A Labour council leader who described campaigners flying St George’s flags as “criminals” and “nonces” has avoided facing a confidence vote in his leadership.

Jeremy Newmark, the leader of Hertsmere Council in Hertfordshire, will remain at the head of the authority’s Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition after a vote on whether to add the confidence motion to the agenda ended in a deadlock.

The council’s Labour mayor, Parveen Rani, voted against putting forward the proposal, which would have led to a second confidence vote in Mr Newmark in two years. The motion was therefore defeated.

Mr Newmark’s administration has come under mounting pressure in recent months. Among the controversies were allegations that he had referred to Nigerians as “crooks”, claims that were not upheld by a council standards panel.

It also emerged that another Labour councillor suggested the party should “start planning sites where we can’t win seats” and make a “political decision” not to become involved in a major development.

Chris Myers told fellow party members they should avoid proposals for 900 homes in Potters Bar, arguing that Labour had “a fairly good chance of retaining and doubling seats” in the area.

In June, audio leaked to the Daily Mail also appeared to capture Labour councillor Aaditya Kaza saying members had been instructed how to vote on a separate planning application.

The latest attempt to trigger a confidence vote followed a by-election three months ago that wiped out the administration’s majority.

The proposal, tabled by Reform UK councillors, also called for the authority to be run by a “strategic alignment administration” for the remainder of its term.

But a vote to change the agenda failed after 17 members voted in favour and the same number against, necessitating the Labour mayor’s casting vote.

Two Conservative councillors, who both also serve on a district council in Cambridgeshire, were absent from the meeting in Hertsmere.

Paul Hodgson-Jones and Sarah Hodgson-Jones, both members of Huntingdonshire Council, did not attend the Hertsmere meeting.

Mr Hodgson-Jones chaired a meeting of that council’s corporate governance committee on the same evening.

Brett Rosehill, a Reform councillor, called their absence ‘deeply disappointing’.

‘Whatever our political differences, Hertsmere councillors should put Hertsmere residents first.’

RELATED: Santa Impersonator Charged With Attempted Rape After Allegedly Bringing Condoms to Meet Child

Referring to his Reform colleague, Mr Rosehill said: ‘Caroline Clapper and I turned up, made our case and were prepared to vote.

‘Residents can draw their own conclusions about those who chose not to be there.’

He said Mr Newmark’s leadership had been ‘mired in controversy’ and ‘something had to be done’ after his administration lost its majority. 

Mr Newmark, who ran in the 2017 general election for the north London parliamentary seat of Finchley and Golders Green, faced calls to quit last year after his comments on the movement known as Operation Raise the Colours.

He accused the group of running ‘an attempt by a bunch of extremists, criminals, nonces to hijack our national flag’.

The remarks came days after an estimated 150,000 supporters of ex-English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson took part in a ‘Unite The Kingdom’ rally in London.

Opposition councillors condemned him for allegedly ‘forfeiting his integrity’ and ‘pushing people apart’.

And in March last year, Mr Newmark claimed a Tory finance spokesman had used an ‘antisemitic trope’ suggesting the Labour leader ‘orchestrates everything in this chamber’.

Abhishek Sachdev made the remark during a speech on the council’s budget for the past year.

The Labour leader said Mr Sachdev’s comments were ‘straight out of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion’, referring to an antisemitic publication which falsely details a Jewish plot for global domination.

Morris Bright, the Tory leader on the council, branded Mr Newmark a ‘disgrace’.

The Labour man later said he had not suggested Mr Sachdev had ‘any harmful intent’ with his words, nor did he accuse him of being an antisemite.

Following the outburst Mr Newmark survived a confidence motion in the same month by a single vote.

Hertsmere Council was contacted for comment. 

Denmark has granted the United States permanent control over Greenland’s security, President Donald Trump has claimed.

Securing greater control of the strategically important Arctic territory has been a central goal of Trump’s second term. In a Truth Social post on Friday, he said those efforts had produced an agreement.

Trump said the US had reached a deal with Denmark that gives Washington “permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland,” which he said would address “ALL” of America’s concerns.

“At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland and the United States of America,” Trump wrote. He described the arrangement as an “infinite life” agreement.

The president also claimed that no US adversary would be allowed to establish a base or military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments there, without explicit written approval from Washington.

Trump said the US would “immediately begin” developing a substantial military presence in a suitable area of Greenland, adding that American officials would work with Greenlanders during the development and construction process.

He insisted the expanded US military presence in Greenland would come at no cost to the United States. A senior official told Fox News that the agreement would remain in force even if Greenland were ever to become an independent nation.

“This solution is a great one for the United States of America, Denmark, Greenland, and all of our Allies,” Trump wrote.

‘We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland toward a magnificent future with respect to this large, and highly strategic, parcel of land,’ the president continued. ‘We will be very protective of it!’

‘This is a dream come true for the United States of America, one that is very important, historic, and special,’ he concluded. 

Under the deal, Denmark and Greenland would no longer have to approve any new US military installations on the island, according to Fox News.

But the deal only allows the US and its allies to make ‘sensitive investments’ on the territory, including telecommunications infrastructure, undersea capabilities, ports and critical minerals.

RELATED: Attacker's knife malfunctions as bishop wields cross for protection – NewsFinale

The deal also falls short of ceding control of the territory to the US.

The announcement comes after months of closed-door negotiations between US, Danish and Greenland officials that focused on allowing American troops to stay on the island indefinitely, cooperation on extracting the island’s rich natural resources like rare earths and oil and the possible re-opening of a Second World War-era US military base on the southern coast.

Trump has framed his push to acquire the island as a national security imperative, citing Greenland’s strategic position in the Arctic and China’s and Russia’s ambitions to expand their presence in the region.

Northern Command boss General Gregory M Guillot has noted how Greenland could host part of an array of radar stations in the Arctic that includes outposts in Alaska and Canada. 

He has also said that the US seeks a deepwater port and a base for US special forces on the island.

Trump first floated the idea of bringing Greenland into the US sphere of influence during his first term in 2019. 

Since returning to the office, he has repeatedly doubled down on that. 

Yet  

Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended the president for reaching the agreement.

‘This historic deal is a huge win for the United States and the American people,’ he said in a statement to Fox News. 

‘Thanks to President Trump’s vision and leadership, this historic agreement permanently guarantees US security interests in the Arctic at zero cost to the US taxpayer,’ Rubio noted. ‘Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversaries from it and the surrounding area.’

‘This deal permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland,’ he added. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated. 

Angry Westchester County residents say the steady stream of helicopters carrying affluent travelers to the Hamptons has turned their quiet suburban communities into what feels like a war zone.

Residents of the Sound Shore say the flights are destroying the area’s usual calm, with the noise disrupting work calls, family dinners and peaceful afternoons by the waterfront.

Larchmont resident Jay Davis said the helicopters have become impossible to escape, roaring overhead as he works remotely, spends time at parks along Long Island Sound and watches television with his family.

‘I have to put the closed captions on so I can see what’s happening on the screen. I don’t want to continue to live like this,’ Davis told The Wall Street Journal.

According to Wings Air Helicopters, the premium service can get passengers to the Hamptons in less than an hour, allowing them to bypass traffic-heavy drives and longer train journeys.

Frustration among those living beneath the flight paths appears to be mounting, with residents taking to Nextdoor to air complaints about the increasingly intrusive overhead traffic.

One neighbor likened the booming noise to that of a military Chinook helicopter, writing: ‘It’s giving me ’Nam flashbacks.’

But a Vietnam veteran from Yonkers took the opposite position, replying: ‘As a Vietnam veteran myself, I enjoy the flyovers. Welcome home.’

 ‘One time I thought I had a helicopter in my driveway. It’s not as peaceful as it was before,’ Nancy Monzidelis, another Larchmont resident, told the WSJ outlet. 

The disturbance had prompted residents to contact the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local congressmen. 

Mateo Lallemand, a sophomore at Rye Country Day School, took matters into his own hands by creating an app that cross-references helicopter noises with the FAA registry and FlightRadar24, a flight tracking system.

Lallemand told the WSJ he set up a microphone outside his home that captures the audio and directly sends the information to his app for review. 

His collected data showcased flights travelled to the Hamptons at around 1,000 feet above homes despite companies such as Flexjet, advertising that their luxury helicopter flies at a cruising altitude of 4,000 FT. 

READ MORE: Russia Launches Missile into Poland Following Attack on Ukraine by ISIS – NewsFinale

This data was then shared with Representative George Latimer, who represents Westchester County, as a call to action to help find a solution to the complaints. 

According to the WSJ, Rep. Latimer has engaged with FAA staff to study and investigate the issue. 

‘The residents have a legitimate concern that cannot be ignored,’ he said in a statement to the outlet. 

Westchester residents aren’t the only New Yorkers up in arms about the noise. 

Outraged residents of Riverhead, Long Island attended a town board in July and complained about helicopters flying overhead from the North Fork to the Hamptons. 

According to the Gabreski Airport noise committee, the Westhampton airport recorded over 500 complaints from January through April of 2026. 

Riverhead residents described the noises as ‘intolerable’ and claimed pilots were not following the FAA’s mandatory New York North Shore Helicopter Routes. 

Since then, Eli Flint, the president of Flexjet’s helicopter division, has spoken out to WSJ about major safety concerns being the key reason why helicopters fly at low heights. 

Earlier last year, a passenger jet carrying 60 passengers and an Army helicopter with crew members collided in Washington while heading to Ronald Reagan National Airport. The accident killed up to dozens of people. 

As a result, air traffic controllers have directed all pilots to make more space for commercial airlines heading into airports.  

‘That’s why we’re at 700 to 1,000 feet. We know it’s an issue,’ Flint told the outlet

The Daily Mail has reached out to Mateo Lallemand, Representative George Latimer, Eli Flint and the FAA for comments. 

Christina Aguilera commanded attention in a daring black gown as she headed the celebrity arrivals at Friday’s Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation gala.

Eva Herzigová, 53, and Monica Bellucci, 61, also made striking appearances, each choosing an elegant black dress for the glamorous evening.

Around 250 guests gathered at the Opéra Garnier for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation gala, which marked its 20th anniversary.

The 45-year-old American pop star stole the spotlight in a black dress featuring a thigh-high slit and a glittering plunging neckline.

Czech supermodel Eva brought classic red-carpet glamour in a strapless gown as she attended alongside her new husband, Gregorio Marsiaj.

The pair married this summer at Italy’s Church of San Vito, formalising their relationship after 25 years together.

Meanwhile, Monica opted for a flowing black V-neck dress, delivering another effortlessly elegant red-carpet moment.

Hollywood icon Richard Gere, 77, looked dashing in a black tuxedo as he posed for photographs.

Italian film producer Monika Bacardi opted for a racy white cut-out number as she made her star-studded appearance. 

Eva and Gregorio first met in the Italian coastal village of Varigotti in 2001 and became engaged in 2017.

However, it is not her first marriage, as Eva, who is originally from the Czech Republic, was previously married to Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres.

MORE STORY: Flight from hell: Husband, 63, dies beside his wife when 'litres of blood' shoot out of his nose and mouth all over the interior of the plane in front of screaming passengers flying from Bangkok to Germany – NewsFinale

She shot to fame after starring in the famous 1994 ‘Hello Boys’ Wonderbra campaign and went on to become one of the most recognisable models in the world, working with fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior and Chanel.

Gregorio belongs to a well-known entrepreneurial family in Turin, who founded Sabelt, a company specialising in safety systems for racing cars.

She spoke to Tatler about her relationship with the Italian businessman previously.

Eva said: ‘He makes me feel so good about who I am, as I am. I have moments of not feeling good.

‘But he always brings me up and out again. He is such a positive person and such a wonderful father. He fills my life with joy.’

Melissa Francis, the CEO of Sailfish Productions, has blasted American Airlines over what she described as another frustrating customer service experience involving a first-class ticket.

The 53-year-old former Fox News anchor shared her complaints in a post on X on Wednesday, detailing what she said was a confusing attempt to fly in first class.

‘I absolutely HATE American Airlines,’ the media executive wrote.

‘I bought a first class ticket and when I got to the gate, they had switched my seat to coach.’

When Francis sought an explanation at the gate, she claimed an airline employee told her that the situation ‘happens all the time’—but would not issue a refund.

‘She said no and I can get on Twitter and complain if I want to ask for a refund or I can sit on hold, but she suggest tweeting because nobody answers the phone,’ Francis said.

‘Even though she says she runs into this problem on a daily basis so obviously this is a scheme of theirs to boost revenue.’

Francis, who played Cassandra on Little House on the Prairie before launching her journalism career, also raised concerns about TSA line issues she said she encounters while traveling with American Airlines.

‘Neither of these problems have once happened to be on any other airline,’ she wrote.

‘I would love to avoid flying with them, but there are some routes from my home that only they do sadly so in the future I’m going to walk rather than buy a ticket with this horrible horrible airline.’

An American Airlines spokesperson commented under Francis’s post saying: ‘We’re really sorry to hear this happened. That isn’t the experience we want for you. Please send us a DM with your confirmation code, and we’ll take a closer look at the seat change and TSA PreCheck concerns. We’d like the opportunity to review what’s going on and help where we can.’

The Daily Mail has contacted Francis and American Airlines for further comment. 

Francis’s public dissatisfaction comes after a series of controversies involving the airline.

In 2025, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom came under fire on social media for the ‘disrespectful’ outfit he wore to film a video statement regarding a plane crash.

And earlier this month, a man was duct-taped to his seat on an American Airlines flight after going on an alleged alcohol-fueled racist and homophobic tirade that caused the aircraft to divert.

ALSO READ: Ben Shephard Arrest News: Is Television Presenter Arrested? – NewsFinale

Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, allegedly had to be zip-tied and duct-taped to his seat on Flight 618 from Dallas, Texas, to Newark, New Jersey. 

After yelling at a male passenger sitting next to him in first class, Lundeen, allegedly called a black flight attendant the N-word and made homophobic comments.

In August, American Airlines customers were left fuming after the company stripped away a beloved perk.

For select flights to and from Hawaii and on transcontinental routes, frequent flyers are now added to an upgrade list for premium economy – instead of elite business class seats. 

And in July, the airline left hundreds of passengers stranded on nine planes for three hours at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

American Airlines also faced backlash for delaying a flight for more than 15 hours, only to cancel it entirely after passengers waited all day, last winter. 

The issues come amid a dispute between American Airlines pilots and the company’s CEO Robert Isom.

Captain Nick Silva, an American pilot who serves as president of the Allied Pilots Association, attacked Isom in a statement: ‘The pool of talent to lead airlines seems to be relatively small.

‘It’s just the question of is there somebody out there who can turn the ship around faster? We have hope that there’s somebody out there who sees the potential here, who sees what we see, and is able to come in.’

The pilot’s public discontent and senior management has been making headlines since earlier this year and is part of a public feud between American Airlines senior management and its pilots and flight attendants.

The union that represents the airline’s more than 25,000 flight attendants, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, declared that it no longer had confidence in Isom’s leadership which started in 2022.

In a statement sent to The Dallas Morning News, American Airlines said: ‘We value the perspectives of our pilots and all team members and maintain regular dialogue with our union partners.

‘While there is more work to do, American has a clear strategy, we’re making meaningful investments across the business, and we remain focused on improving performance and delivering long-term value for our customers, team members and shareholders,’ the statement continued.