Sleeping driver halts M25 for hours, testing patience of thousands.
By Our Crime Editor: Rob Banks
ENFIELD—Traffic on the westbound M25 at Junction 24 was brought to a prolonged halt on Saturday after a man suffering from narcolepsy fell asleep at the wheel and remained so for several hours, prompting a major police operation and widespread commuter despair.
The incident occurred shortly after 8:15am when a stationary vehicle was reported in the middle lane of the motorway. Drivers initially assumed congestion, an accident, or “just the M25 being the M25,” before realising the car was not moving at all. Inside was Jonathan Pipestaff, 55, from Walthamstow E17, fast asleep.
Traffic police attended the scene and, following several unsuccessful attempts to wake Mr Pipestaff using standard techniques such as sirens, loud knocking, and professional concern, took the decision to close the westbound carriageway. Three lanes of traffic were diverted onto the A10 at Enfield, instantly transforming a routine Saturday morning into what witnesses later described as “a test of character.”
Asleep at the wheel
Mr Pipestaff had reportedly left his home in Hertfordshire earlier that morning, intending to travel to Surrey to spend the weekend with family—a journey that usually takes under two hours. Instead, he slept in the middle lane of the M25 for approximately three and a half hours, contributing to a total delay of five and a half hours for surrounding traffic.
Emergency services eventually succeeded in rousing Mr Pipestaff, who was described as “confused but well-rested.” He was escorted safely from the motorway and continued his journey, arriving at his destination seven and a half hours after first setting out.
A Norfolk pilot fell asleep, missing his landing spot.
Rumble strips are to be added to the clouds after a Norfolk International Airline pilot fell asleep, missing their landing spot.https://t.co/gjVMbzieFT
By that time, thousands of other motorists had also completed journeys they had not planned to make, including extended visits to slip roads, roundabouts, and the A10.
A police spokesperson reminded drivers to ensure they are fit to drive before setting off, adding, “While the M25 is known for stopping traffic, it does not usually do so by falling asleep.”
As of Saturday evening, traffic had returned to normal, though authorities confirmed that commuter fury remained widespread and unresolved.
LOWESTOFT, NORFOLK—Emergency services are responding to reports that a mysterious 100-foot creature, widely believed to be Godzilla, has appeared in the seaside town of Lowestoft, prompting road closures, confused tourists, and an urgent reassessment of the town’s existing monster preparedness policy.
By Our Norfolk Reporter: Ian Bred
Witnesses first reported the creature shortly after 9:40am, when it was seen emerging near the harbour, briefly pausing before proceeding inland with what observers described as “measured confidence” and “no obvious interest in fish and chips.” Mobile phone footage appears to show the towering reptilian figure navigating residential streets with surprising care, although at least one lamppost has been lost.
Norfolk Constabulary confirmed it is working alongside the fire service, ambulance crews, and “relevant national agencies” to contain the situation.
Terror in Norfolk
Local councils have activated emergency protocols not previously tested outside tabletop exercises labelled Hypothetical Lizard Scenario. “We planned for flooding,” said one official. “This is… different.”
The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged awareness of the incident but declined to confirm whether the creature is radioactive, hostile, or simply lost. Early indications suggest the beast has so far limited its activity to walking, looking around, and occasionally roaring in a manner described as “expressive but non-specific.”
Residents are advised to follow official updates and not rely on social media rumors suggesting the creature is “probably friendly” or “heading for Ipswich.”
This is a live and developing situation. Authorities say further updates will follow as containment efforts continue.
Leisure time has taken on a new shape. Activities that used to involve heading out are now often enjoyed from home or while on the move. From short bursts of online entertainment to longer planned sessions with digital media, daily routines are shifting. People are spending more time with services that offer convenience, personalisation and variety.
That shift hasn’t removed traditional forms of entertainment entirely. Instead, it has opened up a wider pool of options – many of which are now accessed from a phone, tablet or laptop.
Local Entertainment Is Moving Towards Online Choices
The way residents spend free time has changed. Nights out at the cinema or a community pub quiz are still valued, but they share attention with platforms offering entertainment online.
Streaming content, attending virtual gigs, and even joining online meetups have become normal parts of how people relax. Local activities haven’t disappeared, but digital alternatives have filled gaps that once relied on physical attendance.
Some smaller venues have begun offering blended experiences. These include online ticket sales, pre-recorded versions of live shows, or digital loyalty schemes for returning customers. While face-to-face interaction still matters, digital platforms make things more flexible, especially during busy weeks.
Smartphones Are Driving Leisure On Demand
Phones now act as the main access point for many types of entertainment. Whether it’s watching short videos, joining an online quiz, or browsing through hobby-related content, the process is usually simple.
A phone can be pulled out during a break, used at home after work, or scrolled during commutes. These small windows of time are now filled with games, podcasts, or interactive apps that can be picked up and put down easily.
Social media, news apps and on-demand audio have replaced waiting around with something to do. More people use those moments to unwind through content that suits their mood, without having to make fixed plans.
Personalised Digital Experiences Are Now Standard
Tailored content has become a regular feature of most digital leisure platforms. From watching to gaming, algorithms suggest activities that line up with previous habits. This encourages users to engage more often and try new things based on their interests.
Some users look for platforms that go beyond passive viewing. Interactive options, including online games or live sessions, offer more variety. Many prefer having more control over how they spend their time.
For those interested in a more dynamic experience, some turn to options like betmaster.co.uk. It combines multiple features in one place, giving access to services such as sports betting and digital games. These types of sites enable users to choose how they want to engage, based on their interests and preferences, without needing to switch between apps or sites. The appeal lies in simplicity and control.
Fitness and Events Are Now Going Digital
More people are choosing online classes or home workout plans over gym trips. Digital fitness tools offer flexibility and can be adjusted to fit different schedules. Some include interactive features such as progress tracking, reminders and live group classes.
The same trend is seen in events and social competitions. Pub quizzes have transitioned online, enabling people to participate from the comfort of their own homes. Live-streamed events, workshops, and local talent shows frequently utilise digital platforms to expand their reach and keep participants engaged.
Access to these kinds of activities no longer depends on location. A stable internet connection and a smartphone are usually all that’s needed.
Social Interaction Is Built Into Digital Leisure
Entertainment has always been social. People enjoy sharing experiences, talking about what they’ve seen, or joining in together. Digital platforms now include features that support this.
Group video calls, live chats during events, and online games with team options are common. People often find shared interests in gaming communities, music forums, or live events they attend from home. These features help foster ongoing engagement and enable people to connect with others who share similar interests.
Social media has helped bring people into these spaces, and now apps focused on specific types of entertainment are doing the same. Instead of simply consuming content, users take part and contribute.
Staying connected no longer depends on meeting up. Interaction is built into the activities themselves.
Try New Ways to Stay Entertained
More people are finding enjoyment through digital tools. They provide flexible options that match different lifestyles. Some might stream short videos after work. Others prefer longer sessions spent exploring hobbies online or playing games with friends.
Adding variety to leisure doesn’t require giving anything up. Digital and traditional activities can both have a place. For instance, someone might enjoy live football with friends one weekend, and choose to check scores or explore digital platforms during downtime on another.
There’s also growing interest in platforms that bring multiple activities together. Apps now offer access to news, games, live streams and social features in one space. This is useful for those who like options but want everything in one place.
Entertainment has become more adaptable. That allows people to enjoy it when and how it suits them.
Choose What Works for You
Leisure is personal. Preferences vary widely, and the best approach is one that fits into daily life without adding stress. Digital platforms make that easier by offering different kinds of experiences that can be shaped around your time and interests.
Some enjoy the simplicity of watching a film or reading a digital magazine. Others prefer more interactive options such as online competitions or gaming apps. Services are now built with that range in mind.
Making space for both active and passive entertainment keeps things balanced. Choosing digital options when going out doesn’t appeal is a simple switch that many now make without thinking.
What matters most is feeling satisfied with how time is spent.
Make the Most of Leisure That Fits Your Life
Variety is now a key part of leisure habits. People are no longer tied to set locations or fixed activities. Digital platforms offer new ways to stay entertained, stay connected and stay involved – all from devices already in their hands.
Online entertainment doesn’t mean giving something up. It means adding more options. Those who enjoy traditional activities can still make time for them, but digital platforms are always available for the moments in between.
From casual games and social chats to streaming and digital hobby spaces, leisure has expanded. That means more choice and more control.
Try different options and see what works best. The tools are already there – and they’re ready when you are.
In today’s world, athletes have transcended the boundaries of sport to become global icons. Their influence stretches far beyond the playing field — they dominate headlines, inspire millions on social media, and shape cultural conversations in ways once reserved for movie stars and musicians. Modern athletes embody a unique blend of talent, charisma, and market power.
They are followed closely by millions of fans around the world who watch their every move, make sports predictions and even place bets on their favorites — for this, they Legalbet.kz about bookmakers’ incentives and choose the best odds.
When the story of American sport is told, names like Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, and Serena Williams dominate the narrative. Yet amid the legends are athletes connected to Jewish heritage whose performances, identities, and sometimes personal choices left lasting marks. Their stories traverse baseball diamonds, basketball courts, swimming lanes, and more — often navigating cultural tension, identity, and the demands of elite competition.
This article highlights three dimensions of Jewish influence in American sports: icons of baseball, crossover stars in basketball and the Olympics, and contemporary bearers of that heritage in today’s leagues.
Pioneers on the Diamond
In the pantheon of Jewish American athletes, Sandy Koufax stands as perhaps the most luminous. Pitching for the Los Angeles (formerly Brooklyn) Dodgers from 1955 to 1966, Koufax dominated in a golden stretch from 1962 to 1966, posting a career 1.95 ERA over that span and racking up three Cy Young Awards — a feat unmatched at the time. He was also a gatekeeper of identity: in 1965, he famously refused to pitch Game 1 of the World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur, elevating his status as a symbol of faith and principle.
Yet Koufax did not emerge in a vacuum. Hank Greenberg had fought earlier battles. Known as “Hammerin’ Hank,” Greenberg played mostly for the Detroit Tigers in the 1930s and 1940s. He faced antisemitism, sometimes being heckled at games. Despite that, he hit over 58 home runs in 1938, led the league in RBI twice, and was a two-time MVP. He is often credited with helping pave the way for Jewish players in major league baseball.
These legends pressured the narratives around Jewish athletes: they showed that faith need not be hidden, that excellence could be asserted in a sport dominated by others, and that identity might be a point of pride rather than limit.
The Resurgence of Jewish Presence in MLB
In the 21st century, Jewish representation in Major League Baseball has grown — not in sheer numbers, but in visibility and diversity. From 2010 to 2023, Jews made up about 0.8% to 1.3% of all MLB players annually. The 2023 season set a high mark: 19 Jewish players appeared on major league rosters — matching the record proportion since 1974.
Among current standouts are Alex Bregman (Houston Astros), Max Fried (Atlanta Braves), Dean Kremer (Baltimore Orioles), and Zack Gelof (Oakland Athletics) — each connecting modern Jewish heritage to the game’s current era. Jacob Steinmetz offers a rarer narrative: in 2021, he became the first known Orthodox Jewish player drafted into MLB, and by 2024 was rising through the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.
These athletes contend with the challenge of representing both sport and identity — sometimes facing public questions about ritual observance, cultural assumptions, or balancing tradition with performance demands.
Basketball and the NBA’s Jewish Voices
Jewish presence in basketball has been notable, though less visible in numbers. The Jewish Virtual Library lists NBA players such as Larry Brown, Jordan Farmar, Hank Finkel, Ernie Grunfeld, and Omri Casspi as among those who carried Jewish lineage or identity on the court. Brown, for instance, played as a point guard (1967–72), while Farmar (born 1986) represented Team Israel internationally in addition to his NBA career.
In college and coaching ranks, Jewish identity has also resonated. Bruce Pearl, a prominent college coach, has openly expressed pride in his Jewish heritage. In 2025, the Final Four featured three Jewish head coaches (Pearl, Jon Scheyer, Todd Golden) — a rare alignment that drew attention to representation in basketball leadership.
Swimming, Gymnastics, and the Olympic Stage
Outside the American circuit, Jewish athletes have made their mark in Olympic disciplines. Mark Spitz (American) won seven gold medals in the 1972 Munich Games, a record at that time, and is often held up as a model of both athletic and Jewish excellence. In gymnastics, Aly Raisman intentionally used “Hava Nagila” as her floor music in the Olympics — a symbolic act of Jewish pride — and has since worked as a commentator and advocate, enhancing visibility beyond her medals.
Additionally, stories like that of Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller reflect the fraught intersections of identity and sport. Both were Jewish American track athletes slated to run in the 4x100m relay at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but were controversially benched in favor of Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe. Many believe antisemitic pressure played a role in the decision.
These athletes often operated in spaces with little room for identity negotiation — making their choices, performances, and public stances doubly significant.
Identity, Impact and the Next Generation
For many Jewish athletes, the path is not solely about athletic skill. It involves navigating identity in a world where stereotypes, expectations, and sometimes ignorance persist. Koufax’s refusal to pitch on a holy day remains among the most cited moments in sports ethics; it was not just a personal choice, but a public statement.
More subtly, contemporary players may face questions about whether to fast, observe holidays, or even wear symbols of faith — decisions that rarely arise for other athletes. Each choice can attract attention or criticism. Yet many choose authenticity, helping others see that religious identity and elite performance can coexist.
Building Heritage Through Institutions
Institutions and cultural organizations also help keep Jewish sports heritage alive. The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame preserves stories and memories across nations. Books like Jewish Sports Legends collect profiles and rare photos to document under-told stories.
In media and journalism, outlets like the Forward or Jewish Virtual Library track Jewish athletes’ careers and contexts — connecting fans to lineage and identity beyond box scores.
A New Contingent Rising
Today’s Jewish athletes continue the tradition. Bregman, Fried, Kremer, Gelof — they not only play, but speak. Some wear the Star of David, some use their platforms to raise awareness of anti-Semitism, others volunteer in Jewish community programs. As they ascend, they carry both the weight of history and new possibilities.
Each generation must reckon with the myths and the burdens of identity. But if the past taught anything, it’s that visibility matters. Seeing a Jewish athlete at the plate, the court, or the pool encourages young fans, challenges perceptions, and expands what is possible.
Jewish athletes in America have never been a monolith. Their backgrounds — Ashkenazi, Sephardic, mixed — and their relationships to faith vary greatly. But what unites many is a continual act of negotiation: between the demands of high-level sport and the traditions of heritage.
From Koufax’s majestic curveball and principle, to modern stars balancing identity and performance, the narrative stretches across eras. These athletes have not only played games — they have helped write chapters of representation, visibility, and pride.
Suffolk treasure hunters recover an enormous mystery organ instead of pirate gold off north sea.
By Our Norfolk Reporter: Ian Bred
A marine salvage operation searching for long-lost pirate treasure off the coast of Suffolk has instead recovered what investigators are carefully describing as a “75-foot anatomical curiosity.”
The object, hauled from the seabed after sonar detected an unusual bell-shaped outline, was initially assumed to be a mast, figurehead or possibly an anchor of uncommon confidence. It was only once the item breached the surface that crew members realised they were dealing with a colossal, seaweed-covered knob.
Measuring approximately 75 feet in length and requiring three winches to lift, the object has left experts divided as to its origin. Some marine biologists have suggested it may have belonged to a blue whale, although others point out that blue whales are not widely known for misplacing individual organs of this scale. More speculative voices have raised the possibility of an undiscovered sea monster, while one crew member privately suggested it might simply be “a hen night inflatable gone wrong.”
Re-dick-ulous
The recovery team, operating out of Lowestoft, had been prospecting the area following rumours of a 17th-century pirate hoard. Instead of gold coins, they now find themselves guarding the largest detached member ever brought ashore in British waters. The Coastguard confirmed that no laws appear to have been broken, though guidance on storage remains unclear.
Local residents have been advised not to approach the quayside, where the object is currently concealed beneath tarpaulin “for decency and health and safety reasons.” Children, in particular, are being redirected toward more conventional maritime points of interest.
With no obvious museum willing to display it, the salvage company has indicated it may sell the item to an overseas buyer. Industry insiders suggest interest from private collectors in China, where rare marine specimens are sometimes regarded as delicacies or medicinal curiosities.
For now, the crew remain philosophical. “We were hoping for a crock of gold,” said the project manager. “But instead we got a c*ck of old.”
Misplaced New Zealand sperm shipment with blunt labeling shocks Suffolk resident.
FARNHAM, SUFFOLK — A quiet afternoon in the picturesque village of Farnham was disrupted yesterday when a package of highly sensitive biological material, destined for a local fertility clinic, was instead deposited on the doorstep of an unsuspecting resident.
Sperm Specimen Delivered
Stephanie Fonebuuk, a South African expatriate residing in the village, returned from her shift to find a parcel waiting on her porch. To her mounting horror, the package—which had travelled over 11,000 miles from a laboratory in New Zealand—bore a customs declaration label that was as brief as it was descriptive: “Fresh Cum.”
The mis-delivery quickly became the focal point of Primrose Drive. As Ms. Fonebuuk struggled to move the temperature-controlled container inside, she noted a significant increase in local pedestrian traffic. Neighbours reportedly adjusted their net curtains, while several dog walkers were observed “chortling audibly” as they passed the Fonebuuk residence.
Wet patch
The courier service responsible for the blunder has blamed a “postal code anomaly,” noting that the intended fertility center shares a similar prefix with the residential cul-de-sac. However, they offered no comment on the choice of wording used on the exterior of the box, which bypassed traditional clinical terms like “Cryogenic Specimens” or “Bio-Material” in favour of the more colloquial—and confrontational—alternative.
By dusk, the package had been recovered by a sheepish technician in a white van, leaving a wet patch and Ms. Fonebuuk to manage the lingering stares of the village. The fertility clinic has promised a full investigation into the labeling protocols, though the social damage to the Fonebuuk porch remains, for now, irreparable.
Cabinet cast as traitors; record ratings follow national interest betrayal.
By Our Political Correspondent: Polly Ticks
TRAITORS MANSION, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS – In a move hailed as the most authentic casting decision in television history, the BBC’s latest season of The Traitors has shattered global viewing records, attracting a staggering 25 million concurrent viewers who tuned in to watch the Labour Cabinet play themselves.
The series, typically filmed in the Scottish Highlands, moved to a drafty community centre in the North of England to save on the “Winter Fuel Allowance” budget. Producers confirmed that the decision to cast the front bench was a stroke of genius, noting that the Cabinet’s natural aptitude for “the long con” made traditional contestants look like amateurs.
“It’s breathtakingly realistic,” said one viewer from a boarded-up high street. “Usually, you have to guess who the Traitors are. But watching them sit around a round table and systematically vote to deplete the nation’s inheritance while smiling and calling it ‘tough choices’ is the kind of high-stakes drama you just can’t script.”
Cloak & dagger
The record-breaking premiere featured a standout moment where the Traitors successfully “banished” the concept of a comfortable retirement and “murdered” the hopes of jobseekers via a series of National Insurance hikes. Unlike previous seasons, where contestants struggle with guilt, this year’s players have remained remarkably stoic, citing a “mandate for change” every time they remove a reward from the prize pot.
Labour Government Popularity
As the series progresses, bookies are predicting Starmer as the most traitorous contestant and ultimate winner. However, most experts agree that as long as the British public continues to lose, the ratings for this particular brand of betrayal will only continue to soar.
Santa skips Downing Street due to Starmer kids’ naughty behaviour.
By Our Political Correspondent: Polly Ticks
Downing Street was abuzz with a rather un-festive air this Christmas morning, as reports emerged that Santa Claus, the jolly man himself, opted to bypass the Prime Minister’s residence entirely. While children across the nation woke to stockings overflowing and presents piled high, the Starmer household was left conspicuously bare beneath the tree.
Addressing a gathering of disgruntled elves, Mr. Claus cited “systemic behavioural failings” and a “notable lack of transparency” regarding the household’s cookie-to-milk ratio.
Like father like son
“The decision was not taken lightly,” a spokesperson for the North Pole’s Department of Naughty or Nice (DNN) stated. “However, after reviewing the data, it became clear that the residents of Number 10 have failed to meet the basic thresholds for ‘Goodness.’ We are seeing a significant deficit in candour that simply cannot be bridged by mere promises of better behaviour in the next fiscal year.”
The move marks the first time a Prime Minister’s family has been collectively denied a delivery since the 1970s. Sources suggest the “Naughty” designation was triggered by several high-profile incidents, including an alleged refusal to share a gaming console and a controversial “freebie” scandal involving a borrowed pair of North Pole-brand designer boots.
In Westminster, the news was met with predictable friction. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister issued a brief statement: “We are focused on the people’s priorities. While we respect the independent oversight of the North Pole, we believe this decision is ideologically driven and fails to account for the inheritance of a very messy bedroom from the previous administration.”
Rumours suggest that Keir Starmer attempted to negotiate a “Stability Pact” with Claus, offering a 2% increase in reindeer lichen subsidies in exchange for a single Lego set. The offer was reportedly rejected, with Claus noting that “integrity cannot be means-tested.”
