Where earlier versions felt like re-badged alliance products, this generation delivers on the promise of that three‑pointed star on the grille, especially in well‑specced trims.

On the road, the Citan’s most striking trait is how little it feels like a van. The steering is direct and consistent, with a surprisingly sharp turn‑in that lets you place the nose precisely into corners and roundabouts.

Body roll is much better contained than you might expect from a tall, boxy vehicle; it leans a little in faster bends, but never sloppily, and quickly settles again.

That composure and agility encourages you to drive it much as you would a family hatchback rather than a reluctant workhorse, which should go down well with drivers spending long shifts shuttling between jobs.

The Citan

The diesel engine is modest on paper but well‑matched to the Citan’s brief. Official figures put the 1.5‑litre unit in the low‑to‑mid‑50s miles per gallon, depending on version, and in practice it feels flexible enough for urban errands and motorway stints alike.

There’s enough torque to pull away cleanly with a sensible load on board, and while it won’t set the pulse racing, it settles into a relaxed cruise once up to speed.

Road and engine noise are both well suppressed for a vehicle of this type, adding to that car‑like impression from behind the wheel.

Practicality remains central, of course, and here the Citan makes good use of its footprint. L2 versions offer roughly 3.6 cubic metres of load volume and a payload a touch over 850kg, depending on final specification, which comfortably covers lighter‑duty trades, parcel work and service engineers with racking.

Mercedes-Benz 110 L2 SELECT

Twin sliding side doors on the long‑wheelbase model make life easier in tight streets and busy yards, while wide‑opening rear doors keep access fuss‑free when you’re backing up to a loading bay.

From the driver’s seat, the Citan’s cabin feels smart and deliberately car‑influenced rather than bare‑bones commercial. There’s a clear, logically laid‑out dashboard with a modern touchscreen in the centre and physical controls for the essentials.

Even in workwear, it comes across as a pleasant place to spend the day rather than something you merely tolerate. The driving position is comfortable, with plenty of adjustment, and visibility is generally good, helped in no small part by the standard reversing camera on this test van.

That camera is genuinely useful, offering a clear image and guidelines that take some of the guesswork out of slotting into tight spaces or lining up with a loading dock.

The Citan

Material quality and design also give the Citan an edge over some rivals.

Hard plastics are inevitable in a vehicle that must withstand daily abuse, but the way they’re textured and assembled does lend an air of solidity.

Storage is sensible rather than spectacular – you get door bins large enough for big bottles, a decent glovebox and a smattering of smaller cubbies for phones, paperwork and the day’s receipts.

In higher trims, extra touches such as leather‑trimmed steering wheels and subtle chrome or gloss‑black accents lift the ambience further without straying into silliness.

Mercedes-Benz 110 L2 SELECT

Safety and technology are strong points too. Depending on trim, the Citan can be had with a suite of driver‑assistance systems including lane‑keeping support, autonomous emergency braking, traffic‑sign recognition and blind‑spot monitoring, along with parking sensors and that reversing camera.

For small‑business operators and fleet managers alike, that combination of kit and underlying engineering offers reassurance that drivers are well‑protected if the worst should happen.

Mercedes-Benz Citan 110 CDI L2 Select

PRICE: From £26,655 (excl. VAT)

Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel

Power: 95PS

Gearbox: Six-speed manual

Drive: Front-wheel drive

Body style: Long-wheelbase small panel van

Length: 4,922mm

Wheelbase: 3,100mm

Foreclosure rates shot at the start of 2026 but experts say the trend isn’t worrisome… yet.

Some 118,727 properties were in foreclosure nationwide during the first three months of 2026 – up 26 percent from a year ago and the highest number since 2020, a recent report from housing data and analytics firm ATTOM revealed.

States with the highest foreclosure rate – number of homes in foreclosure versus total number of homes – were Indiana (1 in 739), followed by South Carolina (1 in 743), Florida (1 in 750), Delaware (1 in 757) and Illinois (1 in 833), according to the report.

For cities with at least 200,000 people, the South was hit hardest. Two Florida cities, Lakeland and Punta Gorda, had the two highest foreclosure rates in the country, followed by Columbia, South Carolina; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Macon, Georgia, ATTOM reported.

Foreclosure starts – the number of homes that began the process at a given time, were up 20 percent from a year ago.

Responses to the data were mixed. Some – like ATTOM CEO Rob Barber – believe that the numbers indicate that Americans are feeling the pressure of higher prices across the board and may struggle to pay their mortgage.

However, others say the spike is more a return to normal foreclosure rates after five years of suppressed rates, thanks to COVID-era homeowner protections.

That was the opinion of Donna Schmidt, CEO of DLS Servicing, a company that helps mortgage lenders make the foreclosure and repossession process more efficient.

Schmidt told housing market publication HousingWire that five years of putting off foreclosures could result in a rush of them in the next two years.

The user, tommycina, posted the video to his TikTok: “This is an adder. Every morning I have to wade through adders in order to get my open sign up. 

“No one seems to believe me! That place is crawling with snakes. (Looking at the snake) She is furious. My shadow is ruining the shot.”

The UK’s only venomous snake 🐍
Vipera Berus (Common European Adder)

Have you ever seen a native UK snake? Visit the Wildwood Trust Adders this summer.#wildwoodtrust #wildwoodtrustkent #snake #adder #viper #ukwildlife #conservation #hythe #whiststable #canterbury #thanet pic.twitter.com/JzSFJdQ77d

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— Wildwood Kent (@WildwoodTrust) July 9, 2023

Tommy then demonstrates how he deals with the serpents: “So what we do is we gently prod her.”

He prods. Then addresses the snake directly.

“Go on, f*** off.”

The offended snake slithers away.

“And she’s gone. You’d think we were in f****** Texas, not Northumbria.”

Wild snakes

Only 3 types of snake are found in the wild in the UK.

The adder is the only poisonous (venomous) snake, but you should get all snakebites checked as soon as possible.

Telling the doctors the colour and pattern of the snake that bit you could help them treat it.

According to the Wildlife Trust, the adder is the UK’s only venomous snake. Still, its venom is generally of little danger to humans: an adder bite can be painful and cause inflammation but is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old.

If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately. Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth rather than confront and bite humans and domestic animals; most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards.

The officially licensed Star Wars Crocs Kids Classic Clogs feature an R2-D2 design that young fans will love. They’ve been reduced to £24.25 on Amazon – a saving of over 56% off the usual £54.99 price.

Amazon is giving Star Wars fans something to celebrate on the official May 4th day, with a cracking price reduction on a pair of children’s Crocs.

The Star Wars Crocs Kids Classic Clogs ordinarily retail at £54.99, but in a deal that’s out of this world, they’ve been slashed to £24.25 — a remarkable saving of £30.74, or 56% off. The limited-edition footwear boasts an R2-D2 design, offering a charming droid-inspired look that little ones are sure to love.

The Star Wars Crocs are available in children’s UK sizes 11 to 6. Worth noting, Amazon’s price is considerably lower than the official Crocs website, where the same pair are listed at £38.49, though only limited sizes remain available.

For further Star Wars bargains, LEGO enthusiasts can snap up a Cobb Vanth’s Speeder Toy for Kids at Argos for £19, reduced from £25. Suitable for children aged seven and above, the set contains 107 bricks.

Over at Debenhams, adult fans can treat themselves to a Star Wars Blanket Hoodie priced at £41.75, featuring a bold Darth Vader armour mask graphic across the chest, complete with suit detailing throughout, reports the Daily Record.

The Star Wars Crocs Kids Classic Clogs carry an impressive 4.7 customer rating on Amazon, with glowing reviews, many purchased as gifts. One satisfied shopper wrote: “My Star Wars-loving son was thrilled. True to size, comfortable, and great quality. Wipe off easily with some soap and water. Happy with this purchase.” Another delighted parent commented: “My little one loves Crocs and Star Wars, so these were great. They fit perfectly and are super comfortable.”

Someone else remarked: “Love these shoes, they’re so comfortable and easy to wear!”

Another customer stated: “My mother-in-law got these for my son for Christmas. They are absolutely adorable. True to size. My son gets lots of compliments on them at school and on the bus. He wears them all the time.”

One reviewer deducted a star due to pricing, noting: “These Crocs are the same as basically all Crocs from a style and quality standpoint. The R2D2-themed styling is fun for kids who are fans of Star Wars. The price point is a little bit higher than I’d like. The fit is the same as other versions of Crocs!”

Another purchaser had a more positive take, commenting: “Really cool”, while a different shopper observed: “Cute as can be.”

A further customer shared: “My grandson loves them, he wares constantly, very comfortable too. Easy slip on and off.”

A final purchaser summarised: “Son loved them for Christmas. Sooo cool looking and comfortable!”

Whitby Goth Weekend was staged from Friday, May 1 to Monday, May 3 in what is billed as a celebration of alternative music, literature, fashion, art and the pursuit of “community, friendship and freedom of expression”.

The hugely popular event is held twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, and sees the streets and venues of Whitby packed with people dressed in an array of gothic costumes.

Visitors show off their costumes at Whitby Goth Weekend 2026 (Image: Garry Hornby)

Visitors show off their costumes at Whitby Goth Weekend 2026 (Image: Garry Hornby)

Visitors show off their costumes at Whitby Goth Weekend (Image: Garry Hornby)

Vampires rub shoulders with steam punks, while cybergoths mingle with zombies.

Visitors show off their costumes at Whitby Goth Weekend 2026 (Image: Garry Hornby)

The event was first hosted by Jo Hampshire, when she invited 40 of her pen pals to The Elsinore Inn, close to the centre of the idyllic town.

Visitors show off their costumes at Whitby Goth Weekend 2026 (Image: Garry Hornby)

Visitors show off their costumes at Whitby Goth Weekend 2026 (Image: Garry Hornby)

Now, it attracts guests from all over as a celebration of gothic culture.

The weekender was founded in 1994 and is now one of the most famous gothic events in the world.

Whitby has long been a mecca for goths after the town inspired author Bram Stoker’s classic gothic novel, Dracula.

The change means certain models of the company’s Kindles will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content from the store.

The affected devices were introduced between the years of 2007 and 2012, with the move coming due to technology advancing since then.

Amazon has said it is offering affected customers money off select new Kindle devices as well as store credit after purchasing a newer model.

Amazon ending support for old Kindle devices in coming weeks

There are 13 affected Kindle devices in total that support is ending for, all of which were introduced between 2007 and 2012, and have been supported since.

Affected customers received an email from Amazon if they are affected, with a promotional code to switch to newer models and next steps.

The full list of models affected is:

• Kindle 1st Generation (2007)
• Kindle 2nd Generation (2009)
• Kindle DX and DX Graphite (2009 and 2010)
• Kindle Keyboard (2010)
• Kindle 4 (2011)
• Kindle Touch (2011)
• Kindle 5 (2012)
• Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation (2012)
• Kindle Fire 1st Gen (2011)
• Kindle Fire 2nd Gen (2012)
• Kindle Fire HD 7 (2012)
• Kindle Fire HD 8.9 (2012)

Kindles remain popular with customers who enjoy reading e-books (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

For Kindle Fire tablets, only Kindle purchasing and downloading is affected, with other Amazon services on Fire tablets remaining fully functional.

Customers’ accounts and Kindle Library remain fully accessible, and they can continue reading previously downloaded books on these devices and can access their entire Kindle library on Kindle for Web, the free Kindle app for Android, iOS, Mac, and PC, or on newer devices.

An Amazon spokesperson told Newsquest: “Starting May, 20, 2026, customers using Kindle and Kindle Fire devices released in 2012 and earlier will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content via the Kindle Store.

“These models have been supported for at least 14 years—some as long as 18 years—but technology has come a long way in that time, and these devices will no longer be supported moving forward.

“We are notifying those still actively using them and offering promotions to help with the transition to newer devices.

“Their accounts and Kindle Library also remain fully accessible through the free Kindle app and Kindle for Web.”

What to do if you have an old Kindle as support for devices ends

Customers can use Amazon’s recycling program if they no longer want to hold onto an affected device.

Amazon recommends that to dispose of electrical or electronic equipment, you donate the unwanted item to a charitable organisation, if it still works, or recycle it.

More information can be found online on how to do this.

Amazon is also offering a promotional code for 20% off select new Kindle devices as well as a £15 eBook credit that will be automatically added to your account after purchasing a new device.

This is valid through to June 20, 2026 (terms and conditions apply).

Amazon said its newer Kindle devices bring improvements in screen quality, performance and accessibility, and customers will have access to their complete Kindle library and the Kindle Store.

You can also continue to read all your books on our free Kindle apps (Android, iOS, Mac, and PC) and Kindle for Web.

For any questions or assistance, visit the help page.

Amazon discontinues Fire TV Blaster

The news comes just months after Amazon decided to discontinue its Fire TV Blaster.

Launched just over six years ago, it was designed to give hands-free voice control over Fire TV-compatible streaming devices, such as Fire Sticks and Echo smart speakers.

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It was to aid customers who may have older TVs and soundbars by allowing them to control them with their voice.

However, due to newer HDMI-CEC technology and the further evolution of Amazon’s Fire TV product lineup, the need for the product has dwindled.

Do you still use any of the old Kindle models that are affected by the change? Let us know in the comments.

Among those, awareness group Holocaust Awareness Ireland, said on social media that the host showed “a singular lack of empathy when speaking about Jews” and asked if he had been “corrupted” by what it described as “the RTE hive mind where the narrative around the issue of Israel and Jews is disturbingly unbalanced.”