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CBS News executives have admitted a controversial interview with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates failed to meet editorial standards, according to a report.

Acclaimed author Coates appeared on CBS Mornings on September 30 to discuss his new book, The Message, in which he examines the Israel-Gaza conflict.

After briefly introducing his work, Coates was met with a particularly combative CBS co-anchor Tony Dokoupil who immediately compared his book to “extremist” writings, prompting backlash online.

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On Monday (October 7), CNN reported that CBS executives told staffers during a daily editorial meeting that the nature of the interview had been addressed with Dokoupil.

Citing multiple sources, CNN added that multiple correspondents and producers felt that Dokoupil showed bias during the interview. Dokoupil has written publicly about converting to Judaism and said publicly that two of his children along with his ex-wife live in Israel.

CBS News and Stations president and CEO Wendy McMahon reportedly enlisted the network’s standards and practices unit to conduct a review of the discussion. The news division’s race and culture unit was involved as well, according to CNN.

The Independent has reached out to CBS News for comment.

During the interview, Dokoupil said he wondered why a “talented, smart” author would “leave out so much” from the book. “Why leave out that Israel is surrounded by countries that want to eliminate it? Why leave out that Israel deals with terror groups that want to eliminate it?”

“There is no shortage of that perspective in American media,” Coates responded. “I am most concerned, always, with those who don’t have a voice.”

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In The Message, Coates condemns the Israeli occupation of Palestine and contends that Israel’s existence as an ethnostate is fundamentally wrong.

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“For as sure as my ancestors were born into a country where none of them was the equal of any white man, Israel was revealing itself to be a country where no Palestinian is ever the equal of any Jewish person anywhere,” Coates, who is Black, writes in The Message.

Dokoupil accused Coates of writing a book that “delegitimizes the pillars of Israel,” asking him bluntly: “What is it that so particularly offends you about a Jewish state? A Jewish safe place, rather than any other country?”

“There’s nothing that offends me about a Jewish state. I am offended by the idea of states built on ethnocracy, no matter where they are,” Coates responded.

The author also told the news anchor: “No country in this world establishes its ability to exist through rights. Countries establish their abilities to exist through force, as America did. Israel does exist. It’s a fact. The question of its right is not a question I would be faced with, with any other country.”

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On social media, as well as in the CBS newsroom, debate raged over Dokoupil’s conduct.

“Tony Dokoupil stopped being a journalist, became political critic,” one viewer wrote.

“His mind was made up that Ta-Nehisi Coates was motivated to undermine Israel in his book. Coates kept telling him, his focus was on the decades of oppression on Palestinians. Not professional.”

Others were more sympathetic, with one arguing: “If he doesn’t ask those questions then we don’t get those brilliant answers and if any other people felt the same as the journalist they now have no legs to stand on.”

Analyzing the heated interview on Mehdi Hasan’s show, Mehdi Unfiltered, Coates admitted: “I was a little surprised, and then I realized what was going on, I was in a fight.”

He added: “It took me a moment…but the answers to the questions were right there at hand. “=So it was right there, you know, as a pop quiz, but I had studied.”

BIG Brother’s Ali revealed her secret heartache as she opened up about her sibling’s tragic suicide.

The forensic psychologist, 38, spoke to Martha, 26, about her loss in the garden during tonight’s episode of the ITV show.

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Viewers saw Ali speaking to her housemates about being neurodivergent at the start of this evening’s instalment.

After they had all left, Ali and Martha spoke some more about the topic, which led on to the Leicester-based star to talk about her late brother.

Martha told Ali that she thought it was nice she felt safe enough to share such a big part of her with them.

Ali said: “It’s important for you guys to know because sometimes it can come across as a bit rude.

“I do sometimes slop off on my own…”

She added: My brother was really unwell in his life, with like mental health problems and he was on the autistic spectrum and he had ADHD.

“I think since he’s died, I mean, me and my sister, like my family, we worked really hard to understand him and support him anyway.

“Since he’s died there’s been this almost like extra pressure to make sense of things and understand.”

Martha then asked how he died, to which Ali said: “He took his life.”

She continued: “These things, they are important to talk about.

“Last year I was living in a fug of sadness, only this year where i was like f*** it.

“I’m going to do everything that I can do in my life. “

Fans rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter to share the love.

One wrote: “I love Ali she’s been so open about her ADHD and about her brother ! What a nice moment between her and Martha.”

Big Brother 2024 cast

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A brand new batch of Big Brother housemates are living it up in the famous compound.

Meet the cast of the 2024 series:

• Rosie, 29, dental assistant from Cornwall.
• Emma, 53, aesthetics business owner from Altrincham.
• Segun, 25, charity videographer from Watford.
• Nathan, 24, pork salesman from Dumfries.
• Daze, 24, climate activist from London.
• Khaled, 23, sales manager from Manchester.
• Martha, 26, NHS administrator from Scarborough.
• Lily, 20, Chinese takeaway server from Warrington.
• Ali, 30, Forensic psychologist from London.
• Thomas, 20 amputee footballer from Carlisle.
• Ryan, 28, marketing and events from Stockport.
• Hannah, 24, HR consultant from West London.
• Izaaz, 29, sales consultant from London.
• Sarah, 27, spa account manager from Shrewsbury.
• Marcello, 34, youth mentor from East London.
• Dean, 35, barber from East London

Another added: “protect ali at all costs.”

“I think people are forgetting that Big Brother isn’t just about drama, it’s about trying to confine yourself with strangers and learn about each other and how different everyone is. Ali is such a breath of fresh air for this #bbuk,” a third chimed in.

Speaking about her job before heading into the house, Ali said: “It’s not your everyday, typical 9-5 office job.

“It’s quite difficult, it’s quite demanding and I work in highly stressful situations.

“But I’m quite chilled and probably don’t look like the sort of person who can hold my own – in a prison for example.”

Despite the intensity of her 9-5 job, she said that she feels that she is “understanding” and “caring”.

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The Office star Jenna Fischer has revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

The 50-year-old, who played Pam Beesly on the NBC sitcom, shared the news in a lengthy Instagram post in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

She updated fans that she is now cancer free after receiving treatment.

“I never thought I’d be making an announcement like this but here we are. Last December, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation I am now cancer free,” she wrote in her caption.

“Back in October 2023, I posted a photo of myself on Instagram preparing for my routine mammogram with a joking reminder to ‘take care of your ticking time bags’ a la Michael Scott,” Fischer shared, referencing Steve Carrell’s Office character.

“After inconclusive results on that mammogram due to dense breast tissue my doctor ordered a breast ultrasound. They found something in my left breast. A biopsy was ordered. Then, on December 1, 2023, I learned I had stage 1 triple positive breast cancer.”

“Triple positive breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer but it is also highly responsive to treatment,” Fischer added.

The Office Ladies podcast host revealed she “had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor” in January of this year and the “cancer was caught early and it hadn’t spread into my lymph nodes or throughout the rest of my body.”

“I’m happy to say I’m feeling great,” she continued. “I lost my hair during chemotherapy but thanks to some great wigs and hats with hair (which my family affectionately called Wigats) I have been able to wait until now to reveal all that has been going on for me.”

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“I’m making this announcement for a few reasons,” Fisher explained. “One, I’m ready to ditch the wigs. Two, to implore you to get your annual mammograms. You can also ask your doctor to calculate your Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score and get any additional screenings required. I’m serious, call your doctors right now.”

“If I had waited six months longer, things could have been much worse,” she said. “It could have spread. Seeing women post photos of their mammogram appointments on Instagram needled me into setting my own (which I was late for). I’m so glad I did. Consider this your kick in the butt to get it done…. Suddenly everything in your life is geared around one thing: fighting cancer.”

Angela Kinsey, who played Angela Martin in The Office, commented on her post: “I love you, and I’m so glad you’re sharing. I got your back, always.”

Ellie Kemper, who also co-starred with Fischer in The Office, said: “We love you, Jenna. Thank you for sharing and for inspiring.”