Finra suspension of in-person arb hearings harms investors, PIABA says
Finra’s ongoing suspension of in-person arbitration hearings protects brokers while harming investors involved in disputes, the Public Investors Advocate Bar Association asserted Monday. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. halted in-person arbitration proceedings when the coronavirus pandemic broke out more than a year ago. It has extended the postponement through July 2.PIABA President David P. Meyer criticized the broker-dealer self-regulator for not explaining what health thresholds must be met to resume in-person hearings.“The lack of transparency is concerning, particularly since the indefinite delay in Finra in-person hearings benefits the Finra-member brokers and brokerages firms defending the arbitration claims brought by their customers in this forum,” Meyer wrote in a letter Monday to Richard W. Berry, Finra executive vice president and director of Finra Dispute Resolution Services.Finra has restricted arbitration hearings in all 69 of its hearing locations. Meyer said PIABA analyzed the 20 largest Finra hearing locations and found that every jurisdiction is conducting in-person trials or plans to do so by July, highlighting courts in San Diego, New Mexico, Montana and Texas.“The bottom line is that if courts across the country can safely conduct civil jury trials, there is no question that Finra can facilitate in-person hearings,” Meyer wrote. Deepen relationships by leveraging ‘micro events’ for clients 5 “For these cases, the claimants are left with no access to justice,” Meyer wrote. “Of course, arbitrators and parties will be free to confer and make appropriate decisions when a high-risk individual is involved, but further blanket postponements of all in-person hearings is an overly rigid response to an evolving situation that leaves justice for aggrieved investors at a standstill.”But George Friedman, editor in chief and publisher of the Securities Arbitration Alert, said a backlog of 634 arbitration cases last August has been whittled to 88, according to his analysis of Finra arbitration statistics. In addition, the processing time for an arbitration case has fallen from 14.2 months at the end of 2019 to 13.5 months as of March.“One would think that if arbitration was stagnant, the backlog would be building not going down, as would processing time,” said Friedman, a former director of Finra arbitration.Meyer said Finra is the only nationwide arbitration forum that continues to lack a plan to restart in-person hearings. The American Arbitration Association will resume in-person proceedings on May 15. “We request that Finra publicize its health data criteria and thresholds used to decide whether to postpone hearings, weigh local circumstances and implement reasonable safety measures for restarting hearings,” he wrote.Finra should be more transparent about the suspension of in-person hearings, Friedman said.“Finra needs to respond [to PIABA] and show its work on how it concluded that none of its 69 hearing locations currently meet [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidance for resumption of in-person activities,” Friedman said. The Gates divorce: Lessons for financial advisers For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here,MOST READ As more people are vaccinated, Finra may resume in-person arbitration proceedings.“With the increasing availability of COVID vaccines, FINRA Dispute Resolution Services is actively reviewing conditions in its hearing locations and expects to resume in-person hearings in at least some locations in the near future,” Berry said in a statement. “The safety and well-being of parties, arbitrators, witnesses and other participants remains of paramount importance to us.” 3 1 House committee poised to advance SECURE 2.0 retirement savings bill Finra, which runs the arbitration system that adjudicates claims made by customers against brokerages and registered representatives, has allowed remote hearings if all parties agree. As of the end of March, 263 arbitration cases have conducted one or more hearings via Zoom, according to Finra arbitration statistics.But if a firm objects to a remote hearing, the claimant must petition the arbitration panel, which usually consists of three arbitrators, to allow the proceedings to occur via Zoom.The firms and reps involved in arbitration cases drag their feet because “they have no incentive to proceed with the case if they can push off a determination indefinitely,” Meyer wrote. More than one-third of claimant petitions for remote arbitration hearings are denied, he said. 2 InvestCloud to acquire Advicent and NaviPlan planning software House panel unanimously passes SECURE 2.0 Why Tony Robbins, tax shelters and financial advisers don’t mix 4 Newsletters Subscribe for original insights, commentary and analysis of the issues facing the financial advice community, from the InvestmentNews team.
Last Tuesday night, just as the light was fading, a lorry pulled into a stable-yard in Ireland’s County Wicklow, and when the ramp was lowered a lovely bay mare stepped back in time. It was 10 years since Paulank Brockagh, better known as Brocks, was packed into a trailer by her breeder Paula Cullen for a trip to Australian rider Sam Griffiths’ base in Dorset (GBR) from where a glorious story would begin to unfold.Brocks “the banker” as Sam describes her, would become the rock on which the Australian Eventing team could rely over the following decade. Her pathfinding performances at both the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Caen (FRA) where the team finished fourth, and at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games where she helped clinch team bronze and finished fourth individually, are the stuff of legend.She conquered Badminton (GBR) in 2014 thanks to an epic cross-country run, and had a total of 35 international outings, 12 at 5-Star level, and top-ten finishes at Badminton, Burghley (GBR), Pau (FRA) and Luhmühlen (GER). But just a few short weeks ago her owner, Dinah Posford, and Sam decided it was time for the mare to retire and that she should return to live out her days in Ireland.So last Tuesday night, after giving her a few minutes to relax and graze following her trip across the Irish Sea, Paula walked Paulank Brockagh back to the stable where she was born 17 years ago. It was an emotional reunion, bringing back a lot of memories, and Paula made that walk with pride.First refusal“When we sold her in 2010 I said to Dinah that if she ever bred from her I’d love to have first refusal on the foal. So when I got the call to ask if I’d like to retire her here I couldn’t hold back the tears!”, Paula says.It was particularly poignant because Brocks’ dam, Calendar Girl, only passed away three months ago at the age of 29. But Brocks will be surrounded by many of her siblings now that she’s home in the Wicklow hills.Paula has bred all kinds of champions in her day. Initially known as a top producer of Welsh ponies, she enjoyed plenty of big moments at shows in the hallowed Royal Dublin Society arena but now finds herself at the venue more frequently to see her rugby-star son, Leo who had 32 caps for Ireland, in action as Head Coach for Leinster.When she established Paulank (her own name combined with that of her husband, Frank) Sport Horses, then Brocks really put her on the map. The Irish Sport Horse mare got a great grounding with Joseph Murphy and Daryll Walker before finishing third in the CIC1* at Ballinacoola in Ireland in 2009 with Heidi Hamilton on board. The following spring Paula delivered her to Sam who steered her into eighth place in the 7-Year-Old category at the prestigious FEI World Breeding Federation Young Horse Championships at Le Lion d’Angers (FRA) in October, by which time she was in new ownership.Dinah Posford had been on the lookout for a horse to share with her daughter Jules and husband Steve when she heard about Brocks from her friend Juliet Donald, with whom she already co-owned another of Sam’s top rides, Happy Times.“Happy was full steam ahead at the time, but when Juliet told me about Brocks I went to see her and thought there was something about her and that it would be lovely to have a mare, so we bought her”. It turned out to be an excellent decision. “The fun we’ve had with her and the joy she has brought us – you couldn’t make it up!” says Dinah.And the day she cherishes most from Brocks’ career? “When she won at Badminton, it was such an exceptional year, only 32 completed out of 78 starters, she was lying 25th after Dressage but went right up to fifth after cross-country and when she won I was in a daze! It was just wonderful!”Incredible cross-countrySam says what made Brocks so special to ride is that she always gave her all. “I’ve never ridden a horse that would try so hard, she was a naturally good jumper, needed some training on the flat but an incredible cross-country horse.Sam and Brocks.“I really felt that I could point her at a house and she’d try to jump it!” ~ Sam Griffiths (AUS) talking about Paulank Brockagh“She would give you so much confidence, she wasn’t the quickest but where she came to the fore was at 5-Star level, she had such endurance, she could just keep going and keep trying, especially on the last day she’d still give it everything she had.“In Rio (2016 Olympic Games) the cross-country was really tough and when I was the first to go for the team and so many of the other team’s first riders were struggling I was filled with trepidation. So to get such a brilliant ride and then to do two showjumping clears, that was a real thrill. In Rio the proper jumpers really came to the fore”, Sam says.They missed individual bronze by less than two penalty points, pinning Australian compatriot Chris Burton into fifth by just 0.5. Earlier in Brock’s career Chris, who is a world-class trainer as a well as an athlete and a great friend of Sam’s, was unimpressed by her. “When he visited one time I told him you have to sit on this mare – I think she might be my next Badminton horse – but he didn’t think too much of her that day. He fell in love with her a few years later though!” Sam recalls with a giggle.Much as she is adored however, Brocks can be a bit of a madam, especially with people on the ground. “She’s quite opinionated and when she doesn’t want to go somewhere she just bolts off in the walk. She used to make me laugh – you’d take her somewhere like Badminton where the horses are allowed to graze on the front lawn and she’d set her eye on where she wanted to go and just storm off, the groom would be water-skiing at the end of the lead-rope and Brocks wouldn’t give a damn!“A 20-stone man wouldn’t stop her when she wants to go somewhere, and the better she got the more of a diva she became!”, Dinah agrees. “Yes she’s her own person alright”, says Paula. “I took her once to Boswell (Equestrian Centre in Wicklow) and she sent me flying while I was trying to hold her. She was always a bit impetuous, and I don’t think that’s changed!”Decision to retireThe decision to retire her wasn’t easily taken. Her last big outing was at Luhmühlen last summer and she was being targeted at Badminton again this year. “It would have been her seventh time there, and it would have been great to produce another good result and then retire her on the last day”, Sam says, but it wasn’t to be. With the pandemic bringing everything to a shuddering halt, even another run at Burghley was out of the question, so Sam and Dinah talked it through and decided enough was enough.“Dinah’s had horses with me for 20 years now and she’s a proper owner. She does everything for the love of the horse and never wants to push them. The most important thing for her is that they come home safe. Brocks was starting to feel her age, she had a lot of miles on the clock and she didn’t owe anyone anything. She still looks a treat, so although I was upset to see her leaving I’m really pleased that a horse of her calibre finishes her career happy and sound”, says Sam.“At the end of day she’s retiring fit and healthy, and she deserves it. I think it would have been tempting fate to do any more – I couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to her”, Dinah points out. “She’s 100 percent sound and there’s not a blemish on her, that’s wonderful to see”, agrees Paula who is planning to get Brocks settled before turning her out for a summer of complete freedom so that she switches off from competition mode.Because as one chapter of her life comes to an end, another may be about to begin. It won’t be anytime soon, but it’s just possible another star could be born in the stable where Brocks was foaled.They are only talking about it in whispers now, but for Dinah and Paula in particular, that would be the stuff of dreams….. Tags: eventing, Sam Griffiths, Paulank Brockagh, Brocks, Paula Cullen, Subscribe to the Horse Sport newsletter and get an exclusive bonus digital edition! We’ll send you our regular newsletter and include you in our monthly giveaways. PLUS, you’ll receive our exclusive Rider Fitness digital edition with 15 exercises for more effective riding. Horse Sport Enews More from News:MARS Bromont CCI Announces Requirements For US-Based RidersThe first set of requirements to allow American athletes and support teams to enter Canada for the June 2-6 competition have been released.Canadian Eventer Jessica Phoenix Reaches the 100 CCI4*-S MarkPhoenix achieved the milestone while riding Pavarotti at the inaugural 2021 CCI4*-S at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.Tribunal Satisfied That Kocher Made Prolonged Use of Electric SpursAs well as horse abuse, the US rider is found to have brought the sport into disrepute and committed criminal acts under Swiss law.Washington International Horse Show Returns to TryonTIEC will again provide the venue for the WIHS Oct. 26-31 with a full schedule of hunter, jumper and equitation classes. SIGN UP Email*
Chair, Department ofPhysician Assistant StudiesThe George Washington University School of Medicine and HealthSciences seeks a full-time faculty member to serve as Chair of theDepartment of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies. This is anopen rank, non-tenure track faculty appointment. Our locationin the heart of the nation’s capital affords faculty and studentsthe opportunity to develop deep connections to Washington,D.C.-based governmental and non-governmental organizations involvedin health care policy and health professions education.The Department of PA Studies is one of twenty-three departmentsin the School and one of four within the Health Sciences. The Chairreports directly to the Senior Associate Dean for Health Sciencesand will use their leadership skills and administrative experienceto guide the department’s education programs, clinical activities,research, and service initiatives. The Chair will developinnovative approaches to enhancing the department’s research andclinical initiatives and will partner with fellow chairs and otherleaders to advance interprofessional education and collaborativepractices. The Chair will foster a culture that advancesscholarship and advancements in teaching and learning.Basic qualifications: Applicants must hold aterminal degree, specifically a master’s degree for a PA ordoctoral degree for a physician and be eligible for licensure inthe District of Columbia at the time of appointment. A minimum offive years of experience in a research-intensive university oracademic medical center is required.To Apply: Please complete the onlineapplication at https://www.gwu.jobs/postings/82319and upload a CV and cover letter. Review of applications will beginon April 29, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. Onlycomplete applications will be considered. Rank and salarycommensurate with experience and qualifications. Employment offersare contingent on the satisfactory outcome of a standard backgroundscreening.The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AffirmativeAction employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of itsprograms or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexualorientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basisprohibited by applicable law.
Twitter Ban on drivers using handheld phones clears Indiana House Pinterest Facebook Google+ Facebook Pinterest WhatsApp WhatsApp IndianaLocalNews By Associated Press – January 30, 2020 0 238 Previous articleIndiana governor signs spending plan for unexpected revenueNext articleSuspects, victim in deadly home invasion in Dowagiac identified Associated PressNews from the Associated Press and its network of reporters and publications. Google+ Photo by Tommie Lee INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana House has endorsed a proposal that would ban motorists from using handheld cellphones, a step that supporters say is aimed at combating distracted driving.House members voted 86-10 Wednesday in favor of the bill that only permits cellphone use with hands-free technology, except in emergencies.The bill would broaden the state’s current ban on texting while driving that officials have said is unenforceable and doesn’t include actions such as emailing, using apps such as Snapchat or viewing videos.Twenty-one other states already have similar bans.The proposal, which has Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s support, now goes to the Senate for consideration. Twitter
Since the breakup of R.E.M. in 2011, the band’s iconic frontman Michael Stipe has generally shied away from the spotlight. Yesterday, however, he made a surprise, unannounced appearance at a Patti Smith concert at Webster Hall, opening the show with a six-song set.The set included: R.E.M.’s “Saturn Return” and “New Test Leper”, a cover of Vic Chesnutt’s “Lucinda Williams”, Patti Smith’s “Wing”, Perfume Genius’s “Hood”, and the classic “New York, New York.”While the performance was unannounced, Stipe did recently appear on CBS This Morning, saying, “I think I’ll sing again. That’s maybe an exclusive. But I think I will sing again.” Here’s audio of the two R.E.M. songs performed by Stipe:[Via CoS]
Nas – “Ultra Black” – LyricsNas, Nas, NasYeahNas, NasWe goin’ (We goin’) we goin’ (We goin’)Uh, uhMy pants ‘posed to sag, yeahWe goin’ ultra, yeahWe goin’ ultra black, I gotta toast to thatWe don’t fold or crack (We goin’)Occasion, we rose to that, fuck goin’ postal (Uh)We goin’ ultra blackWatchin’ the global change, hop in the coldest RangeHit-Boy on the beat, this shit ‘posed to slapWe goin’ ultra black, we goin’ (We goin’)We goin’ (We goin’) uhRhythm and blues, pop, rock to soul to jazz‘Til my toes are tagged (Uh)How I look being told I’m not supposed to brag?Nobody fault, I tell the truth, I know it’s facts, we ultra blackGrace Jones skin tone, but multi thatMultiple colors, we come in all shades, mocha blackAccept where I’m at and not fight me on it (Uh)Emotional stares like I might be wanted (Yeah)Pitch black like the night, I’m ultra blackSanford and Son reruns, jokes are black (Ha)Oh yes, oh yes, God bless successWe goin’ ultra black, like the Essence FestTalk with a mask on, the freshest breathAfrican black, so caress the fleshSuperfly, The Mack, sittin’ fly in the ‘LacTake the boat on the water, history talks with my daughter (Dest’)My son’ll be my resurrection (Knight)Constantly learnin’ lessons, I never die, you get the message?I hope you be better than I, life’s precious (Precious)Two steppin’Sometimes I’m over-black, even my clothes are blackCash Money with the white tee and the soldier ragWe goin’ ultra black, unapologetically blackThe opposite of Doja Cat, Michael Blackson blackWe goin’ ultra black, I gotta toast to thatWe don’t fold or crack (Nas, Nas)Occasion, we rose to that, fuck goin’ postalWe goin’ ultra blackWatchin’ the global change, hop in the coldest RangeHit-Boy on the beat, this shit ‘posed to slapWe goin’ ultra black (Yeah)We goin’ (We goin’, we goin’)We goin’ ultra blackRaiders, Oakland hat, I smoke to thatPre-rolls and ‘gnac, what’s the results to that?C-notes and bags (Uh)She knows I’m classy like I’m Billy Dee Williams (Smooth)Go ultra black (Uh), Isaac Kennedy films, Penitentiary IIBlack like out in the Lou’, black don’t crackIt’s like the fountain of youth, the culture’s blackLike Iman, she beautiful, goin’ ultra blackTo Africa, you say, “Go back”I stay pro-black, my Amex black (Ah)Black like cornrows, afrosBlack like Kaep’ blackballed from the Superbowls (Colin)Hall & Oates, I can’t go for thatMotown Museum, Detroit, I’m ultra blackThis for New York and all the mapNo matter your race, to me, we all are blackWe goin’ ultra black, I gotta toast to thatWe don’t fold or crack (We don’t fold or crack)Occasion, we rose to that, fuck goin’ postal (This a celebration)We goin’ ultra blackWatchin’ the global change, hop in the coldest RangeHit-Boy on the beat, this shit ‘posed to slapWe goin’ ultra black (Black is beautiful)We goin’ (Black is beautiful)Nas, Nas (Nas)View Lyrics Nas has announced King’s Disease, the rapper’s thirteenth studio album due out on August 21st via Mass Appeal/Def Jam. King’s Disease sees production from Hit-Boy and follows his 2019 compilation record, The Lost Tapes 2, and his 2018, Kanye West-produced studio album, NASIR. Nas has also recently released the first single from the effort, entitled “Ultra Black”.Throughout the single, Nas paid tribute to the black community and many of the artistic contributions it has made to society. “Rhythm and blues, pop, rock to soul to jazz,” he mentioned in the first verse. “Multiple colors, we come in all shades, mocha black,” he continued, shouting-out figures like Grace Jones, Sanford and Son, Colin Kaepernick, Motown Records, Billy Dee Williams, Leon Isaac Kennedy, and more. Nas even made sure to throw shade at Doja Cat and Michael Jackson in the same line, saying, “We goin’ ultra black, unapologetically black/The opposite of Doja Cat, Michael Blackson black.”Related: Anderson .Paak Shares New Single, “Lockdown”, Recruits Syd, Andra Day, More For Black Lives Matter-Inspired Video [Watch]As usual, Nas seemed to effortlessly link rhyme after rhyme over the Hit-Boy production. Prominent with piano, the subtle complexity of the music really emphasized Nas’ vocals and allowed him to speak his truth over the 3:18 runtime. He said as much in a video trailer posted to Twitter earlier this week.“I’ve been trying to do this with this man for years,” Nas exclaimed at the beginning of the trailer, which captured the duo in the studio together. He continued, “I’m proud of this piece. I’m super, super proud.”Check out “Ultra Black” below, scroll down for the full lyrics, and click here to pre-order/pre-save Nas’ forthcoming album, King’s Disease.Nas (ft. Hit-Boy) – “Ultra Black”
ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) – If someone needs help ambulance crews are there 24/7. But now they need help, and because of it some responders are working 72-hour shifts. The long shifts are to cover for the lack of full-time paramedics.
Star Files Show Closed This production ended its run on June 22, 2014 Tony winner Linda Lavin is set to return to the Vineyard Theatre in the world premiere of playwright Nicky Silver’s new play Too Much Sun. Directed by Tony nominee Mark Brokaw, Too Much Sun will begin previews at the off-Broadway theater on May 1, 2014. Opening night is scheduled for May 20. The play reunites Lavin, Silver and Brokaw following their collaboration on 2012’s The Lyons, which ran at the Vineyard before moving to Broadway. Linda Lavin Related Shows Too Much Sun tells the story of Audrey Langham (Lavin), a celebrated actress who unravels completely while preparing for a new production of Medea. With nowhere else to go, she descends upon her married daughter for a summer by the sea. She is not, however, greeted with confetti and champagne. Her arrival sets off a chain of events alternately hilarious and harrowing. Lavin earned a Tony nod for her performance as Rita in The Lyons. She is currently appearing on NBC’s Sean Saves the World and played the title character on the sitcom Alice from 1976 to 1985, for which she picked up two Golden Globe awards. Lavin won a Tony Award for Broadway Bound and received additional Tony nominations for Collected Stories, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, The Diary of Anne Frank and Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Her other screen credits include Wanderlust, The Back-Up Plan, Conrad Bloom, The Sopranos, The Ring and The Muppets Take Manhattan. Too Much Sun View Comments
Aljazeera: It is common sense — espoused by “Sesame Street” and psychology textbooks alike — that humans have distinct emotions, each with characteristic expressions. When you’re angry, you furrow your brow and yell. When you’re sad, you frown and cry. Charles Darwin hypothesized that human emotions have evolved just as physical features have, and the psychologist Paul Ekman, known for his work on microexpressions, has traveled the world showing that people everywhere recognize the same facial movements as expressing the same emotions — anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness and surprise.A few psychologists, including Lisa Barrett of Northeastern University, are upending this view. In two new papers, she and her collaborators test the notion of universal emotional expression among a group of people living in a remote region of Namibia. Their results, showing big cultural differences in emotional recognition, have strong implications for therapy, the law, business and even national security.Read the whole story: Aljazeera See Paul Ekman at the 26th APS Annual Convention. More of our Members in the Media >
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