Britain

USA Today reports: If President Donald Trump hasn’t been brushing up on his Russian in anticipation of his Monday meeting with Vladimir Putin, it may not be a problem. If he has, he may not want to look out of his helicopter as he flies to see British Prime Minister Theresa May at her country estate on Friday. That’s because …

The Evening Standard reports: Thousands of people have signed a petition for the Trump baby blimp to be flown close to the President’s golf course in Turnberry, Scotland. Activists raised over £16,000 to make the balloon and gain permission to fly it over Parliament Square. Sadiq Khan and City Hall gave the go-ahead for it to be flown on Friday …

A “special alert” from the US embassy in London: Numerous demonstrations are being planned for July 12 to 14, 2018, surrounding the visit of the President of the United States to the United Kingdom. The majority of the demonstrations will be focused in central London on July 13, with other events planned for July 12 and 14. Several of the …

The Guardian reports: Boris Johnson has resigned as foreign secretary, becoming the third minister in 24 hours to walk out of the government rather than back Theresa May’s plans for a soft Brexit. The prime minister hammered out a compromise with her deeply divided cabinet in an all-day meeting at Chequers on Friday, but after consulting friends and allies since, …

The Guardian reports: Donald Trump will almost entirely avoid London during his four-day visit to the UK next week, Downing Street has said, unveiling an itinerary likely to prompt accusations the US president is trying to avoid planned protests against him. And while the president is conducting his meetings, the first lady, Melania, will have an agenda of her own, …

Sky News reports: A giant balloon dubbed “Trump baby” has been given the green light to fly near parliament during the president’s UK visit. London mayor Sadiq Khan’s Greater London Authority has approved a request for the flight after thousands signed a petition and a crowdfunding campaign raised more than £16,000 to get the six-metre inflatable off the ground. Strict …

Gizmodo reports: For modern smartphone owners, it’s a common enough of an occurrence. You’re just sitting there, talking about whatever, when suddenly you say something that triggers the digital assistant on your phone. Now normally, you’d probably get annoyed for a second, tap a button to dismiss the interruption, and then continue with whatever you were doing. But if you’re, …

NBC News reports: A 20-foot-tall inflatable orange baby with the face of President Donald Trump could float over Britain’s parliament next month, one of many acts of protest planned to coincide with Trump’s first visit to the U.K. since taking office. Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to march in London, Scotland and elsewhere during his trip, which takes …

Reuters reports: Around 100,000 supporters of the European Union marched through central London on Saturday to demand that the British government hold a final public vote on the terms of Brexit, organizers said. Protesters packed the main arteries of the capital, waving British, Irish and European flags and colorful banners to call for a “People’s Vote” on the eventual deal …

Sky News reports: Donald Trump will meet the Queen when he visits Britain next month, the US ambassador to the UK has told Sky News. The president is due in Britain for a working visit on Friday 13 July – his first to the country since being elected in 2016. It is not a state visit with all the pomp …

Reuters reports: Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Sunday she would again consider another vote on independence for Scotland when the British government offers some certainty over Brexit. Speaking on ITV television’s Peston on Sunday program, Sturgeon also said her Scottish National Party would not block another Brexit vote on any final deal, but feared what would happen if …

CNN reports: And they’re married! Britain’s Prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle were wed Saturday at Windsor Castle in a ceremony that combined British pageantry with modern style. In a departure from tradition, Markle walked much of the way up the aisle unchaperoned, followed by her 10 bridesmaids and page boys — a move that is unprecedented for a …

The Belfast Telegraph reports: A bid to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has been blocked from progressing the legislative process in the House of Commons. MP Conor McGinn [photo] had brought a private member’s bill forward seeking to extend same-sex marriage into Northern Ireland following the collapse of the devolved government more than 15 months ago. He had expected …

The Guardian reports: A hairdresser has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 12 years at Brighton crown court after deliberately trying to infect 10 men with HIV. Daryll Rowe, 27, from Brighton, showed no emotion as he was sentenced for five charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and five of attempting to do so. …

The Telegraph reports: The Queen has reportedly been hit “extremely hard” by the loss of her corgi Willow who died on Sunday – ending Her Majesty’s close association with the breed dating back eight decades. The dog, which was 14th generation and descended from the Queen’s first dog Susan, was suffering from a cancer-related illness. It is understood The Queen …

The Guardian reports: There was a “common plan” to use the network of companies orbiting Cambridge Analytica to get around election spending and co-ordination laws, Christopher Wylie, the Cambridge Analytica whistleblower, has told a parliamentary committee. “For me, this is about the integrity of the democratic process, which is more important than anything else,” Wylie said, before emphasising his words: …

The Bermuda News reports: The Governor has given assent to the Domestic Partnership Act 2017, Government House has just confirmed, meaning the legislation can now take effect. In a statement this afternoon [Feb 7], Governor John Rankin said, “After careful consideration in line with my responsibilities under the Constitution, I have today given assent to the Domestic Partnership Act 2017.” …

Britain’s Metro reports: A terror suspect who plotted to launch an attack at a gay pride event has come out as bisexual during his trial. Ethan Stables, 20, denies plotting to commit acts of terrorism at the event at the New Empire pub in Barrow, Cumbria, last June. He made the revelation after a jury saw a video of him …

Bloomberg reports: U.S. President Donald Trump is avoiding a visit to Britain because he wants to allow Prime Minister Theresa May to focus her attention on withdrawing from the European Union, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said. While Trump said last week that he “canceled” a visit to London to formally open the new U.S. embassy because the old site …

Sky News reports: Supporters of US President Donald Trump have disrupted a speech by Sadiq Khan, calling for the London Mayor to be arrested. Mr Khan was about to start speaking to the Fabian Society in London when he was disrupted by protesters from a group called the White Pendragons, who shouted pro-Trump and pro-Brexit slogans. It came after a …