Miss the news this week? Read our recap of the biggest stories below, then test your knowledge with our news quiz here.

Updates in Tong Shao murder case

New details have emerged in the trial against Xiangnan Li, a former University of Iowa student who is accused in the murder of his girlfriend Tong Shao, a former ISU international student.

Li, 23, confessed to murdering Shao during his trial this week in his home country of China. He now waits sentencing, which can range from 10 years up to life in prison.

Officials in Johnson County, home to Iowa City where Shao’s body was found, said the premeditated murder was likely based on a conversation he had overheard, in which Shao discussed wishing to date another individual. 

Steve King says local race will be “very nasty”

U.S. Rep. Steve King predicted this past weekend that his primary in Iowa’s 4th District will be “very nasty.”

King is set to go up against state Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, but accused GOP operative Nick Ryan and GOP donor Bruce Rastetter of funding the campaign and offering Bertrand support to take out the 14-year incumbent King.

“I think it’ll be a very nasty primary,” King said. “That’s the stock and trade of Nick Ryan. He doesn’t know anything else, and he profits from money raised and money spent, so he gets a commission coming and going. He needed someone to attack in a primary or else his revenue stream would probably be a little short until the general election.”

Trump walks back comments on abortion

Republican front-runner Donald Trump is walking back from comments on criminal punishments if abortion was outlawed in the United States.

He first told MSNBC that there should be “some form of punishment” for women who have an abortion, if legislation was passed to outlaw women from terminating pregnancies. 

After widespread outcry — from both Republicans and Democrats — Trump reversed course, releasing a campaign statement clarifying his position. 

“If Congress were to pass legislation making abortion illegal and the federal courts upheld this legislation, or any state were permitted to ban abortion under state and federal law, the doctor or any other person performing this illegal act upon a woman would be held legally responsible, not the woman,” Trump said.

Cyclones knocked out of tournament

Iowa State’s basketball season came to an end last weekend, falling to Virginia in the Sweet 16 in Chicago.

No. 4 Iowa State fell to No. 1 Virginia 84-71 on Friday at the United Center, as Virginia quickly jumped ahead in the first half. Iowa State was unable to make up its deficit throughout the entire game.

“Defense was definitely an issue when it came to that quick start,” said junior guard Matt Thomas. “We just dug ourselves too deep of a hole to come back.”

Several grad programs ranked

Several ISU graduate programs were ranked by the U.S. News and World Report as some of the best in the country.

Biological/agricultural engineering was ranked third overall in the nation; aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical engineering tied for 23rd overall; business tied for 71st overall; and education tied for 83rd overall.