Latest news with #MeganJones
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Laos and Australia deepen investment and development ties
VIENTIANE: Laos and Australia are stepping up efforts and reaffirming their commitment to boost trade, investment, and sustainable development, with several Australian companies already having a strong presence in Laos. Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Board of Investment, Saleumxay Kommasith, met Australian Ambassador to Laos, Megan Jones, on Tuesday (July 22) to discuss the growing commercial partnership, according to the Australian Embassy. The meeting focused on opportunities under 'Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040', which outlines key sectors for investment in Laos. 'Under Invested we have identified three key sectors as areas with the most opportunities for Australian investment: agriculture, green energy, and resources,' Ambassador Jones said. Trade and investment between the two nations have seen solid progress in recent years, driven by long-term cooperation and new initiatives. In June, the two governments launched the Laos-Australia Investment Facilitation and Transformation for Economic Resilience (LIFT 4 Laos) programme. It is designed to help Laos attract high-quality foreign investment, boost sustainable growth, and improve resilience to economic shocks. Australian businesses are already making a visible impact on the ground. In March, Australia's largest horticulture company, Costa Group, began developing a blueberry farm in Champasak province, which is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs. Earlier this year, Sydney-based asset manager New Forests acquired a majority stake in Burapha Agro-Forestry. The company's focus on reforestation and carbon credit generation supports both environmental goals and local development. In the logistics sector, Linfox signed a contract in 2024 with Carlsberg/Lao Brewery Company to transport products in Huaphan, Phongsaly and Vientiane provinces. This followed an earlier deal in July to provide forklifts to the company's warehouses. Australia has also maintained a long-standing presence in the mining sector. Australian Laboratory Services, known for its geochemical testing expertise, is celebrating 30 years of operations in Laos this year. Agriculture remains a strong pillar of cooperation, with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research supporting Laos for more than 35 years through research and capacity-building projects. The Laos-Australia Sustainable Energy Partnership is also moving forward, with Phase 2 of the programme scheduled to begin in 2026. Last year, Laos' Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone and the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, signed an agreement to elevate bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership. This agreement reflects growing cooperation in foreign policy, education, infrastructure, health, security, economics, and development. Australia and Laos have shared diplomatic ties since the 1950s, building a relationship that both sides continue to value and strengthen. During the meeting, Ambassador Jones congratulated Saleumxay on his new role, saying his leadership would play a key part in driving economic cooperation. Looking ahead, AustCham Lao, the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Laos, will mark its 20th anniversary in 2025. It is the country's oldest foreign chamber and represents a broad network of businesses operating in Laos or trading with Australia. - Vientiane Times/ANN
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Droitwich Spa woman runs beauty salon for vulnerable people
As a child, Megan Jones struggled with learning to walk, riding a bike and even holding a 22, she still faces those challenges - but is successfully running her own beauty business catering specifically for people with Beauty Spectrum, in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, specialises in manicures, pedicures, gel nails, and facials."Throughout my life I've always noticed that the world isn't always very accommodating, or an inclusive place," said Ms Jones. "I wanted to have a beauty business that was accommodating and inclusive to everyone." Since launching her business at the start of the year, Ms Jones has treated clients who are - like her - autistic, people with Down's syndrome and visual impairments, and elderly people."I specialise in pampering the vulnerable members of society," she said. "I'm very good at respecting the client's boundaries, so if a client doesn't want part of the treatment being done, I won't do it." Ms Jones said some of her neurodivergent clients usually found salons too "overwhelming", but had discovered a safe space in her treatment had originally planned to work in either nursing, childcare or beauty."I can't be a nurse, simply because I never managed to get maths. My biggest dream in life is to have children, and I have heard that childcare is a bit of a difficult one if you plan on having a family."So I decided to do this instead."There's a bit of medical in it, because you're working with the human body, and there's a bit of childcare as well because I do treatments for children." 'It's a superpower' Ms Jones said she was proof that neurodivergent people, and people with disabilities, could be successful."The teachers in my class used to shout a lot - I thought that the reason I struggled was because I was a naughty child."The kids sometimes were very cruel and unkind, if they didn't get it. Sometimes, the teachers as well."I was told so many times that I wasn't going to do well, and I'm here now."It's not a disability, it's a superpower." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Scarratt closing in on record fifth World Cup
Centre Emily Scarratt is closing in on a record-equalling fifth Rugby World Cup after being named in England's 42-player training squad for the 35-year-old has played in the past four World Cups for the Red Roses and is aiming to become the first English rugby union player to play at five of the Lightning's Scarratt, who has been capped 118 times, attended her first World Cup as a 20-year-old - with England losing the final to New Zealand at Twickenham Stoop in scored 16 points in the 2014 final win against Canada in Paris, including the game-clinching try in a player-of-the-match performance, before starting England's past two World Cup final defeats by New Zealand. In the men's game only three players; Samoa's Brian Lima and Italy duo Mauro Bergamasco and Sergio Parisse have played at five World the women's game, former New Zealand fly-half Anna Richards was part of five World Cups between 1991 and 2010, winning the title four Fa'amausili also won four World Cups for the Black Ferns across her five tournaments, from 2002-2017. Scotland's Donna Kennedy also played at five World Cups - her first coming in England are favourites to win the World Cup, which gets under way on 22 defeated France 43-42 in a thriller at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in April to secure their fourth consecutive Six Nations Grand Jones has established herself as John Mitchell's starting outside centre, but Scarratt - despite missing out on England's matchday squad for the Grand Slam win over France - remains a valuable squad member in a position where competition for places is Red Roses are on a 25-game winning run as they count down to their home World Cup, which starts against the United States at Sunderland's Stadium of squad assembled on Monday for the first time and will be cut down to 32 players for the who were world champions in 2014, narrowly missed out in dramatic fashion at Eden Park in 2022 against New Zealand."We know how important and exciting 2025 is for women's rugby in England," Mitchell said. "Today is the start of little wins where we will work hard into the tournament." England Rugby World Cup training squad Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Georgia Brock, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lizzie Hanlon, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Cath O'Donnell, Marlie Packer, Simi Pam, Connie Powell, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Millie David, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Sarah Parry, Flo Robinson, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing, Mia Venner, Ella Wyrwas. Gloucester-Hartpury forward Sarah Beckett is once again a notable omission from the 26-year-old, who can play at lock or in the back row, failed to make the Red Roses' World Cup squad in was included in Mitchell's Women's Six Nations squad earlier this year but failed to make an appearance, with the last of her 35 caps coming in last year's Six Lightning lock Cath O'Donnell is included and has returned to full training after missing the Six Nations and October's WXV1 campaigns with an ankle England Under-20 duo Millie David and Sarah Parry are named after featuring in Mitchell's March Six Nations training Bears' David, 19, was this season's Premiership Women's Rugby joint top try-scorer with an impressive tally of Mackenzie Carson (ankle), world player of the year Ellie Kildunne (hamstring), Exeter Chiefs wing Claudia MacDonald (knee) and Bristol Bears lock Abbie Ward (toe) will all continue their injury rehab in camp.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Siouxland lawmaker believes Iowa DCI geofenced state Capitol to prep for sports betting investigation
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — A highly publicized college sports gambling investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is back in the spotlight. A Siouxland lawmaker said the agency tested geofencing software on the State Capitol Building without alerting anyone of the test. Sixth District Representative Megan Jones, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, told KCAU that she believes the DCI spied on people in the Capitol. Jones addressed the issue Wednesday during budget discussions including the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the DCI. The investigation into sports betting on smartphones ended with more than 30 in-state university athletes, as well as athletic department staffers, facing illegal gambling charges. Jones expressed concerns dating back to a senate subcommittee meeting where a lobbiest for the Department of Public Safety was asked if the Capitol had been geo-fenced. Story continues below Top Story: Unofficial results: Voters say 'no' to South Sioux City school bond Lights & Sirens: Sioux City firefighter taken to hospital following Mayday call during Morningside fire Sports: #7 South Sioux City boys soccer upsets #2 Millard North 2-1 in NSAA Class A State Quarterfinals 'She was promptly informed that she would not answer that question, and so that line of questioning was cut off. If you're not doing anything, if you hadn't, you would quickly deny it, right? Peope have known about this for some time, but I think some members were kind of caught off guard today,' said Jones. The DCI has previously been criticized for operating warrantless searches using geofencing to help determine if student-athletes were taking part in illegal mobile sports betting. More than a dozen of those student athletes charged in the case have filed civil lawsuits. Representative Jones claimed there are many questions yet to be answered. 'If this is a cultural problem within the division and the Department of Safety, then we need to tackle that. So, I'm going to be asking some questions, and I want answers. People should not feel like they are being spied on, or their phones are being compromised, that they are being geofenced merely because they are in this building. This place is sacred,' stated jones. Jones' comments came as the Iowa Legislature is expected to wrap up the 2025 session this week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
England vice captain Jones joins Trailfinders
England vice-captain Megan Jones has signed for Trailfinders Women for the 2025-26 Premiership Women's Rugby season from Leicester who can play as centre and fly-half, has spent the past two seasons with the Tigers and has also previously represented Bristol Bears and 28-year-old has been capped 24 times by the Red Roses and has scored three tries in three games during the Six Nations as England close in on another Grand Slam said she was looking forward to "challenging" herself in a new environment at the Ealing-based club."The club has that community feel which I love, and there's a passion and ambition to push on that really excites me. I really like the way the team play, and I can't wait to join up with the group and get going," Jones said. Cardiff-born Jones has also represented Great Britain in rugby sevens, winning bronze at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and competing at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. She made her England debut in 2015 as an 18-year-old, and before the start of this spring's Six Nations, she was named vice captain of the squad by head coach John Mitchell."Megan is a world-class player with a remarkable rugby pedigree," said Trailfinders head coach Barney Maddison. "Her experience both at the domestic and international levels will bring invaluable leadership to our squad."Trailfinders finished seventh in the PWR table last season.
