AP Afternoon Wire

"Obama team's blind spot, Epstein fallout, Olympics Day 12."

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Content and Source:  "AP Afternoon Wire."

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By Amy Langfield February 18, 2026

Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, a sweeping oral history of the Obama presidency recounts his team’s blind spot on Trump; billionaire Les Wexner says he was “duped” by adviser Jeffrey Epstein; and highlights from Day 12 at the Winter Olympics. UP FIRST From left, Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama and Barack Obama pose for a photo before the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) A ‘clown’ who wouldn’t go away: Inside the Obama team’s blind spot on Trump For eight years, President Barack Obama’s aides marveled that no amount of mockery, dismissal or scandal could make Donald Trump go away. Their bewilderment is threaded through hundreds of interviews with administration officials released Tuesday in a far-reaching oral history of the Obama presidency. They admit in the project that they misread Trump’s resilience. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Many Democrats are still down on the Democratic Party, a new AP-NORC poll finds Late-night host Stephen Colbert isn’t backing down from public dispute with CBS bosses Moderna says the FDA will consider its new flu shot after resolving a public dispute Public health and green groups sue EPA over repeal of rule supporting climate protections Following Trump’s lead, some GOP states seek to limit environmental regulations Trump administration appeals order to restore George Washington slavery exhibit in Philadelphia Trump wants his Board of Peace to solve world conflicts. It still has a lot of work to do in Gaza Why Trump’s comment on discussing Taiwan arms sales with China has raised concerns Somalia renews its US-backed fight against al-Shabab militant group. Here is why it matters Fishermen in the eastern Caribbean fear for their lives following a deadly US strike

TOP STORIES Billionaire Les Wexner says he was ‘duped’ by adviser Jeffrey Epstein, ‘a world-class con man’ The billionaire behind the retail empire that once blanketed shopping malls with names such as Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch is telling members of Congress that he was “duped by a world-class con man” — close financial adviser Jeffrey Epstein. Les Wexner also is denying knowing about the convicted sex offender’s crimes or participating in Epstein’s abuse of girls and young women. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ UK police band together to assess Epstein revelations as scandal rocks royals and politics Vonn, Shiffrin and Brignone among the Olympic skiers voicing concern over receding glaciers Team USA skiers Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, along with Italy’s Federica Brignone, are among the many skiers who have expressed concern during these Olympic Games about the accelerating melt of the world’s glaciers. And Olympic host city Cortina is a fitting place for them to be talking about climate change: Glaciers once visible from town have dramatically shrunk. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Winter Olympics medal tracker Olympic photo highlights from Day 12 of the Milan Cortina Winter Games In a golden masterclass, Norway’s Klaebo extends Winter Olympics medal record US star Mikaela Shiffrin wins slalom to break 8-year Olympic drought Lindsey Vonn’s skis didn’t release in Olympic crash. Experts tell AP that raises years-old safety issues Canada rallies to beat Czechia in OT to avoid a stunning quarterfinal exit at the Olympics Swiss TV commentary of Israeli Olympic bobsled run fuels fierce reaction Russian flag and anthem set to return at next month’s Paralympics At the Olympics, women’s sports media outlets are writing their own playbooks Loose dog makes Olympic cameo on the cross-country ski course

ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, shakes hands with then-Commander in Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) Ukraine: Former army chief seen as Zelenskyy’s top rival reveals to AP a rift between them California: Eight backcountry skiers found dead and 1 still missing after avalanche ‘This day is long overdue’: New Jersey Catholic diocese agrees to $180 million settlement of clergy sexual abuse allegations Proposed settlement: Bayer strikes $7.25 billion deal to settle Roundup cancer lawsuits Mehdi Mahmoudian: Oscar-nominated co-writer of ‘It Was Just an Accident’ released from Iranian prison Lac La Belle: Searchers find wreck of luxury steamer lost in Lake Michigan more than 150 years ago Photo highlights: New York Fashion Week’s Fall-Winter 2026 runway shows WATCH: Thousands join in annual 'The Battle of Oranges' food fight in Italy TRENDING In this August photo provided by the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, Daniel Terblanche shows Imvelo Safari Lodges staff how to handle Thuza, an endangered white rhino with a life-threatening eye infection, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. (John Towey/Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society via AP) ‘Ridiculous’ plan developed at Florida zoo saves wild rhino’s eyesight in Africa Corralling a wild rhinoceros into a small chute to give it eyedrops might seem like a crazy plan. But if it’s crazy and it works, then it’s not crazy.

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