Bondi hearing; Arctic Sentry launches; Olympics Day 5

Your afternoon news update

ADVERTISEMENT View in Browser | APNews DONATE View in Browser | APNews DONATE AP Afternoon Wire Advancing the Power of Facts Policy changes, but facts endure. AP delivers accurate, fact-based journalism to keep the world informed in every administration. Support independent reporting today. Donate. By Amy Langfield February 11, 2026 By Amy Langfield February 11, 2026 Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi clashes with Democrats as she struggles to turn the page on the Epstein files furor; NATO launches its Arctic Sentry military effort; and Iran commemorates its 1979 revolution.   Sign up for Postcards from Milan Cortina, our free Olympics pop-up newsletter sent directly from the Games. UP FIRST Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner) Bondi clashes with Democrats as she struggles to turn the page on Epstein files furor Attorney General Pam Bondi launched into a wide-ranging, passionate defense of President Donald Trump, repeatedly shouting at Democrats during a combative hearing in which she postured herself as the Republican's chief protector and tried to turn the page from persistent criticism of the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Pentagon-FAA dispute over lasers to thwart cartel drones led to airspace closure, AP sources say WATCH: US representatives says FAA left them uninformed on El Paso closure Gabbard ends intelligence reform task force after less than a year of work Homeland Security officials voice concerns about looming shutdown US will send troops to Nigeria to train the military to fight extremism Surge of 130,000 US hires last month is a stark contrast to the weak hiring of 2025 CBO: Federal deficits and debt to worsen over next decade Immigrant rights groups seek to dismiss a Republican lawsuit to exclude noncitizens from US census U.S. citizens and legal residents sue over aggressive immigration raid at Idaho horse racing track US Energy Secretary Chris Wright visits Venezuela to assess oil industry overhaul Close Maduro ally pardoned by Biden once again a target of US criminal investigation The father of a US-based Hong Kong activist is convicted under national security law Lt. Gov. Delgado ends campaign for New York governor TOP STORIES NATO launches Arctic Sentry military effort in seeking to move on from Greenland dispute NATO has launched a new military effort called Arctic Sentry to boost security in the High North. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump increased tensions in the alliance with threats to annex Greenland. Arctic Sentry will initially be the label of national military exercises in the region, like Denmark's Arctic Endurance and Norway's Cold Response drills. NATO aims to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the area. NATO hopes Arctic Sentry will help shift focus back to Europe's main security concern, Russia's war on Ukraine. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Russia says it will stick to New START's nuclear arms limits as long as US does Chinese sea captain pleads not guilty in Hong Kong court to damaging Baltic Sea cables Russia can't attack NATO this year but plans to boost its own forces, an intelligence chief says Russian drone attack kills a father and 3 children in Ukraine while pregnant mother survives Iran commemorates 1979 revolution as nation is squeezed by anger over crackdown and tensions with US Iran marked the 47th anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution on Wednesday as the country's theocracy remains under pressure, both from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested sending another aircraft carrier group to the Middle East, and a public angrily denouncing Tehran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Trump says he 'insisted' to Netanyahu that US talks with Iran continue as Israel wants them expanded Australia seeks charges over a 2024 Israeli airstrike in Gaza that killed an Australian aid worker WATCH: Palestinians in the West Bank struggle to get by as Israel limits work permits ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS Italy's gold medalists Andrea Voetter and Marion Oberhofer celebrate as they arrive at the finish during a women's doubles luge run at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) Milan Cortina Winter Games: Olympic photo highlights from Day 5 Thailand: 17-year-old with a gun attacks school and 3 people are injured In their words: Bangladeshis talk about the election that could redefine the nation's future Epstein files fallout: New revelations take a toll across Europe James Van Der Beek: 'Dawson's Creek' star who later mocked his own hunky persona has died at 48 Nancy Guthrie's disappearance: FBI combs through thick desert terrain in search for clues Building went up in flames: Late NFL star Pat Tillman's brother pleads guilty to setting fire at California post office World's busiest airport: Dubai International handled a record 95.2 million passengers in 2025 After the crash: Lindsey Vonn says she has a 'successful' 3rd surgery on broken leg WATCH: Here's what to know about biathlon at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics TRENDING John "Johnny Q" Quinesso Sr, a WWII veteran, holds a photo of his younger self during his 100th birthday celebration on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 in Camden, N.J., aboard the Battleship New Jersey. (AP Photo/Tassanee Vejpongsa) At 100, WWII veteran celebrates a life of service aboard Battleship New Jersey Aboard the Battleship New Jersey, surrounded by friends, family and the ship's important legacy, John "Johnny Q" Quinesso Sr. marked a milestone: his 100th birthday. The World War II Navy veteran and longtime volunteer was honored recently on the nation's most decorated battleship. Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Amy Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Amy SUPPORT THE AP. DONATE. Manage preferences | Privacy policy | Unsubscribe   *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. ADVERTISEMENT