Blake Lively's deposition delayed
The former Gossip Girl star is suing her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment and retaliation and after she was granted a protective order on Monday (14.07.25) which agreed to her request for the legal meeting to take place in an undisclosed location, it has now been rescheduled.
According to court documents seen by People magazine on Wednesday (16.07.25), legal counsel for both sides met and mutually agreed to move the deposition from Thursday (17.07.25) to 31 July.
Meanwhile, Blake's lawsuit against Texas-based publicist and social media expert Jed Wallace has been dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.
The 37-year-old star had filed a civil rights complaint against the Street Relations, Inc. founder and alleged he had been hired by Justin's PR team to assist in a smear campaign against her.
Blake accused Jed of having "weaponised a digital army around the country from New York to Los Angeles to create, seed and promote content that appeared to be authentic on social media platforms and internet chat forums."
However, Judge Lewis J. Liman granted the PR expert's motion to dismiss without prejudice, meaning Blake has until 31 July to file an amended complaint or sue Jed in a different jurisdiction.
Her representative said: "Ms. Lively respects the Court's decision, which has nothing to do with the merits of her allegations about Mr. Wallace's role in the smear campaign and relates solely to the procedural question of whether he is subject to jurisdiction in New York or elsewhere.
"We currently are evaluating our numerous options for holding Mr. Wallace accountable for the pivotal role he served in the retaliatory effort that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties paid him at least tens of thousands of dollars a month to perform."
Justin has denied Blake's allegations and his counterclaims against the Another Simple Favor star and her husband Ryan Reynolds - which included extortion and defamation - were dismissed last month. His legal team opted not to file an amended complaint.
A trial is scheduled to take place in New York in March 2026, with both stars set to testify.
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Sydney Morning Herald
9 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Woman faces 15 years in jail for reckless foreign interference in Canberra
A Chinese woman has been charged with reckless foreign interference after she was allegedly tasked by China's Public Security Bureau with spying on an Australian-based Buddhist group. AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said on Monday that the woman, who is also an Australian permanent resident, was charged after search warrants were carried out at Canberra residences on Saturday. The reckless foreign interference charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years' jail. 'The AFP has alleged the woman … was tasked by China's Public Security Bureau to covertly gather information about the Canberra branch of the Guan Yin Citta, a Buddhist association,' Nutt said. The woman's appearance in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday comes just days after ASIO boss Mike Burgess sounded the alarm that Australia was increasingly becoming a target of espionage, costing the government more than $12 billion per year. Nutt said the woman's alleged 'covert and deceptive conduct' aimed to collect information on the Buddhist group to support intelligence objectives of the Chinese government agency. Loading He said Operation Autumn-Shield, launched in March after receiving intelligence from ASIO, was ongoing and that more people could be charged. The investigation did not include dealings with the Chinese embassy, but Nutt declined to give further details, including information that could lead to the identification of the woman, because the ACT Magistrates' Court had issued a suppression order. Items, including electronic devices, were seized during the Canberra raids and will undergo forensic examination, the AFP said in a statement.
The Age
9 hours ago
- The Age
Woman faces 15 years in jail for reckless foreign interference in Canberra
A Chinese woman has been charged with reckless foreign interference after she was allegedly tasked by China's Public Security Bureau with spying on an Australian-based Buddhist group. AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said on Monday that the woman, who is also an Australian permanent resident, was charged after search warrants were carried out at Canberra residences on Saturday. The reckless foreign interference charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years' jail. 'The AFP has alleged the woman … was tasked by China's Public Security Bureau to covertly gather information about the Canberra branch of the Guan Yin Citta, a Buddhist association,' Nutt said. The woman's appearance in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday comes just days after ASIO boss Mike Burgess sounded the alarm that Australia was increasingly becoming a target of espionage, costing the government more than $12 billion per year. Nutt said the woman's alleged 'covert and deceptive conduct' aimed to collect information on the Buddhist group to support intelligence objectives of the Chinese government agency. Loading He said Operation Autumn-Shield, launched in March after receiving intelligence from ASIO, was ongoing and that more people could be charged. The investigation did not include dealings with the Chinese embassy, but Nutt declined to give further details, including information that could lead to the identification of the woman, because the ACT Magistrates' Court had issued a suppression order. Items, including electronic devices, were seized during the Canberra raids and will undergo forensic examination, the AFP said in a statement.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
ACT business owner accused of spying on Canberra association for Chinese govt
A Canberra business owner has been accused of covertly gathering information about an ACT association on behalf of the Chinese government. Refusing the woman's bail application on Monday, August 4, Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said the allegation went to the "question of Australia's national security" and the protection of its citizens. Listening to proceedings through a Mandarin interpreter, the accused Chinese national did not enter a plea to a single count of reckless foreign interference after being refused ACT Magistrates Court bail. The now-permanent resident, aged in her 30s, first came to Australia in 2007 and owns a small business in Canberra. She cannot be named after the court agreed to temporarily suppress her name. The particulars of her charge allege that since 2022, she covertly and deceptively collected information on an organisation on behalf of, or in collaboration with, the government of the People's Republic of China. The accused woman is said to have been reckless as to whether her conduct would support the intelligence activities of the Chinese government. According to the Australian Federal Police, she was tasked with gathering information about the Canberra branch of a Buddhist association. "Police allege that the defendant was personally receiving taskings from a foreign principal, being a Chinese Public Security Bureau officer," the court heard. A Commonwealth prosecutor opposed the bid for conditional freedom, citing flight risk and evidence interference concerns. The court heard the woman's husband lived in China, she was intercepted telling an unknown person she planned to leave Australia, and she visited the Chinese consulate after police raided her home. Police also allege the woman of "substantial means" had received deposits from a Chinese-based financial institution. The prosecutor said the primary concern was the woman fleeing to China, which would "effectively end the investigation and prosecution". "There is ample motivation for the defendant to abscond," he said. He noted there was no extradition treaty between Australia and China, and the allegations of interference on behalf of the Chinese government made it more likely it would refuse any extradition request. A police officer involved in the case said investigators shared concerns about evidence on the woman's phone being remotely destroyed if she were released. Defence barrister James Maher said his client had significant financial and property ties to the ACT and was willing to put up a $50,000 surety. The court also heard the woman was a trusted member of Canberra's Chinese community. Mr Maher said his client was being closely watched and listened to by police and was "now well and truly aware she's squarely on their radar". The barrister successfully asked for a non-publication order on the accused woman's identity over concerns she might become the target of "action or reprisal" over the allegations. MORE COURT AND CRIME NEWS: He said her name being published would also act as a deterrent to her cooperating with Australian authorities. "She may choose to take that path, she may not," he said. Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker agreed that publicly identifying the woman "would mean that the horse has bolted" in terms of her offering assistance. Following the woman's arrest, federal police Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said further charges had not been ruled out. "Foreign interference is a serious crime that undermines democracy and social cohesion," Assistant Commissioner Nutt said. "As with other like-minded countries, Australia is not immune to foreign interference, and we should not expect that this arrest will prevent further attempts to target our diaspora communities. "At a time of permanent regional contest, offenders will attempt to spy on individuals, groups and institutions in Australia." Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Director-General Mike Burgess said: "Foreign interference of the kind alleged is an appalling assault on Australian values, freedoms and sovereignty." "In this year's annual threat assessment, I called out these types of activities and put perpetrators on notice by stating, 'we are watching, and we have zero tolerance'. "Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to monitor, intimidate and potentially repatriate members of our diaspora communities should never underestimate our capabilities and resolve." According to the federal police, this is only the third time a foreign interference offence has been laid in Australia since new laws were introduced by the Commonwealth in 2018. It's the first relating to alleged community interference. The woman is set to face court again in September. A Canberra business owner has been accused of covertly gathering information about an ACT association on behalf of the Chinese government. Refusing the woman's bail application on Monday, August 4, Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said the allegation went to the "question of Australia's national security" and the protection of its citizens. Listening to proceedings through a Mandarin interpreter, the accused Chinese national did not enter a plea to a single count of reckless foreign interference after being refused ACT Magistrates Court bail. The now-permanent resident, aged in her 30s, first came to Australia in 2007 and owns a small business in Canberra. She cannot be named after the court agreed to temporarily suppress her name. The particulars of her charge allege that since 2022, she covertly and deceptively collected information on an organisation on behalf of, or in collaboration with, the government of the People's Republic of China. The accused woman is said to have been reckless as to whether her conduct would support the intelligence activities of the Chinese government. According to the Australian Federal Police, she was tasked with gathering information about the Canberra branch of a Buddhist association. "Police allege that the defendant was personally receiving taskings from a foreign principal, being a Chinese Public Security Bureau officer," the court heard. A Commonwealth prosecutor opposed the bid for conditional freedom, citing flight risk and evidence interference concerns. The court heard the woman's husband lived in China, she was intercepted telling an unknown person she planned to leave Australia, and she visited the Chinese consulate after police raided her home. Police also allege the woman of "substantial means" had received deposits from a Chinese-based financial institution. The prosecutor said the primary concern was the woman fleeing to China, which would "effectively end the investigation and prosecution". "There is ample motivation for the defendant to abscond," he said. He noted there was no extradition treaty between Australia and China, and the allegations of interference on behalf of the Chinese government made it more likely it would refuse any extradition request. A police officer involved in the case said investigators shared concerns about evidence on the woman's phone being remotely destroyed if she were released. Defence barrister James Maher said his client had significant financial and property ties to the ACT and was willing to put up a $50,000 surety. The court also heard the woman was a trusted member of Canberra's Chinese community. Mr Maher said his client was being closely watched and listened to by police and was "now well and truly aware she's squarely on their radar". The barrister successfully asked for a non-publication order on the accused woman's identity over concerns she might become the target of "action or reprisal" over the allegations. MORE COURT AND CRIME NEWS: He said her name being published would also act as a deterrent to her cooperating with Australian authorities. "She may choose to take that path, she may not," he said. Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker agreed that publicly identifying the woman "would mean that the horse has bolted" in terms of her offering assistance. Following the woman's arrest, federal police Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said further charges had not been ruled out. "Foreign interference is a serious crime that undermines democracy and social cohesion," Assistant Commissioner Nutt said. "As with other like-minded countries, Australia is not immune to foreign interference, and we should not expect that this arrest will prevent further attempts to target our diaspora communities. "At a time of permanent regional contest, offenders will attempt to spy on individuals, groups and institutions in Australia." Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Director-General Mike Burgess said: "Foreign interference of the kind alleged is an appalling assault on Australian values, freedoms and sovereignty." "In this year's annual threat assessment, I called out these types of activities and put perpetrators on notice by stating, 'we are watching, and we have zero tolerance'. "Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to monitor, intimidate and potentially repatriate members of our diaspora communities should never underestimate our capabilities and resolve." According to the federal police, this is only the third time a foreign interference offence has been laid in Australia since new laws were introduced by the Commonwealth in 2018. It's the first relating to alleged community interference. The woman is set to face court again in September. A Canberra business owner has been accused of covertly gathering information about an ACT association on behalf of the Chinese government. Refusing the woman's bail application on Monday, August 4, Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said the allegation went to the "question of Australia's national security" and the protection of its citizens. Listening to proceedings through a Mandarin interpreter, the accused Chinese national did not enter a plea to a single count of reckless foreign interference after being refused ACT Magistrates Court bail. The now-permanent resident, aged in her 30s, first came to Australia in 2007 and owns a small business in Canberra. She cannot be named after the court agreed to temporarily suppress her name. The particulars of her charge allege that since 2022, she covertly and deceptively collected information on an organisation on behalf of, or in collaboration with, the government of the People's Republic of China. The accused woman is said to have been reckless as to whether her conduct would support the intelligence activities of the Chinese government. According to the Australian Federal Police, she was tasked with gathering information about the Canberra branch of a Buddhist association. "Police allege that the defendant was personally receiving taskings from a foreign principal, being a Chinese Public Security Bureau officer," the court heard. A Commonwealth prosecutor opposed the bid for conditional freedom, citing flight risk and evidence interference concerns. The court heard the woman's husband lived in China, she was intercepted telling an unknown person she planned to leave Australia, and she visited the Chinese consulate after police raided her home. Police also allege the woman of "substantial means" had received deposits from a Chinese-based financial institution. The prosecutor said the primary concern was the woman fleeing to China, which would "effectively end the investigation and prosecution". "There is ample motivation for the defendant to abscond," he said. He noted there was no extradition treaty between Australia and China, and the allegations of interference on behalf of the Chinese government made it more likely it would refuse any extradition request. A police officer involved in the case said investigators shared concerns about evidence on the woman's phone being remotely destroyed if she were released. Defence barrister James Maher said his client had significant financial and property ties to the ACT and was willing to put up a $50,000 surety. The court also heard the woman was a trusted member of Canberra's Chinese community. Mr Maher said his client was being closely watched and listened to by police and was "now well and truly aware she's squarely on their radar". The barrister successfully asked for a non-publication order on the accused woman's identity over concerns she might become the target of "action or reprisal" over the allegations. MORE COURT AND CRIME NEWS: He said her name being published would also act as a deterrent to her cooperating with Australian authorities. "She may choose to take that path, she may not," he said. Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker agreed that publicly identifying the woman "would mean that the horse has bolted" in terms of her offering assistance. Following the woman's arrest, federal police Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said further charges had not been ruled out. "Foreign interference is a serious crime that undermines democracy and social cohesion," Assistant Commissioner Nutt said. "As with other like-minded countries, Australia is not immune to foreign interference, and we should not expect that this arrest will prevent further attempts to target our diaspora communities. "At a time of permanent regional contest, offenders will attempt to spy on individuals, groups and institutions in Australia." Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Director-General Mike Burgess said: "Foreign interference of the kind alleged is an appalling assault on Australian values, freedoms and sovereignty." "In this year's annual threat assessment, I called out these types of activities and put perpetrators on notice by stating, 'we are watching, and we have zero tolerance'. "Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to monitor, intimidate and potentially repatriate members of our diaspora communities should never underestimate our capabilities and resolve." According to the federal police, this is only the third time a foreign interference offence has been laid in Australia since new laws were introduced by the Commonwealth in 2018. It's the first relating to alleged community interference. The woman is set to face court again in September. A Canberra business owner has been accused of covertly gathering information about an ACT association on behalf of the Chinese government. Refusing the woman's bail application on Monday, August 4, Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said the allegation went to the "question of Australia's national security" and the protection of its citizens. Listening to proceedings through a Mandarin interpreter, the accused Chinese national did not enter a plea to a single count of reckless foreign interference after being refused ACT Magistrates Court bail. The now-permanent resident, aged in her 30s, first came to Australia in 2007 and owns a small business in Canberra. She cannot be named after the court agreed to temporarily suppress her name. The particulars of her charge allege that since 2022, she covertly and deceptively collected information on an organisation on behalf of, or in collaboration with, the government of the People's Republic of China. The accused woman is said to have been reckless as to whether her conduct would support the intelligence activities of the Chinese government. According to the Australian Federal Police, she was tasked with gathering information about the Canberra branch of a Buddhist association. "Police allege that the defendant was personally receiving taskings from a foreign principal, being a Chinese Public Security Bureau officer," the court heard. A Commonwealth prosecutor opposed the bid for conditional freedom, citing flight risk and evidence interference concerns. The court heard the woman's husband lived in China, she was intercepted telling an unknown person she planned to leave Australia, and she visited the Chinese consulate after police raided her home. Police also allege the woman of "substantial means" had received deposits from a Chinese-based financial institution. The prosecutor said the primary concern was the woman fleeing to China, which would "effectively end the investigation and prosecution". "There is ample motivation for the defendant to abscond," he said. He noted there was no extradition treaty between Australia and China, and the allegations of interference on behalf of the Chinese government made it more likely it would refuse any extradition request. A police officer involved in the case said investigators shared concerns about evidence on the woman's phone being remotely destroyed if she were released. Defence barrister James Maher said his client had significant financial and property ties to the ACT and was willing to put up a $50,000 surety. The court also heard the woman was a trusted member of Canberra's Chinese community. Mr Maher said his client was being closely watched and listened to by police and was "now well and truly aware she's squarely on their radar". The barrister successfully asked for a non-publication order on the accused woman's identity over concerns she might become the target of "action or reprisal" over the allegations. MORE COURT AND CRIME NEWS: He said her name being published would also act as a deterrent to her cooperating with Australian authorities. "She may choose to take that path, she may not," he said. Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker agreed that publicly identifying the woman "would mean that the horse has bolted" in terms of her offering assistance. Following the woman's arrest, federal police Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said further charges had not been ruled out. "Foreign interference is a serious crime that undermines democracy and social cohesion," Assistant Commissioner Nutt said. "As with other like-minded countries, Australia is not immune to foreign interference, and we should not expect that this arrest will prevent further attempts to target our diaspora communities. "At a time of permanent regional contest, offenders will attempt to spy on individuals, groups and institutions in Australia." Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Director-General Mike Burgess said: "Foreign interference of the kind alleged is an appalling assault on Australian values, freedoms and sovereignty." "In this year's annual threat assessment, I called out these types of activities and put perpetrators on notice by stating, 'we are watching, and we have zero tolerance'. "Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to monitor, intimidate and potentially repatriate members of our diaspora communities should never underestimate our capabilities and resolve." According to the federal police, this is only the third time a foreign interference offence has been laid in Australia since new laws were introduced by the Commonwealth in 2018. It's the first relating to alleged community interference. The woman is set to face court again in September.
