The Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial is dividing celebrities.
A US jury on Wednesday found both Amber Heard and Johnny Depp liable for defamation in rival lawsuits, but awarded Depp millions of dollars more in damages in a stunning victory for the Pirates of the Caribbean star.
Depp was given $10 million plus $5m in punitive damages following the six-week hearing against his ex-wife.
The jury found Heard defamed Depp three times in a Washington Post article in 2018 by identifying herself as a victim of sexual and physical violence; the article did not name her ex-husband.
However, the jury also ruled Depp's attorney had defamed Heard with one statement after calling her claims a "hoax" and awarded her $2m in compensatory damages.
Following Wednesday's result, Depp took to Instagram to post a lengthy statement, saying "the jury gave my life back. I am truly humbled".
Heard posted on Twitter less than an hour after the hearing ended, saying she was "disappointed with what this verdict means for other women".
"It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously."
The result has split opinion, however, with some saying justice has been served to the Pirates of Caribbean star, while others believe the result undermines Heard's accusations of abuse and thus the entire #MeToo movement, which saw women speak out against sexual abuse and violence.
About one hour after the verdict was announced, comedian Amy Schumer posted a quote from feminist Gloria Steinem on Instagram, alluding to the trial and hinting support for Heard but not specifically referencing it.
"Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke," the quote reads. "She will need her sisterhood."
Meanwhile, former The View host Sharon Osbourne said on Piers Morgan's TalkTV show: “Wow, it wasn’t what I was expecting. I mean, I wanted Johnny to win but I didn’t expect him to.”
Fellow The View host Meghan McCain wrote in a tweet that has since been deleted. "#MeToo is dead. Helluva job @ACLU," she posted, seemingly sarcastically referencing the American Civil Liberties Union, whose general counsel testified that the organisation had helped Heard to produce The Washington Post op-ed that was the basis for the trial.
While it's unclear whether McCain meant this triumphantly or dejectedly, it's a view shared by experts. “This is basically the end of #MeToo,” Dr Jessica Taylor, a psychologist, forensic psychology PhD, and author of two books on misogyny and abuse, told Rolling Stone. “It’s the death of the whole movement.”
Many famous names have spoken out in support of Depp, who has since been seen at a pub in Newcastle with musician Sam Fender as the actor has been touring England with Jeff Beck.
Musician Ryan Adams, who was accused by women of physical and emotional abuse in 2019, reacted to Depp's Instagram post with a heart, praise hands and fire emojis.
Comedian Morgana Robinson also commented on the post: "We love you, Edward scissor hands."
Other stars such as model Naomi Campbell and Pretty Little Liars actress Ashley Benson simply commented with heart emojis.
Pakistani singer-songwriter Ali Zafar, who has also previously been accused of sexual misconduct, wrote on Twitter: "Even a true empath could only understand a small percentage of what Johnny Depp must’ve gone through. The truth remains that no verdict or amount of money can bring him back 6 prime years of his life. The art he could’ve produced. Smiles he could’ve brought."
The Walking Dead actress Laurie Holden wrote on Twitter: "Today justice was served. The verdict of the jury sent a message to the world that abuse has no gender and that facts actually do matter." She added the hashtag #TruthWins, which was trending on the social media platform.
Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean co-star Greg Ellis, tweeted: "Plant your flag for Johnny Depp", accompanied by a pirate flag emoji.
Ellis wrote in a separate post: "Todays victory sends a signal." He added: "The truth won out. 6 long years."
Others chose to remain neutral, some saying they're simply glad it's over.
"I need a timeline cleanse," wrote Bill & Ted star Alex Winter, alongside a photo of his cat.
Actor Ricki Lake wrote: "Someone won!!!!!!"
Depp sued the Aquaman star for $50 million over her 2018 article in The Washington Post titled: “I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath … That has to change.”
Depp’s lawyers said the article, which did not mention him by name, falsely claimed that he was physically and sexually abusive while the two were together.
Heard filed a $100m counter-claim against the Pirates of the Caribbean star after his lawyer called her allegations a hoax. Each accuses the other of destroying their career.
Johnny Depp fans rally on the final day of the trial — in pictures
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
The 12
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
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Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
more from Janine di Giovanni
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
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How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Predictions
Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:
- Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
- Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
- Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
- Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
- Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai
Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
