Latest news with #Bentley
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Ex-WWE chief Vince McMahon was in high-speed car crash at 'same time' Hulk Hogan died, driver reveals
Former WWE chief Vince McMahon was involved in a high-speed car crash with a pedestrian, just hours before the death of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. The former chairman was involved in the incident around 9am on Thursday morning as he travelled northbound on Route 15 in Westport in his 2024 Bentley, according to a crash report obtained by TMZ. The report claims that the 79-year-old rammed into the back of a 2023 BMW 430, before a third vehicle was then impacted by the debris from the initial crash. The driver of the BMW was confirmed as Barbara Doran, who took to Facebook to share pictures from the crash, as well as revealing her side of the story. In a post, she wrote: 'Lucky to have survived a horrific car crash on the way up to catch the ferry to Martha's Vineyard last Thursday morning. Both cars totaled. 'Vince McMahon, former chair of WWE, hit me going 80-90mph as I drove in the right lane of the narrow Merritt Highway. I and the dog are mostly fine, but was lucky to have kept control of the car, more or less, as I shot off the road after being catapulted over 100 yards. 'An unmarked state trooper had been following him as he sped in and out of cars down the highway and had just turned his lights on to pull Mcmahon over, but he was not in time. Both front wheels of McMahon's Bentley were sheared off and his airbags deployed, probably saving him from significant injury. 'The trooper told me afterwards that McMahon saw me last minute and swerved, smashing into my left rear, but that if he had hit me full on, there might've been a very different ending for me. 'Amazing that no other cars were hit, and that I got out of the car, hands shaking for a good twenty minutes, but otherwise seemingly unscathed (stiff neck later, etc., and full battery of hospital scans and bloodwork. Time will tell I am told.). 'Oddly, Hulk Hogan, who made McMahon's fame and fortune, died about the same time as the accident. Photos of my car and his car here'. As per TMZ, McMahon was issued a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving and following too closely as a result. He will also have to appear in court next month. The crash report confirmed that no injuries were sustained by anyone involved in the incident. Just hours after the crash, McMahon took to X to share a tribute to Hulk Hogan, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida on Thursday. McMahon wrote: 'The world lost a treasure today. Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world. 'He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon. Doran said she was 'lucky to have survived' as she spoke of the incident in a Facebook post 'His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled - and made him the consumate performer. He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved. 'He leaves us with one of his favorite expressions, 'Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.' Today, we pray for him.' The crash serves as the latest blow for McMahon, who resigned from the WWE in January 2024 following a lawsuit filed by ex-employee Janel Grant, alleging sexual harassment and trafficking. Part of Grant's 67-page lawsuit accused McMahon of pressuring her for sexual relations in exchange for her job. McMahon allegedly 'greeted her in his underwear, touched her, repeatedly asked for hugs, and spent hour sharing intimate details about his personal life'. Once employed, Grant alleged that McMahon and John Laurinaitis, who served as head of talent relations for the WWE, sexually assaulted her 'while colleagues were busy at their desks.' Her allegations include that McMahon and Laurinaitis locked her in a room at the WWE's Stamford, Connecticut headquarters in June of 2021 and took turns sexually assaulting during the work day. The married McMahon is additionally accused of trafficking Grant to other men, forcing her to perform sex acts 'on demand' and sharing nude photographs of the plaintiff. In one alleged text message from 2020, he is accused of sharing a photo of her with others and writing: 'She may scream and try to say NO!!although it would B difficult to say anything with a c*** down her throat.' Another message allegedly sent by McMahon to Grant a month earlier read: 'I'm the only one who owns U and controls who I want to f*** U.' A spokesperson for McMahon stated after Grant's allegations: 'This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He [McMahon] will vigorously defend himself.' Recent reports have astonishingly suggested that McMahon wants to buy back the WWE from TKO after his unceremonious exit. Since leaving, McMahon has been selling off his shares in the company, from which he is believed to have made over $1.5billion (£1.1bn). TKO President Mark Shapiro has previously insisted that McMahon will not return to the WWE and that he has no internal contact with the company. He said in March 2024: 'We're not in conversations with him [McMahon]. We don't know his motives, his plans or his timeline. 'He doesn't work for the company, doesn't come into the office and he's not coming back to the company. And that's where we sit.' And it seems TKO have double down on their stance, as a new report from PWN Reports has claimed that the company still have no interest in selling to McMahon. In fact, WWE insiders reportedly view the notion of McMahon returning as laughable, considering the heinous nature of the allegations made towards him. A post on X read: 'I was given word that TKO is not interested in selling off #WWE. And the source I spoke with chuckled at the thought of Vince purchasing it back. 'It's very possible he may feel like he wants it back, but seems very unlikely at this point since WWE is not for sale.'
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Your Guide to Buying a Hybrid Car or Truck in 2025
Hybrid vehicles—those combining an internal-combustion engine with one or more electric motors to power the wheels—come in all shapes and sizes. Folks seeking a fuel-efficient option are no longer limited to the Toyota Priuses and gas-sipping Hondas of the world, and even those models have come a long way from their humble beginnings a couple decades back. Regardless of whether or not you're specifically on the hunt for a gas-electric vehicle, chances are one or more will end up on your radar given the proliferation of this type of powertrain throughout the auto industry. We've created this guide to help shoppers of new and used hybrids understand their advantages, the differences between standard gas-electrics and plug-in models, new and used options, and any tax incentives that may be applicable. Why Consider a Hybrid? More and more models on the market today either offer a hybrid version or come only in gas-electric form. In the latter case, if that's the car you want, the decision to go hybrid is an easy one. If, however, you're deciding between gas-only and hybrid models, the choice may be more nuanced. Thanks to fuel-saving features such as regenerative braking and generally smaller, more-efficient engines that can call up an electric assist when needed, most hybrid vehicles use less fuel than comparable models, particularly when driving at lower speeds. On the other hand, at higher speeds, such as in our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, hybrids tend to underperform their window-sticker value. Depending on how you drive, owning a hybrid has the potential to save you money at the pump and has benefits for the environment. But because of their more complex powertrains, hybrids tend to cost a little more upfront. That means it may take a few years to pay back the price premium. If you're not into math, the EPA's website offers a helpful comparison tool that will let you compare a hybrid vehicle with its nonhybrid counterpart, taking into account the prices of the two models, how many miles you drive annually, what portion of your driving is in the city, and the price of fuel. It will then spit out a personalized payback period that you can use to help decide. For instance, comparing a 2025 Kia Sportage EX AWD hybrid with the nonhybrid version and leaving the default values alone—15,000 miles per year, with 55 percent of them in the city, at $3.21 per gallon—shows that the $1300 price premium of the hybrid model would take two years to repay. Drive more miles per year, and the payback will happen sooner. Using less fuel and the accompanying monetary savings aren't the only reasons to opt for a hybrid, however. Hybridized sporty cars prioritize increased output over saving fuel. Examples include monster-power options from Mercedes-AMG and Bentley, as well as the plug-in Ferrari SF90. If you're looking for a hybrid pickup truck or SUV, it's a similar story with some models, such as many from Toyota, that get gas mileage that's equivalent compared to those of the nonhybrid powertrains they replace but yield more output. So a hybridized four-cylinder can make more power and torque than an unassisted V-6 engine without burning more fuel. Standard Hybrids vs. Plug-Ins Assuming you're open to a gas-electric powertrain, you may have one more decision to make. Within the hybrid category are two major sub-types: standard hybrids, which get their power solely from liquid fuel, and plug-in hybrids, which have larger onboard batteries that can be juiced by an external source, much like an EV. Plug-ins, or PHEVs, can also drive substantially further on electric-only power (typically between 15 and 40 miles) than can regular hybrids. Again, some models come only one way or the other, while popular vehicles such as the Toyota RAV4 can be had with either type of hybrid powertrain. Plug-ins tend to cost more due to their larger battery packs and more powerful electric motors, but they usually also outdo their standard-hybrid counterparts' fuel-economy ratings. You'll have to do the math to determine which makes more sense for you financially. Regarding charging, whether or not to go for a plug-in has more to do with where you park than how you drive. That high-capacity battery and charging port don't do you any good if you never make use of them. So if you street park or live in an apartment or condo that won't accommodate the installation of charging equipment, a plug-in probably doesn't make sense for you. But if you can plug in overnight at home or during your 9-to-5—preferably both—most if not all of your commute and daily errand-running may be covered by a plug-in's electric-only range. As long as you're not charging at pricey public stations, the cost per mile is much lower when running on electricity than gasoline. And unlike with an EV, a plug-in still has a fuel tank and gas engine to let you extend its comfortable range without having to worry about where to stop or how long it will take to refuel. New vs. Used Choosing between a brand-new or a pre-owned hybrid or plug-in often comes down to budget. Like any used vehicle, a hybrid depreciates—loses some of its value—over time, making the pre-owned route more affordable when comparing similar models. That said, hybrids sometimes hold their value better than nonhybrids. This brings us back to the payback calculation discussed earlier. You mileage and results may vary. We have separate guides on buying pre-owned and shopping for new vehicles that can help you decide, as well. There's also the option of a certified pre-owned vehicle for those who want the extra peace of mind that a longer warranty provides. Available Incentives Should you settle on a new or used plug-in hybrid, there may be some extra savings in your future. PHEVs with a battery capacity above 7 kWh and meeting some other requirements are eligible for a tax break. For new plug-ins, the price cap is an MSRP of $80,000 for trucks and SUVs, or $55,000 for cars; used PHEVs must sell for less than $25,000 to qualify. There are also household income limits for who can take advantage of these credits. The IRS spells everything out clearly in documents for new and used vehicles. Note that these tax breaks are set to expire on September 30, 2025. If you want to take advantage, you must purchase the vehicle by that date. Your state may offer additional incentives, so be sure to read up on those before making your selection. Whether your goal is to save fuel, save money, or maximize power, there's a new or used hybrid that's right for you. Follow our advice, and you'll get a good deal on the right gas-electric vehicle to suit your needs and wants. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Mint
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Buying your dream car in India? Prices may drop for Rolls-Royce, Land Rover and more
The recently finalised Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom is set to significantly reshape trade dynamics across key automotive sectors, particularly impacting luxury car imports and tyre exports. Under the new terms, India will reduce import duties on cars manufactured in the UK from the current 110 per cent to 50 per cent in the first year of implementation. The phased tariff cut is expected to make high-end British automobiles more accessible in the Indian market. Several luxury car brands stand to benefit from the tariff reduction. Rolls-Royce, known for its ultra-luxury offerings such as the Phantom, Ghost, and Cullinan, will see a notable drop in prices. The all-electric Spectre model, slated to arrive later in the decade, will also be subject to the reduced tariff by the fifth year of the FTA. Bentley's lineup, including the Bentayga SUV, Continental GT, and Flying Spur, will also become more competitively priced. With most models priced well over ₹ 5 crore, the lower import duty is expected to improve market accessibility. Aston Martin's range, comprising the Vantage, DB12, Vanquish, and DBX, will similarly benefit. Manufactured at the company's Gaydon facility, these cars are currently imported into India, and the reduced import tax could encourage greater uptake among Indian buyers. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), despite some models being assembled in India, will gain from the reduced duties on completely built units (CBUs). The flagship Range Rover SV and Sport SV, both fully imported, are expected to become significantly more affordable. However, the Defender model, produced in Slovakia, will not qualify for tariff cuts under this agreement. Jaguar, a subsidiary of Tata Motors, is in the midst of transitioning to electric vehicles. Its upcoming ultra-luxury EV based on the Type 00 Concept will qualify for the tariff reductions only after the five-year schedule is completed. Meanwhile, the brand's F-Pace SUV remains locally assembled, limiting the immediate impact of the FTA on that model. The FTA also includes provisions for Indian tyre manufacturers. According to the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA), all customs duties on tyres and rubber products exported from India to the UK have been removed with immediate effect. This is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Indian tyre brands in the British ATMA reported that tyre exports to the UK reached ₹ 732 crore in FY2024–25, marking an 11 per cent increase from ₹ 660 crore the previous year. The industry has been on a steady growth path, with a 10 per cent rise in exports also recorded in FY2022–23. On the import side, India has opted for a cautious approach. Tyres from the UK will fall under the E10 staging category, meaning tariffs will be gradually reduced over a ten-year period. This structure is intended to balance market access with protection for the domestic industry. The phased liberalisation is part of a broader strategy aimed at supporting long-term sustainability in India's tyre manufacturing sector, which saw total exports exceed ₹ 25,000 crore in FY2024–25.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Elite 2025 RHP and Texas A&M commit signs with the Milwaukee Brewers
Texas A&M's 2026 baseball roster won't include another top 2025 prospect, as elite RHP Chase Bentley, who was selected in the 19th Round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, has reportedly signed with the Franchise for a surprising $757,500, which is reportedly a record for a player selected in the 19th Round. Bentley joins several Texas A&M 2025 signees who have opted to sign with MLB teams. Like junior outfielder Jace LaViolette, who was selected 27th overall by the Cleveland Guardians, and signed signed for over $4 million, Bentley's future is extremely bright, and while many, including myself expected him to suit up with the Aggies next season, turning down more than half a million to develop in the minor leagues before being called up would be even more surprising. Texas A&M's 2026 pitching rotation will likely include Weston Moss, Shane Sdao, and another new addition from the transfer portal, while the bullpen features several young but intriguing names, including Caden McCoy, who developed down the stretch last season. However, closer Josh Stewart, who was granted a medical exemption for the 2026 season, will immediately boost what was a shaky position after his injury. Agreeing with MLBPipeline writer Jim Callis, Texas A&M will miss out on a player with a pitching arsenal that goes past the fastball, excelling with his changeup, which translates to the MLB, and could result in an early call-up if he excels in the minor leagues. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Automotive
- Qatar Tribune
Audi cuts full-year forecast as profits slump by 37.5% in H1
Agencies German carmaker Audi lowered its guidance on Monday as it reported a drop in profits of 37.5% in the first half of the year, citing new U.S. tariffs, restructuring costs and struggling business in China. Post-tax earnings came in at 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in the first six months of the year, the firm, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, announced, marking a third consecutive year-over-year decline in profits. Back in 2022, the Munich-based carmaker – which also includes the brands Bentley, Lamborghini and Ducati – reported profits of 4.4 billion euros for the first half of the year. Audi also lowered its forecast for the current year, with turnover expected to shrink by 2.5 billion euros to between 65 billion euros and 70 billion euros. Meanwhile, the company also expects a significantly lower return on sales. However, the latest forecast does not yet take into account the trade agreement struck between the European Union and the U.S. a day earlier, which will see a baseline rate of 15% imposed on imports from the bloc. Audi said it was currently assessing the expected fallout from the deal, with Chief Financial Officer Jürgen Rittersberger noting that details of the agreement have yet to be revealed. In principle, however, the carmaker welcomes a deal, he said, as it enables the company to plan ahead. The increased U.S. tariffs imposed in April alone burdened Audi with around 600 million euros in the first half of the year, Rittersberger said. Unlike its competitor, BMW, Audi does not have its own plant in the U.S. and has not passed on the additional costs incurred by the tariffs to its U.S. customers. Rittersberger did not yet say how Audi will proceed, but noted that the company will try to find the right compromise between price and volume. Another reason for the current decline is the cost of restructuring the company, according to the chief financial officer. Audi announced earlier this year that it would cut 7,500 jobs in Germany by 2029 and has already made provisions for this. These provisions burdened the results in the first half of the year with 600 million euros, although there were already initial positive effects from what the carmaker calls its future agreement, which offset half of this burden. Transformation 'necessary' The current figures showed 'how necessary the initiated transformation is,' Rittersberger stressed, adding that Audi must 'continue at full throttle.' In the medium term, Audi aims to save more than 1 billion euros per year, he said. Before the figures were released, it had already become apparent that results might have plummeted, after sales had shrunk in the first half of the year, particularly in China but also in the U.S. Both markets are currently challenging for many car manufacturers. In China, fierce price competition continues to intensify, especially in the electric vehicle sector, where Audi is placing its hopes in upcoming new models.
