INTERNACIONAL
DHS shutdown triggers TSA ‘emergency measures’ as lawmaker warns airports could feel economic pain
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is taking emergency measures amid a partial DHS shutdown that dragged on for another week, as a top lawmaker who oversees transportation warned of potential economic fallout at airports.
While Democrats have held up funding for DHS, their intended target — ICE — remains resourced due to a $75 billion infusion from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year.
Over the weekend, several reports claimed DHS was prepared to pause TSA PreCheck — the program that allows qualified frequent fliers a speedier pass through security.
But a TSA spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that PreCheck remains «operational with no change for the traveling public.»
TSA agents scan luggage at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Crystal City, Va. (Valerie Plesch/Getty Images)
«As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly,» the spokesperson said.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also told CNN on Wednesday that one contingency could arise in which unpaid TSA officers may need to find alternative employment to provide for their families.
At that point, «we’ll have to prioritize where the most travelers go through their security checkpoints,» she said.
So far, there have been no noticeable flight delays due to the TSA shutdown.
As of now, the main TSA program suspended is that of «courtesy escorts» for dignitaries, including members of Congress. Escorts have been paused to «allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America’s skies,» a TSA spokesperson said.
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Travelers move through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday at Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, November 25, 2020. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)
«Until funding is restored, all travelers should expect a process that does not sacrifice security,» the agency said in a statement.
However, the top lawmaker on the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation told Fox News Digital that the program does not appear to be universally in place, noting he either goes through TSA security like other travelers or occasionally gets assistance from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office when flying to Washington.
«I personally haven’t seen too much of a slowdown because they are essential personnel and they’re gonna be working,» Chairman Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital in an interview Wednesday.
«The problem is, those folks — they need their paychecks. And so, we’re making them work without a paycheck and that’s just not right,» he said, adding that he plans to ask DHS about long-term contingencies if the shutdown drags on.
«If somehow this is going to be affecting service in any way, I would expect more people not to be showing up to work, but again, I haven’t had direct reports from TSA telling me that travel has been disrupted.»
Gimenez said that for a district like his — South Dade and the Florida Keys — air travel is inextricably tied to its economy. It is served by two airports: the major international hub of MIA and the much smaller, tourism-powered EYW.
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«Obviously, in Miami, a lot of people know who I am, and a lot of those agents know who I am, and they’ve acted very professionally,» he said when asked if he has heard directly from constituents or agents about the shutdown.
A source familiar with the situation also said Miami International Airport is the city’s top employer and the region’s leading economic generator.
Gimenez agreed, adding that when MIA faces any adversities, it ripples into the surrounding area.
«The longer this goes on, I would think you’re going to see some travel disruptions due to TSA, due to, you know, those folks that aren’t getting paid – and [then onto] hotels, and it’ll affect everything. It affects everything.»
Fox News Digital reached out to ranking member LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., for her take on the situation.
McIver’s district notably encompasses another major international hub: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Noem said the current situation is the third time Democrats have forced a shutdown of her agency during the 119th Congress.
«Shutdowns have real-world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but they endanger our national security,» she said.
«The American people depend on this department every day, and we are making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians. TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts.»
Noem further warned that FEMA — another affected agency — must brace for yet another nor’easter and will halt all non-disaster-related response efforts while its resources are tied up.
Global Entry, a Customs and Border Protection-facilitated program at airports receiving international flights, will be halted.
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The program, seen as the traveler’s version of TSA PreCheck for international arrivals, will have officers reassigned to assist other arriving passengers.
«CBP will also be suspending requests for port courtesies for members of Congress at all ports of entry to include escorts and tours in order for personnel to be reassigned to essential border security operations,» the agency said.
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La implementación de inteligencia artificial se filtra en el sector energético de El Salvador para planificar, predecir y modernizar los sistemas de transmisión, consolidando al país como un referente regional. Así lo afirmó Edwin Núñez, presidente de la Empresa Transmisora de El Salvador (Etesal), quien resaltó el avance tecnológico del país.
En entrevista de Diálogo 21, de Grupo Megavisión, Núñez aseguró que El Salvador se posiciona como líder en la integración de tecnología del sector eléctrico. Núñez precisó que desde la llegada del presidente Nayib Bukele en 2019, el país ha realizado inversiones en diversificación y modernización energética. “El Salvador es referente en el tema energético. El presidente Bukele comenzó a trabajar en la diversificación con la entrada de Energía del Pacífico, una inversión de más de $1,000 millones y más de 300 megavatios instalados”, detalló Núñez.
“Definitivamente, la inteligencia artificial es una herramienta poderosa que viene a solucionar diferentes problemas. ¿Y, cómo lo soluciona? A través del análisis y predicción”, dijo Núñez. En ese marco, el funcionario aseguró que la empresa está “trabajando en la implementación” de aplicativos “muy importantes como la predicción” o que puedan “correr programas para hacer consultas”.
Núñez mencionó la importancia de usar inteligencia artificial en sistemas de planificación y expansión de la red eléctrica. Sostuvo que están utilizando esta tecnología para la planificación del sector eléctrico, incorporando variables de crecimiento en vivienda, turismo e industrias, lo que permite predecir escenarios y orientar inversiones. Esta metodología, según Etesal, facilita una gestión más eficiente y resiliente frente a desafíos como sequías o cambios en la demanda.
Durante el espacio televisivo, Núñez también indicó que se ha incluido una ponencia sobre inteligencia artificial en el evento del CECACIER 2026, que tendrá lugar del 2 al 6 de marzo en El Salvador.
Una de las conferencias abordará las experiencias de países de la región y mercados más avanzados, donde la inteligencia artificial ya se implementa para predecir consumos, automatizar operaciones y resolver contingencias en tiempo real. Núñez destacó que en los foros internacionales, todos los países están comenzando a aplicar inteligencia artificial en el sector eléctrico, especialmente en la operación y la predicción.
Uno de los casos más emblemáticos de adopción tecnológica en El Salvador es DoctorSV, una aplicación basada en inteligencia artificial lanzada por el presidente Nayib Bukele el 13 de noviembre de 2025. Esta plataforma, diseñada en principio para el sector salud, permite a los médicos acceder a consultas asistidas por IA y ha alcanzado a miles de salvadoreños. Núñez subrayó que este ejemplo demuestra la capacidad del país para implementar soluciones de alto impacto social y tecnológico.
El presidente de Etesal afirmó que “El Salvador genera condiciones favorables para la inversión, no solo por la seguridad física y jurídica, sino también por la diversificación de su matriz energética”. El país cuenta con fuentes hídricas, gas, energía solar y eólica, lo que ha evitado racionamientos incluso en periodos de sequía, a diferencia de otros países de la región.
La interconexión regional, a través del Sistema de Interconexión Eléctrica de los Países de América Central (SIEPAC), refuerza la importancia de la innovación en transmisión, según Núñez. Cada avance en la red salvadoreña repercute en la estabilidad y eficiencia del sistema regional. La visión del gobierno y la articulación entre actores públicos y privados han consolidado a El Salvador como modelo competitivo en energía e innovación tecnológica.
El desarrollo de nuevas líneas de transmisión, la expansión de subestaciones y la apertura a la inversión extranjera conforman la hoja de ruta de Etesal para los próximos años. Según Núñez, completar los anillos eléctricos en las zonas occidental y oriental, así como construir una nueva línea de 230 kilovoltios, incrementará la capacidad y eficiencia del sistema, garantizando un suministro constante para acompañar el crecimiento habitacional, industrial y tecnológico del país.
corresponsal:Desde San Salvador, El Salvador
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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is accusing the GOP-led House Oversight Committee of using her to «distract» from President Donald Trump during her high-stakes testimony in Congress’ Jeffrey Epstein probe.
«A committee endeavoring to stop human trafficking would seek to understand what specific steps are needed to fix a system that allowed Epstein to get away with his crimes in 2008,» she is telling the panel, according to her opening remarks.
«But that’s not happening. Instead, you have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump’s actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers.»
Clinton is telling lawmakers, «As I stated in my sworn declaration on January 13, I had no idea about their criminal activities.»
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is appearing before the House Oversight Committee. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
«I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that,» her remarks state.
«Like every decent person, I have been horrified by what we have learned about their crimes. It’s unfathomable that Mr. Epstein initially got a slap on the wrist in 2008, which allowed him to continue his predatory practices for another decade.»
The House Oversight Committee’s deposition is officially kicking off on Thursday morning after months of back-and-forth.
«No one’s accusing, at this moment, the Clintons of any wrongdoing. They’re going to have due process,» Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told reporters shortly before it began. «But we have a lot of questions, and the purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein.»
SON OF NORWAY’S CROWN PRINCESS TO FACE RAPE CHARGES AS NEW EPSTEIN FILES MENTION HER HUNDREDS OF TIMES
Hillary Clinton’s deposition comes a day before her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will testify before the panel as well.
«Today will be a long deposition, I would assume, and tomorrow will be an even longer deposition,» Comer said.
Both Democrats and Republicans on the committee, as well as the panel’s staff, traveled to the Clintons’ hometown of Chappaqua, New York for the two-day affair.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., speaks to reporters after a closed-door deposition with Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and confidante of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 9, 2026. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
It’s part of an agreement struck between the GOP-led panel and the former first couple’s lawyers in order for them to appear in person.
Lawmakers on either side will have the opportunity to question Hillary Clinton in addition to their staffs.
Fox News Digital was told that Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., will be the first lawmaker to question the former first lady and Obama administration official.
Mace was one of four House Republicans who successfully forced a vote late last year on getting the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release files on Epstein, despite pressure from GOP leaders.
The South Carolina Republican, who is running for governor of the Palmetto State, told reporters on Thursday that she would also be questioning Hillary Clinton on Trump Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, among other names that have been mentioned in relation to Epstein.
Comer told reporters she would also be questioned on her ties to Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, pointing out that Maxwell was present at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding in 2010, after the first allegations against Epstein surfaced.
He also suggested that Epstein and Maxwell’s ties to the nonprofit Clinton Foundation would also see scrutiny.
President Donald Trump listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Jan. 29, 2026. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)
«Again, we’re not accusing Hillary Clinton of wrongdoing. We know that Jeffrey Epstein said many times in emails that he was the first person to raise money for the Clinton initiative, the Clinton Foundation, that he solicited money at some of his properties for the Clinton Foundation,» Comer said.
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«Again, that’s not saying anything illegal, but there are a lot of questions pertaining to Secretary Clinton with respect to Epstein and his involvement in the Clinton initiative and her relationship with with Ghislaine Maxwell.»
But Clinton’s prepared remarks show her accusing Republicans of going on a «fishing expedition» to find information that is not there.
«If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein’s trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press giggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement. It would ask him directly, under oath, about the tens of thousands of times who showed up in the Epstein files. If the majority was serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions. There is too much that needs to be done,» her remarks said.
Neither of the Clintons has been accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein, nor has Trump. But both the current and former president’s names appear in the Epstein files numerous times, alongside other well-known figures like Bill Gates and Leslie Wexner.
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INTERNACIONAL
Russia warns against ‘provocative actions’ around Cuba after 4 killed onboard US-registered speedboat
Cuban Coast Guard kills 4 on US-registered boat
International legal expert Eugene Kontorovich discusses the Cuban Coast Guard shooting of 4 people on a U.S.-registered boat and analyzes U.S. demands for Iran, including abandoning its nuclear weapons and missile programs.
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Russia warned Thursday against any «provocative actions» around Cuba after a shootout between the country’s coast guard and a U.S.-registered speedboat that left at least 4 dead.
The remark comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was «going to have our own information» on Wednesday’s incident, and that «we’ll respond appropriately based on what that information tells us.»
«The situation around Cuba, as we can see, is heating up. The main thing is the humanitarian component. All humanitarian issues concerning Cuban citizens must be resolved, and no one should create obstacles,» Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday, according to Reuters.
«As for security around the island, it is, of course, very important that everyone remain restrained and refrain from any provocative actions,» he added.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, left, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters; Ken Cedeno/Reuters)
Cuban officials say five service members approached the Florida-registered speedboat detected within Cuban territorial waters. Occupants then opened fire on Cuban troops, who returned fire, according to the Cuban foreign ministry. The ministry reported that «four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured.» The Cuban vessel’s commander was also injured, according to the ministry.
Cuban officials also claimed the 10 passengers on the Florida-registered boat were armed Cubans living in the U.S. who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism.
Cuba’s government added that the majority of the 10 people on the boat «have a known history of criminal and violent activity,» The Associated Press reported.
According to data retrieved by Fox News Digital, the vessel, registered in Florida with number FL7726SH, is a 24-foot Pro-Line boat.
CHINA SLAMS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER US SANCTIONS ON CUBA
The Cuban Coast Guard tows a boat attempting to leave the country in Havana in December 2022. (Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images)
«Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in the open sea like that. It’s not something that happens every day. It’s something, frankly, that hasn’t happened with Cuba in a very long time. But we’re going to find out,» Rubio said Wednesday. «We’re not going to base our conclusions on what they’ve told us. And I’m very, very confident that we will know the full story of what happened here, and we will know it soon. And then, you know, we’ll respond appropriately based on what that information tells us.»
U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones from the Southern District of Florida also said Wednesday that, «Today’s reports indicate that four people aboard a Florida-registered vessel were killed and several others wounded during a deadly gunfire exchange off the coast of Cuba. This is a tragic and deeply concerning event. The Cuban regime asserts their forces were fired upon, but the facts remain unclear and conflicting.»
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Wednesday’s incident «highly unusual.» (Kevin Mohatt/Reuters)
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«We are using all available federal tools to understand exactly what happened, who was involved, and whether U.S. citizens or lawful residents were among the casualties. We are committed to a thorough, impartial, and fact-based investigation,» he added.
Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf, Emma Bussey and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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