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.
Russian drones and missiles knocked out power in Kharkiv late Monday, while 23 people were wounded and an energy facility damaged in an overnight atta...
India and the European Union have finalised a long-pending trade deal, both sides said on Tuesday, calling it the “mother of all deals” as they se...
The Trump administration has signalled to Ukraine that U.S. security guarantees depend on Kyiv agreeing to a peace deal likely requiring it to cede th...
High-level diplomatic consultations were held in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Monday as Ankara seeks to solidify the fragile progress of the Gaza ceasefire ...
France’s National Assembly has approved a bill banning access to social media for children under 15, a move backed by President Emmanuel Macron and ...
High-level diplomatic consultations were held in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Monday as Ankara seeks to solidify the fragile progress of the Gaza ceasefire and accelerate the delivery of life-saving assistance to the strip.
France’s National Assembly has approved a bill banning access to social media for children under 15, a move backed by President Emmanuel Macron and the government as part of efforts to protect teenagers’ mental and physical health.
A routine military training exercise turned into a major recovery mission this week after a catastrophic mudslide swept through a hillside in West Java, Indonesia.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 27 January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated the state’s National Guard following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, an incident that has triggered protests and intensified tensions between state and federal authorities.
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday the country should not fear pursuing energy ties with the United States, as Caracas seeks to expand oil and gas production and attract foreign investment.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected a U.S. magazine report on the death toll during January unrest. Nationwide protests erupted in response to soaring inflation and a national currency crisis.
A mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV was illuminated on Sunday at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, continuing a centuries-old Vatican tradition marking the election of a new pope.
Libya signed a series of multilateral agreements with international and regional partners, including Türkiye, aimed at boosting energy production, accelerating investment and deepening cooperation in the energy sector on Saturday.
A factory mistake in eastern China has produced an unlikely Lunar New Year bestseller, as a plush horse with an upside down mouth has gone viral among young shoppers.
Hermès menswear designer Véronique Nichanian presented her final collection on Saturday at Paris Fashion Week, ending nearly four decades in the role as she prepares to hand it over to British designer Grace Wales Bonner.
The Zigong International Lantern Festival has opened in southwest China, drawing large crowds to hundreds of illuminated handmade displays ahead of the Lunar New Year on 17 February and the start of the Year of the Horse.
Italy’s legendary couturier Valentino was laid to rest in Rome on Friday (23 January), drawing designers, actors and industry leaders to a ceremony marked by quiet emotion and flashes of his signature red.
Timothée Chalamet won the Golden Globe for best male actor in a musical or comedy on Sunday for his role in Marty Supreme, beating strong competition in one of the night’s most closely watched categories.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment