A jubilant Johnny Depp said Wednesday that a US jury “gave me my life back” by overwhelmingly taking his side in a bitter defamation battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard over mutual allegations of domestic abuse.
The jury, after a six-week trial, found that Depp and Heard had defamed each other, but weighed in far more strongly with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star.
The 58-year-old Depp, who lost a libel case against The Sun tabloid in London in 2020 for calling him a "wife-beater," celebrated the split verdict in the case as a victory while Heard said she was “heartbroken.”
The five-man, two-woman jury, after deliberating over three days, unanimously found Heard liable for all three counts of defamation against Depp and awarded him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
Virginia law caps punitive damages at $350,000 meaning the total award is $10.35 million.
The 36-year-old Heard prevailed on just one of the three counterclaims she made against Depp and the jury awarded her compensatory damages -- but a much lower amount of $2 million.
A somber Heard, her eyes downcast, listened impassively as the verdict was read out in Fairfax County Circuit Court near the US capital.
"The disappointment I feel today is beyond words," she said in a statement. "I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband.
"I'm even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women," she said. "It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated.
"It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously."
Depp, who has been in England for the past few days, was not in court for the verdict in the high-profile trial that hinged on lurid claims and counterclaims of domestic abuse between the Hollywood celebrities.
But he welcomed the verdict in a statement posted on Instagram which quickly received millions of "likes."
"Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people, who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed," Depp said.
"The jury gave me my life back," he said. "From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome.
"The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun."
A few dozen onlookers and Depp supporters waited outside the courthouse in sweltering heat for the verdict, including a man sporting a Captain Jack Sparrow pirate hat.
A Depp fan held a sign reading: "No matter what happens today, Johnny, you are a winner!!! And the whole world knows the TRUTH!!!"
Depp filed suit against Heard over an article she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018 in which she described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse."
The Texas-born Heard, who had a starring role in "Aquaman," did not name Depp in the piece, but he sued her for implying he was a domestic abuser and sought $50 million in damages.
Heard countersued for $100 million, saying she was defamed by statements made by Depp's lawyer, Adam Waldman, who told the Daily Mail her abuse claims were a "hoax."
Both needed to prove the statements were defamatory and, to win compensatory or punitive damages, the jury needed to find they were made with actual malice -- with knowledge that they were false or with "reckless disregard" for the truth.
Dozens of witnesses testified during the trial, including bodyguards, Hollywood executives, agents, entertainment industry experts, doctors, friends and relatives.
Depp and Heard each spent days on the witness stand during the televised trial, which was attended by hundreds of fans of the "Pirates" star and accompanied by a #JusticeForJohnnyDepp campaign on social media.
Video and audio recordings of heated, profanity-laced arguments between the couple were played for the jury, which was also shown photographs of injuries allegedly suffered by Heard during their volatile relationship.
Hours of testimony were devoted to a grisly finger injury that Depp suffered while filming an installment of "Pirates" in Australia in March 2015.
Depp, a three-time Oscar nominee, claimed the tip of a finger was severed when Heard threw a vodka bottle at him. Heard said she did not know how the injury occurred.
Both agreed that Depp went on to scrawl messages on walls, lampshades and mirrors using the bloody digit.
Heard said Depp would become a physically and sexually abusive "monster" during alcohol- and drug-fueled binges and resisted her repeated efforts to curb his drinking and drug use.
Depp testified that it was Heard who was frequently violent and said it had been "brutal" to listen to "outlandish" accusations of domestic abuse.
Heard, who was married to Depp from 2015 to 2017, obtained a restraining order against him in May 2016, citing domestic violence.
Both sides claimed that the abuse accusations and surrounding publicity had damaged their Hollywood careers.
Charli XCX criticised certain fans for attacking her autotuned vocals at Glastonbury 2025.
Called the backlash “the most boring take ever” in a series of posts on X.
Defended her artistic choices, saying divisive art is often the most impactful.
Her Brat set clashed with Neil Young’s headline act, drawing polarising reactions.
Charli XCX has addressed criticism over her use of autotune during her Glastonbury 2025 performance, calling out the ageist tone of comments that questioned her authenticity as a performer. The singer clapped back on X, brushing off the noise as outdated and out of touch.
Charli XCX defends her Glastonbury set, calling autotune criticism outdated and dull BBC
Charli XCX defends Glastonbury set from autotune critics
During her Brat set on the Other Stage, Charli delivered fan favourites like “365” and “Von Dutch” to a roaring crowd. But online, some viewers slammed her use of autotune and lack of a live band. In a sharp response the next day, she posted: “The idea that singing with deliberate autotune makes you a fraud… is like, the most boring take ever. Yawn.”
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Charli has long been open about using autotune deliberately as an artistic tool. In earlier interviews, she said she intentionally includes “pitchy” moments in her vocals to add texture and imperfection. Responding to the online backlash, she added: “I enjoy the discourse… the best art is divisive and confrontational and often evolves into truly interesting culture.”
— (@)
Brat performance draws strong reactions, both love and hate
Charli’s set, held opposite Neil Young’s headline slot, split Glastonbury attendees and online viewers alike. Despite the criticism, her show was widely praised by critics.
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Highlights included a cameo from fellow performer Gracie Abrams during the viral “Apple” dance segment. Charli ended her performance drenched in stage rain, sipping white wine, with giant signs declaring “Brat is forever.”
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After her set, Charli joined her fiancé George Daniel, drummer of The 1975, for an intimate DJ session, keeping the Brat Summer spirit alive.
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Kareena Kapoor gets emotional discussing Saif’s stabbing incident in an interview with Barkha Dutt
Kareena Kapoor has spoken out for the first time about Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing.
Saif was attacked at home in January 2025 during a burglary attempt.
Their sons, Taimur and Jeh, witnessed the violent episode.
Kareena says the family is still coping but trying to move forward together.
Actor Kareena Kapoor has opened up for the first time about the terrifying night her husband, Saif Ali Khan, was stabbed by an intruder at their Mumbai home. In a deeply personal interview with journalist Barkha Dutt, Kareena admitted that the incident left her shaken and sleepless for months, especially with their children, Taimur and Jeh, present during the attack.
The January 2025 break-in at their Bandra residence ended with Saif being stabbed six times. The attacker, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, entered the flat during a failed burglary attempt and assaulted Saif in four-year-old Jeh’s room. The actor underwent emergency surgery to remove part of the knife lodged near his spine.
Kareena Kapoor says the incident left their children Taimur and Jeh shakenGetty Images
‘I still haven’t come to terms with it,’ says Kareena Kapoor
Kareena described the emotional aftermath of the attack as “something I haven’t fully processed.” She spoke about the trauma of watching a violent act unfold inside their own home, saying, “Seeing someone in your child’s room, that doesn’t leave you. For weeks, I couldn’t sleep.”
She said that such incidents felt “unthinkable in Mumbai,” where celebrity homes are considered secure. “It felt like something that happens elsewhere, not here. But it happened to us,” she said.
‘We’re stronger as a family, but my sons saw too much too soon’
Both of their sons witnessed the stabbing, something Kareena says forced her to balance her own trauma with parenting. “They’ve always lived a very protected life. Then this happened, and suddenly they saw blood, violence… I hope it teaches them resilience, but no child should have to go through that.”
Kareena and Saif are now focusing on healing as a family after the traumatic episodeGetty Images
Jeh, the younger of the two, has found his own way to cope. “He calls his father Batman and Iron Man. That’s how he sees him, like a superhero,” Kareena said, adding that the family has leaned on each other for strength and grown stronger as a unit.
Olivia Rodrigo brought out Robert Smith for a surprise goth-pop duet on the Pyramid Stage.
Rod Stewart reunited with Ronnie Wood during a crowd-pleasing Legends Slot performance.
Lewis Capaldi made an emotional surprise return after his 2023 setback.
Political controversy erupted with Kneecap and Bob Vylan’s provocative sets.
Scissor Sisters and Sir Ian McKellen delivered one of the festival’s most unexpected collaborations.
Charli XCX closed out her Brat era by burning her backdrop and owning the Other Stage.
Neil Young gave a stripped-back set with no visuals and all heart.
Pulp’s secret “Patchwork” set was a nostalgic Britpop masterstroke.
Worthy Farm has emptied out. The glitter’s washed off, the tents have collapsed into mud, and 210,000 people are back in the real world trying to make sense of what just happened. The mud might be drying on Worthy Farm, but the noise from Glastonbury 2025? It’s still ringing in our ears.
There were moments this year that made people cry, scream, argue, and lose their minds, sometimes all at once. This wasn’t the year of a single headliner dominating headlines. This was the year of chaotic genius. Of punk chants ringing through political tension. Of unexpected duets that bridged decades. Of artists coming back from silence.
Here’s a rundown of the 8 moments we’ll be talking about long after the fields lie fallow.
1. Lewis Capaldi’s comeback that stopped the festival
Two years ago, his voice cracked under the weight of Tourette's, cutting his set heartbreakingly short. This time? He walked back onto that Pyramid Stage like he owned it. "Worst-kept secret!" he grinned, and then he finished what he started. His voice was stronger, his tics softer, but his heart? Still wide open. When those opening notes of Someone You Loved hit, and 210,000 voices sang it right back to him? He cried. So did everyone else.
2. Olivia Rodrigo and Robert Smith’s goth-pop dream sequence
No one was expecting The Cure frontman to stroll out under the Sunday sunset. But there he was, eyeliner and all, joining Olivia Rodrigo in one of the most generationally surreal collaborations the Pyramid Stage has ever seen. Together, they sang Friday I’m In Love and Just Like Heaven, and something strange happened: thousands of Gen Z and Gen X fans wept together. Rodrigo looked awestruck. Smith smiled. The whole thing was almost eerie and euphoric.
3. Rod Stewart’s rock ‘n’ roll reunion, complete with Lulu and Ronnie Wood
80 years old. Sunday Legends Slot. Rod Stewart didn't just sing the hits. He threw a party. Mick Hucknall joined in. Lulu too. But the real moment? When his old bandmate from The Faces, Ronnie Wood, walked on stage. They blasted through Stay With Me, that classic rock energy surging back. Then, festival founder Michael Eavis appeared, wheeled out by his daughter Emily, smiling at the huge crowd he started. It felt big. Like watching Glastonbury's history come alive right there. It was proof that legacy doesn’t fade, it just gets louder.
Glasto's always had a political pulse, but 2025 felt like a live wire. Belfast rap trio Kneecap used their West Holts set for loud pro-Palestinian chants in Irish, displaying "Israel are war criminals" on screens and targeting Keir Starmer. The BBC cut the live feed, and police are investigating parts of their performance. At Woodsies, punk duo Bob Vylan led the crowd in chanting "Death to the IDF." Festival organisers condemned this specific chant as hate speech and Prime Minister Starmer called it "appalling". Glastonbury 2025 proved, once again, that the festival doesn't mute uncomfortable voices. This is part of its fabric.
All weekend, everyone wondered: who was the mystery act Patchwork? They didn’t announce it. They didn’t need to. On Saturday afternoon, the answer hit the Pyramid Stage. Jarvis Cocker walked out. Pulp slipped into a secret slot under a fake name and blew the roof off with Common People, Disco 2000, and sheer 90s brilliance. It was a brilliant, unannounced 30th-anniversary nod to their legendary 1995 Glastonbury headline rescue. Pure surprise. Pure joy.
Saturday night, the Brat queen stepped onstage and torched her signature green backdrop. Goodbye old era. What followed was pure energy: 360, Von Dutch, Club Classics. Heavy beats, heavy autotune used deliberately. Not everyone liked her stripped-back, guest-free approach, but that wasn't the point. She delivered exactly the intense, focused set she wanted. Critics debated. The crowd didn’t care.
7. Scissor Sisters and Sir Ian McKellen’s surprise walk-on
Midway through Scissor Sisters' headline set at Woodsies, their first Glastonbury show in 15 years, Sir Ian McKellen appeared. He didn't just wave. He recited lyrics from their song Invisible Light and then walked, visibly moved, right through the stunned, cheering crowd. He danced. He cried. People chanted “national treasure.” It was pure camp, pure catharsis.
While some sets screamed for attention, Neil Young whispered. Alone with a guitar and decades of memory, he sang Harvest Moon and Cinnamon Girl like they still hurt. No visuals, no hype. You could hear a pin drop. He refused video screens, forcing the crowd to focus or move closer. At 78, his voice cracked in places, but the songs held firm. Stripped of spectacle, the set stood out purely on the strength of song writing, reminding us sometimes, you don’t need fireworks to set hearts on fire.
Festivalgoers watch British band Wolf Alice perform on the Other Stage on the final day of the Glastonbury festival Getty Images
The ground beneath our feet
2027 feels a lifetime away. However, Glastonbury 2025 didn’t play it safe. It poked at power. It celebrated weirdness. It held space for grief, rage, joy, and rebellion all at once. It was Capaldi finding his voice again in front of a family of thousands. It was Olivia Rodrigo reaching back and Robert Smith reaching forward. It was Rod Stewart proving rock 'n' roll never dies, and Kneecap screaming that some fights aren't over. It was Charli burning it down and McKellen wandering wonderstruck.
It was wild. It was beautiful. It was uncomfortable. It was unforgettable.
See you in 2027.
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Glutathione and anti ageing drugs under spotlight after Shefali Jariwala death
Shefali Jariwala died at 42 in Mumbai after reportedly collapsing post-fast; cause of death suspected to be cardiac arrest or blood pressure drop.
Police found anti-ageing pills, vitamin supplements, and glutathione injections at her residence.
Doctors stress the risks of unsupervised use of hormone-based and anti-ageing treatments.
Final post-mortem report expected in two days; no foul play suspected, case treated as accidental death.
The untimely death of actor-model Shefali Jariwala has sparked renewed concern over the unregulated use of anti-ageing treatments and self-medication. The 42-year-old, best known for her appearance in Kaanta Laga, was declared dead on arrival at a Mumbai hospital on Friday night. Initial investigations suggest she may have suffered a cardiac arrest following a steep drop in blood pressure, possibly linked to taking supplements on an empty stomach.
Shefali Jariwala death raises concern over anti ageing drugs and self medication Instagram/shefalijariwala
What caused Shefali Jariwala’s collapse? Police and doctors investigate
Shefali Jariwala was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital by her husband and friends after she suddenly collapsed at home, but she was already unresponsive. Her family said she had been fasting for a religious ritual and had consumed her regular supplements shortly after breaking the fast. Among the substances recovered at her Andheri apartment were glutathione injections, commonly used for skin lightening, and various anti-ageing tablets.
Doctors at Cooper Hospital, where her post-mortem was conducted, suspect a fatal drop in blood pressure, though only the final autopsy will confirm the precise cause of death. So far, Mumbai Police have ruled out foul play and registered an accidental death report.
Health experts warn against unmonitored anti-ageing therapies
Experts are now urging caution over the growing trend of unsupervised beauty and anti-ageing regimens, especially among public figures. Dr Dhirendra Singhania, a leading cardiologist, pointed to steroids, hormone therapies, and poor sleep as major heart risk factors, even among seemingly fit individuals. While glutathione and vitamin C aren’t inherently dangerous, he said their misuse or interaction with other drugs can trigger complications.
Anti ageing pills found at Shefali Jariwala home spark health safety debate Instagram/shefalijariwala
Shefali had no known chronic illnesses apart from epilepsy, which doctors say is unlikely to be linked to her sudden collapse. Her death, while still under investigation, adds to growing concerns about beauty pressures, self-prescribed treatments, and the long-term risks of trying to defy ageing without medical oversight.
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Glastonbury 2025 delivers heat drama and mystery with Pulp reunion rumours and Kneecap row
You think you're coming to Glastonbury for the music. That’s what you tell yourself. But then, by Day 4, it’s Saturday afternoon, the sun’s hammering down like it’s got a personal vendetta against pasty Brits, and the air’s thick with sunscreen, spilled cider, and pure anticipation.
Something big’s brewing. Something secret. Something that makes you feel like you're standing on the edge of history, or at least a really, really good party. There’s joy and rebellion here. Tears and beer. Political fire and surprise reunions.
Then somewhere between the late-night raves, the 2 AM ska-techno-klezmer, and the silent sobbing during Lewis Capaldi’s return, it hits you: Glastonbury isn’t just about who’s playing. It’s about who you become when you’re here.
Festival goers at Glastonbury festival 2025Getty Images
1. The Pyramid Stage Whisper: Is Jarvis REALLY Back?!
That prime-time slot at 6:15 PM listed as "Patchwork"? Nobody’sbuying it. Everyone thinks it’s a secret Pulp reunion. The rumour mill is wild,and SecretGlasto is dropping heavy hints.Ester from Norwich has been waiting at the front since earlymorning. She said, “If it’s not Pulp, I’m starting a riot. Or just crying intomy warm cider.”Could it really be Pulp, after 30 years? Backup guesses areHAIM or Chappell Roan, but the Pulp energy is strong. So, don’t miss it!
Pyramid Stage crowd swells ahead of the mystery Patchwork act rumoured to be Pulp Instagram/glastofest
2. Kneecap & the firestorm: Music, politics & “everyone is welcome”
Irish rap trio Kneecap hit the West Holts stage at 4 PM and stirred up big controversy. One of the members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is out on bail for serious charges linked to Hezbollah.
PM Keir Starmer criticised their booking, and a leaked letter from music execs added pressure.
But Glastonbury stood firm. Emily Eavis said, “Everyone is welcome here.” Over 100 artists, including Massive Attack, Fontaines D.C., and even the rumoured Pulp, signed a counter-letter in support.
The BBC will still air the set live (though it might delay it on iPlayer). Expect pro-Palestine chants, strong emotions, and a packed crowd. Arrive early!
Kneecap welcome as political tension surrounds their setGetty Images
3. Survival mode: Glasto in the heat
It’s 26°C today, with 30°C expected tomorrow. The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat alert. Stay safe:
• Drink water often. There are over 800 taps, so use them.
• Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen. Keep reapplying.
• Find shade, like on Dragon’s Tail hill or other quiet zones.
• Watch for signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, nausea, fainting.
Saturday night is packed, and you’ll need to choose carefully:
• Neil Young & Chrome Hearts (Pyramid, 10 PM): Classic songs like “Heart of Gold” and “Old Man.” He’s unpredictable but a true Glastonbury icon.
• Charli XCX (Other Stage, 10:30 PM): Wild Brat energy, chaos, and late-night dancing. The Other Stage is bigger this year but getting there will be tough, so take a side route.
• Doechii (West Holts, 10:45 PM): Experimental and innovative. If you want something new and exciting, she’s the one to catch.
No easy choices here. Just decide what kind of night you want.
• Fat Dog (2 AM set): A wild mix of ska, techno, and klezmer. Already being called “show of the weekend.”
• Lorde : Did a surprise morning set at Woodsies, performing tracks from her upcoming album Virgin.
• The Binnies : 17,000 hand-painted bins around the site. Artist Sarah Lawrence painted one “for someone who never got to Glastonbury.” Powerful stuff, right?
• Lewis Capaldi : Came back to the Pyramid stage Friday. He pushed through and finished songs he’d struggled with before. Said, “I’m f---ing back, baby.” Huge moment.
• South East Corner (Afternoon): Busy with day raves. Expect big crowds.
•Kneecap (4 PM, West Holts): It’ll be packed. Have a backup plan: Bob Vylan is on at 2:30 PM.
• Kate Nash (9 PM, Left Field) and Scissor Sisters (10:30 PM, Woodsies): Very likely to be one-in, one-out entry. Get there early.
• Charli XCX : Main routes will be packed. Use alternate paths to avoid the jam.
Crowds of festival-goers fill the pathways during day three of Glastonbury festival 2025Getty Images
7. A look at what’s coming: Sunday & beyond
• Sunday Showdown: Olivia Rodrigo (Pyramid, 9:45 PM) vs. The Prodigy (Other Stage, 9:45 PM). Two different generations, one final choice.
• 2026 Fallow Year: No Glastonbury next year. The land and the cows are taking a break. Emily Eavis said they packed “two years into one” for 2025. So make this one count!
The heart of it all (a different kind of sign-off)
Glastonbury 2025 isn't just a festival. Right now, in the dusty, sun-baked field, it feels like the whole messy, beautiful, infuriating, glorious world squeezed into one place.
Jarvis Cocker might step into the light after decades. A band plays under a political storm cloud, testing what "welcome" really means. An old man sings about gold hearts while a pop futurist throws a Brat party across the way. Kids paint bins for loved ones gone.
We’re all sweating buckets, navigating human rivers, and maybe crying during Capaldi.
It’s contradictions crashing together. It’s the sheer, exhausting effort of being here, present, in the heat and the noise and the magic. It’s imperfect. It’s overwhelming. It’s political. It’s personal. It’s a hundred thousand stories colliding under a relentless sun.
That’s the Glastonbury paradox. It asks everything of you: your stamina, your choices, maybe even your convictions.
And in return? It gives you this: the pure, unfiltered, slightly chaotic pulse of right now. Hold onto it. Because in this field, today, everything feels possible.