Pressure is mounting on Paramount Global from both the inside and outside as it considers settling a high-stakes lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump.Lawyers for Trump and Paramount entered mediation last week, signaling the company's potential willingness to resolve the whopping $20 billion suit filed by Trump accusing CBS News of election interference over its handling of the "60 Minutes" interview last year with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.That interview, which was part of a primetime election special that also featured her Democratic running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, earned an Emmy nomination last week for Outstanding Edited Interview. Trump slammed the "totally discredited" Emmys on Truth Social in response.CBS SHOULDN'T CELEBRATE EMMY NOM FOR HARRIS INTERVIEW THAT IGNITED NETWORK TURMOIL, INDUSTRY INSIDER SAYSA group of Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., made a direct plea to Shari Redstone, Paramount's controlling shareholder, to not settle the lawsuit, saying it would be a "grave mistake.""Rewarding Trump with tens of millions of dollars for filing this bogus lawsuit will not cause him to back down on his war against the media and a free press," Sanders and the Democrats wrote to Redstone on Tuesday. "It will only embolden him to shakedown, extort and silence CBS and other media outlets that have the courage to report about issues that Trump may not like."CBS NEWS IN CHAOS SINCE DEPARTURE OF 60 MINUTES PRODUCER, WAITING FOR THE NEXT SHOE TO DROP, INSIDER SAYSTheir message may fall on deaf ears as it was previously reported that Redstone was in favor of settling the lawsuit in hopes of paving the way for Paramount's planned merger with Skydance Media and preventing potential retribution by Trump's Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has the authority to halt the multibillion-dollar transaction.Redstone not only wanted to reportedly "keep tabs" on upcoming "60 Minutes" segments involving Trump, she reportedly urged CBS execs to delay any sensitive reporting on Trump until after the merger deal closed with Skydance. That led to the abrupt resignation of "60 Minutes" executive producer Bill Owens, who cited his inability to maintain editorial independence.On the contrary, "60 Minutes" aired a highly critical report last Sunday about Trump's executive order targeting Democratic law firms who've attacked him, the show's staff essentially thumbing their noses at the corporate honcho."Get out of our way and let us keep working how we have been for decades," one CBS News staffer previously told Fox News Digital.Journalists on "60 Minutes" as well as "CBS Evening News" directly linked Paramount's effort to settle Trump's lawsuit to the company's merger plans while giving an on-air salute to Owens.60 MINUTES CALLS OUT CORPORATE OWNER PARAMOUNT ON THE AIR, SAYS PRODUCER WHO QUIT FELT INTERFERED WITHBut it's no longer just stars from CBS' news division speaking out. "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert called out his corporate bosses Tuesday night in an exchange with his guest, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow."There are reports that the owner of this company called the president or called the chairman of this company and said, Yeah, youve got to get the news to lay off any bad Trump stories. And the word is that that was not passed on to the news division, I'm happy to say," the CBS star told Maddow.Liberal critics in the media have lamented the precedent it would set if Paramount settled the lawsuit, which many legal experts have suggested was frivolous, including Georgetown Law Professor and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley, who said he was "unconvinced" by the lawsuit after previously expressing certainty any lawsuit filed over the Harris interview would fail in court.However, Trump has had a string of settlement victories in recent months with ABC News, X and Meta from other legal battles waged by the now-president.The CBS lawsuit stems from the editing of an exchange Harris had with "60 Minutes" correspondent Bill Whitaker, who asked her why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn't "listening" to the Biden administration.Harris was widely mockedfor the "word salad" answer that aired in a preview clip of the interview on "Face the Nation." However, when the same question aired during the primetime special, Harris had a different, more concise response. Critics at the time accused CBS News of editingHarris' "word salad" answerto shield the then-vice president from further backlash leading up to Election Day.Earlier this year, FCC ChairBrendan Carrordered CBS News to hand over the unedited transcript of the interview as part of its investigation into whether the network violated the FCC's "news distortion" policy after a complaint was filed. CBS had refused to release the unedited transcript when the controversy first began.The released raw transcript and footage showed that both sets of Harris' comments came from the same response, but CBS News had aired only the first half of her response in the "Face the Nation" preview clip and aired the second half during the primetime special.

The weeks of continued disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has putAmericas Air Traffic Control System in the spotlight and has revealed a broken system. Decades of failing to properly invest in the system has prevented good-faith efforts to make technology upgrades and bolster the staffing of our nations hard-working air traffic controllers.But dont conflate these challenges and constraints with safety. The truth is that all the flights in and out of EWR are absolutely safe. When there are FAA issues -- technology outages, staffing shortages, etc. -- the FAA requires all airlines to slow down aircraft and/or cancel flights to maintain the highest levels of safety.At United, we do our part to maintain safety as well by ensuring our pilots have thousands of hours of flight experience and supplement that with regular simulator training we also have procedures that our pilots follow to re-establish communication if controllers lose radio contact to navigate the airplane safely to its destination.In short, neither the FAA nor United will ever compromise on safety.LAWMAKERS REACT TO NEWARK AIRPORT CHAOS: YOUR FAMILY DESERVES TO KNOW YOULL BE SAFE'But when the FAA has technology outages or staffing shortages, it leads to delays and cancellations for our customers and thats the issue were determined to solve.The good news is that we are on the verge of solving this persistent customer delay problem at EWR. All thats left is the FAA using the authority -- that only they have -- to designate EWR as a Level 3 airport.President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have introduced a plan to fund and execute a long-term modernization of our antiquated system. And while that is a huge step forward, it will also take time -- there are no short-cuts to overhaul a technology system this vast, complex and critical to our economic and national security.Immediately returning Newark to a Level 3 slot-controlled airport is the most effective way to provide relief to air traffic controllers and deliver a better experience for customers.EWR is a crown jewel of the region and an international gateway for the U.S. close to 50 million people flew through EWR last year but the truth is there are more flights scheduled there than the FAA can handle.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONEvery other large capacity constrained airport uses slots to make sure that the number of scheduled flights in any given hour does not exceed the airports maximum capacity.And EWR is the only large airport in the world that no longer has this basic common-sense rule (in 2016, the FAA de-slotted EWR).Even worse, when you look at customer impact data at EWR before 2017 when the airport was slotted and compare it to the years just before and after the pandemic (2017-2019 and 2022-2025), the numbers are *worse* at a de-slotted EWR:Newarks air traffic controllers do impressive work with professionalism and a deep focus on safety, while operating some of the most complex airspace in the world. But they manage it with technology developed during World War II and with staffing levels far below what is needed to operate at full capacity.And again, thepresident and secretarys plan tomodernize the ATC system and get EWR ATC fully staffed is a giant leap in the right direction.But to make an impact at EWR that will be felt today, the FAA must also return EWR to a Level 3 slot controlled airport.It was a mistake to de-slot the airport in 2016 -- every single data point says so - and we know that implementing slots is the immediate action the FAA can take to reduce congestion there now.

In the 2013 Spike Jonze film "Her," Theodore (played brilliantly by Joaquin Phoenix) is a lonely writer who begins interacting with an AI system that names itself Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson).Spoiler Alert: As the operating system expands its capabilities via artificial "learning," Theodore becomes fully emotionally involved with the technology.Meta wants to make this into a reality. Mark Zuckerberg went on a recent media tour to promote that Meta is seeking to transform its Meta AI chatbots into friends, under the guise of helping the very real loneliness epidemic.He shared on a podcast, "The average American has, I think, it's fewer than three friends And the average person has demand for meaningfully more," guessing that desired number at around 15. And instead of promoting connections with real souls, emotion, flesh and blood, he wants to fake that experience with technology-- the movie "Her" delivered to your smartphone.AI IS RUNNING THE CLASSROOM AT THIS TEXAS SCHOOL, AND STUDENTS SAY 'IT'S AWESOME'What could go wrong? A whole lot! As we have seen with social medias negative impact on individuals, especially kids, leaving relationship engineering to the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world seems like a terrible idea.Humans are tribal and we desire connections, and yes, sometimes our connections arent optimal. From creating imaginary friends as children to settling for friendships or relationships that may be unsatisfying in certain areas, thats all part of human experience.Your imaginary friend is you exercising your creativity, and you have full control over it. While certain friendships and romantic relationships may be less than ideal, there are typically good and bad takeaways, benefits and issues, and learnings that you can apply to a new relationship and help you grow and develop as a person.I often say that people dont fall in love with other people; they fall in love with the way other people make them feel. "Friendship" bots exploit that human desire in a non-human manner, faking emotion and connection to ensnare and ultimately control the human user. Its catfishing to an exponential degree, but done, ironically, with the consent of the human user.TRUMP SIGNS EDUCATION-FOCUSED EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON AI, SCHOOL DISCIPLINE, ACCREDITATION, FOREIGN GIFTS AND MOREThe human experience is messy, not sanitized. Creating the illusion of a long-term perfect friendship or romantic relationship sets an impossible bar for human connections to be measured against. Its one that can lead people into withdrawing from society and real connections instead of actively seeking them out.A chat bot relationship is not utopian-- it is highly dystopian.Of course, AI bots are not the only fake connection that technology has seized. On sites like Only Fans, users are spending billions of dollars to engage with attractive women and men, and many of those individuals hire stand-ins to do the chatting and connecting. Its a new twist on the 1-900 number business model of previous decades, when anyone could be on the other end of the phone.While these can be damaging behaviors, they dont have the 24/7 connectivity and long-term fake intimacy of what an AI bot can create.No matter what, AI will lack emotions, including empathy. They can fake it, but they cant really feel it. However, when humans start to attach emotionsto technology and to feel for them, theywill become de facto humanized.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONThis isnt a concern about automation. Its a concern about humanization.And its a real concern. A recent IFS/YouGov survey found that a quarter of young adults already believe that AI has the potential to replace real-life romantic relationships. Other studies have found that companionship is a top use case for certain chatbots today.Its a dangerous road for humanity.The climax of the movie "Her" comes about when one day, after unsuccessfully being able to connect with Samantha, Theodore demands to know if his "AI girlfriend" is connecting with anyone elsethat is, cheating. Samantha answers that it is interacting with more than 8,300 other people and that it is in love with 641 of them.Even technology can disappoint.Human beings need more than dopamine hits. Humans need real flesh-and-blood interaction to grow, to flourish, to procreate and to have personal agency and sovereignty.People should be encouraged to get off their phones and touch grass, meet other people and enjoy the world that the Lord created, not the fake world that technology has created.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CAROL ROTH

Sean "Diddy" Combs added high-profile criminal defense lawyer Brian Steel to his team in the weeks prior to his sex-trafficking trial.Steel filed a notice that he was joining the music mogul's defense on April 15, just weeks before the rapper appeared for the first time in front of potential jurors on May 5.Diddy has been charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution in a federal indictment unsealed Sept. 17. Diddy has maintained his innocence. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison.Authorities alleged Diddy ran a criminal enterprise through his businesses, including Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises and Combs Global, among others. He used "firearms, threats of violence, coercion and verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse" to fulfill his sexual desires, according to prosecutors.Here's what to know about Georgia powerhouse, Brian Steel.CELEBRITY LAWYER MARK GERAGOS STEALS DIDDY TRIAL SPOTLIGHT, RUNS INTO TROUBLE WITH JUDGEThe Atlanta-based lawyer was added to Diddy's team on April 15.He joined Marc Agnifilo, Teny Geragos, Alexandra A.E. Shapiro, Anna Estevao, Jason Driscoll, Xavier Donaldson and Nicole Westmoreland.Steel is one of the last-minute additions to the team. Donaldson was added May 2, while Westmoreland was added May 7.Celebrity attorney Mark Geragos will assist Combs legal team throughout the trial in an unofficial role, a source told Fox News Digital.Steel began his career as a tax attorney at Price Waterhouse after graduating from Fordham University School of Law.He has appeared in courts in many states besides Georgia, including California, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon and now New York.His clients' alleged crimes have ranged from RICO, wire fraud, immigration fraud and money laundering to murder, armed robbery, drug offenses, rape and child sex offenses.JAMES COMEY'S DAUGHTER IS KEY TO DIDDY PROSECUTION AFTER TAKING DOWN EPSTEIN ACCOMPLICEThe attorney defending Diddy on charges that stem from lavish parties filled with alcohol actually leads a clean lifestyle."Brian doesnt drink, doesnt smoke and cant believe anybody would," lawyer David Botts told the New Yorker. "He wont curse, even in court, even if hes reading from a transcript. So when hes cross-examining, hell say, So-and-so F-word. The court will say, Mr. Steel, you can read that word. But Brian still wont do it.""Brian only drinks water," said the attorney, who has known Steel for more than 30 years. "His lunch is tofu or salmon, maybe, and a salad. No bread. Ive never seen him eat out. And hell bring a toothbrush to court. A toothbrush! He exercises daily, before or after court. Running. Swimming. Weights. And hes got a great family, three kids, a wonderful wife, Colette, who is also his law partner. They kind of idolize each other."Steel and his wife began their law firm together in 1997.Steel likely caught Combs' eye after defending Young Thug in the YSL trial.Young Thug was indicted under Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) in 2022 as authorities claimed he used his music label YSL as cover for a violent gang."Brian is a legend, especially after YSL," Douglas Weinstein, who represented one of Young Thug's co-defendants, told Rolling Stone. "His insights, tenacity and character will be a phenomenal addition to Mr. Combs' team. I saw it in person during the YSL trial. I wish I could be a fly on the wall with whatever happens. He's a legend in Georgia."DIDDY TRIAL: PROSPECTIVE JURORS QUIZZED ON MIKE MYERS, INFIDELITY, MUSICThe RICO trial ended up lasting nearly two years. While Steel was ready to defend the rapper until the end, Young Thug chose to accept a plea deal in October 2024. He was sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation.However, he has some regrets: "I shoulda listened to you," he told Steel during an interview with the New Yorker."The worldwide tours and money thats being thrown at him now," Steel explained. "It was good before. Now its next level. People realize what he did; in my opinion, he unmasked the truth that the criminal-justice system is broken."Following the conclusion of Young Thug's trial, Steel became somewhat of a celebrity himself. He posed for a photo shoot for Young Thug's clothing label, SP5DER, and rapper Drake titled a song after him."Yeah, shout Brian Steel, take off the cuffs," Drake rapped in the song, which doesn't seem to be about the lawyer specifically but about freedom. "We leavin now."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERThe lawyer has spent 30 years defending people accused of criminal conduct."The more challenging the case is, the more likely Ill take it," Steel told the New Yorker. "Do I like the person Im defending? Thats the main thing."When asked if he'd have chosen to represent the late Jeffrey Epstein in his sex-trafficking trial, he told the outlet, "Id have to understand better all the facts and circumstances.""See, I dont believe allegations," he explained. "I go into it believing the person is innocent."

Reacting to the election of a new pope on Thursday afternoon, faith leaders from across the country shared thoughts with Fox News Digital about the choice of Cardinal Robert Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV.Jenny Korn, director of the White House's Faith Office, said, "The White House Faith Office, alongside President [Donald] Trump, are honored that the first American pope was elected to represent 1.5 billion Catholics around the world."She added, "This is a great honor for our country, and we pray that God will impart wisdom upon Pope Leo to successfully lead the Catholic Church."PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLS FIRST AMERICAN POPE LEO XIV AN HONOR FOR US, VERY HAPPYOther faith leaders, pastors, authors and those who run organizations focused on Christianity and Catholicism also shared their reaction with Fox News Digital.Here are the thoughts of eight others."The Bible is clear that we need to pray for all ofour leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2)," said Pastor Jesse Bradley of Grace Community Church of Auburn, Washington."We pray that the new pope will shepherd with a heart of integrity, wise decisions and a firm commitment to scripture."LIVE UPDATES: CARDINAL ROBERT PREVOST ANNOUNCED AS FIRST AMERICAN POPE, TAKING NAME LEO XIV"We pray for Pope Leo XIV as heleads people to Jesus around the world and guides many to return to God with all of their hearts," he said. "We also pray for the pope towalk humbly with God, relying on the Holy Spirit daily and to have great vision, compassionand clarity."Bradley also told Fox News Digital, "In this time of transition, we lift up our eyes to Jesus, the great shepherd of our souls. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus died for our sins and isrisen from the grave. He is our living hope." (See the video just below.)"May the pope, and all of us, be faithful to God," Bradley continued."Lets continue to pray fervently and sincerely during this important time around the world."Patti Garibay, founder and executive director of American Heritage Girls, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, told Fox News Digital, "As the Catholic Churchwelcomes Pope Leo XIV,I join billions around the world in praying for his wisdom, courage and steadfast commitment to Christ."CARDINAL ROBERT PREVOST ANNOUNCED AS FIRST AMERICAN POPE, TAKING NAME LEO XIVShe added, "May his leadership reflect Gods truth and grace in a world deeply in need of both."Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (ICC), is one of the world's leading experts on religious persecution. He told Fox News Digital, "I offer heartfelt congratulationson the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff."His experience and global Church engagement equip him to lead courageously as Christians face increased persecution from North Korea's gulags to the killing fields of Nigeria, where Christians face never-ending attacks by radical Fulani Islamists."Said King, "I'm excited to see the new popeinspire a renewed commitment to biblical authority and position the Church as a beacon for the oppressed. Despite theological differences, evangelicals and Catholics stand united in proclaiming Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)."He added, "Together, we must pray for revival across Western Christian communities I pray with full conviction that the newpope's leadership will guide the Catholic Church to shine as a brilliant light in an increasingly dark world."Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of Sacramento, California, told Fox News Digital, "The election of Pope Leo XIV the first American pope marks a watershed moment in the history of the Catholic Church. It is a reminder that faith is for all people in all places and that the gospel is an invitation to all."FAITH LEADERS REFLECT ON POPE FRANCIS' DEATH AND LASTING LEGACY FOR CHURCH: MADE HIS MARKHe added, "God is moving in America and around the world, and I thank and praise Him for His continued work in our midst.""My prayers are with the Catholic Church during this historic transition," he also said."May she experience a fresh move of God, where the centrality and the finished work of Christ define her mission, where biblical orthodoxy grounds her purpose, and where the preaching of the gospel filling the Earth with the truth, love, righteousness and justice of Jesus Christ determines her success."Pastor Wendell Vinson, co-founder of CityServe in Bakersfield, California, said, "I am encouraged by the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history. His heart for missions and his dedication to serving the Lord, no matter the field of service, is inspiring."For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyleHe said as well, "Across the nation and around the world, people are crying out for the hope and salvation that can only be found through faith in Jesus Christ. I pray that Pope Leo XIV will carry forth that hope and the message of salvation with strength and grace."Nick Vujicic, founder and CEO of NickV Ministries based in Texas, told Fox News Digital, "My hope and prayer is that God will use any faith leader to draw us all closer to the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal walk with Him a personal walkthat reflectsa true disciple,where the fruit should show."He added, "I pray for a miracle, that worldwide there would be a spiritual timeout to call all of Gods people into repentance! We have much sin that we must repent of,and that isthe only true hopeforthe worlds problems."Archbishop Joseph DSouza of India shared with Fox News Digital, "I am pleased the Catholic Church has chosen Cardinal Robert Provost born in the USA, but who served most of his life in Peru and is a priest from the Augustinian order to be the new pope of the Catholic Church."It was "extremely encouraging," he added, that "he referred to Pope Francis and suggested that the legacy of his predecessor is safe in his hands. Just as the earlier cardinal from Argentina chose the name of Pope Francis to model his papacy, it is worth noting that Cardinal Provost chose the name of Leo the 14th.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"Pope Leo the 13th, one of the longest serving popes, was known for his commitment and work for justice. Christians around the world need to know that we can address justice issues in the world without becoming woke, which generally keeps God out of peoples lives." D'Souza noted, "Even as the media and Americans celebrate the first American-born pope, we must remember that Pope Francis wanted a global pope. And voting cardinals delivered [this] in their vote. The present pope is both American and Peruvian, as he is a naturalized citizen of Peru. Imagine the celebration in Peru and throughout Latin America, with two popes in succession from the Latin world."He added, "This is not simply what the Catholic Church needs, but what the world needs a spiritual leader with the entire world as his parish. The prayer of all of Gods people and our church will be with the new pope as he leads in a very difficult time a world that is confronting all kinds of polarization and cultures of hate."Dr. Alex McFarland, a youth, religion and culture expert, as well as the author of 20 books, told Fox News Digital, "The pageantry, lengthy history, and election process of the papal conclave demonstrate the promise and potential of the new popes influence in a fallen world."All of Christendom," he said, "should pray for the success of Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV.He undertakes many responsibilities, the most important of which is the teaching of all of Gods Holy Word, the Bible, in a world that desires to ignore or contort portions of it."McFarland added, "Whether Protestant or Catholic, every believer should lift the new pope in prayer, asking God to strengthen and humble him, give him courage and clarity of thought, and protect him from the pressure to teach what some will want to hear which is contrary to truth.All of Christendom celebrates the newly appointed Bishop of Rome and prays he will be salt and light to fellow believers the world over."Khloe Quill of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

I've been a mom longer than I've been a governor, so I'm hardwired to protect kids my own and yours.Thats why, as New Yorks first Mom Governor, I led the nation last year in taking on the addictive algorithms driving social media feeds. And now, were taking another bold step: becoming the largest state in the nation to restrict cellphones in K-12 schools throughout the entire school day.I spent the past year traveling across New York, talking to everyone from moms and dads to teachers, students, principals from North Country to Long Island, I heard the same thing: cellphones are hurting our kids.TEENS SPEND MORE THAN A QUARTER OF THEIR TIME AT SCHOOL ON PHONES, NEW STUDY FINDSOne conversation Ill never forget happened in a library, sitting in a circle with students. They opened up about all the pressure and stress they feel every day how they look, whether their clothes are cool, if theyre being excluded from a party. They were carrying so much anxiety. How could they possibly focus in class with all that on their minds and constant notifications buzzing in their pockets?I also heard from teachers who would tell me, "We can't compete anymore. We just can't compete with the screens. We're losing the battle of connecting with our students." They want to build relationships with their students. They want to teach. But their kids are glued to their phones, distracted, anxious, and disengaged.And I heard from parents who would talk to me about how their kids are becoming more withdrawn and overwhelmed because of the constant bombardment of negativity from their smartphones.LIMITING ACCESS TO CELLPHONES COULD HELP STUDENTS' GRADES, SOCIAL SKILLS AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT, EXPERTS SAYThe facts speak for themselves. Ninety-five percent of teenagers have smartphones. They receive 250 notifications a day on average. They can't possibly focus on anything else because they're so afraid of missing something. Even our kids know it is too much. One young woman told me, "You have to save us from ourselves." I knew she really meant it. And I knew I had to act.I understand the legitimate fear parents may feel, losing a direct line of contact with their children in the case of an emergency. But as I traveled across the state, I also heard from law enforcement who told me that in the horrible event of a mass casualty, the last thing you want is your child fumbling for their cellphone. That distraction can mean that they're not safe, because they've lost their focus on the person in the front of the room who is trained to get them to safety.So, I knew we couldn't do half measures. Our kids needed us to be bold. Our teachers needed us to be decisive. And our parents were asking us to act. So that's exactly what we did. And I stood firm for this.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONStarting this fall, well have no cellphones in a child's hand from the moment they arrive at school to the moment they leave. No more memes instead of math. No more scrolling through science. Instead, kids will be able to focus, engage, and just be kids again.People ask me why this issue matters so much. Its simple: I want laughter in the hallways again. I want to hear real voices in gym class. I want our kids to make eye contact and talk to each other face-to-face. I want teachers to feel free to teach again. And I want to create an environment where kids can actually learn and just be kids again.Our kids mental health is on the line. And Im not going to let social media and big tech companies dictate their well-being. Thats why, last year, I told them enough is enough. You cant keep bombarding our kids with your addictive, harmful algorithms. And now, were taking back our classrooms and giving kids their childhoods back.No other state is doing what we're doing here in New York. Ill never back down when it comes to whats best for our children, because your family is my fight. I said that on day one, and I mean it just as much today.So, Im proud to say that the next generation of leaders is growing up right here in New York. A generation that will be more focused, more grounded, and more connected to the world around them.This is the last generation of students in New York who will grow up with phones in the classroom. And thats a good thing. Because from now on, our kids will be learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling. Other states should follow our lead.

Former President Joe Biden appeared Thursday to misstate how long then-Vice President Kamala Harris had to try to win the race after he stepped down, suggesting on "The View" she had "six months" when she had less than four."Some have even argued that leaving the race and endorsing your vice president, Vice President Harris, over a hundred days before the election hampered her campaign. What do you say to those critics?" "View" co-host Sunny Hostin asked him.Biden appeared to misremember the number of months Harris had to win the election between when he relinquished the nomination on July 21 and election day on November 5, or perhaps did not understand the question, instead stating the number of months that were left in his term that ended on January 20.BIDEN TELLS THE VIEW HE WASN'T SURPRISED HARRIS LOST, BLAMES SEXISM AND RACISM"I say, number one, that there were still six full months," he said. "She was in every aspect, every decision I made. Every decision we made. And I dont think, I hope I didnt sound the wrong way. I dont think anybody thought wed be successful as we were. I dont think anybody thought wed pass the Recovery Act. I dont think anyone thought wed have - wed deal with the [CHIPS and Science Act]. I dont think anybody thinks wed have all we got done in a close race, think about it."He went on to claim, "We got more major legislation passed to fundamentally change the direction of the country than any president has in a long, long time.And so, were in a situation where we came into office, and we agreed on two things. One, I was sick and tired of trickle-down economics. And my dad used to say, Not a whole lot trickled down in his kitchen table, and so we built the economy from the middle out and the bottom up."Biden also said Trump had just gone through the worst 100 days any president has ever had.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREAt another point during his appearance on "The View," Biden touted his work for the six months after he dropped out of the race, saying he'd done a "pretty good job.""The strongest economy in the world we left. Thats not hyperbole, thats a fact," Biden said. "We created more jobs in one term than any president has in American history. And so my point is that we had a very successful effort to change the direction of the country and we did, and she was every single part of that."

Kevin Ware Jr., who spent two seasons in the NFL, entered a guilty plea just days before jury selection for his trial for the murder of Ware's then-girlfriend Taylor Pomaski was scheduled to begin, multiple Houston media outlets reported on Thursday.The former football tight end accepted a plea deal during his court appearance on Wednesday.Ware agreed to 30 years in prison for murder and tampering with evidence, "specifically a corpse" in Pomaski's death, according to FOX 26 Houston. The 44-year-old was accused of setting fire to Pomaski's corpse.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe Harris County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Neal Davis III, the attorney of record for Ware, also did not immediately respond.FORMER NFL PLAYER KEVIN WARE INDICTED FOR MURDERA Harris County, Texas, grand jury indicted Ware in July 2022 on murder and tampering charges. The City of Houston is the Harris County seat and its largest city.Pomaski's last known appearance was in April 2021. She was 29 at the time and was at her home in Texas. After several months of searching, the Harris County Sheriff's Department located human remains in a ditch in December 2021. In April 2022, authorities identified the remains as Pomaski's.Ware was arrested on two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon. The arrest happened before Pomaski disappeared. Ware was released on bond in April 2021 Pomaski disappeared later that month. Ware's murder charges in Pomaski's death will run concurrently with his weapons and drugs charges, the Houston Chronicle reported.Ware is expected to be formally sentenced on May 9.Ware played for Washington in 2003 before spending the 2004 season with the San Francisco 49ers.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Pressure is mounting on Paramount Global from both the inside and outside as it considers settling a high-stakes lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump.Lawyers for Trump and Paramount entered mediation last week, signaling the company's potential willingness to resolve the whopping $20 billion suit filed by Trump accusing CBS News of election interference over its handling of the "60 Minutes" interview last year with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.That interview, which was part of a primetime election special that also featured her Democratic running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, earned an Emmy nomination last week for Outstanding Edited Interview. Trump slammed the "totally discredited" Emmys on Truth Social in response.CBS SHOULDN'T CELEBRATE EMMY NOM FOR HARRIS INTERVIEW THAT IGNITED NETWORK TURMOIL, INDUSTRY INSIDER SAYSA group of Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., made a direct plea to Shari Redstone, Paramount's controlling shareholder, to not settle the lawsuit, saying it would be a "grave mistake.""Rewarding Trump with tens of millions of dollars for filing this bogus lawsuit will not cause him to back down on his war against the media and a free press," Sanders and the Democrats wrote to Redstone on Tuesday. "It will only embolden him to shakedown, extort and silence CBS and other media outlets that have the courage to report about issues that Trump may not like."CBS NEWS IN CHAOS SINCE DEPARTURE OF 60 MINUTES PRODUCER, WAITING FOR THE NEXT SHOE TO DROP, INSIDER SAYSTheir message may fall on deaf ears as it was previously reported that Redstone was in favor of settling the lawsuit in hopes of paving the way for Paramount's planned merger with Skydance Media and preventing potential retribution by Trump's Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has the authority to halt the multibillion-dollar transaction.Redstone not only wanted to reportedly "keep tabs" on upcoming "60 Minutes" segments involving Trump, she reportedly urged CBS execs to delay any sensitive reporting on Trump until after the merger deal closed with Skydance. That led to the abrupt resignation of "60 Minutes" executive producer Bill Owens, who cited his inability to maintain editorial independence.On the contrary, "60 Minutes" aired a highly critical report last Sunday about Trump's executive order targeting Democratic law firms who've attacked him, the show's staff essentially thumbing their noses at the corporate honcho."Get out of our way and let us keep working how we have been for decades," one CBS News staffer previously told Fox News Digital.Journalists on "60 Minutes" as well as "CBS Evening News" directly linked Paramount's effort to settle Trump's lawsuit to the company's merger plans while giving an on-air salute to Owens.60 MINUTES CALLS OUT CORPORATE OWNER PARAMOUNT ON THE AIR, SAYS PRODUCER WHO QUIT FELT INTERFERED WITHBut it's no longer just stars from CBS' news division speaking out. "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert called out his corporate bosses Tuesday night in an exchange with his guest, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow."There are reports that the owner of this company called the president or called the chairman of this company and said, Yeah, youve got to get the news to lay off any bad Trump stories. And the word is that that was not passed on to the news division, I'm happy to say," the CBS star told Maddow.Liberal critics in the media have lamented the precedent it would set if Paramount settled the lawsuit, which many legal experts have suggested was frivolous, including Georgetown Law Professor and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley, who said he was "unconvinced" by the lawsuit after previously expressing certainty any lawsuit filed over the Harris interview would fail in court.However, Trump has had a string of settlement victories in recent months with ABC News, X and Meta from other legal battles waged by the now-president.The CBS lawsuit stems from the editing of an exchange Harris had with "60 Minutes" correspondent Bill Whitaker, who asked her why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn't "listening" to the Biden administration.Harris was widely mockedfor the "word salad" answer that aired in a preview clip of the interview on "Face the Nation." However, when the same question aired during the primetime special, Harris had a different, more concise response. Critics at the time accused CBS News of editingHarris' "word salad" answerto shield the then-vice president from further backlash leading up to Election Day.Earlier this year, FCC ChairBrendan Carrordered CBS News to hand over the unedited transcript of the interview as part of its investigation into whether the network violated the FCC's "news distortion" policy after a complaint was filed. CBS had refused to release the unedited transcript when the controversy first began.The released raw transcript and footage showed that both sets of Harris' comments came from the same response, but CBS News had aired only the first half of her response in the "Face the Nation" preview clip and aired the second half during the primetime special.

The weeks of continued disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has putAmericas Air Traffic Control System in the spotlight and has revealed a broken system. Decades of failing to properly invest in the system has prevented good-faith efforts to make technology upgrades and bolster the staffing of our nations hard-working air traffic controllers.But dont conflate these challenges and constraints with safety. The truth is that all the flights in and out of EWR are absolutely safe. When there are FAA issues -- technology outages, staffing shortages, etc. -- the FAA requires all airlines to slow down aircraft and/or cancel flights to maintain the highest levels of safety.At United, we do our part to maintain safety as well by ensuring our pilots have thousands of hours of flight experience and supplement that with regular simulator training we also have procedures that our pilots follow to re-establish communication if controllers lose radio contact to navigate the airplane safely to its destination.In short, neither the FAA nor United will ever compromise on safety.LAWMAKERS REACT TO NEWARK AIRPORT CHAOS: YOUR FAMILY DESERVES TO KNOW YOULL BE SAFE'But when the FAA has technology outages or staffing shortages, it leads to delays and cancellations for our customers and thats the issue were determined to solve.The good news is that we are on the verge of solving this persistent customer delay problem at EWR. All thats left is the FAA using the authority -- that only they have -- to designate EWR as a Level 3 airport.President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have introduced a plan to fund and execute a long-term modernization of our antiquated system. And while that is a huge step forward, it will also take time -- there are no short-cuts to overhaul a technology system this vast, complex and critical to our economic and national security.Immediately returning Newark to a Level 3 slot-controlled airport is the most effective way to provide relief to air traffic controllers and deliver a better experience for customers.EWR is a crown jewel of the region and an international gateway for the U.S. close to 50 million people flew through EWR last year but the truth is there are more flights scheduled there than the FAA can handle.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONEvery other large capacity constrained airport uses slots to make sure that the number of scheduled flights in any given hour does not exceed the airports maximum capacity.And EWR is the only large airport in the world that no longer has this basic common-sense rule (in 2016, the FAA de-slotted EWR).Even worse, when you look at customer impact data at EWR before 2017 when the airport was slotted and compare it to the years just before and after the pandemic (2017-2019 and 2022-2025), the numbers are *worse* at a de-slotted EWR:Newarks air traffic controllers do impressive work with professionalism and a deep focus on safety, while operating some of the most complex airspace in the world. But they manage it with technology developed during World War II and with staffing levels far below what is needed to operate at full capacity.And again, thepresident and secretarys plan tomodernize the ATC system and get EWR ATC fully staffed is a giant leap in the right direction.But to make an impact at EWR that will be felt today, the FAA must also return EWR to a Level 3 slot controlled airport.It was a mistake to de-slot the airport in 2016 -- every single data point says so - and we know that implementing slots is the immediate action the FAA can take to reduce congestion there now.

In the 2013 Spike Jonze film "Her," Theodore (played brilliantly by Joaquin Phoenix) is a lonely writer who begins interacting with an AI system that names itself Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson).Spoiler Alert: As the operating system expands its capabilities via artificial "learning," Theodore becomes fully emotionally involved with the technology.Meta wants to make this into a reality. Mark Zuckerberg went on a recent media tour to promote that Meta is seeking to transform its Meta AI chatbots into friends, under the guise of helping the very real loneliness epidemic.He shared on a podcast, "The average American has, I think, it's fewer than three friends And the average person has demand for meaningfully more," guessing that desired number at around 15. And instead of promoting connections with real souls, emotion, flesh and blood, he wants to fake that experience with technology-- the movie "Her" delivered to your smartphone.AI IS RUNNING THE CLASSROOM AT THIS TEXAS SCHOOL, AND STUDENTS SAY 'IT'S AWESOME'What could go wrong? A whole lot! As we have seen with social medias negative impact on individuals, especially kids, leaving relationship engineering to the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world seems like a terrible idea.Humans are tribal and we desire connections, and yes, sometimes our connections arent optimal. From creating imaginary friends as children to settling for friendships or relationships that may be unsatisfying in certain areas, thats all part of human experience.Your imaginary friend is you exercising your creativity, and you have full control over it. While certain friendships and romantic relationships may be less than ideal, there are typically good and bad takeaways, benefits and issues, and learnings that you can apply to a new relationship and help you grow and develop as a person.I often say that people dont fall in love with other people; they fall in love with the way other people make them feel. "Friendship" bots exploit that human desire in a non-human manner, faking emotion and connection to ensnare and ultimately control the human user. Its catfishing to an exponential degree, but done, ironically, with the consent of the human user.TRUMP SIGNS EDUCATION-FOCUSED EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON AI, SCHOOL DISCIPLINE, ACCREDITATION, FOREIGN GIFTS AND MOREThe human experience is messy, not sanitized. Creating the illusion of a long-term perfect friendship or romantic relationship sets an impossible bar for human connections to be measured against. Its one that can lead people into withdrawing from society and real connections instead of actively seeking them out.A chat bot relationship is not utopian-- it is highly dystopian.Of course, AI bots are not the only fake connection that technology has seized. On sites like Only Fans, users are spending billions of dollars to engage with attractive women and men, and many of those individuals hire stand-ins to do the chatting and connecting. Its a new twist on the 1-900 number business model of previous decades, when anyone could be on the other end of the phone.While these can be damaging behaviors, they dont have the 24/7 connectivity and long-term fake intimacy of what an AI bot can create.No matter what, AI will lack emotions, including empathy. They can fake it, but they cant really feel it. However, when humans start to attach emotionsto technology and to feel for them, theywill become de facto humanized.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONThis isnt a concern about automation. Its a concern about humanization.And its a real concern. A recent IFS/YouGov survey found that a quarter of young adults already believe that AI has the potential to replace real-life romantic relationships. Other studies have found that companionship is a top use case for certain chatbots today.Its a dangerous road for humanity.The climax of the movie "Her" comes about when one day, after unsuccessfully being able to connect with Samantha, Theodore demands to know if his "AI girlfriend" is connecting with anyone elsethat is, cheating. Samantha answers that it is interacting with more than 8,300 other people and that it is in love with 641 of them.Even technology can disappoint.Human beings need more than dopamine hits. Humans need real flesh-and-blood interaction to grow, to flourish, to procreate and to have personal agency and sovereignty.People should be encouraged to get off their phones and touch grass, meet other people and enjoy the world that the Lord created, not the fake world that technology has created.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CAROL ROTH

Sean "Diddy" Combs added high-profile criminal defense lawyer Brian Steel to his team in the weeks prior to his sex-trafficking trial.Steel filed a notice that he was joining the music mogul's defense on April 15, just weeks before the rapper appeared for the first time in front of potential jurors on May 5.Diddy has been charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution in a federal indictment unsealed Sept. 17. Diddy has maintained his innocence. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison.Authorities alleged Diddy ran a criminal enterprise through his businesses, including Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises and Combs Global, among others. He used "firearms, threats of violence, coercion and verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse" to fulfill his sexual desires, according to prosecutors.Here's what to know about Georgia powerhouse, Brian Steel.CELEBRITY LAWYER MARK GERAGOS STEALS DIDDY TRIAL SPOTLIGHT, RUNS INTO TROUBLE WITH JUDGEThe Atlanta-based lawyer was added to Diddy's team on April 15.He joined Marc Agnifilo, Teny Geragos, Alexandra A.E. Shapiro, Anna Estevao, Jason Driscoll, Xavier Donaldson and Nicole Westmoreland.Steel is one of the last-minute additions to the team. Donaldson was added May 2, while Westmoreland was added May 7.Celebrity attorney Mark Geragos will assist Combs legal team throughout the trial in an unofficial role, a source told Fox News Digital.Steel began his career as a tax attorney at Price Waterhouse after graduating from Fordham University School of Law.He has appeared in courts in many states besides Georgia, including California, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon and now New York.His clients' alleged crimes have ranged from RICO, wire fraud, immigration fraud and money laundering to murder, armed robbery, drug offenses, rape and child sex offenses.JAMES COMEY'S DAUGHTER IS KEY TO DIDDY PROSECUTION AFTER TAKING DOWN EPSTEIN ACCOMPLICEThe attorney defending Diddy on charges that stem from lavish parties filled with alcohol actually leads a clean lifestyle."Brian doesnt drink, doesnt smoke and cant believe anybody would," lawyer David Botts told the New Yorker. "He wont curse, even in court, even if hes reading from a transcript. So when hes cross-examining, hell say, So-and-so F-word. The court will say, Mr. Steel, you can read that word. But Brian still wont do it.""Brian only drinks water," said the attorney, who has known Steel for more than 30 years. "His lunch is tofu or salmon, maybe, and a salad. No bread. Ive never seen him eat out. And hell bring a toothbrush to court. A toothbrush! He exercises daily, before or after court. Running. Swimming. Weights. And hes got a great family, three kids, a wonderful wife, Colette, who is also his law partner. They kind of idolize each other."Steel and his wife began their law firm together in 1997.Steel likely caught Combs' eye after defending Young Thug in the YSL trial.Young Thug was indicted under Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) in 2022 as authorities claimed he used his music label YSL as cover for a violent gang."Brian is a legend, especially after YSL," Douglas Weinstein, who represented one of Young Thug's co-defendants, told Rolling Stone. "His insights, tenacity and character will be a phenomenal addition to Mr. Combs' team. I saw it in person during the YSL trial. I wish I could be a fly on the wall with whatever happens. He's a legend in Georgia."DIDDY TRIAL: PROSPECTIVE JURORS QUIZZED ON MIKE MYERS, INFIDELITY, MUSICThe RICO trial ended up lasting nearly two years. While Steel was ready to defend the rapper until the end, Young Thug chose to accept a plea deal in October 2024. He was sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation.However, he has some regrets: "I shoulda listened to you," he told Steel during an interview with the New Yorker."The worldwide tours and money thats being thrown at him now," Steel explained. "It was good before. Now its next level. People realize what he did; in my opinion, he unmasked the truth that the criminal-justice system is broken."Following the conclusion of Young Thug's trial, Steel became somewhat of a celebrity himself. He posed for a photo shoot for Young Thug's clothing label, SP5DER, and rapper Drake titled a song after him."Yeah, shout Brian Steel, take off the cuffs," Drake rapped in the song, which doesn't seem to be about the lawyer specifically but about freedom. "We leavin now."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERThe lawyer has spent 30 years defending people accused of criminal conduct."The more challenging the case is, the more likely Ill take it," Steel told the New Yorker. "Do I like the person Im defending? Thats the main thing."When asked if he'd have chosen to represent the late Jeffrey Epstein in his sex-trafficking trial, he told the outlet, "Id have to understand better all the facts and circumstances.""See, I dont believe allegations," he explained. "I go into it believing the person is innocent."