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

In our news wrap Thursday, Trump rejected an offer from Russia to temporarily extend caps on strategic nuclear weapons, Ukraine and Russia wrapped a second day of talks in Abu Dhabi, the Trump administration is stripping job protections from thousands of federal workers, Nigeria is launching a new military operation against Islamic militants, and Vance cheered on U.S. Olympic athletes in Milan. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A U.N.-backed global hunger watchdog warned Thursday that famine is spreading to more parts of Darfur in western Sudan. The U.N. says the war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has driven 14 million people from their homes and killed an estimated 40,000. Nick Schifrin and producer Zeba Warsi spoke to civilians trapped in the epicenter of the nearly 3-year-old civil war. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The United Nations says Sudan's civil war is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. For a look at the effect this war has had on the people, as well as next steps, Nick Schifrin speaks with Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, who just returned from Sudan. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As many as 3 million women in India are believed to be sex workers, often pushed into the trade by extreme poverty or coercion. One organization has helped more than 32,000 of these women find a path out. While this group has earned international awards and philanthropic support, it's also raised complex questions about how best to help. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports for his series Agents for Change. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy