Beneath the splendor of its monuments and ruins, Rome is taking aim at a modern-day chariot: the golf cart.

Hundreds of them have started carrying tourists through the historic center. Even rolling along at a moderate speed, these golf carts have so far outpaced regulation. But the city is mounting a crackdown.

For critics, the carts are running amok, parking illegally, worsening congestion and unlocking another level of overtourism. Some local media invoke sensational language, calling it an “invasion” and saying Rome is being “held hostage by golf carts.”

Advocates argue carts are silent, occupy less space than tourist vans and buses, and don’t choke the air with exhaust that also stains historic monuments.

The Associated Press got a taste of the enmity during a late August ride when a black, eight-seater van pulled up alongside.

“You’re in the middle of the road!” its driver barked. “Move it!”

“Always the same! The road isn’t yours!” the golf cart driver shouted back. Both gesticulated angrily with their free hands, following a time-honored Roman traffic tradition.

Carts like this zip through Rome’s cobblestone alleys, past tourists eating spaghetti carbonara from checkered tablecloths and shops hawking hot priest calendars and tote bags stamped with cliches (Ciao Bella!). But there’s no time to buy anything except a cappuccino or gelato; these tours are targeted blitzes on Rome’s hot spots — at least until they collide with authorities.

Best buckle up.

All roads lead to Rome, but good luck parking

Ruth Sanderson from Manchester, England, surprised her husband with the tour for his birthday during their first trip to Rome. They could see the major sights in three hours and “just potter around” for the rest of their short stay, said Sanderson, 50.

Their guide swung around the basilica where Pope Francis is buried then headed to the Spanish Steps, where he parked in an area exclusively for car-sharing — the first of several illegal spots he snagged.

“We don’t have a proper stop for golf carts, so we park where we can — as legal as possible,” driver Martin Halili explained to them.

Even before the golf cart boom, parking was a pain. Cars, vans, Vespas and motorcycles are stationed atop curbs, crosswalks and medians. Trucks double-park while unloading.

Any spare cranny is claimed in Rome’s historic center, because there are only 4,300 regular on-street spots available, about one-quarter the number of cars owned by the area’s residents, according to the city’s transport chief, citing a field survey conducted last year. Plus, an average 50,000 vehicles enter daily. Unsurprisingly, some residents are unhappy.

“This was the last straw because, unfortunately, there has already been traffic here for a long time, since there are too many categories of vehicles authorized,” Luigi la Licata, head of the Monti neighborhood association, told the AP. “The golf cart is the most obvious one — and the latest — but there are many others.”

Golf cart bookings this summer grew 147% from 2024, according to TripAdvisor, whose subsidiary Viator is the biggest source of passengers. Rome has as many as 500 carts, with one-fifth belonging to the Metur association of tour operators, established last December to seek common ground with locals and the city.

“Overtourism is a real problem, and we’re not denying it. And maybe we’re also part of it in a way. But if we’re part of it, then at least be part of it in a smart way,” Pascal van Duijnhoven, the association’s president, said. “We believe, especially for Rome, that it’s a solution. And we really hope that people start looking at it like this. But we need a hand. We need some help from the authorities.”

Regulating golf carts isn’t so easy

Rome’s deputy mayor for sustainable mobility and transport, Eugenio Patanè, is striving to restore order and reduce traffic — and not just golf carts.

In July, electric vehicles started paying for admission to the historic center, as gasoline-powered cars had been — a strategic shift from cutting emissions to tackling congestion. The number of authorized vehicles is down about one-quarter, to 350,000, and Patanè aims to halve the number of daily entrants.

But it hasn’t been so simple to put the brakes on golf carts. First, not all carts are created equal; technical specifications mean some fall under existing rules while others can roam freely. Second, passenger transport and tourism businesses are regulated regionally, Patanè said.

So he requested the region transfer that power to Rome, and anticipates that will occur this month. Then he can present his regulation that would establish fixed tour routes, cap the number of carts of all types and create a system to select operators.

“Cities where this golf cart phenomenon is expanding truly have very few weapons,” he said. “We will be able to regulate this phenomenon that has now become rampant and, in some cases, even worrisome.”

A reckoning is underway

Operators say such proposals would kneecap their nascent industry. Meantime, their carts are already getting curbed.

Authorities stopped vehicles owned by Metur associates 14 times in the back half of August, with reviews of drivers’ documents that lasted up to an hour, van Duijnhoven said, and punishments that were inconsistent and severe. Carts allegedly operating as black-market, private-hire vehicles can be banned from the streets for over a month, or drivers slapped with 4,000-euro ($4,600) fines for unlicensed tour guiding.

One block from the Pantheon, the AP saw an officer from Italy’s financial police inspecting the documents from a cart carrying a family from Florida. During the half-hour stop, he took their IDs and copied down their information. Three nearby private-hire vans — also parked illegally — were receiving no such scrutiny.

Halili, who guided the couple from Manchester and owns Wheel Tours, says private-hire and taxi drivers are bristling at the new kid on the block taking a bite out of their business.

“They have waged a war against us, filing complaints and appeal after appeal, because they are a powerful lobby,” he said. “This is the problem: They have it in for golf carts.”

The viral white chocolate and gingerbread cookies have built a loyal following since launching in 2024 and are now back in M&S Foodhalls, three months ahead of Christmas 2026.

The cookies combine gingerbread flavouring, white chocolate chunks and salted caramel fudge pieces, making them a festive favourite among North East shoppers.

Shoppers can pick them up at M&S stores across the region, including Darlington West Park and Stockton’s Teesside Retail Park.

The cookies’ return is part of M&S’s first wave of Christmas food launches for 2026, with hundreds of festive products arriving nationwide.

Shoppers can also pick up seasonal newcomers and returning treats, including Merry Malt Balls, S’mores Munch Mix, Sticky Toffee Pudding Dunkers, Percy Pig Merry Percymas and Gooey Middle Cherry Teacakes.

Merry Percymas.

Sticky toffee pudding dunkers.

Gimme s’more munch.

Gooey middle cherry teacakes.

All the products are available now in M&S Foodhalls as early Christmas gifts or festive snacks to enjoy at home.

Shoppers hope there will be more stock this year after stores often sold out of the white chocolate and gingerbread cookies last season.

Christmas may be more than three months away, but the return of the cookies will be one of the first signs for shoppers that the festive season is on the way.

“The Falklands are Argentinean,” said President Javier Milei.

Advertisement

Argentina’s president Javier Milei has said that the country has an ‘obligation’ to recover the Falkland Islands.

Delivering a speech in Spanish on Thursday, 3 September, Milei said: “The Falklands are Argentinean. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory.”

Argentina has long maintained that it inherited the islands from Spain following its independence in 1816, and asserts that Britain seized control in 1833 through an unlawful colonial act.

He went on to say: “The Falklands are our future – we need to recover these islands which are nationally relevant.

“There is no other path forward.”

“It is the best way of paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for this cause. It is our obligation as a nation to honour their memory.”

The two nations fought a short war over the islands in 1982, which fundamentally altered the diplomatic ties between Britain and Argentina.

The prospect of a significant oil boom in the waters surrounding the Falklands, and the vast wealth it could generate, has further inflamed tensions with Argentina.

During his address, Milei announced he would impose sanctions on any oil firms operating in the region “under the British occupation”.

The Sea Lion oilfield, jointly owned by an Israeli and a British company, sits approximately 220km (136 miles) north of the Falklands. Production at the oilfield is expected to commence in 2028.

Milei has described this as a “clear and present danger”.

“If we do not act swiftly in a few months, they will have the material capacity to access the oil that lies underneath our sea. Something that has never happened before,” he said.

There is further speculation that Washington may be seeking to gain access to the oil extracted from the region.

Milei’s address follows US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that his country would not support the UK in any future dispute over the islands.

Announcing plans for a naval base in Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina, Milei stated that Trump and the US were “assessing their historical position in regard to the Falklands”.

“That is not empty words as they understand that Argentina is a reliable partner and a valuable ally for decades to come,” he said.

While the US maintains formal neutrality, Washington lent its support to Britain’s efforts to retake the islands following the Argentine invasion in 1982.

On 2 April 1982, Argentine military forces launched a full-scale invasion of the Falkland Islands.

In response, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dispatched a naval task force to the South Atlantic to recapture the territory by force.

Over 74 days, the armed forces of both nations engaged in fierce, close-quarters battles on land, at sea and in the air, under punishing weather conditions. Hostilities finally ceased on June 14, 1982, when the remaining Argentine forces formally surrendered at Port Stanley.

Full sovereignty over the territory was restored to the UK. Despite its relatively brief duration, the bitter military conflict resulted in a tragic loss of life on both sides.

In total, 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British Armed Forces personnel and three Falkland Islands civilians lost their lives during the fighting.

In a 2013 referendum, Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory, with 99.8% casting their vote in favour and just three votes against.

Milei also claimed on Thursday that the islanders “do not have a legitimate right to self-determination and any argument on any such self-determination is invalid”.

The promotion has been a staple of the fast food chain in the UK since 2005, running every year except 2020, but a spokesperson has confirmed it’s not coming back this year

McDonald’s has cancelled one of its best-loved promotions as some fans say it’s the ‘worst day of my life’.

The fast food chain has confirmed it will not be running its Monopoly promotion this autumn. It spells the end of the 20-year-long deal, first launched in 2005.

During the promotion, customers could peel off stickers from selected products themed like squares on the Monopoly board. Prizes ranged from free desserts to £100,000 in cash, cars, and electronics.

Players would have to collect corresponding stickers of the same colour to win bigger prizes, much like those playing the board game which requires players to purchase three streets of the same colour to build a property empire.

But McDonald’s management says the promotion won’t make a comeback in the UK this year. A spokesperson told Sky News : “We’re always looking for new ways to surprise and delight our customers, and while Monopoly won’t feature in 2026, we’ll continue listening closely to what they enjoy most as we shape future promotions.”

Fans have taken to social media to express their dismay at the decision.

One posted on X: “Rest in peace McDonalds Monopoly, it was a good run.”

Another said: “McDonald’s Monopoly has stopped. What is there to live for these days.”

And a third tweeted: “Just found out McDonald’s aren’t doing Monopoly this year. This might be the worst day of my life.”

While Monopoly is no more, McDonald’s has got a new deal for fans. From September 8, customers using the app can claim a free flat white, latte, cappuccino, white coffee, americano, double or single espresso every week this month.

A simple homemade paste can effectively tackle stubborn stains from white and light-coloured clothing

As summer draws to a close and temperatures begin to drop, the need to wear light, breathable clothing to cope with the British heat becomes a thing of the past. Yet after months of soaring temperatures, heatwaves and dry spells, you may find that some stubborn new stains have appeared on your garments.

Sweat stains can be particularly difficult to shift from white and light-coloured fabrics, as the oils from perspiration can cause unsightly discolouration. To tackle those unwanted, unpleasant-smelling marks, cleaning expert and TikTok creator Chantel Mila has shared her trusted three-ingredient solution.

Chantel wrote in the video’s caption: “Did you know those yellow sweat stains aren’t actually just sweat? They’re caused by a mix of sweat, body oils + the aluminium found in many antiperspirants, which can build up in the fabric and leave those stubborn yellow marks.

“This simple laundry trick helps break down that buildup and bring your whites back to life.”

How to remove sweat stains

In a bowl, combine half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of hydrogen peroxide. The baking soda works to brighten white fabric while neutralising any unpleasant odours, reports the Express.

The hydrogen peroxide serves to brighten and disinfect the clothing. Finally, Chantel incorporates one teaspoon of washing-up liquid into the mixture.

This addition is designed to target any oil-based stains that have become embedded in the fabric. Combine all the ingredients together until a loose paste is formed.

Using a stiff-bristled brush, apply the solution directly to the sweat stains and allow it to soak in for one hour. Once the time is up, place the affected garments in the washing machine and launder on a standard cycle.

Baking soda can boost the performance of detergents, helping to restore brightness to dull whites while also eliminating unwanted odours from clothing. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a natural bleaching agent, working to revive discoloured and lacklustre white garments.

It will also help to sanitise any clothing that may be harbouring bacteria. Clean Heart Maids noted that it is ideal for tackling stubborn stains, explaining: “When applied to stains, it releases oxygen, which breaks down the chemical bonds in the stain’s molecules.

“This reaction lifts the stain, making it easier to wipe away.”

The addition of washing-up liquid to the solution helps to target oil-based stains, drawing them out from the fabric fibres.

To avoid discolouration in white clothing, specialists at Currys recommended checking the quantities of detergent and fabric softener used during each wash. They also cautioned against using a tumble dryer when treating stained garments.

Currys wrote: “If you’ve got whites that have yellow stains, don’t tumble dry. Always air dry. The simple reason is that the heat from the tumble dryer will simply lock in stains even more.”

The Lindsay Clancy murder trial’s most dramatic day yet ended with her lawyer calling out one of the deliberating jurors for refusing to follow the law.

Judge William Sullivan dismissed the jury for the day on Thursday after the foreperson sent a note saying one of the 12 jurors was not following the law on reasonable doubt.

Clancy was then wheeled up to the judge’s bench by her attorney, Kevin Reddington, and watched, along with the prosecution, as the judge asked each juror, one by one, whether they could follow the law on reasonable doubt. It sounded like they all said yes.

Sullivan then reminded the jury of his instructions on reasonable doubt and ordered them to continue deliberations.

‘You are required to follow my instructions on the law as I gave them to you,’ he said.

‘Reasonable doubt. The burden of proof is on the Commonwealth to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the charges made against her.

‘If you evaluate all the evidence and you still have a reasonable doubt remaining, the defendant is entitled to the benefit of that doubt and must be acquitted.’

Reddington then revealed that one holdout juror is holding up the verdict in a courtroom outburst.

Judge William Sullivan dismissed the jury for the day on Thursday after the foreperson sent a note saying one of the 12 jurors was not following the law on reasonable doubt

‘The court has an instruction from the foreperson of that jury who’s been working for a week now, saying that there’s one juror who refuses to listen to the law that you’ve given him or her on reasonable doubt,’ Reddington said, growing animated.

‘I suggest respectfully that the soft instruction that you gave them, saying at the sidebar, “Can you listen to the law as I instruct you?” does not focus on the issue. The question is not sufficient enough. It does not allow any foundation for a motion to remove the juror who refuses to accept your instructions on the law.

‘If we come back here in a half hour with a mistrial because a juror that has just spurned the instructions of this court, it’s a shame.

He then demanded that the juror to be removed. 

The panel of 12, nine women and three men, has now deliberated for 35 hours to determine whether Clancy is guilty of murder, manslaughter or not criminally responsible for her actions.

They are still deadlocked, and a verdict has not been given. 

Clancy, 36, is on trial for the murders of her three children, Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan, at her home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in 2023.

She admitted to killing her children but pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity, citing postpartum psychosis as a result of overmedication.

During the five weeks of testimony, prosecutors argued the killings were intentional and well planned, not the work of someone who had lost control.

The defense attorney speaks to his client Clancy during the tense moment in court

Reddington demanded that the one juror who is allegedly not following the law be removed

Clancy was then wheeled up to the judge’s bench by her attorney, Kevin Reddington, and watched, along with the prosecution, as the judge asked each juror, one by one, whether they could follow the law on reasonable doubt

Clancy, 36, is on trial for the murders of her three children, Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan, at her home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in 2023

Advertisement

The jury has not been sequestered during their deliberations.

Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague insisted the judge’s instructions on reasonable doubt were sufficient.

‘We have the note from the jury. There’s no way to determine what the deliberations are, who’s correct, who’s incorrect, nor should we attempt to, because that is part of deliberations,’ she said.

‘I think what Your Honor has done, by asking each juror if they’re able to follow the law and then giving a general instruction on reasonable doubt, is appropriate.’

Judge Sullivan noted the defense’s motion and acknowledged that removing a juror is a ‘sensitive undertaking.’

‘I’m sure the parties understand that the discharge of a deliberating juror is a sensitive undertaking,’ Sullivan said.

‘I was just specifically responding to the specific question that was asked. I don’t feel that it is proper for me to side with one side or the other of the deliberations. I don’t feel it’s appropriate for me to say I agree with one juror or the 11.

‘At this point, I’ve asked if they are able to follow my instructions; they swore earlier that they could.’

The summer holidays may be over, but there’s still plenty to explore, including a stunning Greek island that goes blissfully uncrowded with 27C weather in September

With the UK basking in cooler temperatures, thoughts are turning to European destinations not far from home that still offer a sun-soaked escape in September. And there’s a Greek island that’s a hidden gem with highs of 27C alongside its unspoilt scenes.

Just east of the packed crowds in Santorini is the beautiful Greek island of Anafi, offering a quieter escape. There are pristine beaches, traditional Greek buildings, and a charming village with family-run restaurants, all set against dramatic landscapes and mesmerising ocean views, for a little slice of paradise.

It’s the ideal destination for those looking for a peaceful retreat this month, and has even been named as ‘Europe’s quietest island’, thanks to its untouched landscapes. While there’s no airport or main roads, it’s within easy reach by ferry and is delightfully walkable, from one side to the other.

One of its main appeals is the stretches of golden sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, with around 19 lining the shore, including Kleisidi, all without the sight of packed-out parasols. From some of its beaches, Anafi’s Kalamos Rock, which towers 460 meters at the eastern tip of the island, can be spotted, adding to its striking scenes.

The island’s main village, Chora, open all year round, boasts traditional whitewashed houses and narrow cobbled lanes, set against a peaceful, blissfully car-free ambience. The pretty hilltop village offers uninterrupted picture-postcard views, alongside a collection of small, traditional Greek restaurants and cafés, many of which are said to be family-run, for an authentic experience.

While Anafi is home to only around 300 residents, there are some hotels and rentals available for those looking to soak up the serene setting of this untouched island. And a visit in September might just be the perfect time, with facilities remaining open and temperatures reaching up to 27C.

Offering an insight into what the island is like in September, after a holidaymaker asked for some advice on Reddit, one traveller shared: “Anafi is a lovely island and even in summer doesn’t get overwhelmingly busy. Yes, some businesses may be closing down, but you’ll still find tavernas open and maybe even the bus service still running. There are currently boats scheduled from Santorini to Anafi all through October (though not daily). If you can find accommodation availability, then you’re sorted. The beaches are still there, and hopefully the weather.”

Another added: “Tourist stuff across Greece typically closes down mid to end October. The season is considerably longer now than it used to be. You’ll be fine.”

The local tourism board, Discover Greece, also offered a glimpse into the uncrowded oasis. They noted: “It is said that the island of Anafi in the Cyclades emerged from the angry waves at the command of the god Apollo and was a refuge for the sea-weary Argonauts. Today, Anafi, the child of music, is a haven for all visitors seeking intimacy with nature at its most unspoilt. Even the most seasoned traveller will find one-of-a-kind relaxation and reflection in plentiful supply on this gem in the Cyclades.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Asked what advice she might give to young people using social media, Ms Edwards said: “I guess it’s important to live life in the present, and saying things on social media – obviously, as I’ve experienced, if you don’t think it through properly – can be interpreted in a different way than you intended, and can really store up problems.

By ISABELLA MACHIN, REPORTER

Published: 02:16 BST, 4 September 2026 | Updated: 03:07 BST, 4 September 2026

Argentina’s firebrand President has vowed to impose sanctions on off-shore drilling off the Falkland Islands. 

In an uncharacteristically muted televised address on Wednesday night, Javier Milei reiterated the country’s claim on the Islands and said he would introduce sanctions on any oil companies working in the area ‘under the British occupation’.

The President insisted: ‘The Falklands are Argentinean. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory. 

‘The islanders on their usurped territory do not have a legitimate right to self-determination and any argument on any such self-determination is invalid.’ 

Advertisement

Milei said the Sea Lion oilfield, which is owned by an Israeli and a British firm and where production is expected to begin in 2028, was a ‘clear and present danger’.

‘If we do not act swiftly in a few months, they will have the material capacity to access the oil that lies underneath our sea. Something that has never happened before,’ he said.

The President insisted the Falklands is ‘facing a new fear’ and claimed the UK has ‘failed to heed’ the call of the United Nations to not undertake ‘unilateral actions’ on the territory. 

Advertisement

In a televised address on Thursday night, Argentina’s President Javier Milei reiterated the country’s claim on the Falkland Islands

Milei said: ‘For more than 50 years, the United Nations have been calling Argentina and the United Kingdom not to undertake unilateral actions on the territory of the islands until the dispute is resolved, including the use of its national resources. 

‘However, the United Kingdom has systematically failed to heed that call.’

And announcing plans for a naval base in Tierre del Fuego in the south of Argentina, he said Mr Trump and the US was ‘assessing their historical position in regard to the Falklands’.

Advertisement

‘That is not empty words as they understand that Argentina is a reliable partner and a valuable ally for decades to come,’ he said

‘Our role and relevance as a country in the world has changed dramatically.

‘The Falklands are our future – we need to recover these islands which are nationally relevant. There is no other path forward.’

He was speaking after Donald Trump hinted he would not back Britain if Argentina invaded the Islands again. 

Advertisement

The US president on Thursday jibed that the UK ‘isn’t doing well’ and had failed to ‘help’ with the military campaign against Iran.

The US has traditionally taken a neutral position regarding the Falklands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas.

But Mr Trump recently suggested that the stance is being reviewed, in what many regard as a pressure tactic to get more UK military cooperation. 

Asked in an interview with GB News whether he would ‘come to the aid’ of the UK in the event of another invasion, Mr Trump said he clearly remembered the 1982 conflict.

Advertisement

‘I was there when they had the first war, that was a long time ago… you comported yourself very well, took it back very shortly. But it is a long way away,’ he said.

‘So, your country’s not doing well. Don’t forget you get a big percentage of your oil from the Strait of Hormuz and you weren’t there to help me.

‘Your country was not there to help me.’

The US has historically taken a neutral position on the Falklands, but Trump (pictured in 2025 with Milei) has hinted that could change

Advertisement

Sarah Rogers, a senior official in the US State Department, wrote on X that ‘exciting things are happening in the Western Hemisphere’ alongside a photo of her and Mr Milei ahead of his speech. 

Downing Street said earlier this week that the UK’s position on the Falklands was ‘long-standing and unwavering’.

‘Sovereignty rests with the UK, and the islanders’ right to self-determination is paramount.

‘The UK’s position is clear. The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory.’

Advertisement

– READ MORE: ‘You weren’t there to help me’: Trump hints he wouldn’t back Britain if Argentina invaded the Falklands – as he jibes that the country ‘isn’t doing well’

Bailey Chadwick’s mum Dayle Knight described how they made pilgrimages to the shrine set up in his memory by the roadside on the B6265 where he was fatally injured.

“We go there to listen to him, to feel close to him, to keep his memory alive,” she said, at times almost breaking down in tears. “He was simply trying to walk home late at night.”

She was giving the family personal statement at the hearing when Joseph Henry Stott was sentenced for drink driving.

Harrogate Magistrates’ Court heard the estate agent drove over Bailey as he lay on the road and did not stop.

RECOMMENDED READING

Bailey’s mum said the 19-year-old loved music, especially Oasis, and would play his guitar and sing for hours.

“My home was full of music, now it is silent. It is unbearable,” she said.

She would never forget the moment her life was “shattered forever” when she learnt of his death on the B6265 on July 20, 2025.

“I am not the same person I was before Bailey was killed. He deserved to live, he deserved to grow up.”

His friends were heartbroken, she said, constantly talking about his kindness and how he made everyone feel included.

Bailey had a strong work ethic, had plans to travel and had all his life before him, she said.