In BIG PICTURE NEWS, the UK reconsiders joining the EU defence fund, gold and silver fall back, bitcoin loses all gains, Trump sells to an Abu Dhabi royal and Europe's gas storage falls. In BUSINESS, CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, Super Bowl ad slots hit highs, protein is the new thing, consumer goods prices could go up more, Amex booms, UK restaurants suffer and UK employment prospects look gloomy. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, things are looking up for the UK EV buyer and Lemonade could pioneer a way forward. In TECH NEWS, AI-generated research papers get banned and SpaceX blocks Russia's use of Starlink. AND FINALLY, I bring you a Japanese haircut...