Paperboy, 80, delays retirement thanks to e-bike
And other stories from the stranger side of life
An 80-year-old paperboy has postponed his retirement after receiving the gift of an electric bike. George Bailey, who delivers newspapers around the village of Headcorn in Kent, said his e-bike had given him a “new lease of life”. He made headlines last month when he announced he was retiring - prompting a bike company to offer him the new vehicle.
Robot vacuum cleaners 'drunk' after update
Owners of Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners have reported that appliances are acting “drunk” after a faulty software update messed up the robots’ circuits. One Roomba owner said: “It works, but it basically now behaves like it’s had a stroke and has no idea where it is most of the time.” Another complained: “These robots looks drunk since the update.” The manufacturer, iRobot, says it will release a new update to address the issue.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Alligator heads seized in Birmingham
Dozens of alligator heads have been seized after a police search of a house in Birmingham. West Midlands police said: “We received information that the heads were being imported from abroad illegally and sold on through eBay to buyers all around the world at a large profit to the seller.” A 44-year-old man has been voluntarily interviewed.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
4 tips to finally start your small business in the new year
The Explainer Make your dream a reality
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sudoku hard: December 4, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Crossword: December 4, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cutting cables: the war being waged under the sea
In the Spotlight Two undersea cables were cut in the Baltic sea, sparking concern for the global network
By The Week UK Published
-
The nuclear threat: is Vladimir Putin bluffing?
Talking Point Kremlin's newest ballistic missile has some worried for Nato nations
By The Week UK Published
-
Russia vows retaliation for Ukrainian missile strikes
Speed Read Ukraine's forces have been using U.S.-supplied, long-range ATCMS missiles to hit Russia
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published