Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison by Beijing-backed court

In our news wrap Wednesday, Canadian police said the mass shooting suspect who killed eight people was an 18-year-old with a history of mental health issues, investigators in Arizona are widening their search for Nancy Guthrie after releasing a man they had detained for questioning and "Dawson's Creek" star James Van Der Beek has died after a battle with cancer. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a hastily arranged meeting to discuss renewed talks with Iran over its nuclear program. This week, Trump is emphasizing diplomacy with Iran, and that's worrying Israel. Stephanie Sy examines Israel's demands for the talks and why aggressive Israeli action against Palestinians in the West Bank may cause a rift between the leaders. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For perspective on President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Geoff Bennett spoke with two people with extensive experience dealing with Israel and Iran. Dennis Ross played leading roles in the Middle East peace process for both Democratic and Republican administrations, and Alan Eyre had a four-decade career in the U.S. foreign service focusing on the Middle East. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The drumbeat of war between the U.S. and Iran seems to have quieted after indirect talks in Oman, but the threat remains. For a rare view from Iran and its perspective, special correspondent Reza Sayah sat down with Esmail Baghaei, a member of Iran's negotiating team and the spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Hong Kong democracy advocate and former media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who is 78, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Beijing-backed court. It is the longest sentence handed down under China's national security law that has effectively silenced dissent. Nick Schifrin discussed more with former Ambassador Nicholas Burns. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

American-led diplomacy restarts as the war in Ukraine rages on and unprecedented attacks plunge Kyiv into cold and darkness. How long can Ukraine hold out? How long can Russia wage war? And why has Trump failed to find a path to peace? Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses that with Michael Kofman, Justin Logan, Angela Stent and Bill Taylor. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The U.S. faced two very different nuclear challenges across two continents Friday. For the first time since last year's war with Iran, U.S. and Iranian diplomats restarted indirect talks over Tehran's nuclear program. And for the first time, the U.S. accused China of conducting a secret nuclear test, just one day after letting a key nuclear arms treaty with Russia expire. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the Trump administration advances its vision for rebuilding Gaza and reshaping how the territory is governed, critical issues remain unresolved as the ceasefire moves into its next phase. Geoff Bennett speaks with Mike Huckabee, U.S. ambassador to Israel, for more about the administration's plans. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This week, the Trump administration was sued for a sweeping pause of immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries. The freeze, which began last month, comes on top of full or partial travel and visa restrictions on citizens from 39 countries. We hear from some of the people left in limbo by the bans and suspensions, and Liz Landers speaks with David Bier at the Cato Institute for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The 2026 Winter Olympics are now officially underway. This week's episode of our podcast "Settle In" is all about the games in Milan and Cortina, and what you need to know. Amna Nawaz speaks with sports journalist Christine Brennan of USA Today for more on the games, the athletes and the world coming together in an uncertain era. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy