Hillary Clinton testifies; East Wing ruling; Iran poll

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 26, 2026 By Amy Langfield February 26, 2026 Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testifies she has no information on Epstein's crimes; a federal judge rejects a request to block the Trump White House from building its $400 million ballroom project; and a new poll on Iran by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. UP FIRST Members of the media set up outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center awaiting the arrival of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Thursday, in Chappaqua, N.Y. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) Hillary Clinton testifies she has no information on Epstein's crimes and doesn't recall meeting him Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told members of Congress on Thursday that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's or Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes, starting off two days of depositions that will also include former President Bill Clinton. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Live updates: Hillary Clinton testifies in Epstein case World Economic Forum head Børge Brende steps down following pressure over Epstein links WATCH: DOJ says it's reviewing whether any Epstein-related records were mistakenly withheld TOP STORIES Judge rejects request to block Trump White House from building its $400 million ballroom project A federal judge on Thursday rejected a preservationist group's request to block the Trump administration from continuing construction of a $400 million ballroom where it demolished the East Wing of the White House. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said the privately funded group based its challenge on a "ragtag group of theories" under the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution, and would have a better chance of success if it amended the lawsuit. The preservationists did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read more.  RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Columbia student arrested by ICE agents who claimed to be seeking 'missing person,' lawyers say Buffalo probes death of a nearly blind Myanmar refugee dropped at a doughnut shop Lawyers say Pennsylvania student protesters did not know a man who joined scrum was the police chief Maduro's lawyer says US is blocking Venezuela government from paying deposed leader's drug defense Feds announce $26.5 billion loan for electric power expansion in Georgia and Alabama Federal judge in Texas allows lawsuit against California attorney general over ExxonMobil remarks Family of UN human rights investigator sues Trump administration over sanctions for Israel criticism Trump administration asks the Supreme Court to allow an end to legal protections for Syrian migrants Prosecutor claims that delayed charges against Abrego Garcia were 'extraordinary' but justified What to know about the boat shooting in Cuban waters that killed 4 Supreme Court litigator convicted of tax evasion over income from high-stakes poker Trump administration ends protections for rare dancing prairie bird NYC police arrest man after officers were pelted during a snowball fight What Americans think about Trump's judgment on military force as Iran talks resume: new AP-NORC poll About half of U.S. adults are "extremely" or "very" concerned that Iran's nuclear program poses a direct threat to the United States, according to the new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About 3 in 10 are "moderately" concerned and only about 2 in 10 are "not very" concerned or "not concerned at all." Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Live updates: US-Iran nuclear talks wrap up with no announcement of a deal as risk of war looms Iran would be outgunned in any war with the US but could still inflict considerable pain US military builds up the largest force of warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades US moves to cut off a Swiss bank over alleged Iran and Russia money flows Pakistani man is on trial over Trump assassination plot with ties to Iran, US prosecutors say ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS Internally displaced people gather at a church compound in Akobo, Jonglei state, South Sudan, Saturday. (AP Photo/Florence Miettaux) South Sudan: As fighting spirals, a humanitarian crisis looms for displaced survivors Latest escalation of violence: Afghanistan launches military strikes on Pakistan in retaliation for earlier airstrikes Gaza Strip: Israeli strike kills 2 Palestinians, health officials say, the latest deaths as truce stalls Florida: Deputy kills man who drove into him after fatally shooting 2 people, sheriff says Pennsylvania: A former officer accused of child rape fatally shot in a gunfire exchange with police Hollywood: Singer D4vd is 'target' in investigation of killing of girl whose body was found in car Social media: Instagram says it will notify parents if teens 'repeatedly' search for terms related to suicide Pay and tips controversy: Walmart to pay $100 million to settle FTC allegations over deceptive practices for delivery drivers WATCH: Viral baby monkey 'Punch' carries stuffed toy around a zoo in Japan TRENDING A sliced Ananas Noire, aka Black Pineapple, tomato is displayed in East Carbon, Utah in 2012. (Dale Thurber/Delectation of Tomatoes via AP)  A kaleidoscope of oddball tomatoes to try as seed-starting season nears Seed-starting time is right around the corner, and that means it's time to think about tomatoes. 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