WASHINGTON

In a notable reversal, President Donald Trump on Saturday praised Nexstar Media Group’s proposed $6.2 billion purchase of the broadcast rival Tegna, a deal he had previously criticized.

“We need more competition against THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks,” Trump wrote on social media. “Letting Good Deals get done like Nexstar — Tegna will help knock out the Fake News because there will be more competition. … GET THAT DEAL DONE.”

The acquisition, announced by Nexstar in August and pending regulatory approval, would unite two major players in local broadcast media.

Nexstar oversees more than 200 owned and partner stations in 116 markets, and also runs networks including The CW and NewsNation.

Tegna owns 64 news stations across 51 markets.

Trump’s endorsement marks a shift from his stance in November, when he questioned the deal: “If this would also allow the Radical Left Networks to ‘enlarge,’ I would not be happy.”

However, Nexstar and Tegna operate independently of major national broadcast networks like ABC and NBC. Nexstar has previously demonstrated a willingness to challenge those networks, having joined with the right-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group in September to suspend the airing of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for a week following the host’s comments about a conservative activist.

By James Kisoo

Zambia’s president has weighed into a cultural debate that has erupted online after the president of Ghana arrived in Zambia wearing a traditional outfit called a fugu. Some Zambians mockingly called it a “blouse”.

But Zambia’s leader hit back by sharing his love for the design, saying he would be “ordering more of that stuff” for himself, in a video posted on X from the Ghana–Zambia Business Forum held in Lusaka this week.

Ghana’s foreign minister said the social media buzz was a sign that young people were keen to reclaim their cultural roots.

In Ghana itself, a move to encourage traditional outfits has led to “Fugu Friday”, which sees people wear African clothing.

Following days of online back and forth between netizens of the two countries, President Hakainde Hichilema expressed his admiration for the Ghanaian outfit.

“We’ll be ordering more fugu from Ghana following the social media conversations,” Hichilema said on Friday in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka.

When Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama arrived for a three-day State Visit on Wednesday, he was proudly sporting a fugu – a traditional northern Ghanaian outfit made from hand‑woven, narrow strips of thick cotton fabric stitched together to form a structured, poncho‑style garment.

By Anthony

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Iran.

The order, issued on Friday, does not specify the rate that could be imposed, but uses 25% as an example. It says the tariff could apply to goods imported into the US from any nation that “directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran”.

Trump has not directly commented on the order but reiterated “no nuclear weapons” for Iran when speaking from Air Force One on Friday night.

It comes as talks continue between senior US and Iranian officials in Oman, following several weeks of threats from both sides.

Trump threatened a 25% tariff of countries doing business with Iran earlier this year, in a post to Truth Social.

On 12 January, he wrote: “Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America.”

At the time, no further detail was provided on how the tariffs would work in practice.

By Anthony Solly

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the US wants the war with Russia to end by June, adding that both sides had been invited to the US for talks next week.

“America proposed for the first time that the two negotiating teams – Ukraine and Russia – meet in the United States of America, probably in Miami, in a week. We confirmed our participation,” he said.

There was no immediate comment from Washington or Moscow, but US President Donald Trump has been pushing for an end for the conflict since he took office again more than a year ago.

Meanwhile, Russia has continued its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – causing further widespread blackouts during freezing conditions.

In comments released on Saturday, Zelensky told reporters about what had taken place during the second round of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi, which ended on Friday with no reports of a breakthrough.

Zelensky said “difficult issues remained difficult”, including territorial concessions that Ukraine is under pressure to make.

He said the parties discussed, for the first time, the possibility of a trilateral meeting between leaders, not simply representatives, but cautioned that “preparatory elements are needed for this”.

By Anthony Solly

TOKYO

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s public persona is as distinctive as her politics. She is a heavy metal fan, a motorcycle enthusiast, and famously declared that her formula for leadership is to “work, work, work, work, work.”

This charismatic combination of toughness and playfulness has made her exceptionally popular in Japan—a rare feat for a recent leader from the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Breaking the mold of the country’s often-elderly male leadership, Takaichi has cultivated a strong connection with younger voters. They affectionately call her “Sana,” follow her fashion and favorite stationery, and even share her taste for steamed pork buns.

Now, this personal appeal is translating into political momentum. Polls show the LDP, despite its own deep-rooted problems, is poised to make significant gains in Sunday’s election for the lower house of Parliament, largely on the strength of Takaichi’s popularity.

A decisive victory would allow Takaichi to consolidate power and steer Japan further down the hawkish, deeply conservative path set by her mentor, the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

By James Kisoo

MUSCAT, Oman

Iran and the United States held indirect talks in Oman on Friday, negotiations that appeared to reset to the starting point over Tehran’s nuclear program.

However, the discussions gained a new military dimension with the unprecedented presence of America’s top commander in the Middle East.

The inclusion of U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, underscored the high stakes.

His attendance in dress uniform in Muscat, the Omani capital, served as a visible reminder of American military power nearby, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group operating in the Arabian Sea off Iran’s coast.

Despite the diplomatic effort, President Donald Trump maintained public pressure.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late Friday, he called the talks “very good” and said more were planned for early next week.

“Iran looks like they want to make a deal very badly — as they should,” Trump said. He suggested Iran was willing to “do more” than in previous discussions but offered no specifics, warning that if no deal is reached, “the consequences are very steep.”

By James Kisoo