Jay

JAY-Z and Beyonce have returned to the Cotswolds just months after calling off a permanent move to the celebrity hotspot.

I’m told the power couple are back in the idylic region ahead of his two huge concerts at the Tottenham Stadium next week.

And while they will be staying in the Cotswolds during their short stay in the UK, my music insiders have told me Jay-Z has locked down a huge music space in East London for his rehearsals.

No expense is being spared, with Jay chartering a helicopter to fly him to and fro every day.

A source said: “It’s like the circus has come to town now Jay-Z and Beyonce have arrived.

“They’re staying on an estate in the Cotswolds but Jay is rehearsing in London.

“The set-up is massive.

“They’ve taken over a whole unit and have blocked off a car park so Jay’s helicopter can land on the site.

“Yesterday morning there were almost 30 box vans with his crew and dancers arriving on the site.

“Loads of precautions have been put in place to make sure he has total privacy.

“The walk from the helicopter landing site to the entrance Jay is using is only about 30 yards, but there is a van on standby to drive him.

“He likes to have his sets totally locked down and this one is no exception.

“The shows at Tottenham are going to be a real spectacle and Jay will be in rehearsals with his team for the next ten days to make sure everything is perfect.”

Jay-Z will take to the stage on September 4 and 5, his only dates in the UK this year.

He is celebrating two major milestones with the performances — the 30th anniversary of his debut album Reasonable Doubt and the 25th anniversary of his critically acclaimed sixth record, The Blueprint.

Beyonce will be marking her birthday at the first show next Friday, along with the 20th anniversary of her album B’Day.

So I won’t be surprised if she pops up on stage too.

Adela’s Sombr moment

Sombr was joined by special guest Adela to make his grand entrance at Belgium’s Pukkelpop Festival.

They posed for this snap before cameras captured them driving backstage and then making their way to the main stage.

It has become a staple of the American singer’s festival shows to be joined by a “walk-up girl”, with Zara Larsson accompanying him earlier this month.

They are both having huge years, with Sombr still riding high on the success of his hits including Homewrecker, 12 To 12 and Back To Friends.

Meanwhile, pink-haired Adela has just scored a Top 40 hit with Ain’t In LA and will release her debut album Prima on September 4.

Kooks warm up Cruz

Cruz Beckham slotted in a cheeky warm-up ahead of his debut at Reading and Leeds, where he will perform with band The Breakers this weekend.

He joined The Kooks at Rock N Roll Circus Norwich on Saturday as the group marked the 20th anniversary of their killer debut album, Inside In/Inside Out.

Cruz, whose new EP Wear & Tear came out on Friday, surprised fans by coming on stage for a rendition of one of my favourite Kooks tracks, Jackie Big T*ts.

Pussyhat Doll

Nicole Scherzinger enjoyed her last days of peace by taking it easy in Hawaii.

She chilled out ahead of a 16-hour flight to the UK this week, where she will get cracking on Pussycat Dolls rehearsals.

Nicole posed in a lei po’o – the traditional term for a flower crown – as she relaxed at a hotel on the island.

She’s about to do a hell of a lot of dancing when the group’s European tour kicks off in Copenhagen in a fortnight.

Confirming preparations, Ashley Roberts, who is in the current line-up with Nicole and Kimberly Wyatt, wrote on Instagram: “Back to rehearsals with my dolls this week.”

Louis a soprano wise guy

Louis Walsh steered some of the world’s biggest pop acts – but now has his sights set on opera.

The former Boyzone and Westlife manager has jumped on board to guide the career of vocal powerhouse Claudia Boyle.

The Irish soprano was shocked that the one-time X Factor judge came knocking and she said: “I never really watched The X Factor, but of course I knew who Louis was. Who doesn’t? This is a new thing for me.”

With Louis’ showbiz connections, I am sure Claudia will break into the mainstream in no time.

Jordan help for Jade split

Jordan Stephens is getting a helping hand after splitting from Jade Thirlwall – by doing a one-day workshop on “healing through relationships”.

The Rizzle Kicks singer revealed he went on a £175 course with therapist Donna Lancaster, which is aimed at stopping people “repeating the same old negative cycles”.

A blurb on the website says it helps people “understand why you might struggle with certain relationships and offer resources as to how to heal and connect in new healthier ways”.

And it sounds like it’s done wonders.

In a testimonial on the website, Jordan, who has split with the former Little Mix singer after six years, said: “Within 20 minutes of Donna’s relationship workshop, I was spun into awareness seemingly without a choice.

“I left with a sense of understanding and promise.

“I would recommend it to literally everyone.”

Good for him.

Ozzy gig film for Crimbo

A documentary film on Ozzy Osbourne’s last live performance will finally be released in December, nearly 18 months after it happened.

The project centred around the Back To The Beginning show at Villa Park in Birmingham had been slated for release at the beginning of this year.

But the late rocker’s wife Sharon pushed it back as she was finding the editing process difficult.

I am now told the documentary is finished and will be on screens by Christmas.

“It’s going to be a great Christmas gift for fans of Ozzy and Black Sabbath,” my mole explained.

“The film is looking really good and features so many moving moments of Ozzy interacting with his friends and performers.

“It moves around from footage of the gig to artists backstage. It is very powerful because it captures Ozzy’s final moments in the limelight.”

Following the release of the film, Sharon will be looking ahead to Ozzfest next summer.

The rock festival, started by Sharon and Ozzy in 1996, will return to Villa Park.

Charli lake break

Charli XCX looks ready to soak up the sunshine in this bikini during her first holiday for years.

She’s jetted off to Lake Como in Italy with husband George Daniel, drummer with The 1975.

Also there are pals including filmmaker Aidan Zamiri, who she has jokingly referred to as her second husband after they bonded while making mockumentary film The Moment. Charli said on X: “I feel like I haven’t stopped for three years.”

She shared pics of the group on a speedboat, with the caption: “A girl on a lake with her friends and her husbands!”

Charli is back on stage this weekend at Reading and Leeds festivals, and is then set to announce the UK leg of her Music, Fashion, Film tour.

Gotta get a move Ron

Ronnie Wood was forced to rush through his set after the venue threatened to pull the plug.

The Rolling Stones guitarist spent too long on stage at North London’s Kentish Town Forum on Friday, so organisers warned they’d shut him down if he didn’t hurry up.

Ronnie, who was performing songs from throughout his career with the help of Irish singer Imelda May, moaned: “We’ve got to move on or they’re gonna cut the power.”

He then steamed through a series of tracks, including Faces hit Stay With Me and Stones rarity Country Honk, so he could finish the set in time.

Despite the faff, Ronnie was beaming as he headed off stage. He got a hug from his wife Sally, who was watching from the side of the stage with their ten-year-old twins Gracie and Alice.

Dani ads to workload

The countdown to endless celebrity Christmas adverts is on.

Dani Dyer is one of the first out of the blocks to film a new festive campaign.

I’m told the Strictly Come Dancing contestant and ex-Love Islander has landed a bumper pay-day for renewing her deal with high street clothing chain Peacocks.

She’s filmed a telly ad alongside former England footballer Michael Owen and singer Louise Redknapp.

A source said: “The Christmas ads are all being filmed now and Dani’s one for Peacocks is already in the can.

“Louise and Michael are seen getting a bit flirty in a lift, while Dani stays true to form and just snaps loads of selfies.

“It’s the easiest money she’s ever earned.”

I’d say. Peacocks is preparing to roll out the campaign just in time for Strictly, meaning Dani is going to be on the box non-stop this year.

I revealed earlier this year she re-signed for the BBC dancing show after being forced to pull out of last year’s series.

She had been paired with pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin but fractured her ankle during rehearsals, meaning she never got a chance to have a whirl on the dancefloor.

But this time around, I’m told Dani is absolutely nailing her training and is pushing herself to try to lift the Glitterball trophy.

Walter “Jay” Clayton III, nominee to be director of national intelligence, speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on his nomination on July 15. The Senate on Tuesday voted to advance his nomination. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo

July 28 (UPI) — The U.S. Senate voted 51-47 along party lines Tuesday evening to confirm Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence, succeeding Bill Pulte.

The vote comes one day after lawmakers voted to advance Clayton’s nomination with no Democrats voting to approve.

After the vote Tuesday, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that he is skeptical of Clayton in the role.

“I came away from his confirmation process with serious reservations about whether he would be willing to stand up to political pressure when it matters most,” Warner said. “Now that he has been confirmed, I sincerely hope he proves those concerned unfounded, because the intelligence community deserves steadier leadership than it has received in recent months.”

Bill Pulte, the acting director, announced Tuesday on social media that he had executed “a fifth and near-final round of TERMINATIONS” that mark a 30% staff reduction during his time in the office.

On July 15, Democrats in the Senate questioned Clayton, a U.S. attorney, on Trump’s allegations that he won the 2020 election. Clayton wouldn’t say that former President Joe Biden won the election, but would say that he was “certified” as president. Clayton said he is not an election denier.

“You refuse to answer a basic question about who won a presidential election, but you ask to lead America’s intelligence community,” Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said the confirmation hearing. “Isn’t it humiliating to be unable to answer this question, to have to indulge the president’s delusions?

President Donald Trump announced Clayton as his nominee in June as senators on both sides of the aisle protested the placement of Pulte. Pulte runs the Federal Housing Finance Agency and has referred four of Trump’s perceived enemies for prosecution on allegations of mortgage fraud.

Democrats in the House wouldn’t renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a bill that would have extended warrantless spy powers rules, in retaliation for Pulte being named for the position. It’s unclear if the Senate will vote to extend FISA once Clayton is approved.

The House will not be back in session until September.

Tulsi Gabbard resigned from the ODNI in May.

WASHINGTON — President Trump’s pick to head the nation’s intelligence agencies struggled to win Democratic support in a contentious confirmation hearing Wednesday where he clashed repeatedly with them over the 2020 election.

Democrats asked Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and a former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, over and over again whether former President Biden won the election and defeated Trump. Echoing many of Trump’s nominees, Clayton said many times that the election was “certified” for Biden, declining to say outright that the Democrat won.

“I’m not going to get into this with you,” Clayton told Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, the last of several Democrats on the committee to grill Clayton on the 2020 election. Clayton appeared frustrated and flustered as Ossoff repeated the question several times. “I’ve answered it,” he said.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, who had praised Clayton’s nomination when Trump picked him for the role last month, expressed exasperation with him at the end of the hearing. Democrats say they are concerned that Trump will try to direct intelligence agencies to influence U.S. elections as the president has repeated his false claims that the 2020 contest was stolen.

“I’ve known Mr. Clayton for some time, I worked with him closely when he was at the SEC,” said Warner, the top Democrat on the intelligence panel. “But I am bitterly disappointed.”

While Clayton has broad support among Republicans, the acrimony with Democrats could be a blow to GOP leaders who had hoped to gain their consent for a quick vote to replace temporary intelligence director Bill Pulte, a former housing official with no known intelligence experience and who used his previous administration perch to target perceived adversaries of the president.

Senators in both parties have criticized Pulte, and Republicans had hoped to confirm Clayton immediately after he was nominated in June so Pulte did not take over when Gabbard left office. But Trump delayed Clayton’s nomination, allowing Pulte to take the job temporarily.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said the committee will vote on Clayton’s nomination next week.

Clayton emphasizes national security experience

Clayton did not mention Pulte in the hearing. But he emphasized his own government and national security experience, attempting to assuage senators in both parties.

“I saw firsthand how a strong national security apparatus depends on decisive judgment, discipline, integrity, and effective communication and cooperation across different branches of the government,” Clayton said in his opening statement. “If confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, I will commit to upholding these principles every day.”

Cotton expressed frustration last month when the hearing was delayed. He said in his opening statement Wednesday that Clayton has a reputation for operating with “morality, decency and integrity” in his previous positions and that he hopes his nomination will win bipartisan support.

Democrats press Clayton on Gabbard’s election activities

Democrats also pressed Clayton on former National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard’s visit to a Georgia election office earlier this year during an FBI search related to the 2020 election. Trump administration officials have given varying explanations for Gabbard’s involvement in the search, which appeared to be outside of her intelligence role.

Clayton declined to say whether Gabbard’s visit was appropriate or how he would handle the same situation. At one point he said he wasn’t aware of Gabbard’s visit before this week, then later appeared to backtrack, saying “it wasn’t something on my mind” before he started to prepare for the hearing.

Warner said it “strains credibility” that Clayton wasn’t aware of Gabbard’s election activities.

Democrats also asked Clayton about Trump’s announcement that he will deliver a primetime address on Thursday with a focus on elections, after the president suggested he could revisit long-debunked conspiracy theories about his 2020 defeat. Clayton said he had has no involvement with that speech.

As U.S. attorney in Manhattan, Clayton oversees vast portfolio

Clayton is currently the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the most prestigious of the Justice Department’s prosecution offices. His cases have ranged from terrorism and espionage cases to security fraud and public corruption.

Democrats pressed Clayton on subpoenas of four New York Times journalists after they reported on security concerns involving the new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One. The Committee to Protect Journalists has called the subpoenas “an extraordinary escalation in President Trump’s efforts to threaten and intimidate independent news organizations and have a chilling effect on the work of journalists across the country.”

Clayton said he was not able to discuss the details of the subpoenas and declined to elaborate on whether he spoke to the White House before they were issued. He said he is “confident in procedures we have in place to protect freedom of press.”

Under Clayton, the office also facilitated the unsealing of thousands of pages of court records from the prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell — documents that were made public as part of the Justice Department’s release of records related to the late sex offender and his longtime confidant.

Clayton has also overseen the prosecution of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, on drug trafficking charges.

Confirmation vote could unlock renewal of surveillance authority

Clayton’s confirmation could potentially clear the way for bipartisan legislation to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, which stalled last month when Democrats had said they would not provide the necessary votes to pass the bill unless Pulte’s temporary appointment was withdrawn.

The law, which aims to prevent terrorist attacks by monitoring the communications of targeted foreigners located outside the United States, expired in June.

Even if Democrats relent, it is unclear if Trump would sign the bill. He said in his June social media post delaying Clayton’s nomination that he would not sign the FISA renewal without his legislation to require proof of citizenship for all voters. The voting bill does not have enough support to pass the Senate.

Jalonick writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON — President Trump said Thursday that he plans to nominate Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and a former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, as director of national intelligence.

Trump announced the nomination on social media amid pressure from Congress to name a permanent replacement for Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month. Trump faced intense pushback over his decision to name Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director.

The situation has led to a standoff in Congress as Democrats said they would refuse to renew foreign intelligence powers unless Trump pulled Pulte’s nomination and named a permanent nominee.

“Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay,” Trump wrote. “I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible.”