Social Security plays a big role in many Americans’ retirement security. 40% of Americans ages 65 and older rely on Social Security for at least half their income, according to the AARP. Additionally, where you live can make a big difference in how much of your Social Security check you get to keep. Not only can up to 85% of your Social Security benefits be subject to federal taxation, depending on your income, you could also face state income taxes on Social Security benefits. Fortunately, the list of states that tax Social Security is shrinking, and only nine will do so in 2025.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 41 States That Won’t Tax Social Security Benefits in 2025

Some women choose to go to jail instead. But this isn’t a nursing home – it’s Japan’s largest women’s prison. The population here reflects the aging society outside, and the pervasive problem of loneliness that guards say is so acute for some elderly prisoners that they’d prefer to stay incarcerated. “There are even people who say they will pay 20,000 or 30,000 yen ($130-190) a month (if they can) live here forever…”

Source: CNN

A war orphan from Sierra Leone, Michaela Mabinty DePrince dies aged 29. DePrince moved to the US and ended up performing with Beyonce`. Her life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us. She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty, and greatness can rise from the darkest of places. DePrince started her life at an orphanage in Sierra Leone. After being adopted by a New Jersey family, she began to take dance classes and went on to the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.

Rest in Power

Theo Edwards for YAME

The theme of the book! Animal Farm is about humans and the politics of society. How those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic process. An embedded narrative, in which the characters become the story. George Orwell uses a barnyard setting to explore themes of class and power _and how power has swallowed politicians’ common sense.

By Theo Edwards

Kamala Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, two genius parents, one a Stanford economist, the other a brilliant Berkeley scientist, both active in the 1960s civil rights movement of their beloved adopted country, America, and proud to have their children be among the first to integrate a public school in California — that Kamala Harris was now, in 2024, accepting the all-but-certain nomination to be the Democratic Party candidate for President of the United States.

Michael Moore

His silence speaks volumes about the lengths politicians go to for political gain and the prevalence of deception in our political system. These senior officials, Lara Taylor-Pearce(Mrs.); Former Auditor General, Sierra Leone, and Tamba Momoh; Former Deputy Auditor General, Sierra Leone, must have statutory independence.

'Sadly, Salone is so out of place that you don't know where to start giving them credit for as much as you would like' ~ YAME.

By Basita Michael (Lawyer, Former ICL Lecturer FBC, Founder Sierraeye Magazine and Sierraeye Debate, Former President SLBA, Governing officer ILRAJ)

Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman earned a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from Arizona State’s College of Health Solutions at only 17, making her the youngest person to achieve this before being eligible to vote. Dr. Tillman hopes her story inspires talkative, outgoing, and smart girls who are trying to figure themselves out. Dr. Tillman was part of a gifted program before transitioning to home-schooling.

A remarkable achievement: Eddie Hanson, a Sierra Leonean refugee, has shattered barriers by becoming the first Black Deputy Mayor of Camden, London, England. Elected as councilor in May 2022, Eddie was appointed Deputy Mayor of Camden on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Council's Annual General Meeting.

Guest Contributor, UK

Prince Harry and Meghan are in Nigeria at the invitation of the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, the country’s highest-ranking military official. Harry’s adaptive sports tournament for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans highlights the national charity dedicated to veterans works in collaboration with the Invictus Games Foundation.

By Janine Henni and Simon Perry for PEOPLE: Updated May 12, 2024; 07:49 AM EDT

Dreadlocks hadn’t been my hairstyle choice when I was growing up in Sierra Leone, because they were associated with drug users, school dropouts, and others on the fringes of society. But I came to the United States to study at Harvard, where I became interested in soccer and music, and the locs, really seemed to fit. Then I did something that got people’s attention ~ David Moinina Sengeh.

Because he was a permanent U.S. resident — he had a green card but not citizenship — he went straight from prison to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under the Trump administration, the rhetoric against immigrants was rising. An immigrant from Africa with an arrest record, even if it was nonviolent, was a target.

Anthony was taken to Texas, where he was held for a while, then brought back to Dulles, where he was eventually put on a plane with nothing but the clothes he wore, a toothbrush, and some thermal underwear he got in the Texas facility.

‘Friday the 13th. Would you believe?’ Samuel Anthony said.

On Wednesday, the magistrate overseeing the case ruled in favor of Koroma's lawyers, who had asked the high court to grant Koroma a trip abroad for medical reasons.

The magistrate said the ex-president would be allowed to travel to Nigeria for no more than three months before adjourning the case to March 6.

Reuters: Updated Wed, January 17, 2024 at 1:23 PM EST

The rebels carried out large numbers of mutilations, in particular, amputation of hands, arms, legs, and other parts of the body a horrific practice developed during offensives in the rural parts of Sierra Leone. In Freetown, several hundred people, mostly men, but also women and children, were killed and maimed in this way. Hospitals registered ninety-seven victims of hand and leg amputation, including twenty-six civilians both of whose hands were hacked off. Among those who had reached the hospital were a two-year-old toddler who had lost one arm, and at least twelve children under the age of eleven who had either lost a limb or suffered serious lacerations from these attacks.

Human Rights Watch

The former president is represented by lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara. The Ex-President Koroma was granted bail by a High Court order on condition. The case was adjourned to January 17, 2024.

By Theo Edwards

The gruesome incident happened on the evening of December 21. At the time we went to press, there were 16 people in the hospital, 1 in critical condition, and two people lost their lives.

By Theo Edwards

President George Weah accepts his electoral defeat. Mr. Weah congratulates former VP Joseph N. BoaKai as the Winner of the 2023 presidential run-off election. He called Mr. Boakai via telephone following the announcement of provisional results by the National Elections Commission.

By Theo Edwards

The touching moment was caught on camera. In the clip, which has since gone viral, the mom boards the plane as a regular passenger, unaware of the surprise to come. Once the team confirms it’s her, the big reveal is set in motion. The pilot greets his unsuspecting mom with a big flower bouquet under his arm, as well as a cake and a bottle of champagne.

Former Flag Bearer of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) Honorable. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella finally resigned from the party and switched over to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

He wrote, ‘My late wife Philomena and I have always believed that the NGC Party was not meant to be “MY” party but rather a vehicle and an institution for change.'

(C) Culled; Monday, October 16, 2023

'Tabulation and announcement of results proved to be the tipping point for the credibility of the elections. The entire process was opaque, meaningful observation was impeded, and the declaration of winners was not followed by the publication of disaggregated results per polling station.' These are the words of the European Union Observation Mission Final Report on Sierra Leone General Elections June 2023.

WASHINGTON, September 27, 2023 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced visa restrictions for individuals who he said were 'undermining democracy' in Liberia ahead of the country's elections in October.

Statement by Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken

Two Transportation Security Administration agents are facing charges for allegedly stealing from passengers' luggage.

The two agents in question — Josue Gonzalez and Labarrius Williams — were allegedly caught in the act on camera, with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office releasing surveillance footage of the crimes.

Tin tranga! That is the new national anthem as hardship grips the motherland. The cost of essential commodities keeps soaring, making the cost of living unaffordable for many. 

From food to fuel and utilities to higher education, everything is going out of reach for the average Salone man. Even those with deep pockets (and there aren’t many) are feeling the pinch. What is the government doing?

By The Editorial Board: Credit Source: Share