While “60 Minutes” will soon have a new owner, the CBS newsmagazine’s next executive producer is coming from inside the family.
Tanya Simon, a 25-year veteran of the program, will take on the role vacated by Bill Owens in April. She has served as interim executive producer since his departure.
She is the daughter of the late Bob Simon, one of the best known correspondents during the program’s 57 year history.
Changes at the top of “60 Minutes” have been rare. Simon will be only the fourth executive producer in the program’s history and the first woman.
Simon’s appointment will be a relief to the program’s staff, where morale has been rocked by parent company Paramount Global’s battle with President Trump. The correspondents of the program signed a letter to company co-chairman George Cheeks urging him to give Simon the job.
Simon will have the backing of her colleagues who are thankful they won’t be dealing with an outsider who might not value the program’s editorial rigor and independence. But she will be faced with the challenge of navigating the operation after one of the most difficult periods in its history.
Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit against “60 Minutes” over the editing of an interview with his 2024 opponent, then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump claimed the interviews was deceptively edited to aid Harris in the election.
The case was labeled as frivolous by 1st Amendment experts and the settlement widely seen as a capitulation to Trump in order to clear a path for Paramount’s $8-billion merger with David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
While “60 Minutes” did not issue an apology or acknowledge any wrongdoing, the program is likely to face intense scrutiny going forward. Critics will be looking for signs of the program pulling its punches in reporting on Trump. In order to clear the Paramount Global deal with the FCC, Skydance has agreed to name a news division ombudsman that will report to the company’s president for at least the next two years.
“Tanya Simon understands what makes ’60 Minutes’ tick,” CBS News President Tom Cibrowski said in. a statement “She is an innovative leader, an exceptional producer, and someone who knows how to inspire people,” “
Simon got her start at CBS News in 1996 as a researcher for its other newsmagazine “48 Hours.” She joined “60 Minutes” in 2000, working with correspondent Ed Bradley on a variety of reports including the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. She went on to produce for nearly all of the program’s correspondents including her father.
Her work has earned virtually every major broadcast honor, including multiple Emmy Awards, the Peabody and the DuPont-Columbia Award.
David Ellison’s Skydance Media pledged to abandon all diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Paramount Global in an attempt to win government approval for its $8-billion merger.
Paramount already had scaled back diversity programs earlier this year. In a Tuesday letter to Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, Skydance said it would go further to cancel diversity efforts.
“Paramount no longer will maintain an Office of Global Inclusion and will not have any teams or individual roles focused on DEI,” Stephanie Kyoko McKinnon, Skydance general counsel, wrote in the three-page letter to Carr. The appointee of President Trump, in one of his first moves as chair, dismantled the agency’s diversity programs and called on companies to do the same.
Kyoko McKinnon said Paramount will remove “references to DEI in its public messaging, including on its websites and social media,” along with culling DEI language in “internal messaging and training materials.”
Last week, Ellison met with Carr to press his case that Skydance and its backer RedBird Capital Partners would be strong stewards of Paramount, which includes CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, BET and the Melrose Avenue movie studio, Paramount Pictures. Skydance needs Carr’s approval for the merger and the transfer of the CBS television station licenses to the Ellison family.
Skydance separately tackled persistent complaints by conservatives about alleged news bias at “60 Minutes” and other programs.
Ellison’s firm pledged to “promote transparency and increased accountability” at CBS News. The company said it would install an ombudsman, reporting to the president of Paramount, “to receive and evaluate any complaints of bias or other concerns involving CBS” for at least two years.
Trump’s ire over edits of a “60 Minutes” Kamala Harris interview last fall nearly derailed Skydance’s takeover of Paramount. Carr opened an inquiry into alleged news distortion after Trump sued CBS in federal court in Texas.
Earlier this month, Paramount reached a $16-million settlement with Trump to resolve the dispute that caused deep divisions within Paramount and prompted high-level CBS departures. Trump boasted Tuesday on Truth Social that he anticipates receiving an additional $20 million worth of advertising and PSA time from the new owners.
During his July 15 meeting with Carr, Ellison underscored “Skydance’s commitment to unbiased journalism and its embrace of diverse viewpoints, principles that will ensure CBS’s editorial decision-making reflects the varied ideological perspectives of American viewers,” according to an FCC filing.
Skydance’s Kyoko McKinnon added: “We further reaffirm that, after consummation of the proposed transaction, New Paramount’s new management will ensure that the company’s array of news and entertainment programming embodies a diversity of viewpoints across the political and ideological spectrum, consistent with the varying perspectives of the viewing audience.”
Ellison recently met with prominent journalist Bari Weiss, reportedly to discuss Skydance acquiring her center-right online publication, the Free Press, as an alternative to traditional news sites. She started the outlet, which is often critical of DEI, after quitting her job as a New York Times opinion writer, citing intolerance of her and her more conservative viewpoints.
Skydance has said it didn’t have a role in the Colbert decision.
Skydance isn’t the only company under pressure to ditch diversity programs to win FCC approval for a deal.
Two months ago, telecommunications giant Verizon pledged to drop diversity efforts to gain Carr’s blessing for the company’s $20-billion takeover of Frontier Communications.
Paramount encouraged executives to make diverse hires and promotions, and progress toward the corporate goals was one of many factors considered when calculating bonuses. That program was dismantled last year.
For years, CBS struggled to shake its prime-time sitcom formula to build shows around white men, a la “King of Queens,” “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Two and a Half Men.”
CBS also championed mentorship programs for writers and directors to build a more diverse pipeline of creators. That initiative dated to 2004.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has made a priority of abolishing DEI programs.
(Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Skydance promised not to set numerical goals related to race, ethnicity or gender of job applicants.
“The company is committed to ensuring that its storytelling reflects the many audiences and communities it serves in a manner that complies with non-discrimination requirements and other applicable laws,” Kyoko McKinnon wrote.
“I am very encouraged by today’s announcements,” said Daniel Suhr, president of the conservative Center for American Rights, which filed an FCC complaint about “60 Minutes” and suggested a CBS News ombudsman. “These are important steps towards better broadcasting that serves all consumers.”
Good Morning Britain was pulled off air for a breaking news update just minutes into the ITV show as Kate Garraway threw the show over to news correspondent Louisa James
Katharina Bost tested the so-called ‘airport theory’ London Stansted Airport, where she got to the airport just 45 minutes before her flight was due to take off to see if it was enough time
She wanted to check whether she could get on the plane in 45 minutes (Stock Image)(Image: LordHenriVoton via Getty Images)
Going to the airport can be a stressful experience for some people, but others find it a breeze. You’re either a last-minute dasher, trusting in the cosmos that you’ll whizz through security without a hitch. Or, alternatively, you’re the type who prefers to arrive well ahead of the recommended two hours (or three during peak times like school holidays). If your travel companion wouldn’t object, you might even fancy arriving four hours early, indulging in a manicure, treating yourself to a matcha (or something stronger), and perusing the bookshop.
However, thanks to the ‘airport theory’ circulating on TikTok, which many experts advise against trying, more individuals are attempting to emulate the former category, aiming to reach the airport with just enough time to spare.
Katharina Bost tested this theory at London Stansted Airport, claiming she arrived at 6.45 pm for a flight scheduled to depart at 7.30 pm. This gave her a mere 45 minutes to complete all necessary tasks, including navigating the dreaded security queue.
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By 6:48pm, Katharina found herself in the bustling airport security line. However, passengers must have been swift as by 6:50pm, she was ready to explore the fragrances and cosmetics in duty-free.
She took full advantage of the perfume testers available, spritzing herself generously before boarding her flight.
At 7.04pm, she expressed her craving for a “needed a matcha,” leading her to pop into Joe and the Juice for her favourite brew.
By 7.09pm, she had her matcha in hand, sipping it as she strolled towards the airport gate.
She reached the gate at 7.14pm, and by 7.22pm, she was strapped in and ready for take-off, looking quite chuffed with herself.
However, some commenters questioned the authenticity of the timestamps provided in her video, wondering how she managed such a seamless airport experience, something they’d never encountered before.
One person commented: “There’s no way security took 15 minutes unless you got fast-track”. A fast-track pass allows you to bypass most of the queue and rejoin further down the line.
A woman retorted: “The longest time I’ve ever spent in an airport security queue is about 15 minutes tbh”.
“You went through fast-track security, and then your plane was delayed,” another accused her.
A TikTok user confessed: “I’d be having a panic attack cutting it this fine,” while another admitted: “I’d literally be running”.
“It took me an hour to get through security at Stansted a few weeks ago, on a random Saturday afternoon,” someone grumbled.
Stansted Airport advises: “Always follow your airline’s guidance on how early you need to be at the airport before your flight.
“As a general guide, you will need to have checked in and be ready to go through security at least 2 hours before your flight departure time.”
Located less than two hours from London, this popular seaside town and its sandy beach often feature on top 10 lists but I personally think it’s overrated.
Liam Payne fans have been left in tears just moments into Netflix’s Building The Band, his final project, which he filmed in the weeks leading up to his tragic death
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
13:13, 09 Jul 2025
Liam Payne fans in tears just minutes into Netflix’s Building The Band(Image: Netflix)
Liam Payne fans have been left inconsolable as his final Netflix project has been released. Building The Band, which Liam filmed for Netflix just weeks before his death, has finally been released on the streaming platform.
The programme will show Liam at his best, helping other emerging musicians discover their talent and helping them navigate life in a band. But following his heartbreaking death in October last year, there had been speculation as to whether the show would still air.
Netflix later confirmed that they had shown the programme to Liam’s family, who had given their blessing and had watched the entirety of the show. On the programme, Liam sits alongside pal Nicole Scherzinger, who helped create mega-band One Direction when she was a guest judge on The X Factor, as well as former Destiny’s Child singer, Kelly Rowland.
Building The Band’s AJ McLean shared a moving tribute to the late Liam Payne(Image: Netflix)
As the show opened, host and Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean shared a very moving tribute to Liam. He said: “When we came together to film Building The Band, we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend, Liam Payne.
“Liam is a guest judge in later episodes and through his presence, we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice. It’s through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.” Since the first episode dropped earlier today, fans have taken to social media to share their heartbreak and tears.
One said: “I’m already broken.” A second went on to add: “I’m not strong enough to watch the show. The last work, the last performance, the last smile… I can’t do it, not yet. My mind keeps dragging me back to the pain, to the brutal truth that he’s gone. Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough but right now I just can’t.”
Liam filmed the series weeks before his tragic death(Image: Netflix)
“I miss you so much, my love, wherever you are. I hope you’re being free and happy,” said another. Meanwhile, a fourth devastated fan typed: “You’re so deeply missed Liam.” Another commented: “Ahhh… I don’t think I can bring myself to watch Building The Band just yet. The trailer alone broke me, and I can’t even imagine how much harder the full show will hit. I’m sorry, Liam. One day, I promise. I’m so proud of you, and I know you were proud of it too.”
But in the first four episodes of the series, this is the only mention of Liam. As the credits rolled, the only judge who was named was Nicole Scherzinger.
As the fourth episode came to an end, host AJ revealed that the winning band would receive $500,000 as the cameras panned to Nicole and Kelly Rowland, with Liam being absent from the shot.
In October, Liam sadly died aged just 31, after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the weeks leading up to his death, he had been in Manchester filming the series. Netflix had ensured that Liam’s legacy will be cemented on the programme and he will remain a firm key feature on the show.
A source said: “Even though Liam had filmed a substantial amount of material for the show, the decision was made shortly after his passing to continue the project, honour his legacy and amazing story as a One Direction member and bring this series to audiences.”
Building The Band episodes one to four are available to stream now on Netflix.
Jon Stewart took aim at his network’s parent firm Paramount Global for paying $16 million to settle President Trump’s lawsuit against CBS News, calling the move a payoff for approval of a pending merger.
On the Monday edition of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” Stewart and guest and former “60 Minutes” correspondent Steve Kroft laid out the details of the legal skirmish, which they agreed felt like an organized crime shakedown.
“I’m obviously not a lawyer, but I did watch ‘Goodfellas,’” Stewart said. “That sounds illegal.”
Last week, Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to settle the legal volley from Trump, who claimed “60 Minutes” edited an interview with his 2024 election opponent, then-Vice President Kamala Harris, to make her look better and bolster her chances in the election. CBS denied the claims, saying the edits were routine.
But the suit — described as frivolous by 1st Amendment experts — was seen as an obstacle to Paramount Global’s proposed $8-billion merger with David Ellison’s Skydance Media. The deal requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission, led by Trump acolyte Brendan Carr.
Stewart rhetorically asked Kroft if this settlement was “just a payment so this merger can go through and not be challenged by Trump’s FCC?”
Kroft, who noted that Paramount Global majority shareholder Shari Redstone wants the sale to go through, confirmed Stewart’s assessment.
Kroft noted that “60 Minutes” never said it screwed up, “they just paid the money.”
“So just flat-out protection money,” Stewart said.
“Yeah, it was a shakedown,” Kroft said.
Comedy Central, the cable network that serves as the home of “The Daily Show,” will be included in the Skydance deal. But Stewart remained relentless throughout the segment.
“It doesn’t feel like scrutiny on news networks — it feels like fealty,” Stewart said. “They are being held to a standard that will never be satisfactory to Donald Trump. No one can ever kiss his ass enough.”
Stewart has always spoken his mind on “The Daily Show,” delivering mostly harsh assessments of Trump. It remains to be seen if he’ll have that freedom when Skydance, led by Trump supporter Larry Ellison and his son David, eventually takes over.
Stewart returned to Comedy Central after parting ways with Apple TV in 2023. His last program, “The Problem With Jon Stewart,” ended after Apple executives reportedly expressed concerns over the comedian’s handling of potential show topics related to China and artificial intelligence.
Apple has deep ties to China and has launched an artificial intelligence product incorporated into its operating systems.
Stewart demonstrated the shakiness of the Trump lawsuit’s claims with an edited Fox News interview with Trump from last year.
Trump appeared to give a simple yes when asked on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” if he would de-classify government files on convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. However, Trump equivocated in a longer version of the answer that aired later on the network.
With the Harris interview, CBS News split an answer on Israel that she gave to “60 Minutes” presenting one portion on its Sunday round table program on “Face the Nation.” A different portion aired on the actual program, which led Trump supporters to cry foul.
“I would like to know why the ’60 Minutes’ edit was worthy of a $16-million acquiescence of what is considered the Tiffany news, gold standard network … when very clearly, Fox just did what seems to me a more egregious edit,” Stewart said.
A representative for Paramount Global had no comment on Stewart’s remarks.
Kroft said the the mood is bleak at “60 Minutes” in the aftermath of the settlement.
“I think there is a lot of fear over there,” he said. “Fear of losing their jobs. Fear of losing their country. Fear of losing the 1st Amendment.”
Florence has been named the most walkable city in the world, and it’s not hard to see why when you take a closer look at the five key attractions that are all within a 10-minute walk of each other
Florence has many attractions within a 10-minute walk of each other(Image: Sylvain Sonnet via Getty Images)
Florence has been crowned the ultimate city break for its outstanding beauty and walkability, with tourists flocking to the heart of Tuscany to stroll through its historic streets. According to newly released data, what makes Florence a magnet for visitors is not only its status as regional capital but also its compact nature, with five major attractions nestled within just half a mile of one another.
Earlier this year, financial pundits at Insider Monkey unveiled their list of the world’s most walkable cities, drawing from sources like Tourlane and WalkScore while also considering factors such as air quality and safety levels.
With rave reviews for being “a city that offers Renaissance history and timeless architecture with each step”, Florence’s appeal lies in a historic centre that doubles as a UNESCO-listed haven, boasting such marvels as the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – all conveniently close for a leisurely 10-minute amble.
Florence, the first European city to pave all its streets back in 1339, is a walker’s paradise. With its meandering village roads and hidden nooks, you can uncover the city’s treasures without hopping on a bus or tram.
TripAdvisor is brimming with top-rated walking tours, including the highly recommended Florence Sunset Walking Tour with Food and Wine tasting.
Florence’s Duomo is in the heart of the city(Image: Suttipong Sutiratanachai via Getty Images)
This three to four-hour journey delves into Florence’s rich heritage, offering both culinary and cultural delights. The tour has been hailed as a “wonderful touring, eating, drinking adventure” by satisfied travellers, reports the Express.
One review highlighted the picturesque riverside path along the Arno River, which flows from the lofty Apennine mountains into the heart of Florence.
For those with a penchant for culture and history, the Florence in a Day tour comes highly praised. Tourists have called it “a wonderful way to see some key sites in Florence” packed with “a wealth of information” provided by knowledgeable guides.
And if you’re on the hunt for hidden gems, Piazza della Passera offers a tranquil alternative to the bustling Piazza Signoria. Celebrated for its “very genuine local atmosphere” by Love From Tuscany, it’s an ideal spot for a leisurely break.
Ponte Vecchio – a medieval stone arch bridge in Florence(Image: zpagistock via Getty Images)
For the best view, the terrace on top of La Rinascente department store offers a stunning view over the city’s rooftops and the Duomo, serving light refreshments including coffee.
Alternatively, you can visit the Santarosa gardens in the Oltrarno for a comfortable meal or cocktail outdoors.
Flight deals to Florence are readily available via Skyscanner with Iberia, Vueling, or British Airways. October is by far the most affordable month to visit with prices starting at £48 from London direct to Florence.
Sunday Brunch was back on our screens this morning (6th July) and it wasn’t long before hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer were forced to address some ‘tragic news’
Sunday Brunch presenter Tim Lovejoy brought the programme to an abrupt stop shortly after it began, as he delivered some “tragic news”.
The television favourite made his comeback on our screens this Sunday (6th July) morning with co-host Simon Rimmer, as they invited a host of celebrities into the renowned kitchen.
But just a few minutes into the broadcast, Tim paused to pay tribute to Diogo Jota. The Liverpool footballer was tragically killed in a car crash, with the devastating news breaking less than two weeks following his nuptials.
In the wake of the tragedy, fans have been sharing their deep sorrow, prompting Tim and Simon to dedicate Sunday Brunch’s opening segment to the late sportsman, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Addressing the audience at home and those present in the studio, Tim said: “Before we get on with the show, there has been some really tragic news this week about Diogo Jota, and being a Liverpool fan…”
Tim and Simon dedicating the opening segment of Sunday brunch to the football star(Image: Channel 4)
Simon interjected: “It’s shocking. Pete and I were talking in makeup. A human tragedy, a 28-year-old man, who has just got married and had two young children. I think the way in which the football community has come together is very very powerful.”
Directing the conversation towards Peter Hooton, one of the day’s guests, Simon asked: “What do you think Pete?”
The singer, a devoted Liverpool supporter, expressed: “The way people have rallied round. It’s an absolutely devastating thing for everyone, for the family, for Liverpool fans and just football in general. You can see that with the Club World Cup, with all the tributes in America.”
Former footballer Stuart Douglas confessed: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw it and it just overshadowed everything and that became more important than anything else.”
The Liverpool footballer was tragically killed in a car accident(Image: Getty Images)
He elaborated: “More important than the World Cup, more important than the Euros because someone has lost their life and for the brothers I cannot imagine how his family are feeling. It’s so sad.”
Tim chimed in with a heartfelt message: “Yes, thoughts go out to their family.”
Tragically, the 28 year old and his brother were involved in a fatal car crash in Spain, with the Guardia Civil stating: “The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking.”
They added: “It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora. The car caught on fire, and the two occupants were killed.”
Sunday Brunch airs from 10am on Channel 4 every Sunday
By early spring, Paramount Global was in crisis. President Trump wouldn’t budge from his demand for an eye-popping sum of money and an apology from the company to settle his lawsuit over a CBS News “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris. Journalists at the storied broadcaster were in revolt against the parent company.
Meanwhile, Paramount’s board faced withering pressure, with a settlement widely seen as a prerequisite for getting government approval for the company’s $8-billion sale to David Ellison’s Skydance Media, or the deal would collapse.
Then a new emergency erupted.
On May 4, CBS aired a hard-hitting “60 Minutes” segment that took aim at Trump’s targeting of law firms. Correspondent Scott Pelley anchored the report, which relied heavily on an interview with a leading Trump irritant — former top Hillary Clinton advisor Marc Elias.
Trump was furious. He threatened Paramount with an additional lawsuit alleging defamation, according to people close to the situation who were not authorized to comment.
The behind-the-scenes drama eventually would culminate with Paramount agreeing to pay $16 million to end the president’s battle over edits to October’s Harris interview, which Trump alleged was manipulated to boost the then-vice president’s election chances. Trump’s suit had demanded $20 billion in damages.
The deal resulted from months of back-and-forth among a constellation of power players with competing interests: the president, mogul Shari Redstone, tech billionaire Larry Ellison and his son David, Hollywood super agent Ari Emanuel, CBS News’ ousted leader Wendy McMahon and Jeff Shell, a former NBCUniversal chief now with RedBird Capital Partners, which backs Ellison’s Skydance.
The settlement, which the president approved late Tuesday, included a commitment by Trump to drop his claims and not sue over the May “60 Minutes” broadcast, according to sources and a Paramount statement.
Paramount said it agreed to pay Trump’s legal fees. The remainder of the $16-million settlement will go toward his future presidential library.
But the beleaguered company behind “Mission: Impossible” and “Yellowstone” mustered victories, withstanding the Trump team’s earlier demand for a $100-million payout, the knowledgeable sources said.
The company also refused to apologize for CBS’ reporting or edits, a stance to protect its journalistic ethics and 1st Amendment rights.
“This settlement allows Paramount to focus on its prospective sale, and CBS can maintain its principles,” said C. Kerry Fields, a business law professor at the USC Marshall School. “But principle has its price, and there certainly was one set here.”
The eight-month skirmish with Trump shined a harsh light on Paramount’s vulnerabilities — and deep divisions within the company and its prospective new owners.
Paramount had a narrow window to reach a truce. The company wanted to finalize the settlement before Wednesday, when Paramount held its annual shareholder meeting and three new members joined the board.
“This [settlement] was all about survival — it was that dark,” Fields said. “Paramount has to execute the sale to Skydance in order to survive.”
At first, Paramount’s sale to the Ellison family seemed like a sure bet. Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle Corp., is close to Trump and is also a possible buyer for TikTok, another deal of interest to the president. The landmark Paramount-Skydance deal, struck a year ago, could reshape one of Hollywood’s original studios and the entertainment landscape.
Redstone and her family agreed to part with their entertainment holdings, National Amusements Inc., and controlling Paramount shares. The family’s shaky finances were a catalyst for the sale. Redstone has borrowed heavily to meet debt obligations, including a $186-million term loan from Larry Ellison last year. The family is waiting for the cash from the sale of Paramount and National Amusements to the Ellisons and RedBird, a private equity firm.
But an unexpected blunder altered the deal’s course.
Last fall, “60 Minutes” invited Trump and Harris to participate in preelection interviews. Trump agreed, then backed out. CBS News went forward with a Harris sit-down.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris talks to “60 Minutes” correspondent Bill Whitaker.
(CBS News)
Correspondent Bill Whitaker asked Harris about the Biden administration’s rocky relations with Israel’s prime minister. Producers used different portions of her answer on two programs: a convoluted response on CBS’ Sunday morning show “Face the Nation,” and a more succinct part on “60 Minutes.”
Trump and his supporters zeroed in on the discrepancy. They accused CBS of doctoring the interview. CBS News denied the allegation, saying the edits were routine.
Days before the election, Trump sued in Amarillo, Texas, ensuring the case would be overseen by a Trump-appointed judge.
His lawsuit alleged the “60 Minutes” edits amounted to election interference — “malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion calculated to confuse, deceive, and mislead the public,” in the suit’s words.
President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
(Bloomberg)
1st Amendment experts said the case had no merit; some figured it was a campaign stunt.
Days later, Shell, the RedBird executive who will become Paramount’s president should Skydance take over, held a conference call with top CBS executives. Shell suggested “60 Minutes” release the full Harris interview transcript in a bid for transparency, according to people familiar with the matter.
News executives refused, drawing a clear division between some high-level Paramount executives and Ellison’s team.
Those Paramount executives have bristled over Shell’s involvement, including a comment he reportedly made to McMahon late last year, stating the company eventually would have to settle. Skydance has said it has an agreement with Paramount that gives Ellison and Shell the ability to give input on key business issues — even before acquiring Paramount.
A spokesperson for Shell declined to comment.
The role of Shell, ousted from his previous role running NBCUniversal after acknowledging an inappropriate relationship with an underling, has been controversial. Representatives for the creators of “South Park” have accused him of overstepping his authority and meddling with a protracted negotiation over their overall deal and streaming rights to the long-running cartoon. A representative for Shell denied that accusation.
Trump had scored previous victories over media organizations. In December, the Walt Disney Co. agreed to pay him $16 million, including $1 million for his attorney fees, to end a dispute stemming from ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos’ inaccurate description of Trump’s liability in a civil court case. Press advocates howled.
Paramount held firm. But it failed to get Trump’s case dismissed or moved to a court in New York, where CBS and “60 Minutes” are based.
So the company was in a box. Its sale to Skydance requires the approval of the Federal Communications Commission to transfer CBS TV station licenses to the Ellisons, and that consent has been elusive.
In one of his first moves as FCC chairman, Trump appointee Brendan Carr launched an inquiry into whether CBS’ edits of the Harris interview rose to the level of news distortion — the crux of Trump’s lawsuit.
In February, Carr demanded CBS release a raw transcript of the Harris interview and the unedited footage. CBS complied; the material showed Harris had been accurately quoted.
The Texas judge ordered Paramount and Trump’s lawyers into mediation. Talks began April 30.
That weekend, “60 Minutes” ran its report on Trump and the law firms, riling Redstone and others. The Trump team and Paramount were already far apart, the sources said.
Soon, CBS News and Stations President Wendy McMahon was forced out. Knowledgeable sources attributed her departure to months of strife and persistent criticism from Redstone, who serves as Paramount’s chair. McMahon also made missteps, including overseeing an unsuccessful reboot of “CBS Evening News.”
The day McMahon was ousted, left-leaning U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) lobbed a salvo at Redstone. In a May 19 letter, they warned that Paramount board members risked possible bribery charges if they paid Trump to settle the lawsuit as a way to win FCC approval for the Skydance deal.
By early June, Redstone and the Ellison team were getting restless.
Emanuel, the agent, stepped in to help get the dealmaking back on track, people familiar with the matter said. Emanuel is Trump’s former talent agent and one of Ellison’s closest allies.
On June 7, Ellison met briefly with Trump at a UFC event in New Jersey. Emanuel is executive chairman of the WME Group and chief executive of UFC’s parent company, TKO.
According to a source, Emanuel associate Dana White, the Trump-supporting UFC chief executive, helped facilitate the Ellison meeting with the president, which occurred steps away from the fighters’ octagon.
People close to Ellison and Emanuel declined to discuss Ellison’s interactions with the president. Representatives of Skydance, Redstone and Emanuel declined to comment for this story.
Finally, a breakthrough came when Trump offered support for Ellison and the Skydance deal, though he continued to blast Harris and CBS News.
Meanwhile, the clock was ticking. Redstone and others wanted the board to handle the settlement before the shareholder meeting, when one director stepped down, and three new members joined the board.
Redstone recused herself from voting but made her wishes known.
The settlement was finally reached about 10 hours before the Paramount board switched.
One person close to the legal effort said the agreement “got over the finish line” due to a sweetener for Trump. His team anticipates that Paramount networks eventually will run millions of dollars worth of free commercials, or public service announcements, in support of Trump causes, including combating antisemitism and increasing border security.
Paramount denied this.
“Paramount’s settlement with President Trump does not include PSAs,” the company said in a statement. “Paramount has no knowledge of any promises or commitments made to President Trump other than those set forth in the settlement proposed by the mediator and accepted by the parties.”
Skydance declined to comment. Emanuel did not respond to messages.
The settlement does contain another provision championed by Trump.“60 Minutes” will release transcripts of interviews with eligible U.S. presidential candidates after those interviews air, “subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns,” Paramount said.
1st Amendment advocates were discouraged by the deal. So were Trump’s enemies, including the senators who had vowed to investigate the deal for bribery.
Paramount’s move to “settle a bogus lawsuit with President Trump over a 60 Minutes report he did not like is an extremely dangerous precedent,” Sanders, the U.S. senator, said in a statement. “Paramount’s decision will only embolden Trump to continue attacking, suing and intimidating the media.”
For months, CBS News has been roiled with trepidation that parent company Paramount Global would write a big check to make President Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit go away.
On Tuesday night, those fears came true.
Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to settle Trump’s legal salvo against “60 Minutes” over the editing of an interview with his 2024 opponent, then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Within the news organization, there was anger over what is widely seen as a capitulation to Trump in order to clear a path for Paramount’s $8-billion merger with David Ellison’s Skydance Media. The case was labeled as frivolous by 1st Amendment experts.
But among some CBS News veterans, tempers were calmed by a sobering reality: that the outcome could have been worse.
The biggest concern inside the news division since Trump’s complaint was that the media company would be strong-armed into making an apology or statement of regret over a case that they believed had no merit. Amid the internal anger over the settlement, there is relief that that did not happen.
“Everybody knew that was a line in the sand,” said a relieved CBS News veteran not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.
Another journalist at the network, speaking on the same condition, said the thinking among many was that any financial payment of less than $20 million without an apology would count as a partial win.
As the negotiations to end the suit lingered, it became more apparent that corporate interests overrode any concerns about the appearance of caving to Trump’s demands.
Trump filed suit in October, claiming “60 Minutes” edited an interview with Harris to make her look smarter and bolster her chances in the election, which Trump won decisively. CBS denied the claims, saying the edits were routine.
“If there wasn’t a merger pending and they took this to court they would have won,” the journalist said of Trump’s case. “I think they understood that if they made an apology they would have an internal rebellion and they would have because there was nothing to apologize for.”
Some say that the departures of former “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens and CBS News and stations head Wendy McMahon were enough to satisfy the Trump camp‘s desire for an apology. Both executives were adamant that CBS News did nothing improper in the handling of the Harris of interview.
Trump’s legal team claimed victory.
“President Donald J. Trump delivers another win for the American people as he, once again, holds the Fake News media accountable for their wrongdoing and deceit,” a spokesman said in a statement.
But while “60 Minutes” avoided the humiliation that would have come with a statement of contrition, the program that is the foundation of the news division now has to move forward in an era of media mistrust on the political right and disappointment on the left by those who believe courage is in short supply.
According to several CBS News insiders who spoke to The Times, no one is expected to depart “60 Minutes” in protest of the settlement decision.
Andrew Heyward, a former CBS News president who is now a consultant, said it will be up to the new owners of CBS to maintain the program’s journalistic independence. “If that’s jeopardized in the future, that would be unfortunate for CBS News and the country,” he said.
Though there is anger, many feared a bleak future for the news organization and the rest of the network if Paramount Global couldn’t close the Skydance deal. The lawsuit was seen as an obstacle to the deal, which needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission, run by Trump appointee Brendan Carr.
“We can get outraged all we want, but the fact is we were in a really precarious situation,” said one of the journalists not authorized to speak publicly. “If that merger went dead, I don’t know if anyone would have come along and bought the whole company.”
While ownership change usually generates fear and uncertainty through media organizations, insiders at CBS News say they will be happy to see Paramount Global’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone in their rearview mirror once the Skydance deal is done.
The feelings inside the news division regarding Skydance range from hope for new investment from deep-pocketed Ellison to resignation that “it can’t get any worse.”
As for any damage to its reputation, CBS News is taking some comfort in the fact that ABC News hasn’t noticeably suffered from its own $16 million settlement over anchor George Stephanopoulos mistakenly saying Trump was convicted of rape rather than sexual abuse in the civil suit brought by E. Jean Carroll. Stephanopoulos signed a new contract at the network amid the controversy and his program “Good Morning America” hasn’t suffered a ratings loss since.
Viewers have high expectations for “60 Minutes,” which after 57 seasons still ranks as the most-watched news program on television (it’s also the most profitable show on CBS). If the program is allowed to maintain the same standard of deep reporting it’s known for, the audience will get past a bad corporate decision, according to Heyward.
“People on the right will say it’s another example of mainstream media getting what it deserves,” Heyward said. “People on the left will say it’s another example of a corporation caving to President Trump for its own selfish interests. And most people will go back to watching ’60 Minutes’ and expect strong independent reporting without fear or favor — that’s what really matters.”
Critics blasted Paramount Global’s decision to pay $16 million to settle President Trump’s lawsuit over “60 Minutes” edits, calling the move a “spineless capitulation” that erodes U.S. press freedoms.
Paramount late Tuesday agreed to a landmark settlement with Trump to end his $20-billion broadside against CBS News. The president will not be paid directly, or indirectly, as part of the deal, Paramount said. Instead, the money will go to cover Trump’s legal fees and help finance his future presidential library.
Paramount’s leaders hope the settlement will help clear a path for Trump-appointed regulators to bless the company’s $8-billion sale to David Ellison’s Skydance Media. They wanted to tamp down tensions with the president.
But journalists and others on Wednesday said the payoff will embolden attacks by Trump and his allies on news outlets. Some called the settlement a stain on the proud legacy of CBS News, the one-time home of such fearless journalists as Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite and Mike Wallace.
“This is a shameful decision by Paramount,” Clayton Weimers, executive director of Reporters Without Borders USA, said in a statement. “Shari Redstone and Paramount’s board should have stood by CBS journalists and the integrity of press freedom. Instead, they chose to reward Donald Trump for his petty legal assault.”
Trump’s legal team quickly celebrated the settlement, saying: “President Donald J. Trump delivers another win for the American people as he, once again, holds the Fake News media accountable for their wrongdoing and deceit.”
Bob Corn-Revere, chief counsel for the non-profit 1st Amendment advocacy organization Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, took an opposing view, saying wider repercussions would result.
“A cold wind just blew through every newsroom,” Corn-Revere said in a statement. “Paramount may have closed this case, but it opened the door to the idea that the government should be the media’s editor-in-chief.”
Federal Communications Commissioner Anna M. Gomez, the lone Democrat on the panel, said the settlement was “a desperate move [by Paramount] to appease the Administration and secure regulatory approval of a major transaction currently pending before the FCC.”
“This moment marks a dangerous precedent for the 1st Amendment, and it should alarm anyone who values a free and independent press,” Gomez said.
Journalists were horrified by the board’s willingness to settle the case rather than defend 1st Amendment freedoms.
CBS News staffers feared the company would be forced to apologize when they said they did nothing wrong. (The settlement, negotiated through a mediator, did not require an apology.)
The legal wrangling began in October when CBS broadcast different portions of an answer given by then-Vice President Kamala Harris to a question about the Biden administration’s waning clout with Israel’s prime minister.
CBS’ “Face the Nation” program ran a clip of Harris giving a muddled response to the question. A day later, “60 Minutes” aired a different portion of her answer. This one was forceful and succinct.
CBS has acknowledged editing Harris’ answer.
Trump and fellow conservatives seized on the edits, claiming CBS had manipulated Harris’ answer to make her appear more authoritative to enhance her standing with voters. He called the edits an example of election interference.
Trump and fellow conservatives seized on CBS’ edits to Harris’ answer, calling them an example of election interference.
(Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images)
CBS has long denied such claims.
Paramount Co-Chief Executive George Cheeks said during the company’s shareholder meeting Wednesday that settlements are designed for companies to avoid “being mired in uncertainty and distraction.”
“Companies often settle litigation to avoid the high and somewhat unpredictable costs of legal defense, the risk of an adverse judgment that could result in significant financial or reputational damage, and the disruption to business operations that prolonged legal battles can cause,” Cheeks said.
That rationale did little to mollify detractors who alleged that Trump’s complaints were thin.
Vice President Kamala Harris talks to “60 Minutes” correspondent Bill Whitaker.
(CBS News)
Paramount’s settlement “will be remembered as one of the most shameful capitulations by the press to a president in history,” said Seth Stern, director of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation.
Paramount said the agreement with Trump included a release from threatened defamation claims.
But it’s not clear that Paramount’s headaches will go away.
“This could be bribery in plain sight,” Warren said in a statement Wednesday. “I’m calling for a full investigation into whether or not any anti-bribery laws were broken.”
“When Democrats retake power, I’ll be first in line calling for federal charges,” Wyden separately wrote in a post on the Bluesky social media site. “In the meantime, state prosecutors should make the corporate execs who sold out our democracy answer in court.”
Some journalists said they feared the settlement could have a chilling effect, particularly among news organizations that lack deep pockets or have unrelated business pending before the federal government.
“CBS News may weather the financial hit, but smaller newsrooms facing similar legal threats could be pushed to the brink,” Tim Richardson, journalism and disinformation program director at the nonprofit PEN America, said in a statement.
“The danger is clear,” Richardson said, calling the settlement a “spineless capitulation.”
“Emboldened politicians and powerful actors will feel more free than ever to weaponize lawsuits and bring regulatory pressure to bear to silence and censor independent journalism.”
Paramount Global has agreed to pay President Trump $16 million to end his lawsuit over edits to a “60 Minutes” interview — a legal tussle that roiled CBS News, spurred high-level departures and threatened to derail the company’s hoped-for sale.
The money will be allocated to Trump’s future presidential library. As part of the deal, Paramount did not offer an apology or express regret for CBS News’ reporting or edits.
“No amount will be paid directly or indirectly to President Trump,” Paramount said in a statement. “The settlement will include a release of all claims regarding any CBS reporting through the date of the settlement, including the Texas action and the threatened defamation action.”
Paramount decided to buy peace with the president rather than wage a costly fight to defend “60 Minutes” and its journalists in court. The move prompted an outcry by 1st Amendment experts who denounced the lawsuit as frivolous and the talks to reach Tuesday’s settlement as a shake-down.
Instead of fast-tracking the review of the proposed Paramount-Skydance merger, the Trump-appointed FCC chairman opened an inquiry into whether edits of the October “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris rose to the level of news distortion.
“The Company has agreed that in the future, ’60 Minutes’ will release transcripts of interviews with eligible U.S. presidential candidates after such interviews have aired, subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns,” Paramount said.
The two sides have participated in mediation sessions for the past two months. Paramount said the terms of the settlement were proposed by the mediator. Paramount’s $16 million payment will include Trump’s attorneys fees.
Trump has long maintained last fall’s “60 Minutes” interview was edited to make Harris look smarter to boost her November election chances. CBS denied the allegations, saying the edits were routine.
But Trump’s team said the edits caused Trump “mental anguish.” After returning to the White House this year, Trump doubled his lawsuit damages demand to $20 billion.
“Her answer was horrendous,” Trump told reporters last month on the White House lawn. “I would say election-threatening. … Her answer was election-threatening it was so incompetent.”
Trump’s lawsuit called the edits “malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion calculated to confuse, deceive, and mislead the public.” The trims, the suit alleged, were “partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference.”
CBS has acknowledged editing the interview, which is routine in the news business. Longstanding 1st Amendment interpretations give news producers wide latitude to decide what material to broadcast as long as they don’t distort the information presented to viewers.
Paramount’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone pushed for a settlement. The Redstone family’s investment firm, which holds the controlling Paramount shares, is juggling more than $400 million in debt and she wanted to facilitate the sale of Paramount, as well as her family’s holding firm, to Skydance.
Family members are counting on their portion of the Paramount sale proceeds. A representative has said Redstone recused herself from decisions dealing with Trump’s lawsuit but the mogul had made clear her desire for a settlement.
Skydance executives and their private equity partners also agitated for Paramount to end the bickering with Trump to resolve a key headache before the new owners take over.
Paramount, in a statement, said it has treated Trump’s lawsuit “completely separate from, and unrelated to, the Skydance transaction and the FCC approval process.”
It’s been nearly a year since Redstone and fellow Paramount directors approved Skydance’s two-phased $8-billion deal that would hand the company to tech billionaire Larry Ellison and his family.
His son David Ellison is eager to run the company that boasts the legendary Melrose Avenue film studio, Paramount+ streaming service, CBS and cable channels including Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET.
Skydance operations and personnel are expected to be folded into Paramount in the second phase of the transaction.
Paramount Pictures studio lot on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood.
(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
The deal faces one last regulatory hurdle. Paramount must win FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s consent to transfer more than two dozen CBS station licenses to the Ellisons. FCC approval has been held up for months.
Skydance and Paramount face an October deadline to finalize the deal or risk its collapse.
Redstone would then have to come up with hundreds of millions of dollars to satisfy her creditors, including Larry Ellison, giving her another reason to favor a settlement.
Her willingness to set aside free speech values prompted push-back from journalists. The nonprofit Freedom of the Press Foundation decried Paramount’s decision to cede 1st Amendment freedoms in an effort to advance the Skydance deal. It vowed to sue Paramount if it settled.
The saga began last fall when CBS News invited both Harris and Trump to sit down with “60 Minutes,” a campaign season tradition. After initially agreeing, Trump backed out.
CBS went forward with the Harris piece but got into hot water after the network broadcast two portions of her response to a question by CBS correspondent Bill Whitaker. When he challenged Harris about the Biden Administration’s struggles dealing with Israel’s prime minister, Harris gave a three-sentence answer.
CBS’ Sunday morning show, “Face the Nation” aired her first sentence, which was convoluted. The following night, “60 Minutes” ran the second part of her answer, which was forceful and succinct.
Trump and his supporters cried foul, pointing to the discrepancies.
The showdown accelerated a week before the election when Trump filed his lawsuit in Amarillo, Texas. He accused CBS of trying to cover up Harris’ “word salad” to manipulate the results of what was expected to be a tight election.
Trump won decisively, and CBS sought to have the case dismissed.
The network’s lawyers said its journalists were protected by the 1st Amendment. It also argued that the case should be moved from west Texas, where it was heard by a Trump-appointed federal judge. The lawyers sought to get the case moved to a New York court, where CBS and “60 Minutes” is based.
The interview in question didn’t even mention Texas. In February, Trump added U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, his former doctor, to the lawsuit as an additional plaintiff. Jackson is a Texas resident.
Tuesday night’s settlement stipulated that Jackson would not receive any money.
Earlier this year, the Texas judge ordered the two sides to present their cases to a mediator. A retired judge who handles complex litigation began hearing the matter April 30.
The controversy stabbed at the heart of CBS News and its legacy of fearless broadcast journalism.
CBS News producers have long maintained they did nothing wrong. Journalists refused to sign any apology, which was long seen as a key demand from Trump and his team.
Inside the company, a pitched battle raged for months.
Vice President Kamala Harris talks to “60 Minutes” correspondent Bill Whitaker.
(CBS News)
In late April, the executive producer of “60 Minutes,” Bill Owens, quit. That prompted longtime CBS newsman Scott Pelley to inform “60 Minutes” viewers the show had faced increased corporate oversight because of Paramount’s desire to win the Trump administration’s approval of the Skydance deal.
“None of our stories has been blocked,” Pelley told viewers. “But Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires.”
Some corporate executives were furious over Pelley’s public statements, insiders have said.
The Trump dispute also contributed to the departure of Wendy McMahon, the president of CBS News and Stations. She stepped down under pressure in May.
There were other sore points. Redstone, who also serves as the chair of the Paramount board, had also expressed dissatisfaction with CBS News’ coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.
Three Democrat U.S. senators warned Redstone that Paramount could face allegations of bribery if it wrote a big check to mollify Trump in an effort to facilitate the FCC’s review of the Skydance deal.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Paramount offered Trump $15 million to make the lawsuit go away, but he declined.
The issue became an unexpected pain point in Skydance’s pursuit of FCC approval to take over the CBS licenses.
Early this year, the FCC’s Carr opened an inquiry into whether the “60 Minutes” edits constituted “news bias” despite a longstanding acknowledgment by the FCC that it had little authority to act on complaints about accuracy or bias of reporters and news networks.
“The agency is prohibited by law from engaging in censorship or infringing on First Amendment rights of the press,” FCC said in guidelines posted on its website. “Those protected rights include, but are not limited to, a broadcaster’s selection and presentation of news or commentary.”
Video of the unedited interview confirmed the network’s account. But the footage also revealed that Harris’ jumbled answer was clipped to its most cogent sentence.
“It is troubling anytime a news organization settles a suit that was plainly winnable,” RonNell Andersen Jones, a 1st Amendment expert and law professor at the University of Utah, said in an interview earlier this year. “It represents lost 1st Amendment ground that didn’t have to be ceded.”
Paramount becomes the latest media company to settle, rather than risk incurring the president’s wrath or face an ugly courtroom confrontation.
Walt Disney Co.’s ABC News in December settled a Trump suit against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos by agreeing to pay $1 million for legal fees and donating another $15 million for Trump’s future presidential library.
The resolution came after Stephanopoulos asserted during an on-air interview that a jury had found Trump “liable for rape” in a civil case. Jurors had actually determined Trump was liable for “sexual abuse.”
Gannett’s Des Moines Register and independent pollster J. Ann Selzer also have battled Trump’s legal challenges to an Iowa poll that overstated Harris’s support. The poll was published just days before the election, suggesting Harris was leading in the Hawkeye state but she lost convincingly.
This week, Trump and his fellow plaintiffs moved to have their federal case dismissed.
The president revised his claims — that the poll’s publication amounted to election interference and violated Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act — with a new lawsuit in state court.
BBC’s Gardeners’ World is facing a wave of backlash as fans have accused the programme of becoming “a lifestyle program”.
The BBC’s treasured show Gardeners’ World has left its viewers reeling with some claiming the programme is leaning more towards becoming “a lifestyle program.”
The episode, which aired on June 20 to coincide with the summer solstice, took viewers to Damson Farm’s enchanting setting in the stunning Somerset countryside where Frances Tophill was gardening.
Yet, seasoned watchers promptly alleged that the series had veered dramatically from its original intentions.
One irate viewer vented on X, once known as Twitter, saying “Percy Thrower would be turning in his grave. He was a great gardener,” recalling the esteemed presenter who led the show during the 1970s.
On screen, Frances delved into edible gardens and wildlife-conscious planting and Carol Klein dispensed advice for creating vibrant summer pots.
The BBC’s beloved gardening show Gardeners’ World is facing a wave of backlash(Image: BBC)
Meanwhile, Adam Frost visited a gardener customising her garden to withstand recurring flooding. Despite the captivating scenes and moving narratives, a portion of the audience remained discontented.
But the gripes don’t stop at the perceived shortage of actual gardening advice – even the birdsong at Monty Don’s Longmeadow abode has been caught in crossfire, with dubious viewers levying charges against the BBC for allegedly adding artificial chirps, reports the Express.
Monty himself, however, has assured fans that the mix of bird calls is completely authentic, though sometimes it’s more overwhelming than intended.
Gardeners’ World fans upset over huge shift as they complain minutes into show(Image: BBC Studios)
Monty Don has responded to a common gripe from Gardeners’ World viewers on the podcast, saying: “We’ve had a number of letters along the lines of, ‘I watch Gardeners’ World and I really enjoy it, but it’s spoiled for me by the fact that you impose this bird song which is so unrealistic and so over the top… why don’t you just record the natural sounds?’ And the answer is, ‘I hate to disappoint you, but that is the natural sound’.”
One disgruntled fan tweeted their dissatisfaction with the show’s direction, commenting: “Not much horticultural guidance on #GardenersWorld these days.”
Another viewer expressed their longing for the programme’s past focus, tweeting: “#GardenersWorld is becoming a lifestyle program for people with chronic anxiety. I remember when it taught you how to garden. Now anything goes.”
Monty Don and wife Sarah have lived at Longmeadow since the early 90s(Image: Getty)
Monty also revealed that the birdsong at Longmeadow is sometimes so overwhelming it disrupts production: “It is really loud. And occasionally when we’re filming, we delay filming because the bird song is so loud, that even to us it feels a bit odd and unnatural.”
Since Monty and his wife Sarah took charge of Longmeadow in 1991, they have turned a two-acre patch of neglect into a verdant sanctuary featured on the series.
The couple’s garden stands out as a wildlife refuge amidst neighbouring farmland ravaged by excessive use of chemicals.
“So Longmeadow is like, literally an oasis surrounded by not-so-good,” Monty said. “We have great density of blackbirds and song thrushes and blackcaps and all kinds of songbirds.”
Gardeners’ World is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
June 19 (UPI) — Paramount has pulled back on a $35 million settlement with President Donald Trump after he sued the media company over a segment on CBS’ News’ “60 Minutes.”
The lawsuit alleges that the program edited an interview with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election to change how she would appear to viewers.
The stalled settlement is holding up a potential $8 billion takeover of Paramount by Skydance, a deal that the two companies negotiated over a year ago.
Despite the legal wrangling, Trump has said he is encouraged by the proposed merger in its current form, and endorsed the deal proposed by Skydance’s David Ellison.
“Ellison is great,” Trump told reporters on the White House lawn Wednesday. He’ll do a great job with it.”
Trump seemed to have connected the delay in the deal to his Paramount lawsuit.
The internal debate over the Trump lawsuit and the way it was being handled prompted CBS News President Wendy McMahon to resign in May, saying in a memo that she and the company could not agree on a path forward.
The Paramount-Skydance deal has been pending review by the Federal Communications Commission since last fall.
EXPERTS have issued an urgent warning over popular slushy drinks that could leave children unconscious.
Parents giving the icy shakes to kids as a cooling summer treat were told they may contain high amounts of a sweet syrup that’s dangerous to young children.
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Slushy drinks could be dangerous to children under the age of sevenCredit: Getty
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Arla Agnew was rushed to hospital with hypoglycemia after drinking a Slush PuppieCredit: Supplied
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Ted (front) and Austin Wallis (back) had glycerol intoxication syndrome after drinking slushiesCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
Brightly coloured slushies are a mainstay at cinemas, corner shops and theme parks – especially as temperatures ramp up.
But the sweet icy drinks often contain glycerol, a sugar substitute that gives slushies their signature, semi-frozen texture.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has now updated its guidance to state that slush ice drinks containing glycerol are not suitable for children under seven.
It follows several incidents involving slushy drinks in recent months.
A two-year-old girl was left listless and grey and “20 minutes from death” after having a slushy drink at a neighbour’s birthday party, according to her gran.
And two young boys became violently ill after slurping on slushies as a half term treat.
Earlier this year, thebrightly-coloured drinks— which are designed to appeal to children — were linked to the hospitalisation of 21 children aged two to seven.
Members of the food watchdog’s board called for the change after reviewing evidence on the risk of glycerol to young children’s health.
UK guidance previously stated that that slush ice drinks with glycerol are not recommended for children under four due to the risk of glycerol intoxication, and that those under 11 should have no more than one.
Now, the FSA warned parents not to give the drinks to children under seven.
Urgent warning over popular drink after toddler collapses in front of terrified mum
FSA chair Professor Susan Jebb: “In the warm weather, children may be more likely to consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol, so it’s important that parents and carers are aware of the risks.
“As a precaution, the FSA is recommending that children under seven do not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol.”
Slush ice drinks can contain glycerol – also called E422 or glycerine on some labels – as a substitute for sugar to prevent them from freezing solid.
The sugar substitute is also found in some other foods, but at much lower quantities than in slush ice drinks.
Consumed at high levels, glycerol can cause very low blood sugar levels and unconsciousness in young children – also known as glycerol intoxication syndrome.
Dr Duane Mellor, registered dietitian and senior lecturer at Aston Medical School in Birmingham, previously told Sun Health why children – who are smaller than adults – are more at risk of drinking dangerous amounts.
“If too much glycerol is consumed too quickly and in too large a volume, it can potentially change the blood concentration,” Dr Mellor said.
“This can then affect the amount of fluid around the brain, leading to symptoms including confusion, dizziness, nausea and even, on occasion, loss of consciousness.”
Pharmacist Abbas Kanani, from Chemist Click, told Sun Health: “Glycerol may cause side effects such as nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, and headaches.
“In the case of slush-ice drinks, the dangers are typically associated with very high levels of exposure and may lead to glycerol intoxication, which could cause hypoglycaemia, shock and loss of consciousness.
“The Food Standards Agency state that there are concerns about its acute effects on young children when consumed in large amounts over a short period, leaving them vulnerable to the symptoms listed above.
“Whilst symptoms are usually mild, young children may suffer from headaches and sickness caused by exposure to glycerol.”
According to the FSA, just one 350ml drink with the highest levels of glycerol could potentially cause a problem for a four-year-old.
In youngsters aged five to ten, one and a half of these drinks can have dangerous effects, if consumed quickly.
‘Protect children’
FSA board members previously conducted a risk assessment of slushy ice drinks in 2023, “which was based on average body weight” estimates for children.
This time, the food watchdog took a more cautious approach, taking into account that some children might have a lower than average body weight for their age.
“The assessment incorporated information from recent glycerol intoxication incidents and assessed the impact of one serving of slush ice drink (350ml with 50,000mg/L glycerol) on children with a lower-than-average body weight for their age,” the FSA wrote.
“As children’s weights vary, body weight has been converted to age to provide more practical advice for parents and businesses.”
The updated advice applies to ready-to-drink slush ice drinks with glycerol in pouches and home kits containing glycerol slush concentrates.
The FSA advised businesses selling slushies to add the minimum amount of glycerol needed to achieve the desired texture.
It also called on businesses to share how much glycerol was being added to drinks and foods.
Prof Jebb said: “We expect industry to share data on the quantity of glycerol in their products to inform our future work.
“Meanwhile, there are immediate actions they can take that can help protect children and reduce the risk from these products.
“For example, retailers should limit cup sizes and should not offer free refill promotions to children under 10.”
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Arla had a drink from a countertop Slush Puppie machineCredit: Supplied
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The tot was rushed to hospital hours laterCredit: Supplied
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Roxy Wallis, 36, with her sons, who became violently ill after having the frozen drinksCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
Arla Agnew, two, was left falling in and out of consciousness after enjoying the popular frozen treat at a neighbour’s birthday party.
Arla’s gran, Stacey, 39, told The Scottish Sun that they youngster became “limp and lifeless” in the hours after consuming the drink and was rushed to hospital, where it was found her blood sugar levels were dangerously low.
“The doctor said to us if we had been another 20 minutes it could have been so different. We were absolutely devastated,” the gran added.
“My middle child felt sick, dizzy, and incredibly pale. By the time we reached the ticket machine, he had vomited everywhere.
“At this point, my oldest son looked pale and felt sick but wasn’t as bad – he was a bit bigger than his brother.”
Abbas shared advice for parents in the event that their child suffers a reaction after drinking a slushy.
“If you suspect intoxication from a slushie drink and your child is experiencing any symptoms, even if they are mild, seek immediate medical attention.
“This is important so that your child can be assessed and any serious reactions can be ruled out.”
President Trump has endorsed David Ellison’s takeover of Paramount Global — an $8-billion merger that has been complicated by his $20-billion lawsuit over CBS’ “60 Minutes.”
On Wednesday, Trump was asked about the hold-up in the federal review of Skydance’s takeover of the storied entertainment company. The question came as reporters clustered around the president on the White House lawn to watch the installation of a flagpole.
The Paramount-Skydance deal has been pending at the Federal Communications Commission since late last fall.
Trump said he hoped the deal goes through.
“Ellison is great. He’ll do a great job with it,” Trump said.
Then he appeared to connect the merger-review delay to his lawsuit against CBS and its parent Paramount over last fall’s “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump has maintained since last October that the Harris interview was edited to burnish her chances in the November election. CBS has denied the allegations, saying the edits were routine. The raw footage showed Harris was accurately quoted, but Trump’s team said he suffered “mental anguish” from the broadcast.
“They interviewed Kamala. Her answer was horrendous,” Trump said Wednesday. “I would say it was election-threatening. I would say election-threatening because it was so incompetent.”
1st Amendment experts have called Trump’s case frivolous, but Paramount wants to avoid waging an extensive legal fight. Paramount’s leaders have pursued a settlement to help clear a path for the company’s sale to Skydance — a deal that needs the approval of the FCC.
The mediation process to resolve the lawsuit, filed in a Texas court, has become protracted.
“They are working on a settlement,” Trump said Wednesday. He mentioned that two high-level CBS executives — the head of CBS News and the executive producer of “60 Minutes” — had abruptly departed as the merger review dragged on.
“They’re all getting fired,” he said.
Late last week, Trump’s legal team filed court documents asking for a deadline extension in the discovery process, disclosing the two sides were working to reach a resolution.
Earlier this month, Ellison met Trump briefly while the two men were sitting ringside at a UFC fight in New Jersey, according to video footage shared online. Skydance declined to discuss Ellison’s interaction with Trump.
It marked the second time this year that Ellison chatted with the president at a UFC match. The first was in April.
It’s been nearly a year since Paramount’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone and fellow Paramount directors approved the two-phased $8-billion deal that will hand the company to the son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison, who is a Trump supporter. The deal will also see the Ellison family buy the Redstone investment vehicle, National Amusements Inc.
Santa Monica-based Skydance intends to consolidate the company that boasts the Melrose Avenue Paramount film studio, Paramount+ streaming service, CBS and cable channels including Comedy Central, Showtime and BET.
Skydance operations and personnel will be folded into Paramount.
The deal faces one final regulatory hurdle: FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s consent to transfer 29 CBS television station licenses to the Ellisons from the Redstones. This week, the Senate approved Trump’s second Republican appointment to the panel, Olivia Trusty.
Jeremy Clarkson’s Clarkson’s Farm has come to an end and fans are now searching for something to fill the void.
Clarkson Farm fans ‘hooked within minutes’ as they urge others to watch similar hit show(Image: AMAZON)
After eight gripping episodes, Clarkson’s Farm season four has wrapped up, showcasing Jeremy Clarkson’s tumultuous journey as he endeavoured to launch his pub, The Farmer’s Dog.
The popular Prime Video series is set to conclude after its fifth season, with Jeremy announcing the end of the show, citing the cast and crew’s fatigue from the intense filming schedule.
As fans await season five, they’re on the lookout for similar entertainment to fill the gap, with Vinnie Jones in the Country emerging as a top pick.
Available on Discovery Plus, the series follows the adventures of actor and ex-footballer Vinnie Jones as he tackles 2,000 acres of West Sussex countryside, embarking on overly ambitious farming projects.
Clarkson’s Farm is a firm favourite (Image: PRIME VIDEO)
The show debuted in November 2023 and has already delighted viewers with two seasons, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Fans have confessed to binge-watching the series, with Nik Anderson commenting: “Hi Vinnie, I was a bit unsure of what I was going to experience watching your life in the country series. I was expecting ‘Oh crash bang wallop alright geezer?'”.
Anderson continued, expressing his unexpected captivation: “To my surprise and my sheer ignorance I was hooked in minutes! There was so many things I took from your series and try implement them into my life!
Fans have been urged to watch another similar show
“I too have had tragic experiences and trauma in my life as most of us have, but some of us more than others. You deal with things admirably.”
Jan Casper also shared her enthusiasm on Google Reviews: “Thoroughly enjoyed watching all the episodes, binge watched over Christmas.
“Vinnie is a man who appreciates nature and conservation of his beautiful farm buildings and his surroundings. You can see his vision is genuine and from the heart.
“It has been lovely to see that everyone who works with him has that passion too. Can’t wait for season three.”
Vinnie Jones in the Country airs on Discovery Plus
The series touches on some tough topics, especially after the loss of Vinnie’s wife Tanya in 2019 due to a prolonged illness.
Vinnie has opened up about how both he and his late wife were diagnosed with skin cancer.
Prime Video has given the series a glowing four out of five stars, while it boasts an impressive IMDb rating of 7.9.
In its first season, audiences watched as Vinnie and his kin constructed, connected, and quipped their way through life, all while eyeing the future prospects of their estate.
Viewers witnessed them introducing new conservation approaches, reviving species, and creating habitats to entice novel wildlife.
BANISHING mould from your home can feel like a never-ending chore.
From constant bleaching to pricey products that don’t work, there’s loads of stuff out there, but more often than not the mould returns.
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Nicola applied Mould Magic over the grout in her bathroomCredit: Instagram
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She said it’s better than anything else she’s tried to banish mould for goodCredit: Instagram
That was cleaning whizz Nicola’s experience until she discovered a product that actually works and stops mould from coming back.
Taking to Instagram, Nicole explained how the Mould Magic gel worked wonders in her new home.
“If you haven’t seen this before you need to get some, it works on so many different surfaces but I used it mainly on grout in the bathroom,” Nicola explained.
In the viral clip she showed what the bathroom looked like when she first moved in, and sure enough the walls were covered in mould.
The formula is especially easy to apply because it comes in a tube with a nozzle designed to get into those hard to reach places.
Not only that, but according to Nicola the formula is also non-drip, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping and sliding away.
After a couple of hours the product can then be wiped away, leaving your bathroom mould free.
“The mould never comes back,” the cleaning whizz added.
Unsurprisingly, fellow cleaning fans were wowed by the before and after snaps of the bathroom.
One commented on the clip: “It’s brilliant for washing machines too.”
Our home is so mouldy mushrooms and flies infest walls – it’s making us sick
“Oo, thanks I’ll be getting this,” another said.
“Omg we recently got mould in out shower and it’s right in the grout so this will be great,” a third chimed in.
Meanwhile, others wanted to know if the product would work on painted walls and Nicola revealed she’d tried Mould Magic there too and was impressed with the results.
The product can be bought online for as little as £9.95 too, so it won’t break the bank.
More mould cleaning tips and tricks
Use household items
If it’s too late, and any condensation has had a chance to flourish and turn into mould, you can start removing it for nothing.
Natalie, from Which?, said: “A few drops of washing up liquid mixed with warm water can work on smaller areas of mould on hard surfaces like walls or floors.
“Use a sponge, cloth, or brush to work the soapy solution in small circular motions over the mould.
“If you’re trying to remove particularly stubborn mould, try a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and warm water and pour it into a spray bottle to target the affected area.”
If you’ve got a bit more in your budget, you can try buying mould or mildew remover from your nearest supermarket or retailer.
You can get it as cheap as £1.20 from B&M or £2.50 from Dunelm, at the time of writing.
Call in the professionals
You can usually treat smaller patches of mould yourself, but if the problem has gotten out of hand, you might need to call someone in.
Natalie said: “If you find new mould growing quickly in other areas of your home, or the affected area becomes too large to handle, it may be time to get professional help.”
Checkatrade says it costs £25-£35 per hour or £200-£400 per room to call someone in for mould removal.
Meanwhile if you want a specialist to come and take a look to inspect for any mould, that will cost you around £50-£300.
What is mould and how to get rid of it?
Mould is more likely to grow during the winter months.
Olivia Young, Product Development Scientist at Astonish revealed exactly why this is.
“Unfortunately, mould is a common problem many people face during winter. It thrives in conditions that are warm and damp, so your bathrooms are likely to be the most affected place.
“That said, during the colder months most rooms in your home could be vulnerable to mould growing.
“This occurs primarily from condensation that builds up on your windows when you’ve got your radiators on.
“If you think about it, when windows and doors are closed, there’s not much chance for the air to circulate and the moisture to make a swift exit.
“This build up is what can cause dreaded mould to make an appearance, especially in bathrooms, as it creates that warm and wet environment that is a breeding ground for mould.
“If left untreated, not only is it unsightly but it can also pose a serious risk to your health, so it’s really important you treat it.
“The key to tackle mould is to act fast.
“Try to come into as little contact with it as you can. So, grab your gloves, tie up your hair and get to work to remove any signs of mould as soon as you notice them.
“To keep mould at bay, there are some simple solutions you can introduce throughout home.
“The first is keep it ventilated. Yes, even in the cold winter months try to leave your bathroom window open for at least 10/15 minutes post shower or bath. This will get rid of any excess moisture quickly preventing mould gathering.
“If you’re having a repeat problem with mould in one particular area, it might be because the humidity levels are too high. You can get a dehumidifier that will help keep the levels low and reduce the risk of mould returning.
“The golden rule to remember when dealing with mould is the quicker you can treat it, the better. If you leave it, it will only get worse so never ignore it!
“To successfully get rid of mould every time, I recommend opting for the UK’s No 1 Mould & Mildew Remover, that effectively removes mould and mildew stains almost instantly, with no scrubbing necessary.”
EastEnders actor Scott Maslen has confessed a major twist involving his character Jack Branning was only shared to him 15 minutes before the scenes were filmed for the BBC soap
08:00, 08 Jun 2025Updated 08:52, 08 Jun 2025
EastEnders actor Scott Maslen has confessed a major twist involving his character Jack Branning was only shared to him 15 minutes before the scenes were filmed(Image: Getty)
Soap bosses took it right up to the wire where an EastEnders twist was concerned, only telling the cast members involved 15 minutes before it needed to be filmed.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the British Soap Awards, actor Scott Maslen confessed it was very last minute when he was informed of a possibly show-changing twist. The Jack Branning actor and his co-stars had just minutes to react to and process the bombshell, before having to film for the show.
To add to the pressure, the scenes in the fallout to the news were being filmed live for the special 40th episode, and being aired to the nation. There was little preparation, and as soon as Scott learned the big twist he pretty much had to perform it on air very quickly.
The twist in question was the result of the public vote in February, with fans deciding whether Denise Fox reunited with husband Jack, or chose new flame Ravi Gulati. In the episode it was revealed that Denise, courtesy of the fans, had chosen to stay with Jack and dumped Ravi.
Soap bosses took it right up to the wire where an EastEnders twist was concerned(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
As this played out on air, it was only 15 minutes prior that the cast had even been told. It was a super quick turnaround, as Scott and his co-star Aaron Thiara, who plays Ravi, were walking towards the famous set ready for their live scenes when they learned which of them would be chosen.
The actors were together at the time before making the necessary preparations to film the scenes viewers saw on the night. Scott told us: “I am happy the public chose Jack, it’s obviously a big story to put you in that situation.
“I have been there a long time. Aaron’s come in so well and so strong, he’s a lovely, lovely lad. It was a big ask for both of us but we had a lot of fun. We didn’t think too much about it.”
Scott actually wasn’t sure what way it would go, expecting to get some time off with Denise choosing Ravi. He joked: “I was thinking maybe I was gonna get some fishing time in, so I voted for Ravi myself. I was like vote Ravi everyone!”
Scott Maslen confessed it was very last minute when he was informed of a possibly show-changing twist(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
On the little time they had before filming, Scott explained: “It was right up to the wire. 15 minutes! I’ve got a little video of me and Aaron walking down and doing the last march. We were together.”
But there were no hard feelings between the cast members despite the rivalry onscreen. He explained: “It didn’t matter, we’re a team. It’s not about individuals, it’s a team game. Our job is to tell stories and we do what we are told.
“We’re part of a team and I am very lucky to have worked with these people for such a long time, so hopefully it will keep going forward.”
He also teased whether it was truly over for the love triangle, adding: “It’s EastEnders ain’t it. Ravi is gonna be back, you know he is.”
