By SABRINA PENTY, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER

Published: 09:20 BST, 8 September 2026 | Updated: 11:44 BST, 8 September 2026

A donkey handler has violently attacked a female activist protesting against the use of the animals to transport tourists on the Greek island of Santorini.

The woman was among a small group of German activists demonstrating on the Karavolades steps – a steep, scenic route where donkeys and mules are used to carry holidaymakers – when the incident unfolded. 

Footage appears to show the activist walking away from a man brandishing a stick when he suddenly raises his hand toward her, hits her in the face and pushes her against a wall. 

The woman then lets out a scream and falls on to the paved steps as other activists yell: ‘Don’t touch her!’

Advertisement

She is then seen screaming and crying as onlookers rushed to her aid. 

Separate footage taken before the incident shows a group of donkey handlers surrounding the group of activists and telling them not to take photos, as one man appears to shove a camera out of a woman’s hands. 

One man is seen holding a stick, while another yells at the activists to leave and threatens to call the police. 

The activists are part of the animal rights group Peta. The organisation condemned the incident, which occurred while a small group of female activists were protesting at the steps.

Advertisement

Footage shows the moment a donkey handler attacked a German Peta activist in Santorini

The shocked woman was seen sitting on the steps crying and covering her face after the attack 

Video grab shows one of the donkey handlers holding a stick as he tells the group of activists to leave

Advertisement

Peta Germany said the men ‘destroyed their protest signs and tried to prevent them from filming further’, adding they ‘roughly grabbed the young women, insulted them and forced them down the steps. At times, they pushed them against a wall. One of them punched one of the young women in the face.’

‘The animal rights activists wanted to make a statement against the exploitation of donkeys as “tourist taxis”. On Santorini, donkeys are forced to drag travellers up the 500 steps from the port of Fira to the town in sweltering heat. The Peta activists planned to demonstrate to locals how to climb the stairs in an innovative and animal-friendly way using robotic legs—so-called exoskeletons,’ it added. 

Peta Germany also said it will file criminal charges against the donkey drivers who attacked the activists, and has asked tourists who witnessed the incident to get in touch.  

For decades, donkeys and mules in Santorini have made countless journeys up and down hundreds of cobbled steps on the cliff-side path that leads to the town of Fira.

Advertisement

The plight of the donkeys, which are marched from fields at dawn in hot temperatures, has been condemned by locals and tourists but the practice continues. 

In recent years, there has been an increase in donkeys suffering spinal injuries, saddle sores and exhaustion, while images on social media showing overweight tourists riding donkeys have sparked anger. 

A five-cabin cable car was introduced on the island leading to donkeys being used less frequently by travellers ascending the steps.

When the volcanic isle became a popular tourist hotspot, attracting up to 17,000 holidaymakers each day from cruise ships, demand for the donkey rides increased again.

Advertisement

The animals walk up in lines of two to ten, offload at a ‘donkey station’ just before the summit of the steps and then return for their next load, often bumping into walkers or squeezing them into walls that look over steep drops.

In recent years, thousands of people have signed petitions calling for the use of donkeys to carry tourists to be banned. 

Wayne Rooney believes Michael Carrick has been ‘left short’ by Manchester United’s hierarchy after the summer transfer window.

United focused on bolstering Carrick’s midfield options in the summer window as the club spent around £150 million on the signings of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.

A move for Lewis Hall was also considered but United opted not to submit an offer to Newcastle United, who had no interest in selling the 22-year-old left-back.

Rooney feels United needed to sign a left-back to provide support for Luke Shaw and also insists a new striker was required to ease the burden on Benjamin Sesko, who is yet to start a Premier League game this season.

‘I just felt, and the Everton game showed me what I felt as well, they [United] were the better team, had a lot of control in the game, but a lack of a No.9, so for whatever reason Sesko is not fully fit, he missed pre-season,’ Rooney said on Stick to United.

‘Lacking a No.9, full-back position in terms of competition for places.

‘I thought Luke Shaw was really good [against Everton], possibly could have got closer for the first goal but I thought he played really well, and that connection with Rashford was good.

‘But I think with Dalot and Mazraoui coming on, for a team who want to compete and compete at the top end of the Premier League, great getting back in the Champions League but you want to get in the Champions League and try to compete as well. Are we going to win the Champions League? Probably not, you never know but probably not.

‘But you want a squad of players who are going to compete and I think Michael has been left short on that.

‘Luke is not going to play every game, Dalot and Mazraoui coming on at left-back, again, we’re seeing too many players player in unfamiliar positions to them. And I think that’s where the club should have went out and got players to help.

‘You would certainly be asking questions. I know Michael has come out and said he’s happy with the players they’ve got in. I don’t think any manager is happy, you always more more, more players and help for your team on the pitch.

‘The back line I don’t think is the strongest. Harry Maguire is probably the first-choice centre-back, then you’ve got Martinez who has got his injury problems, Heaven, who has got a lot of potential and I really like but it is potential and we’ve not seen enough of him. Full-back area is a big concern.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Troy Deeney mocks £64million Arsenal star who Mikel Arteta cannot coach

MORE: Manchester United snap up teenage prospect from Liverpool

MORE: John Terry singles out Chelsea captain Reece James for criticism after Arsenal defeat

If Ashe can help 23-year-old Shelton earn his first career win over Alcaraz, there is guaranteed to be an American player in the final.

Home stars reaching the men’s semi-finals has not been uncommon this century, but only Taylor Fritz has reached the final – two years ago when he lost to Jannik Sinner – since Roddick was beaten by Roger Federer in the 2006 final.

Tiafoe, who is seeded 11th, lost to Fritz in another all-American semi-final and was also eliminated by Alcaraz at the same stage in 2022.

Now the 28-year-old is aiming for a third opportunity to reach his first Grand Slam final.

Tiafoe reached the Cincinnati final last month and, thriving off the energy of the New York crowd, has maintained his momentum.

On what it is like to receive such support, he said: “It’s an out-of-body experience, no question. No real explaining that type of feeling.

“It’s like you’re not even touching the ground at one point. Energy is so high, and it seems like the level of play matches that.”

While Tiafoe is one of the sport’s great entertainers, 22-year-old Michelsen is more understated.

The world number 46 admits he has been happy to fly “under the radar” at Flushing Meadows while the likes of Tiafoe, Shelton, Fritz and Tommy Paul soak up the attention.

But earning a place in a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time, and not dropping a set on his way, means Michelsen will find himself under the spotlight on Ashe.

“First, second, third rounds, all matches I’m feeling nerves. It’s a human experience,” he said.

“But it’s just about going out there and managing them to the best of my ability. I feel like I’ve done that very well.”

Over the years, I’ve accumulated various Carl Friedrik luggage items, including the carry-on hybrid in silver and tan, the Granville weekender in chestnut, and the compact weekender in nubuck. Durable, stylish and designed for ease while on the go, this trio has travelled with me around the world, from Marrakech to Vietnam and Australia.

Ioan Rhsy Jones general secretary of teaching union UCAC, said: “Whatever your views on Pisa as a way of assessing education, this year’s results are disappointing.

“However, it must be acknowledged that Pisa only provides a quick snapshot of the education system, across a limited range of skills. We must also remember that only a sample of schools participate in these tests every three years.

“Having said that, it is clear that there is a need to plan improvements, and attention should be accorded to basic skills across the country.

We can only hope that the Curriculum for Wales, once fully established, will provide

a solid foundation for learners and that the new Foundation Literacy and Numeracy

Framework will be a means to plan, benchmark, and ensure national improvement in

the years to come.

It is crucial that all improvement plans consider all aspects of education, including

the community and the home. We would welcome robust financial investment in our

schools, therefore leading ultimately to an improvement in standards. The education

workforce is currently working hard under challenging circumstances. Hopefully, we

will see the present government appreciating the importance of investing in

education, thus providing solid and strong foundations for our students, who are our

future.’

In a moment that must be seen to be believed, a 12-year-old boy miraculously avoided being flattened after a lorry dragged him underneath.

The boy was casually pushing his bicycle when he stopped and waited to cross as the lorry turned a corner.

But at the last second, the youngster was caught up in the vehicle’s manoeuvre and shoved down onto the road with a thud.

CCTV footage captured the extraordinary incident on Avenida Joaquim David in the city of Firminopolis, in the Brazilian state of Goias, on August 5.

Footage showed the boy even getting hit by the lorry’s wheels, which luckily only appeared to push him along the tarmac before he could roll free.

He was then seen rising to his feet without struggle and walking back to collect his bike, moments after the rear of the truck cleared him.

The lorry, a Volvo FH 540, was turning onto the GO-060 highway at the time, and the boy had been making his way home from school.

Staff from a nearby chemist witnessed the collision, gave first aid at the roadside, and drove him to Hospital Santa Gemma.

Medics there found he had fractured his left wrist and grazed his elbow.

While he was subsequently transferred to the Goiás State Emergency Hospital, Dr Valdemiro Cruz (Hugol) in Goiânia, where he is expected to undergo an operation, the outcome could’ve been far worse.

As for the lorry driver, he had been travelling to a rural property to load up the vehicle and contacted the Military Police several hours after the accident.

He explained to officers that he had carried on driving because the child had been in a blind spot behind his mirrors, and he had no idea he had struck anyone.

The man said he only became aware that something had happened when a friend sent him the shocking video.

He then asked for the contact details of the boy’s parents, adding that he intends to support the family and offering to meet the costs of his medical treatment.

The police are investigating the incident.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Ex-footballer dies aged 41 in freak accident after storm kills four others

Ex-NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom has claimed he is officially declaring for the WNBA Draft in 2027 amid the ongoing debate surrounding transgender inclusion in sports. 

Freedom, who stands at 6ft 10in and played in the NBA for 11 seasons, shared the announcement with his fans through a post on social media on Friday afternoon.

In a video, the former New York Knicks and Boston Celtics star said: ‘After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines, I’m officially declaring myself a @WNBA prospect.

‘If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA.

‘My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027.

‘I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices.

Freedom’s announcement comes amid the WNBA’s bitter culture war after Sophie Cunningham advocated for restrictions to ‘protect young girls’ from ‘biological men’ in sports 

‘I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone – the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for.

‘My team and I are prepared to ensure these guidelines are applied equally, consistently, and without exception, and I look forward to the #WNBA honoring its stated principles. See you at training camp.’

The 34-year-old was previously picked third overall at the 2011 NBA Draft, before enjoying a career that took him to the Jazz, Thunder, Knicks, Trail Blazers and Celtics. He has not played a professional game since 2022.

Freedom’s post quickly went viral on social media as a number of political commentators threw their support behind the NBA veteran and his decision.

Riley Gaines was among those to respond to the post, writing: ‘Genius. Perfect. Waiting to see which WNBA team recruits’.

Similarly, Piers Morgan wrote on X: ‘Brilliant… now let’s see how keen the @WNBA stars are for men to play in their League.’

Clay Travis, meanwhile, who recently offered to pay $10 million to WNBA champions the Las Vegas Aces if they can beat a high school boys basketball team of his choosing, wrote: ‘Amazing. Well done.’

Freedom’s declaration comes amid an ongoing culture war within the WNBA, sparked by Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham after she said in an interview with ESPN that she wants to ‘protect young girls’ from ‘biological men’ in sports.

In a video, Freedom said he ‘meets every single requirement to compete in the WNBA’ 

Cunningham’s comments have left fans, players and coaches in the WNBA divided recently 

WNBA star Gabby Williams recently claimed she would ‘welcome’ a transgender teammate

Advertisement

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve recently wore a ‘Trans Kids Belong’ t-shirt 

Since making the comments, the sports world has been left divided. 

While some, such as Riley Gaines and Stephen A. Smith, have seemingly sided with the Fever star, others have openly criticized her and booed her on the court. 

Recently, the bitter culture war deepened after Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams claimed she would happily welcome a trans player to her team.

‘I think trans rights, right now, is our new battle,’ Williams said in a recent interview, adding: ‘We see people’s trans rights being stripped away from them; there’s a lot of discourse around trans athletes and what they can compete in.

‘I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team, anytime,’ Williams added. ‘I don’t think it’s a problem in the world.’ 

In the wake of Cunningham’s comments, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve made her feelings on the topic extremely clear on Sunday – after opting to wear a ‘Trans Kids Belong’ t-shirt on the sidelines of their game against the Fever. 

Elsewhere on the day, meanwhile, Gaines showed her support attending a Fever game and bringing a sign for Cunningham – before allegedly being told to put it away by WNBA staff.

The sign read: ‘Sophie, Thank You – A Girl Mom.’

However, during the game, retired gymnast and friend of Gaines, Jennifer Sey, revealed that the political activist had been told to put her sign down by staff. 

Advertisement

A number of political commentators were quick to praise Freedom for his announcement

Political activist Riley Gaines showed her support for Cunningham by attending her game 

After the game, Gaines took to social media to take aim at the WNBA staffer over the matter

Gaines swiftly reposted Sey’s post on X and added: ‘There were no fewer than 1000 signs in the arena. Most with trans paraphernalia. The only person who was told to put her sign down by WNBA officials was me. Wonder why.’

In the end, Gaines was able to keep hold of her sign and even had Cunningham hold it as they posed for a courtside picture together after the Lynx’s 108-100 win.

Gaines, Cunningham and Sey all posed together, with the two supporters performing Cunningham’s now-iconic ‘point’ towards the camera. 

Gaines also shared a picture with Cunningham on Instagram, writing: ‘I show up for @sophie_cham because she shows up for my daughter.’

Though she didn’t comment on it, the Fever star did take time to like Gaines’ post.

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 18:00 BST, 7 August 2026 | Updated: 22:10 BST, 7 August 2026

A manhunt is underway for a child rapist who escaped from prison staff while on escorted leave.

Restricted patient, Cliff Lyons Dobbie, fled from officers in Perth city centre on Thursday.

He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, white trainers, light blue ripped jeans, a salmon-coloured golf shirt and a light blue jumper.

Dobbie was also carrying a puffer jacket and wearing a black backpack. 

Advertisement

Police Scotland described him as a bald 5ft 3in tall white male with a stocky muscular build and distinctive tattoos on both arms.  

Dobbie has been held in secure facilities since 1990 after he raped a 10-year-old girl in Glasgow and sexually abused a 12-year-old boy in a field. 

He was admitted to State Hospital in Carstairs where he has remained since the depraved attacks. 

Advertisement

Cliff Lyons Dobbie, a restricted patient, escaped from prison staff while on escorted leave in Perth city centre

He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, white trainers, light blue ripped jeans, a salmon-coloured golf shirt and a light blue jumper

Police have warned the public not to approach Dobbie and to report his whereabouts to the police if he is spotted.

He is currently being treated as a missing person and the investigation to locate him is ongoing. 

Advertisement

It is understood NHS Tayside is working with Police Scotland during the search. 

Inspector Kris McCall said: ‘We want to trace Cliff, who also uses the name Clifford Lyons or Dobbie, as quickly as possible. 

‘I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has seen or spoken to him since Thursday, 6 August, 2026. He has links to Glasgow and the surrounding areas.

‘The public should not approach him but should report any sighting to Police Scotland.

Advertisement

‘Those with information should contact police immediately on 101 or 999, or speak to any officer. Please use incident number 1696 of 6 August 2026.’

By NATALIA PENZA

Published: 21:24 BST, 7 August 2026 | Updated: 22:13 BST, 7 August 2026