Category Archives: Progress

Australias defence department wrote to Frances Naval Group a week before the submarine contract was sensationally cancelled, acknowledging the successful completion of one requirement for moving to the next stage of the project.

The three-page letter, obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws, shows the Australian government set out six conditions on which Canberra would agree to pass a key milestone in the $90bn project.

The letter acknowledged that at least one of those conditions was successfully completed as of 8 September, and said the Australian government has, to date, demonstrated its commitment to working collaboratively with Naval Group.

But the document also included a cautionary line that the next stage of the project which aimed to deliver 12 conventionally powered submarines remained subject to Government approval.

The letter was sent eight days before the prime minister, Scott Morrison, dumped the French deal in favour of the new Aukus partnership with the US and the UK for nuclear-powered submarines.

The move, which followed a year and a half of private deliberations, sparked a diplomatic rift with Paris, which complained of being blindsided and stabbed in the back.

The tensions culminated in French president Emmanuel Macrons direct accusation that Morrison had lied. Morrison labelled that accusation as sledging and a private text message from Macron was released, further angering French officials.

The French foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, told a parliamentary hearing in late September that someone lied, because he could not reconcile positive correspondence from Australias defence department with the Aukus decision communicated by Morrison.

The correspondence with Naval Group in the lead-up to the decision is a key piece of the Aukus puzzle, although to date the documents released do not show Australia giving a concrete assurance that the project would proceed.

Instead they paint a picture of progress steadily being made towards highly technical requirements.

Guardian Australia has previously reported on the contents of a letter sent on 15 September hours before the Aukus announcement which was at the heart of French claims of Australian double-dealing.

In that letter, the director general of the Future Submarine Program, Royal Australian Navy Commodore Craig Bourke, confirmed the exit of the Functional Ship System Functional Review (SFR) has been achieved as required.

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But Bourke added a caveat about the government not yet granting authorisation to proceed. He said the Australian government reminds Naval Group that this exit does not remove the obligations outlined in a different letter sent a week earlier.

The defence department has now released the earlier letter, dated 8 September, with some portions redacted.

Bourke told Guillaume Jampy of Naval Group in Paris that the purpose of this letter is to set out the path forward to ensure the formal completion of the functional review and a subsequent milestone can be achieved.

Bourke wrote that the next milestone was necessary for Naval Group to verify and validate, and for the Commonwealth to have assurance of, the system performance of the Whole Warship to demonstrate the achievement of the functional characteristics of the Commonwealths requirements for the design.

Some parts of the document were blacked-out, on the basis that it contained information of a commercial value to the French contractor, which had been consulted as part of the FOI process.

After one such redacted passage, Bourke wrote: However, the Commonwealth has, to date, demonstrated its commitment to working collaboratively with Naval Group throughout this process.

In order to minimise disruption to the program, subject to Government approval and to enable the continuation of work under the [Submarine Design Contract], the Commonwealth advises it will agree that Naval Group will exit the functional review subject to the following conditions.

The letter outlined six criteria, including that certain technical requirements were demonstrated to the Commonwealths satisfaction by 30 Aug 2021 this has been successfully completed.

The second condition was that three action plans were consolidated into one plan approved by the commonwealth but Bourke said that at the time of writing this letter, this action remains open.

The other four criteria were blacked out. The FOI decision maker found that disclosing certain commercial arrangements could reasonably be expected to benefit Naval Groups competitors in winning future work for which Naval Group is competing by revealing the terms that Naval Group is prepared to accept.

Bourke advised Naval Group on 8 September: Upon Naval Group completing the actions, and agreeing to the conditions the Commonwealth will send a subsequent letter formally advising Naval Group it has exited [the functional review].

That follow-up letter was then sent on 15 September, hours before Morrison announced the project was being abandoned altogether in favour of a forever partnership with the UK and the US.

Morrison, Boris Johnson and Joe Biden launched an 18-month study, to help Australia find a way to build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Australian officials say the plan is driven by increasing concerns about Chinas assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, and by Australias desire to project power farther north and for its submarines to be less easily detectible.

The secretary of the defence department, Greg Moriarty, told a recent Australian Senate estimates hearing the contract with Naval Group had been terminated for convenience because our requirements have changed not because of poor performance.

Moriarty said he spoke with Naval Group representatives on 15 September the night before the 7am announcement to advise them of the decision to cancel the program. They were surprised and disappointed, understandably, Moriarty said.

The Australian government has not revealed how much it expects to pay out to Naval Group in cancellation fees, nor the cost of scrapping the related deal with American contractor Lockheed Martin for the submarine combat system.

The governments budget update last week said the termination costs were subject to negotiations with the companies, which have commenced.

The Australian defence minister, Peter Dutton, has previously urged France to put aside any hurt feelings over the scrapping of the contract, arguing the decision was in Australias best interests and the French were going to be upset whenever they were told.

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Australia wrote to Naval Group noting progress on submarines a week before contract was cancelled - The Guardian Australia

My career in journalism has, so far, spanned 34 years. In those many years, I have not changed jobs frequently, yet every job change has proven to be the right one. Today, Thursday, is my last day as publisher and editor of The McDuffie Progress.

I could have remained in this role and worked on another 10 or 15 years until retirement, but I feel the right door opened for the right reason and at the right time. I will be joining the staff of a business publishing company as a senior editor for a nationwide publication that focuses on public safety agencies and topics. All who know me, whether here in McDuffie County or even from years ago in other communities, understand how much I enjoy working closely with public safety police, sheriff, fire, EMS, and EMA.

There are few opportunities that would draw me away from my post here at the Progress, and this is one of those few. In my new role, I will work remotely from home. My wife Robyn works for a state agency and has been a remote worker for a good many years. Now, we both will be remote workers.

Again, my job changes always work out for the best and are the right opportunities, at the right time, for the right reasons. Although we plan to continue to call Dearing home, in the coming years we likely will relocate to south Georgia eventually to be closer to Robyns parents as they age. Every girl wants to spend time with her mama, and such is the case with my bride. With my transitioning to the remote workforce we will be more free to relocate. It means when that time comes, I will not have to job hunt for a journalism or sales job in a sparsley-populated part of the state.

But, working for home will be a challenge a huge adjustment for me. For most of my 10 years, each day I have followed a different path. I love it when I am on the go and seeing different people all day every day. Of course I had to get stories done, cover events, and sell some advertising but what I enjoyed was the people. Few people truly have a grasp of what it is like to work in community journalism.

Often I explain that the ones of us who do so are actually like the hub in a wagon wheel and the spokes represent the people we know in all varied aspects of a community. Our job is one that lets us get to know teachers, preachers, police officers, state troopers, mayors, coaches, retirees, merchants, and more. I am an Athens native, but I gladly call McDuffie County home. Years ago when I worked at a daily newspaper in Carrollton I told someone that home is where you run into the most people you know when you go grocery shopping on the weekend. Its not likely I will know anyone nowadays if ever shopping in my hometown of Athens.

But, shopping or going out to dinner in Thomson means I run in to tons of people I know. That is what makes an area feel like home. Even now I still stand by my proclamation from throughout my career The publications name is always bigger and more important by any employee along the way or any job title. The McDuffie Progress has been in publication since 1998. When put in that perspective, my 10 years here seems very insignificant. People also dont realize community journalism is basically community service.

We take the time to cover meetings, ballgames, shootings, court, and more and then condense all the information so anyone in the community can be informed. We take what we do and the service we provide very seriously. Basically I have followed in the footsteps of all who came through the McDuffie Progress from 1898 to 2011, when I arrived in December. Now someone else will follow in my footsteps and also grow to love the community.

Wayne Parham is the publisher/editor of The McDuffie Progress.

Originally posted here:

Leaving The McDuffie Progress after a very enjoyable 10 years - McDuffie Progress

It would be impossible to celebrate 25 years of YES! without looking back to our roots and celebrating the people who planted the seeds that would become the multifaceted outlet and organization we are today. On Day 1 of YES! Fest, we did just that, hosting a robust conversation with YES! co-founders Sarah van Gelder and David Korten, as well as longtime contributing editor Vandana Shiva. The conversation was moderated by YES! Editorial Director Sunnivie Brydum.

Coming on the heels of Shivas opening keynote address, the discussion explored the moments of hope and progress that van Gelder, Korten, and Shiva have witnessed across their decades of work in movement spaces, and in true YES! style, fearlessly named the systemic hurdles still between us and the possibility of embracing an ecological civilization. And regardless of the progressand setbackseach of these lifelong thinkers, writers, and organizers have witnessed in their storied lives, one thing was clear from the conversation: The work that YES! set out to do, to share stories about whats possible in hopes of mapping the path to a more equitable, sustainable, and compassionate world, continues to be as vital as it was when YES! published its very first issue in 1996.

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25 Years of YES!: Hope, Progress, and Setbacks - YES! Magazine

Video: NY Jets QB Zach Wilson looking to build on strong performance Week 13 vs. Saints

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson talking on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, as the team prepares to play the Saints at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Andy Vasquez, NFL writer

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. With four games remaining in the season, the playoffs are already out of reach for the New York Jets. The result of Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins (1 p.m., CBS) matters to the players and coaches in the locker room. But to everyone else, the only thing that matters is how what we see on the field translates to the future.

The Jets have a ton of young players getting valuable experience. They need to keep learning. They have a young coaching staff that needs to do the same. And general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh need to evaluate as they decide who and what is going to be a part of the what the Jets hope is a brighter future.

So with all of that in mind, here are three ways the Jets can show progress against the Dolphins.

I've written it before, and I will continue to write it because it's true: Zach Wilson showing progress this season is the Jets' top priority.

Through the first nine starts of his career, we simply haven't seen enough progress. There has been a whole lot of bad, and not enough good to offset it. Changing that reality will be a huge challenge against the Dolphins, but it also provides a huge opportunity for Wilson to show growth.

The situation is not ideal. The Jets are facing a blitz happy Miami defense remember, they started Joe Flacco instead of Mike White a month ago because of concerns over that defense likely without their starting left tackle George Fant, who was listed as doubtful with a knee injury.

Wilson looked tentative and unsure last week against a Saints defense that isn't known for generating this type of pressure, so there's a real risk that things will get even worse this week.

But Wilson seems to have realized that he's been too focused on playing flawless football rather than just playing.

"I just need to play loose and not try and be such a perfect pocket passing quarterback all the time," Wilson said this week. "Thats the biggest thing, Im just trying to do so right by the coaches and what theyre asking me to do and a part of it I need to just be loose and play free and obviously play within the offense but just react and throw the ball like Ive always known how to throw the ball."

No one will be expecting Wilson to play perfectly against the Dolphins. But he doesn't have to. He just needs to get back to showing what he did earlier in the season at times against the Panthers, Titans and Eagles when he was more decisive and confident.

If Wilson looks like a quarterback who is reacting, rather than someone who is trying to avoid a mistake, it will be a step in the right direction.

Heading into the last Dolphins game, rookie running back Michael Carter was quickly becoming the most fun player to watch on the offense and the most productive. And then he took it to another level by rushing for 63 yards on his first nine carries before getting injured.

Carter returns this week and if the Jets have any chance of pulling off the upset against the Dolphins, they'll have to get him involved early and often.

"Every time he touches the ball, he does something with it to the point where its like you cant deny him the ball," Jets coach Robert Saleh said. "Its exciting for him to get back, obviously four games for him to finish his season strong and really grasp as much as he can and learn as much as he can from this rookie year so he can propel himself next year to have an explosive season."

And if the Jets can help Carter pick up where he left off on Sunday, it will be a huge step in the right direction.

This has been a nightmare season for Denzel Mims. But with four games to go, there's still an opportunity for Mims to change the narrative and he knows it. He said earlier this week that he still thinks he's a "very good" player and views this four-game stretch as an opportunity to "show the world."

If the Jets were fully healthy, Mims probably wouldn't get that opportunity. He just hasn't played well enough, as last week's benching after two penalties in the final minute of the first half showed.

But Mims who also squandered an opportunity in the Colts game before a COVID diagnosis knocked him out of the lineup is going to get at least some sort of chance because Corey Davis is out for the season.

He came back to practice this week with the right attitude, according to Saleh.

"Hes reacted the same as he always has: He comes to work, he works hard, hes got a great big smile on his face and hes putting in the work," Saleh said. "He made so many strides before he got sick and then there was a little bit of a setback obviously. So, hopefully another stack, like Ive said, no ones quit on him, no ones giving up on him. Hes got an immense talent in his body. We just got to continue to take advantage of opportunities and see if we can get him the ball and see if he can make a play."

Time is running out, but if Mims can make some plays on Sunday, perhaps he can turn this nightmarish season into something positive.

Andy Vasquezis the Jetsbeat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Jets analysis, news, trades and more, pleasesubscribe todayanddownload our app.

Email:vasqueza@northjersey.com

Twitter:@andy_vasquez

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NY Jets: 3 ways they can show progress against the Dolphins in Week 15 - NorthJersey.com

In recent years, the fashion industry and society as a whole has had to face up to its multilayered inclusion issues. The #MeToo movement, for one, highlighted gender disparities, while the Black Lives Matter and Trans Lives Matter movements that erupted amidst the pandemic raised important concerns about racial injustice and discrimination based on gender identity or expression.

And in the middle of it all, a different strand of the inclusion issue got pushed aside: body diversity.

Conversations have been centered around the lack of plus-size female models, but some insiders are also starting to highlight the broader lack of representation, with plus-size male models, people with disabilities or height diversity all noticeably absent from luxury runways.

Theres size zero and plus size but what about height and disability? How can we look at representation from a 360 perspective? said the creative director of Danish streetwear label Soulland, Silas Adler, who ripped up the rulebook with his last spring 2022 show and started doing his casting himself.

But, aside from some exceptions including the likes of Soulland, Christian Siriano, Ester Manas and Versace the last round of spring 2022 shows, which also marked the industrys return to physical catwalks, fell short when it came to body representation.

It was the least body diverse season in a long time. It was really disappointing, said Ida Petersson, buying director at London retailer Browns, one of the first retailers to start a conversation about the industrys and its own shortcomings when it comes to offering inclusive sizing this year. The company is also starting to extend its buy to larger sizes and measuring its progress, post-pandemic.

Its such an important subject and I felt that it was unfortunately one of those issues that got lost in the midst of COVID-19. There was a debate happening before the pandemic, but it got buried for a while, Petersson added.

Conor Kennedy, owner of New York-based Muse Model Management, said New York Fashion Week led the pack in terms of size diversity for spring 2022, with designer Christian Siriano miles ahead of everyone else.

He also cited notable progress on some other runways, which featured more plus-size models in their castings including Coperni, Mugler, Altuzarra, Chlo, Coach and Bottega Veneta and plenty of room for improvement elsewhere.

We would love to see some of the European houses embrace body diversity.My dream would be to see curvy models at Prada or Saint Laurent. It would be a game-changer, Kennedy said in an interview. Every brand has to make a decision about who they want to dress and who they want to reflect on the runway.

Indeed, according to fashion data platform Tagwalk, the New York fashion scene was the only one to show signs of progress. Diverse body representation was up 366 percent at Septembers New York Fashion Week, with 27 brands including curvy models at their presentations. New York offered a real statement about inclusion and diversity. By contrast, in London, Paris and Milan there was almost no evolution compared to the previous season, said Margaux Warin, head of fashion at Tagwalk.

Over 90 percent of Paris and London Fashion Week designers did not include any body diverse models, neither did 80 percent of Milan designers. Even in New York, the amount of designers who didnt show any diverse body shapes was 64 percent, Warin said. It shows that, even if there is an evolution, there is a lot to do in terms of making body positivity more visible on the runway.

Kennedy, who started up Muses Curve division about 10 years ago, said there is no shortage of models up to size 20, nor any lack of willingness and openness on the part of casting directors to represent different kinds of beauty.

Yet there are structural impediments galore, headlined by the fact that most luxury houses and designers make runway samples in standard model sizes.

For Adler, brands could easily resolve such impediments its just a case of wanting to go the extra mile.

Quite simply, its about dedicating a lot more time to this. Its a long process to make this work and weve been spending hours and hours finding the right people and developing partnerships with agencies that do things differently, said Adler, who does all the casting himself, using Instagram or his ties to the skating community. Here in Copenhagen, theres a tendency to work with the same three big agencies and as a result all shows look the same.

Before the casting process even begins, Adler ensures there are enough runway samples in wider size ranges.

As soon as we finish designing a collection, we pick the items that will also be produced in bigger sizes. You might still not know which models youre casting but this allows you to be flexible. And from an investment point of view, I dont mind spending some extra money on that rather than a casting director or a big-name model. Theres always an evaluation of where and how you want to spend your resources, the designer said.

Adlers spring 2022 show featured a memorable cast rangingfrom professional models to friends of the brand, who varied in ages, genders, professions, racial backgrounds and body types. But for Adler, theres still a lot of work to do until brands, Soulland included, can truly embody a body-inclusive image.

When it comes to plus-size male models, in particular, its just not a priority for the agencies. We tried really hard to find plus-size male models for spring 2022, but we couldnt succeed at this stage, Adler said.

The same kind of limitations finding agents who will cast plus-size male models or getting hold of larger samples then trickle down to editorial sets, before ending up on the shop floor.

Kennedy said many stylists are frustrated when they do a single-model editorial and cant find clothes to fit curvy figures. By contrast, advertising campaigns including those from the likes of Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen boast better representation of size diversity.

Yet the runway, especially with the advent of livestreaming, remains the most potent spotlight for models and the most powerful springboard for modeling careers.

Kennedy, who has worked as a model manager for 25 years, was long frustrated and depressed by the lack of opportunities for curvy models and vowed to right that wrong when he founded Muse 14 years ago. Today, he has four managers working in the Curve division and scouting worldwide.

We felt that we had to get ahead of where the industry was, to give [brands] more choices and to inspire them, he said.

Vick Mihaci, president of Elite Management Worldwide, maintained a more positive outlook: We have seen real changes and a significant increase in the diversity of models this season, notably a mix in terms of gender, or models in their 50s and 60s, or with different skin colors and different sizes.

He cited a nice mix in the sense that the big four fashion capitals have similar perspectives. Paris appears to be more committed today with more diverse and inclusive podiums.

Mihaci gave shoutouts to Mugler for showing that anyone could embody the brand and their clothes; to Chanel, which, for the second time in its spring 2022 show, included a curvy model, or one who was, as Mihaci noted, the size most worn by French women. He also credited Balmain for generational diversity and a cast that included Naomi Campbell, Carla Bruni and Natalia Vodianova.

You could feel that the clothes this fashion week are meant to be worn on different body types, and consequently speak directly to each and every woman, he enthused. According to Mihaci, the responsibility to improve the portrayal of human size rests with brands.

They make the clothes, they define the new standards, he said. My main suggestion would be to encourage the brands to make their clothes on a more common body type and be able to adapt it to models they see and like.

Mihaci said clients are willing to see different types of models, but the question remains as to whether they are all given the same chances.

The risk with the fast-evolving market and the growing demand for diverse modes is that one should be careful that there is no discrimination to anyone and every model is given the same opportunities, he added.

Brussels-based fashion label Ester Manas, gaining acclaim for its one-size-fits-all adjustable clothes, staged its first runway show in Paris last September, calling it the first truly inclusive show in the French capital.

As a result, the cofounders Manas and Balthazar Delepierre scrutinized the shows as soon as they started in New York and were quite seduced by the representation seen at Mugler, Ganni, Ottolinger, Eckhaus Latta and LOral Paris.

They also applauded the rise of models including Paloma Elsesser, Ashley Graham, Precious Lee, Jill Kortleve, Barbie Ferreira, Denise Bidot and Alva Claire.

They illuminate catwalks, cover stories and are a breath of fresh air without precedent, Delepierre said. They reflect, like the supermodels of the 90s, a very strong feeling of desire, a fantasy, an obvious representation of the young women of today. And most of all, they send to oblivion a narrow and obsolete version of what is the norm.

According to Manas, inclusivity should not be a concept, a trend or an inspiration but must become viral, obvious, intuitive, mainstream.

Its all nice to hire two models amongst 50 to embody the change, but it is very necessary that the same dress with the same sizing can be found in stores. Otherwise, wheres the invitation? she argued. No one can be exemplary, we can always do better. Inclusiveness, its definition and its representation in fashion tends to change over time because society changes, bodies evolve standards, too.

The duo skirted a question about designers that could do better.

We prefer to encourage brands, which, even timidly or sometime awkwardly, are trying to be more fair, Delepierre reasoned.

Retailers, too, are trying to be more equitable and broaden their size ranges.

Net-a-porter said it started working with a handful of designers like Erdem, Christopher John Rogers and Reem Accra, who will start to offer their collections up to sizes 22 on Net, in the spring.

Were really encouraging this conversation with the brands we work with, with many being open to extending their size offering. If brands have a broad range of sizes available, well ensure that its mirrored in our buy as much as possible, said Lea Cranfield, Nets chief buying and merchandizing officer, commending the likes ofAlexander McQueen, AZ Factory, Balmain, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Valentino, Erdem and Nanushka as some of the labels leading the way.

Brands, she added, whether young or established, shouldnt be deterred by any logistical challenges because producing in a wider array of sizes also presents an appealing commercial opportunity to grow an audience.

The bigger brands are more equipped, but the emerging ones are in a better position to adapt and define their ethos and values, Cranfield added.

Browns is also looking to start talking louder about the issue as of this year and has set itself some pretty ambitious goals.

We wanted to talk about it, because we werent as good as we could have been in the past and we have to hold ourselves accountable, Petersson said.

As of this fall 2022 season, Browns is starting to measure its progress and ensuring that up to 30 percent of its options are size-inclusive. In the longer term, the goal is for every brand the retailer has a decent investment in to include inclusive sizing, or at the very least a made-to-order program.

In order to get there, different players in the industry need to work together. Yes, retailers do have a big responsibility to buy into wider sizes ranges, according to Petersson, but theres still a lot of work for brands to do both on the catwalk and in the showrooms.

At the moment, many brands are quietly making wider size ranges available in their showrooms but not going much further than that.

Its a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, isnt it? If you have a brand thats not inclusive, then people are not going to buy from you just because you silently added a size 16 in the showrooms which can still be considered very large in those crowds, said Petersson, explaining that sales teams need to become more vocal about their size offerings. In a lot of showrooms, you still have to ask how far some pieces go up. They dont want to make a big fanfare about it.

But in order to get customers, who have previously been made to feel excluded, to come back into luxury stores and feel comfortable to try things on and shop, there needs to be consistent messaging from the part of the brands on the runways, on billboards and social media.

Wider sizes are already in the showrooms but in order for this to be a real revolution, it needs to be more visible. It needs to start with your campaigns, how you communicate with your customers and how customers are welcome into the stores. Inclusion needs to be a visible part of your manifesto and it needs to feel authentic, Petersson added. Brands need to make it loud and clear that they want to change their ways and re-educate customers. Because if youve already been excluded once, why go back?

On the subject of authenticity, Tagwalks Warin said brands that stay consistent to this messaging in seasons to come and marry any body positive statements on the catwalk with the reality of sales and size availability will be the real winners. It should also not be a statement for one collection, with one model but a new vision of diverse casting that should be perpetuated season after season, Warin said.

Its why Versace sales are on fire at Browns, because for the past few seasons, the Italian mega brand has been presenting its clothes on a wider range of women, from Paloma Elesser and Jill Kortleve to Dua Lipa and Emily Ratajkowski and all look equally great.

You can see women of all shapes and sizes, looking absolutely incredible on it. So you feel you can be a part of it, too, added Petersson, also commending the likes of Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Ganni, Reformation and Good American, Khlo Kardashians denim line which will soon launch at Browns.

She added that theres a lot of willingness from young independent labels like Simone Rocha, Erdem, Ashish and Molly Goddard to work with the retailer and offer more size-inclusive ranges. When you open a conversation with them theyre opening to trying it out. While for the bigger brands, with some exceptions, there has to be a bigger force that pushes them to think about it.

Customer demand and smaller players progressive visions might end up being those forces.

Soullands Adler said the brand has also been working on creating a document where pre-show models can inform the brand of different requirements that they have, from how covered they want to be to needing a prayer space backstage because its not enough to cast diverse sets of models, but also to make them feel welcome.

Agencies are usually surprised. Some are happy and agree with us that this should be standard practice, but others get annoyed, theyre stuck in the old ways of seeing models as mannequins and they cant be bothered to do the back and forth, Adler said. For us, its not rocket science, its just about making people feel good and reflecting the society we live in. Showing diversity, whether in terms of skin color or body type, is a way of showing respect.

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Is Fashion Making Any Progress With Its Body Diversity Issues? - WWD

Red fabric covers a table laid with candles, a mirror and images of Dantor and other spirits. A basket and card deck sit on another small table. A pungent, sour smell almost rotten emanates from various plant- and water-based mixtures. The ritual is ready to begin.

Today, Jeans visitors are Jores, a carpenter, and Jores adult son, who suffers from mental illness. Jores says he took his son to see a doctor, but his condition didnt improve, so he now turns to the priest for help. He requests that he be identified only by his first name because he fears retribution from his Christian church for seeking the aid of a Vodou priest.

He woke up like this one morning after a spell was cast on him, Jores says to the priest. I believe the spirits will help him regain his sanity.

Mental health care is severely lacking in Haiti. In a country of around 11 million people, fewer than one psychologist or psychiatrist served every 100,000 Haitians in 2016, according to the World Health Organization. The countrys two public psychiatric hospitals are chronically understaffed and underfunded.

But the need for mental health services is high, with the 2010 earthquake, widespread violence and political unrest contributing to significant emotional distress among Haitians. A rough summer that saw the July assassination of the president, an August earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people, and the September deportation of thousands of Haitian migrants who had journeyed to the border between Mexico and the United States, is likely to exacerbate such issues.

Given the lack of access to care, some people turn to Vodou to deal with mental health issues.

The Vodou religion runs deep in Haitian society. An outgrowth of the African slave trade, it features beliefs that stem from traditional African religions, including the powers of plants and spirits to cure disease. Haiti officially recognized Vodou as a religion in 2003, and about 50% to 80% of the population practices some form of Vodou, often mixed with elements of other religions, particularly Christianity.

Jacky Georges, an accountant, says when he was a child, his mother instilled in him the belief that mental illness cant be treated with medicine, and he has not had positive experiences with medical doctors.

When I was ill and suffering from a form of insanity, I was taken to hospital, he says. None of the sedatives and other drugs prescribed to me made me feel any better.

After consulting with a Vodou priest, Georges says his condition improved. I feel much better now, and Im managing my own firm, he says.

Augustin Saint Clou, the supreme chief of Haitian Vodou, says the religion can help people with a variety of problems, whether they are struggling with mental health issues or other ailments.

The key, he says, is determining the circumstances surrounding the onset of a persons symptoms. We believe that associating reality with past events is how we can treat people with mental illnesses, he says.

Frantz Bernadin, a physician and public speaker, says psychiatric treatment would certainly be the most appropriate way for people to address mental illness. But he says that such treatment can often be a long and involved process, and psychiatric hospitals in Haiti dont have the resources to care for large numbers of patients.

For many Haitians, Bernadin says, there also is a stigma associated with mental illness, and seeking psychiatric treatment can open people up to criticism from their neighbors, friends and family. Vodous long and rich history in Haitian culture leads many Haitians to trust priests more than doctors and scientists.

They feel comfortable in this familiar atmosphere, Bernadin says. And, he adds, their belief in the power of Vodou leads them to believe that its effective in treating mental health issues.

Undoubtedly, an education campaign is needed to enable our compatriots to better appreciate our psychiatrists and psychologists, he says.

The government recognizes that there arent enough psychologists, social workers and other experts in the country to address the publics mental health needs, says Ren Domersant Jr., the head of mental health at the Ministry of Public Health and Population.

It is true that the means are precarious in Haiti, he says. We recognize that the care that is given to the mentally ill is not at a high standard. There is much to do to improve the care of mental health in Haiti.

He says the ministry has provided training for general practitioners and nurses so that they can be more capable of addressing mental health issues, and it also trains Vodou priests so that they can recognize and understand mental illness and refer people to mental health specialists.

We know that in Haiti, whatever the illness, there are people who consult the Vodou priests, Domersant says. It is a question of belief, because they believe that an illness is a spell.

Experts have taken some steps to try and improve access to mental health treatment. In April 2020, the Emergency Psychotherapeutic Intervention Unit of Haiti, a group of Haitian mental health professionals, set up a phone line that offers free psychological support to the public, says Ronald Jean-Jacques, a psychologist and professor at the State University of Haiti who leads the unit.

The phone line connects callers with a team of psychologists. And if additional treatment is necessary, they can be referred to another specialist psychologist for one or two sessions. More than 2,000 people have taken advantage of the telephone support line, Jean-Jacques says.

To residents like Clotaire Jean Mary, the benefits of Vodou are clear and should be celebrated more openly. I think there is an inferiority complex and fear toward Vodou, which is why the benefits it provides to people are not revealed, she says.

I have witnessed people with illnesses treated and healed by Vodou priests. Why shouldnt we talk about Vodou and reveal how beneficial it is to the population?

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JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va -- The 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing celebrated its 18-year anniversary at Joint Base Langley-Eustis on Dec. 11, 2021.

The wings history began with the formation of the 480th Anti-Submarine Group in 1943. The unit deployed to Port Lyautey, Morocco and was credited with the destruction of four German submarines during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. During the Korean War, the Air Force activated the 580th Air Resupply and Communications Wing to conduct psychological warfare and intelligence operations supporting U.S. forces in Europe. In 1985, the Air Force consolidated both inactive units and re-designated the new unit as the 480th Special Operations Wing. Due to funding constraints, this unit was never activated.

The attacks on September 11, 2001 placed a renewed emphasis on Air Force intelligence capabilities. As a result, the Air Force re-designated the 480th Special Operations Wing to form the 480th Intelligence Wing. The wing activated on December 1, 2003 with an official stand-up ceremony taking place on December 11, 2003.

It was an honor of a lifetime to be selected as the first commander of the 480th ISRW (then named the 480th Intelligence Wing) under the Mighty Eighth Air Force, stated Brig Gen (ret) Larry Grundhauser. It wasnt just me. I know we all knew it. Felt it. The momentous nature of the endeavor we were being asked to take on motivated us all each day. I took command of the 480th Intelligence Group while it was engaged in combat operations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, just as IRAQI FREEDOM had begun.

The 480 IW operated the Air Forces flagship intelligence exploitation capability; the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System. It rapidly engaged in combat operations supporting U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2009, the unit was re-assigned from Air Combat Command to the Air Force ISR Agency and re-designated as the 480 ISRW.

We transformed into a more agile force able to meet evolving mission-set demands, said Col Kayle Stevens, 480th ISRW commander. Our Airmen are no longer tied to platforms. We now rely on our cognitive ability, leveraging the best data available to answer commanders toughest problems.

Presently, the 480 ISRW is organized into six subordinate ISR groups and twenty-three active duty squadrons. With over 6,000 warrior Airmen, the organization serves as the largest ISR wing in the Air Force. The six ISR groups assigned to the 480 ISRW include: the 480 ISR Group, 497 ISR Group, 548 ISR Group, 692 ISR Group, 693 ISR Group, and the 694 ISR Group. In addition, the wing has twenty-six Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units standing side-by-side with the active duty component as it engages in ISR operations around the globe.

Airmen are the heart of our Wings performance, said Stevens. Our diverse and inclusive workforce helps eliminate blind spots and provides us our comparative advantage. Across the conflict spectrum, 480th Airmen are consistently required to pivot to the theaters most challenging problems. Peak performance depends on successful integrated efforts between DGS and signal intelligence element sites and streamlining mission integration and analyst collaboration. Cyber Airmen are simultaneously relied on to keep the weapon system functioning, watch for attacks, report any suspicious activity, and protect the network. Total Force Integration provides our enterprise the strategic depth required to meet elevated demands in strategic competition. We achieve peak performance when everybody does their part, a team of teams tackling our nations most pressing challenges.

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480th ISRW: 18 Years of Progress - 62nd Airlift Wing

The 10th edition of Pig Progress for 2021 is now available online. This edition highlights the urgent need for more attention to be given to swine influenza. Considering the Covid-19 pandemic, veterinary virologist emphasises that the way the veterinary world keeps viruses under control is an example for human virology. Also, how can nutrition improve claw quality and weaning stress?

View Pig Progress digital magazine, edition 10

Domestic hog production, unlimited imports of raw ingredients for feed, imports of piglets and finisher pigs, and the ability to sell pig meat on international markets enabled Germany to transform from a leading importer of pig meat to the leading exporter within 3 decades. When it became a challenge to export surplus meat, economic troubles began. Professor emeritus Hans-Wilhelm Windhorst paints the picture on pages 6-8.

A research project Family Feeding Matters aimed to develop an innovative feeding concept for sows and piglets that would align more closely to their natural behaviour. The innovative part of the research applied to the new feeding and drinking system and new feed type. The article on pages 10-11 investigates the results.

On page 13, president of the Sunswine Group, Dr Casey Bradley, discusses functional nutrition and proposes combing the silos of data we have from production, the feed mill and veterinarian diagnostics to create a functional nutrition picture for the swine industry.

On pages 14-15, correspondent Philippe Caldier summarises a presentation by Patrick Chevillon at the recent edition of the Sommet de lElevage in France where he discusses the production and valorisation of meat from entire male pigs.

This producer decided to stop castrating his male pigs. - Photo: Michel Zoeter

The swine influenza virus is behaving more whimsically than it did a decade ago. What is this pathogens impact and how can pork producers reduce the risk of infection? The article on pages 16-17 explores the answers.

In an interview on pages 18-20, Nauwynck expresses his distaste in allegations that modern livestock farming is the cause of all pandemics, and highlights that the way the veterinary world keeps viruses under control is an example for human virology. If the Covid-19 virus had only struck in pig farming, it probably would not have spread as fast as it does now in humans.

As a scientist, researcher and professor, Professor Hans Nauwynck is connected to Ghent University in Belgium. Photo: Atelier68

On pages 24-26, Pig Progress editor, Vincent ter Beek, visits a French pig farm with 430 sows and a grow-finisher site 2 km down the road with 2,000 finishers. Here, pig producer Frdric Baudet tried the Selfifeeder GFI, which is Addervas version of an Electronic Sow Feeding (ESF) station with built-in weighing.

Finisher pigs each have an identity and can be treated according to specific requirements through the use of ear tags. The pigs also learn to follow the yellow light for feeding. Photo: Vincent ter Beek

Salmonella infections in pigs can become worse in stressed animals and so controlling stress levels in pigs has a direct impact on public health. Read more on pages 28-29.

View Pig Progress digital magazine, edition 10

In the European Union, a 20-year ban on the use of animal by-products as feed for pigs and poultry is being lifted. By 2027, the animal protein feed ingredients market is predicted to be worth US$280 billion. On pages 31-32, correspondent, Treena Hein, looks at what this means and what might limit its use.

The culling rate due to lameness is estimated to be up to 35%, and as sows are increasingly being kept loose during gestation, and farrowing crates are likely to disappear, pig claw quality and integrity are becoming increasingly important. How can nutrition help to improve claw quality? Read more on pages 34-35.

A primary cause of claw lesions is the insufficient supply of proteins, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. Photo: Bert Jansen

Weaning is a stressful event, which is known to weaken the immune system. E. coli remains one of the most economically important and complex challenges in todays global pig industry. This article found on pages 36-37 delves into what extent can nutritional solutions provide a solution.

Of all the animal species, pigs are among the most sensitive to the negative impact of unwanted toxins. While acute mycotoxicosis in pigs is relatively rare nowadays, mycotoxins may be present in low doses and can lead to subclinical health problems. This article by Alltech on pages 38-39 details the effect and management of mycotoxin challenge.

On page 42, Irene Camerlink, an interdisciplinary researcher focusing on pig behaviour, welfare and production, brings to light the increasingly relevant need for farms to have an action plan for livestock in the event of a natural disaster or when there is a need for evacuation. She also outlines 7 steps to consider mitigating potential risks.

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Pathogens, prevention, and personal plans in Pig Progress 10 - Pig Progress

Clearfield-Lawrence Township Joint Airport Authority is concerned about meeting next years expenses.

At Wednesdays meeting, Chairman David Schultz said he learned Clearfield Borough and Lawrence Township each allotted $5,000 to the authority in their 2022 budgets half of the $10,000 stipend, the authority requested from each.

The airport is partially supported by annual funding from Clearfield Borough and Lawrence Township. Its other income is realized by hangar rentals and fuel sales.

Schultz said he is concerned as the authority depends on those municipal distributions to help pay the airports operating costs.

I am very disappointed with the allocations made, especially in these financial times.

He said he has looked over the operating costs and asked airport Manager Jerry Kaufield to make determinations where expenses can be cut.

Schultz told members he had contacted various airports throughout the state to determine how they receive income from their counties or municipalities.

They are really all over the place in how they are paid, he said.

Schultz said he is especially concerned because he is anticipating the airports expenses to be even higher next year as costs are rising because of inflation and other factors.

Inflation is really hitting the bottom line with costs for energy, fuel and other things going up, he said.

Because municipal governments may not fully understand the importance of having a public use airport, Schultz said he plans to attend Clearfield Borough Councils meeting Thursday and Lawrence Township Supervisors meeting Tuesday, Dec. 21, to explain the importance of their stipends and how the authority utilizes the money it receives.

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Airport authority concerned about 2022 operating costs | Progress News | theprogressnews.com - Clearfield Progress