Jamaica mourns Stephen Francis as leaders debate infrastructure, peace ranking and water supply

Stephen Francis, the track coach and businessman known as Franno, died on Saturday at age 64, drawing national mourning. Co-founder and technical director of the MVP Track Club, Francis was regarded as a driving force behind Jamaica's sprinting dominance and helped shape the careers of Olympic and world champions including Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Shericka Jackson.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Francis made the bold choice to leave finance for coaching, a decision that built one of track and field's greatest legacies. He said, "Jamaica has lost a remarkable son whose Herculean efforts were noted and lauded." Francis received the Order of Jamaica in 2017. Culture Minister Olivia Grange described him as a giant of sport. Opposition Leader Mark Golding, who credited Francis with guidance and expertise, said he was deeply saddened and noted Francis proved Jamaica could develop world-class athletes at home. Golding added, "Beyond the medals, Francis instilled discipline, belief, and opportunity in young athletes, leaving a legacy that will endure for generations." Opposition sports spokesman Wavell Hinds called him a principal architect of the nation's rise in international athletics.

Holness defended his administration's infrastructure record during a tour of the Bond Brook Urban Centre in Port Antonio, Portland, urging the public to judge completed works rather than online misinformation. He said projects such as Bond Brook would change Port Antonio for the better and insisted no government-led development would dispossess residents, rejecting speculation about plans involving Navy Island.

Industry Minister Senator Aubyn Hill said Jamaica's improved Global Peace Index ranking—as the Caribbean's most peaceful nation and third in North and Central America behind Canada and Costa Rica—strengthens its appeal to investors, tourists, and convention planners. He linked progress to expanded police staffing, now roughly 13,000 to 14,000 officers.

Deputy Opposition spokesman on roads Dwayne Vaz raised concerns about the SPARK road-upgrade programme, noting Phase One timelines now run to 2030 despite earlier expectations of completion by March next year. Opposition spokesman on youth and human rights I Said Buchanan said criticism of his podcast remarks ignored broader parliamentary conduct and lacked full context.

Education leader Ricardo Allen, president of 101 Educational Services, told JIS's Get the Facts programme that artificial intelligence in schools must preserve critical thinking, suggesting tasks where students argue positions against AI to sharpen reasoning.

National Water Commission corporate relations manager Delano Williams said scheduled lock-offs across Kingston and St. Andrew aim to protect falling reserves at the Heritage Dam amid dry-season pressure and rising demand. The NWC cited pipe repairs and pressure management, including work from Mona Park to Half-Way Tree.

Inspector Florizel Thompson of the Kingston tourism-policing unit said sensitization training under the Tourism Product Development Company is preparing corporate-area communities for growing visitor numbers, including joint work along routes in St. Catherine.

Duval Ebanks of Camperdown Primary and Infant School in St. Ann was named ICT Innovation Teacher of the Year by the Flow Foundation, the Ministry of Education, and the Jamaica Teaching Council, winning $100,000 and a trip to the CANUTE conference in the Dominican Republic.