UK Eyes Visa Curbs for Countries Without Migrant Return Deals
The UK is looking to restrict the number of visas it gives to countries which refuse to sign returns agreements with Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, as his government pursues more assertive measures to reduce levels of net migration.
Starmer discussed the issue with his French, Italian and German counterparts at the Group of Seven summit in Kananaskis, Canada on Monday. They covered topics including what can jointly be done through counter-terrorism powers and sanctions to tackle the increasing number of people traveling on small boats across the English Channel. Starmer told reporters on Tuesday that he wants to pursue more returns agreements with countries throughout Europe and beyond, though the European Union would prefer to do a bloc-wide deal.
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New York Times
28 minutes ago
- New York Times
Supreme Court Justices Disclose International Travel, Book Deals
Trips to lecture in Europe, Latin America and Hawaii. Millions of dollars in book deals. Income from teaching at prestigious law schools. Supreme Court justices offered a window into some of the perks of being part of the nation's highest court in their annual financial disclosures, which were released on Tuesday and covered the justices' activities last year. Under a federal law passed after the Watergate scandal in the 1970s, the justices must disclose gifts, travel and outside income. There has been increased scrutiny of the disclosures in recent years, particularly after revelations that Justice Clarence Thomas had failed to disclose years of lavish gifts and travel from wealthy friends, including the Texas billionaire Harlan Crow. Justice Thomas has said he did not believe that he was required to disclose the gifts. In his latest report, Justice Thomas listed no gifts or private jet travel. In an addendum, however, he wrote that he had 'inadvertently omitted' a life insurance policy from prior reports. The policy, he noted, was purchased in July 2001 and terminated last month. Justice Thomas indicated that the policy covered someone other than himself, and added that 'confusion arose on whether the policy needed to be disclosed.' He did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The forms are only a few pages and provide limited details. But they often give colorful examples of the justices' lives off the bench. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Car and Driver
29 minutes ago
- Car and Driver
2026 Porsche Macan EV Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview The Macan is Porsche's bestseller, so it's no surprise that this is the hallowed automaker's first gas model to make the leap to electric-only propulsion. All three of the Macan EV's powertrains provide immediate thrust without compromising the refined chassis dynamics that make Porsche's compact luxury SUV a standout among less athletic competitors. The Macan EV pairs its standout performance with impressive practicality and ample range, offering roomy cabin quarters and up to 308 miles of grin-inducing driving on a single charge. The Macan EV is sold as an alternative to its gas counterpart (reviewed separately), though it is good enough to be a worthy replacement. What's New for 2026? With the introduction of the rear-wheel-drive base model and the top-tier 4S trim last year, Porsche has decided to take a breather on Macan EV updates for 2026. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Porsche Macan EV is expected to start around $78,000 and go up to $108,000 depending on the trim and options. Base $78,000 (est) 4 $81,000 (est) 4S $87,000 (est) Turbo $108,000 (est) 0 $25k $50k $75k $100k $125k $150k $175k While the Turbo model offers up to 630 horsepower, the 4 offers more driving range, so we'd stick with that trim and its 402-hp powertrain even though its acceleration isn't as satisfying. Porsche's business model includes offering a very long list of options, packages, paint colors, and wheel designs, which is great for creating a Macan EV that's perfectly tailored to your taste. But it can also increase the temptation to spend a lot more than the Macan EV's base price. For that reason, we'll leave the customization up to you and your budget, but we do recommend the Premium package, which adds 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heat and ventilation, heated rear seats, four-zone automatic climate control, and a Bose stereo. This content is imported from Third party. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. EV Motor, Power, and Performance The Macan EV's base powertrain is a single, rear-mounted electric motor that can produce up to 355 horsepower when its overboost function is activated; otherwise, it puts 335 horsepower out to the rear wheels. The 4, 4S, and Turbo models feature all-wheel drive thanks to an electric motor on each axle. While the Macan 4 EV produces a maximum of 402 horsepower, the 4S pumps out 509 hp, and the Turbo ups the ante to 630 hp. The 4 tops out at a claimed 136 mph, the 4S at 149 mph, and the Turbo at 161 mph. All models feature air suspension with adaptive dampers, and the 4S and Turbo can be had with a torque vectoring system. Essentially an electronically controlled differential on the rear axle, it helps to make the crossover feel more nimble on a curvy road. Rear-wheel steering is also optional on the Macan EV. We've had the chance to drive the Macan EV in nearly all its configurations and came away impressed with its performance. While the acceleration of the base RWD and 4 models isn't particularly quick, the extra power in the 4S and Turbo models gives them the neck-snapping thrust EVs are generally known for. Handling is quite engaging, and the Macan EV's battery pack gives it a low center of gravity, giving it a stable mid-corner feel. The steering is quick, although we don't feel the calibration is up to Porsche's typical standards, and the optional rear-wheel steering system shortens the Macan EV's turning radius at low speeds and provides additional stability at higher speeds. 0–60-MPH Times At our test track, the Turbo model got to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds, significantly quicker than the gas-powered Macan GTS. The 4S, 4, and base models will be progressively slower, but even the least powerful RWD Macan should get to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds by our estimates. When we get a chance to strap our test gear to the lower-powered Macan EV variants, we'll update this story with acceleration results. View Exterior Photos Porsche Range, Charging, and Battery Life The Macan EV utilizes a 95.0-kWh battery and supports DC fast-charging at up to 270 kW. In our testing, we got the battery from 10 percent to 90 percent charge in 33 minutes. While the Macan EV uses an 800-volt architecture to achieve such charging speeds, it also has a novel feature that essentially splits the battery into two 400-volt units when hooked up to a 400-volt charger, allowing charging speeds up to 135 kW. The Macan EV is also capable of AC charging at up to 11 kW. The EPA estimates that the Macan EV has EPA range estimates of 308 miles for the Macan 4, and 288 miles for the 4S and the Turbo. When we get the chance to test its real-world range, we'll update this section with results. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Macan EV yet, but last year's Macan 4 EV delivered 107 MPGe city and 89 MPGe highway. The Macan Turbo EV was rated for 99 MPGe city and 84 MPGe Highway. The 4S model received 98 MPGe city and 83 MPGe highway ratings. We haven't yet tested the Macan EV on our real-world 75-mph highway fuel economy test, but we'll post the results here when we do. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency. For more information about the Macan EV's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo The Macan EV's cabin features integrated ambient lighting and vegan-friendly leather-free seats. Recycled materials are used throughout the interior, including floor mats crafted from regenerated nylon. Overall, the interior lacks panache and doesn't live up to the expectations of luxury set by the Macan EV's price tag. Since the Macan EV doesn't need to pack an engine under the hood, the crossover pairs its 18-cubic-foot rear cargo space with an additional storage nook in the front with a claimed 3 cubic feet of capacity. With the rear seats folded down, Porsche says the rear cargo area expands to 47 cubic feet. View Interior Photos Porsche Infotainment and Connectivity The Macan EV utilizes a 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.9-inch central touchscreen. A second 10.9-inch display that sits in front of the passenger and allows them to view video content while the car is in motion is an optional extra. The head-up display also uses augmented reality to overlay elements like navigation onto the driver's view of the outside world. The infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and features a voice assistant, activated by saying "Hey Porsche." Safety and Driver-Assistance Features The Macan EV comes standard with most of the driver-assistance features you'd expect and offers a more sophisticated lane-keep function as an option. For more information about the Macan EV's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to include: Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Porsche provides a competitive warranty plan that's comparable to what other luxury EV marques offer. However, coverage of the Macan EV's electrical components is capped at eight years or 100,000 miles, whereas Tesla offers unlimited mileage for the same amount of time. Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance Specifications Specifications 2025 Porsche Macan Electric Vehicle Type: rear-motor or front- and rear-motor, rear- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base: RWD, $77,295; 4S, $86,895 POWERTRAIN (RWD) Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC Power: 355 hp Torque: 415 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 95.0 kWh Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 270 kW Transmission: direct-drive POWERTRAIN (4S) Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC Combined Power: 509 hp Combined Torque: 604 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 95.0 kWh Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 270 kW Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 113.9 in Length: 188.4 in Width: 76.3 in Height: 63.9 in Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 48/19 ft3 Front-Trunk Volume: 3 ft3 Curb Weight (C/D est): 5300–5400 lb PERFORMANCE (C/D EST) 60 mph: 3.7–5.2 sec 100 mph: 8.9–12.7 sec 1/4-Mile: 12.1–13.7 sec Top Speed: 137–149 mph EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined: 91–99 MPGe Range: 288–315 mi 2024 Porsche Macan Turbo Electric Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $106,950/$130,760 POWERTRAIN Front Motor: permanent-magnet AC Rear Motor: permanent-magnet AC Combined Power: 630 hp Combined Torque: 833 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 95 kWh Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 270 kW Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink Brakes, F/R: 15.7-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc Tires: Pirelli P Zero Corsa Elect PZC4 F: 255/40R-22 103Y NEO R: 295/35R-22 108Y NEO DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 113.9 in Length: 188.3 in Width: 76.3 in Height: 63.8 in Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 44/16 ft3 Front Trunk Volume: 3 ft3 Curb Weight: 5440 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 2.9 sec 100 mph: 7.1 sec 1/4-Mile: 11.1 sec @ 124 mph 130 mph: 12.3 sec 150 mph: 17.3 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.2 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.3 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 1.8 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 163 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 150 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 298 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.98 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING Observed: 88 MPGe Average DC Fast-Charge Rate, 10–90%: 148 kW DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 33 min EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 91/99/84 MPGe Range: 288 mi C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Credit card bill crusade persists
This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Sens. Roger Marshall and Dick Durbin failed last week to inch their Credit Card Competition Act legislation forward by means of the GENIUS Stablecoin. They had sought to attach an amendment with their CCCA language to the stablecoin bill in an effort to have a larger piece of legislation take their stalled proposal across the finish line in Congress. Instead, a battle royal – pitting retail and merchant interests against those of banks and card networks – is set to continue as the senators take aim at fees charged every time a consumer swipes a credit card. Retailers, restaurants and other merchants argue the fees are an undue and costly burden for stores and restaurants. To ease that expense, the senators contend their bill would inject competition into an industry dominated by Visa and Mastercard by requiring bank card issuers to make an alternative network available. That would be a mistake in the view of bank card issuers and the card networks that argue these fees pay for needed security and popular loyalty programs. In an interview last week, Richard Hunt, the executive chairman of the Electronic Payments Coalition, called out the irony of attaching the CCCA language to a stablecoin framework bill, noting that the cryptocurrency would introduce the competition for cards that Marshall and Durbin crave. It smacks of double-speak when the merchant camp suggests stablecoins are a new payment possibility, but still contend cards need more competition, he said. That sentiment draws attention to the swarm of new digital payments rivals have sprung up over the past two decades since a predecessor to PayPal Holdings was founded in 1998, and more recently with the ascent of Apple Pay and Google Pay. Presumably, those new options have swamped cards with more competition. But that's not necessarily the case, partly because many of those new digital tools still connect to credit cards, buttressing the position of big card issuers, such as JPMorgan Chase and Capital One, as well as the networks, namely the dominant players, Visa and Mastercard. The strength of the card fortress was demonstrated by an Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank report last month presenting survey results that showed credit cards were consumers' preferred payment option 35% of the time. It also showed the credit card share expanding more than other methods. Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, and Marshall, a Republican from Kansas, say they're pushing their bill on behalf of big and small merchants, arguing that credit card fees often eat up a significant portion of businesses' slim margins. Groups representing merchants, including NACS, aka the National Association of Convenience Stores, made clear last week that they'll keep pushing to pass the CCCA provisions. Marshall has taken the lead recently on an effort started by decades ago by Durbin, who has said he won't seek re-election. 'The banks have been so overly aggressive in advertising against him in Kansas, and doing some other things, that they made it a top priority for him,' NACS General Counsel Doug Kantor said of Marshall in an interview last week. 'They made him angry.' Spokespeople for Durbin and Marshall have declined to comment, but the Merchants Payments Coalition said the latest CCCA campaign brought a 'surge of support.' Whether or not stablecoins ever become a true threat to cards remains to be seen. One industry consultant, Peter Tapling, says they have the potential to challenge cards, but he doesn't see them as a threat to Visa or Mastercard at the moment. Tapling points to Paze, the Early Warning Services digital wallet that's struggled to get traction, as evidence of how difficult it is to lure consumers and merchants to new forms of payment. It's always the chicken-egg problem – will consumers demand to use it enough for merchants to adopt it or will merchants make it available enough that consumers gravitate to it, he said in an interview Friday. Back in Washington, Kantor says CCCA supporters are already hunting for the next piece of legislation capable of carrying the bill to passage. Recommended Reading Walmart, Kroger eye instant payments Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
