Certain that he is in the twilight of his political career, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said his appointment to the Order of Jamaica (OJ) was perfectly timed and a fitting way to cap his life in public service. “The stars have aligned for me, and I could not want or ask for any better in terms of my leaving public service on the highest note possible,” he told The Gleaner after receiving the honour at yesterday’s annual National Honours and Awards Investiture Ceremony, held on the lawns of King’s House in St Andrew, where 140 Jamaicans were recognised.

20 Oct, 2026 Sashana Small/Staff Reporter 0

NAIROBI (AP): The leader of a Kenyan doomsday cult linked to more than 400 deaths was convicted yesterday of murdering 190 children and one adult after ordering followers to starve themselves to death to meet Jesus. Justice Diana Kavedza ruled that Pastor Paul Mackenzie, leader of the Good News International Church, oversaw an organised system that used religious teachings to compel followers to fast until they died.

20 Oct, 2026 0

The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has revealed two likely adjustments to the 2027 GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, in the Class Three boys’ and Class Four girls’ competitions. ISSA’s President Keith Wellington verified the proposals in an interview with the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, saying first-year Class Three boys, the under-13s, will likely now be allowed to compete in two individual events, plus one relay; and Class Four girls will be allowed to run as much as 400m metres, two times the once-allowable limit.

20 Oct, 2026 Audley Boyd/News Editor 0

It’s a bit difficult to tell if Michael ‘Mikie’ Bennett is more honoured at receiving the Order of Distinction (OD) because of the recognition it places on his sterling work in the music industry, or for the amazing effect it is having on his entire family. “I am quite honoured. I feel quite special,” a pleased Bennett told The Gleaner at Monday’s Ceremony of Investiture of National Honours and Awards at King’s House. “But, what it has done for my family … I can never imagine them being more proud.”

20 Oct, 2026 Yasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer 0

Mailpac Group Ltd. will ask shareholders to approve issuing 50 million shares to complete its acquisition of former rival My Cart Quick Ltd., a deal whose value has been cut by three-quarters from the amount the company previously recorded. Shareholders will vote on Resolution 6, which covers the share issue, at the annual general meeting on November 4, according to a notice posted to the Jamaica Stock Exchange in the week. The shares would be issued on top of cash already paid.

18 Oct, 2026 0