Chaos unfolded at the opening night of the new Chaka Khan musical after the show was delayed by 40 minutes while organisers waited for the music legend to take her seat.

The opening night performance of I’m Every Woman: The Musical, starring Alexandra Burke, was due to begin at 7pm at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in north London.

But organisers delayed the curtain until guest of honour Chaka Khan, 73, had arrived and taken her seat, after the singer was held up carrying out red carpet interviews.

The ten-time Grammy winner eventually sat down at around 7.40pm, allowing the performance to begin 40 minutes late.

One attendee told the Daily Mail: ‘Chaka was really late arriving for the show. She kept everyone waiting. It was a nightmare for the organisers. They couldn’t start the show without her, so they had to keep everyone waiting.

‘The crowd got very restless. Everyone was told to be seated by 7pm, so when the show didn’t start, people got annoyed. After a while, some people got fed up with waiting and went back out to go to the loo.

During the interval, BBC presenter Naga Munchetty was seen leaving the theatre and did not return for the second half

‘The whole event was chaotic. It was really insulting to the cast and crew.’

During the interval, BBC presenter Naga Munchetty was seen leaving the theatre and did not return for the second half.

She had been among the last celebrity guests to arrive and also bypassed the red carpet despite the publicity team hoping invited stars would pose for photographs.

In video obtained by the Daily Mail, Naga is seen smoking a cigarette before walking hand-in-hand with her husband James Haggar towards the Tube station.

‘Naga’s early departure is likely to ruffle feathers among the publicity team,’ a source said. ‘The venue was at capacity for the performance, and they were only able to offer VIP tickets to a select number of celebs.’

The difficult opening comes as the production has received poor reviews, including a one-star verdict from The Standard.

The show, which tells the untold story of Chaka Khan’s life, stars Alexandra Burke in the lead role.

It has a running time of two hours and 30 minutes, with tickets priced between £28 and £65.

Naga’s appearance at the event came just days after it was announced she will leave BBC Breakfast after 17 years.

The presenter is preparing to join Radio 5 Live’s flagship breakfast programme from the new year, replacing Rachel Burden, 51, and Rick Edwards, 47, after they announced they would step down in December.

Organisers delayed the curtain until guest of honour Chaka Khan, 73, had arrived and taken her seat, after the singer was held up carrying out red carpet interviews

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Her shuffling towards a full-time radio job comes after a series of controversies involving the presenter.

Her future at BBC Breakfast was thrown into doubt last year due to a formal probe being launched over allegations she had bullied a junior staffer.

It was also reported the broadcaster was called into a meeting over a sex jibe made during an ad break on her radio programme.

She was accused of bullying a female colleague and making a ‘wildly unprofessional off-air sex joke that left a co-worker ‘humiliated,’ but remained in her job at the BBC.

The probe into Ms Munchetty was launched after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the beleaguered flagship breakfast programme last year.

This followed BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani taking an extended period of leave after facing his own allegations of bullying and misconduct.

On Wednesday the Daily Mail revealed the presenter believes she was made to look like a ‘monster’ during the fallout from the complaints, with sources close to the presenter claiming her exit marks a victory for Frediani and his so-called ‘boys’ club.’

Sources told the Daily Mail it was an ultimatum for BBC bosses between keeping the presenter or her editor.

Belfast will see around 93.1% of the Sun covered at maximum eclipse, making it one of the deepest eclipses visible from the city in decades

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Skywatchers in Belfast are just days away from witnessing one of the most spectacular astronomical events in years, and if you’re planning to watch next week’s solar eclipse, experts say it’s worth buying eclipse glasses before stocks disappear.

Every major eclipse sees demand for certified eclipse glasses surge in the days leading up to the event. At the same time, counterfeit eclipse viewers often appear on online marketplaces, prompting warnings that fake glasses could put people’s eyesight at risk.

On Wednesday, August 12, the Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, creating a deep partial solar eclipse across Northern Ireland. Belfast will see around 93.1% of the Sun covered at maximum eclipse, making it one of the deepest eclipses visible from the city in decades.

Where to buy eclipse glasses in Belfast

If you still need eclipse glasses, it’s worth shopping sooner rather than later as demand is expected to increase significantly before eclipse day.

Local opticians

Many independent opticians in Belfast stock certified eclipse glasses ahead of major astronomical events. Availability varies between practices, so it is worth contacting your nearest optician before making a special trip.

National optical retailers

Selected branches of Specsavers, Boots Opticians and other major optical chains may also have certified solar viewers available. Stock levels differ by store and are expected to become increasingly limited as August 12 approaches.

Museums and science centres

Science museums, observatories and astronomy visitor centres are among the most reliable places to find genuine eclipse glasses. Gift shops attached to science attractions sometimes stock certified solar viewers in the run-up to major eclipses.

Trusted online retailers

If you’re buying online, stick to established astronomy retailers or reputable science suppliers rather than unfamiliar third-party marketplace sellers. Be sure to check delivery dates so your glasses arrive before the eclipse.

How to spot fake eclipse glasses

Consumer groups have repeatedly warned that counterfeit eclipse glasses appear online before major eclipses, particularly through third-party marketplace sellers.

Experts recommend only using eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that meet the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E).

Before buying, check for:

• ISO 12312-2 certification printed on the glasses.
• The manufacturer’s name and contact details.
• Clear instructions explaining safe use.
• Packaging that appears professionally produced and undamaged.

Avoid glasses that are unusually cheap, have no manufacturer details or make exaggerated claims. Ordinary sunglasses, no matter how dark they are, are not safe for looking directly at the Sun.

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Never look directly at the Sun

Even though more than 93% of the Sun will be hidden by the Moon, it is never safe to look directly at a partial solar eclipse without certified eye protection.

Looking at the Sun without the correct filters can permanently damage your eyesight, often without causing any immediate pain or warning.

Anyone planning to use binoculars, telescopes or cameras should also ensure they are fitted with specialist solar filters.

No eclipse glasses? You can still watch safely

If you can’t get hold of eclipse glasses before they sell out, there are still safe ways to enjoy the event.

A simple pinhole projector made from a piece of card allows you to project an image of the eclipsed Sun onto another surface without looking directly at it. Many astronomy organisations are also expected to livestream the eclipse online.

What time is the solar eclipse in Belfast?

The eclipse will begin at 6.10pm BST on Wednesday, August 12, as the Moon starts to move across the face of the Sun.

Maximum eclipse will occur at 7.08pm BST, when around 93.1% of the Sun will be covered. At this point, the Sun will sit around 15 degrees above the west-northwest horizon, making an open viewing location especially important.

The partial eclipse will come to an end at 8.03pm BST, shortly before sunset.

Best places to watch the eclipse in Belfast

Because the eclipse takes place during the evening, the best viewing spots will be those with an uninterrupted view towards the west or west-northwest horizon.

Cave Hill is expected to be one of the city’s best vantage points thanks to its elevated views across Belfast. The nearby OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory near Omagh is also expected to attract skywatchers hoping for darker skies and excellent viewing conditions.

Other large open parks and elevated areas around Belfast with clear western views should also provide excellent opportunities to watch what promises to be the most dramatic solar eclipse visible from the city in decades.

Video game behemoth Electronic Arts has officially changed hands following a monumental $55 billion acquisition.

The California-based developer, known for blockbuster franchises like “Battlefield” and “The Sims,” confirmed Tuesday the sale of its business to a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, investment firm Silver Lake Partners, and Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump.

This record-setting transaction marks the largest private equity-funded buyout in history, potentially signaling significant shifts within the global gaming landscape.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson stated the new ownership would “invest boldly, accelerate innovation, and build the next generation of games and experiences for the hundreds of millions of players and fans who inspire us every day.”

Turqi Alnowaiser, PIF’s deputy governor and head of international investments, echoed this, pledging to “invest heavily in EA’s growth,” particularly through artificial intelligence in game development. PIF had already held a minority stake in EA for five years.

While some analysts suggest going private could offer EA greater freedom from public market pressures, others highlight the $20 billion in debt financing, raising concerns about potential layoffs and cost-cutting measures.

The involvement of Saudi Arabia’s PIF and Kushner’s Affinity Partners has drawn considerable scrutiny. Critics are questioning the implications for EA’s future game development.

The U.K.-based campaign #BlockTheEADeal, which previously urged regulators to challenge the buyout, warned in an online petition: “With this deal, Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner just bought access to 700 million players worldwide.

With the increased use of AI in the creative sector and video games, the potential for data misuse by a foreign sovereign is high and poses significant international security risks.”

Kushner, in a Tuesday statement, asserted that EA had “created stories, characters, and communities that have become part of everyday life for hundreds of millions of people” and that Affinity was “excited to support the company as it continues to reach new audiences.”

Meanwhile, human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have consistently criticized Saudi Arabia’s extensive investments in sports and esports, often accusing the nation of “sportswashing” to divert attention from its human rights record.

PIF has steadily expanded its gaming portfolio, already holding a minority stake in Nintendo and a substantial esports presence, including platforms like ESL FACEIT. EA’s “Madden NFL” and “EA Sports FC” (formerly FIFA) will now join this growing umbrella.

With the transaction finalized, EA stockholders will receive $210 in cash per share, and the company’s stock is no longer traded on the public market.

The closure orders were granted by Tameside Magistrates’ Court on 29 July 2026 following enforcement action by Greater Manchester Police’s Oldham neighbourhood teams working in collaboration with GMP’s legal team.

Officers received information from residents, councillors and partner agencies regarding suspicious activity linked to the addresses on Balfour Street and Miriam Street, leading to investigations by neighbourhood teams.

Concerns included men arriving throughout the day and night, staying for short periods of time before leaving again and causing significant distress to those living nearby.

Neighbourhood Inspector for Oldham South & West, Amie Whitehead, said: “We’re committed to addressing the issues that matter most to residents, and these closure orders show that we will act on information provided by our communities.

“These two premises had a significant impact on people living nearby, with men attending the addresses throughout the day and night and loitering outside neighbouring homes while waiting to enter.

Miriam Street, Failsworth (Image: Google)

“Residents told us this behaviour was causing considerable distress within the community and affecting their quality of life.

“We’ve responded to reports, worked with partners and gathered evidence to take enforcement action, and have now secured closure orders to prevent further criminality and protect the local community.

“I would like to thank residents who came forward with information. Community intelligence is vital in helping us identify and address this type of offending.”

On Monday 27 July, neighbourhood officers attended an address on Balfour Street, Oldham, in relation to a concern for welfare.

Upon entering the property, officers identified a brothel operating at the address.

One man fled from the rear of the property but was subsequently detained. Two people were arrested on suspicion of controlling prostitution for gain.

A 48-hour closure notice was authorised and, following an application to the court, a three-month closure order has now been granted.

On the evening of Tuesday 28 July, officers from the Oldham South Neighbourhood Team executed a Section 8 PACE warrant at an address on Miriam Street following reports from the local community.

During the operation, two women were arrested and bailed as the investigation continues.

A 48-hour closure notice was authorised at the property, and a three-month closure order has now been granted by the court.

It is now a criminal offence to enter or remain in either property during the period of the closure orders.

It has been confirmed that the 66-year-old actor will return to his role as Leslie Higgins, the club’s mild-mannered director of football operations.

As well as starring on Apple TV in one of the platform’s most streamed shows, the actor has also starred in Downton Abbey as a butler – and he may well be one of Teesside’s most quietly successful exports.

Swift was born in Stockton, the son of two music teachers, in 1960 and grew up in the region before training at the Guildford School of Acting in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

He spent much of the 1980s working almost exclusively in theatre, including stints with Deborah Warner’s Kick Theatre company and the comedy performance-art group The People Show, alongside numerous television commercials.

Building a screen career

Swift’s early screen credits included a notable role in Mike Leigh’s acclaimed 1990 film Life Is Sweet, which brought him critical praise, followed by a memorable villainous turn in 1997’s The Borrowers.

He continued building his profile through the 1990s and 2000s with roles in productions including Dalziel and Pascoe, The Smoking Room and Casualty, as well as film parts in Robert Altman’s Gosford Park and the 2005 adaptation of Oliver Twist, in which he played Mr Bumble.

His profile rose further with roles in Michael Apted’s Amazing Grace and the family favourite Fred Claus, before he became a familiar face to costume drama fans as election agent Glenvil Harris across the final two series of Foyle’s War.

Spratt, Higgins and household names

Swift found wider recognition playing Septimus Spratt, the calculating butler to the Dowager Countess, across three seasons of Downton Abbey – a role that made him a recognisable face on both sides of the Atlantic.

It was his casting as Leslie Higgins, the loyal Head of Football Director at AFC Richmond, in Apple TV’s Ted Lasso that brought Swift his biggest international audience.

The role, which he played across all four seasons of the hit comedy, earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2021.

Swift has described Higgins as a character who changed the least over the show’s run, something he considers no bad thing given the warmth audiences felt for him.

The drought crisis gripping the UK is revealed in a new Met Office map showing areas where just 3% of expected rainfall came during the entire month of July as farmers warned of impending food shortages

Britain’s drought crisis is laid bare in new weather maps showing a frightening lack of rainfall across the country.

Half of England is currently under official drought conditions after some areas recorded almost no rainfall in the entire month of July.

While rain has fallen in areas further north in recent days, helping boost reservoirs and alleviate some of the severe impacts on farming, forecasts show more dry, hot weather in the Southeast of England – the hardest-hit region.

One weather map, issued by the Met Office, shows that rainfall was 65% below average across the UK last month. New maps issued by the service this week indicate the lack of rain has hampered soil moisture, which is causing havoc for farmers across the UK.

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Large swathes of the UK is in a brown hue in the graphic, which indicates soil moisture is low – as much as 1% in some parts of the East of England and the Southeast of England – at the moment.

Soil moisture is a measurement favoured for showing the exact amount of water available in the ground to sustain plant life and agriculture. The benchmark required for supporting plants and wildlife is typically around 30%.

Reacting to this data, Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGovern said in a forecast bulletin: “It’s not good news – we really need the rain… You obviously need soil moisture for those plants to continue to thrive and we are seriously lacking in soil moisture across a large part of England and Wales.

“I’ve just picked a point there, but it’s representative of a large area of England or Wales, 1% soil moisture in that top 40 centimetres, less than 30% supposedly over a long period time. It really isn’t good news for plants and all sorts of wildlife that need plant life and so on.”

Southern England experienced just 3% of its long-term average rainfall for the month – its driest month ever recorded – while Wales was on 9%.

Only the far north of Scotland bucked the trend, recording 69% of its average rainfall after continued downpours and more changeable conditions.

Farmers sounded the warning this week that some everyday food staples – such as wheat, barley, and potatoes – could be set to jump in price due to shortages in the coming months after the worst summer harvest in living memory.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “We have taken food production for granted for too long; we must create a more resilient food system to feed the 29 million households across the country, and we can’t produce food without water.

“Those other countries around the world that we currently rely on to produce our food and vegetables, their climates are changing as well. It does feel like there is going be some shortages of products.”

Hosepipe bans have been in place across the Southeast of England and East Anglia for several weeks – and in Whitstable and Herne Bay, Kent, local residents have been urged to use water for essential purposes only to prevent a sudden loss of water supply.

South East Water’s Matthew Dean said: “Due to the prolonged period of hot and dry weather, water levels in our local drinking water storage tank in the Whitstable and Herne Bay areas continue to be extremely low.

“This may soon impact our ability to pump fresh drinking water to our customers. All customers are currently in supply. However, if demand for water continues to remain high, there is a risk of supply interruptions.”

He continued: “We’re continuing to ask customers to use water for essential purposes only: drinking, cooking and hygiene. This is in line with our temporary usage ban that is now in place for all of our 2.4 million customers across our supply area.

“To safeguard our shared resource and help prevent any homes from facing a sudden loss of water, we are incredibly grateful to everyone helping us protect water supplies in Kent.”

Showers are forecast across the Northeast of England on Thursday, but not enough to improve soil moisture significantly. Temperatures are likely to rise next week too, with 35C expected across the East of England and parts of the Southeast of England.

France is banning unsolicited telemarketing calls under a new law that goes into effect next week aimed at protecting consumers from intrusive sales pitches.

The law, which also aims to shield vulnerable people from fraudulent commercial practices, is backed by President Emmanuel Macron‘s government and comes into force on Aug. 11.

Previously in France, people who wanted to avoid marketing calls had to register their number with a government-run service, but consumer groups said some call centers ignored the list.

Now, “businesses are prohibited from contacting consumers without their prior consent,” said Alice Vilcot, chief of staff at the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Prevention of Fraud. “That consent can be withdrawn at any time.”

The government says the law is a response to years of consumer complaints. Authorities estimate that about three-quarters of people in France receive at least one unsolicited sales call every week, and many receive more.

In 2024, 11 consumer organizations issued a joint call for a ban, denouncing “relentless harassment of consumers through countless unwanted telemarketing calls to both landlines and mobile phones — an intrusion that has become a regular part of their daily lives.”

Parliament approved the law last year.

Individuals who make illegal calls can be fined up to 75,000 euros ($87,000) per call. Companies can face fines of up to 375,000 euros ($435,000) per call.

There are exceptions. Consumers may consent to receive marketing calls, for example by checking a consent box on a form. Companies can contact customers with new commercial offers if they already have a contractual relationship.

People can report unsolicited calls through a government website.

Vilcot noted that an Ireland-based company was fined 6 million euros ($6.9 million) last year for violating France’s previous telemarketing rules by calling people on the no-call list.

France’s new law has raised concerns in Morocco, where the minister of employment, Younes Sekkouri, said in March that between 40,000 and 50,000 jobs were at risk in the country’s call centers. Sekkouri said the French market accounts for more than 80% of revenue in the sector.

Neighboring Germany has had a similar ban since 2009 while many other countries rely on opt-out systems.

In the United States, people can sign up for the national Do Not Call registry, which cuts down on unwanted sales calls, Canada has its own Do Not Call list, while the U.K. has the Telephone Preference Service.

In Britain, companies that call people who have opted out can be fined up to 500,000 pounds ($670,000) per call.

People have been complaining for yearsAn unwanted call faces fines of up to 375,000 eurosOther countries have tried to limit calls

ARSENAL 1-3 REAL BETIS: The Gunners were convincingly beaten in Dublin, giving Mikel Arteta some cause for concern ahead of his team’s season which starts in just 11 days’ time

Lacklustre Arsenal fell to a comprehensive 3-1 defeat to Real Betis in their second pre-season friendly. The Gunners gave their fans in Dublin little to enjoy with an under-par display.

Mikel Arteta watched his side make a string of mistakes, showing the kind of rustiness that he’ll hope will be gone in less than a fortnight when they start the 2026-27 season against Manchester City for the Community Shield. Arsenal found themsleves 2-0 down inside 26 minutes and Arteta was visibly frustrated on the touchline.

Piero Hincapie pulled one back but Betis didn’t take long to restore their two-goal advantage before half-time. A raft of changes didn’t make much difference in the second half and it was a match that will have fans talking for the wrong reasons.

Here are five talking points from the Aviva Stadium.

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1. Kepa’s clangers

With Illan Meslier through the door, there’s competition to be Arsenal’s No.2 goalkeeper. But Kepa Arrizabalaga didn’t help his case by making an error in the ninth minute.

A corner was floated in by Pablo Fornals and Kepa came steaming out looking to punch. But the Spaniard got it all wrong and completely missed the ball, giving Rodrigo Riquelme a tap-in.

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Kepa’s appeals for a foul fell on deaf ears and soon enough he made another error. His poor clearance surrendered possession to Betis and Nelson Deossa punished him with an unstoppable strike.

Will Arsenal win the Premier League? Give us your prediction in the comments section.

2. Still Set Piece FC

After finding themselves 2-0 down and playing poorly, Arsenal needed a response. That came in the form of – you guessed it – a corner.

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New signing Christos Tzolis whipped the ball in and it evaded flapping Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles inside his own six-yard box. Standing a matter of inches from the line, Hincapie had a simple task to nod the ball in.

It was another well-worked routine from the Gunners. Tzolis’ delivery dipped perfectly and Betis were bamboozled by the runners in yellow, who were sporting Arsenal’s new third kit.

3. Guimaraes required

On the day Arsenal agreed a £75million deal to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, their second-choice midfield was exposed. Sloppy, lethargic, careless – all of those could be thrown at the trio of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Kai Havertz.

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Both Betis’ second and third goals summed up their performances that will remind the Arsenal board just why they’re buying Guimaraes. Deossa’s strike may’ve been a screamer but he was afforded was too much time to pull the trigger.

And then for Fornals’ goal which restored Betis’ two-goal cushion, Havertz gave the ball away with a weak pass. It was all far too easy and so unlike Arsenal.

4. Injury blow for teenager

Arteta rung in the changes at half-time, making a total of seven substitutions. One who came on was Louie Copley, who captained Arsenal’s under-21 side last season aged 19.

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But sadly for the highly-rated midfielder, who was used at right-back, his night only last 10 minutes. Copley had landed awkwardly while chasing the ball and immediately looked in pain.

Arteta reluctantly subbed him, as the teenager had to be helped off the pitch as he struggled to put weight on his leg. Hopefully for Copley, it’s nothing serious.

5. Arteta managing minutes

As the game petered out, albeit with Betis looking the more likely to score against a youth Arsenal XI, Arteta made two intriguing substitutions. Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli had only entered the fray at half-time, but they came off 30 minutes later.

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The two Brazilians had only reached the round of 16 at the World Cup, but it’s clear that Arteta is being careful with his starters who played a mammoth amount of minutes last season. Both Gabriels should be involved on Saturday at home to Borussia Dortmund.

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