Tesla shares sink after key executives exit
Tesla shares have fallen sharply after two senior executives abruptly left the electric car firm headed by Elon Musk.
The chief accounting officer has left less than a month after joining, while its HR officer is also reported to have resigned a year after joining.
The resignations came just hours after the firm's controversial chief executive Mr Musk smoked marijuana live on the web during a podcast with comedian Joe Rogan.
Shares fell over 10% in early US trade.
Accounting officer Dave Morton's resignation was announced in an official filing with US regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Meanwhile, its chief people officer Gaby Toledano had decided not to return to the firm after a period of absence, according to newswire Bloomberg.
Mr Morton, who joined Tesla on 6 August, resigned on 4 September.
He said his decision to quit was due to the higher-than-expected "level of public attention placed on the company, as well as the pace within the company."
"I want to be clear that I believe strongly in Tesla, its mission, and its future prospects, and I have no disagreements with Tesla's leadership or its financial reporting," he added.
The fallout comes as the firm is under renewed scrutiny due to the erratic behaviour of Mr Musk.
In July he shocked investors by announcing on Twitter that he had funding secured to take his car firm Tesla private. He later said the firm would stay public.
He also tweeted that he might suffer from bipolar disorder but then said "maybe not medically".
In August he told the New York Times that he worked "120-hour weeks" and took sedatives.
His brother Kimbal Musk told the newspaper that the reason Mr Musk "seems to attract drama" is because he is "so transparent, so open, in a way that can come back to bite him".
Since Mr Musk announced his plan to delist Tesla, its share price has dropped by 20%.
Some analysts have urged the firm to appoint another senior leader.
James Albertine, an analyst at Consumer Edge, said it had previously called for a co-chief executive or chief operating officer to help balance the leadership structure.
"We think this is further evidence that the time is now for management and the board to address these issues," he added.
Syria war: Russia rejects Turkey's calls for Idlib truce
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected Turkey's calls for a truce to prevent a "bloodbath" in north Syria.
At a trilateral meeting with Iran and Turkey, Mr Putin said Russia would continue its fight against "terrorists" in Idlib province.
Idlib is the Syrian opposition's last major stronghold, with almost three million residents.
Syrian military forces, backed by Russia and Iran, are poised to launch a major offensive there soon.
The three-way meeting in Tehran had been seen by many as a final chance to prevent a large-scale battle in Idlib.
Syria has been in a civil war since 2011, after a peaceful uprising against President Bashar al-Assad turned into a conflict that has killed more than 350,000 people.
MULTIPLE SYSTEMS IN THE ATLANTIC
September 7th 2018 – The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has been issuing advisories for multiple systems in the Atlantic. Residents are encouraged to pay close attention to the Atlantic and are encouraged to continue with preparations as we move further into the peak of the season.
ACCORDING TO BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST OFFICE SECTION,…FLORENCE WEAKENS A LITTLE MORE BUT STILL EXPECTED TO RESTRENGTHEN OVER THE WEEKEND.
AT 5:00 AM EDT, THE CENTER OF HURRICANE FLORENCE WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 25.1°NORTH AND LONGITUDE 50.7° WEST OR ABOUT 925 MILES EAST-NORTHEAST OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS OR 1590 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF BERMUDA.
FLORENCE IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST AT 7 MPH. A TURN TOWARD THE WEST NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 65 MILES PER HOUR (MPH) WITH HIGHER GUSTS. FLORENCE IS FORECAST TO RESTRENGHTEN AND BECOME A HURRICANE AGAIN OVER THE WEEKEND.
At present current projections from the Bahamas of Meteorology take this system further north where it should not pose a threat to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
(1) AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE ABOUT 500 MILES WEST OF THE CABO VERDE ISLANDS HAS A 90% CHANCE OF CYCLONE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO.
(2) A TROPICAL WAVE ACCOMPANYING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM NEAR THE WEST AFRICAN COAST HAS A 90% CHANCE OF CYCLONE DEVELOPMENT LATER TODAY OR OVER THE WEEKEND.
The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) will continue to monitor the systems and provide updates accordingly. Now is a good time to review family emergency plans to ensure that you have the necessities.
You can also visit the DDME’s webpage at www.gov.tc/ddme.com or like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TCI.ddme.com.
Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from the Bahamas Department of Meteorology. This information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local weather conditions. By no means can the DDME or the Turks and Caicos Islands Government be held accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of finances, property or life.
SOURCE - DDME
10 YEARS POST HURRICANE HANNAH AND IKE AND 1-YEAR POST POST IRMA AND MARIA
September 7th, an unforgettable date in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). Notwithstanding, there was no loss of life, Hurricanes Ike in 2008 and Irma in 2017 brought the chain of islands together to recover from nationwide devastation.
Declared ‘Disaster Areas,’ both the islands of Grand Turk and South Caicos were ravaged by Category 4 Hurricane Ike on September 7th, 2008. Ike was responsible for extensive damages to approximately 85% of physical infrastructure, with an estimated cost of USD6.3 million for reconstruction.
Still in recovery mode from the extensive devastation caused by Hurricane Irma last year, it is opportune that the people of the TCI reflect on the importance of being prepared, especially as we are currently in the peak of this Atlantic Hurricane Season. The TCI experienced the passage of two major hurricanes within a span of two weeks in 2017; Irma Category 5 (7th September) and Maria Category 3 (21st September). In addition to structural damages to critical infrastructure such as schools, hospital facilities and utilities, the emotional impact borne by our people highlights the need to become more resilient to disaster impacts.
As a nation, we remain committed to building capacity and resilience in communities across the chain of islands. Disaster Risk Reduction best practices have been reinforced in our Faith – Based, Community – Based and Non-Governmental Organizations. In fact, disaster resilience awareness continues to secure its spot on our school circulars. With climate change, gender and psychosocial centered approaches also being incorporated on the agenda of key stakeholders, the TCI is sure to maintain a solid state of preparedness.
The principles of Public Private Partnerships are also embedded in the TCI’s approach to building resilience. The TCI now serves as a sustainable model for response and early recovery within the Caribbean Region due to the existing relationships between the government and critical private sector agencies. Our experiences have also contributed to the forging of new relationships with the business community, as continuity of operations is also vital to our resilience.
Fulfilling the mandate as the national coordinating, promoting and monitoring body for Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) in the TCI, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) can boast on improvements made as a result of the lessons learnt post impact. In addition, to building technical capacity within the Department, the National Disaster Management Plan and other key sectoral plans have either been reviewed or drafted, approximately 150 residents throughout the TCI were trained in Damage and Needs Assessments, Shelter Management and Community Emergency Response Teams operations during the months of August and September, 2018, an official Shelter List was published for all islands and public education campaigns were executed at the start of this year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season.
As we reflect on the past storms and look towards the future let us remember that the Turks and Caicos story of how we were able to rebound so quickly from such devastation is now a model for the world, and it was more than just cleaning up or reconstruction…it was our spirit! We were determined not to be out for the count. Let us all continue to play our part in building resilience in the Turks and Caicos Islands
DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
The Department of Registration & Citizenship within the Ministry of Border Control and Employment hosted a five (5) day in-house Seminar, during the period of Monday, August 27th to Friday, August 31st 2018.
The Seminar, included staff from the Attorney General’s Chambers, Department of Registration & Citizenship, and other colleagues from the Ministry of Border Control and Employment.
The primary focus of the training included:
- Overseas Territory Registration & Nationality
- Overseas Registration and Nationality Legislation guide
- Fraud Awareness-Guidance on examining identity documents
- British Overseas Territory Citizenship Registration Case work guide
The training was hosted by UK lecturers, Mrs. Elisa Jackson and Ms. Natalie Fearon from the UK Home Office.
The Department of Registration & Citizenship would like to extend sincere thanks to the Deputy Governor’s office, all participants and offers sincerest apologies to the general public for any delays that this training would have caused.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROGOLY
(1) A BROAD AND ELONGATED AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IS CENTERED SEVERAL HUNDRED
MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE CABO VERDE ISLANDS.
A TROPICAL DEPRESSION IS EXPECTED TO FORM WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS WHILE THE SYSTEM MOVES SLOWLY WESTWARD OR WEST-NORTHWESTWARD ACROSS THE TROPICAL ATLANTIC OCEAN. IT HAS A HIGH (70 PERCENT) CHANCE OF TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION THROUGH 48 HOURS AND HIGH (90 PERCENT) CHANCE THROUGH 5 DAYS.
(2) A TROPICAL WAVE IS FORECAST TO MOVE OFF THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA ON FRIDAY. SOME DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM IS ANTICIPATED AFTER THAT TIME, AND A TROPICAL DEPRESSION COULD FORM OVER THE WEEKEND OR EARLY NEXT WEEK WHILE THE WAVE MOVES WESTWARD OR WEST-NORTHWESTWARD OVER THE FAR EASTERN TROPICAL ATLANTIC OCEAN. IT HAS A LOW (10 PERCENT) CHANCE THROUGH 5 DAYS.
The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) will continue to monitor the systems and provide updates accordingly. Now is a good time to review family emergency plans to ensure that you have the necessities.
You can also visit the DDME’s webpage at www.gov.tc/ddme.com or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TCI.ddme.com.
Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from the Bahamas Department of Meteorology. This information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local weather conditions. By no means can the DDME or the Turks and Caicos Islands Government be held accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of finances, property or life.
THE PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT THURSDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2018
GENERAL SITUATION: A MID TO UPPER LEVEL LOW WILL INTERACT WITH A SURFACE TROUGH JUST EAST OF THE AREA ALONG WITH A MOIST AND UNSTABLE AIRMASS TRIGGERING WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE ISLANDS TODAY…
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BOATERS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF WATERSPOUTS…
FOR ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY TO CLOUDY AND HUMID WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. SOME SHOWERS WILL BE HEAVY AND THUNDERSTORMS STRONG TO SEVERE AT TIMES.
ADVISORY: GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS CAN BE EXPECTED IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
HIGH TEMPERATURE TODAY 91F 33C
HEAT INDEX 103F 39C
LOW TEMPERATURE TONIGHT 78F 26C
SUN
SUNRISE: 6:53AM SUNSET: 7:21PM
MOON
MOONSET: 5:09PM MOONRISE: 4:26AM FRI
TIDES
LOW TIDE: 10:17AM 11:10PM
HIGH TIDE: 4:42PM 5:06AM FRI
EXTENDED FORECAST: (FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS) UNSETTLED WEATHER WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE ISLANDS DUE TO A MID TO UPPER LEVEL LOW SHIFTING WESTWARD ACROSS THE AREA OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
Another headache for St Lucia PM as Customs officers start two-day sick-out
Saint Lucian Customs and Excise officers have begun a two-day sickout in protest over government’s plans to merge a number of government departments into the proposed St Lucia Border Management Authority, according to sources.
The planned sickout is scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday this week.
“This is said to be the first wave of action,” one source said.
Customs officers fear that a number of them will lose their jobs if the statutory body is established, despite government’s assurances they will not.
“Any solution that requires people to be sent home is not something my government will consider. I know of no proposal that suggested anybody would have to go home,” Chastanet said at a press briefing last month.
He was referring to allegations suggesting that officers employed with the Customs and Excise Department would be asked to resign and re-apply for positions in the new entity called the St Lucia Border Management Authority.
These allegations seem to have frightened officers to the point where they sought advice from their bargaining agent, the Civil Service Association (CSA), which met with them recently to hear their grievances.
CSA’s general secretary Claude Paul reminded that while the prime minister spoke of no job losses in the four entities to be merged to form the St Lucia Border Management Authority, namely Customs and Excise, Immigration Department, Marine Police and the Quarantine Department, it was basically the same language he seems to have spoken with regards to Radio St Lucia, which no longer broadcasts on a commercial basis, the Tourist Board, which has morphed into the St Lucia Tourism Association, and other entities.
Paul spoke of an air of uncertainty amongst workers whenever the prime minister speaks of either closing down or transforming their work places.
Chastanet envisaged that not only will those persons working in the four entities to be merged into the St Lucia Border Management Authority not lose their jobs, but that the Customs and Excise Department, which will be taking over the role of persons in the Immigration Department, will be an upgraded version of its current self when the transformation is done.
“There is nothing envisioned that anybody is being dislocated or sent anywhere else. Customs would be upgraded not downgraded. We don’t see anybody being sent home,” Chastanet reiterated.
It is envisioned that police officers attached to the Immigration Department will go back to being police officers, Customs and Excise officers will absorb the Immigration Department and that of Quarantine while the Marine Police will remain as it.
“Police officers will no longer be performing the function of immigration. So police officers will go back to their substantive posts on the beat. We are excited about that because we would like to see more policemen on the road. I would have like to see that already but given the lack of software systems we have not been able to do that,” Chastanet had said.
Despite his assurances, the CSA does not trust his words.
“Notwithstanding a meeting held with the prime minister and a subsequent letter from the permanent secretary/director of finance, we have not been convinced that the government is acting in good faith,” the CSA said in a press release, adding that the following must be noted:
1. The information provided from the Cabinet Conclusion 247 0f 2018 specifically refers to the establishment of the St Lucia Border Management Authority as a Statutory Board. In the absence of an amendment to that Cabinet Conclusion to say otherwise, we believe that the intention of government remains unchanged.
2. There have been contradictory statements made by the prime minister and other senior officials that add confusion in the minds of our members, who remain steadfast in their view that the position as stated in the Cabinet Conclusion is NOT appropriate for revenue collection and law enforcement purposes.
3. We have taken note that there are no similar structures operating in any part of the region and those other reform initiatives involving Customs have been strongly resisted in places like Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.
“Therefore the CSA and the members of the Customs and Excise Branch have stated their intention to remain resolute and will be considering all available legal options to defend its position against this ill conceived initiative,” the CSA concluded.
US Open 2018: Serena Williams says she has a long way to go to win Flushing Meadows title
Serena Williams says she still has a "really long way to go" to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.
Williams plays Anastasija Sevastova in the semi-finals on Thursday and is the only major winner left in the draw.
A seventh US Open title would see the American equal Margaret Court's Grand Slam haul but Williams has lost her last two semi-finals in New York.
Williams, 36, also lost to Angelique Kerber in this year's Wimbledon final.
"I'd been a couple of steps away at the last Grand Slam, so I'm definitely not ahead of myself," Williams said.
"I still know that no matter whether I'm in the semi-finals or the finals, I have a really long way to go to win."
Williams is also aiming for a first Grand Slam title since giving birth to her daughter last year.
The semi-final, which starts at starts 0:00 BST on Friday, is Sevastova's first in a Grand Slam semi-final and comes after her win over defending champion Sloane Stephens in the quarter-finals.
Sevastova retired from the sport in 2013 because of recurring injuries and spent two years studying leisure management before returning in 2015.
"It was an amazing journey, this three, four years," the world number 18 said. "After I stop, at some point I will look at it and I will be proud of myself, for sure.
"I hope I will enjoy it, playing semi-finals. It's not every day you play semi-finals of a Grand Slam."
Burt Reynolds: Hollywood star dies, 82
Burt Reynolds, the wisecracking 1970s movie heartthrob and Oscar nominee, has died at the age of 82.
According to Us Weekly, he passed away in a Florida hospital of a heart attack, attended by his family.
The moustachioed actor had undergone heart bypass surgery in 2010. Reynolds is survived by his son, Quinton.
He shot to fame in 1972's Deliverance, and also starred in Smokey and the Bandit, Boogie Nights and The Cannonball Run.