With crashout over Trump, Musk's government conflicts become awkward entanglements
Norm Eisen, former White House ethics czar, shares an exclusive look at a new report from the Democracy Defenders Fund entitled, "Cut to Shreds: How Elon Musk Profited White Decimating the U.S. Government," and discusses new questions raised about Musk's government contracts in light of his fight with Donald Trump.
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Politico
22 minutes ago
- Politico
Death toll grows as Israel and Iran trade attacks for third day
The death toll grew Sunday as Israel and Iran exchanged missile attacks for a third consecutive day, with Israel warning that worse is to come. Israel targeted Iran's Defense Ministry headquarters in Tehran and sites it alleged were associated with Iran's nuclear program, while Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defenses and slammed into buildings deep inside Israel. In Israel, at least 10 people were killed in Iranian strikes overnight and into Sunday, according to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service, bringing the country's total death toll to 13. The country's main international airport and airspace remained closed for a third day. There was no update to an Iranian death toll released the day before by Iran's U.N. ambassador, who said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded. The region braced for a drawn-out conflict after Israel's strikes hit nuclear and military facilities, killing several senior generals and top nuclear scientists. President Donald Trump said the U.S. had 'nothing to do with the attack on Iran' and warned Tehran to expect 'the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces' if it retaliates against the United States. The powerful Iran-linked Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah on Sunday warned it will target U.S. interests and bases in the region if Washington intervenes in the hostilities between Israel and Iran. The group said in a statement that it is 'closely monitoring the movements of the American enemy's military in the region' and 'should the United States intervene in the war (between Israel and Iran), we will directly target its interests and bases spread throughout the region without hesitation.' The statement was the first explicit and direct threat issued by an Iraqi militia to target U.S. forces and interests in the region since the outbreak of the Iran-Israel conflict. Iraqi militias have previously targeted U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, but have largely remained quiet since Israel launched a barrage of strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliated. Three drones launched at the Ain al Assad base housing U.S. troops in western Iraq on Friday were shot down, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Iran said an Israeli strike that killed the head of the Revolutionary Guard's missile program also took out seven of his trusted deputies, seriously disrupting its command. Iran previously acknowledged the death of Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Guard's aerospace division in Friday's strike. Also killed were Gen. Mahmoud Bagheri, Gen. Davoud Sheikhian, Gen. Mohammad Bagher Taherpour, Gen. Mansour Safarpour, Gen. Masoud Tayyeb, Gen. Khosro Hasani and Gen. Javad Jarsara, the Guard said Sunday. The Guard did not elaborate on why the men had gathered in one place.
CNN
22 minutes ago
- CNN
Live updates: Latest on the manhunt for gunman who shot Minnesota state lawmakers
Update: Date: 7 min ago Title: 10 things to know about the shooting suspect Content: As the search continues for the man accused of impersonating a police officer and killing State Rep. Melissa Hortman and wounding State Sen. John Hoffman, a clearer portrait of the suspect is emerging. Here's what we've learned about Vance Boelter: • Work: While his exact employment status was unknown, we know that Boelter had worked for a security company, Praetorian Guard Security Services, which advertised a fleet of 'police type vehicles' and other equipment that could potentially have aided him in appearing to be law enforcement. The firm was registered to Boelter's home address and listed a woman who is apparently his wife as president and CEO. • Religion: He is an outspoken evangelical Christian who traveled to Africa to tell his story and, in at least one sermon, pointedly questioned American morals on sexual orientation, according to videos and social media posts reviewed by CNN. • Hit list: Names on a list found in his car, which CNN obtained, are largely Democrats or figures with ties to Planned Parenthood or the abortion rights movement. The list included lawmakers such as Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Tina Smith. • Political views: He largely shied away from political posts in his publicly available social media feeds and did not discuss abortion rights in any religious speeches reviewed by CNN. In one talk he gave in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023, he appeared sharply critical of LGBTQ rights. • Link to victim: He served on a state board with Hoffman, records show. In 2019, Gov. Tim Walz put Boelter on the Governor's Workforce Development Board – a group of business owners who recommend policies to the state government. It's unclear how closely Boelter and Hoffman interacted in that role, if at all. • Party affiliation: Boelter registered to vote as a Republican in the early 2000s, state records show. A state document listing his 2019 appointment to a development board noted that he had 'no party preference.' • No record: A search of Minnesota criminal records showed no cases against Boelter aside from some traffic charges. • Education: Boelter's LinkedIn page states he had a doctorate in educational leadership and a master's of science in management, both from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, and he used the prefix Dr. on his website and social media. • Family: Social media posts indicate he has multiple children. • Home: Boelter had a property outside the small town of Green Isle, about 50 miles west of Minneapolis, according to records. Read more about the suspect. CNN's Isabelle Chapman, Curt Devine, Yahya Abou-Ghazala, Anna-Maja Rappard, Scott Glover, John Miller and Rob Kuznia contributed to this report. Update: Date: 7 min ago Title: What happened on Saturday Content: State Rep. Melissa Hortman — the top Democrat in the Minnesota House — and her husband were shot and killed in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to Gov. Tim Walz. Police are now searching for 57-year-old Vance Boelter, the main suspect in the killing, who has been described by Governor Tim Walz as an apparent 'politically motivated assassination.' Boelter is also suspected of shooting Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, who survived the shooting and underwent surgery. Yvette Hoffman saved her daughter Hope's life by throwing herself on top of her, a relative told CNN affiliate KARE. Here's what we know: Update: Date: 13 min ago Title: How police found the suspect at Hortman's home Content: Police were responding to a shooting at Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman's home around 2 a.m. when officers went to check on State Rep. Melissa Hortman, who lived about 9 miles away, at around 3:35 a.m. As they arrived at her home, they encountered the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, dressed like a police officer. As he came out of the house, he exchanged gunfire with the police before escaping on foot, leaving behind what appeared to be a police car at the scene. Police found writings in the vehicle that included a hit list with nearly 70 names. Those named are mostly Democratic politicians or figures with ties to abortion rights, including Minnesota lawmakers Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Tina Smith. Boelter also had survival gear in the vehicle. Boelter is still at large. A shelter-in-place was implemented in Brooklyn Park, but lifted later on Saturday after authorities said they believed he was no longer in the area. Investigators are looking into whether he wore a latex face mask during the shootings, a law enforcement official told CNN. Read part of the police's dispatch audio to emergency services here.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Forget Florida — these two unexpected states are the new retirement hot spots
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Retirees are flocking to some states in droves. While their motivations aren't entirely clear, the growing cost of living — especially property taxes — is a likely factor. A John Burns Research and Consulting study ranked states based on their highest and lowest median property tax rates. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here's how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Those who are ready might look to West Virginia and South Carolina — two states standing out as retiree hotspots, with property taxes of under 0.5%. While it can be tempting to save money, retirees should fully understand their finances, including their budget and spending habits, before relocating. This ensures they can afford the move, no matter how financially appealing it may seem. Here's what they offer and what retirees should consider. West Virginia is ranked second best for retirement, just behind Delaware. While an official annual retiree count isn't available, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that as of 2020, the state has a population of approximately 1.8 million, with 22% of the population aged 65 and older. According to the Bankrate study, West Virginia is the most affordable state in the country. But West Virginia's appeal stretches beyond finances. Charleston offers laid-back, scenic mountain living with big-city amenities, as well as a thriving arts and culture scene. West Virginia's affordability also helps residents battle inflation, another sticking point in choosing where to retire. For example, the state has the ninth-lowest average property tax rate in the U.S. (0.55%). Another way to combat inflation is by investing in inflation-protecting assets, like gold. One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of American Hartford Gold. Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account — combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties. Even better, you can often roll over existing 401(k) or IRA accounts into a gold IRA without tax-related penalties. To learn more, get your free 2025 information guide on investing in precious metals. Qualifying purchases can also receive up to $20,000 in free silver. Of course, no retirement destination is perfect. Challenges in West Virginia include access to health care facilities in rural areas, colder winters with significant snowfall and fewer job opportunities for retirees to supplement their fixed income. Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — South Carolina's affordability has improved since 2023, moving up six spots in Bankrate's study from the previous year. However, the overall cost of living remains above average, at about 95.9% of the national mark. Utility costs contribute to the higher expenses, while housing remains affordable. House prices vary by region, but the state's average home value is around $303,1260 — about 21% below the U.S. average. To bring the cost of homeownership down even further, consider which can help you get great rates to protect your home. All it takes is two minutes for them to comb through over 200 insurers, for free, to find the best deal in your area. The process can be done entirely online. What makes South Carolina stand out is its tax structure. There's no estate tax, Social Security benefits aren't taxed and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals are only partially taxed. With nearly 200 miles of coastline, retirees can also find idyllic communities on islands like Kiawah and Seabrook. While South Carolina's mild winters and sunny summers appeal to many, retirees should consider the region's hot summers (with July highs of 89°F), as well as the risks of hurricanes and flooding. Another potential drawback is the state's relatively high health care costs, ranking 33rd in the study. It's worth considering how to decrease costs on other essentials to compensate for that. For example, makes comparing multiple insurance companies easier than ever. They'll ask you some quick questions then sort through leading insurance companies in your area, ensuring you find the lowest rate possible. The process is 100% free and won't affect your credit score. At the end of the day, there are plenty of factors to consider before you up and move for your retirement. It's about so much more than just finding somewhere with better tax benefits or cheaper rent. To figure out the best decision for your personal circumstances, it might be worth consulting with a financial advisor. With you get a trusted partner that's with you every step of the way in your retirement journey. The platform matches you with vetted financial advisors that offer personalized advice to help you to make the right choices, invest wisely, and secure the retirement you've always dreamed of. Start planning early, and get your retirement mapped out today. JPMorgan sees gold soaring to $6,000/ounce — use this 1 simple IRA trick to lock in those potential shiny gains (before it's too late) This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Millions of Americans now sit on a stunning $35 trillion in home equity — here's 1 new way to invest in responsible US homeowners This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
