09182024 NEWS AND SPORT

‘$1 A WEEK MORE’ FOR MOST DRIVERS

Retailers estimate cost based on $20 consumption

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

CONSUMERS should expect to pay an additional $1 to $3 per week at gas stations when profit margin increases for retailers take effect, according to the Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association President Raymond Jones.

However, he said prices, which have declined recently, could decline even further depending on global fuel costs, which are on a downward trend.

“If someone is spending about $20 a week on fuel, it’s going to cost them an extra dollar a week,” he said at a press conference

FERGUSON CRITICISES BOWLEG ON VALLEY FACTION SEED MONEY

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

KIMSLEY Ferguson, president of the Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) and coordinator of The Body of Christ Junkanoo, criticised Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg for announcing that a faction of the Valley Boys would

receive $30,000 in seed funding for the upcoming Junkanoo parades despite being classified as a “fun group”.

His comment yesterday came after a press conference in which the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) reaffirmed that only one group, the World Famous Valley Boys

‘We won’t speculate on’ if Gibson will run for FNM in next election

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard declined to say whether Long Island MP

Adrian Gibson is likely to run on the party’s ticket in the next general election.

He said the party will continue to support Mr Gibson, who is facing several charges related to his tenure as executive

chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation. These charges include allegations of failing to declare his interest in contracts awarded by the

‘Pensioners oversee workers lacking skills’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR and Public Services Minister Pia Glover-Rolle said reappointing retirees to critical government positions speaks to “putting persons in positions of management and supervision to supervise others without the proper skills and

training to do so”.

Her comment during an interview on ZNS last night comes about two weeks after the president of the Bahamas Customs and Immigration Allied Workers Union (BCIAWU) said the morale of immigration and customs officers, especially those in Grand Bahama, had been affected

By NEIL

FOCOL Holdings chairman last night signalled that the three oil majors will likely now push to

and

“that have not changed in decades”. Sir Franklyn Wilson, who heads the

said

“worthy

BAHAMAS Petroleum Retailers Association (BPRA) president Raymond Jones (left), along with other association members, speaks during a BPRA press conference at The Cricket Club yesterday, while Peter Roker, flanked by Bernard “Porky” Dorsett, speaks during another BPRA press conference at Rawson Square.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

‘We won’t speculate on’ if Gibson will run for FNM in next election

from page one

corporation.

“It’s no need for us to speculate on that,” he said.

“Mr Gibson is a young man with a family. His family is in the midst of one of the worst possible experience any family can face and he is addressing those issues the correct way by having a team of attorneys to look at the matter that he is facing.

“So what we will do is what we have done, provide moral support to our brother as he goes through the difficult time that he has. We won’t speculate on one small aspect of his life, which is a public service.”

Mr Pintard said Mr

Gibson has encountered difficulty registering his wife as his spouse and his child as his own, though he did not provide further details. He said the matter has weighed on Mr Gibson.

“I in particular encourage the attorney general to look into the matter,” he added. Mr Pintard also revealed during a press conference yesterday that a training session for the second cohort of candidate hopefuls has begun. Mr Pintard said by the end of this session, over 100 people would have signed up and completed the modules.

“You will see over the course of the next several

weeks, some of those persons who are not facing any fierce competition will be able to resolve where they are; in some cases, two or three, because in many of the constituencies we have five, six, seven persons vying but we will be able to resolve some of those and in an official way we’ll be rolling out those candidates shortly,” he said. He said most elected FNMs had completed their session. He said the remaining MPs are participating in the current session.

FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands previously said incumbent parliamentarians are not guaranteed a nomination in the next general election.

FNM leader Michael Pintard speaks during a press conference at FNM Headquarters to address the PLP’s performance during their past three years in office yesterday. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

‘$1 a week more’ for most drivers

yesterday. “For someone that’s spending about $50 a week, maybe $2.25.”

“Our data shows with the projected continued decrease in the price of fuel, a consumer might end up in over a period of a month or two, seeing maybe only a 50 cents or 60 cents increase in the cost.”

His comments came after Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis announced that his administration approved a margin increase for gas retailers — 25 cents per gallon for gasoline and 15 cents per gallon for diesel.

The decision comes after a three-year push by petroleum retailers, who said they could no longer operate under the fixed-margin regime due to rising costs. Unlike other industries, where prices can be adjusted to cover increasing expenses, the petroleum sector operates under government-controlled price margins that require approval for any changes.

Mr Jones praised the government’s decision to approve the margin increase, saying it will help retailers get back on track.

“Although we didn’t want to wait so long because we’ve been hurting with all the rising prices, the point is for the motoring public, we’ve seen a marked decrease in the price of fuel, and this small increase that we got is sufficient to keep us back on track and is actually insignificant in the cost to the motoring public,” he said.

Vasco Bastian, BPRA’s vice president, added: “This

is a happy day. We rejoice in it. We celebrate it. This is just the beginning of things that we have planned as an association to reform this country when it comes to the petroleum industry.” Retailers expect the new rates to take effect in October.

Glover-Rolle:

from page one

by the government appointing retirees to top management positions.

Mrs Glover-Rolle said the ministry’s job is to fix the “training” issue.

“Yes, we have had to bring back persons with institutional knowledge, but we have attached to them persons at lower levels who will be able to assimilate that information so that we can stop that habit,” she added. “Everybody does not want to come out of retirement but in some instances they have had to because of that gap that has existed. We have to close that gap. We’re doing it through the promotions. We’re doing it through the upskilling. We’re doing it through the retooling.”

She added that a leadership training programme had been launched at the National Training Agency to help.

Complaints about reappointing retirees have persisted for years, with some suggesting a political element to the practice, as the two major parties sometimes favour different people for reappointment.

BCIAWU president Deron Brooks said earlier this month several people in the customs department who had retired were reappointed on a contract even though superintendents in the department had at least 34 years of experience.

Mr Davis called the increase “manageable”, saying it shouldn’t seriously impact Bahamians.

“It is manageable when we look at first of all how our gas prices have declined over the last year and continue to decline, and we expect that gas prices will

continue decline through to at least December of this year,” he said.

Bernard “Porky” Dorsett, owner of Porky’s Rubis Service Centre, said the timing of the increase is perfect due to the current downward trend in fuel prices.

“We don’t control the market,” he added. “I mean somebody start a war somewhere and we’ll probably be back to $7 again so let’s hope that don’t happen. The public really won’t feel the load of this. It’s like a bag of peanut at the end of the day.”

Planned

protests scheduled for today were cancelled as a result of Mr Davis’ announcement. As of yesterday, gas prices in New Providence were $5.45 per gallon at Rubis, $5.61 per gallon at Shell and $5.35 per gallon at Esso.

BAHAMAS Petroleum Retailers Association (BPRA) president Raymond Jones, flanked by vice president Vasco Bastian and other association members, speaks during a BPRA press conference at The Cricket Club yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

PM defends frequent international travels

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip Davis defended his frequent international travels, saying they enabled him to call on the Dominican Republic’s president for help in evacuating Bahamians nearly held hostage in Haiti.

Initially reported as a precautionary evacuation due to the deteriorating security situation, Mr Davis suggested the January 27 situation was more dire than initially disclosed.

He argued his personal relationship with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, established through prior international visits, played a critical role in the mission.

He said: “I called him and said, look, I need help. I have six of my mission personnel in Haiti being almost held hostage. How do I get them out? Luis said, ‘Brave, just give me an hour.’ He calls back in an hour, and he said, ‘We’ll get them out.”

“If I hadn’t travelled, I wouldn’t have known President Abinader to call on in this situation.”

The Tribune reported in January that, according to the Bahamian Chargé d’Affaires in Haiti, diplomats had been stopped by Haitian police and relieved of their vehicle and weapons.

This reportedly followed a protest by the Haitian National Police “against their own authorities”.

Mr Davis, whose comments came during an appearance on a ZNS TV show, argued that his overseas engagements have yielded significant benefits for The Bahamas, including strengthening relationships with foreign leaders and securing critical support in times of crisis.

“We depend on the world to survive, and you’re not going to survive by sitting at home,” he said.

He also discussed economic gains from his foreign engagements, such as the African ExIm Bank conference hosted in The Bahamas.

He said the event brought over 7,500 delegates to the country, which was made possible through his efforts to strengthen ties with the bank’s executives. He said local sectors, such as the Livery Association, benefited from the influx of international delegates, further proving the value of these diplomatic efforts.

He also stressed that securing climate finance from the international community is essential, insisting such support can only be attained through active global engagement.

He said: “It is fair for Bahamians to ask, what is he travelling for? What’s the outcome? One of the key elements of my travel is to ensure that we get financing for the existential threat that is upon us with climate change.”

Yesterday, Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard said while all governments must travel, the Davis administration often sends people to events where they are not needed, wasting resources.

He said many delegates on these trips lack a clear purpose and do not give the Bahamian people a return on investment.

“The government has used the fight for climate justice as a general cover to camouflage what is a variety of reasons for which they are traveling,” he said.

“They’re seeking to subsume it, to put it under this broad banner, which again, is disingenuous.”

PRIME MINISTER PHILIP ‘BRAVE’ DAVIS

HUNDREDS of climate change buckets were donated to the Disaster Risk Management Agency yesterday by the American Medical Women’s Association and the Global CSR Foundation. The buckets aim to help women and children in low socioeconomic communities cope with climate change effects.

Photos: Nikia Charlton

Ferguson criticises Bowleg on Valley faction seed money

led by Brian Adderley, will be recognised and permitted to compete in the A category. The JCNP said the Way Forward faction led by Trevor Davis would participate solely as a fun group during the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades.

“The mere registration of a non-profit group with a name similar to that of an existing, historically significant organisation, such as The Valley Boys, does not invalidate the recognised Valley Boys under Mr Adderley’s leadership, “said JCNP Chairman Dion Miller

“If members of a Junkanoo group decide to create a new entity, they are free to do so under a different name that reflects their cultural expression. However, if they wish to challenge the leadership while remaining

Bethel

under the original name, they must resolve these disputes within their group. The JCNP expects Junkanoo groups to operate transparently and fairly, and any legitimate disputes should be settled amicably or through legal channels if necessary.”

He clarified that Mr Adderley’s group will compete under the name

“The Valley Boys”, not the “World Famous Valley Boys”, for both parades. For his part, Mr Ferguson expressed frustration with the funding process and accused the government of allocating funds based on personal connections rather than established criteria. Fun groups typically do not receive money reserved for category A groups. “There are a number of groups, particularly The Body of Christ that I coordinate, that are very challenged with funding,”

Mr Ferguson said. “If additional funds are available, we would like to receive our share, as we assist the government with the general and cultural development of young people in this community.”

Mr Ferguson’s group is a category B group.

He said his group has yet to receive its seed funding and said that the current allocation insufficient.

“To be frank, Junkanoo is extremely expensive,” he said. “The current seed funding is no longer sufficient due to the rising cost of living. If B-Division groups could receive $50,000 or $60,000, it would be a good start.”

Seed funding was allocated earlier this month, with A-Division groups receiving $30,000, B-Division groups receiving $15,000, and D-Division groups receiving an undisclosed amount.

Brothers Morticians makes a donation to Ranfurly Home for Children

IN what has become a cherished tradition, The Ranfurly Home for Children has been gifted with a generous donation from one of its long-time sponsors, Bethel Brothers Morticians (BBM), as young residents transition into the back-to-school season.

Today’s donation was a poignant reminder of the relationship between the late funeral home director Marcus Bethel Sr., one of the founders of Ranfurly, and the home that has become a safe haven providing a shelter, love, support and a fresh start for teens who are abused, neglected or orphaned.

In recent years, Bethel’s family members, including daughter Rubie Nottage, and son Owen Bethel, have carried on the legacy of the late parents, continuing what Nottage called “an attitude of selfless giving and support that is now benefitting the 21 residents of the home.”

The timing was ideal, according to Ranfurly, as staff and supporters were challenged trying to figure out how they would source school uniforms and necessary supplies for the

classroom.

“This donation means the world to us, and it was very much needed, says Ranfurly Administrator Ingrid Deveaux. “Back to school time is always taxing on institutions like ours and so we are very grateful for the support. We are very grateful and elated.”

The donor was equally touched.

“It means so much to me both from a legacy standpoint as well as personally knowing we’re standing with the community here at the Ranfurly Home,” Nottage said, Ranfurly has sheltered hundreds of adolescents in The Bahamas who have gone on to lead prominent roles in the society, including Branishka Bullard, who now works to help the institution she once called home.

“It gave me a second chance at life” says Bullard. After obtaining a scholarship from the Lyford Cay Foundation, with the help of Ranfurly, she was able to pursue a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree shortly after in Psychology. Founded originally by Lady Hermoine Ranfurly, wife of the then governor

general, along with civic leaders like Bethel after they discovered young children sleeping in cardboard hoxes following a fire that devastated part of downtown Nassau, the home continues to grow and evolve.

“My parents were very strong on education,” said Owen Bethel. “It was a no brainer that we would do something with the Ranfurly Home in their honour.”

“As a family-owned business rooted in service and compassion, we believe it’s important to uplift those in need, especially children who represent the future of our nation. Our donation to the Ranfurly Home is a small step toward ensuring that these bright young minds have the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond”, said Natalie Bethel, granddaughter of Marcus Bethel Sr., and a Director of the company.

“This donation aligns with Bethel Brothers Morticians’ tradition of service above self, going beyond our primary business, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the broader community.”

BETHEL Brothers Morticians proudly donates a cheque to Ranfurly Home. Front row from left to right: Owen Bethel, Ingrid Deveaux, Rubie Nottage and Natalie Bethel. Back row from left to right: Mickel Bethel and Arjinal Lamm.

SEATED from left: JCNP secretary Natasha Lightbourne-Dillet, legal counsel Kahlil Parker, chairman Dion Miller, chairman of the JCNP rules committee Rory Saunders and JCNP vice chair Trevor Pratt at the JCNP Office speaking on their ruling involing the Valley Boys group yesterday. photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

CHAIRMAN OF THE JCNP RULES COMMITTEE RORY SAUNDERS

JCNP CHAIRMAN DION MILLER

The Tribune Limited

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LEON E. H. DUPUCH

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

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RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.

Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Happiness swings votes

HAPPINESS may be reshaping America’s political landscape.

Since the 1960s and the election of President John F. Kennedy, younger voters have supported Democratic candidates, while older voters leaned Republican. But that dynamic has been evolving, and now, in 2024, large numbers in both groups are bucking traditional assumptions about their political affiliation.

This shift challenges the age-old political adage that youthful idealism gives way to conservative pragmatism with age. As pollsters and pundits scramble to explain the phenomenon, one intriguing theory emerges: It may come down to happiness. The unhappy vote for change

I am an interpersonal communication researcher and the co-founder and codirector of the Florida Atlantic University Mainstreet Political Communication Lab. Our lab investigates and analyzes public opinion and political trends nationwide. With the upcoming election, I’ve been specifically examining the potential influence of happiness on voting patterns. Research worldwide indicates that happy people prefer keeping things the same, and they tend to vote for the incumbent in political elections. Voters who aren’t as happy are more open to anti-establishment candidates, seeing the government as a source of their discontent.

These findings may help to explain the Democratic Party’s waning support among young people.

This group is still reliably blue. Vice President Kamala Harris has an edge among voters under 30, with 50% favoring her over former President Donald Trump’s 34%. U.S. voters ages 18 to 35 mainly prefer Democratic views on issues like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. Yet they are more likely to vote Republican than they have been in the past, especially young men.

Youth are no longer carefree

Declining life satisfaction and happiness levels among young Americans may help to explain their changing political preferences.

Our March 2024 poll found that 55% of respondents ages 18 to 34 reported dissatisfaction with their lives, compared with 65% of the general population.

These findings, as well as other national polls, challenge the common belief that young adulthood is one of life’s happiest periods.

Happiness has traditionally been seen as a U-shaped curve, with the youngest and oldest voters reporting greatest levels of happiness. Young adults worldwide reported being carefree and happy, enjoying their newfound independence and opportunities. Older folks, meanwhile, were finally past the stresses of juggling work, family and relationships, and beginning to enjoy retirement.

Today’s young Americans are unhappier than past generations. That’s true worldwide, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report, but the drop is particularly drastic in the U.S., where suicide rates among young people rose over 60% between 2007 and 2021.

Experts attribute the unhappiness of young Americans today to myriad factors, including a childhood interrupted by the pandemic, the dramatic increase in school shootings and rising costs of living.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Young people are also stressed by political polarization, distrust in the media and two wars raging abroad, in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip.

Social media exacerbates these anxieties, encouraging young people to compare themselves with others in unhealthy ways and exposing them to a lot of negative news, which can make reality seem worse than it is.

All these happiness-dampening concerns may be shaping political preferences. Some unhappy young voters are drawn to candidates who promise economic stability and growth. Other young adults, unhappy with the political system, want radical change – any change.

Seniors for Harris

The changing political preferences of unhappy young Americans are particularly revealing when compared with those of older Americans, who have been getting happier in recent years.

Recent polling data suggests that older voters, long a Republican base, are trending blue in 2024. As of September 2024, Harris leads among older voters, with somewhere between 51% to 55% favoring her over Trump.

These happy seniors appear to be concerned about sweeping changes that could occur under another Trump administration, like ending even more abortion rights. The Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 erased what was seen as a major milestone and accomplishment for that generation.

Older Americans are also focused on retaining Social Security benefits, a Democratic priority that Trump has wavered on, and maintaining lower prescription drug costs. Both of these programs help keep older Americans happy and healthy. They barely register for young people.

Polls are notoriously slippery, and they’ll keep changing. But, increasingly, age is no longer a very good indicator of party affiliation.

Happiness matters at the ballot box

I am not suggesting that happiness drives all voting behavior or explains changing political preferences in the United States. But I am saying that it should not be ignored.

My research indicates that to understand why people vote the way they do, it’s essential to examine happiness alongside other key factors like the economy and personal experiences. By studying how happiness connects with age, life experiences and engagement with social media, researchers can gain clearer insights into the changing voting behavior of both young and old voters.

The 2024 presidential candidates seem to have intuited this. The Harris campaign is all about “joy” and celebrating happiness and community. The Trump campaign adopts an angrier tone and a grievance-filled approach.

Ultimately, happiness is more than just a mood. Just as much as ideology, the literal pursuit of happiness may be shaping decisions at the ballot box.

Editor’s note: The chart in this story documenting youth unhappiness has been updated to correct a typo. Fifty-five percent of respondents under 35 reported some degree of dissatisfaction with their lives, not satisfaction.

Carol Bishop Mills Florida Atlantic University

EDITOR, The Tribune.

RESIDENTS of Garden Hills have raised serious concerns regarding the recurring water accumulation at the intersection of Lady Slipper Avenue and Soldier Road after even the slightest rainfall. This issue is a constant inconvenience for those who rely on this route for daily commutes to school, work, and other essential activities. Despite the presence of drainage systems on both sides of the street, they are clogged with debris and are in dire need of maintenance. Regular cleaning and upkeep of these systems are necessary to prevent this persistent

flooding.

Several weeks ago, the Ministry of Works had a team tending to work in the area which resulted in the workers leaving small trenches and debris - such as old pipes, rocks, and other materials. This, not only worsens the situation but the obstructions contribute to the flooding, making the road impassable for vehicles attempting to access Soldier Road from Lady Slipper Avenue.

As a result, residents are forced to take detours, which delay their daily commute. This is simply unacceptable. The community deserves better. I call upon the relevant authorities to take immediate action to clear the drains, remove the debris, and implement a long-term solution to prevent future flooding. Timely and consistent maintenance will not only enhance road safety but also improve the quality of life for all residents in the area.

D’ANGELO FERGUSON Nassau, September 14, 2024.

Beware of exemptions in investment Garden Hills residents deserve more

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

PHOTOS showing an obstructed

(left) and

claimed to be

in the area by Ministry of Works in the Garden Hills area.

AMERIC A N WOM A N WA RNED A FTER BEING FOUND WITH SM A LL A MOUNT OF M A RIJUA N A

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN American tourist received a stern warning in court after admitting to a drug offence.

Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley arraigned Mercedes Dubose, 29, on charges of possession of dangerous drugs. Ms Dubose was reportedly found with a small quantity of marijuana in her suitcase while Carnival Cruise was docked at Nassau Cruise Port on September 15.

After pleading guilty, Ms Dubose claimed she was unaware the drug was in her suitcase and did not know marijuana was illegal in The Bahamas. She apologised for the misunderstanding.

Magistrate Reckley sternly warned Ms Dubose to be mindful of local laws when travelling, noting that the situation could have been worse. The magistrate then dismissed the charge, taking into account the time the defendant had spent in custody, and ordered the drugs to be destroyed. In a separate case, a man was placed on six months

probation for a drug charge.

Magistrate Reckley arraigned Immanuel Dean, 19, on charges of possession of dangerous drugs after he was found with six grams of marijuana on September 10 in New Providence.

After pleading guilty and expressing remorse, Mr Dean was ordered to attend drug counselling as part of his probation. Failure to comply will result in a $500 fine or a three-month prison term.

Dean is expected to return to court for a review on March 28, 2025.

T EEN PLE A DS GUILTY TO H AVING STOLEN SCOOTER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN 18-YEAR-OLD

man was ordered to maintain good behaviour for six months after admitting to being found with a stolen scooter last week.

Senior Magistrate

Anishka Isaacs arraigned Bendrey Jeanith on charges of unlawful possession.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was ordered to maintain good behaviour for two years after admitting to possessing a burglary tool at night on Mount Royal Avenue last weekend.

Senior Magistrate

Anishka Isaacs arraigned Javano Rigby, 40, on charges of possession of burglary instruments and vagrancy. Rigby was reportedly

Jeanith was reportedly found in possession of a stolen green and black Yamaha scooter in New Providence after officers observed him acting suspiciously. The vehicle’s ignition switch had been tampered with, and the defendant could not provide a satisfactory explanation for his possession of it.

After pleading guilty to the charge, Jeanith

found with a screwdriver on the road at 3.30am on September 15 and was accused of vagrancy with the intent to commit an offence.

The defendant elected to have his matter heard before the magistrate and pleaded not guilty to the vagrancy charge but guilty to possession of burglary tools.

When asked about his actions, Rigby explained that he works in manual labour and uses the tool to turn faucets when washing cars.

claimed that he had just come from the barber and was unaware the scooter was stolen.

Magistrate Isaacs granted Jeanith a conditional discharge, requiring him to maintain good behaviour for six months or face a $200 fine.

Jeanith was informed of his right to appeal the sentence within seven days. His family was present in court for his release.

Prosecutor Inspector Bowles noted that the defendant had a prior charge, though not of a similar nature.

Magistrate Isaacs expressed her disdain for thieves and advised Rigby to leave his tools at home at night.

Rigby was granted a conditional discharge and ordered to maintain good behaviour for two years, with a warning that failure to do so would result in a four-month prison sentence.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were remanded to jail yesterday after allegedly attempting to rob a woman at gunpoint on West Bay Street last week.

Senior Magistrate

and

on charges of attempted armed robbery. The pair, while armed with a handgun, allegedly tried to rob Hannah Black of her personal belongings on September 10. The defendants were

informed

They will

custody at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until their VBI is potentially served on December 9.

Anishka Isaacs arraigned Delroy Newton, 23,

Javonte Rolle, 21,

that their case would be forwarded to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

remain in

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis visited the third cohort of the National Youth Guard at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute on Friday. The cohort consists of 63 participants, including 34 females and 29 males. Mr Davis toured a work area where participants have been trained in disaster preparedness and other life skills aimed at youth development. The government has invested $1.5m in the programme. The second cohort graduated in May.

Photos: BIS

Depression: How we can support friends and family

‘Everyone needs to be aware that others are going through unimaginable challenges, whether or not we know about them.’

I N recent years, there seems to have been an increased in reported suicide and attempted suicide. People are in distress, and they are not being adequately supported. People experiencing anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide do not present in exactly the same ways.

People find a variety of ways to cope, with most methods being temporary and/or destructive. Selfmedicating is common, though not often discussed, and there are many people who work hard to ignore what is happening in their minds and bodies. People should not reach the point of crisis before they get the help they need. Everyone needs to be aware that others are going through unimaginable challenges, whether or not we know about them.

The cost of living is constantly going up, making it difficult for people to make ends meet. Minimum wage, even with the recent increase, is nowhere near a living wage. It is almost impossible to secure housing on one’s own while only being paid minimum wage. Add to rent the cost of utilities — including electricity bills that are unpredictable, nonsensical, and astronomical, particularly during the summer and whether or not people are at home all day— and grocery and it is not difficult to see why “side hustles” have been normalised and are even seen as a sign of success. How could anyone do well in this life with just one job, just one salary? A side gig, for far too many, is a must. It is rare to see anyone engaging in hobbies for

By Alicia Wallace

their own enjoyment. Even the activities we used to do, and should be able to do, merely for the pleasure of it have been turned into moneymaking ventures. If you do it well, while not make money from it? Turn it into a job, and buy into the myth about loving what you do and it being equal to never working a day in your life. That is simply not true since we were not made to work, work was not made to be enjoyed, and what we enjoy was never supposed to be gobbled up by the capitalist system. If the time we used to spend on hobbies is now spent monetising them, when and where will we find the time to do anything other than work?

For some generations, having a social life was a given. People were in social clubs that met regularly. They hosted and attended weekly card games. Friend groups hosted regular potlucks. Milestone birthday parties, weddings, and funerals were not the only times that people got together and spent time with their family members and friends. Today, there is pressure to spend more time at work and the need to accept any and every extra shift and overtime opportunity that becomes available. For home ownership to even be a dream, and to get anywhere near

saving enough money for a down payment, people need multiple streams of income or to receive an inheritance or otherwise have wealth. The goals of baby boomers and GenXers are far-fetched now. Financial struggle makes it difficult to meet the most basic human needs, much less enjoy life. When there is additional stress or crisis, which may include grief, it is often necessary to speak with a mental health professional. Mental health services are not in the average person’s budget. The way to access public services is, as in many areas, unclear. There is also still a tremendous amount of stigma. People still throw around terms like “crazy” in casual conversations as well as in reference to people who are in need of intervention by mental health professionals. Sometimes, people need someone to talk to who is neutral and equipped to help them to think through their situations, identify the options, and make the best possible choice. Sometimes there is a need for medication to support them on a daily basis. Sometimes specific types of therapy are needs for short or extended periods of time. Starting the process by speaking with a mental health professional is critical, and it helpful to build

a relationship with a therapist before crisis arises. It is healthy and productive to have talk therapy. Assessments can help us to get a better understanding of ourselves as well as the ways we function or do not function well.

Without support, it is easy for a person in crisis to think they are simply not meant to be here or incapable of staying here. It is not necessarily that they do not want to live, but that they cannot see themselves continuing to live under the current circumstances. People need to know that others are struggling, that there are people who can help, and

that it is okay to focus on what they need to do to make it to the next day and continuing that focus day after day. Planning for months or years ahead can be overwhelming, especially when today feels like too much. It is fine to focus on today, and today only. For many of us, life is busy. There is always more to do than time and energy can accommodate. Some things just have to be left undone. When the bare minimum is covered, be sure to take the time to check in with loved ones. Pay attention to the people you engage with every day, take note of changes in their behaviour,

Recommendations

1. Read A Mouth Full of Salt by Reem Gaafar with Feminist Book Club. On Wednesday, October 16, Feminist Book Club, hosted by Equality Bahamas and Poinciana Paper Press, will meet to talk about this book set in Sudan. The New Arab said, “A Mouth Full of Salt skilfully recounts the nuanced history of two countries that were divided long before they had any say in the matter. Gaafar approaches this narrative with compassion, confronting uncomfortable truths head-on.”

2. Go to the opening of two exhibitions at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas on Thursday, September 19. It Comes From the Head: A Straw Heritage, curated by Simone Cambridge, includes artists Tamika Galanis, Anina Major, Jodi Minnis, and Averia Wright. The exhibition “encourages the recognition of straw work’s stake in the nation’s cultural fabric as a contemporary mode of expression”. A Small Remainder of Teeth: Eco-Horror and the Anti-Paradise, curated by Letitia Pratt, features artists John Beadle, Stan Burnside, John Cox, Michael Edwards, Sonia Farmer, Dwight Ferguson, Blake Fox-Belcher, and Kendal Hanna. It “brings together works by artists who engage with these unsettling themes, highlighting the tension between the human and non-human, and examining the deep-seated vulnerabilities shaped by both colonial histories of ecological violence and current climate realities.” The exhibitions open on September 19 at 7pm.

and do not hesitate to ask if there is anything you can do to help when you see signs that anyone is overwhelmed. Even if you do not get to talk to your friends every day, send a message to let them know you are thinking of them, that you will make time for them, and that they can reach out if they need anything. If you know someone is going through a particularly difficult time, think about what you can do to help, then make a specific offer. This is much better than asking them what you can do to help. Money is often — not always — at the root of the issue. In these cases, if it is within your means, give them money. This gives them the independence to do what they consider a priority, whether it is buying grocery, paying a bill, or filling a prescription. Sometimes, it is better to just do what needs to be done. If you can drop off a meal, tell them. If you make a payment on one of their bills, say so. If you have a few friends who can get together to clean the person’s house, offer to do that. If you can pick up their children from school, ask if they would like that. There are many ways to be friend, to be in community, and to let people know they are not alone. If you are struggling with mental health issues, reach out for help. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Helplines are 816-3799, 812-0576, and 815-5850. The phone number for assistance in Creole is 454-2993. For children and parents, the phone number is 819-7652. The Community Counseling and Assessment Center phone number is 323-3293.

By BARBARA ORTUTAY

AP Technology Writer

INSTAGRAM is making teen accounts private by default as it tries to make the platform safer for children amid a growing backlash against how social media affects young people’s lives.

Beginning yesterday in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, anyone under under 18 who signs up for Instagram will be placed into restrictive teen accounts and those with existing accounts will be migrated over the next 60 days. Teens in the European Union will see their accounts adjusted later this year.

Meta acknowledges that teenagers may lie about their age and says it will require them to verify their ages in more instances, like if they try to create a new account with an adult

Intel to make AI chips for Amazon Instagram makes teen accounts private as pressure mounts to protect children

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN

AP Business Writer

birthday. The Menlo Park, California company also said it is building technology that proactively finds teen accounts that pretend to be grownups and automatically places them into the restricted teen accounts.

The teen accounts will be private by default. Private messages are restricted so teens can only receive them from people they follow or are already connected to. “Sensitive content,” such as videos of people fighting or those promoting cosmetic procedures, will be limited, Meta said. Teens will also get notifications if they are on Instagram for more than 60 minutes and a “sleep mode” will be enabled that turns off notifications and sends auto-replies to direct messages from 10pm until 7am.

While these settings will be turned on for all teens, 16 and 17-year-olds will be

SHARES of Intel surged after the chipmaker said its foundry business would make some custom artificial intelligence chips for Amazon Web Services as it attempts to reinvigorate its business.

CEO Pat Gelsinger said in a message to employees late Monday that Intel will create an AI fabric chip for Amazon’s cloud services division at its foundry business, a struggling division that he said would become a subsidiary of Intel.

“A subsidiary structure will unlock important benefits,” Gelsinger said. “It provides our external foundry customers and suppliers with clearer separation and independence from the rest of Intel. Importantly, it also gives us future flexibility to evaluate independent sources of funding and optimize the capital structure of each business to maximise growth and shareholder value creation.”

Harlan Sur of JP Morgan believes that making the foundry business a subsidiary is a logical next step.

able to turn them off. Kids under 16 will need their parents’ permission to do so.

“The three concerns we’re hearing from parents are that their teens are seeing content that they don’t want to see or that they’re getting contacted by people they don’t want to be contacted by or that they’re spending too much on the app,” said Naomi Gleit, head of product at Meta. “So teen accounts is really focused on addressing those three concerns.”

The announcement comes as the company faces lawsuits from dozens of US states that accuse it of harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said Meta’s announcement was “an important first step, but much more needs to be done to ensure our kids are protected from the harms of social media.” James’ office is working with other New York officials on how to implement a new state law intended to curb children’s access to what critics call addictive social media feeds.

In the past, Meta’s efforts at addressing teen safety and mental health on its platforms have been met with criticism that the changes don’t go far enough. For instance, while kids will get a notification when they’ve spent 60 minutes on the app, they will be able to bypass it and continue scrolling.

That’s unless the child’s parents turn on “parental supervision” mode, where parents can limit teens’

time on Instagram to a specific amount of time, such as 15 minutes.

With the latest changes, Meta is giving parents more options to oversee their kids’ accounts. Those under 16 will need a parent or guardian’s permission to change their settings to less restrictive ones. They can do this by setting up “parental supervision” on their accounts and connecting them to a parent or guardian.

Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, said last week that parents don’t use the parental controls the company has introduced in recent years. Gleit said she thinks teen accounts will create a “big incentive for parents and teens to set up parental supervision”.

“Parents will be able to see, via the family center, who is messaging their teen and hopefully have

a conversation with their teen,” she said. “If there is bullying or harassment happening, parents will have visibility into who their teen’s following, who’s following their teen, who their teen has messaged in the past seven days and hopefully have some of these conversations and help them navigate these really difficult situations online.”

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said last year that tech companies put too much on parents when it comes to keeping children safe on social media.

“We’re asking parents to manage a technology that’s rapidly evolving that fundamentally changes how their kids think about themselves, how they build friendships, how they experience the world — and technology, by the way, that prior generations never had to manage,” Murthy said in May 2023.

A

BRAIN-COMPUTER

interface company, Synchron, has announced the first use of Amazon’s Alexa by one of the implanted patients.

Mark, a 64-year old man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, successfully used his direct thoughts to control his smart home via the Tap to Alexa feature on his Amazon Fire tablet. This allows him to utilise the Synchron brain computer interface to select customized tiles that perform pre-set Alexa actions, like turning on and off lights, making video calls, playing music and shows, controlling smart home devices, reading books on Kindle or purchasing items on Amazon — entirely hands and voice-free.

Gelsinger also provided an update on Intel’s cost-cutting efforts. The executive said that the chip maker, through voluntary early retirement and separation offerings, is

“We believe this move is a natural progression to drive better transparency and decision making/efficiencies and therefore should not be viewed as a surprise,” the analyst wrote in a note to clients. Sur anticipates the shift could possibly lead to a spin out of the business over the next few years. A board that includes independent directors will be created for the planned subsidiary.

more than halfway to its workforce reduction target of approximately 15,000 by the end of the year. He added that “difficult decisions” will still need to be made, with impacted employees being notified in the middle of October.

Intel also plans to reduce or exit about two-thirds of its real estate worldwide by year’s end. Shares of Intel Corp jumped nearly 7% in premarket trading yesterday.

“The integration with smart technology and my BCI is something I’m really excited about. It’s hard to imagine living in our modern world without the ability to access or control connected devices like Amazon’s Alexa and Echo products that are so prevalent in my daily life,” said Mark, a trial participant living with ALS who is using Synchron’s BCI platform. “To be able to manage important aspects of my environment and control access to entertainment gives me back the independence that I’m losing.”

INTEL CEO PAT GELSINGER.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs jailed by judge after sex trafficking indictment

NEW YORK Associated Press

SEAN “Diddy” Combs was headed to jail Tuesday to await trial in his federal sex trafficking case, after a magistrate ordered him to be held without bail in a case that accuses him of presiding over a sordid empire of sexual crimes.

The music mogul pleaded not guilty Tuesday to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He’s accused of inducing female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, sometimes dayslong sexual performances dubbed “Freak Offs.”

The indictment against him also alleges he coerced and abused women for years while using blackmail and shocking acts of violence to keep his victims in line. It refers obliquely to an attack on his former girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, that was captured on video.

Prosecutors wanted him jailed. His attorneys proposed that he be released on a $50 million bond to home detention with electronic monitoring. US Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky sided with the government. Combs, 54, took a long swig from a water bottle, then was led out of court without handcuffs. As he walked out, he turned toward family members in the audience.

“Mr. Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this to the end. He’s innocent,” his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said after court. As a start, he said he would appeal the bail decision.

The Bad Boy Records founder is accused of striking, punching and dragging women, throwing objects and kicking them — and getting his personal assistants, security and household staff to help him hide it all.

“Not guilty,” Combs told a court, standing to speak after listening to the allegations with his uncuffed hands folded in his lap.

Federal prosecutors called him dangerous.

“Mr. Combs physically and sexually abused victims for decades. He used the vast resources of his company to facilitate his abuse and cover up his crimes. Simply put, he is a serial abuser and a serial obstructor,” Assistant US Attorney

Emily Johnson told a court. She also said he had “extensive and exhaustive history of obstruction of justice,” including alleged bribery and witness intimidation.

Agnifilo acknowledged Combs was “not a perfect person,” saying he’d used drugs and had been in “toxic relationships” but was getting treatment and therapy.

“The evidence in this case is extremely problematic,” the attorney told the court.

He maintained that the case stemmed from one long-term, consensual relationship that faltered amid infidelity. He didn’t name the woman, but the details matched those of Combs’ decade-long involvement with Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura.

The “Freak Offs,” Agnifilo contended, were an expansion of that relationship, and not coercive.

“Is it sex trafficking? Not if everybody wants to be there,” Agnifilo said, arguing that authorities were intruding on his client’s private life.

Prosecutors, however, said in court papers that they had interviewed more than 50 victims and witnesses and expect the number to grow. They said they would use financial, travel and billing records,

electronic data and communications and videos of the “Freak Offs” to prove their case.

Combs nodded his head at times as his lawyer spoke and occasionally leaned over to converse with them when they were not. The impresario watched other parts of the proceeding expressionlessly, looking straight ahead.

Combs was arrested late Monday in Manhattan, roughly six months after federal authorities conducting a sex trafficking investigation raided his luxurious homes in Los Angeles and Miami.

A conviction on every charge in the indictment would require a mandatory 15 years in prison with the possibility of a life sentence.

The indictment describes Combs as the head of a criminal enterprise that engaged or attempted to engage in sex trafficking, forced labour, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.

Combs and his associates wielded his “power and prestige” to intimidate and lure women into his orbit, “often under the pretence of a romantic relationship,” the indictment says.

Florida will launch criminal probe into apparent assassination attempt of Trump, governor says

WEST PALM BEACH

Associated Press

FLORIDA law enforce -

ment officials will launch their own criminal investigation into the apparent assassination attempt on former President D onald Trump that will run parallel to the federal probe, Gov. R on D eSantis announced Tuesday.

The governor said Florida prosecutors will pursue the most serious charges available under state law, including attempted murder, in the state-level investigation into Ryan Wesley R outh, who was charged Monday with federal firearms offenses.

“We have a very strong interest in holding this suspect accountable,” D eSantis told reporters.

I t’s not uncommon for state and federal law enforcement agencies to run simultaneous investigations into crimes, as states may be able to bring charges that are unavailable at the federal level — and vice versa.

R outh is charged at the federal level so far only with gun crimes, but additional charges are possible as Justice D epartment prosecutors

seek an indictment from a grand jury. Prosecutors will often quickly bring the first charges they can and then add more serious charges later as the investigation unfolds.

“We will spare no resource in this investigation,” A ttorney General Merrick Garland said Tuesday during an event at the Justice D epartment.

Markenzy L apointe, the top federal prosecutor for the Southern D istrict of Florida, declined to comment on the state probe.

D eSantis said it will be handled by Florida’s office of statewide prosecution, overseen by A ttorney General A shley Moody.

The FB I has interviewed the suspect’s family members, friends and colleagues and is working to collect evidence. A uthorities have requested search warrants seeking access to a video recording device, cellphones, a vehicle and electronics at R outh’s previous addresses.

FB I agents were spotted Tuesday at R outh’s home in Kaaawa, Hawaii.

FB I Honolulu office spokeswoman Sarah R ice said they were carrying out “court-authorized law

enforcement activity.” She said the court documents authorizing the activity were sealed.

No motive has been disclosed, and R outh invoked his right to an attorney when questioned, officials said.

Coming just weeks after a July 13 shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign rally where Trump was grazed by a gunman’s bullet, the latest assassination attempt accelerated concerns that violence continues to infect A merican presidential politics. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is Trump’s D emocratic opponent in November, spoke with him Tuesday to express how grateful she is that he is safe, according to the White House. R outh, 58, was arrested Sunday after authorities spotted a gun poking out of shrubbery on the golf course where Trump was playing. R outh camped outside the golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours, lying in wait for the former president before a Secret Service agent thwarted the potential attack and opened fire.

R outh did not fire any

It says he then would use force, threats and coercion to get the women to engage with male sex workers in the “Freak Offs” — “elaborate and produced sex performances” that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during and often recorded, creating dozens of videos.

He sometimes arranged to fly the women in and ensured their participation by procuring and providing drugs, controlling their careers, leveraging his financial support and using intimidation and violence, according to the indictment.

The events could last for days, and Combs and victims would often receive IV fluids to recover from the exertion and drug use, the indictment said.

It said his employees facilitated “Freak Offs” by arranging travel, booking hotel rooms, stocking them with such supplies as drugs and baby oil, scheduling the delivery of IV fluids and cleaning the rooms afterward.

During the searches of Combs’ homes earlier this year, law enforcement seized narcotics, videos of the “Freak Offs” and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, according to prosecutors. They said agents also seized

firearms and ammunition, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers — two of them, broken into parts, in his bedroom closet in Miami.

Combs’ lawyer said his client didn’t own the guns at his house, noting that he employs a security company.

The indictment portrays Combs as a violent man who choked and shoved people, hit and kicked victims and sometimes dragged them by their hair, causing injuries that often took days or weeks to heal. His employees and associates sometimes witnessed his violence and kept victims from leaving or tracked down those who tried, the indictment said.

It alleges that Combs sometimes kept videos of victims engaging in sex acts and used the recordings as “collateral” to ensure the women’s continued obedience and silence. He also exerted control over victims by promising career opportunities, providing and threatening to withhold financial support, dictating how they looked, monitoring their health records and controlling where they lived, according to the indictment.

As the threat of criminal

charges loomed, Combs and his associates pressured witnesses and victims to stay silent, offering bribes and supplying false narratives of what happened, the indictment says.

In a court filing, prosecutors accused Combs and an unidentified co-conspirator of kidnapping someone at gunpoint a few days before Christmas in 2011 in order to facilitate a break-in at another person’s home. Two weeks later, they wrote, Combs set fire to someone’s vehicle by slicing open its convertible top and dropping in a Molotov cocktail.

All of this, prosecutors allege, was happening behind the facade of Combs’ global music, lifestyle and clothing business.

A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City. Today, he’s been indicted and will face justice,” Manhattan-based US Attorney Damian Williams said at a news conference Tuesday.

Combs returned the key in June after Mayor Eric Adams requested it back.

Combs was recognized as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop before a flood of allegations emerged over the past year.

In November, Ventura filed a lawsuit saying he had beaten and raped her for years. She accused Combs of coercing her, and others, into unwanted sex in drugfuelled settings.

The suit was settled in one day, but months later, CNN aired hotel security footage showing Combs punching and kicking Ventura and throwing her on a floor. After the video aired, Combs apologized, saying, “I was disgusted when I did it.”

The indictment refers to the attack, without naming Ventura, and says Combs tried to bribe a hotel security staffer to stay mum about it.

Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura, declined to comment Tuesday. Combs and his attorneys denied similar allegations made by others in a string of lawsuits.

The AP does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Ventura did.

shots, never had Trump in his line of sight and sped away, leaving behind a digital camera, a backpack, a loaded SKS-style rifle with a scope and a plastic bag containing food, officials said. He was arrested in a neighbouring county. R outh’s attorney declined to comment after he appeared briefly in federal court Monday, when a judge ordered that he remain locked up after prosecutors argued that he was a flight risk. R outh has been moved from the Palm Beach County jail to the federal lockup in

Miami. A federal magistrate set additional hearings for later this month.

I n the federal case, R outh is charged with illegally possessing his gun in spite of multiple felony convictions, including two charges of possessing stolen goods in 2002 in North Carolina. The other charge alleges that the weapon’s serial number was obliterated and unreadable to the naked eye, in violation of federal law.

Federal investigators are examining R outh’s large online footprint,

which suggests a man of evolving political viewpoints, including recently an apparent disdain for Trump, as well as intense outrage at global events concerning China and especially Ukraine.

“You are free to assassinate Trump,” R outh wrote of I ran in an apparently self-published 2023 book titled “Ukraine’s Unwinnable War,” which described the former president as a “fool” and “buffoon” for both the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and the “tremendous blunder” of leaving the I ran nuclear deal.

FLORIDA Governor Ron DeSantis delivers remarks and answers questions at a news conference Monday in Orlando, Florida.

Photo: John Raoux/AP

SEAN “Diddy” Combs appears at the premiere of “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story” on June 21, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California.

Photo: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Coach Clarke to be honoured

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

James Clarke, former baseball/ softball player turned coach and philanthropist, will be recognised for his contribution to the development of sports in the country by the St Augustine’s College Alumni Association (SACAA).

Clarke, currently a coach, will receive the coveted Uncle Lou Award during the SACAA’s 2024 Lighthouse Awards and Gala Banquet on Saturday, October 19, in the Grand Ballroom at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

Sponsored by the Oaktree Medical Center, the SACAA’s fourth gala banquet will have as its theme: “Junkanoo Masquerade - Celebrating the Big Red Machine.”

Also being honoured for sports are world indoor champion and record holder Devynne Charlton, who was sixth for the second consecutive appearance at the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Other noted sporting personalities to be honoured are versatile softball/

With the coveted Uncle Lou Award

baseball/volleyball/basketball player Anthony Bostwick for the Distinguished Alumni Achievement, Bahamas Aquatics’ president Algernon Cargill for the Alumnus of the Year award, Hall of Fame volleyball/basketball standout Linda Davis for the Distinguished Achievement in Education, former swimmer/broadcaster Christopher Saunders for journalism and former swimmer Nicholas Rees for the Spotlight Award.

As a 1995 graduate of St Augustine’s College, Clarke said he’s delighted to be able to receive his flowers while he’s still alive, although it was not his intention when he decided to return home from college to give back to the community.

“When you do things over a period of time, you never really expect to be rewarded because you’re pretty much giving back to multiple aspects of the community,” Clarke said.

Seven archers have their ‘bullseye’ on the Caribbean Development Championships

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

SEVEN archers will be in action for The Bahamas at the 6th edition of the World Archery Americas Caribbean Development Championships (CDC) in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

The bullseye is all set for September 19-23.

The tourney features both male and female archers and it is designed for the beginners and developmental level, also categorised as CARIFTA archery.

The Bahamas will be represented in three

divisions – compound bow, barebow and recurve.

Team members include Lincoln Knowles (compound beginners men), Bernard Almira (barebow developmental men), Jennifer Almira (barebow beginners women), Stephen Stubbs (barebow beginners men), Tanya Thompson (recurve beginners women), Rudoplh Thompson (compound beginners men U15) and Troy Laing (compound beginners men U21). Brooklyn Thompson will serve as the team official. David Rahming, president of the Bahamas Archery Federation,

expressed that the tournament is very important for the archers and he is expecting good performances.

“I’d like to really highlight coach Efran Alonso from Grand Bahama and his team of executives as well as the athletes of that club. He has done a really good job with them and for this particular version of the Caribbean Development Tournament all of the archers are from Grand Bahama.

“Coach Alonso has done a really good job and he has at least three under-21s who are like Leron [Rolle] and we are hoping that

September

CYCLING

BCF ELECTION OF OFFICERS

THE Bahamas Cycling Federation’s secretary general Barron “Turbo” Musgrove has announced that their general meeting and election of officers will take place on Saturday, October 26 at the office of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, starting at 5pm. Nominations for positions in the federation must be submitted to Musgrove in person or via email at bammus1967@gmail.com by Sunday, October 13. Positions to be filled are president, two vice presidents, general secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer and assistant treasurer. The current president is Roy Colebrooke.

JUNIOR GOLF AWARDS

THE 14th Hole Golf Club, in conjunction with the Bahamas Golf

Federation’s Junior Division, will hold its Junior Golf Awards ceremony from noon to 2pm on Sunday, October 6, at Fusion Superplex. Tickets are priced at $10 for junior golfers and $40 for adults and can be purchased by calling whatsapp 828Golf or 423-8003.

Event coordinator Georgette Rolle-Harris revealed that a number of awards will be presented to the top performers in the junior programme for the past year. UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS CROSS COUNTRY THE University of the Bahamas is scheduled to hold its annual Cross Country 2K24 Invitational on Saturday, September 28, starting at 7am

they develop next. There are other archers in the federation but those three are the ones I have my eye on as the administrator,” he said.

The Bahamas has continuously made strides since picking up no medals at the first edition of the World Archery Americas Caribbean Development Championships in 2017.

The country’s last appearance at the tourney was back in 2022 and the archers returned home with eight medals (four gold, three silver and one bronze).

Dario Higgs, who recently set a national

record in Argentina, hauled away three out of the four gold medals at the tourney. B Almira claimed gold in the barebow division at that time.

According to Rahming, he is confident that the archers will not return home empty-handed.

“I am not sure we will be able to accomplish the same thing this year but I am confident that we should be able to win some medals. We will not come home empty-handed,” he said.

The tournament was initially scheduled to begin

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

FRESH off his first victory in the IFBB Elite pro competition in Mexico two weeks ago, Jason “Jay Shred” Johnson attempted to make it two straight at the IFBB Elite Pro Sudamerica Show in Asuncion, Paraguay, over the weekend.

Instead, Johnson had to settle for fourth place in the men’s physique in a line up of 13 professional athletes from around the world.

“I thought I brought a better package, more detailed than I did in Mexico because I stayed prepped up,” Johnson said. “My performance was the same.

“Based on my symmetry, I thought I won the show, but I don’t think I got a fair judgement placement. When I spoke to the judges, they couldn’t tell me anything, just that I had the best physique on stage, but I just need thicker blocks.”

Despite falling short of his goal of winning two straight titles, Johnson said he was still proud to go and represent The Bahamas as the only competitor.

“I enjoyed the journey to showcase the Bahamas again,” he said. “It would have been good to get my second win back-to-back, but it was still a good experience competing in the show. I’m just happy to bring back some merchandise.”

After winning the title in Mexico, Johnson said he spent about six days at home working out under the watchful eyes of his mentor Joel Stubbs before he headed off to Paraguay. As he returns home in preparation for his second

FORMER baseball/softball player turned coach and philanthropist James Clarke is expected to be recognised by the St Augustine’s College Alumni Association (SACAA) for his contribution to the development of sports in The Bahamas.

Photos by Nikia Charlton

THE AWARDS: Top high school athletes and distance runners display their trophies won on Saturday following the inaugural RedLine Athletics’ Cross Country Championships at the St Augustine’s College campus.

Miami Dolphins place Tua

Tagovailoa on injured reserve after his latest concussion

By ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writer

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins placed Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve yesterday after the quarterback was diagnosed with his third concussion in two years.

Tagovailoa will be sidelined for at least four games. He will be eligible to return in Week 8 when the Dolphins host Arizona, but has to complete a series

of tests and assessments required by the NFL’s concussion protocol before he can return to the field.

Tagovailoa was hurt last Thursday night when he collided with Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin. He ran for a first down and then initiated the contact by lowering his shoulder into Hamlin instead of sliding. Players from both teams immediately motioned that Tagovailoa was hurt, and as he lay on the turf the quarterback exhibited

some signs typically associated with a traumatic brain injury. He remained down on the field for a couple of minutes, got to his feet and walked to the sideline. The Dolphins diagnosed him with a concussion a few minutes later.

Coach Mike McDaniel has since cautioned against speculation on the quarterback’s future, stressing that he’s more focused on Tagovailoa getting healthy than what this latest concussion means for the team

or for his career. Tagovailoa this week began the process of consulting neurologists about his health amid reports that he has no plans to retire.

Others around the NFL have offered their opinions on Tagovailoa’s future, including Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, who suggested he should retire.

“As far as Tua’s career is concerned, I think it’s an utmost priority of mine for Tua to speak on Tua’s career,” McDaniel said

Monday. “Reports are reports. As far as I’m concerned, I’m just worried about the human being and where that’s at day to day.

I’ll let Tua be the champion of his own career.”

McDaniel said Tagovailoa was at the team’s practice facility on Monday, greeting teammates and working with trainers.

“He’s doing good, man.

Talked to him, he’s in good spirits,” receiver Jaylen Waddle said Monday.

“(He’s) got the team in good spirits and everybody praying for him and hoping (for his) health.”

Archers headed to Caribbean Development Championships

FROM PAGE 11

in July this summer.

However, due to damages caused by Hurricane Beryl, the host federation had to reschedule the event for this month. Countries expected to be represented are The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States of America.

Rahming said it is a goal of the federation to potentially host the seventh edition of the event on home soil.

“We hope to host the next version of this tournament in 2025 here in The Bahamas. It is a great tourist product because there are 100-plus tourists that can come in. If we do it right, which I am sure we can, it can be an annual event and add more exposure and revenue to our country,” he said.

Trinidad & Tobago led last year’s medal standings with 53 in total.

Colombia came second with 11 total medals and Barbados was third with 10 medals overall. Competition is slated to begin on Thursday.

Coach James Clarke to be honoured with the coveted Uncle Lou Award

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“I just mainly wanted to provide the opportunities for the young men who may never have gotten the opportunity to do something. So it’s all about helping the young men to become more productive in our society, especially with all of the crime that is going on.”

After graduating from SAC, Clarke went on to obtain a baseball scholarship at St Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems and a minor in business administration.

He worked in various capacities across North Carolina before he returned home in 2003. He worked at the College of the Bahamas, now known as the University of the Bahamas, and UBS Bahamas Ltd before he ventured into his own business, Global Sun Integration Management in 2014 with a staff of 12.

He is also a co-founder and COO of a cyber security firm Sea Grape, Inc, which has strategically positioned itself to be the leading cyber security firm in the Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) space in The Bahamas.

Additionally, he’s also a partner in a digital assets company locally called DigiPelago, a director on the board HAP Bahamas,

a director of the Reloaded Foundation and part owner in Palm Tree Delights and a board member of Tropical Gyros.

But apart from all of that, Clarke is an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity or the past 24 years, he sits on the board of the Banker’s Athletic Association and is an active and passionate coach in baseball with both Freedom Farm and the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN) and is a director and coach for Pony Baseball Bahamas.

Clarke admits that if it wasn’t for the insightfulness he gleaned from the late Deacon Leviticus “Uncle Lou” Adderley during his tenure at SAC, he would not be in the position that he is today. “Playing under coach Lou Adderley and being mentored by him in his later years before he retired definitely is an honour,” Clarke said. “Lou Adderley was definitely a man among men and so to have this honour bestowed on me is something that I don’t take lightly.”

To the SACAA, headed by president Dr Anastasia Brown, Clarke expressed his gratitude for being considered and recognised for the body of work that he would have done over the years and continue to do.

“To be honoured by your peers is even more special,” he pointed out. Clarke, the son of national softball and

volleyball Hall of Famer Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, the president of the Bahamas Softball Federation, and James Clarke Sr. He is married to Shonel Clarke and they are the proud parents of three sons, Jaycob, Justice and Jamero Clarke.

He noted that he has already purchased his table for his family to attend and he’s looking forward to being honoured with the other honourees during the gala banquet.

“I’m glad to see what the alumni association is doing, especially with the whole experience around the gala banquet and what they are doing in giving back to the kids who are in need of scholarships,” Clarke pointed out.

“I actually went to SAC on a scholarship, so it’s interesting to see how things come around in a circle.

“So I’m happy to see that there are students who will be able to benefit from this initiative, just as I did with a scholarship.”

SACAA has an extraordinary night of food, fun and cultural entertainment planned with the Essence Band heading the show, the fourth since its inaugural ball in 2018. Two other gala balls were held in 2019 and 2023.

Heading the initial list of honourees in 2018 were track and field stars Maryann Higgs-Clarke, Shaunae Miller-Uibo and the late extraordinaire

track pioneer and executive Alpheus “Hawk” Finlayson. In 2019, the list included sporting executive Basil Christie for the Humanitarian Award, veteran javelin thrower Lavern Eve for sports and sports editor Brent Stubbs

for journalism. And in 2023, long-time coach and sports administrator Martin Lundy, a former director of sports at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, bodybuilder Sydney “Butts” Outten, softball player/coach Shane Albury,

legendary basketball player Basil “The Kid” Sands from Grand Bahama, basketball player Davy Rolle, the former commodore of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the late softball/ baseball coach Chrispin Ferguson.

DOLPHINS quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) sits on the field as he is attended to after an injury during the game against the Buffalo Bills September 12. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP)

RIGHT ON TARGET: Seven archers representing The Bahamas

Jonquel Jones and Liberty beat Mystics 87-71 to clinch best record in the WNBA

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bre-

anna Stewart had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the New York Liberty coasted to an 87-71 victory over the Washington Mystics last night to clinch the best record in the WNBA.

The Liberty will be the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and open at home on Sunday against the

eighth seed. That could be the Mystics, who are tied with Chicago, one game behind Atlanta heading into Thursday’s finales.

Leonie Fiebich scored 13 points and fellow reserve Nyara Sabally had 12 for the Liberty (32-7).

Starters Jonquel Jones and Betnijah Lane-Hamilton both added 11. Grand Bahamian Jones also

contributed seven rebounds and five assists.

Ariel Atkins had 22 points for the Mystics (13-26). They play Indiana on Thursday, while Chicago is at Connecticut and Atlanta is at the Liberty.

Julie Vanloo hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring for Washington, but four New York starters

combined for the next 10 points and the Liberty led the rest of the way. Stewart’s basket produced the big lead at 26-12 and the lead was 29-18 after one quarter.

New York’s front line combined for 26 points in building a 47-37 halftime lead. The Liberty pushed the lead to 22 points in the third

JONQUEL JONES

quarter. The Liberty had a 50-18 advantage on points in the paint and 16-2 on second-chance points. The rebounding difference was 45-29, 12-3 on the offensive end.

NAPHEESA COLLIER’S STELLAR PLAY HAS LED MINNESOTA LYNX TO EARN THE NO.2 SEED

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer

NAPHEESA Collier and the Minnesota Lynx have been nearly unbeatable since the Olympic break.

The Lynx star, who helped the United States win its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal, has been averaging 20.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists and the team has won 12 of 13 since the Paris Games to surge into second place in the standings.

She’s also been an anchor on the defensive end as the Lynx have only given up an average of 78 points in those games. In the last four contests, including a huge win over the New York Liberty on Sunday, Minnesota hasn’t allowed a team to reach 80 points.

“Each year she knows that if she plays like an MVP that our team has a chance to be highly successful,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. “That’s what we’ve seen this year. Both sides, her impact defensively each night there are different ways you can use her. She’s defensive player of the year and MVP, that’s why were are sitting where we are.”

In any other year where

A’ja Wilson wasn’t putting up historic numbers, Collier would be a front runner for the league’s top award. Unfortunately for the Lynx star, Wilson has been truly amazing, becoming the

FROM PAGE 11

at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. Interested persons can contact coach Ednal Rolle at 424-6469 or ednql.roolle@ub.edu.bs for more details.

first player in WNBA history to score more than 1,000 points in a season and averaging 27.0 points — the highest in league history. That doesn’t take away from what Collier and the Lynx have done. Coming into the season, Minnesota wasn’t talked about much as one of the elite teams in

BASKETBALL BBSF BASKETBALL

TOURNEY

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its final team registration for its basketball tournament on Tuesday, September 24 at 7pm at the Bahamas Baptist College, Jean Street. All teams wishing to participate in either the men’s

the league like Las Vegas, New York or Seattle. The Lynx have broken through, winning the Commissioner’s Cup earlier in the year and now finishing as one of the top three teams in the regular season.

“We have a strong, strong feel for who we are and if I could describe our team,

open division or the high school division are asked to submit their team roster and their registration fee of $200 per team. The tournament will be held from September 27-28 at the CI Gibson Gymnasium. Awards will be presented to winners and runners-up in both divisions. Interested teams are urged to contact Sean

I would say everyone is comfortable in their own skin and we all accept each other for who we are and that just gives us all confidence,” Reeve said.

AP WNBA poll

Minnesota took over the top spot in the AP WNBA poll from New York, marking the first time this season

Bastian at 826-8535 or email seanbastian@gmail. com

CYCLING

BBSF CYCLING

CLASSIC

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation has announced that its cycling classic will be held on Saturday, October 5 starting at 9 am at the park just before you enter Perpall Tract on West Bay Street. Registration fee is $10 for adults in the open 18-and-over and masters 35-and-over divisions and $5 for juniors in ages 15-17, 12-15 and 9-11. Interested persons are asked to contact Barron Musgrove at 433-5568 or email musgrovebarron@ hotmail.com

SOFTBALL

EXUMA

HOMECOMING

THE Williams Town Exuma Homecoming Association is scheduled to hold a softball game and road race over the weekend of October 11-14.

The softball game will be played on October 11-12 between the Corner Boyz from the New Providence Oldtimers Softball Association and the local All-Star team from Exuma.

Then on October 12, a five-mile road race will be staged, starting at 7am from the Culture Centre in Forbes Hill to the public school in Williams Town.

the Lynx have been No. 1 and ending the Liberty’s 10-week run. They fell to No. 2. Las Vegas moved up to third with Connecticut and Indiana next. Seattle, Phoenix and Chicago followed the Fever. Washington and Atlanta were eighth and ninth while

Competitors in the under-9, under-11 and under-13 divisions will compete in a 2 1/2 mile run, while those in the under-15, under-17, under20 and open divisions will compete in a five-mile run.

ROOTS JUNKANOO FUN RUN/WALK

THE Roots Junkanoo Group is scheduled to hold its Fun Run/Walk Race under the theme “Let’s Do This Together,” on Saturday, October 12.

The event will start promptly at 6:30am at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium and will be sponsored by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Sports Authority.

The registration fee is $25 per athlete. Categories include under male and female under-15, under-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 and 61-and-over. ALL CARIBBEAN WRESTLING FIGHT FOR PARADISE

THE All Caribbean Wrestling (ACW) is scheduled to hold its Fight for Paradise Show on Saturday, October 19, at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Doors open at 1pm. Wrestlers from throughout the Caribbean and the United States of America will be participating. For ticket information, persons can contact FightForParadise.eventbrite.

com

FREEDOM FARM BASEBALL REGISTRATION

FREEDOM Farm Baseball League will hold its registration for the 2025 baseball season online and in-person for players between the ages of 3-20 years old.

Dallas and Los Angeles rounded out the poll.

Caitlin corner

Caitlin Clark continued her assault on the WNBA record books. She broke the rookie single-season scoring record, taking down Seimone Augustus’ mark of 744 points set in 2006.

The Indiana Fever rookie had a season-best 35 points in the win over Dallas to do it. Two days earlier, Clark broke the WNBA mark for assists in a single season, passing Alyssa Thomas’ record set last year when she had 316. Clark now has 329 with one game to play in Washington on Thursday.

Rookie impact Sparks rookie Rickea Jackson had another solid week, averaging 20 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists as Los Angeles lost all three of its games. On the season, the former Tennessee star is averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

Player of the week Wilson had another impressive set of games to earn AP Player of the Week honours as the Aces star averaged 23.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks to help Las Vegas go 3-0 and stay in the hunt for the No. 3 seed. Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell also received votes.

Game of the week

The WNBA playoffs begin Sunday with all four opening round series playing their Game 1s.

The registration fee is $150 per player.

In-person registration will take place every Saturday at the park in Yamacraw during September and October as general workout sessions take place from 10 am to 1 pm. The draft showcase will take place on Saturday, November 2.

BAPTIST SPORTS FEDERATION TRACK MEET THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its Renee ‘Sunshine’ Curry-Davis Memorial Track and Field Classic on Saturday, November 16, at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The meet, hosted in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials, will recognise Curry-Davis, a former executive of the BBSF, who was working as the director for track and field before her death this year.

Beginning at 9am, the meet will be geared for men and women competing in the under-7, under-11, under-15, under20 under-30 open, under-50 open and masters 50-andover categories as well as the clergy for pastors, ministers, evangelists and deacons.

The entry deadline for teams to participate is Friday, November 1 and should be submitted to TEK Results via tmoss@ locbahamas.org

MINNESOTA Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) goes up against Chicago Sky centre Kamilla Cardoso (10) in the first quarter of a WNBA basketball game on Friday, September 13, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Jason ‘Jay Shred’ Johnson fourth overall out of 13 pros in men’s physique

FROM PAGE 11

appearance at the World Championships in Madrid, Spain, from October 12-15, the personal fitness trainer said he will continue to improve on the package

that he presented at both of his recent shows.

“This show, the judges pulled more for the guys from their countries,” he said.

“There was nothing more that I could do, but in going to the World

Championships, I hope to get a top five.”

Last year, Johnson made his debut at the championships where he finished seventh. He is expected to be joined by Kaif Young as they compete in the same

event this year. “Last year, I got seventh place out of a field of 25 competitors. I was really close to making it to the top five,” he said.

“I made a lot of improvements since last year so my goal this year is to crack the top five.”

AFTER hosting a series of road races out at the Clifton Heritage site, the New Providence Cycling Association switched to its BMX and Mountain Bike Fun Obstacle Course.

On Sunday, the first Cycling Challenge Series was held off West Bay Street with Sibby ‘Terminator’ Potter and Sanchia Fritzmaurice emerging as the overall male and female champions.

Potter, competing in the boys’ 12-14 division,

With the help of Stubbs, whom Johnson feels has been the best bodybuilder the country has ever produced, he intends to continue to make his presence felt in the IFBB Pro Elite competition around the world.

New Champions League format makes its debut with same old winners: Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern, Juventus

By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer

ROME (AP) — New format. Same old winners.

The revamped Champions League made its debut yesterday with some familiar clubs claiming victories on opening night.

After joining from Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappé scored for 15-time champion Real Madrid, which needed late goals from Antonio Rudiger and Endrick to beat Stuttgart 3-1.

Six-time champion Liverpool came back from a goal down for a 3-1 win at seventime champion AC Milan in a rematch of the 2005 and 2007 finals.

Harry Kane scored four in Bayern Munich’s 9-2 rout of Dinamo Zagreb as the German club opened its bid for a seventh title — which could be achieved in its home stadium in May.

Two-time champion Juventus dispatched PSV Eindhoven 3-1. During the new league phase, all 36 teams are ranked from top to bottom in a single standings that finishes in January.

Also, Aston Villa returned to the competition for the first time in 41 years and won 3-0 at Young Boys; and Sporting Lisbon beat 10-man Lille 2-0.

The first round of league matches continues with six more matches both today and on Thursday.

Madrid tested After a scoreless first half, Mbappé put Madrid ahead seconds after the break when he redirected a cross from Rodrygo.

After Deniz Undav equalised for Stuttgart midway through the second half with a header, Rudiger restored Madrid’s advantage with a header and Endrick sealed it with a solo counterattack in stoppage time. “This was a typical Madrid match in

the Champions League,” Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said. “We always have difficult games. We sometimes complicate things ourselves, but credit to to Stuttgart. They pressed high, they were really offensive and they created chances.”

At 18 years and 58 days, Endrick became Madrid’s youngest scorer in the Champions League. Raul Gonzalez was 18 years and 113 days old when he scored a hat trick in a 6-1 win against Ferencvarosi in 1995 for the previous record.

Liverpool comeback Christian Pulisic scored early for Milan before Liverpool struck back with headers from both of its centre backs: Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk. Dominik Szoboszlai added another for Liverpool.

“I’m very proud to be standing here after 50 appearances, a goal and a win at the San Siro after a difficult start. The way we played after that start was outstanding,” Liverpool captain Van Dijk said. Kane’s record Kane converted three penalties and broke Wayne Rooney’s record for the most Champions League goals by an English player by boosting his tally to 33 — three ahead of Rooney.

Bayern’s best goal might have been its second from Raphael Guerreiro, who crushed in a powerful drive after a chest pass from Jamal Musiala.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany was not the first choice when he was hired in May but so far his team has won all five of its matches. His team now tops the Champions League standings on goal difference.

Yildiz the youngest Kenan Yildiz’s goal for Juventus after 21 minutes was the first of the revamped competition. And what a goal it was.

The Turkey winger dribbled into the left side of the box and curled in a long shot off the far, top corner of the goal frame.

At 19 years and 136 days, Yildiz broke the Juventus record for youngest scorer in the competition that Alessandro Del Piero established when he scored at 20 years and 308 days against Borussia Dortmund in September 1995.

With a goal reminiscent of the way Del Piero used to score, it seemed fitting that Yildiz was wearing the same No. 10 that Del Piero wore for Juventus.

“He was my idol as a child,” Yildiz said.

“An incredible evening, goosebumps.”

Unai Emery’s impact

Under experienced coach Unai Emery, Villa has won three of its four Premier League matches and was in control virtually throughout at Young Boys in its return to the competition after 41 years.

Youri Tielemans put Villa ahead with a bouncing shot midway through the first half and Jacob Ramsey doubled the lead 11 minutes later by taking advantage of a loose ball. Amadou Onana sealed it four minutes from time.

Emery has won the Europa League four times with two clubs — three with Sevilla and once with Villarreal. He also coached Villarreal to the Champions League semifinals in 2022 and led Villa to the Conference League semifinals last season.

Villa was mourning the death a day earlier of 1982 European Cup winner Gary Shaw.

Gyokeres’ goals

Viktor Gyokeres, who had been an Arsenal transfer target, opened the scoring for Sporting with a neat turn and shot into the bottom left corner. It was Gyokeres’ ninth goal in six matches this season.

Lille midfielder Angel Gomes was sent off before

the break and Zeno Debast added a long-range strike midway through the second half. Protest banner Bayern fans didn’t appear enthusiastic about the new format, holding aloft a gigantic banner that ran

the length of one end of the stands reading “Too much of a good thing — back to the roots — undo new CL-format.”

The protest banner was displayed during the playing of the Champions League anthem.

REAL Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe walks along the pitch after Stuttgart score its side’s first goal yesterday during the Champions League opening phase soccer match against VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid.

(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

JASON “Jay Shred” Johnson with his fourth-place medal.