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  • Ohio man accused of restraining and abandoning toddler with special needs for hours

    HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio (TCN) — A 35-year-old man is accused of locking a toddler with special needs in a bedroom and leaving the child alone for hours.

    According to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, on April 8, Joshua Merz allegedly left a 2-year-old child alone for at least seven hours while he went to work. A neighbor reportedly discovered the child and called law enforcement. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office subsequently responded and noticed the home was “filthy and potentially dangerous.”

    On April 16, prosecutors announced that Merz was indicted on two counts of child endangerment. If convicted, he faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison.

    The indictment alleges Merz “recklessly physically restrained” the child in a “cruel manner or for a prolonged period, which restraint was excessive under the circumstances and a created a substantial risk of serious physical harm.”

    In a statement, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said, “There is never a reason to leave a 2-year-old child home alone. It’s our job to make sure those who cannot speak for themselves are protected. And that’s exactly what we will do in this case.”

    • Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich Announces Indictment in Child Endangering Case – Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office

    Source: True Crime Daily

  • Obi Lauds Northern Monarchs For Stance On Insecurity

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, Mr Peter Obi, has lauded some Northern traditional rulers for speaking out against the worsening security situation in many parts of the region.

    According to him, the monarchs have so far taken bold steps regarding the frightening insecurity, typified by killings, abductions, arson and destruction of property.

    While reactjng to the ‘Enough is Enough’ declaration by the royal fathers on the security situation, Obi said that their courageous steps were needed to find a lasting solution to the menace.

    On his X handle on Thursday, the former presidential candidate stated, ‘I would like to sincerely thank the Northern traditional rulers for their courageous and timely emergency declaration of the security situation in the region.

    “I cannot agree less with them that Enough is Enough regarding the persistent killings and insecurity plaguing our nation.

    “Their collective voice, as reported, underscores the urgent need for decisive action to protect lives and restore peace in our communities.

    “I urge governments at all levels to work closely with these royal fathers who are closest to the people at the grassroots.

    “Their commitment to addressing these challenges and offering counsel to regional governors reflect true leadership and a deep concern for the well-being of their communities.”

    He observed that the collective stance of the traditional rulers served as a clarion call to all stakeholders to act in the interest of the nation.

    “We must unite, irrespective of political affiliations, to implement lasting solutions that address the root causes of our nation’s challenges.

    “Let us work together to build a Nigeria where every citizen feels safe, valued, and empowered.”

    NAN

    Obi Lauds Northern Monarchs For Stance On Insecurity is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

    Source: The Whistler

  • Biden’s Social Security Spin

    Este artículo estará disponible en español en El Tiempo Latino.

    In his first speech since leaving office, former President Joe Biden criticized the Trump administration’s staffing cuts and other changes at the Social Security Administration, but he made several misleading claims in the process.

    • Biden made the misleading claim that during his presidency some Republicans “wanted to let Social Security expire every five years … unless reauthorized by the Congress.” A 2022 proposal from Sen. Rick Scott called for sunsetting all federal programs after five years, unless Congress extended them. But Scott said he wanted to “fix,” not end, Social Security, and a later proposal specifically exempted Social Security.
    • The former president claimed that Republicans “threatened to raise the retirement age.” The conservative Republican Study Committee has proposed gradually raising the full retirement age for years, but that hasn’t gained enough support in Congress, even among Republicans.
    • Biden said the Social Security Administration had its “lowest staffing levels in 50 years” when he took office as president. He failed to mention that staffing ended up even lower his last year in office.
    • He said that staffing cuts and other changes under the Trump administration had caused concern that “Social Security benefits may be delayed or interrupted.” It’s true that experts have shared that concern over possible administrative errors. But a few of Biden’s comments could leave the misleading impression that monthly benefits for millions of people had nearly been, or were about to be, cut off.

    Biden spoke April 15 in Chicago at the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled conference.

    Old Chestnut on Letting Social Security Expire

    Biden repeated a familiar talking point in misleadingly claiming that during his presidency some Republicans in Congress “wanted to let Social Security expire every five years. That was the proposal, let it expire every five years unless reauthorized by the Congress.”

    That’s a reference to a 2022 policy proposal, called “An 11-Point Plan to Rescue America,” from Republican Sen. Rick Scott to sunset all federal programs after five years, unless Congress voted to extend them. “If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again,” Scott’s plan said. But there was never any serious effort to implement that policy, especially as it pertains to Social Security.

    Scott, who then was the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said at the time that he didn’t want to sunset those programs — and he didn’t know anyone who did — but rather he wanted to “review,” “fix” and “preserve” them so that they are financially solvent for the long term. Shortly after Scott introduced his plan, then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that a bill sunsetting Social Security (and Medicare) in five years “will not be part of a Republican Senate majority agenda.”

    By the following year, Scott had revised the language in his plan to specifically exclude Social Security and Medicare, and other programs. “All federal legislation sunsets in 5 years, with specific exceptions of Social Security, Medicare, national security, veterans benefits, and other essential services,” the 2023 version of Scott’s plan said.

    Democrats have gotten a lot of mileage out of that proposal, particularly during the 2022 midterms, making false and misleading claims about Republicans wanting to “end” these popular programs, as we’ve written. In his remarks in Chicago, Biden said this five-year-expiration plan was part of the “constant threat” his administration faced from Republicans who wanted to “cut and gut Social Security.” But there was no threat of Social Security being terminated, as Scott has made clear.

    Retirement Age

    Biden misleadingly claimed that Republicans “threatened to raise the retirement age as well. Now, that might not be a hardship for someone working in a comfortable job, but if you’re on your feet all day, you’re doing manual labor all day, you’re working with a disability, it’s a very different matter.”

    As we wrote when Biden made a similar claim in his reelection announcement in 2023, the conservative Republican Study Committee has proposed budgets for years that have included gradually increasing the full retirement age, to either 69 or 70, and indexing it after that for life expectancy. The “full retirement age,” when a beneficiary can get full benefit payments, is age 66 to 67, depending on the beneficiary’s birth year. (Early retirement, with reduced Social Security benefit payments, is available starting at age 62.)

    The most recent RSC proposal, for fiscal 2025, said it would “make modest adjustments to the retirement age for future retirees to account for increases in life expectancy.”

    But raising the retirement age has failed to attract enough support in Congress, even among Republicans. In late December, Sen. Rand Paul introduced an amendment to raise the full retirement age, and it garnered just three “yes” votes.

    Legislators will need to take some action in the near future if they want the program to continue to pay all of its promised benefits, and it’s possible that raising the retirement age, or raising taxes, will be under discussion. The trust fund for retirees’ and survivors’ benefits is expected to be depleted in 2033, at which point SSA will only be able to pay 79% of benefits, according to the Social Security trustees’ latest estimate.

    On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump said he “will not raise the retirement age by one day” and wouldn’t cut “one penny” from Social Security. Since taking office, he has said that he’s only interested in getting rid of fraud. “Social Security won’t be touched, other than if there’s fraud,” Trump said in a February interview.

    More to the Story on Staffing Level

    The former president said: “When we came into office, the Social Security Administration had its lowest staffing. … Lowest staffing levels in 50 years. And demand was going through the roof because of my generation, the Baby Boomer generation, reaching the retirement age.” He didn’t say anything more about a change in SSA staffing during his administration, but it’s worth noting that the number of full-time staffers was even lower his last year in office.

    Full-time staffing at the SSA was 58,952 in fiscal year 2021, which began nearly four months before Biden took office. That was the lowest dating back to at least 1995, the earliest year in an SSA table on staffing levels. A report from the Associated Press from last year indicates that it was also probably the lowest level since the early 1970s.

    But the total full-time staff was 57,148 in fiscal 2024, which ended on Sept. 30, 2024. The peak under Biden was 60,026 in fiscal 2023.

    Under Trump, the SSA announced in February it will cut 7,000 jobs, with an agency-wide offer of early retirement and incentivized resignations, and the Washington Post has reported that thousands more in reductions are planned.  

    Misleading Claims on the Threat to Monthly Benefits

    Biden criticized the Trump administration for staffing cuts, website crashes and computer glitches at the Social Security Administration that the former president said had left beneficiaries “genuinely concerned for the first time in history, for the first and only time in history, that Social Security benefits may be delayed or interrupted.” As we’ve written, experts are concerned about SSA reorganizations, rushed changes and false fraud claims leading to administrative problems with Social Security, including the delivery of benefits. But a few of Biden’s comments could leave the misleading impression that monthly benefits for millions of people had nearly been, or were about to be, cut off.

    “In the 90 years since Franklin Roosevelt created the Social Security system, people have always gotten their Social Security checks. They’ve gotten them during wartime, during recessions, during the pandemic. No matter what, they got them. But now, for the first time ever, that might change. There’ll be calamity for millions of families, millions of people,” Biden said.

    There is no plan to stop monthly benefits, but, as we said, experts are worried that abrupt changes at the SSA, in the name of cutting staffing or finding fraud, could lead to operational mistakes. “I genuinely have never been this concerned about the ability of that agency to function,” Pamela Herd, a professor of social policy and faculty associate at the Institute for Social Research’s Population Studies Center at the University of Michigan, told us for an earlier story on the issue. “Yes, I think people are right to be worried about it.”

    The former president also was largely accurate in citing comments by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, but one line by Biden could leave the wrong impression that there was a “possibility of Social Security checks not going out this month.”

    Biden said of Lutnick: “But the current secretary of commerce doesn’t seem to get it, or based on his comments, he doesn’t seem to even care. … But when he talked about the possibility of Social Security checks not going out this month, he shrugged it off. Here’s what he said. He said that his 94-year-old mother-in-law wouldn’t complain. It wouldn’t bother her.”

    Lutnick, in an interview on the All-In Podcast on March 20, raised the hypothetical of checks not going out that month, saying that a “fraudster” would be the one to complain about it.

    Lutnick said: “Let’s say Social Security didn’t send out their checks this month. My mother-in-law, who’s 94, she wouldn’t call and complain. She just wouldn’t. She’d think something got messed up and she’ll get it next month. A fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling and complaining. … Anybody who’s been in the payment system and the process system knows the easiest way to find the fraudster is to stop payments and listen. Because whoever screams is the one stealing.”

    Biden also said Lutnick, a billionaire, was “paying 8.5% in taxes.” We don’t know what rate Lutnick pays in federal taxes, but Biden’s figure refers to a White House calculation for the 400 wealthiest families in the U.S. that factors in earnings on unsold stock as income, as we’ve explained.

    Alan Jaffe contributed to this story.

    Editor’s note: FactCheck.org does not accept advertising. We rely on grants and individual donations from people like you. Please consider a donation. Credit card donations may be made through our “Donate” page. If you prefer to give by check, send to: FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center, P.O. Box 58100, Philadelphia, PA 19102. 

    Source: FactCheck

  • Can the IRS revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status?

    By GABRIELA AOUN ANGUEIRA and THALIA BEATY

    For more than a century, the majority of colleges and universities have not paid most taxes. The Revenue Act of 1909 excused nonprofits operating “exclusively for religious, charitable, or educational purposes” in order to continue acting in the public interest.

    Source: Paradise Post

  • Street Fighter competitor Gamerbee responds to report that he’s the oldest sponsored eSports player in the world



    46 years old and still going strong though he’s not the only one








    There’s a prevailing myth that eSports are a young person’s career where you’re considered over the hill once you reach your mid 20’s, but that’s not really the case when it comes to the fighting game community.






    Bruce “FW|GamerBee” Hsiang made a few waves this week when he announced he had signed on with the big Taiwanese eSports team Flash Wolves, and some were surprised by his age.









    Dexerto wrote up a report following the reveal claiming that Gamerbee is the oldest signed eSports competitor in the world in any genre at 46 years old, which is technically true but also not in a way.


    The former Evo finalist responded to the story stating that Japanese Street Fighter pro FAV|Sako is right up there with him.


    “Thanks @Dexerto for the post, actually @sakonoko from Japan also 46 years old(I am only 1 day older than him so not big difference), we both still fighting for our passion, imagine how funny if we met each other in the tournament now lol.”




    Gamerbee has been competing in fighting games for almost three decades now, but he really rose to prominence when he reached the grand finals at Evo 2015 in Street Fighter 4 when he was already 36 years old.


    While he’s not found the same level of success in Street Fighter 6 yet, Hsiang has not lost his will and love for competing and remains one of Taiwain’s best players after all this time.


    Gamerbee is not the only one battling the passage of time to stay in the game either considering Street Fighter 3: Third Strike sensation Hayao is 42 and still able to do the splits.


    BST|Daigo Umehara is also 43 years old and recently announced he’s dedicating himself full time to compete at a high level again and put his streaming career in the backseat for a while.


    Momochi is 39, Kazunoko is 37 now, GO1 is 37, CR|Dogura is 37, MOV is 39 and Rohto|Tokido is 39 too, and they’re all showing no signs of slowing down.


    There’s plenty more examples looking around the FGC to show that at least in our genre, age really is just a number.










    Source: Event Hubs

  • Four county baseball teams set to begin state playoffs

    Four county baseball teams set to begin state playoffs

    Published 2:23 pm Thursday, April 17, 2025

    With the regular season complete, four Covington County baseball teams will begin the path toward a state championship with the first round of the AHSAA state playoffs this week.

    Three teams — Andalusia, Florala, and Opp — will host opening-round matchups after winning their respective area titles. The other, Red Level, will travel following a runner-up finish.

    The champions and runners-up in all areas 1A-6A will advance to the first round at the home site of the area winners according to a pre-drawn bracket for each class. Play is double elimination in a best-two-of-three series. All area runners-up will travel for the first round.

    The first and second games of each series will be played as a doubleheader on the first day of the series. The host team will serve as the “home team” in the first game of the series. The traveling team will be the designated “home team” in the second game. The host team will be the home team if the third game is necessary.

    The Alabama High School Athletic Association has set the price of admission at $12 for a doubleheader and $10 for a third game. Tickets may be purchased in advance through GoFan. Additionally, all three schools hosting will have a cash gate upon entry.

    Andalusia, 13-9-1, the 5A Area 3 champion, will host Faith Academy (20-5), the Area 2 runner-up, in a series beginning Friday, April 18, at 4 p.m. Game two will follow at approximately 6:30 p.m. If a third game is needed, it will be played on Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m.

    Florala (15-7), the 1A Area 2 champion, will host Red Level (10-8), the Area 3 runner-up, in a series beginning Friday, April 18, at 1 p.m. Game two will follow at approximately 3 p.m. If a third game is needed, it will be played on Saturday, April 19, at 3 p.m.

    Opp (21-4), the 4A Area 4 champion, will host Bayside Academy (16-14), the Area 1 runner-up, in a series beginning Friday, April 18, at 2 p.m. Game two will follow at approximately 4:30 p.m. If a third game is needed, it will be played on Saturday, April 19, at noon.

    First-round winners will advance to the second round scheduled for next week.

    (Editor’s Note: All playoff dates and times are subject to change.)

    Source: Andalusia Star

  • Warehouse Officer at Agurate Online Limited

    Retail Apparel and Fashion
    Job Summary

    The Warehouse Officer is responsible for overseeing the efficient receipt, storage, and dispatch of a wide range of retail goods. 
    They ensure that products are accurately stocked, tracked, and distributed in line with company standards and customer expectations. 
    The role involves maintaining inventory accuracy, optimizing storage systems, and ensuring compliance with safety and operational procedures.

    Key Responsibilities

    Receive, inspect, and record incoming stock deliveries and ensure proper documentation.
    Organize and store goods in the warehouse according to inventory procedures.
    Maintain accurate inventory records through regular cycle counts and reconciliations.
    Prepare, pack, and dispatch goods to retail outlets or customers in a timely manner.
    Monitor and manage stock levels and notify procurement of low stock or slow-moving items.
    Coordinate with the salesteams to ensure product availability and timely replenishment.
    Maintain cleanliness, safety, and orderliness of the warehouse area at all times.
    Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and statutory regulations.
    Assist with periodic stock-taking exercises and audits.

    Key Skills & Qualifications

    Minimum of HND or Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field.
    Proven experience in warehouse operations, preferably in retail or FMCG.
    Strong knowledge of inventory management systems (experience with ERP systems is a plus).
    Good physical stamina and ability to lift or move heavy items.
    Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
    Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic retail environment.
    Basic computer skills (Microsoft Excel, Word).

    Click Here To Apply

  • OMF Financial Consultant (Somerset West Mall) at Old Mutual April, 2025

    Never pay for any CBT, test or assessment as part of any recruitment process. When in doubt, contact us

    Old Mutual Limited (OML) is a premium African financial services group that offers a broad spectrum of financial solutions to retail and corporate customers across key markets in 14 countries.

    Job Description

    • Provides advice on a specific range of products to a specific allocated market and are individually accountable for achieving results through their own efforts.

    Responsibilities

    Customer Service

    • Carry out standard customer service activities and handle simple customer inquiries.

    Solutions Analysis

    • Assess compliance with established standards and protocols for routine inquiries.

    Receiving Visitors

    • Receive visitors and assist with various requests for information, referring more complex matters to colleagues.

    Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Data

    • Ensure that basic customer details held in the system are accurate, and make notes of follow-up actions that have been promised, together with notes of actions taken during each sales call.

    Customer Needs Clarification

    • Interview the customer, following a multilevel sales script, to clarify the customer’s requirements.

    Customer Relationship Development / Prospecting

    • Make calls (by telephone or in person) to allocated potential customers to develop relationships. Provide a first point of contact for resolving customer queries and complaints.

    Operational Compliance

    • Follow a range of mandatory procedures to ensure that work is carried out to the required quality standards and/or to ensure adherence to external regulatory codes and internal codes of conduct.

    Business Development

    • Carry out routine business development support tasks and assist others by following established procedures.

    Sales Opportunities Creation

    • Identify potential customers by obtaining information, referrals, and recommendations from existing customers.

    Data Exploration

    • Select appropriate data from information provided by others and input that data into spreadsheets or standard formats.

    Network of Influence

    • Demonstrate understanding of the value of networking by participating in and contributing to a network of people, technologies, and ideas both inside and outside the company.

    Skills

    • Consultative Selling, Customer Feedback Management, Customer-Focused, Customer Service, Customer Understanding, Evaluating Information, Identifying Customer Needs, Identifying Sales Opportunities, Oral Communications, Probing Questions, Qualifying Prospects, Sales Data Management, Sales Software, Strategic Selling, Strengthening Customer Relationships

    Competencies

    • Balances Stakeholders

    • Builds Networks

    • Communicates Effectively

    • Customer Focus

    • Ensures Accountability

    • Instills Trust

    • Interpersonal Savvy

    • Manages Complexity

    Education

    • NQF Level 5 – Higher, Advance or Occupational Certificate or equivalent

    Closing Date

    Click Here To Apply

  • President Trump plans to close some US embassies in Africa to reduce the country’s diplomatic presence abroad

    The Trump administration is reportedly considering shutting down nearly 30 embassies and consulates worldwide, including several in Africa, as part of a sweeping plan to reduce the country’s diplomatic presence abroad.

     

    This was disclosed in an internal document from the US State Department, obtained by CNN.

     

    The document states that the embassies in the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and South Sudan are among those proposed for closure. A US consulate in South Africa may also be shut down.

     

    “The document recommends closing 10 embassies and 17 consulates. Many of the posts are in Europe and Africa, though they also include locations in Asia and the Caribbean. These include embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.

     

    “The list also includes five consulates in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in the United Kingdom, one in South Africa, and one in South Korea,” the report stated.

    The proposal is part of a broader effort by the Trump-led government, reportedly influenced by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency to drastically reduce the size and spending of federal agencies, including the State Department.

    The internal document also suggests reducing the US presence in countries such as Somalia and Iraq, which have been central to America’s counterterrorism efforts.

     

    There has been no official confirmation that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the proposal. 
     

    Source: Linda Ikeji

  • BREAKING: Armed Herdsmen Currently Attacking Benue State Communities Few Hours After Invasion

    The gunmen had stormed some of the communities around 04:15pm on Thursday.

     

    Suspected armed herders have launched a fresh attack on communities in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, and are currently shooting, causing panic and forcing residents to flee their homes, SaharaReporters has learnt. 

     

    This is coming a few hours after SaharaReporters reported the invasion of the communities by herdsmen armed with AK-47 rifles.

     

    The gunmen had stormed some of the communities around 04:15pm on Thursday.

     

    “As we are talking, they have blocked the road and started killing people. It’s confirmed. Please Nigerians should help us, we need deployment of security operatives,” a resident told SaharaReporters.

     

    The insecurity situation in Benue has been alarming in recent weeks with attacks from gunmen suspected to be herdsmen. 

     

    Attempts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Anene Sewuese Catherine were unsuccessful, as her phone lines did not connect at the time of filing this report. 

    Source: Sahara Reporters