In MACRO & REGULATION NEWS, US inflation rises unexpectedly, China gets downgraded, the IMF warns about trade wars, the FCA proposed ditching MiFID rules and watered-down Basel III rules could be good news for US banks. In EMPLOYMENT & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, McKinsey makes more cuts, Lloyds Bank decides to cut risk staff and UK SMEs lack confidence. In CAR NEWS,VW sees EV sales drop and Aston Martin commits to petrol. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, new AI models launch but risk controls struggle to keep up, Tesco triples profits, Revolution Bars still chases funding, Blackstone splashes out in New Bond Street and UK estate agents report a continued rise in demand. AND FINALLY, I bring you a pet peeve of mine...