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UK charges three men with arson over attack on Jewish community ambulances

April 3 (Reuters) - British prosecutors said on Friday ‌that they have ‌charged three men in connection with an arson attack last month on Jewish community ambulances ‌in north ⁠London.

The three men have been charged ⁠with arson with intent to damage property and being reckless as to ‌whether life would be endangered, the prosecutors said.

The Metropolitan Police said separately that, at this ‌stage, the incident has not been declared as ‌terrorism, but due to the circumstances of the incident the investigation is being ‌led by counter-terrorism officers.

(Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru)

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byJastin

in

4/04/2026 06:42:00 PM

UK charges three men with arson over attack on Jewish community ambulances

April 3 (Reuters) - British prosecutors said on Friday ‌that they have ‌charged three men in connection with an arson a...

Blake Lively Suffers 'Huge Blow' in Justin Baldoni Court Battle but He's 'Not Off the Hook,' Say Legal Experts (Exclusive)

A federal judge dismissed 10 of Blake Lively's 13 claims against Justin Baldoni on Thursday, April 2

Blake Lively; Justin BaldoniCredit: TIMOTHY A.CLARY / AFP via Getty; BG048/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

NEED TO KNOW

One attorney calls the ruling a "huge blow" to Lively and a "huge win" for Baldoni, while another says her remaining claims are still "strong"
The case is now set to move forward on some retaliation-related claims, with both sides expected to testify at a May 18 trial

Blake Lively's legal battle againstJustin Baldonitook a major turn after a federal judgedismissed 10 of her 13 claims, a decision that attorneys say significantly reshapes the case ahead of trial.

Entertainment litigation attorney,Gregory L. Doll, exclusively tells PEOPLE the ruling marks a "huge blow" to Lively, 38, and a "huge win" for herIt Ends with Usdirector-costar Baldoni, 42. However, sexual harassment attorney,Megan Thomas, argues that the remaining claims are still "strong" and that Baldoni is "not off the hook."

Both attorneys have no connection to the case.

The ruling leaves the case focused on a handful of claims tied to alleged retaliation, after the court found the actress' sexual harassment claims could not move forward under federal or Californialaw, according to court documents. The dismissed claims included sexual harassment, defamation and conspiracy, leaving claims such as breach of contract and retaliation to proceed.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in 'It Ends with Us'Credit: Nicole Rivelli/Sony Pictures Entertainment

"The sexual harassment claims individually… have always been very weak," Doll says.

He explains that the judge dismissed those claims largely on legal grounds, including that Lively was considered "an independent contractor rather than an employee under Title VII," meaning "Title VII did not apply." He adds that the claims were also dismissed because "the movie was filmed in New Jersey," not California.

Lewis J. Liman, a federal judge in the Southern District of New York, ruled on Thursday, April 2 that several claims tied to alleged retaliation move forward.

"It's a huge blow to Blake's side, and it's a huge win for Justin," Doll says. "I think she's got a tough road… proving retaliation and damages is going to be really difficult to do."

Justin Baldoni on Dec. 4, 2024 in Los Angeles, CACredit: Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty

Doll adds that Baldoni is no longer personally liable, with the remaining claims now against the companies involved in the case.

However, a second attorney tells PEOPLE the ruling does not eliminate the strength of Lively's case.

"Some claims were dismissed, including sexual harassment, because they were not legally viable," says Thomas, a sexual harassment attorney and founder of a New York-based firm representing employees in workplace harassment, discrimination and retaliation cases.

"The claims that remain, breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation, are more substantial and will move forward," she adds.

Thomas agrees the ruling is "a blow to Lively" but emphasizes that Baldoni is "not off the hook."

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds on April 27, 2025 in New York, NYCredit: John Nacion/Variety via Getty

"Her remaining claims appear to be strong, and she has ample evidence," Thomas says. She adds that narrowing the case can sometimes push parties toward settlement, though that may not happen here.

"That does not appear likely here. Both sides seem firmly committed to their positions and ready to present their arguments in court."

In December 2024, Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni, alleging that he sexually harassed her on the set of their film adapted from the Colleen Hoover novel of the same name.

She further accused him of trying to "destroy" her reputation with a calculated smear campaign, which was detailed in aNew York Timesarticle titled, "'We Can Bury Anyone': Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine."

Less than two weeks later, she filed a formal lawsuit against theJane the Virginalum, accusing him of sexual harassment, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy.

However, Baldoni denied all her accusations and filed his own $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively,Ryan Reynoldsand their PR team. His counterclaims weredismissed by Judge Limanin June 2025. Baldoni's legal teamopted not to refile amended versions of those claims.

Lively's attorney Michael Gottliebsaid in a statement sharedwith PEOPLE on Friday, April 3, that her sexual harassment allegations "have always been the beating heart of Ms. Lively's case. They are why she filed her lawsuit."

Per Gottlieb's statement, "The Court's ruling that Ms. Lively's state and federal harassment claims could not go to trial was about legal issues rather than an endorsement of the defendants' conduct. The court held that Ms. Lively's sexual harassment claims could not go to a jury because Ms. Lively did not sign a contract, that she is an independent contractor instead of an employee, and that the offensive conduct occurred in New Jersey instead of California."

Baldoni's legal team — attorneys Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach of Shapiro Arato Bach —said in a statementshared with PEOPLE, "We're very pleased the Court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants: Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, Melissa Nathan,and Jennifer Abel."

"These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the Court for its careful review of the facts, law and voluminous evidence that was provided," the statement concluded. "What's left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court."

A settlement conference earlier this year did not resolve the dispute andboth parties are expected to testifywhen the case goes to trial, currently scheduled for May 18.

Read the original article onPeople

byJastin

in

4/04/2026 05:12:00 PM

Blake Lively Suffers 'Huge Blow' in Justin Baldoni Court Battle but He's 'Not Off the Hook,' Say Legal Experts (Exclusive)

A federal judge dismissed 10 of Blake Lively's 13 claims against Justin Baldoni on Thursday, April 2 NEED...

John Oates called his time on The Masked Singer both the "weirdest thing I've ever done"

John Oates on The Masked Singer with host Nick CannonCredit: Michael Becker/FOX

NEED TO KNOW

The Hall & Oates rocker struggled with the bulky costume, and nearly fainted during his elimination
He appeared on season 10 of the hit series in 2023 as Anteater

John Oatesis no longer masking his true feelings on his time spent competing onThe Masked Singer.

The former Hall & Oates rocker, 77, came in sixth place when he competed as Anteater on season 10 of the Fox series in the fall of 2023. But in a new interview on theRock & Roll High Schoolpodcast, Oates said his experience wasn't exactly the best.

"It's either a high point in my career or a low point in my career. Maybe a little of both," he said on Thursday, April 2. "I took a leap of faith and I said, 'Sure, let me give it a try.' I didn't know what I was getting myself into. It was really weird, I have to say. In fact, it was the weirdest thing I've ever done."

Oates said he'd never seen the show before, but is at a point in his career where he "just want[s] to do stuff." Still, he faced difficulty singing, moving and seeing while stuck inside the bulky costume.

Anteater (John Oates) on The Masked SingerCredit: Michael Becker/FOX

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer explained that he wasn't allowed to tell anyone that he was filming the show, so "made up some bulls---" about filming a TV pilot to explain why he was constantly flying to and from Los Angeles.

On the day he was eliminated, Oates had flown into L.A. around 2:30 a.m. after playing theNewport Folk Festival, and had to report to set at 8:30 a.m.

"So I go from folk music to wearing an anteater suit, and then I get out there and I was starting to feel dizzy and really weird," he recalled.

After his performance, Oates was semi-eliminated, and had to compete in a sing-off to battle it out in an attempt to stick around.

"I'm on stage and I'm literally thinking, 'I'm gonna fall over. I know I'm going to fall over.' I'm sweating and I felt so s---ty," he said. "And so luckily, I lost. And when they told me I lost, I was so happy. I couldn't wait to take that head off."

He continued: "I did my best to act like I was having fun, but honestly, I swear to God, I thought I was going to faint. And I said, 'Okay, that's it.' I was never so happy to lose."

Other stars on Oates' season ofThe Masked Singerincluded tennis playerBillie Jean Kingand singersMacy GrayandKeyshia Cole. Cow — who turned out to beNe-Yo— was eventually crowned the winner.

During his stint on the series, Oates sang hits including "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn, "I Want it That Way" byBackstreet Boysand Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode."

During his unmasking, Oates appeared somewhat relieved as the judging panel expressed shock that they hadn't been able to guess his identity.

John Oates in Atlanta in April 2024.Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty

"I'll tell you what. I've done a lot of crazy stuff in my career. This is one of the best things I've ever done. So thank you very much" he said on stage at the time. "It's been a blast. It's so great to be in this costume and just sing whatever you want. No one knows.. This is crazy."

Oates released his self-titled solo album in August, which followed his 2024 solo recordReunion.

"I spent the entire early 2000s squeezing my individual creativity into this very regimented schedule of touring and business," hetold PEOPLE in 2024. "It was debilitating for me, and I couldn't do it anymore. There was really no creativity left for me in that. It was just about celebrating our past," he said, noting that Reunion felt like the first time he'd been able to "fully commit."

Read the original article onPeople

byJastin

in

4/04/2026 03:12:00 PM

John Oates Calls “Masked Singer” the 'Weirdest Thing' He's Done, Almost Fainted During His Elimination: 'Never So Happy to Lose'

John Oates called his time on The Masked Singer both the "weirdest thing I've ever done" NEED ...

Ye performs first US show in years: What critics and fans are saying

WhenYereturned to Los Angeles for his first full live show in the United States since 2021, it was as if time hadn't passed.

The hip-hop mogul, formerly known asKanye West,hit the stage at SoFi Stadium on Wednesday, April 1, for his first of two shows following recent performances in Mexico City and China, and his first apology in years for the antisemitic messages he spewed. The rapper previously sharedrhetoric widely deemed as antisemiticon social media, used a 2025 Super Bowl ad to redirect viewers to a website selling a $20 swastika T-shirt, and dropped asong praising Adolf Hitler.

In a lengthy advertisement fromThe Wall Street Journal's Jan. 26 issueaddressed to "those I've hurt," Ye stated he was not an "antisemite" and detailed a rocky mental health history, which included his bipolar disorder diagnosis, that he said fueled his behavior.

"My words as a leader in my community have global impact and influence. In my mania, I lost complete sight of that," he wrote.

Here's what the artist said at his first show back, and how critics and fans at the show responded.

Born Kanye Omari West, Ye transformed himself from a college dropout in Chicago to an undisputable icon of music and fashion. But a string of controversies has the rapper facing a fallout. In October 2022, several companies, including Adidas and Balenciaga fashion house, cut ties with the star after he made antisemitic remarks.

Look back on Ye's life and career, from his marriage and divorce from Kim Kardashian to his polarizing political statements. Here, Ye and Bianca Censori attend the 67th Grammy Awards on Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.