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Subject: Burnham's devolution drive
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=E2=80=8C

By John Power

Good morning. Andy Burnham is expected to unveil sweeping fiscal devolution=
 reforms today, while Diane Abbott has been readmitted to the Labour party.=
 Hamas has agreed to disarm in Gaza after Donald Trump announced a deal wit=
h his Board of Peace. European football is in open revolt after Uefa voted =
unanimously to boycott the World Cup over Gianni Infantino=E2=80=99s plans =
to sell a stake in Fifa=E2=80=99s commercial operations. Meanwhile, Saudi A=
rabia is assembling a new maritime coalition against the Houthis. You=E2=80=
=99re reading Spectator Daily: here=E2=80=99s everything you need to know t=
oday.

BURNHAM INTO SECOND GEAR

The vote count for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election gets under wa=
y from 9 a.m, with results expected this afternoon. Labour=E2=80=99s Bev Cr=
aig is expected to win comfortably; polling from More in Common this week g=
ave her a 20 percentage point lead over Reform=E2=80=99s Sian Astley. Craig=
 has been solidly ahead in the polls since the by-election was called, so m=
uch so that Reform activists were being  diverted [https://www.theguardian=
=2Ecom/politics/2026/jul/09/reform-activists-manchester-farage-clacton-byelec=
tion-contest?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] to Clacton from the beginning of the month to campaign for Nigel Farage a=
head of his by-election on 13 August.

Burnham will today set out his plans for fiscal devolution. Under the refor=
ms, mayors will  keep [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/30/bu=
rnham-mayors-income-tax-business-rates-devolution?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] a share of income tax in their area from April 2028, and business rates f=
rom April 2027, giving local governments far more fiscal firepower and  fre=
eing [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-hands-mayors-share-of-income-t=
ax-to-make-lives-better-in-every-postcode] them from =E2=80=98the death gri=
p of the Treasury=E2=80=99. The Telegraph  says [https://www.telegraph.co.=
uk/politics/2026/07/30/labour-plots-18bn-council-tax-raid/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] that it will amount to an =C2=A318 billion tax raid, with the average cou=
ncil tax bill rising by =C2=A3500 per year by 2030; the Tories have said =E2=
=80=98the Burnham premium=E2=80=99 will increase bills =E2=80=98in every po=
stcode=E2=80=99.

Some Conservative and Reform mayors may choose to give money back to voters=
 through a tax rebate,  according [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/ar=
ticle/mayors-plan-tax-rebates-devolution-windfall-0296qfchb?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] to the Times, which would certainly be welcomed by the electorate. The qu=
estions to ask are about imbalances. Will devolving powers to cities mean t=
hat they pull ahead faster =E2=80=93 and what is to be done in the parts of=
 the country where there are no democratically elected mayors?

Burnham also has questions to answer on defence. Yesterday morning we heard=
 that the Prime Minister was unlikely to  commit [https://www.thetimes.com=
/uk/politics/article/andy-burnham-john-healey-defence-spending-8932lk20f?st=
atus=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030, something his Chancello=
r John Healey said was vital when he resigned from Keir Starmer=E2=80=99s g=
overnment. Burnham followed this up by  announcing [https://www.gov.uk/gov=
ernment/news/burnham-drives-defence-to-deliver-security-and-growth-in-every=
-postcode-with-84bn-nuclear-submarine-investment-supporting-22000-apprentic=
eships?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =C2=A38.4 billion in investment for nuclear submarines in Barrow-in-Furne=
ss. Richard Barrons, one of the authors of the Strategic Defence Review, cr=
iticised Burnham for  using [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/d=
efence-spending-nato-andy-burnham-gf38jfgtc?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] the announcement as a smokescreen for his defence spending problems. The =
truth is that Burnham is a domestic policy politician, not a foreign affair=
s focused one, and when push came to shove he was always planning to focus =
fiscal firepower on plans such as a national care service or cost-of-living=
 support.

Diane Abbott has been  readmitted [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/20=
26/07/30/diane-abbott-readmitted-to-labour/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] to the Labour party. Abbott, a prominent supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, was =
kicked out of the party (for a second time) by Starmer last year when she d=
oubled down on a letter to the Times she wrote in 2023 comparing anti-Semit=
ism to discrimination against redheads. Abbott=E2=80=99s readmission signal=
s a leftward shift in Labour =E2=80=93 her expulsion has long been a sore s=
pot for MPs to the left of the party.

Getty

The only true teflon politician

Speaking of the radical left, the co-founder of Palestine Action has been  =
given [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/30/palestine-action-co-fou=
nder-given-permission-challenge-ban/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] permission by the Supreme Court to challenge the Home Office=E2=80=99s de=
cision to ban the group, designating it a terrorist organisation. This chal=
lenge will be heard between October and December of this year. If the ban i=
s overturned, the controversy surrounding it may become problematic for Bur=
nham as he attempts to avoid becoming too embroiled in the politics around =
Gaza.

More than 30,000 people died while on social care waiting lists last year, =
 according [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/30000-deaths-wa=
iting-social-care-help-dlzgs996w?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] to research by the Liberal Democrats. Some 9,000 of those died while in h=
ospital. It is the responsibility of local councils to arrange social care =
for individuals who need it, but more than half of requests for social care=
 are rejected. Councils in England are spending almost 80 per cent of their=
 budgets on social care for adults and children.

Coming up today

We=E2=80=99re expecting the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election result f=
rom 2 p.m. onwards. Labour=E2=80=99s Bev Craig is still pollsters=E2=80=99 =
favourite.

Burnham is expected to announce a major package of devolution reforms, incl=
uding plans to give combined authority mayors a share of income tax revenue=
s.

The Commonwealth Games continue, with medal events in athletics, track cycl=
ing and judo.

RED CARD FOR INFANTINO

Just when we thought football was over for the summer, all European nations=
 (including England) have said they plan to  boycott [https://www.thetimes=
=2Ecom/sport/football/article/uefa-boycott-fifa-world-cup-aleksander-ceferin-=
gianni-infantino-j3wdmgdl8?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] the World Cup unless Fifa changes course. Uefa, the European league, vote=
d 55-0 in favour of a boycott at a crisis meeting held in response to Fifa =
president Gianni Infantino=E2=80=99s plans to sell a stake in the World Cup=
 to private investors. It is the first time a football confederation has vo=
ted to boycott a Fifa tournament in its 122-year history, and the move is l=
ikely to kill off Infantino=E2=80=99s scheme. Concacaf, the confederation o=
f North, Central America and the Caribbean teams, has also decided to rejec=
t Infantino=E2=80=99s proposal.

The dispute arises from Infantino=E2=80=99s scheme to create the =E2=80=98F=
ifa Forward Enterprise=E2=80=99 to consolidate commercial and event operati=
ons. His plan was to then sell a stake in the FFE to outside investors, the=
 proceeds of which ( estimated [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/=
07/28/everything-we-know-about-fifas-plan-to-sell-the-world-cup/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] to be around =C2=A33.2 billion) would be used to fund Fifa=E2=80=99s =E2=80=
=98forward development=E2=80=99 programmes in federations across the world.=
 The idea is that money generated by events such as the World Cup can be re=
distributed to countries where football is either less popular or less lucr=
ative, thus growing the sport.

Getty

All of this I shall give to you

Infantino is a close friend of Donald Trump, whose son-in-law=E2=80=99s bro=
ther, Joshua Kushner,  has [https://www.thejc.com/news/usa/who-is-joshua-k=
ushner-fifa-world-cup-sale-jiws873i?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] a hedge fund which was supposed to lead the investor group buying a stake=
 in the FFE. Football associations and fans are outraged by the idea that p=
rivate investors could buy a stake in the game and be able to apply outside=
 pressure on how tournaments proceed =E2=80=93 for example, pressuring Fifa=
 to hold more games in a tournament or to shorten the years between tournam=
ents to create more commercial opportunities. The Trump connection certainl=
y won=E2=80=99t have helped matters, either.

Watch and listen

Lara Prendergast is joined by Rory Sutherland, Johnny Ray and Tim Shipman o=
n The Edition to discuss this week=E2=80=99s magazine.

GB News has an interesting  investigation [https://x.com/GBNEWS/status/208=
2765947824132325?s=3D20?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] into =E2=80=98Visa Street=E2=80=99 in Harrow, where 27 businesses have br=
ought 84 migrants into the country on skilled worker visas.

Trump says Burnham has promised to =E2=80=98open up North Sea oil=E2=80=99.=
 See his full comments  here [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4dreXf1YCew?s=
tatus=3D=
Non-subs=
=
].

TRUMP, HAMAS AND A DELICATE DEAL

Hamas has said it will disarm in Gaza, following a deal with Trump=E2=80=99=
s Board of Peace. Trump announced the deal in a post on Truth Social last n=
ight, branding it a =E2=80=98monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECUR=
ITY=E2=80=99. US and Board of Peace officials  told [https://www.bbc.co.uk=
/news/live/clyp18kwdnwt?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] reporters that Hamas=E2=80=99s police in Gaza would surrender their weapo=
ns before a =E2=80=98process of decommissioning=E2=80=99 heavy weapons begi=
ns. Tunnels and depots would also be closed down. Israel has yet to comment=
 on the deal.

Back in America, Trump is  stuck [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-=
security/2026/07/30/republicans-struggle-way-forward-blanche-ag-nomination/=
?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] in a stand-off over his decision to nominate Todd Blanche as attorney gen=
eral. Two Republican senators =E2=80=93 John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tilli=
s of North Carolina =E2=80=93 have refused to back Blanche=E2=80=99s nomina=
tion until the Department of Justice (of which Blanche is acting head) conf=
irms that it will not move forward with a deal Trump made with the departme=
nt earlier this year. In January, the US President sued the IRS following l=
eaks of his tax returns to the New York Times. As part of a settlement deal=
, the DoJ set up a $1.8 billion fund to help those caught up in lawfare, an=
d to grant him and his family immunity from tax audits. Trump has now conce=
ded that he may have to delay Blanche=E2=80=99s nomination until next year =
in a climbdown against his internal critics.

This is not the only sign that Trump=E2=80=99s authority over the Republica=
n party is fading. He has  endorsed [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politi=
cs/2026/07/30/conservatives-skeptical-darline-graham-south-carolina-senate-=
race/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] Darline Graham, sister of the late Lindsey Graham, for South Carolina, de=
spite her having no real record in government. (She was appointed state Sen=
ator after her brother=E2=80=99s death, but is now set to run for a full te=
rm.) Hardline Conservative activists, who usually follow Trump through thic=
k and thin, are apparently not minded to lend their support, while internal=
 Republican polling suggests that she will not win. This follows a recent s=
pate of Trump-backed nominees failing to win primaries.

Getty

Had enough of this nonsense now

Tensions in the Middle East are rising. Saudi Arabia is  preparing [https:=
//www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/30/saudi-forces-planning-major-offensi=
ve-against-houthis-central-yemen?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] for a major assault against the Houthis in the Red Sea and possibly by la=
nd in Yemen. Saudi Arabia also announced that 14 countries will support a n=
ew maritime defence coalition, including Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Sudan.

The inclusion of Pakistan could prove decisive. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, =
which have long shared close defence ties, signed a joint defensive pact la=
st September, meaning that if one is attacked the other will defend it. The=
 Pakistani foreign ministry has  specifically [https://mofa.gov.pk/pakista=
n-strongly-condemns-houthis-attacks-on-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia-2?status=
=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] condemned Houthi attacks. The country also  refused [https://www.bbc.co.=
uk/news/world-asia-32246547?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] to join Saudi Arabia when it began to intervene in Yemen back in 2015. Pa=
kistan, as well as possessing a nuclear weapon, has the seventh-largest mil=
itary in the world by active personnel =E2=80=93 larger than Iran=E2=80=99s=
 and more than twice the size of Saudi Arabia=E2=80=99s.

What we=E2=80=99re reading

Gen Z need a hand up. Boomers must pay for it [https://www.telegraph.co.uk=
/news/2026/07/29/boomers-britain-generational-inequality/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 Telegraph

Our reckless lack of gas storage invites disaster [https://www.thetimes.co=
m/comment/columnists/article/our-reckless-lack-of-gas-storage-invites-disas=
ter-j7dv50t6v?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 Times

The New Old Middle East  [https://www.foreignaffairs.com/middle-east/new-o=
ld-middle-east-gause?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
]=E2=80=93 Foreign Affairs

The cities that said yes to drugs [https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/20=
26/09/city-drug-addiction-harm-reduction-policy/687967/?status=3D=
=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 Atlantic

Inside OpenAI=E2=80=99s hack of hugging face [https://www.newyorker.com/ne=
ws/the-lede/inside-openai-hack-of-hugging-face?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 New Yorker

THE DON OF CATFORD

Police  pulled [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/30/police-find-4m=
-in-cash-and-cocaine-after-stop-and-search/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] over a driver in Catford, south London, for a stop and search =E2=80=93 a=
nd were led to =C2=A34 million and a kilo of cocaine. The 54 year-old man w=
as apparently driving suspiciously when police pulled him over on Wednesday=
 evening. He had =C2=A335,000 in cash in the car, leading police to raid hi=
s home, where they made the discovery. Somewhat depressingly, the money was=
 found stuffed into plastic shopping bags. When did briefcases go out of st=
yle?

It=E2=80=99s a good send-off for Tim Cook. The Apple CEO=E2=80=99s final ea=
rnings report  shows [https://www.thetimes.com/business/companies-markets/=
article/apple-earnings-iphone-sales-tim-cook-rdbjzjxjz?status=3D=
=
Non-subs=
=
] that profit rose by 27 per cent to $109.4 billion year-on-year, beating W=
all Street forecasts. Third-quarter iPhone sales were the company=E2=80=99s=
 best ever.

=E2=80=98Should we be concerned about AI going rogue?=E2=80=99

And another thing...

Volkswagen has  given [https://www.reuters.com/investigations/how-volkswag=
ens-flying-car-dream-crashed-china-2026-07-30/#:~:text=3DAccording%20to%20a=
%20VW%20project,t%20be%20made%20light%20enough.?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] up on a project to build the world=E2=80=99s first flying car. The German=
 company had hoped that a startup team in Beijing could succeed where its P=
orsche and Audi divisions had failed and invent a =E2=80=98luxury futuristi=
c=E2=80=99 drone to transport passengers in style. But Volkswagen lost out =
to local rivals in the =E2=80=98low-altitude economy=E2=80=99 and, after a =
five-year legal battle against allegations it infringed on trade secrets, i=
t has given up on the project.

In other futuristic news, Amazon=E2=80=99s Zoox has  won [https://www.reut=
ers.com/world/amazons-zoox-wins-first-us-approval-paid-robotaxis-with-no-hu=
man-controls-2026-07-30/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] US approval for deployment of its steering wheel-free =E2=80=98robotaxis=E2=
=80=99. This is a first in the world of autonomous cars, and required Amazo=
n to secure an exemption from federal rules requiring human controls. You c=
an hail a ride from one in Las Vegas or San Francisco, but they=E2=80=99re =
still illegal to sell to the public.

Good news! As the French authorities get a handle on wildfires, 84,000 evac=
uees are able to  return [https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/france-wild=
fire-evacuees-return-home-cooler-temperatures-paris-rcna589974?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] home. Nine local authorities in Bordeaux have been deemed safe as firefig=
hters believe they have turned a corner in their battle against the damage.=
 =E2=80=98We=E2=80=99re on the right track,=E2=80=99 said Sophie Brocas, pr=
efect of the Gironde region.

Any thoughts on this email? Please get in touch =E2=80=93 jpower@spectator.=
co.uk

With thanks to Lara Brown for additional reporting. For more, subscribe to =
our  Lunchtime Espresso [https://spectator.com/lunchtime-espresso/?status=3D=
=
Non-subs=
=
] briefing at 1 p.m. and  Evening Blend [https://spectator.com/evening-ble=
nd/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] at 6 p.m.

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repeat:repeat;background-position:top left;background-attachment:scroll;mar=
gin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;padding-top:0;paddin=
g-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%;-ms=
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0;max-height:0;overflow:hidden;font-size:0;">Today=E2=80=99s news without t=
he nonsense        &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; &#8204; =
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g=3D"0" style=3D"background-color:#ffffff;background-image:none;background-=
repeat:repeat;background-position:top left;background-attachment:scroll;min=
-width:320px;" >
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        <td class=3D"p-0" style=3D"padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;pad=
ding-right:10px;padding-left:10px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
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ng=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:710px;background-color:#fff;b=
ackground-image:none;background-repeat:repeat;background-position:top left;=
background-attachment:scroll;border-radius:5px;box-shadow:0 0 40px 0 #d1d1d=
1;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;width:100=
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adding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
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-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:0;line-height:0;mso-line=
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nd.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-j/" style=3D"outline-s=
tyle:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" ><img src=3D"=
https=
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potlight_Q2_Spectator_Static_710x130_N.063912.jpg" width=3D"710"  alt=3D"Th=
e&#32;Spectator&#32;|&#32;Register" label=3D"Responsive_Banner Desktop" hei=
ght=3D"130" style=3D"width:100% !important;font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:Times New Roman, Times,=
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yle:none;height:auto !important;" /></a></span>
                          <span class=3D"image-m" style=3D"display:none;fon=
t-size:0;line-height:0;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yh=
llyuid-hklitkhlik-t/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;tex=
t-decoration:underline;" ><img src=3D"https=
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c_500x225_N.063916.jpg" width=3D"500"  alt=3D"The&#32;Spectator&#32;|&#32;R=
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rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
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ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:1px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Ti=
mes New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:normal;color:#333;mso-line-height-r=
ule:exactly;" >
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th:100%;margin-bottom:20px;" >
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                                &zwnj;
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                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
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ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
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ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
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rule:exactly;" >
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px;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >By</strong> <strong style=3D"font-weig=
ht:700;" ><i>John Power</i></strong></p>
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rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
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ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
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rule:exactly;" >
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rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Good morning</strong>. Andy Burnham is=
 expected to unveil sweeping fiscal devolution reforms today, while Diane A=
bbott has been readmitted to the Labour party. Hamas has agreed to disarm i=
n Gaza after Donald Trump announced a deal with his Board of Peace. Europea=
n football is in open revolt after Uefa voted unanimously to boycott the Wo=
rld Cup over Gianni Infantino=E2=80=99s plans to sell a stake in Fifa=E2=80=
=99s commercial operations. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is assembling a new mar=
itime coalition against the Houthis. You=E2=80=99re reading <i>Spectator Da=
ily</i>: here=E2=80=99s everything you need to know today.</p>
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ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"text-align:center;margin-top:0;=
margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >BURNHAM INTO SECOND GEAR </strong></p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >The vote count </strong>for the Greate=
r Manchester mayoral by-election gets under way from 9 a.m, with results ex=
pected this afternoon. Labour=E2=80=99s Bev Craig is expected to win comfor=
tably; polling from More in Common this week gave her a 20 percentage point=
 lead over Reform=E2=80=99s Sian Astley. Craig has been solidly ahead in th=
e polls since the by-election was called, so much so that Reform activists =
were being <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-i/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:un=
derline;" >diverted</a> to Clacton from the beginning of the month to campa=
ign for Nigel Farage ahead of his by-election on 13 August.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Burnham will today</strong> set out hi=
s plans for fiscal devolution. Under the reforms, mayors will <a href=3D"ht=
tps://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-d/" style=3D"=
outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >keep</a> a sh=
are of income tax in their area from April 2028, and business rates from Ap=
ril 2027, giving local governments far more fiscal firepower and <a href=3D=
"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-h/" style=3D=
"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >freeing</a> =
them from =E2=80=98the death grip of the Treasury=E2=80=99. The <i>Telegrap=
h</i> <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-k/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underli=
ne;" >says</a> that it will amount to an =C2=A318 billion tax raid, with=20
the average council tax bill rising by =C2=A3500 per year by 2030; the Tori=
es have said =E2=80=98the Burnham premium=E2=80=99 will increase bills =E2=80=
=98in every postcode=E2=80=99.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Some Conservative and Reform mayors</s=
trong> may choose to give money back to voters through a tax rebate, <a hre=
f=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-u/" st=
yle=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >accord=
ing</a> to the <i>Times</i>, which would certainly be welcomed by the elect=
orate. The questions to ask are about imbalances. Will devolving powers to =
cities mean that they pull ahead faster =E2=80=93 and what is to be done in=
 the parts of the country where there are no democratically elected mayors?=
 <strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" > </strong></p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Burnham also has questions to answer o=
n defence.</strong> Yesterday morning we heard that the Prime Minister was =
unlikely to <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-o/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:u=
nderline;" >commit</a> to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030, so=
mething his Chancellor John Healey said was vital when he resigned from Kei=
r Starmer=E2=80=99s government. Burnham followed this up by <a href=3D"http=
s://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-b/" style=3D"ou=
tline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >announcing</a> =
=C2=A38.4 billion in investment for nuclear submarines in Barrow-in-Furness=
=2E Richard Barrons, one of the authors of the Strategic Defence Review, crit=
icised Burnham for <a=20
href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-n/"=
 style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >usi=
ng</a> the announcement as a smokescreen for his defence spending problems.=
 The truth is that Burnham is a domestic policy politician, not a foreign a=
ffairs focused one, and when push came to shove he was always planning to f=
ocus fiscal firepower on plans such as a national care service or cost-of-l=
iving support.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Diane Abbott has been </strong><a href=
=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-p/" sty=
le=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >readmit=
ted</a><strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" > </strong>to the Labour party. A=
bbott, a prominent supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, was kicked out of the party =
(for a second time) by Starmer last year when she doubled down on a letter =
to the <i>Times</i> she wrote in 2023 comparing anti-Semitism to discrimina=
tion against redheads. Abbott=E2=80=99s readmission signals a leftward shif=
t in Labour =E2=80=93 her expulsion has long been a sore spot for MPs to th=
e left of the party.</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0px;paddi=
ng-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td class=3D"wi-100p" align=3D"center" style=3D=
"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:5px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-h=
eight-rule:exactly;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i3.=
cmail19.com=
/ei/j/5F/F57/C42/csimport/unnamed.064014.jpg" width=3D=
"610"  label=3D"Image_caption_and_credit" height=3D"405" style=3D"width:100=
% !important;vertical-align:top;height:auto !important;" />
                              </td>
                              <td style=3D"width:0px;vertical-align:top;mso=
-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <div style=3D"font-size:10px;font-family:'L=
ato', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#333;line-height:12px;text-align:l=
eft;text-transform:uppercase;writing-mode:vertical-rl;white-space:nowrap;pa=
dding-top:0;padding-bottom:5px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0px;mso-table-l=
space:0pt;mso-table-rspace:0pt;" >
                                  Getty
                                </div>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;padding-top:0;pa=
dding-bottom:24px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exact=
ly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<i>The only true teflon politician</i></p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Speaking of the radical left, </strong=
>the co-founder of Palestine Action has been <a href=3D"https://blend.spect=
ator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-x/" style=3D"outline-style:non=
e;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >given</a> permission by the Su=
preme Court to challenge the Home Office=E2=80=99s decision to ban the grou=
p, designating it a terrorist organisation. This challenge will be heard be=
tween October and December of this year. If the ban is overturned, the cont=
roversy surrounding it may become problematic for Burnham as he attempts to=
 avoid becoming too embroiled in the politics around Gaza.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >More than</strong> 30,000<strong style=
=3D"font-weight:700;" > </strong>people died while on social care waiting l=
ists last year, <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-m/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decorati=
on:underline;" >according</a> to research by the Liberal Democrats. Some 9,=
000 of those died while in hospital. It is the responsibility of local coun=
cils to arrange social care for individuals who need it, but more than half=
 of requests for social care are rejected. Councils in England are spending=
 almost 80 per cent of their budgets on social care for adults and children=
=2E <strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" > </strong></p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20p=
x;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font=
-weight:normal;font-size:26px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New R=
oman, Times, serif;line-height:36px;color:#b30517;mso-line-height-rule:exac=
tly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	Coming up today</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cells=
pacing=3D"0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style=3D"vertical-align:top;padding-right:10px;padding-top:5px;mso-l=
ine-height-rule:exactly;" >
				<img alt=3D"=E2=80=A2" height=3D"18" src=3D"https://www.spectator.co.uk=
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/daily-bullet-point-copy.png" width=3D"30" /></t=
d>
			<td style=3D"padding-bottom:18px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
				<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;"=
 >
					We=E2=80=99re expecting the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election res=
ult from 2 p.m. onwards. Labour=E2=80=99s Bev Craig is still pollsters=E2=80=
=99 favourite.</p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style=3D"vertical-align:top;padding-right:10px;padding-top:5px;mso-l=
ine-height-rule:exactly;" >
				<img alt=3D"=E2=80=A2" height=3D"18" src=3D"https://www.spectator.co.uk=
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/daily-bullet-point-copy.png" width=3D"30" /></t=
d>
			<td style=3D"padding-bottom:18px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
				<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;"=
 >
					Burnham is expected to announce a major package of devolution reforms,=
 including plans to give combined authority mayors a share of income tax re=
venues.</p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style=3D"vertical-align:top;padding-right:10px;padding-top:5px;mso-l=
ine-height-rule:exactly;" >
				<img alt=3D"=E2=80=A2" height=3D"18" src=3D"https://www.spectator.co.uk=
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/daily-bullet-point-copy.png" width=3D"30" /></t=
d>
			<td style=3D"padding-bottom:18px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
				<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;"=
 >
					The Commonwealth Games continue, with medal events in athletics, track=
 cycling and judo.</p>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	&nbsp;</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td class=3D"pb-30" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-=
bottom:0px;padding-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactl=
y;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td class=3D"wi-100p" align=3D"center" style=3D=
"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-=
height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i7.=
cmail19.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/a-halo.png" width=3D"=
610"  label=3D"JGlinebreakA" style=3D"width:100% !important;vertical-align:=
top;height:auto !important;" />
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"text-align:center;margin-top:0;=
margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >RED CARD FOR INFANTINO</strong><strong=
 style=3D"font-weight:700;" > </strong></p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Just when we thought football was over=
 for the summer, </strong>all European nations (including England) have sai=
d they plan to <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-c/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoratio=
n:underline;" >boycott</a> the World Cup unless Fifa changes course. Uefa, =
the European league, voted 55-0 in favour of a boycott at a crisis meeting =
held in response to Fifa president Gianni Infantino=E2=80=99s plans to sell=
 a stake in the World Cup to private investors. It is the first time a foot=
ball confederation has voted to boycott a Fifa tournament in its 122-year h=
istory, and the move is likely to kill off Infantino=E2=80=99s scheme. Conc=
acaf, the confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean teams, =
has also decided to reject Infantino=E2=80=99s proposal.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >The dispute arises from </strong>Infan=
tino=E2=80=99s scheme to create the =E2=80=98Fifa Forward Enterprise=E2=80=99=
 to consolidate commercial and event operations. His plan was to then sell =
a stake in the FFE to outside investors, the proceeds of which (<a href=3D"=
https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-q/" style=3D=
"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >estimated</a=
> to be around =C2=A33.2 billion) would be used to fund Fifa=E2=80=99s =E2=80=
=98forward development=E2=80=99 programmes in federations across the world.=
 The idea is that money generated by events such as the World Cup can be re=
distributed to countries where football is either less popular or less lucr=
ative, thus growing the sport.</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0px;paddi=
ng-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td class=3D"wi-100p" align=3D"center" style=3D=
"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:5px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-h=
eight-rule:exactly;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i4.=
cmail19.com=
/ei/j/5F/F57/C42/csimport/trumo.064025.jpg" width=3D=
"610"  label=3D"Image_caption_and_credit" height=3D"371" style=3D"width:100=
% !important;vertical-align:top;height:auto !important;" />
                              </td>
                              <td style=3D"width:0px;vertical-align:top;mso=
-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <div style=3D"font-size:10px;font-family:'L=
ato', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#333;line-height:12px;text-align:l=
eft;text-transform:uppercase;writing-mode:vertical-rl;white-space:nowrap;pa=
dding-top:0;padding-bottom:5px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0px;mso-table-l=
space:0pt;mso-table-rspace:0pt;" >
                                  Getty
                                </div>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;padding-top:0;pa=
dding-bottom:24px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exact=
ly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<i>All of this I shall give to you</i></p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Infantino=
</strong> is a close friend of Donald Trump, whose son-in-law=E2=80=99s bro=
ther, Joshua Kushner, <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyu=
id-hklitkhlik-a/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-de=
coration:underline;" >has</a> a hedge fund which was supposed to lead the i=
nvestor group buying a stake in the FFE. Football associations and fans are=
 outraged by the idea that private investors could buy a stake in the game =
and be able to apply outside pressure on how tournaments proceed =E2=80=93 =
for example, pressuring Fifa to hold more games in a tournament or to short=
en the years between tournaments to create more commercial opportunities. T=
he Trump connection certainly won=E2=80=99t have helped matters, either.=20
</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20p=
x;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font=
-weight:normal;font-size:26px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New R=
oman, Times, serif;line-height:36px;color:#b30517;mso-line-height-rule:exac=
tly;" >
                                Watch and listen
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cells=
pacing=3D"0"><tbody><tr>
            <td style=3D"vertical-align:top;padding-right:10px;padding-top:=
5px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                <img alt=3D"=E2=80=A2" height=3D"18" src=3D"https://www.spe=
ctator.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/daily-bullet-point-copy.png" width=3D=
"30" />
            </td>
            <td style=3D"padding-bottom:18px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;"=
 >
                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;mar=
gin-left:0;" >Lara Prendergast is joined by Rory Sutherland, Johnny Ray and=
 Tim Shipman on <i>The Edition </i>to discuss this week=E2=80=99s magazine.
</p>
            </td>
        </tr><tr>
            <td style=3D"vertical-align:top;padding-right:10px;padding-top:=
5px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                <img alt=3D"=E2=80=A2" height=3D"18" src=3D"https://www.spe=
ctator.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/daily-bullet-point-copy.png" width=3D=
"30" />
            </td>
            <td style=3D"padding-bottom:18px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;"=
 >
                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;mar=
gin-left:0;" >GB News has an interesting <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator=
=2Eco.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-f/" style=3D"outline-style:none;co=
lor:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >investigation</a> into =E2=80=98Vi=
sa Street=E2=80=99 in Harrow, where 27 businesses have brought 84 migrants =
into the country on skilled worker visas.
</p>
            </td>
        </tr><tr>
            <td style=3D"vertical-align:top;padding-right:10px;padding-top:=
5px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                <img alt=3D"=E2=80=A2" height=3D"18" src=3D"https://www.spe=
ctator.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/daily-bullet-point-copy.png" width=3D=
"30" />
            </td>
            <td style=3D"padding-bottom:18px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;"=
 >
                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;mar=
gin-left:0;" >Trump says Burnham has promised to =E2=80=98open up North Sea=
 oil=E2=80=99. See his full comments <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.=
uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-z/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:=
#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >here</a>.=20
</p>
            </td>
        </tr></tbody></table>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td class=3D"pb-30" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-=
bottom:0px;padding-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactl=
y;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td class=3D"wi-100p" align=3D"center" style=3D=
"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-=
height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i8.=
cmail19.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/b-halo.png" width=3D"=
610"  label=3D"JGlinebreakB" style=3D"width:100% !important;vertical-align:=
top;height:auto !important;" />
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"text-align:center;margin-top:0;=
margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >TRUMP, HAMAS AND A DELICATE DEAL </str=
ong></p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Hamas has said it will disarm in Gaza,=
 </strong>following a deal with Trump=E2=80=99s Board of Peace. Trump annou=
nced the deal in a post on Truth Social last night, branding it a =E2=80=98=
monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY=E2=80=99. US and Board of=
 Peace officials <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-v/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decorat=
ion:underline;" >told</a> reporters that Hamas=E2=80=99s police in Gaza wou=
ld surrender their weapons before a =E2=80=98process of decommissioning=E2=80=
=99 heavy weapons begins. Tunnels and depots would also be closed down. Isr=
ael has yet to comment on the deal. <strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" > </=
strong></p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Back in America, </strong>Trump is <a =
href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-e/"=
 style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >stu=
ck</a> in a stand-off over his decision to nominate Todd Blanche as attorne=
y general. Two Republican senators =E2=80=93 John Cornyn of Texas and Thom =
Tillis of North Carolina =E2=80=93 have refused to back Blanche=E2=80=99s n=
omination until the Department of Justice (of which Blanche is acting head)=
 confirms that it will not move forward with a deal Trump made with the dep=
artment earlier this year. In January, the US President sued the IRS follow=
ing leaks of his tax returns to the <i>New York Times</i>. As part of a set=
tlement deal, the DoJ set up a $1.8 billion fund to help those caught up in=
 lawfare, and to grant him and his family immunity from tax audits. Trump h=
as now conceded=20
that he may have to delay Blanche=E2=80=99s nomination until next year in a=
 climbdown against his internal critics.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >This is not </strong>the only sign tha=
t Trump=E2=80=99s authority over the Republican party is fading. He has <a =
href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-s/"=
 style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >end=
orsed</a> Darline Graham, sister of the late Lindsey Graham, for South Caro=
lina, despite her having no real record in government. (She was appointed s=
tate Senator after her brother=E2=80=99s death, but is now set to run for a=
 full term.) Hardline Conservative activists, who usually follow Trump thro=
ugh thick and thin, are apparently not minded to lend their support, while =
internal Republican polling suggests that she will not win. This follows a =
recent spate of Trump-backed nominees failing to win primaries.</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0px;paddi=
ng-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td class=3D"wi-100p" align=3D"center" style=3D=
"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:5px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-h=
eight-rule:exactly;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i5.=
cmail19.com=
/ei/j/5F/F57/C42/csimport/moretrump.064038.jpg" widt=
h=3D"610"  label=3D"Image_caption_and_credit" height=3D"406" style=3D"width=
:100% !important;vertical-align:top;height:auto !important;" />
                              </td>
                              <td style=3D"width:0px;vertical-align:top;mso=
-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <div style=3D"font-size:10px;font-family:'L=
ato', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#333;line-height:12px;text-align:l=
eft;text-transform:uppercase;writing-mode:vertical-rl;white-space:nowrap;pa=
dding-top:0;padding-bottom:5px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0px;mso-table-l=
space:0pt;mso-table-rspace:0pt;" >
                                  Getty
                                </div>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;padding-top:0;pa=
dding-bottom:24px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exact=
ly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<i>Had enough of this nonsense now </i></p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Tensions =
in the Middle East</strong> are rising. Saudi Arabia is <a href=3D"https://=
blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-g/" style=3D"outlin=
e-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >preparing</a> for a=
 major assault against the Houthis in the Red Sea and possibly by land in Y=
emen. Saudi Arabia also announced that 14 countries will support a new mari=
time defence coalition, including Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Sudan.=20
</p><br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><s=
trong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >The inclusion of Pakistan</strong> could =
prove decisive. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which have long shared close def=
ence ties, signed a joint defensive pact last September, meaning that if on=
e is attacked the other will defend it. The Pakistani foreign ministry has =
<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-=
w/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >=
specifically</a> condemned Houthi attacks. The country also <a href=3D"http=
s://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-yd/" style=3D"o=
utline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >refused</a> to=
 join Saudi Arabia when it began to intervene in Yemen back in 2015. Pakist=
an, as well as possessing a nuclear weapon, has the=20
seventh-largest military in the world by active personnel =E2=80=93 larger =
than Iran=E2=80=99s and more than twice the size of Saudi Arabia=E2=80=99s.=
=20
</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20p=
x;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font=
-weight:normal;font-size:26px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New R=
oman, Times, serif;line-height:36px;color:#b30517;mso-line-height-rule:exac=
tly;" >
                                What we=E2=80=99re reading
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px=
;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom=
:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk=
/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-yh/" style=3D"color:#333;text-decoration=
:underline;outline-style:none;" >Gen Z need a hand up. Boomers must pay for=
 it</a> =E2=80=93 <i>Telegraph
</i></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left=
:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin=
-left:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-yk/" style=3D"color:#333;text-decoration:underline;outline-sty=
le:none;" >Our reckless lack of gas storage invites disaster</a> =E2=80=93 =
<i>Times
</i></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left=
:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin=
-left:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-yu/" style=3D"color:#333;text-decoration:underline;outline-sty=
le:none;" >The New Old Middle East </a>=E2=80=93 <i>Foreign Affairs
</i></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left=
:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin=
-left:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-jl/" style=3D"color:#333;text-decoration:underline;outline-sty=
le:none;" >The cities that said yes to drugs</a> =E2=80=93 <i>Atlantic
</i></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left=
:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin=
-left:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-jr/" style=3D"color:#333;text-decoration:underline;outline-sty=
le:none;" >Inside OpenAI=E2=80=99s hack of hugging face</a> =E2=80=93 <i>Ne=
w Yorker
</i></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left=
:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-right:0;margin=
-left:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;marg=
in-left:0;" ><i>
</i></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left=
:0;" ></p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td class=3D"pb-30" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-=
bottom:0px;padding-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactl=
y;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td class=3D"wi-100p" align=3D"center" style=3D=
"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-=
height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i9.=
cmail19.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/c-halo.png" width=3D"=
610"  label=3D"JGlinebreakC" style=3D"width:100% !important;vertical-align:=
top;height:auto !important;" />
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"text-align:center;margin-top:0;=
margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >THE DON OF CATFORD </strong></p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Police </strong><a href=3D"https://ble=
nd.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-jy/" style=3D"outline-=
style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >pulled</a><strong sty=
le=3D"font-weight:700;" > </strong>over a driver in Catford, south London, =
for a stop and search =E2=80=93 and were led to =C2=A34 million and a kilo =
of cocaine. The 54 year-old man was apparently driving suspiciously when po=
lice pulled him over on Wednesday evening. He had =C2=A335,000 in cash in t=
he car, leading police to raid his home, where they made the discovery. Som=
ewhat depressingly, the money was found stuffed into plastic shopping bags.=
 When did briefcases go out of style?</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
	<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >It=E2=80=99s a good </strong>send-off =
for<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" > </strong>Tim Cook. The Apple CEO=E2=
=80=99s final earnings report <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-=
l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-jj/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b3051=
7;text-decoration:underline;" >shows</a> that profit rose by 27 per cent to=
 $109.4 billion year-on-year, beating Wall Street forecasts. Third-quarter =
iPhone sales were the company=E2=80=99s best ever.</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td class=3D"wi-100p" align=3D"center" style=3D=
"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:10px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-=
height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <img src=3D"https=
://i6.=
cmail19.com=
/ei/j/5F/F57/C42/csimport/bernie_010826_3_sg00.jpg" =
width=3D"286"  label=3D"Image" height=3D"183" style=3D"width:100% !importan=
t;max-width:286px;vertical-align:top;height:auto !important;" />
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                              <td align=3D"center" style=3D"font-style:ital=
ic;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:18px;font-family:EBGara=
mond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:22px;color:#333;m=
so-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >=E2=80=98Should we be concerned about AI goin=
g rogue?=E2=80=99</p>
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:20px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;p=
adding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-we=
ight:normal;font-size:26px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New Roma=
n, Times, serif;line-height:36px;color:#b30517;mso-line-height-rule:exactly=
;" >
                                And another thing...
                              </td>
                            </tr>
                          </table>
                        </td>
                      </tr>
                    </table>
                 =20
                    <table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
                      <tr>
                        <td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:30px;padd=
ing-right:15px;padding-left:15px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
                          <table width=3D"610" align=3D"center"  cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;ma=
rgin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
                            <tr>
                              <td style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:n=
ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
 Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Volkswage=
n has </strong><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-=
hklitkhlik-jt/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decorati=
on:underline;" >given</a> up on a project to build the world=E2=80=99s firs=
t flying car. The German company had hoped that a startup team in Beijing c=
ould succeed where its Porsche and Audi divisions had failed and invent a =E2=
=80=98luxury futuristic=E2=80=99 drone to transport passengers in style. Bu=
t Volkswagen lost out to local rivals in the =E2=80=98low-altitude economy=E2=
=80=99 and, after a five-year legal battle against allegations it infringed=
 on trade secrets, it has given up on the project.
</p><br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><s=
trong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >In other futuristic news, </strong>Amazon=
=E2=80=99s Zoox has <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid=
-hklitkhlik-ji/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-dec=
oration:underline;" >won</a> US approval for deployment of its steering whe=
el-free =E2=80=98robotaxis=E2=80=99. This is a first in the world of autono=
mous cars, and required Amazon to secure an exemption from federal rules re=
quiring human controls. You can hail a ride from one in Las Vegas or San Fr=
ancisco, but they=E2=80=99re still illegal to sell to the public.=20
</p><br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><s=
trong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Good news! </strong>As the French authori=
ties get a handle on wildfires, 84,000 evacuees are able to <a href=3D"http=
s://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhllyuid-hklitkhlik-jd/" style=3D"o=
utline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >return</a> hom=
e. Nine local authorities in Bordeaux have been deemed safe as firefighters=
 believe they have turned a corner in their battle against the damage. =E2=80=
=98We=E2=80=99re on the right track,=E2=80=99 said Sophie Brocas, prefect o=
f the Gironde region.=20
</p>
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rule:exactly;" >
                                <p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;ma=
rgin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><i>Any thoughts on this email? Please get in =
touch =E2=80=93 jpower@spectator.co.uk
</i></p><br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><i=
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