Animal Welfare Awards Deadline: The RSPCA’s PawPrints Awards are down to the wire, with councils and public bodies in England and Wales facing a 31 July deadline to apply for prevention-focused animal welfare recognition. Prison Early Release Review: Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he will review the early release scheme for thousands of offenders after concerns raised by the PC Andrew Harper family and victims’ groups. Cost of Living Energy Tax Cut: Burnham’s plan to scrap VAT on domestic electricity bills from October is already reshaping the debate on household bills, with analysts and consumer voices warning the savings may be limited by other changes. Digital ID Scrapped: The government has dropped the controversial digital ID card scheme, with funds redirected toward the electricity VAT cut. EU-UK and Foreign Policy Signals: Coverage highlights Europe’s hopes for a warmer EU-UK relationship under Burnham, while noting his foreign policy priorities are less clear than his domestic agenda. Online Safety and Age Checks: France has become the first EU country to ban under-15s from social media, adding pressure to the wider European push for age verification. Parliament and Public Life: Westminster continues to see disruption amid protests, while a Westminster honour recognises arts and filmmaking leaders with a British Citizen Award. Security and Courts: A UK court case involving a dual UK-Israel IDF reservist continues to draw attention to how UK law applies to foreign service.