A U.S. judge on Tuesday suggested he may dismiss the New York Times from Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit, where the actor claims the newspaper colluded with Blake Lively to damage his reputation.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman said the Times’ legal arguments were strong, making dismissal highly likely. The newspaper had filed a motion on February 28, arguing that its reporting was protected under the First Amendment.
“A strong showing that its motion to dismiss is likely to succeed,” Liman stated.
Baldoni accused the Times of acting as a "conduit for revenge" after publishing a December 2024 article titled "We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine."
He claimed the paper worked with Lively behind the scenes to create a false narrative.
The Times argued the article was legitimate journalism and that Baldoni failed to prove actual malice.
The lawsuit stems from Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Baldoni during the filming of "It Ends With Us" (2024), which he directed. Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, is also named in Baldoni’s countersuit.
Liman has paused discovery while reviewing the motion to dismiss, siding with the Times' request to avoid burdensome legal proceedings.
Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha: “The court’s decision recognizes the important First Amendment values at stake.”
With the judge leaning toward dismissal, the case could soon see the New York Times removed as a defendant, shifting the focus to Baldoni’s dispute with Lively.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed families of hostages in Gaza that Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff, according to Israeli media reports.
Fourteen years after President Barack Obama asked Steve Jobs what it would take to manufacture iPhones in the United States, President Donald Trump is pressing Apple CEO Tim Cook with the same question — but under more aggressive terms.
Russia will send the same delegation to the second round of negotiations with Ukraine, scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, according to a diplomatic statement on Thursday.
The next five years are likely to be the warmest in recorded history, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), as rising global temperatures push the planet closer to surpassing key climate thresholds with wide-ranging consequences.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
Fourteen years after President Barack Obama asked Steve Jobs what it would take to manufacture iPhones in the United States, President Donald Trump is pressing Apple CEO Tim Cook with the same question — but under more aggressive terms.
Russia will send the same delegation to the second round of negotiations with Ukraine, scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, according to a diplomatic statement on Thursday.
The next five years are likely to be the warmest in recorded history, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), as rising global temperatures push the planet closer to surpassing key climate thresholds with wide-ranging consequences.
A U.S. federal trade court delivered a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s trade policy on Wednesday, ruling that his administration exceeded presidential authority when it imposed sweeping tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
Police detained five individuals on Wednesday during a protest linked to Gal Gadot’s latest film shoot in central London, citing offences including harassment and obstruction of workplace access.
Under the stars in Rome, Dior unveiled its cruise and haute couture 2026 collections with a dreamy runway show inspired by Italian cinema and theatre.
Rick Derringer, the rock guitarist behind hits like “Hang On Sloopy” and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” has died at age 77. He was known for his decades-long career and collaborations with music legends and pop culture icons.
The much-anticipated Harry Potter television series from HBO has officially cast its leading trio of young actors, with Dominic McLaughlin set to play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
Cristiano Ronaldo may be preparing to leave Al Nassr, as a cryptic social media post on Monday night suggested the end of his time with the Saudi Arabian club.
Fourteen years after President Barack Obama asked Steve Jobs what it would take to manufacture iPhones in the United States, President Donald Trump is pressing Apple CEO Tim Cook with the same question — but under more aggressive terms.
Russia will send the same delegation to the second round of negotiations with Ukraine, scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, according to a diplomatic statement on Thursday.
The next five years are likely to be the warmest in recorded history, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), as rising global temperatures push the planet closer to surpassing key climate thresholds with wide-ranging consequences.
A U.S. federal trade court delivered a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s trade policy on Wednesday, ruling that his administration exceeded presidential authority when it imposed sweeping tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
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