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Spy balloon over Suffolk causes jitters

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Spy balloon over Suffolk causes jitters
Spy balloon over Suffolk causes jitters

Suffolk nearly went to DEFCON 3 yesterday when another Chinese spy balloon / UFO was spotted over the village of Kettlebaston in the west of the county.

According to our eyewitness, the expansive balloon was spherical in shape and approximately 25 metres in diameter, larger than anything the Americans have caught. Mary Delaney (81), a local old person, told the SUFFOLK GAZETTE:

“Hello, love. Yes. What was it again? A what? A Chinaman?”

No. You said you saw a balloon… in the sky?

“Did I? Oh yes. Of course, sorry, love. It’s the brain you see, It doesn’t work like it used to anymore. No matter. What was it again?”

A balloon.

“Yes, love. The balloon. What about it?”

FFS. What did you see?

“I told you. I was in my Reliant mobility vehicle, going over to see Margaret, my daughter, when I saw a balloon flying up over the High Street. It was big and white, like a big, white balloon.”

Did it have antennae or solar panels?

            “No. I don’t think so, love. It was hovering, right in front of me, hardly moving at all.”

What did you do?

“I told you. I drove to my daughter’s. When I got there, the balloon was still there, right in front of me where it had been the whole time. It was as if it was following me…from the front.”

Hmmm. Then what happened?

“I told you. After I parked up, I hooted my horn and my daughter came out. I pointed to the balloon through my windscreen but she couldn’t see anything. I pointed again and said ‘Look… there… straight ahead.’ But she couldn’t see it. FFS I thought.

Then what?

“I told you. She got into the car, beside me. I said ‘Look… there it is.’ And pointed again. Well! I have to tell you… I couldn’t believe what she said to me.”

What did she say?

“I told you. She said ‘Mam, that’s not a balloon, that’s bird shit on your windscreen, you daft old c*nt!’

Does Galopin Des Champs Have the Speed to Lap Rivals in Gold Cup?

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Does Galopin Des Champs Have the Speed to Lap Rivals in Gold Cup?
Photo by Pixabay

Irish horse Galopin Des Champs has established himself as one of the fastest chasers in horse racing over the last couple of seasons. He will get the chance to prove his class in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the feature race of the Cheltenham Festival.

With a distance of 3m2½f, the Gold Cup often suits horses that have a lot of stamina. However, Galopin Des Champs’ main attribute is his speed, which has prompted some horse racing fans to predict the Irish star to lap his rivals around the Cheltenham racecourse.

After success in the Irish Gold Cup on his latest outing, the second-season chaser is now the +138 favorite at https://www.paddypower.com/horse-racing for the Blue Riband event of the meeting. Victory in the race will ensure he joins some of the biggest names in history on the honors’ board.

Trainer Willie Mullins has a strong stable this season, which is why he is the -800 favorite in the Cheltenham Festival top trainer 2023 betting odds. If his star chaser can overcome his rivals in the day four contest at the meeting, it will be his third victory in the Gold Cup.

Connections Will Be Nervous About Final Fence

Galopin Des Champs has suffered just one defeat so far in his career, and that came at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022. Before approaching the finale fence in the Turners Novices’ Chase, he was on course for one of the largest margin victories of the meeting. However, as you can read at https://www.itv.com/racing, he made a mistake at the last obstacle, coming down to hand Bob Olinger the race.

The seven-year-old quickly bounced back from that mistake to prevail at Fairyhouse a month later in a Grade One contest. He also has no issues with his jumping at Punchestown in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

A return to Cheltenham will have his connections just a little nervous as they will remember the disappointment they experienced in 2022. History has a cruel way of repeating itself at the Cheltenham Festival so his owners will be praying their horse clears the final fence this time.

Defending Champion Standing in Galopin’s Way

If the rising star is to win the most prestigious jumps race in the sport, he will need to overcome the last two winners of the contest. 2021 winner Minella Indo and last year’s impressive champion A Plus Tard are both set to feature for Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead.

A Plus Tard scored by an emphatic 15 lengths last season. However, he was disappointing on his sole appearance in the 2022/23 campaign so far when he was pulled up at Haydock back in November.

Although it is Irish horses who sit at the top end of the betting for the Gold Cup, the home team is represented by King George VI Chase winner Bravemansgame. Along with Galopin Des Champs, Paul Nicholls’ chaser was one of the leading novices last season, and his connections will be hoping he continues to improve on the track.

The 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place at 3.30pm on March 17. There are currently 23 entries, but the final declarations will be revealed on March 15.

6 Fun and Engaging Ways to Spend More Time as a Family

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6 Fun and Engaging Ways to Spend More Time as a Family
Photo by Pixabay

If you feel like you do not have enough time to spend with your family, you are not alone. Many parents have this common challenge because of how busy their lives are and how much they have to do in a given day. Many of them are torn between working long days and not spending enough time with their family. Spending time with your family has lots of benefits, some of which include building better relationships and understanding each other better, something that becomes more important as kids age and change. Here are some of the best ways to spend quality time together as a family.

Watch Something Together

We have all heard that screen time is not good for family relationships and dynamics. There are numerous options for those who want to sneak away from some screen time including game consoles, TVs, computers, smartphones and tablets.

The main problem with such screen time is that it is isolating. It can mean socialising online without spending time in the physical presence of someone else, or total isolation in case one is engaged in solo activities.

Watching something together can seem like a lazy waste of time, but it does not have to be. Doing so allows you to not only enjoy something fun together but to also talk. Enjoying the same shows, laughing at the same jokes and spending time like this can lead to stronger bonds.

If you can afford it, schedule some time to see a film at the cinema together. Ensure you choose something everyone will like and that is appropriate for all members of the family.

Have Meals Together Regularly

Sometimes we are so busy that we overlook spending time over a meal, or we are so tired at the end of the day that doing so becomes difficult. However, doing so can give you additional time to spend and bond with the family.

Try to eat at least one meal with the kids. That could be breakfast for dinner where everyone gathers around to be together in the evening. In cases where one partner is late for dinner, the other should try to make meals a regular part of your routine. Gather the kids and sit down together for the meal.

Eating dinner together is an especially good choice because you have a lot more time to ask open-ended questions and learn what is going on in your kids’ lives before heading to bed. It also establishes a routine where everyone knows what is expected of them.

Play a Board Game

The devices we own have made board games seem like something people only used to do in the past. While most board games are now available on our devices, it is still a good idea to play regular board games with your kids.

Playing a board game where everyone can participate means there will be talking, laughter and excitement when one wins. Such experiences can leave your kids with memories of a happy childhood, and this is why they are important.

Your kids will likely get disinterested in the board games you regularly play as they get older. It is, therefore, a good idea to pick games that are appropriate and challenging for their age. An option is asking them what games they would like to play outside electronic games.

A great place to start when choosing games for older kids is strategy games like chess. Such games also have the additional benefit of teaching them patience, strategic and critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Be Engaged in Their Hobbies

Hobbies are important for younger kids who are developing their interests. Even though it might seem like their hobbies and interests change every month, it is still a good idea to be engaged. A half hour doing something they love can go a long way in improving your relationship and bond.

Engaging in such activities and taking the time to talk to your kids can be especially important for foster kids where their hobbies and interests provide a great icebreaker. Take the time to not only be engaged but to also talk to your foster kids so they learn to trust and open up to you. Such communication skills are important for anyone interested in fostering in the UK and who wants to create great relationships with their foster kids.

In cases where your kids have not developed any hobbies or interests yet, you can still find a way to spend time together by trying a new activity with them. Mini-golf, swimming, going to the museum or taking a bike ride are all new activities to try with the family.

Read Together Before Bedtime

Reading together before bedtime has the primary benefit of helping you spend quality time with your kids, and the secondary benefit of helping them improve their reading, comprehension and vocabulary.

If you cannot split your time to read to each of your kids, you can make it a family activity where you read together. You could also get the older kids to read to the younger ones. Doing so spreads the benefits of reading regularly to all your kids.

Let Them Help with the Chores

Every parent who has ever let their kids help with the chores knows that it takes much longer and more effort to get everything done when they help. However, what many people do not think about is how much of our free time we spend on choosing. While we handle the chores, we are not spending this time with the kids.

Instead of spending this time handling chores yourself, you can let the kids help. Doing so helps you achieve two things at the same time; you get to do everything you need to and spend time with your kids at the same time.

Just remember to assign chores that are age-appropriate and monitor the use of detergents and cleaning supplies to avoid accidents.

It can get harder to spend time with the family as our lives get busier. However, regularly dedicating an hour or two to spend with the family has lots of benefits. The good news is that doing so is not as difficult as you might think, although you might have to move a few things around to make the time.

Role of Education and Its Importance in Building a Character

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Why Is Education Important When It Comes to Building One’s Character?
Why Is Education Important When It Comes to Building One’s Character?

The educational process is one of the most significant in our lives. If a person does not attend school and then college, he or she loses a lot! Education plays a decisive role in becoming a complete person. It teaches us everything that surrounds us and explains how everything works, why it exists, what it does, and so on. Merely everything we know about the world and things in it, we know via learning. Therefore, it’s no surprise that education and its importance for building character are crucial.

We guess you understand that the importance of character is enormous for every person. It is formed while we study at school and college. One of the main goals of a reasonable educational system is to form a complete personality with the right character. Our informative article highlights the role of education in building a character. Therefore, read on to find out vital insights.

The Key to Knowledge

The first and most important role of education for every learner is to know things that surround us. These are physical and mental, material and non-material, the ones that can be seen and the ones that can be only felt. Education is the key to knowledge. When you know various things and their meaning, you start to form your character because you face and use them in everyday life.

Helps to Define Between Right and Wrong

The importance of character for every person is hard to underestimate. The learning process and educators who teach you help to find out a lot of opposite things that also impact you. We mean it teaches you to define what is right and what is wrong.

The Teacher of Ethics

Education acts on the behalf of the teacher of ethics. This crucial process shows that you can reach success even after many failures. Yet, you should not use “all available” methods to reach it. You are supposed to use fair ways to be successful.

A Confidence Booster

Not all learners understand that the role of education impacts the way they develop their own confidence. How does it work for you? Well, just remember any situation when you had no idea what other people are talking about. You want to hold a conversation but you fall out. You lack knowledge about it and thus cannot feel confident about yourself. Thanks to the learning process, you know the right things and boost your self-confidence.

Teaches Healthy Habits

The importance of education can be also seen in developing healthy habits. We mean mannerisms. They include the way you are supposed to:

  • Eat,
  • Drink,
  • Sit,
  • Stand,
  • Talk,
  • And many similar characteristics.

Your teachers show you how to behave in society. This function is also fulfilled by your parents.

Increase in Memory and Thinking Skills

Education sets various goals. Among the most significant ones is the boost of your memory capacity and your thinking abilities. Education makes kids remember things, analyze them, and retell their own interpretations. It’s a crucial step to think logically and clearly.

For example, you will be able to easily memorize the Top Trends in the Field of Education Tech to apply this knowledge in the workplace, in class, or during a plain conversation. Other people will surely listen to you because you know a lot of things that are stored in your memory. You can explain their meaning to others. Thus, your opinion is very valuable. It leads you to success.

Enhancement of the Decision-Making Capabilities

Finally, character education impacts the way you make decisions. You compile knowledge and experience of previous and current generations. They help to assess every situation in a few seconds. You realize the problem and find the solution, as well as understand what it takes to reach the aim. Thus, you make a decision.

Conclusion

Education plays a decisive role in forming your character. There are many aspects it helps to control and cultivate. A person hardly feels complete without the learning process. Therefore, give heed to education and be a diligent learner. In case you feel overwhelmed with your tasks, find a reliable essay service to ask someone else to handle them fast.

Don’t forget Valentine’s Day!

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Don’t forget Valentine’s Day!

If you do repeat the habit of a lifetime, and ignore your wife or girlfriend on the most romantic day (Valentine’s Day) of the year – again – don’t worry, you can make it up to her with these easy tips…

Cheap Jewellery

There are lots of retailers offering cheap Jewellery this time of year. High street shops such as Accessorize or Claire’s provide all manner of tacky, meaningless products that you can pull out of the hat on a last-minute trawl through the shopping centre on your way home from work. One trick is to buy a set comprising ear rings, necklace and bracelet, and then split them up throughout the year. Ear rings for Valentine’s Day, necklace for birthday, and bracelet for Christmas – easy! If your lady friend really means a lot to you, but you don’t want to spend too much on her, Pandora or Swarovski make the perfect second-cheapest gifts, with the added bonus of your girl knowing that thousands of other women up and down the country have the same piece of – making them feel sooo special!  

Kitchenware

Women love cooking and kitchenware is always a big hit on Valentine’s Day. Argos, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s, among others, all carry extensive ranges including, sandwich toasters, saucepan sets, microwave ovens, and much, much more. Why not sit back and proudly watch the lady in your life unwrap a brand-spanking new cutlery tray on the big day? Such a thoughtful gift is sure to get a reaction! The best thing about gifting kitchenware is that it’s really a present for you. Have your partner try out that new frying pan on a nice sausage sarnie as soon as she opens it! Yum.

Dinner Out

The woman of your dreams will have her favourite eatery – a romantic Italian restaurant, exotic Thai, sumptuous curry house, or maybe a swanky London bistro? But it’s not your fault if all the best restaurants are fully booked, is it? Especially this time of year. Plus, it’s freezing out and travelling into London is so expensive, so why not agree with your woman beforehand that it is not where you are on Valentine’s night, it’s more about the company and the gripping conversation. So where better to have a lovely, romantic shared experience than in the drive-in queue at Kentucky Fried Chicken, waiting for an 8 Piece Dipping Boneless Feast that the two of you can share on the drive back home?

True love has no need for showy extravagance or over-priced material things, and wives and girlfriends agree. And let’s face it, if you don’t go overboard on gifts for her indoors – it’ll leave you more to spend on your mistress. Happy days!

Eat your children to save the planet

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Eat your children to save the planet sign

DEFRA, Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, has issued guidance that all parents of three children or more should eat at least two of them to save the planet.

The advice comes after ministers decided that the eating of children could be an effective solution to the never-ending, ever-upward-spiralling cost-of-living crisis. The idea being delivered under the campaign banner ‘Eat your children to save the planet’,.effectively ‘kills two children with one stone’ by not only providing cheap, readily available food for the remaining family members,.but also saves parents the costs of running expensive baths and heating draughty bedrooms.

An added benefit is the freeing-up of beds which can be used to house Ukranian refugees seeking a better life in the west fleeing war.

A spokesperson for DEFRA, Lorraine Fisher -34, said that civil servants were hurriedly drafting new laws that,.if passed, will remove all criminal penalties for parents killing their own children,.as long as the slaughter is for culinary purposes only.

Thérèse or Coffey?

The Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP, secretary of state for DEFRA said “I do not have children myself,.but if I did, I’m sure I would do the patriotic thing and eat them. Personally, I would probably marinade them in paprika and orange juice,.and serve them up with rosemary & garlic-infused roasties, and six veg.”

Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for DEFRA, Jim McMahomahamon,.said in a spluttering speech in the house of commons,.“But we in the Labour-ish party have been calling for children to be butchered for years. (here-here, yeah yes, yes) This tired (yeah), tawdry (yuuuurg),. Tory government (yaaaa!) has had twenty-five years to do something about this issue, and what have they done?

Absolutely nothing, say it again… Tories… uh. Whoa whoa whoa whoa yeah, what are they good for? Absolutely NOTHING! Say it again… Tories… (uh). Whoa whoa whoa whoa yeah, what are they good for? Absolutely NOTHING! (yes, yea, here-here, uuuurg YAAAARGH!)” OR-DER!!!!

What business sectors is the Big Apple relying on to continue its massive expansion?

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New York City is a world-renowned metropolis, for its iconic skyline, vibrant culture, and unparalleled business opportunities. But what business sectors is the Big Apple relying on to continue its massive expansion? The answer may surprise you.

Today, NYC is leveraging digital technologies such as eCommerce and iGaming to fuel its ongoing growth. However, there are a number of other industries that are also helping to have a highly positive impact and can help the area continue its massive expansion!

The Digital Revolution in NYC

The digital revolution is transforming many aspects of the New York business environment, with eCommerce, technology, and iGaming emerging as three of its central pillars. The region has seen an influx of digital start-ups, fueled by venture capital investments, that are helping to further drive economic growth.

In particular, the development and use of new mobile apps have enabled companies to tap into markets that were previously inaccessible. This has helped to create new job opportunities, as well as greater access to goods and services.

E-Commerce

In recent years, online retail has become increasingly important in New York City’s economy. According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, consumers spent $870.78 billion online with U.S. merchants in 2021, up from $762.68 billion in 2020; an increase of 14.2%. This growth has been driven by an influx of new businesses that specialize in eCommerce and digital services, such as web design and development firms, SEO companies, and digital marketing agencies. These businesses are not only creating jobs but also helping drive innovation in other sectors like finance and healthcare.

What business sectors is the Big Apple relying on to continue its massive expansion?

Technology Industry Impact

New York City is also home to some of the world’s most innovative technology companies. As these firms continue to expand and invest in new products and services, they are helping drive innovation across the entire economy. From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, these businesses are creating jobs and generating revenue for the city. Meanwhile, venture capital firms are investing heavily in local startups that specialize in cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and machine learning. These investments are helping to spur economic growth across NYC and provide exciting opportunities for new entrepreneurs.

The Emergence of iGaming

One sector that is rapidly gaining traction in NYC is iGaming (or “internet  gaming”). This includes activities such as online casinos, sports betting sites, fantasy sports leagues, virtual poker rooms, bingo halls, and more.

In recent years, iGaming operations have increased across a number of states, particularly since more than 20 states have authorized online sports betting. One of the most recent states to legalize it is New York, where it was successfully introduced in January of last year. In contrast to online sports betting, just six states have laws for online casino gaming: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Delaware. Of these, the first three are the only ones that have completely authorized the practice. Each of these states has been able to collect significant amounts of income, particularly during the pandemic, thanks to the legality of online sports betting in these states.

For the moment, NY has legalized sports betting, but state senator Joseph Addabbo is still pushing to introduce the iGaming bill this year, and if that happens, it would mean that online casinos in New York could potentially go live at some point in 2024. Should this happen, then there is no real doubt that New York would be able to continue its major expansion and use the industry to help it achieve future growth for a sustained period of time to come. In the meantime, casino enthusiasts will have the possibility to go to the land-based options and social casinos that are currently available.

Finance Can Drive NY Forward

NYC is home to some of the largest and most influential financial institutions in the world. From Wall Street banks to fintech startups, this sector plays an incredibly important role in propelling the city’s economy forward. By investing in new technologies and products, these companies are helping to make New York City a global financial hub. Through the use of innovative tools such as data analysis and algorithmic trading, they are also leading the way when it comes to driving growth across all sectors.

Real Estate Markets

Real estate is an important part of New York City’s economy. From historic brownstones to sleek residential towers, NYC offers a range of housing options for all types of people. In recent years, the city has seen an influx of foreign investors that are helping to drive up prices in some areas while providing opportunities for new businesses and jobs. Meanwhile, new developments are popping up all over the city, providing more housing options and helping to boost economic growth.

Healthcare Industry and New York

Finally, NYC is home to some of the best healthcare institutions in the world. By leveraging digital technologies such as telemedicine, these institutions are making it easier for patients to access care when they need it most. Furthermore, by investing in new treatments and therapies, these organizations are helping to drive innovation across the entire healthcare sector.

Finance Can Drive NY Forward

The Challenges Ahead

Of course, with all this growth comes new challenges for NYC’s business leaders to face. One of these is managing data privacy issues when it comes to personal information collected by online companies or websites offering interactive gaming services. It will be important for local lawmakers to enact strong regulations that protect consumers’ data while still allowing businesses enough flexibility to innovate and remain competitive in a global marketplace.

Additionally, cities like New York must also ensure they have adequate infrastructure, such as high-speed internet access, in place so that digital businesses can thrive without disruption or slowdown due to a lack of resources or capacity constraints.

An Economic Powerhouse with a Bright Future

New York City is an economic powerhouse in the making, with a diverse range of industries driving growth and providing jobs for local residents. From finance to real estate, healthcare to iGaming, NYC is well-placed to continue its major expansion over the next few years. With strong regulations in place and adequate infrastructure, there is no limit to what NYC can achieve. The future’s looking brighter than ever for New York City!

Disturbed nipple-fetishist terrorised bookmakers

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Disturbed nipple-fetishist terrorised bookmakers
The Courier – Sign Board

A Scottish nutjob-turned-nipple-rubbing-pervert has been remanded in custody after terrorizing staff at a Scottish betting shop.

Ross McGavin, 41, from Forfar (or East Fife), flicked and fumbled his nipples, and made other inappropriate and unfavourable gestures while loitering outside the shop in Castle Street Forfar  (or East Fife).

A jury was told how McGavin, of no fixed mental state, made a female member of staff feel uncomfortable and uneasy, and a little bit queezy.

Complete tit

The Sheriff of Forfar (or East Fife), summed-up the case against McGavin adding. that there was a “significant sexual element” to the offences,.especially the bit where he grabbed his crotch and started yelling the Ladbrokes strapline.‘We Play Together’ at the top of his voice while pushing his face up against the shop window, squashing his nose and smearing the glass with snot.

McGavin who is a convicted moron and named on the sex offenders register for previous crimes against decency,.began his campaign of terror by picking up cigarette butts off the pavement and sticking them up his nostrils. His offensive antics continued over subsequent days until he was finally arrested by PC Hamish Macbeth who was on a break from filming in the area.

Lost his mammary

The shaven-headed imbecile was heard to shout “I dinnae gie a bugger. Ah dinnae mind a thing. Listen tae me… Albion Rovers tae draw wi’ Forfar Athletic or East Fife fc 7-7, 33 tae 1, ye bastards!” as he was taken down to the cells.Fancy a city break in Forfar or East Fife? Visit Scotland for dirt-cheap away-day deals in the armpit of civilization!