Breaking
Happy Retirement Report
Author

admin

Browsing
Politics

Fears of China spying on US military prompt GOP hawks to demand retaliation against the shipping giant

Politics 4 Mins Read

FIRST ON FOX: Three top House Republicans are demanding a Chinese shipping giant be stripped of special privileges at American ports over concerns the vessels are allegedly spying on U.S. military communications, according to a letter exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital.

COSCO, a shipping and logistics company owned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and based in Shanghai, has received favorable treatment under a Coast Guard program designed to reward trusted commercial operators. But China hawks in Congress want to revoke those privileges following a September report that the vessels are being used to gather intelligence.

In an Oct. 14 letter, three top Republican lawmakers identified that as of July 15, 2026, there were 11 COSCO vessels listed in the Coast Guard’s Quality Shipping for the 21st Century program, known as Qualship 21 — despite the Pentagon designating them as a Chinese military company.

House China Committee Chairman John Moolenaar, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., and Rep. Carlos Gimenez, chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, are pressing Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to revoke COSCO vessels’ enrollment in the Coast Guard’s program.

It follows a September’s reporting that COSCO vessels used sophisticated, concealed equipment to intercept military communications and gather intelligence about encryption technologies off American coastlines.

The Coast Guard program was created to allow vessels with strong safety and compliance records to undergo fewer routine inspections when entering U.S. ports. But the lawmakers argue in their letter that COSCO’s alleged espionage activities and ties to China’s military raise serious questions about why its ships have qualified for preferential treatment.

CHINA ‘WIRETAPPED RED SEA’ WITH SPY HUB 6 MILES FROM US BASE: EX PENTAGON OFFICIAL WARNS

The allegations, attributed to senior U.S. officials, have fueled concerns that Chinese commercial vessels could serve as intelligence-gathering platforms while operating near sensitive American military facilities.

COSCO has denied the allegations, calling them unfounded and maintaining that its onboard communications and navigation equipment is used exclusively for legitimate commercial purposes. The company has said none of its equipment was used to intercept military communications or gather intelligence.

COSCO is one of the world’s largest shipping companies and is owned by the Chinese government. Its sprawling commercial fleet operates along major global trade routes, including routes serving American ports.

The Pentagon added COSCO to its Section 1260H list of Chinese military companies in January 2025, citing its ownership by a Chinese state agency, activities allegedly conducted on behalf of the People’s Liberation Army and contributions to Beijing’s military-civil fusion strategy, which seeks to harness civilian industries and technologies for military purposes.

WALL STREET BANKS HELPED CHINESE MILITARY-LINKED FIRM RAISE BILLIONS DESPITE RED FLAGS, LAWMAKERS FIND

The designation does not automatically bar COSCO vessels from entering American ports. But the lawmakers are questioning why a company identified by the Pentagon as having ties to China’s military should continue benefiting from a Coast Guard program that reduces inspection frequency.

The Coast Guard updated Qualship 21 eligibility rules earlier this year, expanding the circumstances under which vessels could be removed from the program, including certain associations with sanctioned entities. The lawmakers are now pressing DHS on whether Pentagon national security designations should also factor into eligibility decisions.

In the letter first obtained by Fox News Digital, the lawmakers urged DHS to revoke COSCO vessels’ enrollment, refuse future renewals and increase scrutiny of other shipping companies with ties to the CCP and Chinese military.

They are also demanding to know whether the Coast Guard received intelligence warnings about COSCO’s alleged surveillance operations before the allegations became public in September — and whether those warnings were considered when deciding if its vessels should retain their privileged status.

The lawmakers specifically questioned whether the Coast Guard reviewed COSCO’s eligibility following its Pentagon designation and whether intelligence officials have identified similar risks involving other Chinese or Hong Kong-based shipping operators.

Their concerns extend to what the Coast Guard is doing to detect potential espionage aboard commercial vessels already operating in American waters.

The letter questions whether authorities have conducted additional boardings of COSCO ships, investigated crew members potentially involved in intelligence collection or examined historical shipping routes for unusual movements that could indicate surveillance activities.

The lawmakers also questioned whether the Coast Guard has sufficient legal authority to counter suspected intelligence operations aboard foreign commercial ships, or whether additional coordination with other federal agencies is necessary.

The inquiry reaches beyond COSCO. The lawmakers raised the possibility of removing Hong Kong from the Coast Guard’s list of qualified flag administrations, citing concerns about Beijing’s control over the territory.

The letter was copied to the director of national intelligence and the Coast Guard commandant.

Fox News Digital reached out to COSCO, DHS and the Coast Guard for comment but did not hear back at time of publication.

Keep Reading
Politics

FIRST ON FOX: Dems’ affordability crusade collides with eye-popping price tag for socialist immigration plans

Politics 3 Mins Read

FIRST ON FOX: A new White House economic report warns that immigration policies backed by the Democratic Socialists of America could cost American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade, as the Trump administration sounds the alarm over the potential financial consequences of mass amnesty and expanded federal benefits.

As President Donald Trump touts 16 consecutive months without illegal immigrant releases at the southern border, a Council of Economic Advisers report estimates that mass amnesty and expanded federal benefits under Democratic Socialists of America-backed immigration policies could cost taxpayers between $440 billion and $613 billion over the next decade. 

Socialist-aligned candidates have gained ground in 2026, winning key Democratic primaries and expanding their influence within the party.

“President Trump … supercharged ICE to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members and terrorists,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital.

‘SQUAD’ DEMOCRAT FORMALLY INTRODUCES BILL TO ABOLISH ICE, BORDER PATROL AND DISMANTLE DHS

“Meanwhile, radical Democrats want to go back to their extreme open border policies and grant amnesty to the illegal aliens they released into our communities. Not only will these radical policies make America less safe, but they will cost the American taxpayer billions of dollars.”

With the midterms approaching and Democrats campaigning heavily on affordability, the White House is casting the DSA’s immigration agenda as a potential financial and public safety threat — warning that its policies could compound the very cost-of-living pressures Democrats have used to hammer Republicans.

DEMOCRATS SAY THEY’LL MAKE LIFE AFFORDABLE. YOUR WALLET MAY DISAGREE

The council’s findings go beyond the cost of mass amnesty, examining the potential impact of expanded federal benefits and reduced immigration enforcement, policies the White House warns could impose a significant financial burden on American families.

The council estimates that the average illegal immigrant carries a lifetime net fiscal cost of $166,716, with the current illegal immigrant population projected to account for between $1.4 trillion and $1.9 trillion in taxpayer costs under its model — figures the administration is highlighting as the “true costs of extreme open borders [and] mass-amnesty socialist policies.”

CALIFORNIA FACES UNLIKELY TAX REVOLT AMID BILLIONS IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT HEALTHCARE COSTS

The CEA’s estimated $166,716 lifetime taxpayer cost per illegal immigrant exceeds the roughly $124,000 it would cost to put a student through four years at an average in-state public university, including tuition, housing, food and other expenses, according to College Board’s 2025–26 figures — putting the figure in perspective as American families also grapple with college affordability.

The Council added that while illegal immigrants are generally prohibited from federal benefit programs, some on the left want to reverse that standard and provide subsidized healthcare and programs like food stamps to those in the country unlawfully.

SHOCKING PERCENTAGE OF DEMOCRATS IDENTIFY AS ‘DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS’ ACCORDING TO NEW POLL: ‘TOXIC POLICIES’

Beyond expanded federal benefits, the council estimates that ending Trump-backed immigration enforcement measures would wipe out between $227 billion and $287 billion in projected taxpayer savings, producing a net estimated cost of $79 billion to $139 billion over the next decade after accounting for reduced enforcement spending.

An interactive White House webpage released alongside the report allows Americans to explore the projected costs of “socialism” across several policy areas, with the council estimating that the Democratic Socialists of America’s broader agenda could cost $49 trillion over ten years — roughly $355,000 per American household. That sweeping projection extends far beyond immigration, which the council separately estimates could cost between $440 billion and $613 billion over the next decade.

DOJ THREATENS TO CUT BILLIONS IN WELFARE FUNDING FROM STATES FOR FAILING TO REPORT ILLEGAL MIGRANTS

Keep Reading
Politics

Bill and Hillary Clinton make eleventh-hour midterm moves as party’s old guard faces new reality

Politics 4 Mins Read

The Clintons are back on the midterm campaign circuit — with Bill Clinton heading to Florida to stump for Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly and Hillary Clinton taking to the podcast microphone as the party makes its final push toward Election Day.

The former president is scheduled to make his first public campaign appearance of the 2026 election cycle on Oct. 20 for Jolly, a former Republican congressman turned Democrat. Hillary, meanwhile, has teamed up with journalist Kara Swisher for a new midterm-focused podcast series and has been making campaign appearances of her own.

The moves bring two of the Democratic Party’s most recognizable figures into the midterm fight as the party grapples with competing visions for its future, raising questions about how much influence the Clintons still wield as progressive candidates challenge the Democratic establishment.

BIDEN CONSPICUOUSLY ABSENT FROM CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS OBAMA, HARRIS STEP UP FOR MIDTERM PUSH

While the Clintons remain prominent in Democratic politics, one party strategist says Democrats are more focused on winning elections than revisiting the party’s past.

“President Clinton remains one of the most gifted political communicators this country has ever known, particularly when it comes to connecting with working-class voters on the economic issues that matter most,” said Democratic strategist Kevin Walling. “But I don’t believe that Democrats are looking for a Clinton restoration — they’re looking for a path back to winning.”

Democratic strategist Mally Smith offered a more skeptical assessment of how much reach the Clintons have in the closing weeks of the election.

“Hillary and Bill are still relevant to some voters. However, they will mostly be useful in speaking to the Democratic base and those who are highly engaged in politics,” said Smith. “It is a hard media environment to breakthrough and even current elected officials, let alone former office holders, will struggle to get people’s attention.”

Clinton’s Oct. 20 appearance will take place at an interfaith event in Hollywood, Florida, alongside Jolly, who is facing Republican Rep. Byron Donalds in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Jolly is campaigning on affordability, including lowering property insurance costs through a state-backed catastrophe fund, expanding Medicaid, increasing funding for public schools and protecting abortion rights.

Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday to rally support for Democratic candidates Lynne Walz and Denise Powell at a “Pumpkins, Pies, and Politics” fundraiser.

HILLARY CLINTON ISSUES ENDORSEMENT IN US MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Asked how she would address Democrats who feel their votes no longer matter, Clinton pointed to a series of national crises that have contributed to voter frustration — including her 2016 election loss.

“And you could kind of understand that, for people who feel like they’ve had a series of hard times. If you look back on the last 25 years in our country, I was a senator from New York on 9/11. That was a trauma. The terrible financial crisis of 2008 was horrific for people. We had an election in 2016 that, you know, raised a lot of questions that we’re still trying to find answers for about what, what kind of really went on, and then we had COVID,” she said during the Nebraska event.

Clinton teamed up with journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher for a six-week limited series titled “High Stakes,” which debuted Oct. 14 and will air weekly through mid-November, focusing on the 2026 midterm elections, key congressional races and issues.

The first episode, which aired Wednesday, centered on rising costs for gas, groceries and healthcare, Elon Musk’s political spending and how Democrats can make affordability a winning message, while also examining key Senate races in Michigan and Maine.

HILLARY CLINTON CONCEDES INFAMOUS 9/11 NEAR-FAINTING EPISODE IN 2016 WAS A ‘MISTAKE’ ON HER PART

“If the former president can help Democrats compete in a challenging state like Florida, and Secretary Clinton’s podcast can contribute to a substantive national conversation that motivates my party, that’s certainly a positive,” said Walling.

The Clintons’ increased visibility comes as Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates have scored primary victories against incumbent or establishment-backed Democrats in states including Colorado, New York and Michigan.

MEET THE FAR-LEFT INSURGENTS WAGING WAR ON THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT IN 2026 MIDTERMS

“The challenge for Democrats is drawing on the wisdom and experience of the party’s past without overshadowing the next generation of leaders who will define its future,” he added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Clintons and Jolly’s campaign for comment.

Keep Reading
Business

Short Term Gains Meet Long Term Fears As Social Security Boost Triggers Funding Alarm

Business 2 Mins Read

Millions of retirees are preparing for a welcome bump in their monthly checks, but the announcement of a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 has reignited an urgent conversation about the solvency of the nation’s social safety net. For the average retired worker, this means a monthly increase of roughly 75 dollars, bringing their typical payment up to 2,170 dollars. While these funds provide critical relief against rising costs for healthcare and groceries, they arrive alongside a sobering warning from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget regarding a looming financial cliff.

The tension lies in the gap between immediate needs and future stability. Analysts warn that unless Congress takes decisive action, beneficiaries could face a staggering 22 percent cut across all benefits by 2032 when the retirement trust fund is projected to run dry. Without legislative intervention, incoming tax revenue would only cover about 78 percent of scheduled payments, creating a precarious situation for those relying on the program for survival. This fiscal deadline puts immense pressure on lawmakers to find a balance between maintaining current promises and ensuring the system does not collapse entirely.

Adding complexity to the debate is a growing economic divide between generations. While older adults generally report greater financial comfort, many young adults are struggling to make ends meet even as their payroll taxes sustain today’s retirees. This friction has led some advocates to suggest capping cost-of-living increases for high-income earners—some of whom may see annual boosts exceeding 2,200 dollars—to stretch available funds further. However, organizations like AARP argue that any such caps would unfairly penalize seniors who are already struggling to keep pace with actual inflation.

Ultimately, the latest adjustment serves as both a lifeline and a reminder of the systemic fragility within Social Security. With Medicare premiums also expected to climb next year, the modest increase provides temporary breathing room but fails to resolve the underlying math problem facing the trust fund. As the 2032 exhaustion date draws closer, the clash between those demanding protected benefits and those calling for structural reform continues to intensify in Washington.

Keep Reading
Business

The AI Bubble Faces Its First Real Stress Test

Business 2 Mins Read

The euphoria surrounding artificial intelligence is meeting a cold dose of reality as U.S. stocks begin to slide just one week after reaching historic peaks. Investors who previously poured trillions into the sector are now questioning when those massive bets will actually pay off. This shift in sentiment is visible in the numbers, with the Nasdaq dropping more than three percent from its recent high and the S&P 500 slipping as well. Much of this anxiety stems from reports that revenue growth at industry heavyweight Anthropic has started to slow, signaling that even the most successful players in the space might be hitting a plateau.

Beyond individual company performance, geopolitical tensions are adding fuel to the fire. There is growing apprehension that memory chip producers in China could outpace their Western counterparts, potentially flooding the market with an oversupply of hardware and crashing prices. At the same time, lenders are becoming nervous about the debt used to fund sprawling AI data centers. Some investors have already begun selling off bonds tied to these facilities, fearing that future AI revenues simply won’t be enough to cover the staggering costs of construction.

This volatility is starting to ripple beyond Wall Street and into the wider economy. While many average Americans do not hold tech portfolios, they are tethered to this boom because nearly half of this year’s U.S. economic growth has been driven by tech spending. This surge created a wealth effect that kept consumer spending steady even as middle and low income families struggled with inflation. Now, prominent voices like economist Ed Yardeni are lowering their targets for the S&P 500, citing a combination of cautious investors and persistent worries over high interest rates.

The stakes for the general public remain high because any prolonged decline in tech valuations could jeopardize overall national growth. With business inflation recently hitting its highest level since late 2022, consumers are already feeling squeezed by rising costs and slowing job prospects in certain sectors. Analysts warn that if the equity sell off continues alongside elevated energy prices and stagnant hiring, the fragile balance supporting American consumer spending could finally break, turning a market correction into a broader economic headache.

Keep Reading
Business

Digital billboards turned into silent weapons for global espionage

Business 2 Mins Read

A sophisticated operation using the machinery of online advertising to deploy invisible spyware has been uncovered by researchers at the University of Toronto. The investigation by Citizen Lab reveals that an Israeli agency called Discover-Tech has been utilizing its proprietary platform, Controlium, to mass profile millions of internet users and selectively infect specific targets. This method represents a dangerous evolution in cyber warfare because it employs zero click technology, meaning victims can have their devices fully compromised without ever clicking a link or downloading a suspicious file.

The process begins within the chaotic, split second auctions that power most modern web ads. As users browse the internet, their personal data is auctioned off to bidders who want to display tailored advertisements. Researchers found that Discover-Tech used these innocuous looking ads for things like mobile games or telecom services to harvest identities and IP addresses. Once a high value target was identified, such as a journalist or government official, malicious code could be sent directly to their device in seconds, granting hackers total access to encrypted messages, emails, photos, and even live microphone feeds.

The scale of the operation appears vast and indiscriminate in its reach. While dozens of devices at the broadcaster Al Jazeera were specifically flagged as compromised, evidence suggests millions of people across Brazil, Mexico, Yemen, and Czechia were served these profiling ads. Further analysis indicates that users on networks belonging to NATO, the United Nations and various European government entities may have also been exposed. This widespread infiltration highlights a critical vulnerability in how the global ad tech ecosystem operates with almost no regulatory oversight.

Security experts are now calling for urgent intervention from lawmakers and cybersecurity agencies to close these systemic loopholes. Because the infrastructure relies on legitimate advertising channels already trusted by browsers and operating systems, detecting these attacks is incredibly difficult for traditional security software. According to those at Citizen Lab, this discovery provides the first concrete technical proof that the opacity of programmatic advertising can be weaponized with pinpoint precision to conduct state level surveillance on a global scale.

Keep Reading
Business

Tesla prepares to finally unveil the futuristic Roadster at SpaceX facility

Business 2 Mins Read

After nearly ten years of anticipation and a string of missed deadlines, Tesla is finally preparing to pull back the curtain on its next generation Roadster. The highly anticipated reveal is scheduled for Thursday morning at a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas, with the event being livestreamed to fans worldwide. This latest attempt comes after years of teasing and delayed promises that have left some early adopters frustrated.

The new sports car aims to push boundaries far beyond traditional automotive engineering by incorporating aerospace technology from Musk’s other venture. Most notably, the vehicle is rumored to feature cold gas thrusters intended to assist with acceleration and braking, potentially even allowing the car to hover. While these ambitious claims have energized loyalists on social media, industry analysts suggest that the low volume of this luxury model will likely provide little more than symbolic value rather than a significant financial boost for Tesla.

The road to this unveiling has been fraught with setbacks since deposits were first accepted in 2017. For years, potential buyers paid fifty thousand dollars just for the chance to reserve a spot, only to see target dates slip further into the distance. Even prominent figures like OpenAI co founder Sam Altman joined the chorus of critics, publicly mocking the length of the delay before eventually requesting a refund for his own reservation.

As part of the build up toward Thursday’s event, Tesla recently reopened reservations across North America and China. Company executives are expected to use the presentation to clarify final pricing and establish concrete production timelines. To ensure everything goes according to plan, Tesla has coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to establish a strict no fly zone around the Texas facility, avoiding another cancellation like the weather related setback experienced earlier this month.

Keep Reading
Business

Porsche Bets Big on Mid Engine Magic to Save the Bottom Line

Business 2 Mins Read

Porsche is fighting back against a brutal financial downturn with a daring new weapon known as the Mission S. After seeing profits plummet by a staggering ninety three percent last year, the German automaker is pivoting away from its recent struggle to balance electric ambitions with petrol crossovers. Instead of releasing another limited edition toy for billionaires, Porsche has unveiled a full production supercar designed to sit atop the entire brand hierarchy, effectively positioning itself even higher than the legendary 911.

Visually, the Mission S is a masterclass in heritage blending. While it maintains the unmistakable face of a Porsche with those iconic headlights and torpedo wings, its silhouette draws inspiration from some of the most revered names in racing history. From nods to the Carrera GT and 959 in its sweeping roofline to a center radiator fan that recalls the dominant 917 endurance racer, the car manages to feel aggressive yet refined. Design chief Tobias Sühlmann describes it as a holistic approach to the future, though looking at it feels like a love letter to everything that made Porsche famous.

Inside, the company has taken a defiant stand against the modern trend of oversized tablets. The cabin is an analog sanctuary inspired by the spartan layouts of the 550 Spyder and 356, featuring tactile rotary switches and deep sports seats that wrap around the driver. In place of a massive infotainment screen, owners will find a simple mount for their smartphones, ensuring that nothing distracts from the act of driving.

While official powertrain details remain under wraps, speculation is swirling about whether Porsche will introduce a flat eight cylinder engine to differentiate it from the nine eleven’s flat six. Some industry insiders point toward potential collaborations or inspirations similar to recent high horsepower prototypes seen from tuning legends like RUF. To cement this connection between past and future, Porsche chose New York for the reveal—the same city where the groundbreaking 550 Spyder debuted over seven decades ago—signaling that while they are chasing recovery, they aren’t forgetting who they are.

Keep Reading
Stock

High Stakes Gambling In The Desert Leaves Oracle Investors Shaky

Stock 2 Mins Read

Investors sent Oracle shares tumbling by over nine percent Tuesday morning in a move that seemed to defy conventional market logic. The sell off occurred even as analysts from Mizuho maintained an outperform rating on the software giant, suggesting the stock is significantly undervalued compared to a projected price target of three hundred twenty dollars. Despite the bullish outlook from experts, shareholders appeared far more concerned with the immediate financial risks associated with the company’s massive ambitions.

At the heart of the volatility is Project Jupiter, a staggering one hundred sixty five billion dollar artificial intelligence data center being constructed in the New Mexico desert. While some see this as a visionary leap into the future of AI infrastructure, others view it as a reckless expenditure. Recent reports indicate that Oracle has been attempting to reroute gas pipelines to bypass lengthy environmental reviews, hoping to keep construction moving quickly toward an October update date.

However, Wall Street is growing nervous about how these blueprints are being funded. A recent credit rating downgrade to just one notch above speculative grade highlights fears that Oracle is spending too much on capital investments without guaranteed short term returns. With partners like OpenAI not required to start payments until two thousand twenty seven, there is a looming worry that current cash reserves will vanish under an annual burn rate of nearly twenty nine billion dollars.

This creates a tense standoff between long term potential and short term solvency. While bulls argue that Project Jupiter will eventually redefine the industry, skeptics fear the company may have to pile onto its already massive debt load just to stay afloat during construction. For now, traders are choosing caution over optimism, selling their positions rather than waiting to see if the desert gamble pays off.

Keep Reading
Stock

Reality Check Hits Specialized Cloud Providers as AI Hype Cools

Stock 2 Mins Read

The initial gold rush surrounding artificial intelligence infrastructure is facing a sobering moment of clarity following a critical outlook report from Gartner. The research firm suggested that the breakneck pace of spending on specialized compute resources might be hitting a plateau, sending shockwaves through the ecosystem of neoclouds. Companies like CoreWeave, which have carved out niches by providing massive clusters of high end GPUs for AI training, are now finding themselves at the center of a broader debate about whether current demand can sustain such aggressive valuations.

For months, these boutique cloud providers operated under the assumption that hunger for processing power would grow indefinitely. However, the latest analysis indicates that enterprises are shifting their focus from simply acquiring raw hardware to figuring out how to actually generate revenue from their AI deployments. This pivot creates a precarious situation for firms whose entire business model relies on the rapid expansion of GPU capacity regardless of the underlying software utility.

Investors who previously viewed neoclouds as safer bets than traditional tech giants are now questioning the long term viability of companies lacking integrated ecosystems. While CoreWeave and its peers possess the physical chips, they lack the proprietary platforms and diverse revenue streams that protect larger players during market corrections. As capital becomes more discerning, the premium once placed on sheer computing volume is being replaced by a demand for sustainable margins and proven customer retention.

This shift reflects a wider trend across the technology sector where the honeymoon phase of generative AI is transitioning into a period of operational scrutiny. Analysts warn that if organizations cannot bridge the gap between expensive experimentation and scalable production, the appetite for third party cloud rentals will diminish significantly. For now, those betting heavily on specialized infrastructure must prove they can survive in an environment where efficiency matters more than scale.

Keep Reading