Britain

The Independent reports: Families were warned of a possible £40 ‘holiday tax’ to travel to the EU as the price of Brexit, after a bombshell Government admission. Home Secretary Amber Rudd revealed that a Brussels scheme that would require permission to be granted – and a fee paid – before departure could be adopted, saying “We don’t rule it out.” …

The BBC reports: Labour MP Keith Vaz has stepped down as chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee. It follows newspaper claims he paid for the services of two male sex workers. He said: “It is in the best interest of the Home Affairs Select Committee that its important work can be conducted without any distractions whatsoever. “I am genuinely …

The BBC reports: About 200 people carrying rainbow flags descended on an east London supermarket for a mass “kissathon” after a gay couple were ejected for holding hands. Thomas Rees, 32, and Joshua Bradwell, 25, were in Sainsbury’s on Hackney Road when a guard told them a woman had complained about their behaviour. The protestors danced outside the Hackney Road …

Massive Attack and Mazzy Star’s vocalist together! IndieWire reviews: Cate Blanchett is front and center in the latest Massive Attack video for their single “The Spoils,” released Tuesday. The six-minute clip is an eerie visual that shows the Oscar-winning actress’ face in front of a black backdrop. Highlighting her features from all angles, she then undergoes a transformation and morphs …

The Telegraph reports: Approximately 50,000 British holidaymakers currently in Florida should avoid unprotected sex for the rest of the summer holidays because of the risk from Zika virus, according to government advice. An outbreak of four mosquito-transmitted cases yesterday prompted Public Health England (PHE) to advise pregnant women to consider postponing non-essential travel to the southern US state. But for …

The BBC reports: Prince Harry has been tested for HIV in an effort raise awareness about the condition and encourage others to get checked out. The prince walked into a sexual health clinic in Burrell Street, central London to have the finger-prick test – for which he tested negative. The 31-year-old has made raising awareness about HIV and Aids a …

The Telegraph reports: Mr Cameron has left 10 Downing Street for the last time as Prime Minister, as he set off on the short trip to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation to the Queen and hand over the reins of power to Theresa May. Flanked by wife Samantha and children Nancy, Elwen and Florence outside the famous black door, …

The Telegraph reports: Conservative leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom has announced she is pulling out of the race to replace David Cameron as prime minister. The energy minister has paved the way for Home Secretary Theresa May, as the only remaining candidate, to be named Tory leader and PM as early as today. Mrs Leadsom said: “The best interests of our …

Via the BBC: The government has rejected an online petition, signed by more than 4.1 million people, calling for a second EU referendum to be held. An email to those who signed the petition said the prime minister and government had “been clear that this was a once-in-a-generation vote”. It said the decision “must be respected”, and “we must now …

The Independent reports: Andrea Leadsom has admitted that she “didn’t really like” the gay marriage law passed in 2013 because of the “clear hurt” it caused to Christians. In an interview after her speech in Westminster, Ms Leadsom, a Conservative leadership contender, said that she did not like the same-sex marriage legislation and would have preferred for it to include …

From Breitbart: In the wake of UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage’s resignation on Monday, Breitbart London’s Editor in Chief Raheem Kassam has told the BBC that he is considering a bid for the party’s leadership. Speaking with Evan Davis on Newsnight, Kassam refused to rule out running for the position as other candidates considered their bids. Davis asked Kassam, …

He’s leaving the mess for somebody else to clean up. The BBC reports: Nigel Farage says he is standing down as leader of the UK Independence Party. Mr Farage said his “political ambition has been achieved” with the UK having voted to leave the EU. He said the party was in a “pretty good place” and said he would not …

Raw Story recaps: As Americans celebrate our Independence Day, comedian John Oliver wonders if declaring independence from Great Britain was all that good of an idea after all. “First, there is the matter of your accents. These beautiful vowel sounds could have been yours. But instead from sea to shining sea, you speak like you just burnt your tongue on …

This is surprising. The BBC reports: Ex-London mayor Boris Johnson has ruled himself out of the race to be the next Conservative leader and prime minister. In a speech in London – billed as his campaign launch – Mr Johnson said he did not believe he could provide the leadership or unity needed. It comes after Justice Secretary and fellow …

The Guardian reports: France’s Front National (FN) hailed Brexit as a clear boost for Marine Le Pen’s presidential bid next spring, as well as a move that gave momentum to the party’s anti-Europe and anti-immigration line. “Victory for Freedom! As I have been asking for years, we must now have the same referendum in France and EU countries,” Le Pen …