Megyn Kelly launched a scathing attack on Blake Lively’s $250 million lawsuit against her “It Ends With Us” co-star, Justin Baldoni, dismissing Lively’s claims of sexual harassment as a fabrication.

Kelly, whose personal attorney also represents Baldoni, framed the entire legal battle as a calculated move by Lively, fueled by her own actions rather than genuine victimhood. The crux of Kelly’s argument rests on video footage released by Baldoni’s legal team, showing Lively and Baldoni engaging in playful, flirtatious behaviour during the filming of a montage sequence. This footage, Kelly contends, directly contradicts Lively’s accusations.

Lively’s lawsuit alleges that during a “slow dance scene,” Baldoni crossed a professional boundary by inappropriately touching her and making a comment about her scent. However, Kelly argues that the video depicts a consensual interaction, with both actors clearly aware of the cameras and seemingly comfortable with their physical proximity.

The footage captures them holding hands, nuzzling, and engaging in lighthearted banter, even mentioning each other’s spouses by name. Kelly highlights Lively’s laughter and playful responses throughout the interaction, contrasting this with the serious nature of the alleged harassment. She points out that Lively’s reaction to the situation directly contradicts her later accusations, presenting a clear disconnect between the alleged victim’s behaviour and her public statements.

Kelly’s criticism goes beyond simply disputing the specifics of the alleged incident. She accuses Lively of orchestrating a calculated smear campaign against Baldoni, leveraging her influence and public image to damage his reputation. Kelly suggests that Lively’s cooperation with the New York Times in publicizing the story is evidence of this strategic manoeuvre. The subsequent escalation, including Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, further fuels Kelly’s narrative of a power struggle rather than a genuine legal dispute.

The attorney’s comments strongly suggest that Lively’s damaged reputation is not a consequence of Baldoni’s actions but rather a direct result of her own strategic manoeuvring. Kelly asserts that Lively’s pursuit of a gag order, after allegedly causing significant damage to Baldoni’s career, underscores her intent to silence her opponent and control the narrative.

By analyzing the video evidence and the subsequent legal actions, Kelly paints a picture of Lively as a manipulative actor, leveraging her status to advance a false claim, ultimately concluding that Lively’s actions, not Baldoni’s, are responsible for the current situation. The entire situation, from Kelly’s perspective, highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls of high-profile legal battles within the entertainment industry.

Jannik Sinner, the world’s number one, continued his dominant run at the Australian Open, securing his place in the final for the second consecutive year. He achieved this impressive feat by dismantling American challenger Ben Shelton in a commanding straight-sets victory, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2.

This win not only propels Sinner into another championship match but also solidifies his place in tennis history as the youngest player to reach multiple Australian Open finals since the legendary Jim Courier accomplished the same feat in 1992 and 1993.

The match showcased a fascinating contrast in playing styles. Shelton, known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline game, started strongly, even breaking Sinner early. He displayed flashes of brilliance, showcasing the raw power that had propelled him through earlier rounds.

However, Sinner, renowned for his tactical prowess and unwavering mental fortitude, remained unfazed. He expertly neutralized Shelton’s early dominance, weathering the storm and patiently constructing points with his precision groundstrokes.

A crucial moment arrived in the first set’s tie-break. Facing two set points, Sinner demonstrated his champion’s temperament, expertly capitalizing on Shelton’s growing frustration and errors to claim the set. From there, Sinner shifted into a higher gear. The second set witnessed a relentless display of superior skill and control.

Sinner raced to a commanding 4-0 lead, showcasing the consistency and depth of his shots, leaving Shelton struggling to find an effective response. His aggressive baseline play overwhelmed Shelton, who found himself unable to maintain pace with Sinner’s unrelenting pressure.

The third set saw a brief moment of concern as Sinner briefly sought medical attention for a left leg issue after breaking to lead 3-2. However, any worries were quickly dispelled as the Italian returned to the court with unwavering determination, securing crucial winners to seal the match and his spot in the final.

This victory sets up a captivating final against Alexander Zverev, who advanced after Novak Djokovic’s retirement due to injury in their semi-final clash. The final will feature a showdown between the tournament’s top two seeds, promising an electrifying conclusion to the Australian Open. Sinner’s journey now continues, with the chance to etch his name further into tennis history as the first Italian to claim three Grand Slam singles titles.

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) declared the results for the 70th Combined Competitive Exam (CCE) on January 23, 2025. In the hours following the announcement, reactions to the results and the subsequent developments have continued to unfold, with protests, legal challenges, and debates surrounding the exam process showing no sign of abating.

21,581 candidates clear, but tension persists

While 21,581 candidates cleared the preliminary exam, questions remain about the legitimacy of the results. Legal challenges have already been initiated, with petitions filed in the Patna High Court questioning the integrity of the examination process, particularly regarding the status of those who were debarred due to alleged malpractice. The court’s involvement could still alter the final list of successful candidates.

Political impact and ongoing reactions

The protests have also drawn political figures into the fray. Prashant Kishor, leader of the Jan Suraj Party, joined the demonstrations and went on an indefinite hunger strike starting January 2, showing solidarity with the aspirants. His involvement and calls for action have added a political dimension to the controversy, which is now under the scrutiny of Bihar’s government.

Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan recently met with a delegation of aspirants to hear their grievances and assured them that steps would be taken to address their concerns. The Governor also appealed to Prashant Kishor to end his fast, citing health concerns.

Looking ahead: What’s next for the 21,581 pass candidates?

For the candidates who have successfully passed the prelims, the main examination is the next step. However, the future of the recruitment process remains uncertain, with protests, petitions, and public calls for reforms still ongoing. The uncertainty surrounding the exam’s integrity and the lack of clarity on future steps means that the exam’s aftermath will likely continue to dominate discussions.

As the BPSC navigates the fallout from this highly contentious exam, it faces increasing pressure to restore public trust and ensure that future recruitment processes are conducted with the highest standards of fairness and transparency.