Three armed robbers held hostages inside a bank in Naples before escaping through an underground tunnel, prompting a major police operation in the Italian city. The robbery took place at a branch of Crédit Agricole in the Arenella district, near Piazza Medaglie d’Oro. According to Italian media reports, the men entered the bank at about 11:30am and took control of the building while staff and customers were inside.

Police and emergency services were sent to the scene after the alarm was raised. Officers surrounded the branch and began efforts to secure the release of those inside.

Hostages freed after two-hour standoff

Around 25 people were inside the bank during the incident. They were held for roughly two hours before police entered the branch shortly after 01:30pm.

All hostages were freed and no serious injuries were reported. Medical teams attended the scene as a precaution and officers began taking statements from witnesses after the building was secured. Authorities have not said whether any of the hostages required hospital treatment, but early reports indicated there were no major physical injuries.

Suspects escaped before police entered

By the time officers entered the branch, the robbers had already fled. Investigators said the men escaped through a hole in the floor that connected to an underground tunnel system.

Italian reports said the route may have linked to Naples’ sewer network or other subterranean passages beneath the district. Police later searched nearby access points as part of the manhunt. The escape route suggested preparation before the robbery, with investigators examining whether the tunnel had been dug or accessed in advance. Forensic officers were deployed to inspect the opening inside the bank and gather evidence.

Unclear whether money was taken

Authorities did not immediately confirm whether any cash or valuables had been stolen. Investigators were expected to review security footage, bank records and witness accounts to establish what happened inside the branch. Police were also working to identify the suspects and determine how they entered and left the area without being stopped during the siege.

The branch was sealed off after the incident while officers carried out searches and technical examinations.

Large response in Naples district

The robbery drew a significant police presence in Arenella, a busy residential area of Naples. Roads around the branch were restricted while emergency services managed the operation.

Residents and passers-by gathered nearby as officers secured the perimeter. Images from the scene showed police vehicles and emergency crews outside the bank during the hostage situation. Local authorities urged people to avoid the immediate area while the response continued.

Use of tunnels has precedent in Italy

The method of escape recalled previous crimes in Italy involving underground access routes. In some past cases, robbers have used sewer systems or service tunnels to reach or leave buildings without using main entrances.

One widely reported case in Milan in 2020 involved criminals who entered a bank through the sewer network before being intercepted by police. Investigators in Naples will now examine whether the latest robbery was carried out by an organised group with specialist knowledge of underground routes.

Investigation continues

No arrests were announced in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Police were reviewing surveillance images from the bank and surrounding streets, along with any CCTV from nearby buildings and traffic cameras.

Officers were also expected to examine mobile phone data and other evidence that could help trace the suspects’ movements before and after the robbery. The condition of the tunnel, the tools used and the level of planning involved are likely to form a central part of the inquiry.

Focus on security measures

The incident is also expected to raise questions about security procedures at urban bank branches, particularly in cities with extensive underground infrastructure. Banks in older European cities sometimes operate above tunnels, basements or service networks that can create additional security challenges.

For now, the priority for investigators is locating the three men and establishing whether they acted alone or with outside assistance. The hostages have been released safely, but the robbery has left police searching for suspects who disappeared beneath one of Naples’ busiest districts.

For many readers, the Amazon Kindle is a godsend. It’s lightweight, portable, water-resistant, and has a massive storage capacity. The battery life is astounding, able to last for days, and its backlit E-ink screen, which mimics real paper, allows readers to read at night (and in planes, for instance), all while being easier on the eyes than a traditional blue-light screen. This is to say nothing of the sentimental value a Kindle might hold for bookworms who bring it everywhere with them.

But this month, tech giant Amazon has announced a new change that has sparked backlash from dedicated e-reader users: from May 20, 2026, some Kindle devices will no longer be supported. But what does this mean, and which Kindles will be affected?

Amazon’s announcement … and what it actually means

The alert from Amazon stated that older Kindle models will no longer be supported. In short, this means that from May 20, users will no longer be able to download new books from the Amazon store, as the devices will no longer have web support. Libby users will also take a hit, being unable to borrow e-books from their library as these books also go through the Kindle store and the ‘Send to Kindle’ feature.

The affected devices will also no longer be able to receive updates, and Amazon’s email detailed that users who deregister or do a factory reset on their devices will not be able to register them again.

Notably, the Kindle Library will remain fully accessible for users through the free Kindle app and Kindle for Web. Users who connect their Kindle to a computer and use a programme like Calibre will still be able to transfer, or “sideload,” e-books to their Kindle.

Which Kindles are being affected?

In the email Kindle users received, Amazon stated they are “discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier. The affected devices include:

• Kindle (1st generation)
• Kindle (2nd generation)
• Kindle DX
• Kindle DX Graphite
• Kindle Keyboard
• Kindle 4
• Kindle Touch
• Kindle 5
• Kindle Paperwhite (1st generation)
• Kindle Fire (1st generation)
• Kindle Fire (2nd generation)
• Kindle Fire HD 7
• Kindle Fire HD 8.9

In total, the move is estimated to affect some 2 million devices.

The controversy

The move has been heavily criticised by readers who own Kindles. While users of these older Kindle models will still be able to read the books that are already downloaded onto the device, the prospect of not being able to download new books without using a third-party programme may be a dealbreaker, prompting users to switch to other devices, like a Kobo.

Criticisms of Amazon’s UI for the Kindle, including the prevalence of ads and often-restrictive format support have also led users to ditch their Kindles and opt for other e-readers. 

Additionally, many users report that their Kindles, despite being more than a decade old, are still working fine. Newer Kindles may last weeks on a single charge, while the battery health and speed of performance of older models will slowly deteriorate over time with heavy use; but for the most part, many Kindles manufactured in 2012 or before are still in perfectly good condition. As a result, many readers have condemned Amazon’s announcement as a deliberate ploy to get readers to purchase another Kindle.

Older Kindle models also feature physical page-turn buttons on the devices, which some readers prefer. With the new announcement, disgruntled readers may be forced to go with the touch-screen page turning options instead.

To facilitate some users’ transition to a new Kindle, Amazon has offered a 20 per cent discount on a newer model, as well as e-book credits. However, the move has been denounced as “corporate greed” by outraged users, for whom the Kindle is not only a convenient way to store books and read on-the-go, but a sentimental device.

The bottom line for readers

For some users, the only viable path will be ditching their old Kindle and transitioning to a newer model or even another brand of e-reader entirely. Others will opt for jailbreaking their Kindle, a process that involves removing Amazon’s software restrictions and gaining access to the device’s operating system.

Ultimately, readers will have to decide whether they are willing to stay in Amazon’s ecosystem, or finally turn the page on it.

In Spain’s ever-competitive holiday rental market, simply owning a beautiful property is no longer enough. Scroll through any booking platform and you’ll find an endless stream of villas, apartments and fincas, all promising sun-soaked terraces and sea views. Yet only a handful truly stand out… and they’re the ones commanding higher nightly rates, better reviews, and repeat bookings.

So what’s their secret?

It isn’t always a full renovation or a sky-high budget. More often, it comes down to something far simpler: presentation, atmosphere, and attention to detail. The most successful holiday lets today are styled less like homes and more like boutique hotels: curated, cohesive, and designed to evoke a feeling as much as provide a place to sleep.

 Think like a boutique hotel

The first shift is a mental one. Many owners approach their rental as a functional space – somewhere clean, comfortable, and practical. But today’s guests, particularly in lifestyle destinations like Mallorca, Ibiza, or the Costa del Sol, are booking something more aspirational.

They want to feel like they’ve stepped into a magazine spread.

That begins in the bedroom. Crisp white linens, layered with soft throws and neutral cushions, instantly elevate even the simplest space. Swap mismatched bedding for a cohesive palette of whites, creams and soft earth tones, and suddenly the room feels calmer, more expensive, more considered. Add a textured headboard, a linen bedspread, or even just better-quality pillows, and the transformation is immediate.

It’s less about what you add  and more about what you refine.

Lighting changes everything

Lighting is one of the most overlooked – and most powerful – tools in your rental.

Harsh overhead lights can make even the most stylish interior feel cold and uninviting. The solution is simple: layer your lighting. Introduce table lamps, floor lamps, and warm-toned bulbs to create a softer, more ambient glow.

Outdoors, this becomes even more impactful. String lights, lanterns, and candles can transform a basic terrace into an inviting evening retreat – the kind of space guests imagine themselves unwinding in with a glass of wine as the sun sets.

Because ultimately, you’re not just selling a property – you’re selling a mood.

Create moments worth sharing

In the age of Instagram, your guests are also your marketers.

The most successful rentals understand this and intentionally create small “moments” designed to be photographed. A neatly styled coffee table with a stack of books and a candle. A breakfast tray set out on the terrace. Sun loungers with rolled white towels and a straw hat placed just so.

These details may seem small, but they shape perception: both online and in person. And more importantly, they encourage guests to share their experience, extending your reach far beyond a listing platform.

If it looks good on camera, it books faster. It’s that simple.

Make the most of outdoor living

In Spain, outdoor space is your greatest asset and often the biggest differentiator.

Even a modest terrace can feel luxurious if it’s thoughtfully styled. You don’t need a full outdoor kitchen or a designer pergola to achieve this. Matching cushions, a simple but elegant dining setup, and a few well-chosen accessories can transform the space entirely.

A linen tablecloth, ceramic plates, and proper glassware elevate an outdoor meal from functional to memorable. Guests may forget the exact layout of the living room, but they will remember how it felt to sit outside at dusk, surrounded by warm air and soft lighting.

 Elevate the bathroom experience

Bathrooms can quietly make – or break – a guest’s perception of your property.

The good news? You don’t need a full renovation to create a high-end feel. Small upgrades can have a big impact. Replace thin, worn towels with thick white ones. Decant toiletries into matching dispensers. Add a wooden stool or tray for a spa-like touch.

Most importantly, declutter.

Clear surfaces and simple styling create a sense of calm and cleanliness that instantly feels more luxurious. The goal is to evoke a boutique hotel or spa – not a storage space.

Edit, don’t erase

When it comes to styling, balance is everything.

Guests don’t want to feel like they’re staying in someone else’s personal home, surrounded by family photos and clutter. But equally, they don’t want a space that feels soulless or generic.

The sweet spot lies somewhere in between: a home with character, but carefully edited. Local ceramics, woven textiles, and subtle nods to the surrounding landscape help ground the space and give it a sense of place.

Think editorial, not empty.

Photography sells everything

Even the most beautifully styled property won’t perform if it isn’t presented properly online.

Photography is your first impression and often your only chance to capture attention. Investing in professional photography is one of the smartest decisions a rental owner can make, but preparation is just as important.

Every shot should be styled. Every cushion placed. Every surface considered.

Shoot in natural light wherever possible, and think beyond simply documenting the space. You’re telling a story: one that invites the viewer to imagine themselves there.

Small Changes, bigger returns

All of these updates feed into something crucial: perceived value.

When a property looks and feels high-end, guests are willing to pay more for it. Well-styled homes can command significantly higher nightly rates than comparable listings nearby, while also benefiting from stronger reviews and increased visibility on booking platforms.

In that sense, styling isn’t just about aesthetics… it’s a business strategy.