Johnny Depp’s childhood friend calls out ex-wife for “lying”

Published

3 years ago

April 14, 2022

Johnny Depp’s $50 million dollar defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard is heating up in court

In opening arguments Depp’s team claimed Amber Heard destroyed his life with “a lie” and that she is “obsessed” with her image.

But Heard’s team argued the Pirates of the Carribean star brought her to court simply to “destroy her”.

Heard’s lawyers say they’ll show how Depp was an “obsessed ex-husband” who engaged in drug and alcohol abuse” – a statement Depp’s lawyers firmly denies.

Witnesses testify

The first witness called for the trial was Depp’s older sister, Christi Dembrowski, who faced a barrage of questions from Heard’s lawyers about Depp’s alcohol and drug use.

Close friend to Depp, Isaac Baruch told the court that he has previously seen the couple argue but never witnessed any physical violence.

Baruch is the second witness called in the trial over Depp’s allegations that Heard falsely portrayed him as a domestic abuser.

Baruch says he is not angry, and only wants this all to be resolved quickly.

Baruch adds that Depp has financially supported him, providing him with places to live and giving him about A$130,000 over the years.

“His family has been completely wrecked by all of this stuff, and it’s not fair,” Baruch said. “It’s not right, what she did. … It’s insane.”

Heard claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse in an article and the case was brought forward.

In terms of the opinion piece written by Heard – Depp says the article – which does not mention him by name – is defamatory and derailed his career.

But a lawyer on her team says the Hollywood star is telling the truth.

The 58 year old has denied any abuse and has sued his ex-wife for $50 million dollars

Heard has in turn, sued him, with a $100 million counterclaim.

The trial underway in a Virginia court is expected to last up to six weeks.

China encircles Taiwan with military drills, sparking global concern

Published

6 hours ago

October 14, 2024

ticker NEWS

Beijing’s latest show of force sends a stern warning to Taiwan, as the US urges restraint amid escalating tensions.

China deployed planes and ships to encircle Taiwan on Monday in military drills that Beijing described as a “stern warning” to what it called “separatist” forces on the island.

The exercises, dubbed Joint Sword-2024B, mark China’s fourth large-scale war game targeting Taiwan in the past two years.

Beijing, which has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, conducted these drills in the north, south, and east of Taiwan, focusing on sea-air combat readiness and blockading key ports.

Practicing an assault

The Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command said the drills also included practicing an assault on maritime and ground targets, with China’s coast guard conducting “inspections” around the island.

Taiwan condemned the exercises as “irrational and provocative,” deploying its own forces in response. The Taiwanese defence ministry stated it is fully prepared to counter any threat to its sovereignty.

The United States criticised China’s actions as “unwarranted” and warned of the risk of escalation, calling on Beijing to act with restraint. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, who has taken a firmer stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty than his predecessor, convened a high-level security meeting to address the drills, describing them as inconsistent with international law.

Tensions between China and Taiwan continue to rise, with China ramping up its military activity around the island in recent years.

News

Europe’s crossroads: confronting electoral upheaval and rising global tensions

Published

7 hours ago

October 14, 2024

Nathan Langridge, Reuters

Experts discuss the EU’s challenges and opportunities ahead

Euro Bloch is a comprehensive program designed to highlight the breadth of topics and issues within the EU political landscape. It offers insightful analysis within the evolving framework of relations between the European Union and Australia/Asia-Pacific region.

Hosted by Ticker EU correspondent, Natanael Bloch.

In this episode, Natanael interviews Professor Bruno Mascitelli about the future of the European Union following the June elections. With Ursula von der Leyen re-elected as President of the European Commission, Mascitelli discusses the challenges she may face in her second term and the growing influence of far-right and populist parties in the EU Parliament.

As Hungary takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU, concerns about its impact arise. The episode also considers the EU’s potential diplomatic role amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and identifies crucial policy areas where the EU must strengthen its stance to compete globally.