- Masood, Abdullah centuries lift Pakistan to 328-4 in first England Test
- Hurricane Milton strengthens fast, threatens Mexico, Florida
- Tunisia's President Saied set for landslide election win
- Barca hoping to return to Camp Nou 'by end of year'
- Trump to open second golf course at Scotland resort in summer 2025
- Super-sub Jhon Duran rewarded with new Aston Villa deal
- US duo win Nobel for gene regulation breakthrough
- Masood hits first ton for four years to power Pakistan to 233-1
- Fritz wins delayed match to reach Shanghai Masters third round
- Naomi Osaka pulls out of Japan Open with back injury
- Weather may delay launch of mission to study deflected asteroid
- China to flesh out economic stimulus plans after bumper rally
- Artist Marina Abramovic hopes first China show offers tech respite
- Asian markets track Wall St rally on US jobs data
- Pakistan 122-1 at lunch in first England Test
- Kazakhs approve plan for first nuclear power plant
- World marks anniversary of Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- 'Second family': tennis stars hunt winning formula with new coaches
- Philippines, South Korea agree to deepen maritime cooperation
- Mexico mayor murdered days after taking office
- Sardinia's sheep farmers battle bluetongue as climate warms
- Japan govt admits doctoring 'untidy' cabinet photo
- Israel marks first anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attack
- Darvish tames Ohtani as Padres thrash Dodgers
- Asian markets track Wall St rally on jobs data
- Family affair as LeBron, Bronny James make Lakers bow
- Cancer, cardiovascular drugs tipped for Nobel as prize week opens
- As Great Salt Lake dries, Utah Republicans pardon Trump climate skepticism
- Amazon activist warns of 'critical situation' ahead of UN forum
- Mourners pay tribute to latest victims of deadly Channel crossing
- Tunisia incumbent Saied set to win presidential vote: exit polls
- Phillies win thriller to level Mets series
- Yu bags first PGA Tour win with playoff win
- PSG held by Nice to leave Monaco clear at top of Ligue 1
- AC Milan fall at Fiorentina after De Gea's penalty heroics
- Lewandowski treble for leaders Barca as Atletico held
- Fresh Israeli strikes hit south Beirut
- Sucic stunner earns Real Sociedad draw against Atletico
- PSG draw with Nice, fail to reclaim top spot in Ligue 1
- Gudmundsson downs AC Milan after De Gea's penalty heroics for Fiorentina
- 'Yes' vote prevails in Kazakhstan nuclear plant vote: TV
- 'Difficult day': Oct 7 commemorations begin with festival memorial
- Commemorations begin for anniversary of attack on Israel
- Lewandowski hat-trick powers Liga leaders Barca to Alaves victory
- 'Nothing gets in way of team,' says Celtics' MVP hopeful Tatum
- India maintain Pakistan stranglehold as Windies cruise at Women's T20 World Cup
- 'We will win!': Mozambique's ruling party confident at final vote rally
- Tunisia voting ends as Saied eyes re-election with critics behind bars
- Florida braces for Milton, FEMA head slams 'dangerous' Helene misinformation
- Postecoglou slams 'unacceptable' Spurs after 'terrible' loss at Brighton
Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard: supporting cast steals the limelight
Veering between drama and farce, the courtroom showdown pitting Johnny Depp against ex-wife Amber Heard focused this week on the host of professionals and hangers-on who surround the stars, painting a portrait of Hollywood in all its excess.
The 36-year-old actress' domestic violence accusations, and the 58-year-old star's denials, are at the heart of a high-profile defamation lawsuit that has been going on since April 11 on the outskirts of the US capital Washington.
After a flood of testimony, Depp relinquished his spot on the witness stand Tuesday to the bit-players who gravitate around him: agent, driver, bodyguard, wealth manager... And these secondary characters sometimes stole the show.
- The vaping doorman -
Alejandro Romero is a doorman in a luxury building in Los Angeles where the couple lived. Testifying by video link while sitting at the wheel of his car, he said he had not seen any marks on Heard's face after the couple's final argument in May 2016.
The actress appeared shortly afterwards in a court, her face apparently swollen, to apply for a protective order.
But the porter didn't want to dwell on his memories. "I am so stressed out," he said, puffing on an e-cigarette. "I don't want to deal with this anymore," he said, underscoring the point by starting his car.
"Alright," responded Judge Penney Azcarate. "That was a first, I'm sorry."
- The loyal bodyguard -
Bodyguard Malcolm Connolly has worked for Depp for 23 years. With a marked Scottish accent, he gave his unfailing support on Thursday, saying Heard "wanted to wear the pants in this relationship" and said it was she who initiated the couple's arguments.
Asked about the actor's alcohol and drug use, he insisted that the star had "a very high tolerance" for "any substance."
"I think Jack Sparrow was more drunk than Johnny Depp," he said, referencing Depp's famous character in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies.
Even so, he said he had never seen the actor urinate in a hallway, as Heard's lawyers had suggested.
"I think I would remember if I had seen Mr Depp's penis," he said.
Seeking to show his financial dependence on the actor, Heard's lawyers asked him if he had received $8,500 in gifts over the years.
"He gave me so much more than that!" Connolly replied without flinching.
- Huge checks from the financial manager -
The lifestyle of Depp, who has been the owner of 45 luxury cars, a yacht and several properties including an island, has regularly hit the headlines.
His business manager Edward White told the court Thursday how he had sought to redress his accounts, while settling the costs of the divorce with Amber Heard in 2017.
"She initially was looking for a consideration of $4 million, but her demand continually increased," he said.
In the end, Depp paid her $6.8 million, wrote checks for $200,000 in donations in her name, paid half a million to her lawyers, and assumed all debts incurred during their lifetime together, around $13.5 million.
- The agent and confidante -
Christian Carino was agent and friend to the two actors, but no longer speaks to either of them.
By video, he said he had tried in vain to reconcile them and read text messages exchanged with Heard after their divorce.
In one message, the "Aquaman" actress said she was "sad" to have broken up with her new lover, billionaire Elon Musk.
"You weren't in love with him and you told me a thousand times you were just filling space," responded Carino, who had once been engaged to Lady Gaga.
- Psychological analysis of clothes -
On the first day of the trial, Depp wore a light gray suit with a black tie decorated with a bee-motif. The next day, Amber Heard had a gray jacket, and the day after that sported a tie with a bee emblazoned on it.
On the stand, Shannon Curry, a psychologist called by Depp's legal team, said she felt the actress suffered from a "borderline personality disorder" that could push her to "mimic" those close to her.
- And now? -
Heard's lawyers want to hear Elon Musk and actor James Franco, another close associate of their client. But the two men declined, without explaining their reasons.
P.Costa--AMWN