INTERNACIONAL
GOP lawmakers smell something else behind Big Tech’s AI doomsday warnings: ‘Something else going on’
Republicans on Capitol Hill are grappling over whether and how to regulate artificial intelligence companies even as top AI business leaders warn the technology could pose an existential threat to humanity.
The simmering debate over AI guardrails has exploded this week as House lawmakers worked through their final week in Washington until after the midterm elections. The flurry of activity was partially spurred by tech CEOs like Anthropic’s Dario Amodei and OpenAI’s Sam Altman warning that the pace of innovation should be slowed after both companies saw AI models hack into other organizations of their own accord.
And while some in Congress are demanding swift action, others who spoke with Digital are questioning the motivation of AI companies in calling for the government to step in.
«I think there’s a false sense of urgency,» Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont., told Digital.
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: CONGRESS MEETS AI AS FEARS OF HUMAN EXTINCTION JOLT CAPITOL HILL
Downing spent his young adulthood in tech, having previously been a research scientist at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University and founding online calendar company WebCal, which was later acquired by Yahoo!.
«Yes, we should be taking it seriously, but I think the hyperbole is misplaced right now,» Downing said. «Any one of those people crying gloom and doom has the possibility of stopping it in their own shops, so there’s something else going on there.»
Rep. Brad Knott, R-N.C., a former assistant U.S. attorney, also doubted AI companies’ motives.
AI ‘DOOMERS’ RISK KNEECAPPING US VS CHINA, BUT EX-PENTAGON VET SAYS BOTH EXTREMES MISS THE MARK
«I’m very skeptical of people in big business who want to leverage big government to suppress competition,» Knott said. «I’m afraid that’s what we’re seeing. That’d be like … Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple saying, ‘We need to regulate all tech.’ Whether it’s software or hardware. It’s like, guys, you’re here already, right? And if there’s one thing that I’m confident in, to protect AI for good, there has to be more than one option.»
Still others believe lawmakers do not broadly have enough knowledge to take on AI guardrails.
Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., told Digital that Congress should instead repeal Section 230, a federal law shielding internet and tech companies from liability for what third parties post.
«I think the warning is real, and I think that AI is unbelievable — look, AI is going to cure cancer. AI is going to find solutions to get rid of diseases that we never thought we could get rid of, but it does need to have some oversight. It needs a kill switch,» Patronis conceded. «But again, I don’t think Congress has the expertise to tell an emerging technology what’s the best way to go.»
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said when asked if Congress should act before the end of this year, «It’s too complex a subject. You’ve got to understand it.»
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump also joined the debate by dismissing AI companies’ calls for more government regulation.
TRUMP UNLOADS ON TECH TITANS PUSHING FOR SLOWDOWN ON EMERGING INDUSTRY: ‘WHOEVER WINS AI, WINS!’
«AI taking over the World, destroying Humanity, and all other things bad, is a HOAX,» he wrote on Truth Social. «The only control or ‘guardrails’ that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!»
But others are pushing for the government to step in to at least some degree, with some Republicans arguing for human guardrails to ensure AI does not go too far by itself.
RAND PAUL CLASHES WITH FELLOW REPUBLICAN OVER AI ‘KILL SWITCH’ AS SENATE GRAPPLES WITH ‘TERMINATOR’ FEARS
«The sooner we can act, the better,» Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., chair of the House’s AI task force, told reporters Wednesday. «Certainly, we’ve had some warning shots lately that have been very concerning … So, God forbid we have a Chernobyl moment at some point here that really causes harm to people and focuses the public’s attention on AI in a way that we hope it will never be.»
When asked by Digital about Trump’s warning, however, he said, «I think the president was talking about the dangers of over-regulation, and that’s something I very much agree with him on.»
RESEARCHER WHO DEPARTED AI ROLE OVER FEARS OF RACING INTO EXTINCTION SAYS PEOPLE ARE ‘BEGGING’ FOR REGULATION
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., held a press conference alongside Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., on Thursday pushing legislation to stop «rogue» AI agents such as those that broke out of containment during trials by OpenAI and Anthropic.
«We want to make sure that people remain in control. This isn’t about stopping AI or stifling innovation,» Lawler said. «Some states have put a moratorium on the infrastructure that powers this technology. That does not invent a kill switch.»
Gottheimer said the bill «tells the National Institute of Standards and Technology [to] get in a room and set standards, so organizations can find every agent on their network, verify who built it, who’s running it, watch it in real time for anything suspicious, and cut off its access the second something looks wrong.»
politics, technology, big tech backlash, congress, republicans elections, artificial intelligence
Dual UK-Iranian citizen arrested in air base probe
Retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward discusses the arrest in the U.K. air base alleged terrorism plot, the latest developments in the investigation, the broader security implications for U.S. and allied military installations and the Iran conflict on ‘America Reports.’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Two Latvian nationals legally living in the United Kingdom were arrested under Section 4 of Britain’s National Security Act of 2023 Thursday after allegedly breaching a perimeter fence at RAF Molesworth, a sensitive British military base housing critical U.S. and NATO intelligence operations, Reuters reported.
The arrests triggered a major counterterrorism investigation into the security breach at the strategic installation, which serves as a central intelligence hub supporting American military commanders across Europe and Africa.
The base is also undergoing a $556.5 million expansion centered on the Joint Intelligence Analysis Complex (JIAC), a location designed to consolidate 20 intelligence facilities and accommodate more than 1,000 personnel, according to reports.
IRAN UNDER SCRUTINY AFTER PLOT FOILED NEAR UK BASE USED BY US MILITARY
The suspects, ages 32 and 36, were discovered inside the base around 2 a.m. Thursday after an extensive security sweep.
Ministry of Defense Police officers conducting routine patrols first raised the alarm around 10 p.m. Wednesday after finding an abandoned vehicle near the perimeter.
A police vehicle leaves RAF Molesworth after two Latvian nationals were arrested on suspicion of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the U.K., police said in a statement. (Reuters/Chris Radburn)
Bomb disposal specialists cleared the vehicle before armed officers discovered a fence breach and located the men inside.
Initially detained on suspicion of trespass and criminal damage, both men were arrested again under the National Security Act for allegedly entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom. They remain in custody as counterterrorism detectives execute search warrants at two residential properties in nearby Peterborough.
Managed by the U.S. Air Force’s 423rd Air Base Group, RAF Molesworth is a nonflying installation dedicated to joint intelligence and command operations.
It houses intelligence elements for U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre.
During World War II, the airfield was used by the U.S. 15th Bombardment Squadron. In 1973, the airfield was officially deactivated before transitioning into its current role as an intelligence center.
Construction on the JIAC broke ground April 12, 2024, with onsite work beginning that spring. The facility is scheduled for completion in summer 2028.
FOILED TERROR PLOT AT BOMBER BASE SIGNALS WIDER THREAT TO US MILITARY INSTALLATIONS: EXPERT
RAF Molesworth is a nonflying installation dedicated to joint intelligence and command operations. (Reuters/Chris Radburn)
A 2024 Defense Department release described the base development as part of the department’s overall European Infrastructure Consolidation efforts.
«It will combine 20 facilities and over 1,000 DIA personnel into one location. Among others, it will host members of the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Force elements in a cross-agency, multi-mission collaboration.»
At the time, Defense Intelligence Agency Deputy Director Suzanne White said the facility would enable «the U.S. and allies’ shared mission of ‘outpacing our strategic competitors and addressing threats together wherever they may arise.’»
The Defense Department designed the project with a two-stage procurement strategy, allowing stakeholder agencies to provide feedback and streamline scheduling requirements.
Following the intrusion, U.S. European Command praised the swift British response.
US PULLS ALL BOMBERS FROM KEY UK BASE AFTER SUSPECTED IRAN-LINKED TERROR PLOT
Two Latvian nationals legally living in the United Kingdom were arrested under Section 4 of Britain’s National Security Act of 2023 Thursday after allegedly breaching a perimeter fence at RAF Molesworth, a sensitive British military base housing critical U.S. and NATO intelligence operations. (Reuters/Chris Radburn)
«While we assess the global security posture, U.S. forces remain at the highest state of readiness,» the command said in a statement.
«We would also express our gratitude to the UK for the close partnership with U.S. forces on matters of security.»
British counterterrorism officials cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about possible espionage or terrorist motives.
«We’re very aware of the recent heightened interest and concern around military sites,» Counterterrorism Policing London commander Helen Flanagan said.
Flanagan added that investigators have not established a connection between the Molesworth breach and recent security concerns at RAF Fairford, another British base used by U.S. strategic bombers.
«We are keeping an open mind at this stage and inquiries are very much ongoing,» she said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon and the CIA for comment.
world, national security, united kingdom, nato, armed forces, homeland security, military
INTERNACIONAL
Michigan Senate debate erupts into personal attacks as Rogers, El-Sayed clash over Israel, Iran and more
Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed traded personal attacks and accusations during a heated Michigan U.S. Senate debate Thursday night, clashing over everything from affordability, the war in Iran and U.S. support for Israel to their respective financial dealings and personal backgrounds.
The contentious showdown in Grand Rapids marked the first time the two candidates faced off onstage ahead of November’s closely watched election after Rogers declined to participate in a debate last month hosted by 2 Detroit, citing concerns about the moderator’s impartiality.
At the top of Thursday’s debate, what began as a discussion about affordability quickly devolved into personal attacks, with Rogers repeatedly questioning El-Sayed’s medical credentials and accusing him of misleading voters. El-Sayed accused the former congressman of enriching himself through corporate connections.
«He’s lying. So, he lied about being a physician. He lied now about being an Egyptian citizen or not being an Egyptian citizen,» Rogers charged during one particularly heated exchange. «That’s a con man.»
EL-SAYED’S SCATHING OBAMA CRITIQUE RESURFACES AHEAD OF JOINT CAMPAIGN RALLY
El-Sayed, who holds a medical degree from Columbia University, rejected the attacks and accused Rogers of attempting to distract voters from issues affecting their everyday lives.
«He wanted to make this about him or me. But the question is about you,» El-Sayed responded. «Can you afford your gas? Can you afford your groceries under this guy who’s going to rubber stamp everything Donald Trump tells him to rubber stamp?»
The candidates also sparred over their personal finances, with El-Sayed repeatedly accusing Rogers of profiting from corporate relationships after leaving Congress and referencing his Florida property and alleged yacht ownership.
Rogers, who denied owning any yachts, countered by questioning El-Sayed’s investments and alleged overseas property holdings in the UAE, while also slamming him for accepting money from billionaires despite simultaneously stumping on not taking money from corporate PACs and getting money out of politics.
EL-SAYED GRILLED ON PIKER, ISRAEL AND SOCIALIST TIES AFTER MIKE ROGERS SKIPS SENATE DEBATE
The exchanges became so heated that moderator Rick Albin repeatedly intervened.
«Look, here’s the situation. We’ve got dozens of questions we want to get to. You can’t litigate all of these with 14 different rebuttals,» Albin told the candidates.
After a commercial break, Albin remarked that, in 30 years of moderating debates, he had never witnessed candidates continue arguing throughout a commercial break.
The personal accusations remained constant throughout much of Thursday night’s debate, but one of the evening’s sharpest policy disagreements emerged over Israel and Iran.
Asked whether he would support providing defensive weapons to Israel if the country were attacked by Iran or another state actor, El-Sayed indicated he would not and reiterated his opposition to using American taxpayer dollars to fund foreign militaries.
«I don’t want our tax dollars buying weapons for other countries. I don’t know what’s so hard about that,» El-Sayed said.
MICHIGAN STUDENT CONFRONTS EL-SAYED OVER IRAN STANCE IN TENSE EXCHANGE: ‘DO YOU STAND WITH US?’
«I think both of them have proven dangerous in their own way. One at risk of attacking us, one getting us into wars we have no business fighting,» he added, referring to Israel and Iran.
El-Sayed also declined to say whether Israel or Iran posed the greater threat to the United States despite repeated questioning from the moderator.
«I think both of them have proven dangerous in their own way,» El-Sayed said. «One at risk of attacking us, one getting us into wars. We have no business fighting.»
Rogers, by contrast, indicated he would support providing defensive weapons to Israel and reiterated his support for the Jewish state.
He repeatedly accused El-Sayed of having connections to individuals and organizations supportive of terrorist groups as well, allegations El-Sayed disputed.
ABDUL EL-SAYED HITS BACK AT ISRAEL QUESTIONS, SUGGESTS HIS NAME AND FAITH ARE BEHIND PRESS SCRUTINY
The pair also differed on whether the war could come to an end if Iran still maintains the ability to produce a nuclear weapon and continues to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz.
El-Sayed blamed the conflict for rising gas prices and accused Rogers of supporting an unnecessary war, arguing that diplomacy could resolve the conflict even if Iran retained the ability to produce nuclear weapons.
Rogers argued that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been significantly diminished and said the war should end, while maintaining that Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
On domestic policy, El-Sayed expressed openness to federal price controls on domestically produced oil, arguing that high gasoline prices constituted an emergency.
«Look, I definitely think that’s something we should consider,» El-Sayed said.
DEMOCRATS FACE ‘DO-OR-DIE’ SPLIT WITH KEY VOTING BLOC IN RAZOR-CLOSE SENATE RACE
Rogers rejected price controls, instead advocating temporary gas tax relief, diesel rebates and a pause on diesel exports.
Healthcare also became a major flash point.
El-Sayed defended his Medicare-for-all proposal, insisting that Americans who wanted to retain private insurance could do so. Rogers argued that the proposal would eliminate existing private coverage and impose significant new taxes on families.
The debate unfolded against the backdrop of an exceptionally competitive Senate contest.
A late-September poll showed El-Sayed leading Rogers 50% to 49% among likely voters, a statistical dead heat.
The candidates are competing for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, with Republicans hoping to flip the seat and Democrats seeking to maintain their hold on it.
midterm elections, michigan, senate, elections, abdul el sayed, controversies state and local, republicans elections
Panamá reportó nueve casos confirmados de COVID-19 durante la semana epidemiológica 38 de 2026.
El registro elevó a 1.023 el acumulado de contagios notificados en el país desde el inicio del año.
Pablo González, jefe nacional de Epidemiología del Ministerio de Salud (Minsa), informó que la positividad bajó al 1,7%, un resultado inferior al de la semana previa. La reducción coincidió con un escenario de circulación viral limitada.
La situación actual del COVID-19 en Panamá muestra una transmisión baja, con nueve nuevos diagnósticos en la semana epidemiológica 38 y ocho pacientes hospitalizados.
Seis personas permanecen en sala y dos reciben atención en unidades de cuidados intensivos, mientras el Minsa sostiene que el aislamiento de casos positivos y la vacunación ayudaron a reducir los contagios.
El sistema de salud mantiene bajo vigilancia a ocho personas internadas por la enfermedad. De ese total, seis están en salas regulares y dos se encuentran en unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI).
González atribuyó el descenso de la circulación del virus a las estrategias aplicadas desde el inicio de la emergencia sanitaria. Entre ellas mencionó el aislamiento de las personas con diagnóstico positivo y la vacunación.
El epidemiólogo sostuvo que las prácticas de prevención adoptadas durante la pandemia también pueden limitar la propagación de otras infecciones respiratorias y gastrointestinales.
La recomendación del Minsa incluye el lavado frecuente de manos con agua y jabón. La entidad también aconseja usar mascarilla ante síntomas respiratorios o cuando las condiciones lo requieran, evitar las aglomeraciones y acudir a un centro de salud frente a signos de alarma.
El funcionario señaló que Panamá suscribió hace dos años el Tratado de Prevención, Preparación y Respuesta ante Futuras Pandemias que se encuentra en evaluación para atender las carencias que quedaron expuestas durante la crisis sanitaria.
El especialista explicó que la revisión busca reducir las brechas vinculadas al acceso a medicamentos, vacunas e insumos.
Según el jefe nacional de Epidemiología, esas dificultades afectaron en mayor medida a los países con menores posibilidades para responder ante una pandemia. El análisis también incluye las herramientas de bioseguridad que ayudaron a disminuir la transmisión de varias enfermedades.
Las medidas preventivas adquirieron relevancia durante los períodos de mayor incidencia. La experiencia dejó protocolos de vigilancia, diagnóstico y contención que continúan como parte de la respuesta sanitaria.
La trayectoria oficial del COVID-19 en Panamá comenzó el 9 de marzo de 2020, cuando las autoridades confirmaron el primer caso en una mujer panameña de 40 años que había llegado desde España.
El país atravesó varias olas entre 2020 y 2021, período durante el cual aumentaron tanto los contagios como las muertes asociadas a la enfermedad.
Los registros oficiales del Minsa y del Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo (INEC) muestran que el impacto sobre la mortalidad se concentró en esos dos años. El total de defunciones por todas las causas creció de manera marcada frente a 2019.
Solo en 2021 se atribuyeron directamente al COVID-19 al menos 3.510 fallecimientos, cifra que reflejó la presión que la enfermedad ejerció sobre el sistema sanitario en la etapa inicial de la pandemia.
El Estado aplicó desde el primer diagnóstico medidas para contener la transmisión. El aislamiento de los casos positivos y la vacunación formaron parte de esas acciones, junto con otras disposiciones de prevención.
Para 2022 y los primeros meses de 2023, el acumulado de casos confirmados superó el millón. Las defunciones reconocidas oficialmente se ubicaron entonces cerca de 8.600.
La evolución posterior mostró una disminución de la carga de la enfermedad. Los informes epidemiológicos recientes describieron varios miles de diagnósticos anuales y menos de un centenar de muertes por COVID-19 durante 2025.
Hasta el momento, Panamá no registra defunciones por esta causa. El comportamiento actual contrasta con las olas de los primeros años de la emergencia.
La Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) acompañaron la respuesta panameña desde el inicio. Los organismos brindaron lineamientos técnicos y apoyo para los protocolos de vigilancia, diagnóstico y contención.
cartel personal sanitario,centros de vacunación contra covid 19,colas,coronavirus,gente,panamá 2021
El horóscopo de hoy: viernes 9 de octubre
Poner cáscaras de banana en la maceta de la lengua de suegra: para qué sirve y por que lo recomiendan los jardineros
La empresa dueña de Fiat y Peugeot no descarta cerrar sus dos plantas industriales en la Argentina
Un condecorado veterano de Malvinas sería el candidato a asumir como director de la Escuela Nacional de Inteligencia
Neymar volvió tras su lesión y marcó los dos goles del Santos ante Flamengo: la marca histórica que logró y la patada de Paquetá
Tierras rurales: Patricia Vásquez defendió la compra por extranjeros y explicó qué restricciones propone el Gobierno
¡Precios de Manhattan con sueldos de Argentina! Cómo los créditos hipotecarios inflaron las propiedades y congelaron el sueño de la casa propia
Escándalo total en la AFA: reventa millonaria, un homenaje paupérrimo a Messi y el pedido urgente de renuncia a Chiqui Tapia
El gobernador de la provincia que más ATN recibió de la Casa Rosada no integró la comitiva de Milei en París
Israeli medical workers who treated Oct 7 wounded relive day terror hit home
DEPORTE1 día agoEscándalo total en la AFA: reventa millonaria, un homenaje paupérrimo a Messi y el pedido urgente de renuncia a Chiqui Tapia
- INTERNACIONAL2 días ago
Después de su prohibición, las plataformas de apuestas deportivas y los casinos en línea ya están fuera de servicio en Brasil
- POLITICA2 días ago
Marcha contra la Corte: sectores del PJ, la izquierda, gremios y piqueteros protestan por el fallo que libera la venta de tierras para extranjeros
