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AP News Summary at 1:38 p.m. EST
At $84,000, a six- or seven-passenger luxury SUV better provide some unmistakable style, cutting-edge technology and fearsome performance, when summoned. And though we missed seeing three-plus years’ worth of incremental changes, the 2025 Audi Q7 is a good summary of the brand’s ongoing progress. The reality is that the 2025 Q7 is a moderately updated version of a vehicle last largely revised in 2020, though this year’s model sees a healthy number of refinements to the exterior, as well as some new tech bits. Those include long-awaited access to streaming music services on the multimedia interface, plus the intriguing traffic light information system and standard Google maps, access to both of which is by subscription after a three-year trial. After a break, you can easily forget that a relatively large, three-row vehicle such as this Q7, parked on upgraded, diamond-shaped 21-inch wheels and high-performance all-seasons, is still entirely imbued with racy Audi DNA. I first thought my 55 model’s turbocharged engine was a little labored on shifts and overall acceleration, even in the vehicle’s Dynamic drive mode (there’s a 261-hp 2.0-liter version, this vehicle’s 335-hp 3.0-liter V6 and the ridiculous 500-hp 4.0-l V8 on the SQ7). But lean into it, hard – pedal, steering and braking – and the 5,000-pound Q7 does things that other full-sized SUVs can’t, won’t and don’t do. It has cornering grip, stability and high-speed prowess that are astounding, and can handle a thrashing like a vehicle half its size. And, when I looked, generate 14.2 mpg in the process, though 20 mpg city/highway is the official rating. Maybe don’t do that with the three rows full of people, but know that the Q7 has capability aplenty, and responds to heavy pressure on the accelerator, in safe environments. The inclusion of all-wheel steering, a $1,350 option, added to the vehicle’s versatility, both out on the road and for much easier parking jobs in tight spots. The bigger engine (or that crazy V8) both mean 7,700 pounds of towing, as well. Happily, performance also comes with an extensive suite of safety features and programs, some of which were one-of-a-kind a decade ago but are now found on more pedestrian vehicles. The Pre-Sense forward collision warnings and automatic braking, the super-bright blind spot warnings inside the mirrors and an aggressive lane-keep system are all there. There’s also this year’s added traffic light system, which tells you quite accurately how long you’ll have to wait an upcoming red light, especially in Front Range cities where the lights have been updated to broadcast that info. My ride, with standard Quattro all-wheel drive and that 3.0-liter engine, had a base price of about $66,000. It had been upgraded to the Prestige Package, a $12,000 option group that included a 3-D sound Bang and Olufsen sound system, a four-zone HVAC system with touchscreen controls in the second row, ultra-brilliant laser-light LED headlamps, leather throughout, as well as heated/ventilated/massaged front-row seats. And just like every other brand on earth, Audi now offers its own $2,100 Black optic package, which included those matte gray wheels, black exterior trim and logos, plus darkened chrome exhaust outlets. For 2025, they’ve decreased the amount of drama on the Q7’s face and body, with small upright posts in the octagonal grille, and here that grille, the window trim, the door trim and the rear fascia are all a glossy black. That complements the very attractive interior, which is still reminiscent of a Q8 I last drove in 2019, so changes there are clearly not a quantum leap. You still get a moderately overwhelming mix of touchscreen displays and temperature-sensitive accent lighting throughout the cabin, with upper and lower center touchscreens. The lower screen, which mostly offers HVAC controls, still seems like an attention-grabbing overstatement. It also still uses an Audi-specific haptic design, meaning you really have touch the screen, quite hard, to effect any changes. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful mix of glossy black and chrome-edged appliques on the dash front and center console, real wood surrounds, stitched leather and a flat layer of vents. The odd multi-position center armrest pops up to reveal a phone charger, but almost no other storage space besides a deep, pop-down holster box by the driver’s left knee. The ashtrays (really) in the second-row doors speak to some long-ago German car style, plus optional manual window shades. Seating is all stiff and efficient, but so tightly configured, so I wasn’t able to power-lift the tiny third-row seats without inching the second-row seats out of the way. Third-row up, you’re left with a pretty small cargo area; I thought there might be more room under the cargo deck, but it’s filled up with maybe the largest audio subwoofer I’ve ever seen. You can also airlift or drop the suspension remotely to help with cargo loading. Andy Stonehouse’s column “Mountain Wheels” publishes Saturdays in the Summit Daily News. Stonehouse has worked as an editor and writer in Colorado since 1998, focusing on automotive coverage since 2004. He lives in Golden. Contact him at summitmountainwheels@gmail.com.Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor, known as "The Notorious," is no stranger to headlines. From his astronomical earnings and lavish lifestyle to his family life and legal controversies, McGregor remains a polarising figure. Recently, a civil court in Dublin ordered him to pay $250,000 after losing a sexual assault case, further adding to his already controversial legacy. Conor McGregor was ordered to pay over $250,000 in damages after a Dublin High Court jury ruled in favour of Nikita Hand, who accused the UFC star of sexual assault during an incident in 2018. Hand claimed McGregor "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse, leaving her fearing for her life, according to E! News . The report goes on to say that McGregor denied the allegations, asserting that the encounter was consensual and describing the interaction as "vigorous but mutual." The jury, however, sided with Hand, awarding damages for assault. McGregor expressed disappointment with the verdict, stating that critical evidence had been excluded from the case. This is not McGregor's first encounter with sexual assault allegations . In 2023, he was accused of assaulting a woman at an NBA Finals game, but insufficient evidence prevented the case from moving forward. According to People , McGregor has been in a long-term relationship with Dee Devlin since 2008. The couple, engaged since 2020, share four children: Conor Jr., Croía, Rían, and their youngest, Mack. McGregor frequently shares glimpses of his family life on social media, showing a softer side to his often brash public persona. Devlin, who has stood by McGregor through numerous controversies, was seen leaving the courtroom in tears after the verdict, as reported by The Sun . As one of the wealthiest athletes in the world, McGregor's net worth is estimated to range from $200 million to $650 million, depending on sources. His fortune stems primarily from fighting, with his 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather earning him around $130 million. Beyond sports, McGregor has lucrative business ventures , including his whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve, which was sold in 2021 for a reported $500 million. He has since launched a stout brand, Forged Irish Stout, and owns Dublin's Black Forge Inn. Known for his extravagant spending, McGregor's purchases include luxury cars, designer watches, and multi-million-dollar properties. McGregor made history as the first UFC fighter to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. His matches have broken numerous pay-per-view records, with his 2018 fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov garnering 2.4 million buys. Recently, McGregor ventured into acting, starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the film Roadhouse . He claimed to be the highest-paid debut actor in history, surpassing Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's earnings for The Scorpion King , per The Sun . Although McGregor has not competed in the UFC since 2021 due to a leg injury, he has hinted at a return in 2025. Despite his legal troubles, McGregor remains a global icon in sports and entertainment, with fans eagerly awaiting his next move—whether in the octagon, on screen, or through his entrepreneurial ventures.
Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by a trade union not to impose “blunt headcount targets” for the size of the Civil Service but Government sources insisted there would be no set limit, although the number “cannot keep growing”. Departments have been ordered to find 5% “efficiency savings” as part of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review, potentially putting jobs at risk. The size of the Civil Service has increased from a low of around 384,000 in mid-2016, and the Tories went into the general election promising to reduce numbers by 70,000 to fund extra defence spending. Any reduction under Labour would be more modest, with the Guardian reporting more than 10,000 jobs could be lost. A Government spokesman said: “Under our plan for change, we are making sure every part of government is delivering on working people’s priorities — delivering growth, putting more money in people’s pockets, getting the NHS back on its feet, rebuilding Britain and securing our borders in a decade of national renewal. “We are committed to making the Civil Service more efficient and effective, with bold measures to improve skills and harness new technologies.” Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect trade union said: “We need a clear plan for the future of the civil service that goes beyond the blunt headcount targets that have failed in the past. “This plan needs to be developed in partnership with civil servants and their unions, and we look forward to deeper engagement with the government in the coming months.” A Government source said: “The number of civil servants cannot keep growing. “But we will not set an arbitrary cap. “The last government tried that and ended up spending loads on more expensive consultants.” The Government is already risking a confrontation with unions over proposals to limit pay rises for more than a million public servants to 2.8%, a figure only just over the projected 2.6% rate of inflation next year. Unions representing teachers, doctors and nurses have condemned the proposals. In the face of the union backlash, Downing Street said the public sector must improve productivity to justify real-terms pay increases. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s vital that pay awards are fair for both taxpayers and workers.” Asked whether higher pay settlements to staff would mean departmental cuts elsewhere, the spokesman said: “Real-terms pay increases must be matched by productivity gains and departments will only be able to fund pay awards above inflation over the medium-term if they become more productive and workforces become more productive.” TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s hard to see how you address the crisis in our services without meaningful pay rises. “And it’s hard to see how services cut to the bone by 14 years of Tory government will find significant cash savings. “The Government must now engage unions and the millions of public sector workers we represent in a serious conversation about public service reform and delivery.”Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. 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