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Subject: Strait of Hormuz deal within reach
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=E2=80=8C
By Angus Colwell
Good morning. A deal for the Strait of Hormuz could be announced today, as =
Ed Miliband heads to Washington D.C. to meet Marco Rubio. The Treasury will=
reportedly exploit an accounting wheeze to spend =C2=A39 billion more per =
year on infrastructure and housing. Early prison releases continue to bothe=
r Andy Burnham on his holiday, Taiwan is carrying out its annual drill agai=
nst a Chinese invasion and Princess Eugenie has given birth to a baby girl.=
You=E2=80=99re reading Spectator Daily: here=E2=80=99s everything you need=
to know today.
STRAIT OF HORMUZ DEAL WITHIN REACH
Could this be the day that we get a deal on the Strait of Hormuz? Reports e=
merged of an emerging Iranian-Omani deal yesterday, with hundreds of ships =
waiting to pass through the waterway. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent s=
aid yesterday: =E2=80=98There is a chance we may have a deal today or tomor=
row to open the strait and move towards a more normalised position in this =
conflict.=E2=80=99
There are some caveats, though. When asked whether Iran would be able to ch=
arge tolls, Bessent replied: =E2=80=98I think it would be freedom of moveme=
nt.=E2=80=99 Think, or know? The New York Times thinks [https://www.nytim=
es.com/2026/08/03/us/politics/strait-of-hormuz-possible-reopening-deal.html=
?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] that ships crossing the strait into the Persian Gulf will have to pay =E2=
=80=98service fees=E2=80=99 to Iran and Oman equally. It=E2=80=99s also unc=
lear who exactly is negotiating the deal.
Getty
A pair of slippers are placed on a target poster of Donald Trump during a r=
eligious rally in Tehran yesterday.
The idea is that an inbound lane would be controlled by Iran, whereas an ou=
tbound lane would use a route near Oman=E2=80=99s coast. The oil markets di=
dn=E2=80=99t hate it: prices fell to a three-week low in the aftermath of B=
essent=E2=80=99s comments, with Brent crude falling by almost 5 per cent to=
under $80. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was hoping for =E2=80=98=
finality=E2=80=A6 very shortly=E2=80=99.
Time is somewhat of the essence, as reports suggest that the US has used al=
most all of its long-range precision missiles during the war with Iran. Reu=
ters said [https://www.reuters.com/world/us-has-used-virtually-all-its-lo=
ng-range-precision-missiles-during-iran-war-2026-08-04/?status=3D=
=
Non-subs=
=
] that the US had burned through virtually all of its Army Tactical Missile=
Systems (ATACMS), with most of them used during the initial =E2=80=98Opera=
tion Epic Fury=E2=80=99 strikes in February. It could take until at least m=
id-2029 for stockpiles to return to pre-war levels.
In D.C. to talk about all this today is our new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliba=
nd. Katy Balls and Max Kendix have a good read [https://www.thetimes.com/=
us/american-politics/article/ed-miliband-washington-maga-nickname-rg2rf8clg=
?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] in the Times about his visit: apparently, his nickname in Washington is =E2=
=80=98Miliwatt=E2=80=99, a joke about how much energy his net-zero policies=
produce. It=E2=80=99s the second meeting between Rubio and Miliband, after=
the pair met on the fringes of a conference in the Philippines last month.=
Team Trump have form (see David Lammy) of accepting a Foreign Secretary wh=
o previously criticised the President: Miliband has previously called Trump=
a =E2=80=98racist=E2=80=99 and said he =E2=80=98lowered the bar for idiocy=
=E2=80=99. Have fun, Ed!
A message from our sponsor, Pensions & Wealth Live 2026.
Spectator newsletter subscribers receive a 50% discount on tickets to atten=
d Pensions & Wealth Live 2026, held at The Hurlingham Club on 15 September.=
The event includes practical talks on pensions, investing and wealth plann=
ing, plus English wine tasting by the award-winning Balfour Winery. 50% off=
with code: SPECTATOR26
Learn more here [https://www.wealthlive.co.uk/event-details/pensions-wealt=
h-live].
Coming up today
Gary Glitter will appear at Westminster magistrates=E2=80=99 court, charged=
with four historic sexual offences.
Some more Q2 results out today: Next, eBay (which often follows a Next purc=
hase) and Uber.
Maybe we=E2=80=99ll actually get some sleep tonight? Cooler temperatures an=
d even thunderstorms are on the way.
HEY, BIG SPENDERS
On the front page of today=E2=80=99s Times: ministers have worked [https:=
//www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/treasury-economy-boost-9bn-fiscal-ru=
les-2g397spgb?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] out a way to spend more by exploiting the fiscal rules. Under a change ma=
de by Rachel Reeves, the government will be able to raise more than =C2=A39=
billion a year through borrowing by 2031, and can spend the money on infra=
structure, housing and business support. The government can count these as =
=E2=80=98assets=E2=80=99 to be offset against the cost of borrowing. Money =
will be channelled through public institutions like the British Business Ba=
nk, National Wealth Fund and National Housing Bank.
=E2=80=98Please, just let us spend a bit more money=E2=80=99: is that where=
we are? As Michael Simmons wrote [https://spectator.com/article/its-goin=
g-to-make-liz-truss-look-like-a-savant-are-you-ready-for-burnhams-first-bud=
get/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] when the government was incoming: =E2=80=98Burnham is writing cheques Bri=
tain simply can=E2=80=99t cash.=E2=80=99 In fact, Michael foresaw [https:=
//spectator.com/article/its-going-to-make-liz-truss-look-like-a-savant-are-=
you-ready-for-burnhams-first-budget/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=98greater use of public financial institutions=E2=80=99 but warns =
that =E2=80=98the government must still raise the initial investment upfron=
t by issuing more gilts at a time when yields remain sky-high=E2=80=99.
Getty
Oh, for the days when John Healey needed only to worry about defence spendi=
ng=E2=80=A6
Meanwhile, the prisoner early release scheme has developed into a serious i=
ssue for Andy Burnham. Yesterday the government announced [https://www.go=
v.uk/government/news/rape-serious-child-sex-and-grooming-offences-barred-fr=
om-sentencing-changes?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] that criminals convicted of rape, grooming and other serious child sex of=
fences would no longer be eligible for the scheme. Despite this, 5,000 peop=
le will be released to relieve overcrowding. The Prime Minister himself adm=
itted: =E2=80=98I wanted to go even further=E2=80=A6 but it=E2=80=99s not p=
ossible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing.=E2=80=99
Therein lies the problem. The prison population is estimated to rise to 100=
,000 by 2029. Without a massive prison-building programme, it is not possib=
le to create enough spaces to keep offenders locked up without releasing hi=
gh-profile offenders such as the killers who murdered PC Andrew Harper. The=
Telegraph [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/08/04/justice-secre=
tary-pc-harper-killers-early-release-unfair/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] and the Mail [https://www.mailplus.co.uk?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] splash on the backlash, while Jessica Elgot notes [https://www.theguard=
ian.com/politics/2026/aug/04/prisoner-early-release-scheme-burnham-first-ta=
ste-unpopularity?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] in the Guardian that this is the first time that Burnham has had a =E2=80=
=98taste of unpopularity=E2=80=99 since becoming PM. Hardly the best time f=
or Burnham to head off on his holibobs as Angela Epstein points out [http=
s://spectator.com/article/andy-burnham-will-regret-his-working-holiday/] on=
Coffee House.
Speaking of unwelcome scrutiny, there have been more developments in the ca=
se of Jason Arday. The Telegraph reports [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/new=
s/2026/08/04/journalist-questioned-by-police-for-investigating-cambridge/?s=
tatus=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] that a journalist looking into plagiarism claims against the Cambridge pr=
ofessor was investigated by Scotland Yard and told to stop investigating th=
e matter. Jack Grove of Times Higher Education emailed Arday questions abou=
t his academic record, at which point police officers instructed him to sto=
p because of the professor=E2=80=99s =E2=80=98mental health=E2=80=99. In ot=
her Arday news, Ohio University is the latest to deny [https://order-orde=
r.com/2026/08/04/exc-prestigious-us-university-says-it-has-no-record-jason-=
arday-was-visiting-professor/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] that he held a visiting fellowship at the institution. On Coffee House, S=
ean Thomas argues [https://spectator.com/article/britains-universities-ar=
e-feeding-their-own-destruction/] that the controversy is only further evid=
ence of how British universities are feeding their own destruction.
Elsewhere, the Equality and Human Rights Commission=E2=80=99s new [https:=
//www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/2026/EHRC_Code_of_practic=
e_for_services_public_functions_and_associations.pdf?status=3D=
=
Non-subs=
=
] code on services and public functions takes effect today. The guidance ha=
s been updated following last year=E2=80=99s Supreme Court ruling that sex =
in the Equality Act is biological (good job we had the experts at the highe=
st court in the land to figure that one out!) The guidance doesn=E2=80=99t =
require businesses or public services to offer single-sex toilets or changi=
ng rooms. However, if sex-segregated spaces are available, a biological man=
identifying as a woman will not be permitted to use female spaces. The gui=
dance also says only biological females should be allowed to play women=E2=80=
=99s sport. This is what the law already says on the issue, but leaves busi=
nesses without any room to claim they didn=E2=80=99t understand it.
Watch and listen
Michael and Maddie wonder [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DSP1YZ-LtDM8&=
t=3D171s?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] if they miss Bridget Phillipson on the latest episode of Quite right!
Kathleen Stock joined [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D2YsCTD83W0s?stat=
us=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] UnHerd TV to discuss the increasingly hilarious Jason Arday scandal.
The fourth season of Ted Lasso is available on Apple TV today if you=E2=80=99=
re into that kind of thing.
EUROPE=E2=80=99S CEUTA CRISIS TALKS
A terrifying procession of words coming up here: EU ministers held [https=
://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c80n3j55g0do?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] a conference call yesterday. They were discussing last week=E2=80=99s sit=
uation in Ceuta, when almost 50,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave in=
24 hours, and promised to tighten external security. The bloc also agreed =
that =E2=80=98communication during moments of crisis could further be reinf=
orced through timely coordination and should be more coherent=E2=80=99, and=
said they would give Spain more money. Several made sly digs at Italy and =
Finland, who called for Spain to be axed from the Schengen agreement of fre=
e-travel zones. French interior minister Laurent Nunez said: =E2=80=98We al=
l agreed the Schengen Area was not really the problem.=E2=80=99
Getty
It=E2=80=99s a comms problem.
In Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky shared [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/article=
s/cn4n03xg981o?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] a video of a drone hunting a man in southern Ukraine, in what he said was=
a case of =E2=80=98human safari=E2=80=99. The video shows a drone pursuing=
a street vendor in Kherson: it chases him around a white van before it swo=
ops down on him and explodes on impact. Drones have reportedly been used in=
this way to scare people who live near the frontline. The man survived wit=
h multiple shrapnel wounds, concussion and trauma.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese armed forces will simulate [https://www.reuters.com/=
world/china/taiwan-launches-major-war-games-test-command-flexibility-2026-0=
8-05/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] fighting off a Chinese invasion today. The war games have taken place mos=
t years since 2011. However, some say the exercises are more for appearance=
than actual training. This blog [http://scholars-stage.blogspot.com/2020=
/09/why-i-fear-for-taiwan.html?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] by foreign policy academic Tanner Greer is fascinating on the Taiwanese a=
rmy=E2=80=99s actual capabilities.
And Todd Blanche looks like he=E2=80=99ll be confirmed [https://www.polit=
ico.com/live-updates/2026/08/04/congress/todd-blanche-votes-curtis-01023896=
?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] as the next US attorney-general, finally replacing Pam Bondi whom Donald =
Trump sacked over her handling of the Epstein files in April. Blanche=E2=80=
=99s name will go to the Senate for a vote. He has put in writing that a $1=
=2E8 billion slush fund for Trump=E2=80=99s allies =E2=80=93 which the Presid=
ent claimed would be used to compensate those targeted by politically motiv=
ated investigations =E2=80=93 was dead. However, Trump can reverse that.
What we=E2=80=99re reading
Americans are turning on Trump [https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/20=
26/08/trump-loosing-black-hispanic-young-republican-voters/688164/?status=3D=
=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 Atlantic
Don=E2=80=99t believe the spin: Spain hasn=E2=80=99t taken back control in =
Ceuta [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/04/dont-believe-spin-spain=
-hasnt-taken-back-control-ceuta/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 Telegraph
Is Denmark the best country in the world? [https://substack.com/inbox/post=
/209484177?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 Ed West
The racial crossroads [https://www.compactmag.com/article/the-racial-cross=
roads/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 Helen Andrews
Gen Z New Yorkers can=E2=80=99t afford a first date [https://www.nytimes.c=
om/2026/08/03/nyregion/gen-z-dating-too-expensive-cost.html?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] =E2=80=93 New York Times
Enjoy the Spectator Shop
Enjoy 30% off our handpicked selection of games, cartoons and seasonal gin =
this summer. Offer applies until 20 August 2026.
Shop Now [https://shop.spectator.co.uk]
SPACEX REVENUES SHOOT UP
Well, Elon Musk can breathe a sigh of relief. SpaceX announced that its rev=
enue rose by 92 per cent on the year in the second quarter to $7.8 billion.=
The figures were the first the company has released since its record-break=
ing initial public offering in June. They were expected to be lower: the co=
mpany has lost more than $1 trillion in market capitalisation since it floa=
ted. Even so, investors remained a bit shaky: the company=E2=80=99s shares =
went down by 4 per cent in post-market trading. Perhaps they were alarmed b=
y the $18.4 billion in capital expenditure during the quarter. Or, even, th=
e livestream [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cr3w09314x54t] of the Space=
X rocket expected to crash into the Moon...
Meanwhile, tensions between Apple and OpenAI intensified yesterday as Apple=
updated its lawsuit against the ChatGPT maker. Apple alleges that former s=
taff stole trade secrets and took them to OpenAI. Now the tech firm claims=
[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/08/04/apple-accuses-openai-emp=
loyee-taking-pictures-secret-plans/?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] that a staff member took screenshots about a confidential Apple product b=
efore an interview with the lab. They=E2=80=99re particularly nervous since=
OpenAI is working on a device with Jony Ive, Apple=E2=80=99s former design=
guru responsible for the look of the iPad, the iPhone and the iPod. CEO Sa=
m Altman launched the partnership with Ive last year, with a photo that loo=
ked rather couple-y:
OpenAI
AI labs were caught in Palantir=E2=80=99s crossfires yesterday as the data =
analytics company boasted [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/4/tech-g=
iant-palantir-posts-otherworldly-growth-despite-criticism-over-gaza?status=3D=
=
Non-subs=
=
] of =E2=80=98otherworldly=E2=80=99 sales growth predictions as customers t=
urned away from large language models. Shares jumped by almost 30 per cent =
in New York, as Palantir estimated it would hit $8.2 billion in sales this =
year =E2=80=93 above Wall Street=E2=80=99s estimates of $7.7 billion. It=E2=
=80=99s driven by high growth in the US rather than Europe, with CEO Alex K=
arp saying: =E2=80=98Sometimes we make decisions that are against our econo=
mic interests, like we=E2=80=99re supporting lots of institutions in Europe=
=2E=E2=80=99 However, he claimed that without Palantir, European countries wo=
uld have =E2=80=98rampant terrorism and their problems, their migration pro=
blems, and the results would be ten times worse=E2=80=99.
Doing worse, however, is Spotify, which predicted [https://www.thisismone=
y.co.uk/money/markets/article-16028393/Spotify-predicts-weaker-expected-use=
r-growth-profits-hit-investments-marketing-AI.html?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
=
] weaker-than-expected user growth yesterday. The music streaming service t=
hinks it will have 788 million users in the upcoming quarter, below the 794=
million analysts had forecast. In May, the company told investors that fut=
ure growth would come from trying to get loyal users to pay more for pricie=
r subscription tiers, to which this author says: no!
=E2=80=98I haven=E2=80=99t got a car. Can you water my lawn?=E2=80=99
And another thing...
Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, has gone [https://www.mirror.c=
o.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger-gianni-infantino-fifa-37511468?statu=
s=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] over the top and slagged off his boss at Fifa, Gianni Infantino, for his =
investment plan. Wenger said that scrapping the move to sell off stakes in =
major tournaments was =E2=80=98absolutely necessary and beyond question=E2=80=
=99. Wenger has worked as Fifa=E2=80=99s chief of global football developme=
nt since 2019 and has previously been nice about the Fifa president: he sup=
ported Infantino=E2=80=99s idea to host a World Cup every two years in 2021=
, for example. In a statement yesterday, Wenger said he was =E2=80=98not in=
volved=E2=80=99 in the sell-off plan, despite having been named in Uefa=E2=80=
=99s legal letter to Fifa. Might be awkward at the water cooler later=E2=80=
=A6
Tales of suburban insanity often have a particularly dramatic bent. Check t=
his one out: a man who admitted [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rn=
0366en5o?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] using motor oil and detergent to kill his neighbour=E2=80=99s fish was se=
ntenced yesterday, saying he had been =E2=80=98driven completely insane=E2=80=
=99 by the sound of a water pump in the fish pond. Gerry Duffy, 76, from Ba=
rnet in north London, pleaded guilty to three counts of damaging property a=
nd one count of unlawfully destroying fish in March (I now need to find mor=
e instances of the latter charge). He climbed into his neighbour Andreas Pt=
ohides=E2=80=99s garden =E2=80=98out of sheer frustration and lack of sleep=
=E2=80=99. He has been given a two-year conditional discharge and owes his =
neighbour =C2=A3565 in compensation.
Good news! Princess Eugenie has given [https://www.independent.co.uk/news=
/uk/home-news/princess-eugenie-birth-baby-girl-b3027415.html?status=3D=
Non-subs=
=
] birth to her third child, a baby girl. She was born on Monday at 6.20 p.m=
in a hospital in Portugal. It=E2=80=99s Eugenie=E2=80=99s third child with=
her husband Jack Brooksbank. The new arrival will be 15th in line to the t=
hrone. At what stage, though, do they tell her about the whole thing with G=
randpa?
Any thoughts on this email? Please get in touch =E2=80=93 acolwell@spectat=
or.co.uk [mailto:acolwell@spectator.co.uk?subject=3DMorning%20Press]
With thanks to Lara Brown for additional reporting. For more, subscribe to =
our Lunchtime Espresso [https://spectator.com/lunchtime-espresso/?status=3D=
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] briefing at 1 p.m. and Evening Blend [https://spectator.com/evening-ble=
nd/?status=3D=
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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's news without the nonse=
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<table class=3D"gmail-fix" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" style=3D"background-color:#ffffff;background-image:none;background-=
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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=
% !important;" >
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adding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
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<table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
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-height-rule:exactly;" >
<span class=3D"wi-100p hm"><a href=3D"https://ble=
nd.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-j/" style=3D"outline-st=
yle:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" ><img src=3D"=
https=
://i1.cmail19.com=
/ei/j/1B/983/D0E/csimport/pwl_sp=
ectator_newsletter_desktop_710x130v3.062940.png" width=3D"710" alt=3D"PWL"=
label=3D"Responsive_Banner Desktop" height=3D"130" style=3D"width:100% !im=
portant;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:=
16px;font-family:Times New Roman, Times, serif, EBGaramond;line-height:20px=
;color:#333;vertical-align:top;border-style: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=
lrhic-hklitkhlik-t/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text=
-decoration:underline;" ><img src=3D"https=
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cmail19.com=
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00x225v3.062958.png" width=3D"500" alt=3D"PWL" label=3D"Responsive_Banner =
Mobile" height=3D"225" style=3D"width:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant:no=
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if, EBGaramond;line-height:0;color:#333;vertical-align:top;border-style:non=
e;" /></a></span>
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<table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
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<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>
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ormal;font-weight:normal;font-size:19.5px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond,=
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rule:exactly;" >
<p style=3D"text-align:center;margin-top:10=
px;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><strong style=3D"font-we=
ight:700;" >By</strong> <strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" ><i>Angus Colwel=
l</i></strong></p>
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<table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0">
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<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;" >Good morning</strong>. A deal for the =
Strait of Hormuz could be announced today, as Ed Miliband heads to Washingt=
on D.C. to meet Marco Rubio. The Treasury will reportedly exploit an accoun=
ting wheeze to spend =C2=A39 billion more per year on infrastructure and ho=
using. Early prison releases continue to bother Andy Burnham on his holiday=
, Taiwan is carrying out its annual drill against a Chinese invasion and Pr=
incess Eugenie has given birth to a baby girl. You=E2=80=99re reading <i>Sp=
ectator Daily</i>: here=E2=80=99s everything you need to know today.</p>
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<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-weigh=
t:700;" >STRAIT OF HORMUZ DEAL WITHIN REACH
</strong></p><br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><s=
trong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Could this be the day </strong>that we ge=
t a deal on the Strait of Hormuz? Reports emerged of an emerging Iranian-Om=
ani deal yesterday, with hundreds of ships waiting to pass through the wate=
rway. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said yesterday: =E2=80=98There is=
a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move =
towards a more normalised position in this conflict.=E2=80=99<i>
</i></p><br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><s=
trong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >There are some caveats</strong>, though. =
When asked whether Iran would be able to charge tolls, Bessent replied: =E2=
=80=98I think it would be freedom of movement.=E2=80=99 Think, or know? The=
<i>New York Times </i><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrh=
ic-hklitkhlik-i/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-de=
coration:underline;" >thinks</a> that ships crossing the strait into the Pe=
rsian Gulf will have to pay =E2=80=98service fees=E2=80=99 to Iran and Oman=
equally. It=E2=80=99s also unclear who exactly is negotiating the deal.
</p>
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>
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<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>A pair of slippers are placed on a target poster of Donald Trump during=
a religious rally in Tehran yesterday.</i><i> </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;" >The idea is that </strong>an inbound l=
ane would be controlled by Iran, whereas an outbound lane would use a route=
near Oman=E2=80=99s coast. The oil markets didn=E2=80=99t hate it: prices =
fell to a three-week low in the aftermath of Bessent=E2=80=99s comments, wi=
th Brent crude falling by almost 5 per cent to under $80. Secretary of Stat=
e Marco Rubio said he was hoping for =E2=80=98finality=E2=80=A6 very shortl=
y=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;" >Time is somewhat </strong>of the essen=
ce, as reports suggest that the US has used almost all of its long-range pr=
ecision missiles during the war with Iran. Reuters <a href=3D"https://blend=
=2Espectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-d/" style=3D"outline-styl=
e:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >said</a> that the US had =
burned through virtually all of its Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS),=
with most of them used during the initial =E2=80=98Operation Epic Fury=E2=80=
=99 strikes in February. It could take until at least mid-2029 for stockpil=
es to return to pre-war levels.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >In D.C. </strong>to talk about all thi=
s today is our new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband. Katy Balls and Max Kendix=
have a good <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-h/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:u=
nderline;" >read</a> in the <i>Times </i>about his visit: apparently, his n=
ickname in Washington is =E2=80=98Miliwatt=E2=80=99, a joke about how much =
energy his net-zero policies produce. It=E2=80=99s the second meeting betwe=
en Rubio and Miliband, after the pair met on the fringes of a conference in=
the Philippines last month. Team Trump have form (see David Lammy) of acce=
pting a Foreign Secretary who previously criticised the President: Miliband=
has previously called Trump a =E2=80=98racist=E2=80=99 and said he =E2=80=98=
lowered the bar for idiocy=E2=80=99. Have fun, Ed!</p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
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<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;" >
<table cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" =
width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top:0;padding-bo=
ttom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=
=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" width=3D"610" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100%=
;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;border-wid=
th:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#ccc;border-radius:5px;background-co=
lor:#f8f8f8;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top:20px=
;padding-bottom:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-left:20px;font-family:EBGar=
amond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Times, serif;font-size:19.5px;color:#333;=
line-height:25px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;ma=
rgin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >A message from our sponsor, <em>Pensio=
ns & Wealth Live 2026</em>.</strong><br />
<br />
<em>Spectator</em> newsletter subscribers receive a <strong style=3D"font-=
weight:700;" >50% discount</strong> on tickets to attend <em>Pensions &=
Wealth Live 2026</em>, held at The Hurlingham Club on 15 September. The ev=
ent includes practical talks on pensions, investing and wealth planning, pl=
us English wine tasting by the award-winning Balfour Winery. 50% off with c=
ode: <strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >SPECTATOR26</strong><br />
<br />
<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-=
k/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >=
Learn more here</a>.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</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;"=
>
Gary Glitter will appear at Westminster magistrates=E2=80=99 court, ch=
arged with four historic sexual offences.</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;"=
>
Some more Q2 results out today: Next, eBay (which often follows a Next=
purchase) and Uber.</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;"=
>
Maybe we=E2=80=99ll actually get some sleep tonight? Cooler temperatur=
es and even thunderstorms are on the way.</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=
://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;" >HEY, BIG SPENDERS </strong></p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >On the front page </strong>of today=E2=
=80=99s <i>Times</i>: ministers have <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.=
uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-u/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#=
b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >worked</a> out a way to spend more by e=
xploiting the fiscal rules. Under a change made by Rachel Reeves, the gover=
nment will be able to raise more than =C2=A39 billion a year through borrow=
ing by 2031, and can spend the money on infrastructure, housing and busines=
s support. The government can count these as =E2=80=98assets=E2=80=99 to be=
offset against the cost of borrowing. Money will be channelled through pub=
lic institutions like the British Business Bank, National Wealth Fund and N=
ational Housing Bank.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >=E2=80=98Please, just let us spend a b=
it more money=E2=80=99</strong>: is that where we are? As Michael Simmons <=
a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-o/=
" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >wr=
ote</a> when the government was incoming: =E2=80=98Burnham is writing chequ=
es Britain simply can=E2=80=99t cash.=E2=80=99 In fact, Michael <a href=3D"=
https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-b/" style=3D=
"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >foresaw</a> =
=E2=80=98greater use of public financial institutions=E2=80=99 but warns th=
at =E2=80=98the government must still raise the initial investment upfront =
by issuing more gilts at a time when yields remain sky-high=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: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/1B/983/D0E/csimport/GettyImages-2287724922.063=
049.jpg" width=3D"610" label=3D"Image_caption_and_credit" height=3D"464" s=
tyle=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>Oh, for the days when John Healey needed only to worry about defence sp=
ending=E2=80=A6 </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;" >Meanwhile, </strong>the prisoner early=
release scheme has developed into a serious issue for Andy Burnham. Yester=
day the government <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-n/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decora=
tion:underline;" >announced</a> that criminals convicted of rape, grooming =
and other serious child sex offences would no longer be eligible for the sc=
heme. Despite this, 5,000 people will be released to relieve overcrowding. =
The Prime Minister himself admitted: =E2=80=98I wanted to go even further=E2=
=80=A6 but it=E2=80=99s not possible without the prison system reaching cap=
acity and collapsing.=E2=80=99</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:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Therein lies the problem.</strong> The=
prison population is estimated to rise to 100,000 by 2029. Without a massi=
ve prison-building programme, it is not possible to create enough spaces to=
keep offenders locked up without releasing high-profile offenders such as =
the killers who murdered PC Andrew Harper. The <i><a href=3D"https://blend.=
spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-p/" style=3D"outline-style=
:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >Telegraph</a></i><i> </i>a=
nd the <i><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-x/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:unde=
rline;" >Mail</a></i><i> </i>splash on the backlash, while Jessica Elgot <a=
href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-m/"=
=20
style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >note=
s</a> in the <em>Guardian</em> that this is the first time that Burnham has=
had a =E2=80=98taste of unpopularity=E2=80=99 since becoming PM. Hardly th=
e best time for Burnham to head off on his holibobs as Angela Epstein <a hr=
ef=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-c/" st=
yle=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >points=
out</a> on Coffee House.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Speaking of unwelcome scrutiny</strong=
>, there have been more developments in the case of Jason Arday. The <i>Tel=
egraph</i> <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-q/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:und=
erline;" >reports</a> that a journalist looking into plagiarism claims agai=
nst the Cambridge professor was investigated by Scotland Yard and told to s=
top investigating the matter. Jack Grove of <i>Times Higher Education</i> e=
mailed Arday questions about his academic record, at which point police off=
icers instructed him to stop because of the professor=E2=80=99s =E2=80=98me=
ntal health=E2=80=99. In other Arday news, Ohio University is the latest to=
<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-=
a/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >=
deny</a>=20
that he held a visiting fellowship at the institution. On Coffee House, Sea=
n Thomas <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-f/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:under=
line;" >argues</a> that the controversy is only further evidence of how Bri=
tish universities are feeding their own destruction. </p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Elsewhere, </strong>the Equality and H=
uman Rights<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" > </strong>Commission=E2=80=99=
s <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik=
-z/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" =
>new</a> code on services and public functions takes effect today. The guid=
ance has been updated following last year=E2=80=99s Supreme Court ruling th=
at sex in the Equality Act is biological (good job we had the experts at th=
e highest court in the land to figure that one out!) The guidance doesn=E2=80=
=99t require businesses or public services to offer single-sex toilets or c=
hanging rooms. However, if sex-segregated spaces are available, a biologica=
l man identifying as a woman will not be permitted to use female spaces. Th=
e guidance also says only biological females should be allowed to play wome=
n=E2=80=99s sport. This=20
is what the law already says on the issue, but leaves businesses without an=
y room to claim they didn=E2=80=99t understand it.</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;" >Michael and Maddie <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t=
/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-v/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b305=
17;text-decoration:underline;" >wonder</a> if they miss Bridget Phillipson =
on the latest episode of <i>Quite right!
</i></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;" >Kathleen Stock <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l=
-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-e/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;t=
ext-decoration:underline;" >joined</a> <i>UnHerd TV </i>to discuss the incr=
easingly hilarious Jason Arday scandal.=20
</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;" >The fourth season of <i>Ted Lasso </i>is available on Apple T=
V today if you=E2=80=99re into that kind of thing.
</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;" >EUROPE=E2=80=99S CEUTA CRISIS TALKS </=
strong></p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >A terrifying procession </strong>of wo=
rds coming up here: EU ministers <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t=
/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-s/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b305=
17;text-decoration:underline;" >held</a> a conference call yesterday. They =
were discussing last week=E2=80=99s situation in Ceuta, when almost 50,000 =
migrants entered the Spanish enclave in 24 hours, and promised to tighten e=
xternal security. The bloc also agreed that =E2=80=98communication during m=
oments of crisis could further be reinforced through timely coordination an=
d should be more coherent=E2=80=99, and said they would give Spain more mon=
ey. Several made sly digs at Italy and Finland, who called for Spain to be =
axed from the Schengen agreement of free-travel zones. French interior mini=
ster Laurent Nunez said: =E2=80=98We all agreed the Schengen Area was not r=
eally the problem.=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: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/1B/983/D0E/csimport/unnamed.063132.png" width=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;" >
<em>It=E2=80=99s a comms problem.</em></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;" >In Ukraine</strong>, Volodymyr Zelensk=
y <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik=
-g/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" =
>shared</a> a video of a drone hunting a man in southern Ukraine, in what h=
e said was a case of =E2=80=98human safari=E2=80=99. The video shows a dron=
e pursuing a street vendor in Kherson: it chases him around a white van bef=
ore it swoops down on him and explodes on impact. Drones have reportedly be=
en used in this way to scare people who live near the frontline. The man su=
rvived with multiple shrapnel wounds, concussion and trauma.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Meanwhile</strong>, Taiwanese armed fo=
rces will <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-w/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:unde=
rline;" >simulate</a> fighting off a Chinese invasion today. The war games =
have taken place most years since 2011. However, some say the exercises are=
more for appearance than actual training. This <a href=3D"https://blend.sp=
ectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-yd/" style=3D"outline-style:=
none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >blog</a> by foreign policy =
academic Tanner Greer is fascinating on the Taiwanese army=E2=80=99s actual=
capabilities.</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >And Todd Blanche </strong>looks like h=
e=E2=80=99ll be <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-yh/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decorati=
on:underline;" >confirmed</a> as the next US attorney-general, finally repl=
acing Pam Bondi whom Donald Trump sacked over her handling of the Epstein f=
iles in April. Blanche=E2=80=99s name will go to the Senate for a vote. He =
has put in writing that a $1.8 billion slush fund for Trump=E2=80=99s allie=
s =E2=80=93 which the President claimed would be used to compensate those t=
argeted by politically motivated investigations =E2=80=93 was dead. However=
, Trump can reverse that.<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;" >
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-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-yk/" style=3D"color:#333;text-decoration:=
underline;outline-style:none;" >Americans are turning on Trump</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-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-yu/" style=3D"color:#333;text-decoration:underline;outline-styl=
e:none;" >Don=E2=80=99t believe the spin: Spain hasn=E2=80=99t taken back c=
ontrol in Ceuta</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-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-jl/" style=3D"color:#333;text-decoration:underline;outline-styl=
e:none;" >Is Denmark the best country in the world?</a> =E2=80=93 Ed West
</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-lef=
t:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-l=
eft:0;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-jr/" style=3D"color:#333;text-decoration:underline;outline-style:no=
ne;" >The racial crossroads</a> =E2=80=93 Helen Andrews
</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-lef=
t:0;" ></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-l=
eft:0;" ><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-jy/" style=3D"color:#333;text-decoration:underline;outline-style:no=
ne;" >Gen Z New Yorkers can=E2=80=99t afford a first date</a> =E2=80=93 <i>=
New York 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;" ><i>
</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 style=3D"padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-right=
:15px;padding-left:15px;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;b=
order-bottom-color:#C0C0C0;border-top-width:1px;border-top-style:solid;bord=
er-top-color:#C0C0C0;background-color:#F8F8F8;background-image:none;backgro=
und-repeat:repeat;background-position:top left;background-attachment:scroll=
;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
<table width=3D"610" align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cells=
pacing=3D"0" style=3D"max-width:610px;width:100% !important;margin-top:0;ma=
rgin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" >
<tr class=3D"thold">
=09
<th class=3D"thead" width=3D"290" align=3D"left" style=3D"ve=
rtical-align:center;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-=
left:0;" >
<table class=3D"w-100p" align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0"=
cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:15px;=
margin-left:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:15px;padding-lef=
t:0;width:100% !important;" >
<tr>
<td class=3D"wi-100p" align=3D"center" style=3D"border-ra=
dius:5px;overflow:hidden;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-jj/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decor=
ation:underline;" ><img src=3D"https=
://i6.=
cmail19.com=
/ei/j/1B/983/D0E/csimport/04_Summersale500x500inline.063158.png" =
width=3D"275" label=3D"HouseAd_App" height=3D"275" style=3D"width:100% !im=
portant;vertical-align:top;border-style:none;height:auto !important;" /></a=
>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</th> =09
=09
<th class=3D"tfoot" align=3D"left" style=3D"vertical-align:t=
op;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;" >
<table align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0=
" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;=
" >
<tr>
<td class=3D"h-a" height=3D"118" valign=3D"top" style=3D"=
mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
<table width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0=
" align=3D"center">
<tr>
<td class=3D"pt-10 ta-c" align=3D"center" style=3D"pad=
ding-top:0;padding-bottom:20px;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-style:no=
rmal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:20px;font-family:EBGa=
ramond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Times, serif;line-height:25px;color:#333=
;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:15px;margin-ri=
ght:0;margin-left:0;" >
<span style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;fo=
nt-size:26px;font-family:EBGaramond, Garamond, Times New Roman, Times, seri=
f;line-height:36px;color:#333;" ><b style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Enjoy the <=
i>Spectator</i> Shop</b></span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;font-=
weight:300;" >
Enjoy 30% off our handpicked selection of games, cartoons and seasonal gin=
this summer. Offer applies until 20 August 2026.</p>
</td>
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<tr>
<td style=3D"mso-line-height-rule:exactly;" >
<table width=3D"200" align=3D"center" cellpadding=3D"0"=
cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:auto;=
margin-left:auto;" >
<tr>
<td class=3D"active-t" align=3D"center" style=3D"backg=
round-color:#d2091e;background-image:none;background-repeat:repeat;backgrou=
nd-position:top left;background-attachment:scroll;mso-padding-alt:11px;font=
-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:12px;font-fa=
mily:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Lato;line-height:16px;border-radius:20px=
;letter-spacing:1px;text-transform:uppercase;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;t=
ransition:all 0.3s ease;" >
<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-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-=
jt/" style=3D"color:#fff !important;text-decoration:none;display:block;padd=
ing-top:11px;padding-bottom:11px;padding-right:11px;padding-left:11px;outli=
ne-style:none;" >Shop Now</a></p>
</td>
</tr>
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=09
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</th>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height=3D"30" style=3D"font-size:0;line-height:0;mso-line-height-=
rule:exactly;" > </td>
</tr>
</table>
=09
<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;" >SPACEX REVENUES SHOOT UP </strong></p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Well, </strong>Elon Musk can breathe a=
sigh of relief. SpaceX announced that its revenue rose by 92 per cent on t=
he year in the second quarter to $7.8 billion. The figures were the first t=
he company has released since its record-breaking initial public offering i=
n June. They were expected to be lower: the company has lost more than $1 t=
rillion in market capitalisation since it floated. Even so, investors remai=
ned a bit shaky: the company=E2=80=99s shares went down by 4 per cent in po=
st-market trading. Perhaps they were alarmed by the $18.4 billion in capita=
l expenditure during the quarter. Or, even, the <a href=3D"https://blend.sp=
ectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-ji/" style=3D"outline-style:=
none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >livestream</a> of the Space=
X rocket expected to crash into the Moon...</p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<strong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Meanwhile, </strong>tensions between A=
pple and OpenAI intensified yesterday as Apple updated its lawsuit against =
the ChatGPT maker. Apple alleges that former staff stole trade secrets and =
took them to OpenAI. Now the tech firm <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.c=
o.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-jd/" style=3D"outline-style:none;colo=
r:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >claims</a> that a staff member took =
screenshots about a confidential Apple product before an interview with the=
lab. They=E2=80=99re particularly nervous since OpenAI is working on a dev=
ice with Jony Ive, Apple=E2=80=99s former design guru responsible for the l=
ook of the iPad, the iPhone and the iPod. CEO Sam Altman launched the partn=
ership with Ive last year, with a photo that looked rather couple-y:</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=
://i7.=
cmail19.com=
/ei/j/1B/983/D0E/csimport/unnamed-2.063351.png" widt=
h=3D"610" label=3D"Image_caption_and_credit" height=3D"457" 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;" >
OpenAI
</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;" >
=20
</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;" >AI labs</=
strong> were caught in Palantir=E2=80=99s crossfires yesterday as the data =
analytics company <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-jh/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decora=
tion:underline;" >boasted</a> of =E2=80=98otherworldly=E2=80=99 sales growt=
h predictions as customers turned away from large language models. Shares j=
umped by almost 30 per cent in New York, as Palantir estimated it would hit=
$8.2 billion in sales this year =E2=80=93 above Wall Street=E2=80=99s esti=
mates of $7.7 billion. It=E2=80=99s driven by high growth in the US rather =
than Europe, with CEO Alex Karp saying: =E2=80=98Sometimes we make decision=
s that are against our economic interests, like we=E2=80=99re supporting lo=
ts of institutions in Europe.=E2=80=99 However, he claimed that=20
without Palantir, European countries would have =E2=80=98rampant terrorism =
and their problems, their migration problems, and the results would be ten =
times worse=E2=80=99.
</p><br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><s=
trong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Doing worse</strong>, however, is Spotify=
, which <a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-jk/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:under=
line;" >predicted</a> weaker-than-expected user growth yesterday. The music=
streaming service thinks it will have 788 million users in the upcoming qu=
arter, below the 794 million analysts had forecast. In May, the company tol=
d investors that future growth would come from trying to get loyal users to=
pay more for pricier subscription tiers, to which this author says: no!
</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=
://i8.=
cmail19.com=
/ei/j/1B/983/D0E/csimport/mark_wood_010826_1_sg00.jp=
g" width=3D"286" label=3D"Image" height=3D"183" style=3D"width:100% !impor=
tant;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=98I haven=E2=80=99t got a car. Can you=
water my lawn?=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;" >Arsene We=
nger</strong>, the former Arsenal manager, has <a href=3D"https://blend.spe=
ctator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-ju/" style=3D"outline-style:n=
one;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >gone</a> over the top and sl=
agged off his boss at Fifa, Gianni Infantino, for his investment plan. Weng=
er said that scrapping the move to sell off stakes in major tournaments was=
=E2=80=98absolutely necessary and beyond question=E2=80=99. Wenger has wor=
ked as Fifa=E2=80=99s chief of global football development since 2019 and h=
as previously been nice about the Fifa president: he supported Infantino=E2=
=80=99s idea to host a World Cup every two years in 2021, for example. In a=
statement yesterday, Wenger said he was =E2=80=98not involved=E2=80=99 in =
the sell-off plan, despite having been named=20
in Uefa=E2=80=99s legal letter to Fifa. Might be awkward at the water coole=
r later=E2=80=A6
</p><br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" ><s=
trong style=3D"font-weight:700;" >Tales of suburban insanity</strong> often=
have a particularly dramatic bent. Check this one out: a man who <a href=3D=
"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-tl/" style=3D=
"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >admitted</a>=
using motor oil and detergent to kill his neighbour=E2=80=99s fish was sen=
tenced yesterday, saying he had been =E2=80=98driven completely insane=E2=80=
=99 by the sound of a water pump in the fish pond. Gerry Duffy, 76, from Ba=
rnet in north London, pleaded guilty to three counts of damaging property a=
nd one count of unlawfully destroying fish in March (I now need to find mor=
e instances of the latter charge). He climbed into his neighbour Andreas Pt=
ohides=E2=80=99s garden =E2=80=98out of sheer frustration and lack of sleep=
=E2=80=99. He has been given a two-year=20
conditional discharge and owes his neighbour =C2=A3565 in compensation.
</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> Princess Eugenie has =
<a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-t=
r/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >=
given</a> birth to her third child, a baby girl. She was born on Monday at =
6.20 p.m in a hospital in Portugal. It=E2=80=99s Eugenie=E2=80=99s third ch=
ild with her husband Jack Brooksbank. The new arrival will be 15th in line =
to the throne. At what stage, though, do they tell her about the whole thin=
g<i> </i>with Grandpa?<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"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;" >
<i>Any thoughts on this email? Please get in touch =E2=80=93 <a href=3D"ma=
ilto:acolwell@spectator.co.uk?subject=3DMorning%20Press" style=3D"outline-s=
tyle:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >acolwell@spectator.co.=
uk</a> </i></p>
<br />
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;" >
<i>With thanks to Lara Brown for additional reporting. For more, subscribe=
to our </i><a href=3D"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-=
hklitkhlik-ty/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:u=
nderline;" >Lunchtime Espresso</a><i> briefing at 1 p.m. and </i><a href=3D=
"https://blend.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-tj/" style=3D=
"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" >Evening Blen=
d</a><i> at 6 p.m. </i></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=
://i10=
=2Ecmail19.com=
/ti/j/57/36F/8ED/221858/images/d-halo.png" width=3D=
"610" label=3D"JGlinebreakD" style=3D"width:100% !important;vertical-align=
:top;height:auto !important;" />
</td>
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</table>
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=20
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0">
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<td align=3D"center" style=3D"padding-top:0;padding=
-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:0;line-height:0;mso-line=
-height-rule:exactly;" >
<span class=3D"wi-100p hm"><a href=3D"https://ble=
nd.spectator.co.uk/t/j-l-yhlrhic-hklitkhlik-td/" style=3D"outline-s=
tyle:none;color:#b30517;text-decoration:underline;" ><img src=3D"=
https=
://i9.cmail19.com=
/ei/j/1B/983/D0E/csimport/pwl_s=
pectator_newsletter_desktop_710x130v3.063419.png" width=3D"710" alt=3D"PWL=
" label=3D"Responsive_Banner Desktop" height=3D"130" style=3D"width:100% !i=
mportant;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size=
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x;color:#333;vertical-align:top;border-style: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=
lrhic-hklitkhlik-th/" style=3D"outline-style:none;color:#b30517;tex=
t-decoration:underline;" ><img src=3D"https=
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cmail19.com=
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r Mobile" height=3D"225" style=3D"width:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant:=
normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:0;font-family:Times New Roman, Times, s=
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one;" /></a></span>
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