In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Trump threatens, pardons whilst whipping up opposition, Saudi Arabia is to rein in Neom, Andy Burnham gets blocked, gold hits $5k and the US keeps investing in rare earths. In CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT NEWS, luxury gravitates to the US, Devon and Cornwall are suffering, private tutor demand rises and there are employment wobbles. In RETAIL & CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, UK sales rise unexpectedly, Morrisons tries its own middle aisle, Asda shoppers aren't convinced, On goes beyond trainers and Matcha boosts Caffè Nero. In TECH NEWS, memory stocks boom, Hassibis warns of a bubble and we look at the potential for AI to raise electricity bills. AND FINALLY, I bring you an unusual hat for a cat...