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A 6-Step Guide to Making Sure Your Broker Is Legit

If you think illegal activity and other shenanigans by brokers and other investment professionals ended with the last Great Recession, you could be making a costly assumption. Although Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff and “Wolf of Wall Street” Jordan Belfort may have spent time behind bars, wrongdoing by brokers and others continues unabated and undetected. That’s why it’s important to check out brokers or investment advisors and their firms before doing business with them. You also should beware of certain signs that a financial professional may be trying to victimize you. Key Takeaways While investing has become safe, low-cost, and efficient for ordinary investors, some instances of brokerage fraud still do take place to fleece unsuspecting or greedy investors. There are several ways to check and see if your broker is legit. Always do your homework beforehand. Check the background of the firm and broker or planner for any disciplinary problems in the past, beware of cold calls, and check your statements for funny business. When in doubt, there are several routes to file complaints and seek restitution. Examples of Brokerage Fraud Here are just two examples of the continuing problems in the industry. The federal Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed fraud charges against a Massachusetts-based registered investment advisory firm and its owner. The agency accused Family Endowment Partners and its owner, Lee Dana Weiss, of, among other irregularities, advising clients to make certain investments without disclosing that Weiss would pocket half of the profits. The SEC also charged that clients were urged to invest $40 million in securities issued by companies in which Weiss had financial interests and from which Weiss received payments. In another case, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced that it had permanently barred from the securities industry a former registered representative of Caldwell International Securities Corp. after charging him with numerous securities violations, including churning customer accounts. Richard Adams’ excessive trading in two customer accounts from July 2013 to June 2014, FINRA said, generated more than $57,000 in commission while costing the customers more than $37,000 in losses. By taking these six steps, you can protect yourself from doing business with an unscrupulous broker or another financial professional: Beware of Cold Contacts Be wary of any broker or investment advisor who contacts you unsolicited from a company with which you’ve never done business. The contact could take the form of a phone call, email or letter. Don’t get sucked in by invitations to investment seminars that promise free lunches or other gifts aimed at getting to you lower your guard and invest blindly. Sixty-four per cent of those 40 or older who responded to a 2013 survey by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation said they had been invited to a “free lunch” seminar. And be especially suspicious of callers who use high-pressure sales tactics, tout once-in-a-lifetime opportunities or refuse to send written information about an investment, advises the SEC. Have a Conversation Whether you’re looking for a broker or a financial advisor, you need to be comfortable with the people who’ll be providing you with advice, products and services. Ask lots of questions about what the company offers and its experience with clients who have similar needs to your own. Also, find out what relationship you’ll have with the professional. Under a so-called fiduciary standard, financial professionals must put their clients’ interests above their own when, for example, recommending investments. That’s a higher level than the so-called suitability standard, in which the professional is required only to make recommendations that are consistent with the client’s best interests. While investment advisors always must follow the fiduciary standard, that’s not the case for broker-dealers—though you may be able to find a broker-dealer willing to adhere to the fiduciary standard. (See also: Choosing A Financial Advisor: Suitability Vs. Fiduciary Standards.) If you can’t get straight answers or the individual seems rushed or otherwise unwilling to provide you with full and clear information, go elsewhere. Don’t forget to ask about rates, fees and commissions. Registered investment advisors should also provide you with both parts of Form ADV (see Step 3’s section on the SEC). Do Some Research The first thing worth trying when researching a financial professional is a simple web search with the broker and firm name. That might bring up new releases or media reports of alleged wrongdoing or disciplinary actions, client conversations on online forums, background information, and other details. For instance, typing “Lee Dana Weiss” into a search engine brings up hundreds of thousands of results, including a link to the news release about the SEC complaint again him and his firm. Then try searching the regulatory agencies directly. Financial professionals and their firms are legally required to be registered with federal and state securities regulators. And that registration information, along with the details of disciplinary actions taken against the individuals or firms, is available to the public. Keep in mind that the agencies sometimes have overlapping enforcement jurisdiction and may provide similar information. Still, it’s worth checking them all because they may have different policies about the details they include and how long the data remain available. Here is a list: State securities regulators: The regulators in your state likely have information on licensing, registration and disciplinary actions about brokers and brokerage firms, as well as on registered investment advisors. Also check any advice your state offers for researching a broker or investment advisor, such as the investor education materials offered by the New Jersey Bureau of Securities. FINRA: Another good source of information about brokers and their firms is the BrokerCheck website operated by FINRA, an independent, not-for-profit organization authorized by Congress to protect investors. Some states refer visitors to the FINRA for broker information. But even if your state’s site has a lot of information of its own, BrokerCheck is worth visiting just to see whether there are any additional details. To research by phone, call 800-289-9999. SEC: Along with many state regulatory agencies, a primary source of information about >>Read more
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Uncovering the Tragic Story of the Kursk Submarine Disaster

The Kursk submarine was a state-of-the-art vessel of the Russian Navy, equipped with the latest technology and designed for optimum safety. Yet, on August 12, 2000, the Kursk suffered a catastrophic explosion that resulted in the loss of all 118 crew members on board. The incident sent shockwaves through the international community, sparking debates and investigations into the cause of the disaster. The Kursk was participating in a military exercise in the Barents Sea when the explosion occurred. The exact cause of the explosion remains a subject of speculation, but most experts believe that a torpedo malfunction was the trigger. The initial blast caused a fire that spread quickly through the submarine, leading to a series of secondary explosions. The crew had no chance of survival as the submarine quickly sank into the ocean floor. The Russian government was heavily criticized for its handling of the disaster. The initial response was slow and inadequate, and the government was reluctant to accept international help in the rescue efforts. The Kursk submarine was eventually raised from the ocean floor and the remains of the crew were retrieved, but the incident left a lasting impact on the Russian people and the world. Today, the Kursk submarine serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of underwater exploration and the importance of international cooperation in times of crisis. The story of the Kursk highlights the bravery of the crew and the sacrifices made in the name of serving their country. Kursk Submarine Disaster is a somber chapter in the history of naval warfare and a testament to the unrelenting pursuit of technological advancement in the face of danger. In conclusion, the Kursk submarine disaster is a story of bravery, tragedy, and lessons learned. As we remember the 118 crew members who lost their lives in the incident, we should strive to learn from their sacrifice and work toward a safer future for all submariners.
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What type of hosting do you need?

There are many web hosting options available nowadays: free web hosting, shared hosting, dedicated server, and the list goes on. All these options serve the same purpose, which is hosting your content so that it can be accessed and viewed by people on the Internet. The major difference is how each is structured as well as the benefits they offer. Let’s have a closer look at each of them. Free Web Hosting What can be better than a free web hosting plan? This is a great option for someone who wants to create a homepage or small website to share with friends and family. While free web hosting has received criticism for its lack of features, security, and customer support, there are a few reliable free web hosting providers that you can trust. However, keep in mind that free web hosting is more geared for giving you a taste of having and maintaining a small, personal website. If you want to establish a powerful web presence with an online business, you will need to consider a paid hosting service that offers more control, security, and reliability. Shared Hosting As the name implies, shared hosting is an environment where you are sharing space on a web server with other users. As clients are sharing the cost of the server, this is the most affordable and popular solution for personal users and small businesses as companies to set up blogs, e-commerce, and other advanced applications. However, when hosting on a shared server, you are exposed to all the activities of your neighbors. If someone makes a huge scripting error, the entire server can suffer. If someone experiences a sudden burst in traffic, your site might run slower. If the server goes down, so does your website and ultimately, your business. Dedicated Hosting When your business takes off and requires more than the typical sharing server resources, it’s time to move up to the dedicated server. Now you’re in the big leagues with an entire server dedicated to your hosting needs. However, without any experience, succeeding with this hosting option is nearly impossible – those who require a dedicated server but don’t know a thing about server administration can get by with managed hosting. In this scenario, the hosting service provider handles all the management tasks which free you up to focus on other areas of the business. Keep in mind that a managed service requires is generally more costly. What is the Best Hosting For You? The best advice we can give about hosting is to know what you’re getting into. Free services are geared for personal sites, shared hosting is suited for small businesses and a dedicated server is designed for larger hosting needs, yet is far more expensive. By knowing what your site requires, it will be much easier to determine which is the best solution.
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A post-war surfing renaissance is underway in Africa’s oldest republic

Nestled between Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, Liberia is the oldest republic in Africa. But despite its historic legacy, in the minds of many outsiders, the West African nation is still more commonly associated with civil war and convicted war criminal Charles Taylor. But at the end of the second civil war in 2003, as Liberia was on the cusp of democratically electing the continent’s first female head of state, a different narrative was emerging in the fishing village of Robertsport; one that would ultimately change the culture of this tiny seaside community on the border of Sierra Leone. “After the war in 2003, some Americans came to Robertsport, where they started surfing our waves,” recalls local surfer Philip Banini. “(They) came across a Black guy, Alfred Lomax, who was the first Liberian surfer, and they taught him the sport. And that was how he too started sharing it with the locals around here.” Lomax, now the country’s most recognized and decorated surfer, taught Banini, who in turn has taught countless others, growing the community from one into many. Today, inside Banini’s guesthouse hangs a sign that reads “When nothing is going right, surf a left” — a reference to the left break for which Robertsport is famous. The village is now one of Liberia’s three main surfing destinations, the others being the capital Monrovia, and Harper on the border with Ivory Coast. Between the palm trees and long stretches of sandy beach which hug the Atlantic Ocean, every day the water is dotted with surfers. To borrow a surfing expression, “the stoke is real.” A growing community Surfing has a long history in Africa. The earliest account, from Ghana in the 1640s, even predates the earliest record from surfing’s spiritual home of Hawaii. The parallel development and history of African surfing are less well known, and the sport remains less established than in other parts of the world. But a renaissance is underway. Today, Robertsport is a world apart from when Canadians Kent Bubbs and Landis Wyatt first set foot on its beach. Since relocating to Liberia 15 years ago, Bubbs has witnessed how the community of roughly 4,000 people has grown to include over 60 local surfers. “There are more and more surfers every year,” Bubbs tells CNN. “The kids who used to surf originally are now having kids, and those kids are surfing — it is becoming generational. We often see multiple family members out surfing together.” Among them are the former men’s national surf champion Oscar Comney and his younger brother, Massalley “Samon” Comney, whom Oscar taught how to surf. Through their NGO Universal Outreach Foundation, Bubbs and Wyatt have played an active role in helping to grow the Liberian surf community through surf tourism initiatives. They also find sponsors for the country’s only national surf competition, which they run in collaboration with Robertsport’s Surf Club. “The idea behind (the competition) was simply to give the youth and kids of Robertsport something to look forward to,” Bubbs explains. “Surfing has become a place where the young people can go and enjoy the company of their friends, compete against each other, and be in an environment where they can express themselves and work through some of the challenges of life with like-minded people.” Massalley recently won the Robertsport under 18s competition and plans to challenge his brother for the adult title in the future. One of eight children, the 17-year-old juggles working at Banini’s guest house and selling handmade bracelets to tourists to support his high school tuition. “I really love surfing because I feel like I’m the best man on planet Earth,” says the young up-and-comer. He’s also not the only one making a splash; Irene George is the only local female surfer from Robertsport and the current women’s competition champion. Her skills have earned her the nickname “Butterfly,” because she moves through the waves like she is flying. After a break from surfing to pursue studying hospitality in Monrovia, she is now back in the water and eager to prove herself. She hopes to inspire more Liberian women to take up surfing but acknowledges there are some challenges. “When (I) go around saying, ‘I want to teach you how to surf,’ they say, ‘I don’t know how to swim.’ Once you can swim you can surf, so we need to teach (people) how to swim first,” she says. It’s George’s plan to someday open a swim and surf school of her own called Liberian Future Surf School. Surf tourism Reputation and infrastructure could pave the way for Liberia to join South Africa and Morocco as key African surfing destinations. Robertsport is looking to tap into an international surfing market expected to be worth more than $4.8 billion by 2027, and riding its waves are tourists from all over the world. Despite tourism setbacks — first, from a two-year Ebola outbreak that began in 2014, followed by the Covid-19 pandemic — Banini says things are looking up. These tourists bring with them skills to share along with surfboards, wax, and dollars to contribute to the growing surf tourism economy. Some tourists donate boards to locals before flying home, while others are provided by Swiss NGO Provide the Slide, which collects old boards and ships them to countries all over West Africa. But with only one repair shop in all of Liberia, run by Bubbs, it’s not unusual to see local surfers happily sharing broken and battered boards. Bubbs recalls a time when the only visitor accommodation in Robertsport was camping on the beach, but that has changed as more guest houses have opened. Soon the Robertsport Surf Club will have its own property, which will be used to run surf lessons, and fishing trips and eventually offer accommodation too, diversifying opportunities in what is still a fishing-dependent local economy. In just a matter of years, surfing has become the heart of this community. “It’s about time that the country sees the importance of focusing >>Read more
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Shark attack, Little Bay: The victim wouldn’t want the shark to be destroyed

The family of a diving instructor killed by a great white shark in Sydney insisted he would not want the animal to be destroyed. Simon Nellist, 35 – described as a ‘kind, considerate man who loved life’ – died just 100m from horrified beachgoers at Little Bay on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Nellist, who grew up in Cornwall, in the United Kingdom, was due to marry his fiancée Jessie Ho this summer. His aunt Jacqui Seager, 62, said yesterday: ‘I don’t think Simon would want the shark to be killed. He loved nature. ‘He swam with sharks before. This isn’t the first time he’s gone out and seen them but he would still go out swimming. That’s brave. ‘I don’t think he ever thought they would hurt him. Sadly, this time it managed to get to him. ‘It’s absolutely horrendous. We are all in shock.’ Photographer Mrs. Seager, of Maidstone, Kent, added: ‘He swam most days. This is just a freak accident. It shows you can’t take life for granted.’ His death at Buchan Point on Wednesday forced authorities to close most beaches. Special ‘drum lines’ – aquatic traps using baited hooks to lure and capture large sharks – were set up in the water. However, they are controversial because sharks have died in them. They also often catch other wildlife. Mr. Nellist had hit out over their use saying they ‘protect no one’ and ‘need to go’. His death comes weeks before ‘smart’ drum lines were reportedly due to be installed which could have prevented the tragedy. Mother-of-three Mrs. Seager said: ‘He told his mum he was going to travel to Australia and that was that. He loved it so much that he stayed. ‘He met his girlfriend Jessie out there. They’re around the same age and instantly hit it off. They’ve been together for years. ‘She is totally in bits, as are his parents. I spoke to them last night and they are beyond belief. ‘They will never get through this – ever – as this is something you keep with you for life. I just feel so sorry for them. ‘They are planning to get out there as soon as they can but need to sort visas out. ‘Everyone was going to fly out there to see him get married in June or July but sadly it is now in much sadder circumstances.’ Mrs. Seager stressed: ‘Simon always loved the sea. He was always very close to it. He loved wildlife and the world. ‘He had a real love affair with nature. He was a very kind and considerate man who just loved life. He was a strong guy and did two tours of Afghanistan. ‘His mum said how could he return from the frontline unscathed to then go to Australia, go out for a swim, and get killed.’ Mr. Nellist served with the UK’s 34 Squadron, based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire. His shocked parents Mike and Rosemary, of Helston, Cornwall, declined to comment yesterday. Experts believe the shark which killed Mr Nellist on his daily swim was at least 10ft long and might have mistaken his wetsuit for a seal. He had been training for a swimming event on Sunday but it has now been canceled. Dr. Chris Pepin-Neff, of Sydney University, said such shark attacks were incredibly rare, with just ten or 12 of its kind in 30 years around the world. But he added: ‘It’s not crazy for sharks to bite humans thinking we might be prey.’ Mr. Nellist’s friend Della Ross described the diving community’s devastation, saying: ‘Everything that is connected to Simon is connected to the ocean. ‘The news hit us like a truck because he was one of the people who make this Earth lighter.’ Read more at DailyMail.co.uk
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