The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association has paid tribute to Stephen Francis, describing the late MVP Track Club co-founder as a giant of track and field whose coaching shaped generations of Olympic and world medallists.
Opposition Leader Mark Golding has paid tribute to Stephen Francis, who died at 64, praising the MVP co-founder for reshaping Jamaican athletics and developing world-class talent at home.
The Opposition People's National Party has mourned the death of MVP Track Club co-founder Stephen Francis, crediting him with building Jamaica's track culture and hailing his influence on generations of athletes.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Sports Minister Olivia Grange have mourned Stephen Francis, the MVP Track Club co-founder who died at 64. Both leaders credited him with shaping Jamaica's global sprinting success and improving athletes' lives.
Praia, Cape Verde (AFP)—Thousands of ecstatic fans greeted Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks Sunday, waving banners at the Praia airport as the team returned after its slim defeat to Argentina in one of the World Cup’s most surprising matches. The Sharks are set for a parade through the streets of the capital before meeting with the president and other members of the government of the small archipelago nation off west Africa
The MVP Track & Field Club has mourned the passing of co-founder and technical director Vincent Stephen Francis, hailed as a visionary coach who reshaped Jamaican athletics and guided champions to global success.
Legendary Jamaican track and field coach Vincent Stephen “Franno” Francis, one of the central figures behind the country’s golden era in athletics, has died after a period of illness. He died late Saturday, a day after celebrating his 64th birthday
Despite lower visitor numbers after Hurricane Melissa, Sangster International Airport has outlined new technology, routes, terminal works and solar power plans at its biannual forum in Montego Bay.
Scholarship recipient Chazae Morgan says radiology is her chosen field, driven by a wish to help families secure earlier diagnoses and treatment after personal loss.
News|Conflict A Yemeni official says at least 15 government troops have been killed in clashes with the Houthi rebels in western Yemen’s Hodeidah governorate. Walid al-Qudaimi, a minister of state and cabinet member aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, said on Saturday evening that the soldiers from the Tihama region died during fighting in the Jabal Dabbas area, as violence escalates along the country’s western coast
In some countries, like the United States, Luxembourg, Singapore, Jersey and Hong Kong, and even in countries like Bermuda, Cayman and the British Virgin Islands, special attention has been paid to the peculiarities of a “family office”. A family office vehicle is an entity established to manage a range of services typically required by wealthy persons within a single family (a single-family office) or multiple unrelated families (within a multi-family office)
Simone Pearson, PanJam Group General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer Simone Pearson new PanJam Group General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer Pan Jamaica Group announces the appointment of Simone Pearson as Group General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer with effect from July 1, 2026. In addition to her current responsibilities as Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Pearson will assume enhanced responsibilities to strengthen group-wide coordination, governance and process optimisation
Opposition Leader Mark Golding has paid tribute to Stephen Francis, the MVP Track and Field Club co-founder whose local coaching model produced dozens of Olympic and World Championship medallists and reshaped Jamaican athletics.
Legendary MVP Track Club coach Stephen Francis Has Passed Away Kaboom Editors2 minutes ago1 min readThe legendary MVP Track Club coach guided the careers of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Asafa Powell, Shericka Jackson, Kishane Thompson, and numerous Olympic and World championsLegendary track and field coach Stephen Francis has diedLegendary Jamaican track and field coach Stephen Francis, one of the architects of the nation's golden era in athletics, has died following a period of illness. Francis passed away late Saturday, just one day after celebrating his 64th birthday.As the founder and head coach of the MVP Track Club, he built the Kingston-based program into one of the world's premier track and field clubs, guiding the careers of some of Jamaica's greatest sprint stars, including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Asafa Powell, Shericka Jackson, Kishane Thompson, and many others.Francis also appeared in the Sprint documentary series, produced by Netflix in collaboration with World Athletics
Sports Minister, the Honourable Olivia Grange Sports Minister, the Honourable Olivia Grange says the Government of Jamaica joins family, friends and supporters of the late track and field coach and entrepreneur, Stephen Francis, in mourning his passing. Minister Grange says: “Stephen Francis is responsible for a large part of the pride and joy which Jamaicans feel when our athletes do well on the international stage
Stephen Francis Jamaica’s and the world’s foremost athletics coach, Stephen Francis, has died. He turned 64 on Friday, July 3 and passed on Saturday, July 4
Armed groups in military-run Mali have launched renewed coordinated attacks in several towns across the country. The assaults on Saturday targeted army positions, including a base used by its troops and Russian forces
Warships from Beijing and Moscow are set for week-long exercises near Qingdao, followed by joint Pacific patrols. The manoeuvres highlight deepening naval ties as China maintains its neutral stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The son of a prominent Palestinian doctor abducted and held by Israel without charge has issued an urgent appeal for his father’s release, warning that his health has sharply deteriorated after more than 555 days in prison, as a rights group warned that his life was in danger. Elyas Abu Safia, the son of Dr Hussam Abu Safia, said in a video message on Sunday that his father, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, showed signs of severe abuse after Israeli authorities transferred him to solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison
The Jamaica Constabulary Force led a police honours funeral for Constable Keron Kellyman, who died on 28 April 2026. Family, batchmates and senior officers paid tribute at Faith Gospel Chapel.
Officers under Operation Iron Shield recovered two illegal firearms in Kingston raids, while Brownstone High's principal pressed for a long-delayed wheelchair lift and a lawyer warned acquitted teachers can re-enter classrooms undetected.
News|Corruption Nigel Farage received financial benefits from a convicted fraudster in the year before he was elected to parliament, and potentially breached parliamentary rules by failing to declare them, a UK newspaper has reported. The Reform UK party leader did not declare benefits that included accepting security, drivers, staff and accommodation paid for by George Cottrell, according to the Sunday Times investigation
A lawyer who has defended educators in sex offence matters says acquitted teachers routinely transfer to other schools, exposing gaps in police vetting. OCA official Keisha Rodriguez-Mills and pending teaching council legislation highlight wider child protection concerns.
Grade eight Merl Grove High School student Alison Jacobs, 14, is launching StudySovereign, a mobile study platform for CSEC and CAPE learners, while juggling research, fashion, acting, and robotics projects across Kingston.
For many actors, the premiere of their debut feature film is a moment of celebration. For Chiney K, it was something much deeper — a quiet confirmation that she was exactly where she is meant to be
For British-Jamaican Sakaynah Hunter, stepping on to the Miss Universe Great Britain stage as a finalist will represent far more than the pursuit of a crown. Every sashay will be a heartfelt tribute to her 95-year-old grandfather, Hartley Hunter, whose courageous journey from Jamaica’s rural St Catherine to the United Kingdom during the Windrush era transformed the future of his family and made her own dreams possible
Montego BAY, St James — Student entrepreneurs in Hanover who were part of the pilot project of the Social Development Commission’s (SDC) Hanover and Infiniti Cooperative Credit Union Youth Entrepreneur Programme, performed so well, with their businesses thriving, that the stakeholders behind the initiative are looking to roll out an islandwide project. “Hanover is just the beginning
East RUTHERFORD, United States (AFP) — Erling Haaland has feasted on defences throughout the World Cup, and Norway will need their talismanic striker at his ruthless best if they are to topple Brazil in Sunday’s last-16 clash. Haaland’s late winner against Ivory Coast — his fifth goal at the tournament — secured Norway’s first victory in a World Cup knockout game, marking a memorable return to the global stage after a 28-year absence
The world’s oceans are the hottest on record for June, pushing past records set during the 2023–24 El Niño years. Right now, the average sea surface temperature is just under 21°C across the world’s tropical and temperate oceans
Just over a week ago, the 27th staging of the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards returned to the King’s House East Lawns for a second consecutive year. Held, as tradition dictates, on the last Thursday in June, this year’s event celebrated the resilience of the Jamaican people in the wake of last October’s Hurricane Melissa
This is a reprint of an article that was incomplete in the print edition of last week’s Sunday Observer. IN an era when global investors are seeking luxury, legacy, and long-term growth, Jamaica has emerged as more than a tropical paradise — it is now one of the Caribbean’s most elite real estate markets
Mandeville, Manchester — Unlike most of his peers Jayhan Freeman started school at grade three due to his constant struggle with sickle cell disease. Last Thursday, 11-year-old Jayhan’s determination was evident as he marched with confidence during Villa Road Primary’s school-leaving ceremony as one of 44 graduands
Former chairman of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) Christopher Williams has urged Jamaicans to put their money where their mouth is by making a personal commitment to funding the nation’s sporting teams. He said greater public support is essential if Jamaica is to be recognised for the talent and achievements of its athletes across a wide range of sports, not just its Olympic Games successes
North SOUND, Antigua and Barbuda (AFP) — Sonal Dinusha missed out on a maiden Test century but Sri Lanka reached an impressive 549 for nine declared on the second day of the second and final Test against the West Indies at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday. Having thrashed the visitors by an innings and 217 runs inside four days in the first Test at the same venue, the home side needed more than one slice of luck to get to the close at 58 for one in reply
The Jamaica 1000 and 2000 Guineas Classic races proved who had speed but this afternoon the Jamaica St Leger will prove who has heart. Over the demanding two-turn test, the pretenders will fade and the champion will stand tall
Phenomenal Power ended a 43-year Caymanas Park standard in winning the Clovis Metcalfe Trophy, with Sunday's Jamaica St Leger Classic set to decide the next Triple Crown chapter.
After nearly 20 years backing artistes and producers, Hapilos Music Group has launched The Hapilos Foundation, a registered charity focused on community uplift across Jamaica. Outreach began on Labour Day in Whitehall, St Andrew.
Kingston Hummingbirds and Manchester Spurs meet tonight at the National Indoor Sports Centre in a Netball Jamaica final rematch. Both camps say preparation, pressure, and last year's result will shape the contest.
Jamaica dropped a third straight Americas qualifier, falling 74-123 to The Bahamas in Nassau on Friday. Head coach Rick Turner blamed weak physicality and spirit as Group B hopes now hinge on Monday’s clash with Canada.
Gospel minister Kevin Downswell will release a new full-length album this month and a single on July 16, following the May drop of Steady. Portmore New Testament Church of God hosts his pre-album worship experience on July 19.
The search for the next Jamaica Gospel Star gets under way this Sunday, July 5, as 10 gifted finalists embark on a five-week competition that will test their musical versatility while giving audiences the opportunity to witness the growth of their ministry and personal testimonies. Throughout the season, contestants will perform across a variety of musical genres while sharing messages of faith as they compete for the title of Jamaica’s sixth Gospel Star
Nadean Rawlins Film-maker, actress and producer Managing Director of RAW Management Ltd President of the Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA) Style Observer (SO): How and why did you get into film? Nadean Rawlins (NR): My foundation is in theatre, where I have been performing since 1996. Theatre gave me a deep love for storytelling, character, collaboration and the connection that happens between performers and an audience
Philadelphia, United States (AFP) — France needed a second-half Kylian Mbappe penalty to break down a stubborn Paraguay side on Saturday, winning a niggly World Cup last-16 clash 1-0 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Morocco. Paraguay’s efforts to get under the skin of France’s superstars worked for three quarters of a game played in front of 68,324 fans in Philadelphia in heatwave conditions
Reggae Vibes Music has re-released Turbulence's uplifting reggae track Jamaica Holiday to spotlight the island's culture and tourism appeal. The song also serves as the official soundtrack for a feature film of the same name.
News|Donald Trump US President Donald Trump has offered to help Russian President Vladimir Putin find a solution to the Ukraine war, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said. Ushakov said that Trump made the offer during a nearly 90-minute phone call on Saturday to discuss the war in Ukraine ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara
Iran's ambassador to China says Tehran will levy service fees on Strait of Hormuz shipping while offering special terms to Beijing and friendly countries, even as Washington insists any final deal must ban such charges.
