Nearly 8,000 pictures from world wide have been submitted for the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 competitors. In the tip, an Australian photographer claimed the highest prize for capturing a tender moment of elephant seal pups nuzzling in a rockpool.
Here’s what else you want to know to rise up to pace and on along with your day.
Former President Bill Clinton is ready to be questioned as we speak about his previous relationship with late intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein. Documents present Clinton rode on Epstein’s non-public airplane 16 occasions, although he has maintained that his interactions with Epstein came about earlier than the financier’s crimes have been uncovered. On Thursday, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concluded hours of defiant testimony earlier than the House Oversight Committee, repeatedly saying she had no ties to Epstein or his felony conduct. She additionally blasted GOP lawmakers for fixating on her instead of questioning President Donald Trump and others named within the Epstein information. Neither of the Clintons nor Trump has been accused by regulation enforcement of any felony wrongdoing associated to Epstein.
Hillary Clinton speaks after testifying behind closed doorways in House Epstein investigation
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday sought to reassure Americans uneasy concerning the prospect of the US getting into a protracted battle within the Middle East, as President Trump weighs whether to take military action against Iran. “The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight — there is no chance that will happen,” Vance told The Washington Post. Trump has been briefed on potential army choices in Iran, sources say, however it’s unclear whether or not he would authorize a strike or proceed pursuing a diplomatic path as negotiations unfold. The US held talks with Iran in Geneva on Thursday, with some indicators of progress however no main breakthrough.
American synthetic intelligence firm Anthropic has till 5:01 pm ET as we speak to comply with the Pentagon’s demands or danger being designated a “supply chain risk” — a label sometimes reserved for firms tied to overseas adversaries. The Pentagon, which makes use of Anthropic’s Claude AI system on its categorised networks, needs broad authority to use it for “all lawful purposes.” But Anthropic has two crimson strains for the Pentagon: no use in autonomous weapons and no mass surveillance of US residents. The Defense Department claims that it has little interest in utilizing AI for both goal and that it wants the liberty to use the know-how it’s licensing. Anthropic, nonetheless, stated Thursday that it has no intention of dropping its circumstances.
Technology shares are not driving the market the best way they as soon as did. After years of beneficial properties fueled by optimism round AI and productiveness, the sector has stalled. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite hasn’t hit a file in 4 months whereas the S&P 500, which is roughly flat this yr, is on track for its worst month since March. At the identical time, shares with much less publicity to AI are outperforming. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which is much less reliant on tech, is up about 3% this yr. The shift displays broader uncertainty on Wall Street over the AI increase as some buyers stay cautious of how synthetic intelligence may disrupt present enterprise fashions — and whether or not large spending on knowledge facilities will generate significant returns.
The Trump administration is releasing greater than $5 billion in long-delayed FEMA disaster aid, although a number of Democratic-led states the place the president has clashed with governors will not receive funds, a number of sources instructed NCS. States depend upon the cash for restoration and mitigation, however over $14 billion had been stalled amid strict Homeland Security spending guidelines. While greater than one-third of that backlog is now being launched, a handful of states — together with California, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado — are being disregarded, elevating new considerations that the administration is enjoying politics with important emergency help, the sources stated.
GET 5 THINGS IN YOUR INBOX
Netflix backed out of the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery on Thursday, leaving Paramount poised to purchase Warner’s sprawling media portfolio, together with NCS.
Savannah Guthrie plans to return to the “Today” show, sources say, although the timing is unclear as she stays targeted on the search for her lacking mom, Nancy.
Nearly 30 years after Pokémon’s launch, some uncommon buying and selling playing cards are fetching tens of millions of {dollars}, sparking a modern-day collecting frenzy.
North Korean chief Kim Jong Un just lately appeared at a army parade together with his teenage daughter. Speculation is rising that he could possibly be grooming her as his successor.
Kids glued to their tablets have turn out to be a well-recognized sight at eating places. But that norm could also be shifting: More mother and father are embracing hands-on, offline activities for their children, in accordance to Pinterest’s newest Parent Trend Report.
The Milan Cortina Olympics have formally concluded. Which nation will host the following Winter Games in 2030?
A. Japan
B. USA
C. Germany
D. France
🌤️ Check your local forecast to see what you may anticipate.
And lastly…
He by chance gained management of seven,000 robotic vacuums
NCS’s Clare Duffy spoke with Sammy Azdoufal, who says he by chance hacked hundreds of DJI Romo vacuums whereas making an attempt to join it to his play station management, giving him entry to different customers’ microphone audio and video streams. DJI says the problem has since been resolved.
NCS’s Clare Duffy spoke with a person who says he accidentally hacked thousands of robot vacuums whereas making an attempt to join one to his PlayStation controller — proof that typically you actually can’t management the controller.