Legislature gears up for likely long final day

The Alabama Legislature could have a long and contentious final day of the 2025 legislative session Wednesday with several controversial bills pending, including some of the governor’s priorities, and a slew of local bills.

Legislature gears up for likely long final day - Alabama Daily News

Trump to Lift Sanctions on Syria, Touts Deals in Middle East Tour

RIYADH — President Trump kicked off his four-day Middle East visit Tuesday with high-stakes diplomacy and a red-carpet welcome in Saudi Arabia. In a flurry of announcements, Trump lifted U.S. sanctions on Syria, signed $300 billion in investment deals with the Saudis, and warned Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions or face “massive maximum pressure.”

Speaking at a Saudi-American investment forum, Trump urged Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to normalize ties with Israel and hailed the region’s economic growth. “You achieved a modern miracle, the Arabian way,” he said, praising Gulf nations as models of order and opportunity.

Trump’s Syria sanctions decision came after talks with the crown prince and Turkish President Erdogan. The move gives a financial lifeline to Syria’s new Islamist-led government under Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former militant now pledging to rebuild and govern inclusively. Trump called it “their time to shine,” despite U.S. designations still listing Sharaa as a terrorist.

As Trump pushes diplomacy, tensions remain. Talks with Iran over its nuclear program are stalled, and allies like Israel remain wary. Prime Minister Netanyahu insists southern Syria be demilitarized, and Sen. Lindsey Graham warned Congress must review any sanctions rollback.

Trump’s visit included a grand arrival ceremony with Saudi jets, a lavender carpet, and meetings with global figures like Elon Musk and FIFA’s president. While he won’t visit Israel, Trump urged Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, hinting it would be “a special day” and a personal honor.

Deals in the works include arms sales, investment reforms, and renewed talks on F-35 jets with the UAE. Trump wraps his Saudi stop Wednesday before heading to Qatar and the UAE, where further talks on energy, defense, and trade are expected.