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Nicole Kidman reveals why she was warned off marrying Tom Cruise aged 23 in rare remarks on failed union… after Keith Urban divorce

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Nicole Kidman has revealed she was warned that marrying her first husband Tom Cruise could have a deleterious effect on her career; pictured 1999

Nicole Kidman has revealed she was warned that marrying her first husband Tom Cruise could have a deleterious effect on her career.

She was 23 when she exchanged vows with Cruise in 1990, the year she achieved her Hollywood breakthrough acting alongside him in Days of Thunder.

At that point, he was 28 and already one of the most recognizable movie stars in the world, having led the cast of a string of hits like Top Gun, Risky Business, Born on the Fourth of July, The Color of Money and Rain Man.

Kidman, now 59, was told her own professional life might be eclipsed by her association with a celebrity who was so much more famous than she was.

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‘I’m like: “I don’t care. I’m in love. I want to be married.” And then I was his “wife” and they were like: “See, we told you,”‘ she told British Vogue.

‘I’m like: “So what? I wasn’t meant to marry the man I love? Of course I’ll throw my career away. I don’t care,”‘ said Kidman, who separated from her second husband Keith Urban last summer after a marriage of 19 years.

The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for Cruise for comment. 

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Nicole Kidman has revealed she was warned that marrying her first husband Tom Cruise could have a deleterious effect on her career; pictured 1999 

She was 23 when she exchanged vows with Cruise in 1990, the year she achieved her Hollywood breakthrough acting alongside him in Days Of Thunder

She was 23 when she exchanged vows with Cruise in 1990, the year she achieved her Hollywood breakthrough acting alongside him in Days Of Thunder

Kidman, 59, was told her own professional life would be eclipsed by her association with a celebrity who was so much more famous than she was

Kidman, 59, was told her own professional life would be eclipsed by her association with a celebrity who was so much more famous than she was

Kidman and Cruise adopted two children called Bella, 33, and Connor, 31, over the course of the decade they spent together before their divorce in 2001.

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Cruise was Kidman’s first husband, but had himself previously been married to  actress Mimi Rogers, who reportedly introduced him to Scientology.

After her divorce from Cruise, Rogers memorably told Playboy he ‘thought he had to be celibate to maintain the purity of his instrument,’ while her own ‘instrument’ required ‘tuning’.

Kidman has now offered rare insights into her own failed marriage to Cruise, saying: ‘Yeah, I got married so young. Suddenly I was 22, 23 years old and I had this huge movie star husband.’

The Moulin Rouge! actress insisted that ‘it just seemed completely natural,’ adding that she and Cruise ‘just fell madly in love and it was that simple’. 

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However, she recalled ‘people saying to me: “OK, well this is really going to affect your career.”‘

Cruise and Kidman became one of the most high-octane Hollywood power couples of the 1990s and were the instant center of attention on any red carpet they attended.

Onscreen, they starred together in Ron Howard’s 1992 western Far and Away and Stanley Kubrick’s swan song, the 1999 erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut.

When they divorced, Connor and Bella reportedly stayed with their father and, like him, remained in the Church of Scientology, to which Kidman does not belong.

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Kidman separated from her second husband Keith Urban last summer after a marriage of 19 years, having welcomed two daughters with him

Kidman separated from her second husband Keith Urban last summer after a marriage of 19 years, having welcomed two daughters with him

Kidman and Cruise adopted two children called Bella, 33, and Connor, 31, over the course of their more than decade-long marriage before their divorce in 2001

Kidman and Cruise adopted two children called Bella, 33, and Connor, 31, over the course of their more than decade-long marriage before their divorce in 2001

Cruise and Kidman became one of the most notable Hollywood power couples of the 1990s, and were the instant center of attention on any red carpet they attended

Cruise and Kidman became one of the most notable Hollywood power couples of the 1990s, and were the instant center of attention on any red carpet they attended 

Kidman said that marrying Cruise in her early 20s 'just seemed completely natural' to her

Kidman said that marrying Cruise in her early 20s ‘just seemed completely natural’ to her

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The couple starred in Stanley Kubrick's erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut in 1999, which was the director's final film

The couple starred in Stanley Kubrick’s erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut in 1999, which was the director’s final film

They have rarely been seen with their mother in the intervening years, although when Kidman married Keith Urban in the Sydney suburbs in 2006, Bella served as one of her bridesmaids and Connor acted as an usher.

In 2018, Kidman told the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that she was ‘very private’ about her relationship with Bella and Connor.

‘They are adults. They are able to make their own decisions. They have made choices to be Scientologists and as a mother, it’s my job to love them,’ she added.

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At that time, Bella was said to be living in London with her husband, IT consultant Max Parker, while Connor was supposedly a resident of Clearwater, Florida, near his father’s penthouse and the global headquarters of the Church of Scientology.

Neither of Bella’s parents was said to have been present at her wedding in 2015, although Cruise was said to have bankrolled the ceremony. 

Kidman, meanwhile, is publicly close to her two daughters from her marriage to Urban – Sunday Rose, 18, and Faith Margaret, 15.

Sunday followed her parents’ footsteps into the public eye when she was 16 years old by launching a career as a runway model, drawing widespread mockery for her severe expression, ‘stomping’ gait and ‘nepo baby‘ status. 

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Kidman and Urban finalized their divorce this January, having separated early last summer after a marriage that lasted 19 years.

Kidman has now offered rare insights into her failed marriage to Cruise

Kidman has now offered rare insights into her failed marriage to Cruise

Kidman has insisted that she and Cruise 'just fell madly in love and it was that simple'

Kidman has insisted that she and Cruise ‘just fell madly in love and it was that simple’

In the wake of the divorce, past clips resurfaced of Urban’s cozy on-stage antics with guitarist Maggie Baugh, 26, fueling rumors of a romance between the pair.

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One video showed him pointing to Baugh as he sang: ‘I was born to love you’ in Las Vegas, while another was of him changing his lyric: ‘Baby I’ll be the fighter,’ to: ‘Maggie, I’ll be your guitar player,’ during a show in Chicago

Meanwhile, Kidman was glimpsed last month sunning herself on holiday in Italy with private equity mogul Michael Reinstein.

Days later, she was seen beaming in Los Angeles while sitting in a car with Reinstein, who appeared to have picked her up at the airport after a flight from New York.

A source claimed Urban was ‘absolutely devastated’ that Kidman had struck up a romance with a new man, according to the magazine New Idea.

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He was alleged to have nursed ‘hopes there might be a chance at reconciliation,’ and was said to consequently be ‘going through that feeling of deep loss all over again.’

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Ceuta will hold migrants in warehouses while they await deportation – after it emerged several girls have been raped since they arrived

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Migrants cool off with water in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta on August 7, 2026

Authorities in Ceuta will round up migrants and hold them in warehouses before sending them back to Morocco.

It is estimated that more than 70,000 people flooded into the Spanish enclave last month, taking advantage of lax security and swimming around a border fence that separates Ceuta and Morocco. 

Up to 100 people died during the mass influx which occurred over 48 hours, with Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas declaring a ‘humanitarian emergency’ as the enclave became overwhelmed with new arrivals. 

And authorities said at least five migrant girls under the age of 14 have allegedly been raped since arriving in Ceuta. 

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Though most of the migrants who entered Ceuta have now left, up to 8,000 remain. 

The Telegraph reported that Spain‘s government will be using a warehouse in Tarajal, yards from the Moroccan border, and another in the enclave to temporarily house them. 

Officials are hoping to return the migrants within 72 hours of finding them, during which time they will be sent to the warehouses to be formally identified and processed. 

But there are serious questions yet to be answered about migrants who apply for international protection, whose applications have to be examined under EU and Spanish law. 

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Migrants cool off with water in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta on August 7, 2026

Though Spain’s foreign minister vowed to send ‘every last person’ back to Morocco on Tuesday, these plans do not override migrants’ rights to have an asylum claim processed. 

The 1,342 unaccompanied children who went into Ceuta last month also pose a problem. While children who went into the Spanish territory with an accompanying adult are expected to be sent back to Morocco with little to no problem, the cases of lone children have to be examined on their own merits.

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Before minors can be deported, their age, family, identity and safety back home must be established, weighing up the best interests of the child. 

It comes after the revelation that several young migrant girls have allegedly been raped since arriving in Ceuta

The victims sought treatment at the University Hospital of Ceuta (HUCE) this past week, health services told the El Pueblo de Ceuta newspaper. 

Judicial sources said many of the alleged rapes were prevented by the direct intervention of residents of Ceuta.

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Some residents of the autonomous city were also among the accused, however.

The Ceuta Prosecutor’s Office previously said it was aware of two of the cases of alleged sexual assault and had opened preliminary proceedings.

It confirmed that no arrests had yet been made. 

The legal procedures required for these allegations to result in convictions include medical reports, victim testimony, security camera footage, witness statements and police reports. 

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Judicial sources said they had been made aware of ‘many cases’ of attempted sexual assault, and that the figures will be higher as the days go by. 

Authorities have confirmed that two educational centres in the city will be repurposed as shelters for unaccompanied minors.

Migrants queue to receive food staples from local NGO Media Luna Blanca in an industrial area where they are sleeping amid recent mass crossings by migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into the Spanish territory, in Ceuta, Spain, August 6, 2026

Migrants queue to receive food staples from local NGO Media Luna Blanca in an industrial area where they are sleeping amid recent mass crossings by migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into the Spanish territory, in Ceuta, Spain, August 6, 2026

It is estimated that more than 70,000 people flooded into the Spanish enclave last month

It is estimated that more than 70,000 people flooded into the Spanish enclave last month

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Though most of the migrants who entered Ceuta have now left, up to 8,000 remain

Though most of the migrants who entered Ceuta have now left, up to 8,000 remain

The first one to be opened is the CEIP Reina Sofía, in the Príncipe Alfonso neighbourhood, which was housing more than 110 girls and teenagers and operating as an exclusively female shelter.

Neighbourhood associations are using the La Reina football field, in the Sidi Embarek neighbourhood, as a night shelter so that women can sleep safely.

The CEIP Príncipe Felipe will act as another shelter for minors, although this educational centre will also be used to house young men.

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The city is working on preparing two other spaces, one in the port area and another in Loma Margarita, where all children will be transferred from educational centres to ensure that the school year in September can begin as planned.

Spain’s Youth and Children Minister Sira Rego said Friday that 1,342 unaccompanied migrant minors had been registered in Ceuta following the mass influx from Morocco.

Aid groups have warned that the minors, many of whom are sleeping rough on the streets of Ceuta, are at risk of abuse and exploitation.

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Clacton by-election result live: Reform chief Nigel Farage awaits fate in bin fight as voting closes

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Neither the Tories nor Labour are impressed with Mr Farage’s antics.

You’ll remember that he triggered this by-election in June while he was being investigated by the Parliamentary standards commissioner.

This contest, he proclaimed, would prove that he’s been victim of an establishment stitch-up and that he still has the backing of the people.

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If only Thomas Tuchel had been allowed to put the World Cup semi final to a vote rather than let the result play out.

But anyway, as polls closed Labour chair Bridget Phillipson said: “Nigel Farage spent 38 days fighting a bin in his most desperate attempt yet to deflect attention from the sleaze and scandals engulfing him and his Party.“Farage may succeed in his run-off against a bin, but he can’t run from the truth forever. The list of unanswered questions about the £5 million gift he hid from the public, his support from a convicted fraudster, and the mountain of other scandals he and Reform are facing isn’t going away. In fact, it’s getting longer by the day.

“It’s time to stop the excuses and desperate distractions and finally come clean with the public. If Farage has nothing to hide, he surely would have done so by now.”

And a Tory spokesman said: “Nigel Farage called this fake by-election in a desperate attempt to draw a line under the questions surrounding his fishy £5 million donation. Whatever the outcome on Friday, this stunt has not done that.”

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Keg launched through window of Glasgow pub before alcohol stolen in raid

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Daily Record

Police were called to The Locale in the Charing Cross area of the city after the alarm was raised at around 4am on Thursday.

Brazen thieves smashed a keg through the window of a bar before making off with bottles of beer during an early hours raid in Glasgow. Police were called to The Locale in the Charing Cross area of the city after the alarm was raised at around 4am on Thursday, August 13.

Staff were alerted to the break in just hours after the bar had closed for the night. The thieves are understood to have entered the premises from the back of the bar after throwing a keg through a window.

When staff arrived to assess the damage, they found a number of bottles of alcohol had been taken.

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Posting on social media, The Locale said: “We’ve been robbed! Some a***holes came in through the back and flung a keg through our window. They only made it off with a few bottles of booze but it’s going to cause some disruption today.

“We will be opening later this afternoon once the forensics have been. Thankfully [our staff] were nearby to attend and assess the damage. We’ll keep you posted for updates.”

Police have confirmed that their enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.

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A spokesperson for the force said: “Around 4.10am on Thursday, August 13, we received a report of a theft by housebreaking from a premises on North Street, Glasgow.

“Enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.”

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Was the terrifying Sussex train crash caused by the heatwave? Passenger carriages came off ‘buckling track in extreme heat’ in Lewes, transport expert says

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Experts suggest that soaring temperatures may have caused the tracks or embankment beneath them to buckle before the train derailment in East Sussex

Two people have been left seriously injured and a further 18 hurt after a train carrying around 150 passengers derailed in extreme heat in East Sussex. 

Now experts suggest that soaring temperatures may have caused the tracks or embankment beneath them to buckle.

The eight-carriage Southern service came off the tracks between Haywards Heath and Lewes at around 3.54pm on Thursday, with three carriages overturning and passengers forced to scramble out of the wreckage as temperatures climbed above 35C.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said around 150 people were on board the train, and 20 were injured. It said two people were rushed to the major trauma centre with ‘severe’ injuries, while a further 18 patients were also in hospital. 

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Three air ambulances and at least 20 other emergency vehicles raced to the scene, while a number of passengers who did not require hospital treatment were taken to a local community centre to be triaged and supported.

Pictures from the scene show passengers standing on top of the overturned carriages, with emergency crews including Sussex Police, British Transport Police, paramedics and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service rushing to help those inside.

The cause of the derailment has not been confirmed, but transport experts have raised the possibility that the exceptional heat contributed to the crash by causing the rails to buckle or the dry ground beneath them to collapse.

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Experts suggest that soaring temperatures may have caused the tracks or embankment beneath them to buckle before the train derailment in East Sussex 

The eight-carriage Southern service came off the tracks between Haywards Heath and Lewes at around 3.54pm, with three carriages overturning

The eight-carriage Southern service came off the tracks between Haywards Heath and Lewes at around 3.54pm, with three carriages overturning 

A passenger train has derailed near Lewes, leaving dozens of people trapped in overturned carriages

A passenger train has derailed near Lewes, leaving dozens of people trapped in overturned carriages

One passenger appeared to be being taken away by emergency staff on a stretcher

One passenger appeared to be being taken away by emergency staff on a stretcher

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Emergency responders stand on top of the overturned train

Emergency responders stand on top of the overturned train 

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One suggestion from transport expert Christian Wolmar was that the prolonged heat and drought could have caused the ground beneath the train to dry out and crack, causing part of that bank to give way, leaving the rails without proper support. 

He told the Daily Mail: ‘Well, there are two possible reasons this has happened. 

‘Obviously, the train track might have buckled before the train arrived. But because the first carriages didn’t derail, it might be that the dryness from the heat has led to the embankment collapsing, and then the train made the rails buckle rather than the other way round.

‘I noticed yesterday when I was out on Hampstead Heath for the eclipse. There’s just great big fissures in [the ground], big openings like there’s been an earthquake, and that must be happening in many places.

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‘So it could be that there’s something like that that caused the embankment to partially collapse, and then the rails buckled under the weight of the train because the rails were unsupported. Which could be the more likely explanation given that the first four carriages didn’t go down.’

He added: ‘From what one can see of the amount of damage, it doesn’t seem that the train was going very fast, and it appears to not have been very heavily loaded, so fewer people were thrown into each other.

‘It certainly doesn’t seem to be a kind of high-speed crash, just from the lack of damage.’

Norman Baker, a former Lewes MP and ex-transport minister, also suggested the derailment may have been caused by a section of track buckling in the heat.

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He told Times Radio: ‘They’ll want to make sure that the railways are completely safe before any trains are allowed back on them and if it has been the case – that the rails have buckled – that will take considerably longer to repair.’

Passengers could be seen sitting at an angle in the overturned train

Passengers could be seen sitting at an angle in the overturned train 

There have been no reports of fatalities or serious injuries, although witnesses described passengers suffering cuts and bruising in the terrifying derailment

There have been no reports of fatalities or serious injuries, although witnesses described passengers suffering cuts and bruising in the terrifying derailment

The cause of the derailment has not yet been confirmed

The cause of the derailment has not yet been confirmed

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People being tended to at the scene after the train derailed near Lewes, East Sussex

People being tended to at the scene after the train derailed near Lewes, East Sussex

One passenger described the terrifying moment she was suddenly thrown from her seat after hearing a ‘loud bang’. 

Yana Ludwig, 56, from Washington State, USA said: ‘It was completely terrifying. I was coming back from London and Lewes is my stop.

‘There was a banging noise and everything went topsy turvy. There was lots of shaking, it felt like a really long time, but it was probably only about 10 seconds.

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‘I landed on top of somebody. I’m just glad nobody was killed. It felt like it was maybe 20mins before the emergency services started showing up. It could’ve been faster, time is kind of warped.’

While Rob Bradley, who was travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne with his six-year-old daughter Mabel when the crash happened, said they were in the fourth carriage while the fifth overturned.

He told the BBC: ‘We are doing okay, we were very lucky we were on the fourth carriage. The fifth went on its side.’

He said his daughter had been dancing between the fourth and fifth carriages just 30 seconds before the derailment.

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‘As she sat down we felt the train speeding up and started to rock. Then our carriage jumped vertically upwards and we could tell it was a derailment.’

‘The emergency brakes went on the train and everything got thrown forward.’

‘The train skidded for quite a while before it stopped. We turned around and we saw the whole back of the train was open and smoke and dust were pouring into the carriage and we saw the fifth carriage had gone on its side.’

Southern Railway said all lines through Lewes had been closed to allow emergency services to reach the scene

Southern Railway said all lines through Lewes had been closed to allow emergency services to reach the scene

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An air ambulance was seen taking off from the scene at 5.58pm as the emergency response continued

An air ambulance was seen taking off from the scene at 5.58pm as the emergency response continued

Another passenger, dad-of-two Liton Miah from Eastbourne, said he had been travelling with his wife and daughters to visit relatives in London when the train overturned.

Mr Miah suffered heavy bruising to his side and said he had noticed a warning about a problem with the track before the crash.

‘I saw on the big board there as a problem with the track. I don’t know they didn’t take any precautions. I saved my family and tried to help another couple. The guy was bleeding heavily and there was not much I could do to help him.’

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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was ‘deeply concerned’ following the incident.

‘Deeply concerned of reports of a derailment involving a Southern train in Lewes, Sussex,’ she wrote on social media platform X.

‘Grateful to emergency services who are on the scene supporting those impacted. We are working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to assist passengers.’

Southern Railway said all lines through Lewes had been closed to allow emergency services to reach the scene and warned passengers to expect major disruption until 10pm.

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The operator said: ‘A train has derailed in the Lewes area. This has closed all lines running through this station.

‘As a result of this, trains are currently unable to run through the area to allow the emergency services to attend the incident.

‘Major disruption is expected until 10pm.’

The disruption is affecting services around Lewes, including routes between Brighton, Haywards Heath, Eastbourne and Seaford, with passengers advised to avoid the affected area while the emergency response and investigation continue.

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The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is deploying investigators to establish how the Southern service came off the tracks.

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Super League: Leeds Rhinos 16-20 Leigh Leopards – Leopards ruin Leeds’ 100% home record

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Leigh Leopards' Umyla Hanley celebrating scoring with his right hand raised

Leeds regained their slender advantage via Connor’s boot five minutes into the second half but Charnley turned on the afterburners down the right again and was supported by Hanley on his inside to slide over and put Leigh back in front.

With 20 minutes left, Andrew Badrock was sent to the sin-bin for dangerous contact on Harry Newman. A fearless 12-man defensive showing meant Leigh did not give up a point while Badrock was off the field.

The hosts thought they were level with just over three minutes remaining when Hall barged over in the left corner but his trailing right foot was taken into touch by superb scramble defence from Hanley – and Leigh survived again.

After a monster 40/20 from Connor, Leeds had the ball deep in the opposition half with 30 seconds left but Liam Horne held on to another grubber attempt from Connor as Leigh claimed a league double over the leaders.

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Leeds: Miller; Newman, Bird, Handley, Hall; Croft, Connor; Oledzki, O’Connor, Jenkins, Hankinson,Watkins, C. Smith.

Interchanges: Holroyd, Cassell, McCormack, Lloyd.

Leigh: Armstrong; Senior, Badrock, Hanley, Charnley; Cook, Lam; Ofahengaue, Horne, Liu, Hughes, Trout, Brogan.

Interchanges: Ipape, Mulhern, Alick-Wiencke, Davis.

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Sin-bin: Badrock (61 mins).

Referee: Chris Kendall.

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Judge tosses Trump administration’s antisemitism lawsuit against Harvard University

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Judge tosses Trump administration’s antisemitism lawsuit against Harvard University

A lawsuit brought by the Trump administration alleging that Harvard University ignored the harassment of Jewish students was tossed out by a federal judge in Boston on Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns ruled that President Donald Trump‘s administration did not establish a continuous breach of federal civil rights statutes.

According to the ruling, the legal challenge lodged in March primarily highlighted occurrences during the 2023-24 school year alongside a small number from March 2025.

Stearns noted that the cited events were “too isolated and episodic” to demonstrate an ongoing civil rights infraction at the Ivy League campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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“We disagree with the ruling and are assessing next steps,” stated Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Department of Justice.

A statement from Harvard was not immediately available following the judgment.

The legal complaint had claimed Harvard failed to adequately shield Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Administration officials asserted university leaders remained passive while Jewish students were “harassed, physically assaulted, stalked, and spat upon.”

Responding after the initial filing, Harvard maintained that it “cares deeply about members of our Jewish and Israeli community and remains committed to ensuring they are embraced, respected, and can thrive on our campus.”

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(Reuters)

Harvard President Alan M. Garber highlighted measures taken by the school, including the creation of an antisemitism task force. Garber noted that the university appointed a new provost and deans while overhauling disciplinary procedures to render them “more consistent, fair and effective.”

Through the lawsuit, federal prosecutors intended to reclaim billions in research grant money disbursed to Harvard from October 2023 onward. Officials under Trump maintained that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination grounded in national origin or race, justified retrieving the funds.

The complaint represents one component of a broader federal push targeting Harvard after the institution rejected executive demands issued when Trump, a Republican, resumed office last year. Additional efforts by administration figures have focused on trimming research grants and restricting the university’s enrollment of international students and American service members.

In a separate legal case last year, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reverse more than $2.6 billion in federal funding cuts to Harvard. That decision found that the White House put unconstitutional conditions on federal funding, using antisemitism as a “smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault” on universities.

Although locked in a hostile legal standoff, Harvard and federal officials previously engaged in discussions, with Trump personally remarking that both parties were near a settlement. However, the Justice Department’s decision to pursue a civil rights suit in March underlined a severe breakdown in talks, as universities cited for civil rights noncompliance typically achieve resolution via voluntary settlements.

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Two seriously hurt as passenger train derails in Lewes

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Three train carriages that have derailed. Several emergency workers are congregating by the side of the railway.

Twenty people have been injured, two seriously, after a train derailed in East Sussex and a major incident was declared.

Network Rail said the 14:24 BST Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne came off the tracks close to Lewes railway station, shortly before 16:00 BST.

Photographs from the scene showed people standing on top of overturned carriages. A passenger who was in the fourth carriage said it derailed from carriage five.

British Transport Police said three carriages derailed, leaving several people trapped. All 150 on board have now been evacuated.

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Several rail routes in the area were closed, as emergency teams rushed to the scene and people were advised to avoid the area.

Patients were assessed and treated at the scene, with some sent to local hospitals.

British Transport Police Chief Superintendent Dominique Ioannou said in a press briefing on Thursday night that a number of passengers were initially trapped but were all safely evacuated from the train.

She said while two people sustained serious injuries, a further 18 suffered less serious injuries.

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“The train started rocking violently and then I remember clocking eyes with this guy and then there was a lot of screaming,” passenger Rachel Heath said.

“It felt like we flew in the air and the carriage landed on its side and it slid. I felt like it was going to completely flip over.

“There was a mum who was bleeding from her mouth and a dad and his son who had cuts. It was like a movie.”

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Polls close in Clacton by-election as Farage vies to retain seat

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Polls close in Clacton by-election as Farage vies to retain seat

Mr Farage wanted it to be a “people versus the establishment” showdown but, rather than Labour and Tory rivals, he is facing opponents including satirical candidate Count Binface, actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox, three from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and an array of independents.

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Denise Welch quits Loose Women after 25 years on the show in dramatic statement

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Belfast Live

Denise Welch joined the show as a panellist in 2005

Denise Welch has confirmed she is leaving the show after more than two decades.

The 68-year-old has been a staple on the ITV panel show Loose Women for 25 years, but said in a statement earlier today she would be stepping down.

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On Instagram, she told her followers the reason for her departure comes as she wants to focus on her acting career, describing it as her “first love and the thing she’s best at”.

“I’m leaving Loose Women after the best part of 25 years, off and on,” she said. “I did leave for about seven years and went back in 2018.

“This show has been part of mine, and my family’s life, for nearly a quarter of a century. I have the most wonderful, wonderful memories and it’s just that acting has always been my first love and, I think, the thing I’m best at.

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“At the moment, I’m having the most wonderful opportunities coming my way and I’m grabbing them by the you-know-whats and running with it for this new chapter of my life.

“And so I just wanted to say that in person to thank all of the people who have shared my stories with me. I’ve shared my life with you – the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m very marmite but I cherish all the comments, good or bad, that I’ve had over the years.

She added: “I just hope you wish me well for this new exciting chapter in my life. I’ll miss everybody but I will remain friends with the whole gang because, despite what you might read, we are a happy band of campers. Lots of love, thanks for sticking with me.”

Fans have since flocked to her comments to show support, including her husband, Lincoln Townley, The Mirror reports.

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He penned: “Grab those you know what’s darling you’re an incredibly strong talented sensational woman, the best is yet to come!”

Denise joined the show in 2005 alongside Kaye Adams and Coleen Nolan before taking a step back from the series in 2013. She then returned in 2018.

She has since shared the show with Ruth Langsford, Christine Lampard, Andrea McLean, Oti Mabuse, Gloria Hunniford and many others.

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Major Loose Women star quits show after 25 years

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Major Loose Women star quits show after 25 years
Loose Women is losing one of its most popular stars (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Denise Welch has confirmed her exit from Loose Women after over two decades as a popular panellist.

The soap star and broadcaster, 68, made her Loose debut in 2000, a year after the chat show launched.

She remained a regular until 2002 before leaving for the first time. Denise returned from 2005 to 2013 and again from 2018 to 2026.

Now, she’s dipping out for a third time to focus on her acting.

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Addressing the whispers that she would be departing the ITV lunchtime programme, Denise took to Instagram with a video message.

She began to her 450k followers: ‘I’ve just come on to say something, because it’s going to be in the papers: I am leaving Loose Women, after the best part of 25 years, off and on.

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock (16951315k) Denise Welch 'Loose Women' TV show, London, UK - 22 Jun 2026
Denise Welch is leaving Loose Women to focus on acting (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

‘I did leave for about seven years and went back in 2018, and this show has been part of mine and my family’s life for, well, a quarter of a century.’

Speaking highly of her time, she continued: ‘I have the most wonderful, wonderful memories, and it’s just that acting has always been my first love, and, I think, the thing I’m best at.

‘And at the moment, I’m having the most wonderful opportunities coming my way, and I’m grabbing them by the you-know-whats and running with it for this new chapter of my life.’

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Denise concluded: ‘I just wanted to say that in person, to thank all of the people who have shared stories with me. I’ve shared my life with you, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m very marmite, but I cherish all the comments, good or bad, that I’ve had over the years.

‘And I just hope you wish me well for this new, exciting chapter in my life. I’ll miss everybody, but I will remain friends with the whole gang, because despite what you might read, we are a happy band of campers.’

Shortly after, a Loose Women spokesperson told Metro: ‘Denise has been such a brilliant part of the Loose Women family, and we are going to miss her hugely on the show.

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (996239u) 'Loose Women' TV - 2008 - [l-r]: Jackie Brambles, Coleen Nolan, Carol McGiffin and Denise Welch. ITV ARCHIVE
Pictured here in 2008, she joined the ITV daytime programme in 2000 (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock (14418381a) Denise Welch 'Loose Women' TV show, London, UK - 03 Apr 2024
Denise has insisted there is no bad blood between her and her co-stars (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

‘We are sending her all of our love and best wishes for her next chapter.’

Denise’s co-stars also inundated her with well-wishes, with comedian Judi Love writing under her post: ‘I’m going to miss you but I’m beyond excited to see your new chapter because baby girl it’s here and we are loving it!!! ❤️’

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‘Nooooooo! Gutted to be honest! Going to really miss sharing the panel with you 😢❤️’, said Katie Piper.

Oti Mabuse thanked her for ‘being so welcoming’, while Brenda Edwards said they will ‘certainly keep in touch’.

‘Legend ❤️❤️❤️’, commented Christine Lampard, with Carol Vorderman declaring it marks an ‘era closing’.

Throughout her time on Loose Women, Denise has been front and centre of some of its most talked-about moments, whether it be clashing with co-stars on-air or voicing her opinions on politics.

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 28: Denise Welch attends the
The actress recently appeared in Channel 4’s emotional drama Tip Toe (Picture: Annie Raistrick/Getty Images)

What’s more, she’s been an open book with regard to her personal life, from sharing anecdotes about her famous son, Matty Healy, to candidly discussing her mental health struggles. This included a three-month break in 2025 due to her depression worsening.

As explained by Denise, she has a long history in the acting business, having started in the industry when she was just 12.

She went on to secure roles in some of the nation’s most popular shows, playing Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street (1997-2000), Steph Haydock in Waterloo Road (2006-2010, 2026), and Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks (2021-2022).

Denise has also appeared on reality shows like Dancing On Ice, and she won the ninth series of Celebrity Big Brother.

Most recently, she appeared as Diane Vazey in the hugely successful Russell T Davies Channel 4 drama Tip Toe, which co-starred Alan Cumming and David Morrissey.

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Denise also portrayed Ziggy in Channel 5 crime drama Benidorm Is Murder.

Her next roles will be in the adaptation of Graham Norton’s novel, Forever Home, and in the sitcom Stepping Up.

Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX.

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