In BIG PICTURE NEWS, the Fed looks to boost mortgage lending, Starmer makes another U-turn and looks to accelerate defence spending while rising gold prices force unusual action. In BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT & CONSUMER TRENDS, EU cross-border banking deals jump, Goldman Sachs ditches DEI criteria for its board, UK bosses worry about workers' rights reforms and household debt surges. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, US carmakers worry about Chinese competition, the EU tries to protect European EVs and VW aims to cut costs. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, UK bank bosses talk about a Visa/Mastercard alternative, Hapag-Lloyd buys rival Zim, landlord exodus from buy-to-let slows down and Topshop returns to the high street. AND FINALLY, I bring you an unusual and tricky-looking race...