and 4x800m relays, with the 4x400m preliminaries and final scheduled for the event’s closing day on Saturday.

    A total of 29 Jamaican institutions have qualified for the 4x100m relay, with the top nine fastest teams across all competitors advancing to the Championships of Americas final on Saturday. The next nine fastest teams from outside the United States will move on to the International final. Alongside the pre-race favorites Jamaica College, Kingston College, defending champion Calabar High, and Excelsior High, several underdog programs including St George’s College, William Knibb Memorial, and St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) are projected to compete for spots in the coveted finals.

    In the 4x800m relay, Jamaican programs are coming into the 2024 meet with higher expectations than ever after a solid sixth-place finish from Kingston College (KC) in 2023. KC has posted a time of 7:38.95 this season, the third-fastest qualifying time heading into the Penn Relays, trailing only Union Catholic of New Jersey (7:32.78) and Florida’s IMG Academy (7:35.28). Other Jamaican contenders include Edwin Allen High (7:41.06), Jamaica College (7:43.75), along with entries from Bellefield High, STETHS, Alphansus Davis High, and Calabar High.

    Beyond the relay track, Jamaican athletes are heavily favored to claim titles and break records across all scheduled boys’ field events on day two. Michael-Andre Edwards of Jamaica College enters the triple jump undefeated this season, holding a personal best of 16.25m that already outpaces the existing Penn Relays meet record of 16.01m set by O’Brien Wasome in 2016. With ideal track conditions matching Thursday’s opening day, Edwards is widely expected to break the record as he defends his 2023 title, where he won with a mark of 15.95m. He will face stiff competition from a deep field of Jamaican challengers, including KC’s Rekelme Hunter, Amani Phillips, and Demario Clarke, Calabar’s Antonio Anderson and Kaleel Samuels, and Wolmer’s Boys pair Roshane Francis and Kabiki Thomas.

    In the discus throw, Jamaica College’s Joseph Salmon will look to improve on his second-place finish from 2023, entering the competition with a world-leading 67.55m throw with a 1.75kg discus. Salmon has his sights set on Traves Smikle’s Penn Relays record of 69.55m, set with the American standard 1.60kg implement. Another Jamaican favorite, Edwin Allen High’s Addison James, is projected to defend his 2023 javelin title, coming to Philadelphia with a personal best of 70.30m, the 10th best mark in the event this year. He will compete against a field that includes KC’s Daijon Budhai and Dylan Logan, Munro College’s Rajeem Street, and Calabar’s DeAndre Henry.

    A last-minute disruption hit the boys’ shot put competition, as Munro College’s ISSA Class 1 gold medalist Javontae Smith was denied a U.S. entry visa and will not compete. In his absence, Kingston College’s Nksosana Johnson and Calabar High’s Khaleel Henry will lead the Jamaican contingent. In the high jump, STETHS’s ISSA Class 1 winner Santino Distin will compete alongside KC pair Tejahni Jaynes and Michael Neil, while the long jump features Omarion Miller (KC), Jaivar Cato (Jamaica College), Talshawn Edwards (Calabar High) and Svein Lawrence (Petersfield High).

  • ‘Confident and focused’

    ‘Confident and focused’

    As Jamaican women’s national football team the senior Reggae Girlz prepares for the make-or-break Concacaf Women’s Championship clash against Costa Rica on November 27, head coach Hubert Busby has voiced strong confidence that all of the squad’s overseas-based players — including star striker and team leader Khadija “Bunny” Shaw — will be available for selection for the high-stakes fixture.

    The upcoming match, hosted in Texas, is a winner-takes-all showdown: the victorious side will secure an automatic qualification spot for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, leaving no room for error for either side. Questions have circulated around player availability in recent weeks, as November does not fall within an official FIFA international window, leading to concerns that European and North American clubs may refuse to release their contracted Jamaican players. But Busby says these concerns are unfounded.

    Speaking in an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Busby noted that the November qualification matches carry official FIFA status, meaning clubs are required to release eligible players for international duty barring injury. He pointed to the recently concluded Asian Football Confederation Women’s Asian Cup as a clear precedent, where clubs released players despite the tournament falling outside a standard FIFA window, adding that he fully expects every called-up player to join the Reggae Girlz camp ahead of the qualifier.

    When asked about the teams’ last meeting in 2022, where Costa Rica claimed a 2-1 win over Jamaica, Busby pushed back on the idea that that result can offer a blueprint for the upcoming clash. “There is very little we can draw from that 2022 fixture beyond the knowledge that Costa Rica is a formidable opponent and one of the top sides in the Concacaf region,” Busby explained. “Our focus right now is not on past results, it is on preparation for November 27. That is the only result that matters.”

    With a World Cup spot hanging in the balance, Busby says his guiding message to the squad is simple: focus only on what the team can control. “The squad already knows exactly what our objective is, and we are so close to achieving it. There is no need for extra rhetoric. Right now, the key is to stay present, put in the work, prepare thoroughly, keep our focus, and maintain belief in ourselves,” he said.

    Busby also opened up about the longstanding lack of recognition the Reggae Girlz program has received, something he acknowledged has been frustrating for the team and its players. But he noted that public support for the squad has grown steadily in recent qualifying matches. “The turnout and energy we saw from fans at our last two home qualifiers was fantastic, and the entire team felt that support on match day. We hope that this momentum and backing continues as we head into this biggest match of the cycle,” he added.

    The head coach emphasized that the squad’s current approach prioritizes incremental improvement over hype and media attention. Even after the Costa Rica matchup was confirmed as the decisive qualifier, the team remained focused on the preceding fixtures rather than looking ahead, Busby said. Further strategic planning will take place once the full squad gathers, but the core focus will remain on identifying and addressing areas for improvement ahead of kickoff.

    While Busby fully recognizes the magnitude of the upcoming fixture, he stressed that the team must stay focused on the 90 minutes of play rather than getting wrapped up in the occasion’s pressure. “This is without a doubt one of the biggest matches most of these players will ever play in, and we understand exactly what is at stake. But we can’t let the occasion overwhelm us. We know that six million Jamaicans around the world are behind us, and that support gives us a huge boost,” he said.

    Despite the high pressure of a winner-takes-all qualification match, Busby confirmed that belief within the Reggae Girlz camp remains extremely high. “We are a confident, unified, and fully focused group,” he said. “We are ready to compete for our spot in the 207 World Cup.”

    The comments come months after the Reggae Girlz’s most recent Group B qualifying fixture against Guyana in April 2026 at Kingston’s National Stadium, where Shaw scored the opening goal for Jamaica in a victory that kept the team on track for the decisive November qualifier.