Rail passenger slams ‘masterclass in poor service’
And other stories from the stranger side of life

A drag performer who paid an “eye-watering” £589 for a return train ticket from Brighton to Wales has accused Avanti West Coast of providing “a masterclass in poor service”. The act, known as Le Gateau Chocolat, forked out the sum for a first-class open return ticket between Brighton and Bangor in north Wales, with a Christmas dinner and wine included. However, said The Guardian, the driver announced there would be no first-class service because of staff shortages. On his return journey, he was waiting at Bangor station 10.05am train to Euston, only for the train to be cancelled at 10.07am.
Hundreds of Santas run in Germany
More than 900 people dressed up as Santa Claus and took place in the 13th annual St. Nicholas Run in Germany. The largest costumed running event in Germany saw participants wear red coats and hats and bushy white beards to “brave the cold temperatures for the run”, said UPI. The runners who covered between 1.5 miles, 3 miles or 6.5 miles, were treated to mulled wine and chocolate Santas after completing their respective distances.
Robot reads the news
China’s state news agency has launched a virtual anchor designed to be able to deliver the news 24 hours a day. “Hello, you are watching English news program. I am AI news anchor in Beijing,” said the computer-generated host at the start of the broadcast. Created by a Chinese search engine company, the anchor was designed to simulate human voice, facial expressions and gestures but, said CNN, it had a “robotic voice”. There were also sceptics on social media, where one viewer wrote: “(His) voice is too stiff, and there are problems with the pauses.”
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
June 28 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons include stupid wars, a critical media, and mask standards
-
Thai fish pie with crispy turmeric potatoes recipe
The Week Recommends Tasty twist on the Lancashire hot pot is given a golden glow
-
Palestine Action: protesters or terrorists?
Talking Point Damaging RAF equipment at Brize Norton blurs line between activism and sabotage, but proscription is a drastic step
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos