President Trump endorsed Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion purchase of broadcast rival Tegna, an apparent reversal from earlier criticism of the deal. In November, Trump had criticized the purchase. The companies operate independently of the large broadcast networks such as ABC and NBC. In September, Nexstar, along with the right-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group, suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC late-night talk show for about a week after Kimmel’s comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Syria and Saudi Arabia sign multibillion-dollar investment deals to boost economy

Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed multibillion-dollar investment agreements, including a major telecommunications project and a low-cost joint airline. Syria is trying to improve its economy after a long war that killed nearly half a million people.

Most Western sanctions on Syria were lifted after a new leadership took power following the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024. Abdulsalam Haykal, Syria’s minister of communications, said the nearly $1 billion telecommunications development will take place in two stages. Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih said the project will be led by Saudi Telecom Company.

“The project contributes in making Syria an international telecommunications hub,” Abdulsalam Haykal, Syria’s minister of communications and information technology, said, adding the SilkLink project will involve thousands of kilometers (miles) of cables being laid to boost internet connectivity between Asia and Europe.