problems opening doors and windows, as the frames can drop out of alignment.
So failing to ensure you have a flat, level and strong base could mean your Kingston upon Thames garden shed will become prone to failure and could cause you a lot of stress. Meanwhile, a correctly installed concrete or flagstone base could help your garden shed to have a useful life of up to 30 years.
ensuring your garden shed base isn't too close to fences or hedges, so you can still access the shed walls to paint or treat the timber.


text:
Traders Puzzled After Gold Surges To 10 Month Highs
With both the dollar and yen sliding, most notably after the BOJ's Kuroda told parliament the Japanese central bank can and will ease far more if necessary, it is perhaps not surprising that gold has surged $14 higher today, rising above $1,341/ounce, up over $140 from the early November levels when it was trading in the low-$1,200s, and the highest price since April 2018.
Yet what has left traders puzzled is that despite gold's surge, it is not trading as a traditional safe haven, because after correlating inversely with the S&P for much of 2018, the correlation flipped to positive in late-December, right around the time the Fed also flipped from hawkish to dovish, meaning that gold has instead regained its status as a hedge against central bank idiocy. Curiously, gold's correlation with the S&P has even surpassed that of other safe havens such as the dollar, TSYs or yen.
Or maybe gold is simply trading as a plain vanilla commodity: after all, it is not only the S&P that soared starting in December, so did WTI, which rebounded from a multi-year low in the low-$40s to a year to date high of $55+ today. Base metals have had an even more amazing recent track record: take Palladium, which has soared by more than 50% since August, surpassing the price of gold in nominal terms, and hitting a new all time high today amid reports of shortages as the market continues to drift away from diesel-powered vehicles.
Or maybe gold's surge is just the result of trend-chasing algos and CTAs who are the marginal price setters: as several desks have pointed out, gold is trading within a clearly defined upward channel with upside resistance expected to hit around $1366, which is where gold topped out on three prior breakout attempts in early 2018. Should the current upward channel provide support, expect a major test some time in mid-to late March when the upward support clashes with what has so far been unbreakable resistance.
Which way gold moves after that will likely depend on just how more "activist" central banks become over the next month (or how much gold central banks themselves decide to buy). Considering the accelerated race to the FX bottom in recent weeks, it is safe to say that gold may be printing new multi-year highs as soon as one month from now.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


About a month ago, or more, I was watching a YouTube video that someone had shared on Facebook. The video was called "Emily's Haircut" and documented a little three year old girl named Emily who had heard about children with cancer losing their hair. It must have been explained to her that since her hair was so long, if she cut it, it could be sent to make wigs for children with no hair.
London overheard me watching the video and asked if she could see it. Of course I let her watch it. At the end she told me she wanted to cut her hair like Emily. A few weeks ago I told London it was about time that she needed a haircut and I was going to make an appointment with Aunt Sarah. (YES I make appointments because my sister is booked people.) I told London to think about how she wanted to cut her hair. Mind you, London has had her haircut close to twenty times in her life but always just a trim. I reminded London a few days ago that her hair appointment was coming up and she responded "Mamma, remember that video of Emily? Can I watch it?" So she did, and again she told me that she wanted to cut her hair short, just like Emily & her friend Avery from her old school. I explained to her that it would not grow back very fast and that is could take a while. I told her once it was cut it could not be put back on. In a way, I selfishly gave her all the scenarios to think of in hopes that she would settle on just another trim. I was nervous that she could not fully understand how it would feel to dramatically cut the long hair you have known for your entire 4 years of life! London had watched a Charlie Brown episode about a girl name Janice with Leukemia and knew exactly what kind of sick children would be getting wigs from her hair.
Today came, and Aunt Sarah came over to drop off Vita before work. We both talked to London about her hair cut, measured out the 10 inches required for donation, and showed her how the cut would look. She smiled and brushed us off like we were annoying her with details she was already aware of. I continued to pester London with questions about cutting her hair and how she would feel and what if and how about and so on and so on.
I get it. It is just hair. It does not define a single thing of who she is. She was able to show me just how little the things on the outside really matter. I often get caught up in who is wearing what and how I should look but none of that has ever mattered to London. She absolutely gorgeous and what goes on the outside has always been of little significance to her. She doesn't know the price of clothes. She doesn't know the trend of hair. She doesn't care what anyone else is wearing.
When it was over she bounced down from the chair and ran around the salon pumping up all the stylist chairs. It had taken every ounce of her to sit still long enough to get a *mostly* straight little cut.
There are no words to describe how proud I am of what she did today. Even though I just had a while blog of words written and it vanished. London gave something very big without asking for a single thing in return. The hair she has known for her entire 4 years of life is now being sent off in the mail. Despite her moods, angry fits, foul behavior, and less than pleasant demeanor at times, she truly has the biggest heart. She loves to love and she never fails to show that.
and the award goes to FLORIDA for it's performance in "Winter." Seriously missing the snow today. My Facebook is blowing up with gorgeous shots of that white fluffy stuff, well that and the FSU soon to be National Champions. I'm scrolling back through my pictures from the past week and keep falling more and more in love with each little detail of London in the snow. So… what better therapy for my broken snow heart than to make a whole post of it!
It never gets old. She loved it as much the first day and she did the seventh day. I loved watching her the first day and the seventh day. I loved spending 10 minutes to get her fully clothed and have her come in and strip it all down into a puddle on the floor within seconds, because I remember that exact scenario from my own childhood. I loved her pink cheeks and chapped top lip. I loved the pieces of ice stuck in her knotty hair. I loved that she chose each knitted hat she would wear. I loved the little Sorel boots that matched her jacket. I loved EVERYTHING about HER and the SNOW!
8:30-9:30: Sit in my parked car and entertain Hudson, nurse, allow him to press buttons, turn the car on and off, wipers on and off, music on and off, throw goldfish all over the floor.
9:30-9:40: Slowly make my way to the show, about 100 feet away, allowing Hudson to walk so we don't arrive earlier than London's time slot.
9:42-9:45: London takes the stage, I hold Hudson in one arm and run down the aisle to the front where I quickly snap an out of focus shot, and Facetime Mike so he can watch, her class sings ONE song, she spots me and starts crying and freezes on stage because she wants to go home with me.
9:46: I quickly run around the building to the door she will exit from and intercept her walking back to her class and tell her she can come home with me instead of sit in her classroom for an extra hour.
Are you tired yet? I'm exhausted. Now I treat her and Hudson to a day of mall Santa, Chick-fil-a, and the Christmas train. London makes a friend on the train and does not want to get off. Bribed and pulled away by a free balloon in the Nordstrom kid shoe section, boy oh boy is she ever my child.


text:
Ascogaster caucasica är en stekelart som beskrevs av Kokujev 1895. Ascogaster caucasica ingår i släktet Ascogaster och familjen bracksteklar. Inga underarter finns listade.

Källor

Bracksteklar
caucasica

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Security;

namespace FusionPInvoke
{
    [Guid("b30352cf-23da-4577-9b3f-b4e6573be53b")]
    [InterfaceType(ComInterfaceType.InterfaceIsIUnknown)]
    public interface IEnumReferenceIdentity
    {
        [SecurityCritical]
        uint Next(int celt, [Out, MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.LPArray)] IReferenceIdentity[] referenceIdentity);

        [SecurityCritical]
        void Skip(uint celt);

        [SecurityCritical]
        void Reset();

        [SecurityCritical]
        IEnumReferenceIdentity Clone();
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Review of authors' works in the field of the use of new ionic liquids (IL), salts of quaternary ammonium cations with carbonic or sulfonic acid anions, in extraction is presented. Properties of IL important for solvent extraction are discussed, and a comparison with the "classical" IL, including substituted imidazolium cations and fluorine-containing anions, is made. The most important applications of IL for the extraction of organic compounds of various classes, including analytical reagents, from aqueous solutions are presented. Data on the extraction of metal ions are presented; various approaches to the use of IL: as "inert" diluents of complexing agents and extraction solvents/extractants active with respect to the extracted substance are discussed. The features and advantages of microextraction with the dispersion of the solvent in IL formed in situ are discussed.


text:
Judgment day for sick days
Daniel Massey
City Council legislation compelling employers to provide workers with up to nine paid sick days is expected to be reintroduced shortly, setting the stage for a battle between business groups intent on killing, or at least gutting, the bill, and the labor-backed Working Families Party, which has made its passage a top priority.
Business groups expect the new bill to contain changes from the one that was debated in the council last year—notably, a shift in the definition of a small business, from fewer than 10 employees to fewer than 20. But the groups, led by an alliance of the city's five borough-wide chambers of commerce, say the anticipated alterations are merely window dressing.
"The proposed changes are just nibbling around the edges and not tackling the fundamental problem that businesses have with this bill," says Matthew Greller, an attorney at Tonio Burgos & Associates, who is lobbying against the bill. "It's an enormous and devastating financial burden."
Business groups want the council to scrap its current effort and, if it chooses to proceed with paid sick days, model a bill after one passed in Washington, D.C., in 2008. That law has more employer-friendly provisions, such as exemptions for certain industries, a 12-month waiting period before workers are eligible, and fewer sick days.
Shula Warren, chief of staff for Councilwoman Gale Brewer, insists the business community's suggestions will be incorporated into her new bill—aimed at an estimated 1.5 million New York workers who get no paid sick time—though she would not offer specifics.
"I don't think I've ever seen a bill that's had more meetings on it," Ms. Warren adds. "I hope they'll see that we're trying to improve the bill so it has an ear to the businesses, nonprofits and cultural institutions that would be affected by it."
The bill's opponents have honed their attack in the New Year, especially by focusing their attention on City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who in her recent State of the City address pledged to "bolster the small businesses that already employ millions of New Yorkers." In ads and in media interviews, opponents also are referring to the bill as a "tax" on businesses that "is just the opposite of what the speaker is calling for." Ms. Quinn has yet to take a position on paid sick days.
The bill would require small businesses to give workers five sick days and larger ones to provide nine. Fines would be levied at a rate of $1,000 per violation.
Both proponents and opponents have come up with financial impact data to support their viewpoints. The bill's backers argue it would cost the city's businesses just $332 million per year. Business groups counter that it would cost businesses $8.8 billion annually, or nearly 2% of the gross city product.
But the businesses face a tough road. More than three-quarters of the council sponsored the bill last time around. And several newcomers, like Jumaane Williams, Brad Lander and James van Bramer, who rode WFP support into office, are especially staunch backers of the idea.
"Half of working New Yorkers can't take a sick day without worrying about their livelihood," a spokesman for the Working Families Party says. "Having to choose between your health and your job is a tremendous burden to working families."
City launches historic 'Opportunity Fund' with $75M to boost struggling small businesses
Working Families Party to spin off for-profit arm
Bloomberg rewiring NYC's data infrastructure
NY told to provide more apartments for mentally ill
Small restaurants struggle with city's new pay transparency law
Sponsored Content: Mapping a Green Future for New York's Parks


Susana De Anda is Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Community Water Center, a nonprofit environmental justice organization based in California's San Joaquin Valley, whose mission is to act as a catalyst for community-driven water solutions through organizing, education, and advocacy. Susana is a seasoned community organizer and has received numerous awards and recognitions, including: James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award (2018); White House Champion of Change for Climate Equity (2016); Mark Dubois Award from Friends of the River (2014); "150 Fearless Women in the World" by Newsweek Magazine (2012); "Women on Top – Top Activist" by Marie Claire magazine (2012); AOL sponsored PBS three-part series titled, Makers: Women Who Have Shaped America (2012); and "Las Fabulosas" and "Inspiring Latinas" by Powerful Latinas (2011); and the 2009 Petra Foundation Fellowship award. In addition, Jill Iscol's book, Hearts on Fire, features a chapter on Susana De Anda and CWC (2011).
Susana's experience includes planning and organizing positions at the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment; the County of Merced Planning Department; the Santa Barbara County Water Agency; and the Santa Barbara non-profit Community Environmental Council. Susana earned a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara while completing a double major in Environmental Studies and Geography. Susana served for the past few years on the Community Funding Board of the Grassroots Fund through the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment and the Tulare County Water Commission, and now serves on the Board of Directors of the Tulare County United Way.


This post has been updated to include additional information on the Littoral Combat Ship costs for Fiscal Year 2018.
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy's new class of 20 guided-missile frigates could cost an estimated $950 million per hull, the Naval Sea Systems Command FFG(X) program manager said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Surface Navy Association 2018 symposium, NAVSEA's Regan Campbell said the new class of small surface combatant would set a so-called threshold requirement for a net average cost of $950 million for the second through 20th hulls in the FFG(X) next-generation frigate program following a downselect to a single shipbuilder in 2020. The lead ship in the class is expected to cost more than the $950-million average.
In comparison, a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer (DDG-51) costs about $1.8 billion to build and equip with sensors and weapon systems.
That frigate number is also above the $588-million per-hull cost of the existing Lockheed Martin Freedom-class (LCS-1) and Austal USA Independence-class (LCS-2) Littoral Combat Ships slated for the Fiscal Year 2018 budget.
The estimate emerges as the Navy is in the midst of a conceptual design review with an unknown number of bidders for the follow-on to the LCS, following a request for proposal issued late last year.
By March, NAVSEA expects to award four to six contracts to further develop the conceptual designs ahead of the final construction contract award in 2020.
"We're going to have a technical review of each of these proposals by the end and provide them feedback in where these designs might need some buffing up to get to a full and open competition," Campbell said.
While NAVSEA has not disclosed the bidders for last year's RFP, USNI News understands up to eight or more designs are under consideration for the next phase of the program.
Those designs not only likely include the two existing LCS builders but also several European frigate designs. European shipbuilders, like Spain's Navantia, have experience building smaller frigate-sized warships using the Lockheed Martin Aegis Combat System. Aegis shares a common DNA with the COMBATSS-21 combat system currently in use on LCS and planned for FFG(X).
"There are foreign ships that are competitors in the space and we anticipate those could be coming into play," Campbell said.
In addition to previously disclosed requirements, NAVSEA has set the range it would like to see for the number of the Mk-41 Vertical Launch System cells – an objective target of 32 and threshold of 16. The cells could field a single Raytheon SM-2 or SM-6 per cell or four Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles quad-packed into a single cell. In comparison, a Flight IIA Burke has 96 VLS cells.
NAVSEA also will require the FFG(X) field a minimum eight over-the-horizon anti-ship missiles, with an objective requirement of 16.


Acquisition, Exploration and Development of premier precious and base metal properties in stable regions of North America. The company's flagship property is South Mountain Mine in Owyhee County Idaho.
All successful ventures start with a vision. Our vision is to find and develop premier precious and base metal properties at the lowest possible cost.
Just as we have in the past. By utilizing years of experience in the gold industry. Our experience extends from exploration, through permitting and development of projects in Nevada, Idaho, and throughout gold districts around the world. We find that some of the best opportunities for gold production is right here in the U.S. Thunder Mountain Gold's Management have been either directly or indirectly involved in shipping millions of ounces of gold and silver throughout their more than 70 years of combined experience.
Measured and disciplined use of operating capital.
We use our exploration capital wisely. Our goal is to extract as much information as possible from our metal targets. In order to accomplish this, we sometimes sacrifice our own compensation in order to put the money to work in the ground. However, with over 2,000 loyal shareholders following us, we must be doing something right. At South Mountain, with approximately $450,000 ($2M) reportedly spent on the 43-101, we have identified 22 million Indicated and Inferred Ag ounces…..an average of $0.02 ($0.09) per silver equivalent ounces. This is just one example of our cost effective use of capital. For our investors, this is leverage that can't be overlooked.
Gold and Base Metal Development is a Process.
We use a specific discipline to search for and identify gold and other metal projects that will make mines and one day produce metal for our world's supply chain. This process starts with low cost measures, which ultimately lead to prospects that will ultimately lead to a discovery.
Geologic Models blended with Business Models.
The process of identifying ultimate producing properties begins with blocking and tackling, or basic geology and sound fundamental geology, coupled with real world experience and models. Feedback and quantitative analysis are important in developing and refining resource models, and this is only possible with real-life experience.
Identifying feasible metal deposits for pennies per ounce or per pound. That is the business goal of Thunder Mountain Gold.
Excellent business strategy with a Proven Track Record.


I graduated in June 2011, but in March, when I started working, also has done various part-time during the University, graduate there are 40,000 on hand. Didn't know that finance is placed in Bank fixed deposits for a year. Later work to develop the habit of daily bookkeeping, and readily remember destiny, has been used.
first year: 2011 first 2650 per month salary, working in a third-tier cities, and his colleagues rented a House, rent utilities with about 500 part-time English tutor, about 500 per month income, deposit 1500-2000 per month, the money is in his bank account. End of the first year, plus bonuses at the end of a 60,000 deposit.
second year: 2012 is going smoothly, wages gradually gone up three times a year by the end of the nearly 5000 pay monthly overhead and almost before, more debt and buy something for my parents. Save 3000-3500 every month, plus bonus and deposit interest rates by the end of, with 110,000 at the end of the deposit.
third year: 2013 or the work, but the benefits were not so good, wage is around 5000. Then, in July jumped to work in Beijing, beginning 75,001 months wages, subsidies for 300, less insurance and taxes get their hands around 7300 and his colleagues rented a House and I out of 1200 a month rent utilities, spending around 2000 balances each month 3500-4000. Later the same year in November for a job in foreign capital, wages 7700, but insurance and Provident Fund are in accordance with the salary, Provident Fund came after the home from Beijing, so equivalent to the 7600 each month and get our hands on, and balances each month about 4000.
this year bought a House back in her hometown, third-tier cities, but prices are not low, parents pay 400,000 down payment loans of 450,000, 100. My 2700 per month, beginning in November. By the end of the deposit before the count, a total of 160,000 deposits, mostly in banks, put some in PayPal and micro-ECR inside.
fourth year: June 2014 salary up to 8500, but I separated in August home, excluding mortgages, balances each month before going home around 1500, a coexistence of 13000. Before the home went on to the company for a period of time, each month 4000-5000, live and eat at home, also remaining 20,001 months in PayPal and micro-financing source for the tens of thousands of smaller, gains at the end of about 1000.
to deposit a total of 200,000 by the end of it. House got rented out under the simply decorated, with 20,000 at the end of the rent. $ 100,000 loan in advance, chatting with friends came into contact with the end of P2P, the annual gain of about 10%, I'll put a 1000, later additions. When no proceeds are going to return the following year.
the fifth year: 2015 to start work in March this year and, occasionally, do some part-time, 3500-4000 income each month, excluding mortgage and expenses, almost 500 or so per month, but this year via P2P banking revenue nearly 5000 through micro-financing source for the 500 and pay income and fixed deposit interest, there are now more than 140,000. There are more than 10,000 rent, with 160,000.
P2P also worry about a bit of a risk, diversification, because a friend of a friend works in a P2P, think it is tricky, buy yourself a book to learn some, voted in a few, remaining in the Bank. Now in his hometown of salary is not high, but via P2P banking balances each month. Expert guidance, there is nothing better than a good investment, shares of this high risk I don't dare to try. Hope returns to 10% above. Thank you!
NEXT: Double 11 credit cards after Taobao return refund?


text:
<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0;url=/place/oman/budget/" />
</head></html>


To make sticky buns, the baking pan is spread with the sticky ingredients which can be honey, syrup or a combination of butter and brown sugar, with or without cinnamon. The pieces of dough, with or without filling, are arranged in a single layer in the pan and baked.
My sticky buns were made like cinnamon rolls because aside from the top glaze, there is sugar mixture inside the buns. They are delicious especially when served warm. The bread is soft, the sugar mixture is sticky and a bit crusty in places where it has hardened.
Are sticky buns hard to make? Well, if you're making bread for the first time, it can be a challenge. I understand that in some countries, frozen bread dough makes life simpler but we don't use that at home. We start from scratch, mix our dough with flour, water and yeast and go from there.
I baked these sticky buns in December of 2012 and published the recipe originally in January of 2013. That was when we didn't own a decent stand mixer. I mixed and kneaded the dough by hand. The basic bread recipe linked to in the ingredients list is still the same bread recipe made entirely by hand. It's a useful guide for newbie bakers who are still trying to decide if buying an expensive stand mixer is a good investment.
If you're a seasoned bread maker, making sticky buns should be a breeze.
Make the sugar mixture which, during baking, will give the bread a lovely sweet sticky glaze. Spoon into the buttered holes of muffins pans.
Roll the bread dough that has gone through the first rising and spread the same sugar mixture over its entire surface. Oh, right, you have to leave margins to allow you tuck in the dough after rolling.
You roll the dough into a log, cut it into portions and drop one portion into each hole of the muffin pan.
The dough is left to rise a second time before the muffin pans go into the oven.
When baking time is up, the buns are inverted while hot. Waiting for them to cool will make the melted sugar harden and it will be hard to take them out of the pan without tearing the bread.
And that's it. Sticky buns that are delicious for breakfast, snack or even dessert.
In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar and cinnamon.
Lightly butter the sides of the 12 holes of the muffin pan or pans (I used two pans each with six holes) then drop a teaspoonful of the mixture into each of the holes.
Roll out the dough into a rectangle about a quarter of an inch thick. Or, you may divide the dough into two portions and roll each portion into a rectangle. It's easier to work with two smaller rectangles than one large piece.
Spread the remaining butter-sugar-cinnamon mixture on the rolled dough.
Roll the dough into a log (or logs if you're working with two portions). Cut into 24 equal pieces (12 per log if you have two portions of dough).
Lightly press each piece of dough into a hole of the muffin pan. Leave to rise for 30 to 45 minutes.
About 15 minutes before the rising time is up, preheat the oven to 350F.
Let the sticky buns cool for about five minutes then invert onto a tray. Do not wait for the bread to cool too much before inverting because the sugar at the bottom of the holes will harden as it cools. After it has hardened, the buns will stick in the pan.
Serve the sticky buns warm.
Let the dough rest for about 15 minutes then roll again.


Within the district, up to 4ccf of water each two months 7.04.120.B $0.00/100 c.f.
Within the district, 5ccf-20ccf of water each two months 7.04.120.B $3.30/100 c.f.
Within the district, 21ccf or more of water each two months 7.04.120.B $6.20/100 c.f.
Outside the district, up to 4ccf of water each two months 7.04.120.B $0.00/100 c.f.
Outside the district, 5ccf-20ccf of water each two months 7.04.120.B $4.95/100 c.f.
Outside the district, 21ccf or more of water each two months 7.04.120.B $9.30/100 c.f.
Residential - within the district, up to 4ccf of water each two months 8.12.02 $0.00/100 c.f.
Residential - within the district, 5ccf-20ccf of water each two months 8.12.02 $2.85/100 c.f.
Residential - within the district, 21ccf or more of water each two months 8.12.02 $0.00/100 c.f.
Commercial - within the district, up to 4ccf of water each two months 8.12.02 $0.00/100 c.f.
Commercial - within the district, 5ccf or more of water each two months 8.12.02 $2.85/100 c.f.
Residential - outside the district, up to 4ccf of water each two months 8.12.02 $0.00/100 c.f.
Residential - outside the district, 5ccf-20ccf of water each two months 8.12.02 $4.27/100 c.f.
Residential - outside the district, 21ccf or more of water each two months 8.12.02 $0.00/100 c.f.
Commercial - outside the district, up to 4ccf of water each two months 8.12.02 $0.00/100 c.f.
Commercial - outside the district, 5ccf or more of water each two months 8.12.02 $4.27/100 c.f.
"Actual total costs" shall be determined as set forth in Section 12.04.110 of this code.
Restrooms and standpipes not part of a residential or commercial building shall be considered extended service units unless they are only for use by paying tenants of a recreation vehicle park.
"ccf" is hundreds of cubic feet, "c.f." is cubic feet.


Today, during his visit to Belgorod, President of the International Chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov visited BelSU. Kirsan Nikolayevich met with Rector, Professor Oleg Polukhin, who spent a tour at the university for the guest of honor.
After the tour, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with representatives of the chess community and BelSU students. Meeting was opened by the Governor of Belgorod Region Yevgeny Savchenko. He noted that for the Belgorod region the intellectual development of the younger generation is very important.
"Today and in the future our country and the region need minded people with high intelligence, with innovative creative consciousness. They constitute the intellectual driving force of Russia and Belgorod, form a powerful class of intellectuals creators, provide rapid all-round development of Russia, they will lead it to a new competitive level ", - said Yevgeny Stepanovich.
BelSU rector Oleg Polukhin thanked the guest of honor for his interest in the development of chess in the Belgorod State University and noted that chess is one of the most popular sports in the BelSU. He also stressed that the university is ready to provide a platform for chess competitions of international level.
"We are ready and happy to hold international scale championships in chess. We have all conditions for this, "- said Oleg Nikolaevich.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov on behalf of the Presidential Council of the World Chess Federation, which unites today 187 countries around the world, solemnly handed the governor Yevgeny Savchenko and rector Oleg Polukhin a letter of gratitude "for active participation in the development and popularization of chess in the Russian Federation,".
Head of BelSU Chess Club Alexander Ivanov told about the activities of the club and the development of chess sports at the University.
"In our university, chess is one of the priority sports, so two important student competitions this year took place on the basis of our university not by chance. In July - the all-Russian final competition of the Universiade, private team championship of Russia among students ended a few days ago. We are ready to develop chess sport in the region, and therefore it was decided to establish center of intellectual sports development on the basis of the BelSU ", - said Alexander Ivanovich.
After discussing the prospects of chess development and cooperation with the International Association of chess Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the governor of the Belgorod region Yevgeny Savchenko signed a cooperation agreement between the Government of the Belgorod Region and the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
After the meeting Kirsan Ilyumzhinov visited the chess tournament dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the BelSU. Kirsan Nikolayevich met with the Belgorod chess players and participated in the game.


text:
NBR headline
Started by crustyngrizzly, January 6
crustyngrizzly 1,171
Open Class - R121
Headline on NBR website this morning.
Racing Industry reform is being put through its paces.
Secondary headline reads
Behing the glamour is an unsustainable business.
Dane Ambler is the author.
Behind a paywall and i'm too mean to pay.Anybody care to enlighten us poor folk.
Richmond Tiger 44
Maiden - R50
Behind the glitz and the glamour of horse racing is a sector in disarray, with widespread calls for change met with a deafening silence, experts say.
Former New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) chairman Matt Goodson says there's a lack of political interest in sorting the industry out and calls for change have been ignored for years.
"There was no impetus for reform. It was common knowledge that something was wrong but there was significant disagreement on what that was."
Cue Racing Minister Winston Peters, who saw the major structural issues and had a report done on the industry.
That report, by Australian racing industry expert John Messara, recommended an array of changes.
Subsequently, Mr Peters announced a five-member ministerial advisory committee to inform the next steps.
Mr Messara's 17 recommendations included outsourcing the wagering operations of the TAB, which is owned by the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB), and closing 20 clubs throughout the country.
Mr Goodson says a wagering system in a small country lacks the scale needed to be sustainable.
The industry is therefore caught between a rock and a hard place. It can either outsource and forgo control of the TAB or it can continue to operate unsustainably.
Before the advent of the TAB in the late 1940s, there was only on-course wagering. Every club had its own bookie and New Zealand had a "world-leading" racing industry.
Former New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Matt Goodson.
Mr Goodson says the industry took a turn for the worse with the TAB.
"Whatever the racing board did it was operating into the headwind. Politicians and industry leaders at the time didn't know what they were doing."
NZTR chairman Allan Jackson agrees.
"The whole industry's future swings on this. We get half the level of return that they do in Australia. It fundamentally has to change or else the industry goes backward even faster."
National's spokesman for racing, Ian McKelvie, says the Messara report is "timely" and "hugely positive."
If the breeding industry is to continue to thrive, the racing sector needs to pick up its game.
"We've got huge natural advantages that we should capitalise on. You can't have one without the other."
Mr Goodson says a horse that wins a trial run will sell for $150-300,000 to a Singapore or Hong Kong-based buyer. A maiden winner is worth $250-500,000 offshore.
"As a breeder, you can access the very favourable economics of the offshore industries."
Champion racehorse Phar Lap was New Zealand-born and bred but never raced here.
The NZRB is in a race against time.
Mr Goodson says more and more punters bet with offshore bookmakers, who pay no fees to the industry. Getting this right a few years ago was a key reason for Australian racing industry "bounding ahead," he says.
The biggest factor weighing against NZRB is its lack of scale.
"This is a hard-structural reality that the NZRB can never fix and it has its head completely in the sand. There are heavy fixed capex [capital expenditure] and operating costs in running a national wagering system. These costs don't change whether you have five million people or 25 million people."
Mr Jackson agrees.
"If it can afford $12m a year on IT and the competition is paying over $100m a year, they will out-innovate you and do it on a lower cost base.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Allan Jackson says the 'whole industry's future' swings on proposed changes.
"They significantly lack scale and the balance sheet to constantly invest in new technologies to attract and retain the top people compared to the likes of Sportsbet and Tabcorp in Australia."
Hence, margins are low relative to overseas as the NZRB cannot generate enough revenue from a small population to cover its costs and still have enough left over to pay back to the industry.
Mr Goodson says weak operational performance is a major issue.
"Even though they run it on the smell of an oily rag, they don't have enough revenue to put over the fixed cost network. The racing board has never wanted to acknowledge it. They're 5% down every year before they even start."
In addition, Mr Goodson says the industry has been "hideously overtaxed," paying both a wagering duty and GST, which make it uncompetitive against Australia.
Upping the game
The NZRB argues its financial performance is anything but weak.
In announcing the half-year result late last year, chief executive John Allen made a point of how lucrative it was.
The reported net profit was $145.9 million, $1.9 million (1.3%) ahead of last year.
"I would hope [Mr Peters] has a great deal more confidence in the board as a consequence of seeing these results. They demonstrate an organisation that is delivering, is committed to the industry and one with a real future."
Mr Allen did not skip over questions of outsourcing.
"The Messara report has galvanised a conversation we needed to have as an industry."
He says changes need to be "carefully thought about."
"The TAB is a very valuable asset for this industry and [racing is] one of the few sports that has a large, highly profitable business with real growth potential that's dedicated to supporting it.
"You only want to go down the track of outsourcing when you are really clear it's going to have a significant additional benefit."
Outsourcing means New Zealand will lose control of the customers and the assets. In addition, outsourcing could cost 600 jobs.
"Once we lose that control, we're not going to get it back."
National's Mr McKelvie agrees. He says the NZRB has done a lot of work on the TAB's future to make it sustainable, so all options need to be considered.
National's racing spokesman Ian McKelvie says the Messara report is 'timely' and 'hugely positive.'
The NZRB has invested upwards of $50-60m in a combination of marketing and customer development and a new fixed-odds platform.
"Depending on how you outsource something, that may mean the long-term protection of our industry is at risk," he says.
Despite that, Mr Allen acknowledges that while there is a monopoly, the reality is most punters are betting online.
"The online space is competitive. They are far more aggressive in the offers they make to attract customers. We are having to up our game, which is why we are investing in new technology, more focused on our customer relations."
What would outsourcing the system look like?
If changes went ahead, Mr Allen says an international operator would take over the betting, marketing, customer relations, retail and potentially broadcasting activities.
There would still be a statutory framework that would require the profits go to the racing codes. The question of what percentage would go to the international operator would need to be negotiated.
Mr Goodson says there wouldn't be much difference for punters.
"You'd still have a TAB front end but it would make twice as much profit because you don't need 80% of the people and you would have far more efficient systems."
Profitability questions
Mr Jackson says NZRB's financial results can't be taken at face value.
"On the top-level numbers, they were 1.3% up on last year, less than inflation, which is what the industry has been having for the past five or six years. It's not a bad result but it won't excite the industry."
Mr Goodson agrees.
"It's not a profit really. It's a surplus before paying for the costs of goods sold."
In other words, it is merely an underlying operating profit before distributions.
"Racing gets paid for providing this product from the surplus that the NZRB generates. So, the 'profit' it announced is just a surplus prior to paying its costs."
He says the surplus is "nowhere near" large enough to see the racing industry flourish.
"Even though the costs of owning a horse are relatively low in New Zealand, the level of prize money relative to these costs is among the lowest in the world."
Lessons learned?
Mr Jackson says there is already significant interest from overseas operators to undertake the outsourcing.
This has proved lucrative in Australia, particularly in Victoria, he says.
Tabcorp, an ASX-listed wagering platform with a capitalisation of about $10 billion, has been tipped as one of the bidders.
In 2012, Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA), which has a similar size to New Zealand's racing operations, faced similar headwinds and opted for outsourcing.
In granting authorisations, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found that doing so would be likely to improve efficiency through economies of scale and transactions costs savings.
It would also enable RWWA to provide a broader range of fixed odds wagering products, thereby preserving industry competition and customer choice.
"It is now thriving," Mr Goodson says.
Racecourse closures
The most controversial recommendation of the Messara report is the closure of 20 racecourses (of a total of 48).
In some cases, Mr Messara recommends their land being sold and the money channelled toward bringing the remaining 28 courses up to standard.
The 20 are Avondale, Dargaville, Thames, Rotorua, Stratford, Wairoa, Hawera, Waipukurau, Woodville, Reefton, Greymouth, Hokitika, Timaru, Motukarara, Oamaru, Kurow, Waimate, Omakau, Gore and Winton.
"We believe that the target should be to close the initial 20 venues over five years starting 2019/20, so over a period of six years from now," the report states.
While Mr Messara acknowledges that this could be a difficult task, it "should be achievable."
The NZRB's Mr Allen says the clubs should have a say in deciding what the future configuration should look like but few have been consulted.
Rotorua Racing Club chief executive Damien Radesic says no discussion has been held with his club.
"No one even came to see us at Rotorua or even look at our infrastructure, which has been improved over the past few years in great detail. We gave the property a facelift."
Rotorua's revamped racecourse.
It has invested about $1.2m in earthquake strengthening, new windows, recladding, carpeting, painting and on improving its track.
As a result, Mr Radesic says it how has one of the best tracks in the central North Island.
Closure would have a "devastating" effect on the Rotorua economy.
"We are like any other business, we've got 14 on-site employees and that grows to 30-50 on a race day. We spend $40-60,000 a month in the Bay of Plenty, so it does take its toll on the community when you take something of significance out of the area."
Mr Radesic says the club will fight "tooth and nail" to stay open.
Winton's situation
In Southland, Winton Racecourse president Howard Clark says several factors haven't been considered, including the track conditions and climate for certain times of the year.
"A lot more work needs to be done. To my knowledge, this guy [Mr Messara] never stepped foot on Winton racetrack, so I don't know where he has drawn all these conclusions from."
Winton is a dual code track – there are nine harness race meetings a year and it is one of the better tracks for trotting,Mr Clarke says.
Harness racing would continue but Mr Messara recommends transferring the galloping to Ascot Park in Invercargill.
"Nobody has shown us a financial benefit to the industry from doing that," Mr Clark contends.
"The loss for us is our local community connection and consequently sponsorship because we are being asked to race out of our community."
He says about 40 horses are trained on the course and there is a risk some of those won't relocate.
Mr Clark says nobody from the Coalition government has discussed closures with him.
"There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before all this is settled."
Need for rationalisation
National's Mr McKelvie has met all the South Island clubs tipped for closure.
He says talks of closures have been around for 40 or 50 years and there's general acceptance that rationalisation is justified. However, the government could have gone about it better.
"Had the industry been left to manage the process themselves it might have been reasonably well accepted. There are ways to achieve this and the blunt instrument way is not the answer.
"The idea of effectively forfeiting assets to become part of a national organisation is testing for any community. You can't expect to move in and shut community assets without a moderated discussion."
Mr Jackson says the clock is ticking.
"At critical times, and we have reached one now, we all need to ask ourselves what will work best for the industry – and how do I support that.
"Yes, there will be some winners and some losers as we move forward but the pie will be much, much larger if we can work together. In the longer term that means we will all be winners."
crustyngrizzly reacted to this
poundforpound 2,103
Matt Goodson might be best just to fade away and say nothing given that under his watch we went nowhere fast, and arguably into an unprecedented tailspin.
Granted things weren't good when he took over, but that was largely due to EI and the GFC, however Goodson and Purcell achieved absolutely nothing of any use that I know of, but they tried to cripple the industry licensees with their bizarre ideas like Monday Tuesday racing
You had your five minutes of racing fame Goodson, now go fade away and be a nobody again please.
chevy86, Fartoomuch, crustyngrizzly and 2 others reacted to this
Red Rum 572
A trial winner will sell for 150k to 300k and a maiden winner is worth 250k to 500k. Right where do I quickly buy a horse. Bullshit prices . Insert the words could/may/ might if you are lucky on a good day depending on number factors .A maiden winner at gaff track midweek in mud could be worth 10 bucks in some cases. Huge generalisation that is rampant in non trade press.
crustyngrizzly, bazach, GOM and 4 others reacted to this
We're Doomed 1,614
I had no idea we were "world leading" in the 40s and went down hill with the TAB. I always thought we were world leading when we introduced the TAB.
Leggy, Pam Robson and Insider reacted to this
Breeder 240
I do not know much about how the NZR/TAB support clubs. Obviously there is the input into the stakes but in terms money to up keep tracks and other infrastructure , I do not know the detail.
But if a club can upkeep a track and associated building without central industry support why should it have to close down the track? As for the money from a community asset going to fund uncontrolled expenses etc. in Petone --they can take " a running jump".
Huey, We're Doomed, hedley and 6 others reacted to this
Huey 1,282
1 hour ago, Breeder said:
Exactly right and there are plenty of clubs that don't receive or get very little from the controlling body but are financially sustainable, but under that scenario you talk or read the views of the brainwashed and we have too many tracks , can't figure that out myself.
Breeder reacted to this
Leggy 2,135
Unbeaten G1 - R124
5 hours ago, poundforpound said:
C'mon, you had your go Matt and it was spectacularly unsuccessful along with your henchman GP. You are still talking completely ill-informed rubbish.
We're Doomed, Insider, Huey and 1 other reacted to this
Just now, Leggy said:
C'mon, you had your go Matt and it was spectacularly unsuccessful along with your henchman GP. You are talking complete uninformed rubbish.
Doesn't he breed now or something? explains a lot of these viewpoints if that is the case.
1 hour ago, Huey said:
We probably do have too many tracks. The fallacy is to think that closing some tracks will automatically help those tracks that remain. There is no evidence that closing Nelson helped Blenheim; or closing Westport helped Greymouth; or closing Orari helped Timaru; or closing Beaumont helped Wingatu. Interestingly, most of those "closed" tracks still exist, but I don't think any gallopers are trained there anymore, and I don't think any trainers from those tracks moved elsewhere. So I am very dubious that closing Banks Peninsula will be a gold mine for Riccarton. As for closing Omoto and Reefton to turn Kumara into the hotbed of racing on the coast and closing Timaru and Oamaru to turn Waikouaiti into the Shatin of the South Island, well: I might be proven totally wrong, but I think we are dealing in the realms of fantasy there.
Pam Robson, Huey, Insider and 4 others reacted to this
As an aside, I was just thinking that I can recall off the top of my head about 14 race-tracks that have closed for galloping in the last 30 years or so. So it isn't as if the industry has been totally idle as far as retrenchment goes. The only three major regions that haven't really lost any courses are Southland, Taranaki and the Waikato. Kensington Park of course closed to be replaced by Ruakaka, but that is the only course I can recall being closed and replaced with a new one.
3 hours ago, Breeder said:
In the days of the old Racing Authority back in the 80s and 90s, before the industry changed for the better apparently, there used to be an amenities fund which largely funded new grandstands at Ellerslie, New Plymouth, Omoto, Ashburton and Riccarton. As far as I know there haven't been any new grandstands built anywhere in the country since the early 90s. I believe there may be something at Awapuni, but I haven't been there for many years.
chevy86 1,570
LocationDetroit
5 minutes ago, We're Doomed said:
. As far as I know there haven't been any new grandstands built anywhere in the country since the early 90s.
No need WD unless you are providing sanctuary for our avian friends. (Pigeon racing on the up?)
The millennials prefer the lawn or the Fashion marquee for their posturing.
We're Doomed reacted to this
Trump 1,706
Based on some of the replies re whether or not there's too many tracks, are some suggesting that we should still have gallop Racing at Feilding, Bulls, And Levin? I've got no issue with track closures if it benefits the industry. As I've written before, I'd love to see Foxton developed as a racing and training precinct. There's plenty of room and they could build a new modern small stand - facing North so that it's protected from the southerlies in winter and captured the winter sun. Easy access for transport etc. I reckon Awapuni and Foxton could merge, sell off the Awapuni site or develop it and use the funds to develop the Foxton venue. Cheaper housing is available and Foxton Beach is close for walking horses in the salt water. All Awapuni and Foxton need to do is get together. Then there's Otaki. What a joke.
Cubes reacted to this
2 hours ago, Huey said:
Based on performance, he certainly shouldn't be allowed to breed.
poundforpound, elo and Trump reacted to this
Mr Goodson says a horse that wins a trial run will sell for $150-300,000 to a Singapore or Hong Kong-based buyer. A maiden winner is worth $250-500,000 offshore.
If Goodson actually said this, as indicated, he's either delusional or a fabricator of the truth.
It might happen, but it's the exception not the norm and it's subject to strenuous vet checks etc....
Huey reacted to this
10 hours ago, Trump said:
Are you suggesting as an industry we are better off with the closure of those tracks?
The only part of the industry that has benefited with the closure of those tracks is Awapuni and they haven't gone on to pass on those benefits to the industry. I'm all for the closures of tracks if that is a choice the club makes itself or happens through lack of use or enthusiasm etc but forced closures is just a joke and only benefits a micro part of the industry i.e. another course.
Read the article above and the opinions and thoughts of those quoted in the article are those the types of people you want to be handing millions of dollars to so that they can supposedly remedy the industry of some of its woes? You'd be better off supporting the clubs to stay operational and enthusiastic than supporting these types of people who think racing is a factory and can be treated as such.
The biggest myth in NZ racing at the moment is too many tracks, when the real issue should be the over use of several tracks and the criminal under use of other tracks. Don't be fooled by all this garbage about better stand facilities when the real issue is better tracks for the product to race on, sport is TV driven nowadays.
We're Doomed and Breeder reacted to this
I'm not suggesting any $ be given back. Read my post again. I was suggesting that Awapuni and Foxton get together and discuss a merger. Selling their Awapuni asset and spending some of the proceeds on upgrading Foxton - a far better wet weather option with its sand base. Cheaper local real estate, a beach nearby, easy access etc. The Feilding Jockey Club is still going strong isn't it? Has its annual Gold Cup meeting at Awapuni. The Racing Club in Qld that has the highest average revenue per race is the Tatts Racing Club. It has just received an accolade from Racing Qld for marketing innovation. It conducts 4 race meeting per year and has the richest G1 in Qld for fillies and mares, The Tiara. It doesn't have a race track. It pays a huge rent to race at Eagle Farm and Doomben, yet still makes a profit on its race days. Just an example. So why have so many tracks covering such a small area in the North Island? I think the Foxton/Awapuni thing is a no brainer. JMHO mind you. The Club would end up financially stronger. They could even keep a small bit of the Awapuni land and develop it themselves. Just one example of what "could happen" if the Industry proactively helped themselves. This doesn't take away responsibility from NZTR and it's Administration - and that's another story.
Stables reacted to this
I am with Huey on track closures. If the club decides to close like Fielding and Bulls obviously did then that is OK. If they decide to put the funds from the sale of the track / facilities into stakes or they decide to fund a new local swimming pool for the locals kids --that is their decision.
On your idea of Awapuni merging with Foxton and developing Foxton ----brilliant idea, especially if they go all the way and think completely outside the square looking forward as much as they can. (ie. not just building a track setup like most of the others around NZ). For example, racing is developing in China, slowly but surely (see the new setup built with the help of the Hong Kong club in Guangzhou ) --maybe go over to China and sit down with movers and shakers to learn where it is heading and how there could possibly some link up with a new NZ set up.
They could do that at Foxton. There's room to expand the track and the main benefits I've already explained. It's only 20minutes drive from Palmerston North, 10min drive from Levin but more importantly, it's a ready made base for good wet weather racing. A "sand belt" race track! Gives punters confidence. I think the biggest hurdle would be MRC Officials. The best racecourse built with thought that I've visited in a "country" area, is the Sunshine Coast Track at Caloundra (Qld, Australia). The track was purpose built from nothing, by the then Qld Govt under guidance and $ from Racing Minister Russ Hinze (Waverley Star) it is fantastic. A very wide track, it's facilities have been built with the environment and climate in mind. It has a nice long run in and all horses get a chance. Stands and covered outdoor areas all face north capturing the winter sun. Breezes in summer are great and it's protected from the summer sun. It's great. No dilapidated wooden stand with wooden seats and birdshot everywhere. More importantly, all the public and Members viewing areas are on a mezzanine level and look down the track and also the Parade ring (mounting yard). You can venture to ground level if you wish to view from the track fence line. If anyone is ever in Qld, try to get to the races there. They race every Sun and also have summer twilight racing on Fridays. I could envisage a setup like that at Foxton.
Breeder, We're Doomed and bazach reacted to this
bazach 98
LocationMatangi
16 hours ago, chevy86 said:
Grandstands, unless they are going to be well used - which most now aren't, are an anachronism. A really nice race-course set up with terracing, shade sails etc, but no grandstand as such is Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. Aside from this, poorly maintained grandstands which are past their use by date, are one of the many "turn-offs" for people thinking of taking in a day at the races.
1 hour ago, Trump said:
What your saying makes sense and appears a good idea, the problem being it won't happen because it involves the established/favoured venue (Awapuni) giving up something to produce something better, those that run the industry won't let that happen as they have this little imaginary world in their minds where the established infrastructure is better than anything else because the stand has nice tables and chairs in it. If it was the other way round , i.e. like the M report the bigger venues swallowing the smaller venues then its a great idea and it has to happen cause it will save NZ racing.
Yes. Instead of trips to the Arc, useless Conferences in China or some other irrelevant place (as far as NZ Racing is concerned). They should go to Sunshine Coast and have a look at the set up. It's very very customer orientated. Forget Flemington, Moonee Valley and Caulfield. They have no relevance to NZ racing imho. As far as track and facility development goes, Sunshine Coast is a must visit. It may not completely suit NZ weather patterns, but it will show what can be done to make the race experience an enjoyable one for patrons. Below is a Birdseye map of the layout - for your interest.
napier, Huey and bazach reacted to this
Good work Trump. Hopefully there will be a taking up of the facilities layout concept when the new tracks go ahead (if and when that is!). I also think a facility near Foxton to replace Awapuni and Levin would be logical, and I do retain some optimism (maybe misplaced) that this could happen, along with a similar new central track to cater for Waikato racing into the future.
Tauhei Notts 557
LocationTauhei
New Zealand was a world leader. In 1952 the stake money for the Auckland Cup exceeded that for the Melbourne Cup!
Go To Topic Listing Thoroughbred Cafe


text:
@*
* Copyright 2015 Yahoo Inc. Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0
* See accompanying LICENSE file.
*@
@import scalaz.{\/}
@(cluster: String, errorOrClusterView: kafka.manager.ApiError \/ kafka.manager.model.ActorModel.CMView
)(implicit af: features.ApplicationFeatures, messages: play.api.i18n.Messages, menus: models.navigation.Menus)

@theMenu = {
    @views.html.navigation.clusterMenu(cluster,"Cluster","Summary",menus.clusterMenus(cluster)(
        errorOrClusterView.toOption.map(_.clusterContext.clusterFeatures).getOrElse(kafka.manager.features.ClusterFeatures.default)))
}

@main(
    "Kafka Manager",
    menu = theMenu,
    breadcrumbs=views.html.navigation.breadCrumbs(models.navigation.BreadCrumbs.withViewAndCluster("Summary",cluster))) {
<div class="col-md-6 un-pad-me">
    @errorOrClusterView.fold(views.html.errors.onApiError(_),views.html.cluster.clusterViewContent(cluster,_))
</div>
}


SOME THINGS AREN'T WORKING AS WE'D LIKE THEM TO SO WE WON'T BE TAKING ANY NEW ORDERS UNTIL THEY ARE FIXED. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER.
At RIDDEN, we create unique designs for clothing, posters, mugs, gifts & more for mountain bikers and road cyclists - inspired by some of the great rides in the UK & beyond.
"Ah wicked!!! Lovely lovely prints!! Really personal too. I rate it for sure! I love the mugs and the Surrey hills poster, really beautiful!!!! I'll take with me to Spain this winter to remind me of home trails."
TV Presenter, Vlogger, Bike rider, Promoter of cycling.
"Bought the t-shirt 'All Downhill from Here' because it's unique. Can't stand wearing the same boring designs you find everywhere else. Makes folk smile for various reasons too. Can't think why! "
"Cheers guys for completing our Tignes MTB trip for us- the shirt went down a treat, great for the Apres-ride nightlife and attracted plenty of attention. Washed it a million times now and still going strong!"
"Love the Barry Know's Best print, great quality and always gets comments when people see it in the house."
We celebrate the obvious and the hidden, the famous and the favourite, the how and where to ride. We look for any ride whether mountain bike trails, road routes or events & sportives.
Off-bike wear, gifts, and a library of routes and trails, designed and curated for passionate bike riders who are always thinking of the last ride, the next one, the unconquered and the shared triumphs (and disasters).


text:
Covid-19: New relief framework announced to allow adjustment of contract sums due to increased foreign manpower costs
To address foreign manpower cost increases in respect of work permit holders due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment No. 3) Bill ("Bill") was passed in Parliament on 11 May 2021. The Bill introduces a relief framework allowing parties such as contractors to apply to adjust the contract sum for their projects. Following the passing of the Bill, the Building and Construction Authority ("BCA") issued a circular on the new relief framework. The commencement date and subsidiary legislation of the relief framework have yet to be announced.
The introduction of the relief framework is further to the Ministry of Manpower ("MOM") announcement on 8 May 2021 on the increased foreign worker levy ("FWL") rebate for the construction, marine shipyard and process ("CMP") sectors. From May to December 2021, the FWL rebate for each work permit holder in the CMP sectors will be increased from S$90 per month to S$250 per month.
A brief overview of the relief framework is set out the below.
New Part 10A under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 ("COTMA")
In view of the increased foreign manpower cost due to foreign manpower shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bill introduces additional legislative relief under a new Part 10A of the COTMA ("Part 10A") to ensure that all parties along the value chain step up to co-share the increased costs.
Part 10A provides further support by allowing an assessor to adjust the contract sum of a construction contract that satisfies the stipulated criteria to address foreign manpower cost increase if parties to the contract are unable to renegotiate the construction contracts. The Part 10A relief period will apply from 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2021, subject to any extended date being prescribed.
Contractors are encouraged to negotiate in good faith with their customers/clients to reach a mutually agreeable arrangement to address the cost increase in respect of work permit holders performing the project. This applies to every tier of construction contract (for example, main contractors to negotiate with developers, subcontractors to negotiate with main contractors).
Under the relief framework, contractors can seek a determination by an assessor to adjust the contract sum to address the cost increase of the work permit holders should the negotiation be unsuccessful. The assessor will consider the application and render an outcome which is just and equitable in the circumstances of the case. Details in respect of the adjustments that the assessor may make will be set out in subsidiary legislation. The framework provides that the assessor must consider all relevant factual circumstances, such as the loss suffered or benefit obtained by any contractual party, when deciding what is just and equitable.
The following materials are available on the Ministry of National Development website www.mnd.gov.sg, BCA website www1.bca.gov.sg, and MOM website www.mom.gov.sg:
Second Reading Speech by Minister Desmond Lee on the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment No. 3) Bill
Round-Up Speech by Minister Desmond Lee on the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment No. 3) Bill
BCA circular: The Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment No. 3) Bill 2021 - Part 10a (Reliefs for construction contracts affected by increase in foreign manpower salary costs)
MOM press release: 15,000 firms in the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors to receive higher foreign worker levy rebates
Allen & Gledhill has a Covid-19 Resource Centre on our website www.allenandgledhill.com that contains knowhow and materials on legal and regulatory aspects of the Covid-19 crisis.
In addition, we have a cross-disciplinary Covid-19 Legal Task Force consisting of Partners across various practice areas to provide rapid assistance. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at covid19taskforce@allenandgledhill.com.
Ho Chien Mien
Singapore, Vietnam
ho.chienmien@allenandgledhill.com
Sathiaseelan Jagateesan
sathia@allenandgledhill.com
Lim Dao Kai
lim.daokai@allenandgledhill.com