The new Tesla Model S Plaid has received its first official EPA rating with a range of 348 miles on a single charge, but that’s for the bigger and less efficient wheels.
The EPA is slowly releasing the new ratings for the new versions of the updated Tesla Model S.
We noted that the range was lower than Tesla originally announced, but the efficiency did improve compared to the previous version of the Model S Long Range trim.
Now the EPA has released its first rating for the new Model S Plaid, but only for the version with 21-inch wheels.
It’s getting a range of 348 miles on a single charge and an efficiency of 101 MPGe highway and city driving combined:
In the image above, we compared it to the previous Model S Performance, which the Plaid replaces, with 19-inch and 21-inch wheels.
As you can see, the Plaid shows an efficiency increase consistent with the one seen on the Long Range, but the range increase is more significant over the previous version.
The EPA has yet to release the range for the Model S Plaid with 19-inch wheels, but Tesla has been guiding a range of 390 miles.
That’s a significant 42-mile difference just based on the wheels, which people often underestimate in terms of impact on efficiency.
As we reported yesterday, Tesla has actually reduced the energy capacity in the new Model S compared to the previous version, but it’s still getting a longer range based on the better efficiency alone.
Tesla has been focusing on efficiency since it directly affects battery supply and enables them to make more electric vehicles with the same amount of batteries.
Thee new Model S starts at $80,000, but the Model S Plaid with 21-inch wheels, which just got its EPA rating, starts at $134,500.
Prosecutors and defence lawyers have rested their cases in the sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, bringing more than six weeks of testimony against the hip-hop mogul to a close.
The high-profile trial has heard from more than 30 witnesses, including the rapper’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, as well as former employees of his company Bad Boy Entertainment, male escorts, law enforcement officers and hotel staff.
But one person jurors won’t hear from is Combs himself.
Confirming this to Judge Arun Subramanian, the rapper said he had discussed the issue of testifying “thoroughly” with his team and made the decision not to give evidence. He also thanked the judge and told him he was doing an “excellent job”.
Image: Cassie Ventura was heavily pregnant when she testified at the start of the trial. Pic: Jane Rosenberg/ Reuters
After the prosecution rested, the defence team moved for the judge to acquit the 55-year-old – a fairly standard move – saying attorneys for the government had not provided evidence to prove any of the charges filed.
They then presented a brief case themselves, submitting more text messages as evidence to show Combs and his girlfriends were in loving, consensual relationships, and making a few stipulations about testimony, but calling no witnesses. This lasted for less than an hour.
They have previously conceded Combs has been violent in the past, something he is “not proud” of, but said this did not make him a sex trafficker.
The charges against ‘Diddy’
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, two charges of sex-trafficking, and two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has strenuously denied all allegations of sexual abuse. The hip-hop mogul’s defence team has described him as “a complicated man” but say the case is not.
They have conceded Combs could be violent and that jurors might not condone his proclivity for “kinky sex”. However, they argue this was a consensual “swingers” lifestyle and was not illegal.
Combs has remained in jail without bail since he was arrested in New York in September last year.
Throughout the trial, defence lawyers have made their case for exoneration through their questioning of witnesses called by the prosecution, including several who gave evidence reluctantly or after they were granted immunity to testify.
Prosecutors argue Combs coerced and forced Cassie and another former girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym Jane, into “freak off” sex sessions with male escorts, and used his business empire to facilitate these, as well as drug use, and cover up bad behaviour.
Image: Jurors have seen several clips of explicit footage. Pic: Jane Rosenberg/ Reuters
During the first week of the trial, Cassie, 38, spent four days giving evidence. Heavily pregnant at the time, she told jurors she felt pressured to take part in hundreds of “freak offs” with male sex workers as Combs watched.
She told the court they became so frequent during their relationship, which began in 2007 and ended in 2018, that they were “like a job”, and she had barely any time for her own career.
The singer and musician gave birth two weeks after her testimony, her friend and former stylist confirmed as he gave evidence himself in court.
Jane testified for six days about similar sexual performances, which Combs referred to as “hotel nights”, “wild king nights” or “debauchery” with her, the court heard. Like Cassie, she said she felt coerced into engaging in them because she loved the music star and wanted to please him.
Jane dated Combs on and off from early 2021 to his arrest in 2024.
Jurors have been shown several recordings of these sex sessions, lasting more than 40 minutes in total. The footage was shown on monitors and jurors used headphones, keeping it private from the media and members of the public in court.
In her opening statement, defence lawyer Teny Geragos called the videos “powerful evidence that the sexual conduct in this case was consensual and not based on coercion”.
The trial also heard from Mia, another alleged victim who testified under a pseudonym. Mia was a former employee of Combs, who told the court he sexually assaulted her on several occasions in the years she worked for him.
She had never told anyone about the alleged abuse until the investigation into Combs, she said, telling the court she was ashamed. “I was going to die with this,” she said, becoming tearful on the stand. “I didn’t want anyone to know ever.”
The trial has been eventful, with one juror dismissed and replaced by an alternate after it emerged he had given conflicting evidence about where he lives. The judge said he had “serious concerns” that not being truthful about this could potentially mean he wanted to be on the jury for a particular reason.
And at one point, Combs was warned by the judge for nodding enthusiastically toward jurors during a section of cross-examination by his lawyers. The judge said he could be excluded from the trial if it happened again.
Court is not in session on Wednesday. The trial continues on Thursday, when closing statements from the legal teams will begin.
Former Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 67-year-old announced his diagnosis on social media, saying it was one of stage four “advanced” cancer.
He said he was “fortunate to have a simply outstanding medical team” looking after him that was “administering the best possible care with expertise, compassion and sensitivity”.
“I’m responding positively to their excellent treatment, and feeling well,” he added.
“I’m blessed to be fortified by the monumental love and support of my wife, family and close friends.
“Needless to say, my message to all men over 50, in high risk groups, or displaying symptoms, is get yourself tested and campaign for routine prostate screening by the NHS.
“Early detection is crucial. And be aware, this disease can sometimes progress rapidly without obvious symptoms.”
Image: Murnaghan also presented on BBC News and ITV News
Murnaghan said he would be taking part in Sir Chris Hoy’s charity bike ride in Glasgow in September, which aims to “shine a spotlight” on stage four cancer.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos is marrying Lauren Sanchez, a former TV journalist, in a glitzy multi-day event in Venice.
While city officials haven’t confirmed the wedding details, Italian media have reported it will be a three-day affair between Tuesday and Thursday.
They also say it will take over the whole island of San Giorgio opposite St Mark’s Square – but that the location of the ceremony itself remains private.
Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger and Ivanka Trump are expected to attend, as is pop star Katy Perry, who joined Ms Sanchez in the all-female celebrity crew that travelled to space in April.
They and other celebrity guests – rumoured to include Leonardo Dicaprio and Eva Longoria – are expected to be joining the couple for parties on Amazon owner Bezos’s super yacht, worth about $500m (£371m), which will dock in the port of Venice for the wedding, Sky News Italy reports.
But not everyone in the iconic city is excited.
What protests are planned?
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Members of the group No Space for Bezos are planning to disrupt celebrations and have already made clear that, to them, the billionaire is not welcome in the city.
They unfurled a massive banner on 12 June from the bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica with Bezos’s name crossed out.
Image: An anti-Bezos sign hung on the bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica. Pic: Federica Toninelli
They are planning another demonstration on 28 June where they will block guests from arriving at a party by blocking the canals with boats and their bodies.
They say the protest will be peaceful.
“We want to take back our city that we are seeing constantly being privatised and taken away from us,” Federica Toninelli, an activist associated with No Space for Bezos, told Sky News.
Why are there protests?
Protesters do not have an issue with the marriage itself but with what they say is the “privatisation” and “exploitation” of the city.
Image: Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos at Donald Trump’s inauguration. Pic: Reuters
“He is basically going to treat the whole city as a private ballroom, as a private event area, as if the citizens are not there,” said Alice Bazzoli, also an activist with No Space for Bezos.
Both told Sky News that the event will close parts of the city and make it difficult for locals to get around, as well as posing environmental concerns with the use of yachts in the canals.
“This is not what Venice needs. This is not what a city that is already suffering from overtourism needs,” said Ms Toninelli.
Image: No Space For Bezos protesters gather in Venice. Pic: Federica Toninelli
The city has long struggled with high tourism numbers.
Millions come to see a World Heritage Site famous around the world for its medieval architecture, crammed into a picturesque canal network.
But this pushes up the cost of living for locals and tends to create only low-paid temporary employment.
“It’s going to bring money, yes, but weare not going to see any money,” said Ms Toninelli.
Image: St Mark’s Square filled with tourists. Pic: Reuters
The protests are also linked to wider issues around affordable housing and a dwindling local population in Venice’s historic centre.
“Do we want our city even more invaded by tourists, by oligarchs, and people who buy and privatise the city, or do we want services, jobs, health services, schools, universities? Do we want to live in the city like normal people, or sell it to the best offer?” said Ms Bazzoli.
What has the response been to the protests?
The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, says he is “honoured” that the city is hosting the event.
“Once again Venice proves to be a world stage,” he said.
“Those 20 people who are putting up posters are clearly capitalising on [Jeff Bezos’s] image.”
The city of Venice has previously denied that the event would disrupt locals, saying water taxi services would run normally and that only 200 guests had been invited.
“Venice is used to being the stage for events and shows every week, without significant impacts,” the city said, citing G20 and G7 summits, the Architecture and Cinema Biennales, as well as private events.
They say the city has previous experience of hosting big events successfully.
Is this the first celebrity Venice wedding?
No, George and Amal Clooney famously got married there in 2014.
The actor arrived at his ceremony at the Aman Grande Canal Hotel on a boat, alongside guests including Matt Damon and model Cindy Crawford.
The city also hosted world leaders for the 2021 G20 summit, as well as the annual Venice Film Festival.
Is tourism a problem in Venice?
Image: Day-trippers take a gondola tour in July 2024. Pic: Reuters
Venice has been struggling with the impacts of overtourism – when the number of visitors to an area worsens the experience of being there for locals or other tourists.
There were around 50,000 people living in the historic city centre in 2023 when there were around 4.9 million tourist arrivals, according to the data gathering website Statista.
In 2024, it became the first city in the world to introduce a payment system for tourists, with officials carrying out random checks to make sure people beyond entry points have a QR code.
As it stands, those visiting between April and July for a day trip pay a standard fee of €5 – unless they have booked less than four days before their visit, in which case they must pay double.
The city has also put in place a size limit of 25 people for tourist groups to reduce crowds.
Where else have there been tourist protests?
Venice isn’t the only European city where locals are frustrated with tourist numbers.
Protesters in Barcelona sprayed tourists with water guns as part of demonstrations over the number of visitors.
