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Kim Kardashian West has said she almost became a “runaway bride” before her 72-day marriage to basketball player Kris Humphries. 

The reality star told a Keeping Up With The Kardashians reunion special she had cold feet before tying the knot, but denied claims the wedding was a ploy to boost ratings.

Kardashian West married Humphries in August 2011 but filed for divorce that October.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries were only married for 72 days
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Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries were only married for 72 days

She revealed her mother, Kris Jenner, had offered her an escape route on the eve of the wedding but she feared being “known as the runaway bride forever”.

“I felt like I was going to let everyone down,” she said, admitting she felt “pressured” to go through with it.

The 40-year-old said she realised she had made the wrong decision when she arrived in Italy for the honeymoon and was “miserable” when they returned to New York, even commenting that her then-husband’s size 17 shoes made her feel claustrophobic.

She said she “absolutely” owes Humphries an apology and explained he was very “faith-based” so had wanted an annulment.

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“The only legal way to get an annulment is if fraud is involved. So he marked fraud to get an annulment,” she said, although this decision fuelled rumours the wedding was a stunt.

The TV star was sitting down with her sisters for a reunion of their show following its end last week after 14 years.

She also discussed her marriage to Kanye West, which ended in February after six years.

Kim Kardashian says Kanye West is still 'family'
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Kim Kardashian says Kanye West is still ‘family’

Asked why the pair split, Kardashian West refused to offer any details but said: “I honestly don’t think I would say it here on TV, but it was not one specific thing that happened on either part.

“It was just a general difference of opinions on a few things that led to this decision and in no way would I want someone to think I didn’t give it my all, or not really try.”

She added the pair have an “amazing co-parenting” arrangement, saying: “I will forever be Kanye’s biggest fan. He’s the father of my kids. Kanye will always be family.”

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The star also revealed her infamous sex tape – released before KUWTK aired in 2007 – was her one regret.

“That is something I have to live with for the rest of my life. That is something that’s like, held over my head,” she said.

“I try not to have any regrets but it’s probably the one thing I wish didn’t exist and if I could erase any of the stupid things I’ve done in life, that’s probably it.

“And it’s more so from being a mum than anything.”

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Israel’s attack on Iran reflects badly on Biden after president’s public message for Netanyahu

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Israel's attack on Iran reflects badly on Biden after president's public message for Netanyahu

The overnight events do not reflect well on President Biden.

He had signalled so emphatically just days ago for Israel not to retaliate.

“Take the win,” the American president told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the early hours of Sunday morning.

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Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened an invasion of Rafah. Pic: Reuters
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Benjamin Netanyahu has ignored Biden’s pleas. Pic: Reuters

It was a message made public and combined with back-channel briefings we were getting from the White House and the State Department.

Washington’s message to the Israeli government was that the spectacular failure of the Iranian attack, combined with the diplomatic first of having the Jordanians and the Saudis defending Israel, was a victory.

“Take it, don’t retaliate,” was the message they hoped would land. Uncontrolled escalation is just too much of a risk.

But Israel has been ignoring America for a few months now. Biden has frequently found the limits of his influence over Gaza.

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‘Blasts’ seen in sky above Iran – reports

As this week progressed, it became clear that on this issue too Netanyahu wasn’t going to be bent by Washington, London or anywhere else.

And there were plenty who questioned the wisdom of Biden’s diplomatic directive.

Israel had just faced the biggest aerial assault in its history by a nation committed to its destruction.

“Take the win”?! Really? To many, it sounded like an astonishing appeasement of Iran.

And so, as it dawned on diplomatic visitors to Israel this week that Netanyahu and his war cabinet were going to ignore Biden and hit back, the language began to shift.

“Don’t retaliate” became “minimise escalation”.

“We hope they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible,” UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said after meeting Netanyahu on Tuesday.

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Cameron: Israel’s response ‘should be smart’

My understanding is that Western diplomats were given a heads-up by Israel that it was hitting back overnight and with some detail on the type and location of the targets.

But this past week raises questions about the Biden administration’s influence and its strategy.

Biden’s call for no retaliation was very public and echoed by allies. It was driven by the real fear of uncontrolled escalation.

But was it diplomatically smart to make the call so public? Some are asking if that didn’t just undermine Israel’s ability to reestablish deterrence.

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Privately call for restraint, maybe. But why publicly?

But more than that, did the public “don’t do it” messaging just expose President Biden to failure and weakness when his directive was simply ignored by Israel?

Read more:
Israel appears to have carefully chosen response
How Biden watched Iranian attack – and what he told Netanyahu

Brace now for the next move.

Perhaps a steady de-escalation through a series of strikes on targets each less significant than the one before it – both sides saving face, both claiming deterrence.

Such is the madness of conflict.

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Donald Trump labels hush money trial a ‘mess’ after jury selected

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Donald Trump labels hush money trial a 'mess' after jury selected

Donald Trump described the hush money case against him as a “mess” after the jury who will decide his fate has been selected.

Leaving the court in New York after proceedings were adjourned for the day, Trump addressed reporters, saying he was supposed to be in states like Georgia, New Hampshire and North Carolina as part of his campaign for the 2024 presidential election.

“[But instead] I’ve been here all day,” he said, labelling the trial as “unfair”.

Trump trial as it happened: Former president looks ‘bored’ in court

Trump held up a stack of news stories and editorials that he said were critical of the case while he continued railing against the trial.

“The whole thing is a mess,” he said.

It comes as all 12 jurors have been seated in the first criminal case against a former US president.

Former President Donald Trump speaks alongside attorney Todd Blanche as they return from a lunch break in his trial at Manhattan criminal court in New York on Thursday, April 18, 2024.  (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)
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Pic: AP

Members of the jury include a sales professional, a software engineer, an English teacher and multiple lawyers.

Sky News’ US partner network, NBC News reported there are seven men and five women on the jury.

It comes after lawyers grilled hundreds of potential jurors asking questions on everything from their hobbies and social media posts to their opinion of the former president.

More than half of a second group of prospective jurors were dismissed by Judge Juan Merchan on Thursday after most said they doubted their ability to be fair and impartial.

One juror was also dismissed after she said she “slept on it overnight” and woke up with concerns about her ability to be fair and impartial in the case.

The challenge now is to select six alternate jury members before the trial can move to opening statements, with Mr Merchan hopeful this will be completed on Friday.

Read more:
Judge warns Donald Trump over ‘intimidating’ potential jurors
Trump calls hush money case an ‘assault on America’

Donald Trump orders ’30 milkshakes at chicken restaurant

Trump is accused of criminally altering business records to cover up a $130,000 (£104,200) payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, during his 2016 election campaign.

Ms Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who was paid $150,000 (£120,000), both claim to have had affairs with Trump.

Stormy Daniels, seen here in January, received a $130,000 payment from Trump's lawyer Pic: AP/DeeCee Carter/MediaPunch /IPX
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Stormy Daniels. Pic: AP

His lawyers say the payment was meant to spare himself and his family embarrassment, not to help him win the election.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He could get up to four years in prison if convicted.

The former president faces two other criminal trials accusing him of trying to subvert his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden, and another that accuses him of mishandling classified information after he left the White House in 2021.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

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Taylor Swift reveals ‘secret’ double album in ‘2am surprise’ – including track inspired by boyfriend Travis Kelce

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Taylor Swift reveals 'secret' double album in '2am surprise' - including track inspired by boyfriend Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift has revealed her latest release is a “secret double album” – with 15 more tracks than fans were expecting.

In a 2am surprise (around 7am UK time), the 34-year-old announced on social media that The Tortured Poets Department includes a second instalment.

She wrote: “It’s a 2am surprise: The Tortured Poets Department is a secret DOUBLE album. I’d written so much tortured poetry in the past 2 years and wanted to share it all with you, so here’s the second instalment of TTPD: The Anthology. 15 extra songs. And now the story isn’t mine anymore… it’s all yours.”

Update:
What do her new lyrics mean?

It’s the superstar’s 11th studio album and features a bumper 31 songs spilling over two hours.

Swift announced details of the record in February this year when she won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights.

At the time, she revealed the new album includes collaborations with Post Malone and Florence + The Machine who feature respectively on the tracks Fortnight and Florida!!!.

Taylor Swift fans check out a new pop-up opening to celebrate Taylor Swift's upcoming album "The Tortured Poets Department," at the Grove in Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
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The Tortured Poets Department features songs about Swift’s love life. Pic: AP

Swift is believed to have included songs about her break-ups with British actor Joe Alwyn and The 1975 star Matty Healy in the album, while a song full of American football references is thought to be inspired by her latest romance with NFL star Travis Kelce.

Read more:
Boyfriend hails ‘unbelievable’ album

Singer Taylor Swift performs at her concert for the international "The Eras Tour" in Tokyo, Japan February 7, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon ATTENTION EDITORS - NO COMMERCIAL OR BOOK SALES. NOT FOR USE ON ANY PRINT OR ELECTRONIC MAIN COVER OF MAGAZINES. EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
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Swift has been travelling the world with her Eras tour. Pic: Reuters

The 15th track, The Alchemy, appears to be a nod to her relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs star with references to American football terms including the team, warm benches, winning streak, and trophy, and also features the line: “So when I touch down, call the amateurs and cut ’em from the team.”

She began dating the athlete last year and her attendance at the Super Bowl made headlines around the world, including that kiss with Kelce after the Chiefs’ victory.

Kelce, who has recently landed a role as host of the game show Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?, said he listened to parts of the album and said it’s “unbelievable”.

Analysis:
Marriage, babies, break-ups – breaking down the album

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Taylor and Travis unite after Chiefs win

So Long, London is number five in the tracklist – the slot reserved for the most meaningful song on each of Swift’s albums – and is thought to offer new insight into her split with The Favourite actor Alwyn after six years together.

In the lyrics, Swift hints at wedding plans, singing: “You swore that you loved me but where were the clues, I died on the altar waiting for the proof” – as well as being upset at having to leave London which she said she “loved”.

The very title of the album may be referring to a WhatsApp group Alwyn previously set up with fellow actors Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal, called The Tortured Man Club.

On Healy – who Swift dated for a few weeks last year after her split with Alwyn – several songs seem to reference him, including on Guilty As Sin, where she sings about having “fatal fantasies” for someone from her past while in a relationship.

Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy.
Pic: AP
Image:
Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy.
Pic: AP

Writing songs about past old flames is nothing new for Swift including Joe Jonas (Mr Perfectly Fine), Harry Styles (Style), Jake Gyllenhaal (All Too Well) and John Mayer (Dear John).

The singer posted the significance of the album on X as a flurry of fans commented their love for it.

Swift wrote: “The Tortured Poets Department. An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time – one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure.

“This period of the author’s life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up. There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed. And upon further reflection, a good number of them turned out to be self-inflicted.

“This writer is of the firm belief that our tears become holy in the form of ink on a page. Once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it. And then all that’s left behind is the tortured poetry.”

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Other songs on the compilation include The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, The Prophecy and Cassandra, while the bonus song is titled The Manuscript.

Swift’s sold-out Eras tour makes its way to the UK on 7 June, starting with three shows in Edinburgh.

The run of her London shows begins on 21 June.

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