Growing number of people ‘actually aliens’
And other stories from the stranger side of life
A poll has found that a growing number of humans believe that they are in fact aliens sent to Earth to save the planet. The humans, who describe themselves as star people or “starseeds”, believe they will usher us all into a “golden age” of great happiness, prosperity and achievement, said the Daily Star. “Telltale signs” of being a starseed include “things such as feeling a lack of belonging, being spiritual, believing in karma and searching for the meaning in life”, noted the tabloid.
Robots could deliver office pep talks
Scientists said that workers respond well to pep talks from robotic “wellbeing coaches” in the office, as long as they look more like toys and less like humans. The researchers from the University of Cambridge believe robotic life coaches could help companies to “protect and promote mental wellbeing”, noted The Times. Earlier this month, the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference heard that robots could be deemed “acceptable” in workplaces if they took on “the most tedious tasks”.
‘Female Basil Fawlty’ banned
A hotel owner nicknamed “the female Basil Fawlty” after she attacked staff has been kicked out of the legal profession, reported The Telegraph. Shirley Bothroyd, 64, a former barrister and the owner of the 18-bedroom Bay Hotel in Teignmouth, Devon, grabbed her chef from behind by her hair, pulled her to the floor and slapped her face, a court heard. She also threw wine towards a receptionist and threw a pint glass containing Guinness, red wine and cranberry juice over a police officer. Bothroyd admitted assault and using abusive and threatening behaviour.
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Chas Newkey-Burden has been part of The Week Digital team for more than a decade and a journalist for 25 years, starting out on the irreverent football weekly 90 Minutes, before moving to lifestyle magazines Loaded and Attitude. He was a columnist for The Big Issue and landed a world exclusive with David Beckham that became the weekly magazine’s bestselling issue. He now writes regularly for The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, FourFourTwo and the i new site. He is also the author of a number of non-fiction books.
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