Latest news with #LAUNCH
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Former PM Liz Truss joins bare-knuckle fight thug who battered OAP to launch his whiskey – and even copies catchphrase
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LAUNCH party guest of honour Liz Truss happily joined in as a thug plugged his Irish whiskey. Bare-knuckle fighter Dougie Joyce attacked a man of 78 in a bar and has links to gangsters, while Truss hopes for a political comeback. 6 Liz Truss happily joined in as thug Dougie Joyce plugged his Irish whiskey Credit: Instagram 6 Joyce proudly handed Truss a bottle of the booze for a promotional video Credit: Instagram 6 Ex-PM Truss beams next to bare-knuckle fighter Dougie Joyce Credit: Instagram Joyce proudly handed her a bottle of the booze for a promotional video. He said his catchphrase: 'Just remember, Dougie Joyce loves ya.' The ex-PM then held up the spirit and beamed: 'Liz Truss loves you.' Last night, a source close to guest-of-honour Truss insisted she had not been paid to appear at last month's event at non-league Scunthorpe United's stadium. But that raised further questions over her apparent lack of judgment as she is considering a comeback to frontline politics. READ MORE ON LIZ TRUSS TRUSS ME I studied with Liz Truss but became a dominatrix - we make a fortune in this job One source said: 'Liz Truss either doesn't understand the implications or doesn't care. Either way this is a serious lapse. 'Aggressive and violent man' 'She's a former Prime Minister and has to be extremely careful who she associates herself with. 'You have to wonder if anyone did the due diligence.' Joyce, who has links to the notorious Gooch gang, was captured on CCTV attacking the widower. He was seen shouting and pointing at his victim before unleashing three vicious blows. Joyce was jailed for 19 months by Manchester crown court in November 2023. At the time, Det Con Natalie Hollows said: 'Joyce is an aggressive and violent man. Liz Truss storms off stage after lettuce banner appears behind her during speech in awkward prank 'Joyce was wearing a large gold pyramid-style ring, causing significant injury.' Joyce later used a smuggled phone to film himself laughing in his prison cell. The 36-year-old married dad of three was handed a further 13-month sentence for violent disorder following a fight at a wake involving a rival family. It was a great honour to have former Prime Minister Liz Truss as a special guest. Dougie Joyce Traveller Joyce, who once boasted he would be 'the next Tyson Fury', is a cousin of Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy Doherty — and was involved in a 2011 fight which saw part of Paddy's ear chewed off. Joyce, of Salford, now claims to have since turned his life around and says he is doing charity work. He wrote on Instagram of his launch for Joyce's Irish Whiskey: 'It was a great honour to have former Prime Minister Liz Truss as a special guest. 6 A source close to Truss insisted she had not been paid to appear alongside Joyce Credit: Instagram 6 Bare-knuckle fighter Joyce attacked a man of 78 in a bar Credit: SWNS 6 Liz Truss was Prime Minister in 2022, lasting 49 days Credit: PA 'Having her there truly meant a lot and added a distinguished touch to the occasion.' Last night he declined to comment. A spokesman for Truss — who lasted 49 days in No10 in 2022 — said: 'She attended the event to support the people working to regenerate the town and Scunthorpe FC.' At the weekend Truss, 49, appeared at a conference in Hungary with its PM Viktor Orban, a stooge of Russia's Vladimir Putin. Last year she was accused of 'propagating conspiracy theories' during a trip to the US. And she was criticised for taking part in an interview with President Donald Trump's controversial ex-strategist Steve Bannon — remaining silent as he praised far right activist Tommy Robinson as a 'hero'.
Arab News
09-03-2025
- Automotive
- Arab News
Pakistani, Chinese firms sign deal to boost electric vehicle production
ISLAMABAD: A leading Chinese automotive company signed an agreement with a Pakistani firm this week to introduce advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology in Pakistan and scale up domestic production, state media reported on Tuesday. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on February 22 in Beijing between Shanghai Launch Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. (LAUNCH) and Yousuf Dewan Companies (YDC), a pioneer in EV assembly in Pakistan. The deal is part of broader cooperation between Pakistan and China in technology and industrial development, following recent efforts to enhance investment and collaboration in the automotive sector. YDC, which has been active in Pakistan's automobile industry, will work with LAUNCH, a Chinese firm specializing in EV technology, to develop vehicles for Pakistan using LAUNCH's expertise in design and innovation. The agreement also includes setting up a completely knocked-down (CKD) assembly operation for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), producing both right-hand drive and left-hand drive models for domestic sales and exports. 'This agreement marks a significant step toward bringing advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology to Pakistan and promoting sustainable mobility solutions in the region,' the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported. 'The cooperation includes the creation of a technology partnership focused on EV innovation, battery life cycle management and recycling solutions, as well as exploring a joint venture for manufacturing and scaling BEV production in Pakistan,' it added. The partnership is expected to drive EV adoption in Pakistan and contribute to the country's sustainable energy and mobility goals, aligning with broader government efforts to promote clean transportation.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs 61 new bills into law
Video: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces 'Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act' for maternal health LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Legislation signed by the governor on Tuesday turned 61 bills into Arkansas law. The 61 add to the during the current legislative session. While the bills include routine items, such as budget appropriations and technical corrections to Arkansas code, the bills now act as items affecting the state's processes. Gov. Sanders signs tramway bill, touts tourism projects at GovCon Typical of this is Act 138, which empowers certified midwives to make hospital admissions and sign birth or death certificates. Act 140 is the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act, easing access to care for mothers. This was sought-after legislation by Gov. Sanders. Act 146 prevents local government from limiting what kind of lawn mower someone can use. It also prevents additional fees for an out-of-favor lawn care device. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs 'Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act' into law Act 153 places a time limit on how long a ballot petition signature is suitable for and how long a ballot title can maintain its certification, both expiring after a general election. The act includes an emergency clause, meaning signatures and ballot titles collected before the 2024 election have expired. Act 157 means a third party can deliver alcohol, provided it is within a wet county. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces workforce focused Arkansas LAUNCH website Other bills signed into law during the session may be seen on the Arkansas Legislature website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
25-02-2025
- Business
- Axios
Walmart, Google aid development of Arkansas' skills-based job marketplace
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday announced the creation of Arkansas LAUNCH, a job and workforce training portal. Why it matters: A public-private development between the state and Walmart, LAUNCH will focus on matching a job candidate's specific knowledge and abilities with open roles, rather than a degree or a job title. Since 2021, Walmart has provided more than $4 million to the state to support skills-based hiring and to develop the LAUNCH platform, the company said. The big picture: The investment comes amid a U.S. labor shortage fueled in part by the pandemic. Many employers, including Walmart, are dropping degree requirements from many jobs and instead prioritize specific abilities. A recent report from the National Governors Association claims the practice reduces turnover and increases career opportunities. Only about 75% of residents age 25 or older have a bachelor's degree. How it works: Free to use, LAUNCH will generate targeted job recommendations based on a job-seeker's verified credentials, self-reported skills and publicly available information. It also will suggest non-degree credentials and training to help the applicant expand career opportunities. Employers also will benefit because they'll have targeted access to a pool of workers who have the specific skills they need. Sanders also announced a tool available through LAUNCH called CiviForms designed to simplify applications for multiple government services, including job training. CiviForms was developed pro bono by and is used in Seattle and Charlotte, North Carolina, but Arkansas is the first state to adopt it. What she's saying: "Think of it kind of like LinkedIn, except it's fully integrated into all the services the state offers for our citizens," Sanders said at a news conference held in Benton. "If you're laid off and file for unemployment benefits, you'll go to LAUNCH to find a new job. If you're a young person just starting out your career, you'll go to LAUNCH and find training opportunities." Flashback: Earlier this month Sanders announced a higher education reform package called "Arkansas ACCESS" that would help Arkansans who want to further their education. Related House and Senate bills were filled last week. By the numbers: LAUNCH is already integrated into the state's unemployment system, Sanders said. Nearly 6,000 jobs are posted on the site from more than 600 employers. Overall, there were 15,400 job openings in NWA on Tuesday, according to Joe Rollins with the Northwest Arkansas Council. 74% of those don't require more than an associate's degree. What we found: In a quick practice test by Axios using a fictional commercial driver, the system generated a personalized job board, returning 519 possible jobs and 50 career paths.
