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Washington CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu grabbed Brett McGurk’s arm as he walked out of a tense meeting of the Israeli Cabinet over securing the release of hostages Hamas was holding in Gaza. Hamas – after refusing for days – had relented in offering identifying information about several dozen hostages, such as their age, gender and nationalities. It laid out how women and children would leave in the first phase, as well as incentives for Hamas to release more hostages beyond that. On October 24, Hamas appeared to agree to the parameters of a deal to release women and children hostages. Hamas would only guarantee 50 and refused to produce identifying information about the hostages.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Brett McGurk’s, ” Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Hamas –, –, – couldn’t, Biden –, Xi Jinping –, Biden, McGurk, Bill Burns, Natalie, Judith Raanan, Jake Sullivan, Jon, Stephanie Hallett, Natalie Raanan’s, Burns, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel wasn’t, Israel, Blinken, David Barnea, ”, Matt Miller, John Kirby, Kirby, CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, White, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Al, CIA, Qatari, White House, State Department, CNN, State, National Security, US State Department Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, San Francisco, Qatar, Doha, Cairo, Hamas

LONDON (AP) — Boris Johnson, the former British prime minister, struggled to come to grips with much of the science during the coronavirus pandemic, his chief scientific advisor said Monday. In keenly awaited testimony to the country’s public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic, Patrick Vallance said he and others faced repeated problems getting Johnson to understand the science. “I think I’m right in saying that the prime minister gave up science at 15," he said. During the pandemic, Vallance was a highly visible presence in the U.K. The inquiry is set to hear from current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was Johnson's Treasury chief at the time.

Persons: — Boris Johnson, Patrick Vallance, Johnson, “, Vallance, Chris Whitty, Johnson's, –, ”, Heather Hallett, Rishi Sunak, Sunak Organizations: British, Downing, Treasury Locations: British, Europe

I want to earn more passive income, so I asked financial pros how to start with just $500. One of the biggest things I'm working on this year is finding more ways to make passive income. Here are five tips, from financial planners and financial advisors, on how to start making passive income by investing just $500 or less. Start a side hustleIf you ever wanted to start your own business with the hope of it bringing in some side passive income, financial planner Tania P. Brown says you can start with just $500. High-yield ETFs or mutual fundsOne of the first ways I made passive income was through a high-yield savings account, but I've never considered other high-yield accounts.

Persons: crowdfunding, —, I've, crowdfunding I've, Cynthia Meyer, Meyer, Prosper, Justin Yoo, Yoo, Wealthfront, Read, Tania P, Brown, Alex Caswell, Caswell Organizations: Service

If you're paying your bills on time every month, you might think you're doing well with money. If you're spending more than you're making, you can't save towards goals, and you might start carrying balances on credit cards. You don't have spending goalsIf you're just aimlessly spending, you're probably not spending on the right things. Setting up spending goals is like setting up a budget, but your spending goals should be more specific. You haven't looked at your spending recentlyIf you aren't on top of your spending, chances are you're spending too much.

Persons: —, it's, there's, Get, they're, haven't Organizations: Service, SEC

Investment apps have made it too easy to check your investments, financial advisors say. Find a Qualified Financial Advisor Looking for the right advisor for you? Datalign Advisory makes finding a financial advisor specific to your needs easier than ever. "If you've done your homework or worked with someone to create a good long term investment plan, trust that it's going to work." Focus on what you can controlFinally, financial advisor Russ Ford of Wayfinder Financial says most people have limited time and mental energy to spend thinking about money.

Persons: —, Thomas Kopelman, Jeff Rose, you've, Rose, Jordan Nietzel, Get, Stephen Carrigg, There's, Gregory J, Cameron L, Richard Cooke, David H, DeWitt, Russ Ford, Ford Organizations: Investment, Service, Dow Jones, Trek Wealth, SEC, Bentron Financial, of Sound Foundation, Advisors, Vincere Wealth Management, DeWitt Capital Management, Wayfinder Locations: Indianapolis, DeWitt

☆ My retirement savings have grown for 4 years straight thanks to a foolproof investing strategy I learned from 'Millionaire Teacher'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Alexis Rhiannon | Stephanie Hallett | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I followed Hallam's advice and invested in index and bond funds, and my portfolio has grown consistently for four years. I keep a ratio of 70% stock funds and 30% bond funds, with an even split between international and domestic stocks. If stock market index funds are unsexy, then bonds are flat-out frumpy. Dips in the stock market. In a wildly volatile year, when the stock market is moving by 20% or more, you could absolutely get in more frequently to try to rebalance your ratios.

Persons: Andrew Hallam, —, I've, Andrew Hallam's, I'd, Hallam, they're, That's, Read, it's, Get Organizations: Service, SoFi, SEC Locations: foolproof, Hallam

The worst things you can do with an inheritance are spend it on assets you can't maintain, sit on it, or invest it all in one place. The wisest thing you can do is speak to a financial planner, preferably before you even inherit the money. It's easy to assume that receiving a large sum of money, like an inheritance, can change your financial situation forever. "On average, an inheritance is gone within five years of receiving it, unless it is invested in financial assets or housing equity," said financial planner Shala L. Walker of Mar Vista Investment Partners. Instead, Walker recommends speaking to a financial planner as soon as possible for help deciding what to do with your cash, including investing it in a diversified portfolio.

Persons: —, Shala, Walker, She's, you'd, I've, doesn't, you've Organizations: Research, Service, Mar Vista Investment Partners

"Die with Zero" author Bill Perkins has an equation to anyone who wants to retire comfortably. Sometimes, traditional retirement calculations can be more than you really need to save in order to retire comfortably. Datalign Advisory - Product Name Only makes finding a financial advisor specific to your needs easier than ever. This is not uncommon: "One-third of all retirees actually increased their assets after retirement," Perkins writes. He caveats that it's a good idea to double check that this formula will work for you with a financial advisor or planner you trust.

Persons: Bill Perkins, Perkins, —, Here's, Get, that's Organizations: Service, SEC

If you're investing your first $1,000 for maximum growth, try putting your cash in a Roth IRA. Financial planners also recommend choosing index funds or dividend growth stocks. Here's some advice from financial advisors on the four best ways to invest your first $1,000. Go with dividend growth stocksKeep an eye out for dividend growth stocks, which are stocks that are paying dividends and have been growing those dividends for a significant number of years in the past. According to Jonathan P. Bednar, II, a financial planner, dividend growth stocks are a smart way to make money now or use those dividends to reinvest.

Persons: —, I'm, Kenny Senour, Senour, Roth, Read, Jonathan P, Tony Grenier, Grenier Organizations: IRA, Financial, Service, Invest

Robo-advisor investment services, such as Wealthfront and Betterment, have exploded in popularity in recent years. Investments are based on high-quality portfoliosMost financial advisors draw on a combination of their own education and experience. Management fees are low and predictableMost financial advisors charge based on a percent of assets under management, or a flat fee. Fee-only advisors are the best human financial advisors for most people, but when a computer handles your investments, you pay a lot less. Robo-advisors shouldn't perform significantly better than a great financial advisor, but not all financial advisors are great.

Persons: —, you'll, Schwab, You'll, Wealthfront, Read, shouldn't Organizations: Service, Vanguard Locations: Washington

Citing civic duty and a quest to return the community to normal life, Lewiston residents turned out to vote in several high-profile referendums and local races. Lewiston voters were choosing a mayor and filling seven city council and eight school board seats. On Tuesday, police were on hand to put voters and 140 election workers at ease amid threats. Some election workers stayed home, either out of safety concerns or to focus on mourning, City Clerk Kathy Montejo said. At polling places, election wardens wore light blue shirts emblazoned with “Lewiston Strong” and a blue heart was at each of the tables where voters checked in.

Persons: we’ve, ”, James Scribner, Jon Connor, Connor, Kathy Montejo, ” Montejo, It’s, State Shenna Bellows, Lori Hallett, “ I’m, ” Scribner Organizations: Marine, Lewiston Strong, “, State Locations: LEWISTON , Maine, New England, Lewiston

When it comes to money, your mindset has a big impact on the way you spend, save, and invest. For me, four lessons from the book helped me improve my money mindset and invest more. Housel writes, "My own theory is that, in the real world, people do not want the mathematically optimal strategy. This is in line with some advice I've offered in my book "Dear Debt," regarding debt repayment. Reading "The Psychology of Money" was so fulfilling for me and helped me shift my money mindset out of anxiety and scarcity to feelings of "enoughness."

Persons: Reading Morgan, I've, —, Morgan Housel, Warren Buffett, Buffett, it's, Housel, he's, there's, doesn't, Bill Gates, Gates, Kent Evans Organizations: Reading, Service, —

Financial experts advised investing in real estate and startups, and starting a low-cost business. That's what led me to ask financial advisors and professionals how they'd take $10,000 and turn it into $100,000 in just 10 years, aside from investing in stocks. Invest in real estateOver the years, as I've been able to save more, I've started to consider the idea of investing in real estate. R.J. Weiss, a financial planner, says that if you are willing to take on debt, investing in real estate is one way to grow $10,000 to $100,000 in 10 years. For those of us living in expensive real estate markets, the best real estate investing apps provide another way in.

Persons: —, I'm, I've, Weiss, Read, Zach Reece, Reece, ZipRecruiter, Alvin Carlos, Carlos Organizations: Finance, Service, Invest, R.J, Companies Locations: Republic

The best money advice is usually boring and unsexy, which explains why no one wants to hear it. The best money advice is decidedly unsexy. Although the purpose of an HSA is to save money for inevitable healthcare expenses, you can just as easily use your HSA as an investing tool. Also, if you leave your HSA money in your account until age 65, you can withdraw your HSA funds for non-medical expenses at any point. The person who started investing at 25 will have roughly $162,000 in their account, while the person who started at 35 will only have $89,000.

Persons: Rachel Wooten, maxing, —, Wooten, you'll, doesn't, stashed Organizations: Service, CPA, Flint Group

LONDON (AP) — A former top aide who has accused ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson of being unfit for office is scheduled to testify Tuesday at Britain’s public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic. Political Cartoons View All 1227 ImagesJohnson is due to testify at the inquiry later in the year. Cummings, a self-styled political disruptor, was hired by Johnson after helping to mastermind the victorious “leave” campaign in Britain’s 2016 European Union membership referendum. The U.K. has one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls in Europe, with the virus recorded as a cause of death for some 227,000 people. Johnson agreed in late 2021 to hold a public inquiry after heavy pressure from bereaved families.

Persons: —, Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings, Johnson, Martin Reynolds, Imran Shafi, ” Cummings, Cummings, “, ”, Heather Hallett Locations: Britain’s, Downing, England, Europe

☆ Jack Lew confirmed by Senate as Biden’s ambassador to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel, on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., on Oct. 18, 2023. WASHINGTON — Former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew was confirmed by the Senate Tuesday to serve as President Joe Biden's ambassador to Israel at a critical time for the enduring U.S.-Israel alliance. Lew, 68, served as treasury secretary in the Obama administration, and as White House budget director in two Democratic administrations. A surprise attack by Hamas Oct. 7 left more than 1,400 people dead in Israel, nearly all of them civilians. The United States has been without a Senate-confirmed ambassador to Israel since July, when Tom Nides departed the post.

Persons: Jack Lew, Joe Biden's, Lew, Obama, Israel, Tom Nides, Stephanie Hallett Organizations: U.S, Treasury, Foreign, Capitol, D.C, WASHINGTON — Former, White, Biden, Palestinian Health Ministry Locations: Israel, Capitol Hill, Washington, Gaza, United States

☆ Spora Health's founder painted a rosy portrait of his healthcare startup. The reality is more complicated.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

The way Dan Miller told it, his startup Spora Health was crushing it, providing high-quality care to "thousands" of people online. The startup had secured at least one big contract, with Apple, according to three former Spora employees and another source close to Spora. Four of them told Insider they either no longer worked with Spora or hadn't seen Spora patients in a year. Two doctors listed on Spora's website as "featured Spora providers" also told Insider that they no longer worked for the startup. Another former clinician said she only ever treated a handful of Spora patients.

Persons: Dan Miller, Miller, Spora, it's, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna didn't, paychecks, hadn't, he's, It's, —, we've, " Miller, Shelby Livingston, Rob Price, Emmalyse Brownstein, Ryan Pickrell, Gloria Dawson, Stephanie Hallett, Alcynna Lloyd, Hayley Peterson Organizations: Company, TechCrunch, Spora, US Securities and Exchange Commission, Apple, Aetna, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Human Ventures, MaC Venture, SEC Locations: Spora, Level's, slivingston@insider.com

I wanted to save more for retirement but needed $3,000 to invest in my chosen index fund, VTSAX. To save that money in two months, I started by selling items online and looking for windfalls. I sold stuff onlineWhenever I need extra money super quickly, I often turn to selling used items online. I saved my windfallsWindfalls are basically extra money, but I rarely ever just spend the unexpected cash without a strategy. Two months really flies by, and while $3,000 isn't a small amount to fork over, it was a nice start to help diversify my retirement savings.

Persons: —, Read, it's Organizations: Service, Vanguard, Market Index, Facebook Locations: VTSAX

She says most medical professionals aren't taught three important financial concepts. Now Burton coaches her colleagues on personal finance through her business, Strive With Kristin, where over 1,000 medical professionals have enrolled in her courses and purchased her ebooks. Burton says that most medical professionals aren't taught three basic personal finance concepts that could drastically change their financial outlook after graduating from college. It can work against you in the context of debt, but it can work in your favor if you're investing money. Burton says that medical professionals new to the workforce try to "keep up with the Joneses" and splurge on luxury items they can't afford.

Persons: Kristin Burton, aren't, —, Burton, Kristin, we're, doesn't Organizations: Service

Our experts answer readers' investing questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess investing products). Then, know why you're investing, and understand the risk involved in any investment you make. As a certified financial planner, I speak with countless people who are new to investing. Whether you're a beginner or you've been investing for some time, watch out for these common investing mistakes. Before you dive in, be sure to cover the basics, understand the risk, and most importantly, have a plan.

Persons: —, you've, Roth, Roth IRAs, doesn't Organizations: Service

Writer and blogger Kim Anderson and her husband, an engineer, paid off their home 27 years early. They made extra payments to their mortgage's principal, and watched the amortization table closely. Anderson and her husband paid close attention to their amortization table while planning their payoff, and says it became a large part of their strategy. They also started to contribute more towards their mortgage payment each month, adding an extra $1,260 to their their $689 monthly payment, later increasing it to $2,515 per month. By saving on the splurges and extra purchases, they were able to pay off their mortgage quicker.

Persons: Kim Anderson, —, Anderson, doesn't, couldn't Organizations: Service, Andersons Locations: Atlanta, Canton , Georgia, North Carolina, Georgia

I used this strategy to recover from a devastating divorce, and now it helps me save more than $25,000 a year, which funds my world travel. Budgeting for fixed expenses is a math problem, but you only have to solve it once. Step 3: Set a variable expense budgetThe variable expense budget is the most critical part of staying on track financially. Personal money. Personal money.

Persons: —, it's, doesn't, you'll Organizations: Service, Savings Locations: Savings isn't

I'm the last renter among my friends, so I decided to ask them about all the costs of homeownership. But when I saw the long list of hidden fees and expenses they have to pay for, I was in shock. Here are five of the fees I didn't know homeowners owe that made me realize just how much I want to rent forever. However, your property taxes can keep going up (a soaring housing market or city improvements can make this amount increase). However, the big and frequent costs they paid to keep up the appearances of their homes really did add up.

Persons: —, dishwashers, doesn't, it's Organizations: Service

I worked for a nonprofit that taught financial literacy and learned a lot about money myself. I also learned the difference between good debt and bad debt, and the most effective way to save. A lot of my work was around raising awareness of the need for financial literacy and advocating for lifelong learning. While some schools have mandatory courses in other life skills, like home economics or civics, few have financial literacy in the curriculum. There's good debt and there's bad debt — and they feel very differentYes, it's true: There's good debt and bad debt.

Persons: —, parallelograms, I'm, aren't, they're, I'd, doesn't Organizations: Service, Studies, Technology Locations: North America

Jim White retired with a net worth of over $1 million at age 43. He also realized that buying new cars and spending too much on food hurt his saving plan. Jim White retired at age 43 in 2018 with a net worth of over $1 million. Buying more house than you can afford can make it hard to save, invest, and meet other financial goals. He bought new carsWhite says that one of his big mistakes was buying brand-new cars when he was saving for FIRE.

Persons: Jim White, —, didn't, White, Lisa, it's, we'd, Robinhood, that's Organizations: Service, Walmart Locations: Cleveland, Panama

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