Students who take part in workplace training programs during high school perform better after graduation. A Ministry of Education study shows these teenagers earn more qualifications and finish apprenticeships at higher rates. The research looked at Gateway and Trades Academy participants from 2014 and 2018. These students also found better jobs compared to similar teens who skipped the programs. The study tracked their progress through age 24.
Gateway began operating in 2001 to offer short work placements for students. Trades Academies started in 2010 to teach career skills. Both programs helped keep students enrolled at age 17. More participants earned Level 2 qualifications before turning 18. The benefits worked equally well for all...
Auckland police search for a missing teenager who disappeared from a shopping center earlier this week. Whetu Bennett, age 17, vanished from LynnMall in New Lynn on Tuesday around noon. Her sister Janet Jones says Whetu was with her boyfriend when she disappeared. Police reports indicate the last sighting happened Wednesday at the same time and location. The missing girl wore a beige shirt, black dress and sunglasses.
Family members learned about the disappearance when Whetu's boyfriend called their mother early Thursday morning. He told the family he had not seen Whetu since their shopping trip. Jones contacted police Thursday after hearing the news from their mother. The couple apparently argued at the mall before the boyfriend took...
Brendan Horan will run for a seat on Whakatāne District Council during upcoming local elections. The former politician and television weather presenter grew up in the Bay of Plenty town. He currently lives in Papamoa but maintains strong connections to his hometown. Horan says he visits Whakatāne every other weekend and considers it part of his identity.
The candidate strongly supports Mayor Victor Luca and his vision for the district. Horan believes Luca faces unfair opposition from other council members on important issues. He wants to help push through projects like solar energy initiatives and a second river crossing. Affordable rates remain a top priority for residents according to Horan.
Horan attended local schools and...
A British music duo sparked outrage during their weekend performance at Glastonbury Festival. Bob Vylan led festival crowds through a controversial chant targeting Israeli military forces. The group also displayed messages about Palestine on stage backdrops during their live set. Festival organizers broadcast the performance through official livestreams before the controversy erupted. Bobby Vylan defended their decision to make political statements during the musical event.
BBC officials removed the performance from their on-demand viewing platform after receiving complaints. The broadcaster described the duo's remarks as deeply offensive to audiences. Glastonbury Festival leadership issued public statements condemning the artist's...
A historic mosque opens its doors to people of all faiths during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The Acheen Street Mosque displays a welcoming sign for non-Muslim visitors at its entrance gate. Committee member Mohd Norhisham Mohd Abdul Kadir says the mosque wants everyone to learn about Islam's peaceful teachings. The religious site hosts special dinners where Muslim leaders eat with Christian priests and Chinese temple members. Visitors can enter the mosque when prayers are not taking place.
Five traditional houses from the 1800s still stand within the mosque grounds. Families have lived in these half-stone, half-wood buildings for many years. The mosque committee plans to fix up one empty house and turn it into a school for...
Malaysia will raise taxes on imported fruits starting next month. The government announced the new Sales and Service Tax changes will affect most foreign fruits except apples and oranges. Berries, grapes and cherries will cost more when the rules take effect July 1. Malaysian shoppers may choose local fruits instead of expensive imports. The price increases could change how people buy fruit.
Local fruits offer better nutrition than many imported options. Guava contains more fiber and vitamin C than apples do. Mangosteen provides strong antioxidants like blueberries but adds anti-inflammatory benefits. Langsat gives similar vitamins as grapes but contains extra B vitamins for energy. Rambutan and papaya also beat their foreign rivals...
Sabah's PKR party leaders say they feel surprised about new corruption claims against state lawmakers. Fresh reports show videos that appear to catch five assembly members and one former parliament member taking bribes. The payments add up to almost 4 million ringgit according to news website Malaysiakini. PKR state chairman Mustapha Sakmud thought earlier videos would end the scandal. Anti-corruption officials had already questioned two lawmakers and the person who exposed the crimes.
The party fears these events might change Sabah politics completely. Mustapha told reporters that PKR must prepare for any outcome from the growing scandal. He asked all local party offices to watch developments carefully and stay ready for problems. The...
Malaysia's Home Minister said no citizens joined a foreign militant group that police recently discovered. Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told reporters that only people from Bangladesh belonged to the network. The group wanted to spread dangerous ideas based on Islamic State teachings. Police investigations showed the militants planned to attack their home country's government. Security forces arrested 36 Bangladesh nationals during three separate raids.
The arrests happened across Selangor and Johor states starting April 24. Saifuddin Nasution spoke at a community program launch at Hulu Terengganu District Council Hall. He warned that these activities could threaten Malaysia's safety if left unchecked. The minister stressed...
Barisan Nasional plans to compete as one strong group during the Sabah state election. Deputy Chairman Mohamad Hasan announced the coalition will work with Pakatan Harapan and local Sabah parties. The political alliance cannot win the election without help from other groups. Leaders want to create a powerful team that voters can support easily. They hope to avoid confusion among people who will cast their ballots.
Mohamad Hasan leads Umno as Deputy President and spoke about election plans. The coalition continues to discuss how many seats each party will contest. Officials want voters to choose strong parties that can govern Sabah effectively. He made these comments after attending an Umno meeting at Dewan Putra Padang Lerek. The...
