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MAZDA is pulling the plug on its first and only electric car, criticised during its four-year run for its limited range and cramped cabin.

The MX-30, which made its world debut at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, is a subcompact crossover SUV that offered EV, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid variants.

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But now, it’s quietly reached the end of its production lifespan.

Launched in the UK in 2021, the MX-30 was positioned against competitors such as the Kia Soul EV and Peugeot e-2008.

However, it struggled to gain traction, primarily due to its short range and limited practicality.

One of the most significant criticisms of the MX-30 – aside from its bizarre, coach-style doors – was its modest range of just 124 miles, thanks to its 35.5kWh battery.

The smaller battery size, chosen to reduce the car’s weight, certainly improved handling and lowered its CO2 emissions during production.

However, it also resulted in persistent range anxiety among drivers.

Indeed, today, rivals like the Jeep Avenger, Renault 4, and MINI Aceman offer ranges of around 250 miles, highlighting the MX-30’s shortcomings.

WHAT’S NEXT?

While the fully electric MX-30 has been axed, the plug-in hybrid version remains on sale in the UK.

This variant, equipped with a fully charged battery and a full tank of petrol, can cover more than 400 miles, according to Mazda.

What’s more, the brand is set to give electric cars another stab next year with the 6e saloon, which is poised to be in the same segment as the top-selling Tesla Model 3.

A fully electric SUV is also in the pipeline, but the decision to temporarily pluck its only pure electric vehicle in its lineup is bold – particularly in light of the UK Government’s ZEV mandate.

Under the current mandate, at least 28% of manufacturers’ new car sales must be zero-emissions vehicles by 2025, prompting many brands to prioritise EV production.

As reported by Auto Express, a Mazda spokesperson said: “Mazda will meet the requirements of the ZEV/VETS legislation through the various flexibilities within the scheme and the introduction of further BEVs.”

This comes as Sun Motors supremo Rob Gill recently got to road-test the new Mazda 3, featuring a gutsy 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.

FAKING It fans have branded the show’s reboot a ‘fix’ – as it returns after 19 years.

The premise sees a brave volunteer dropped into a completely alien world and given just four weeks – and help from a handful of mentors – to master a new skill and convince a panel of experts that they are the real deal.

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Channel 5‘s reboot kicked off with Surrey luxury estate agent Rex swap properties for northern street markets.

Working gruelling 10-hour shifts, viewers watched Rex struggle to keep up, blend in and sound like a proper northerner.

However, he managed to convince two out of three market inspectors that he was a proper northern market trader.

Only one of the trio said: “There was something a little not quite there for me with the butcher. He was almost convincing!”

The others, however, felt he was genuine when he went up against a real-life baker, florist and dog treat seller.

Taking to X, some viewers branded the series a “fix” as they questioned the plausibility of not sussing out Rex as the phony.

One wrote: “Im calling B******t that two out the three didnt know Rex was #FakingIt.”

Another penned: “I’m watching the judges pretending not to know which the fake guy was. #FakingIt.”

Wheeler dealer and TV personality Tom Skinner was on hand to help coach Rex through the experience.

Although he initially criticised the newcomer’s slow start, stall display and lack of sales pitches.

Tom said: “To me, it looks like a warehouse storeroom doesn’t it… your store should look like Harrods. You’ve got to make as much as the space you’ve got, yeah?”

After Rex forgot everything Tom told him about pitching, the former Apprentice star said: “Mate, I have no heard you once talk about your stock to anyone.

“You need to be a walking advert. When they walk past… bring them in.”

Rex’s confidence grew, however, following  a crash course from a dialect coach, as well as the ultimate test of hosting a pub quiz using his new northern twang.

Top Channel 5 dramas

Channel 5 has become a hub for gripping drama, these are some of the best My5 has to offer.

• All Creatures Great and Small – Based on the best-selling novels by real-life vet Alf Wright, the show revolves around a trio of vets working in the Yorkshire Dales in the late 1930s. Eccentric Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) hires James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) for his veterinary practice at Skeldale House alongside himself and his younger brother Tristan (Callum Woodhouse). There James settles into his new life and even finds love with local farmer’s daughter Helen (Rachel Shenton).

• The Ex-Wife – New parents Tasha (Céline Buckens) and Jack (Tom Misson) seem to have the perfect life, but the constant presence of Jack’s overly friendly but suspicious ex-wife Jen (Janet Montgomery) puts pressure on the couple. But as the series progresses it becomes less clear who the bad guy really is and how far everyone will go to get the life they think they deserve.

• Heat – EastEnders alum Danny Dyer leads this four-part action thriller, set in Australia, which sees two families holidaying together during bushfire season. But instead of rest and relaxation, secrets and lies start to unravel — and not everyone will make it out alive…

• Lie With Me – Another soap legend jets off to Australia, this time its EastEnders alum Charlie Brooks who takes as a married woman trying to saving her marriage by moving halfway around the world after her husband had an affair. However it’s far from plain sailing, as a young and attractive live-in nanny comes to work with the Fallmont family, and tensions soon build and eventually, someone ends up dead.

• The Drowning – Jill Halfpenny plays Jodie, a woman whose life is shattered following the disappearance of her beloved four-year-old son, Daniel. However, ten years later, the grieving mother thinks she’s finally found her missing child, and embarks on a journey to discover the truth about him. But has she really just found the son she has been missing for so long? 

In addition, the posh boy was treated to an amazing hair transformation and some fake tattoos.

Faking It originally aired on Channel 4 from 2000 to 2006 and was highly acclaimed in this run.

The show, which can still be streamed on Channel 4‘s online platform, won two BAFTA awards.

Production company Banijay revived the iconic programme on Channel 5.

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NETFLIX has struck a new deal that will see a popular kids show come to the streaming giants service.

The show was facing an uncertain future after losing funding but has been saved by the new Netflix deal.

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Sesame Street will be hosted on the streaming service with 90 hours of previous episodes and a whole new season added to the Netflix catalogue.

The move comes after HBO decided not to renew the 50-year-old show’s deal.

Sesame Street was threatened with cancellation in the wake of the news but has now been thrown a lifeline.

The deal will see new episodes of the beloved children’s show run on Netflix, PBS, and the PBS Kids app later this year.

No date has been announced for the premiere as of yet.

Warner Bros Discovery, who aired the show since 2016, decided not to renew its deal for new episodes to air on HBO and Max.

However, episodes of the children’s TV series will remain there until 2027.

The new series, to be aired on Netflix, will be the shows impressive 56th season.

Episodes in the new season will revolve around a single, 11 minute story.

Sesame Workshop said in a statement: “This unique public-private partnership will enable us to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world with Netflix’s global reach, while ensuring children in communities across the US continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love.”

Sesame Street has been entertaining children since 1969 with beloved puppet characters.

The show has won more than 200 Emmys in its long history.

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NETFLIX PRICES AND PERKS – HOW MUCH ARE YOU PAYING?

Here’s what you need to know…

Netflix Standard with Ads

Price: £4.99 UK / $7.99 US

• Ad-supported, all but a few movies and TV shows available, unlimited mobile games
• Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
• Watch in 1080p (Full HD)
• Download on 2 supported devices at a time

Netflix Standard

Price: £10.99 UK / $17.99 US

• Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games
• Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
• Watch in 1080p (Full HD)
• Download on 2 supported devices at a time
• Option to add 1 extra member who doesn’t live with you

Netflix Premium

Price: £17.99 UK / $24.99 US

• Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games
• Watch on 4 supported devices at a time
• Watch in 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR
• Download on 6 supported devices at a time
• Option to add up to 2 extra members who don’t live with you
• Netflix spatial audio

Picture Credit: Netflix

Episodes are led by Big Bird and a cast of characters that educate children about colours, shapes and numbers.

Funding for the show was thrown into question earlier this year when President Trump issued an executive order to block funding for TV network PBS (Public Broadcasting Service).

The move resulted in federal funding for the show, among other TV programmes for kids, being cut.

Netflix’ new deal will see the show saved from an otherwise uncertain future.

The streaming giant called Sesame Street a “beloved cornerstone of children’s educational television.”

Netflix promised to keep fan favourite segments like Elmo’s world and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck in the show.

The streaming service did hint at changes for the new season as well though, telling viewers to “expect new ways to play along.”

Sesame Street was co-founded by Lloyd Morrisett and Joan Ganz Cooney.

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A HEALTH food brand has urgently recalled one of its popular snacks over E.coli fears with a “do not eat” warning issued to shoppers.

Grape Tree is recalling Raw Unsalted Macadamia Nuts because Shiga toxin-producing E.coli has been found in one of its batches.

The recall affects 250g packs of the nuts which have a best before date of July 11, 2026.

The store is warning customers who have bought the affected batch, which has a batch code of G41 5 101 250610, not to eat them.

A spokesperson for Grape Tree says: “If you have bought Raw Unsalted Macadamia Nuts 250g as detailed above, do not eat them.

“Instead, check if you have bought the affected batch code.

“You can do this by taking a picture of this notice or writing down the batch code/best before date for reference at home.

“Return the product to the store for a full refund (with or without a receipt).”

The Food Standards Agency also shared the product recall notice, adding that it is England, Wales and Scotland specific.

A spokesperson said: “If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.

“For more information, please email [email protected].”

It comes after Lidl recently told shoppers not to eat one of its savoury snacks over fears it could contain salmonella.

The discount supermarket urgently recalled its Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings after the problem was found.

The recall affected 100g packets of the pork scratchings with best before dates ranging from August 5, 2025 through to August 12, 2025.

THE BOSS of an iconic car brand has revealed a major update on its merger with a rival, as the company admits the EV push is hurting sales.

Despite rumours of a potential tie-up between Stellantis and Renault, both companies have denied seeking a partnership.

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John Elkann, Stellantis Chairman, told the Financial Times: “We are not discussing any merger.”

Management at the automotive giant has been turbulent following the resignation of the former CEO, Carlos Tavares, who they still haven’t replaced.

The automotive giant currently oversees many carmakers such as Peugeot, Fiat and Vauxhall.

However, Stellantis has several underperforming brands, such as Chrysler, described as “a shadow of its former self,” according to motor1.com

Another failing car manufacturer is Abarth, which has seen revenues drop during its push to go fully electric.

This has caused major concern at Stellantis, adding to the company’s decision not to get involved in a massive merger.

Last year, the Auto conglomerate recorded a 12 per cent drop in shipments, which they blamed on “temporary gaps in product offerings”.

On the other hand, the Renault group reported their highest sales.

The two major companies share a common ground regarding the future of cars in Europe.

Both share concerns over strict emission regulations negatively impacting their profit and production of gas-powered city cars.

The European Union recently granted automakers an extension to meet their emission targets.

However, by 2030, stricter regulations will come into force, banning the sale of new cars with harmful emissions across the EU.

This comes after Europe’s second-largest carmaker halted production of an iconic model as its EV lineup faces “deep trouble”.

An initial manufacturing break at Stellantis has now been extended as bosses report a collapse in demand for electric cars.

The Fiat 500 was one of the vast company’s most successful and beloved models across two production runs lasting a collective 35 years.

Dating back to 1957, it has sold more than six million units between its two iterations.

However, the 500e, unveiled in 2020 as an electric alternative, has proved less popular.

The model is intended as the long-term successor to the 500 beyond the 2035 ban on petrol and diesel car sales.

But stuttering demand has now forced a pause in its production.

The latest data suggest that both the petrol and electric 500 sol 74,885 units from January to July.

That’s almost a quarter down on the same period last year.

Bosses told Autocar that poor sales were “linked to the deep difficulties experienced in the European EV market by all producers.”

They have also reportedly told union reps that the electric car segment is facing “deep trouble” more generally.

Fiat CEO Olivier François said: “We obviously, like everyone else, thought that the world would go electric faster and the cost of electrification would go down faster.

“But we couldn’t imagine that Covid would happen, shortage of raw materials would happen [and] the European Society – not all, not the youngest part – would turn their backs on the sustainable solutions.

“But this is the reality. We have to face those realities.”

THE HUMBLE crab stick has been popular since the 80s tossed in salad, now they seem to have had a resurgence as people add them to ramen or seafood boils.

The food has often been used as a cheap alternative to crabs but fans are vowing to never eat them again.

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It comes after foodies have just realised how the crab sticks, also known as imitation crab, are really made.

After seeing the process of how the red and white sticks are processed some have dubbed them the ‘hot dog of the ocean.’

It comes after a Thai crab stick factory revealed their manufacturing secrets through a YouTube video, reports the Mirror.

It showed the transformation from unappetising grey blocks to the familiar red-and-white striped sticks seen in shops.

Initially resembling massive, grey, concrete-like slabs, the frozen fish meat blocks undergo several stages before becoming edible.

They’re first pulverised by machinery into a mushy mix, then carried along a conveyor belt where salt and various spices are infused.

Next ice, vegetable oil, and sugars are blended in.

The footage shows factory workers funnelling the mixture through a tube, which turns it into a grey paste which is then shaped and coloured to achieve the iconic crab stick appearance.

The Thai factory boasts being the globe’s largest, churning out 40,000 tons of fish sticks annually – that’s quadruple the weight of the Eiffel Tower. It sells to more than 37 nations.

But it seems the video has put people off of the snack.

Taking to Reddit, people shared their disgust after witnessing the video.

One person wrote: “Hot dogs of the sea”.

Another commented: “The only ingredient I could identify was the ice”.

Humorously addressing the unappetising mush, a comment read: “Everything ok hun? You’ve hardly touched your grey.”

A fourth penned: “Bet that place smells wonderful”.

Another person noted: “If the title hadn’t specified they were making crab sticks, or in fact any type of food, I would’ve gotten to 1:38 before I realised that they weren’t making some sort of industrial building material.”