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News18
15 hours ago
- Health
- News18
In Italy, Musician Dies After Eating Broccoli Sandwich; Botulism Outbreak Suspected
Last Updated: A rare outbreak could emerge from Italy's street food scene after a musician died and nine were hospitalised for eating broccoli and sausage sandwiches from a vendor. Italy stands on high alert over a suspected botulism outbreak following the death of a musician after he had a broccoli sandwich. Local authorities have issued a nationwide recall of broccoli over the passing of Luigi Di Sarno, a 52-year-old artist and musician, who became the victim of the rare outbreak linked to a street food vendor, for which nine others were hospitalised. Did The Musician Really Die Of Eating Broccoli? Yes. According to a report in the London Evening Standard, Di Sarno, a 52-year-old musician from Cercola in the province of Naples, died of the outbreak associated with eating a contaminated broccoli and sausage sandwich while he was travelling back home from a holiday with his family. The tragedy occurred on Thursday, August 7, when Di Sarno stopped by at a food truck on the seafront in Diamante, Cosenza province, with his family. They ordered broccoli and sausage sandwiches. Soon after resuming their journey, Di Sarno fell sick while driving on the highway near Lagonegro in Potenza. The musician had to pull over in the town of Basilicata and emergency medical services were called. However, Di Sarno died even before he could be taken to the hospital. Nine other people were hospitalised after eating from the same vendor, whose cart could be the centre of a major outbreak. The list included Di Sarno's family members, among whom were two teenagers and two women in their 40s. All had to be put in the ICU at Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza. The musician's death occurred not long after eight people were hospitalised in Sardinia following botulism cases associated with guacamole served at a Mexican food stand. That incident took place during the Fiesta Latin festival between 22 and 25 July in Monserrato. According to medical experts, Botulism is a condition caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria that can develop in improperly processed foods. The disease directly attacks the nervous system, leading to breathing challenges and muscle paralysis. 'Foodborne botulism can happen by eating foods that have been contaminated with botulinum toxin. Common sources… are homemade foods that have been improperly canned, preserved or fermented," said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 'Though uncommon, store-bought foods also can be contaminated with botulinum toxin." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Musician dies after eating broccoli sandwich amid deadly outbreak, Italy on alert
Authorities in Italy have issued a nationwide recall of broccoli after a man died and nine others were hospitalised in a suspected botulism outbreak linked to a street food vendor. The victim, 52-year-old artist and musician Luigi Di Sarno, is believed to have eaten a contaminated broccoli and sausage sandwich while travelling home from holiday with his family. A musician in Italy died after eating a sandwich from a food van (Representational image) Who was the victim? Luigi Di Sarno, 52, was an artist and musician from Cercola in the province of Naples. He had been returning from a family holiday in Calabria when the tragedy occurred, according to a report in London Evening Standard. How and when did the death occur? On Thursday, Di Sarno stopped with his family at a food truck on the seafront in Diamante, Cosenza province, where they ordered broccoli and sausage sandwiches. Shortly after resuming their journey, while driving on the highway near Lagonegro in Potenza, he suddenly fell ill and was forced to pull over in the town of Basilicata. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but Di Sarno died before reaching hospital. Who else fell ill? Nine other people, including members of Di Sarno's family, two teenagers and two women in their 40s, were hospitalised after eating from the same vendor. All were taken to the intensive care unit at Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza, with two patients reported to be in a serious condition. Is this part of a wider outbreak? Most likely. The incident comes just weeks after eight people were hospitalised in Sardinia following botulism cases linked to guacamole served at a Mexican food stand during the Fiesta Latin festival in Monserrato between 22 and 25 July. A 38-year-old woman died after eating tacos with guacamole at a Cagliari festival, and an 11-year-old boy was flown to Rome for treatment, according to The Mirror. What is botulism? Botulism is caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can develop in improperly processed foods. It attacks the nervous system, causing breathing difficulties, muscle paralysis, and can be fatal in around 10 per cent of cases. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 'Foodborne botulism can happen by eating foods that have been contaminated with botulinum toxin. Common sources… are homemade foods that have been improperly canned, preserved or fermented. Though uncommon, store-bought foods also can be contaminated with botulinum toxin.'
Scotsman
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
New Edinburgh crime novel exposes city's eccentric underbelly
Edinburgh's eccentric underbelly is exposed in a new black comedy crime thriller set in the city's affluent West End. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... In his debut novel, A Smart Address, award-winning journalist Allan Gill seeks to capture the beauty, history and haunted nature of his home city in a light-hearted murder mystery. When 69-year-old spinster Arabella Pettygrew plunges from the roof of her apartment in Balmoral Square Mansions, there are three possibilities: a tragic accident, suicide – or murder. Cycling Detective Inspector Richard Strawberry and Constable Brenda Gunn are assigned to the case, but as their investigations unfold the mystery deepens. Alan Gill has written a black comedy crime thriller set in the West End | supplied Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Is there a connection between the pensioner's death and undercover surveillance being conducted by police in the square's private gardens? If Arabella is the victim of foul play, the list of suspects is long – including a gallimaufry of strange neighbours hiding dark secrets behind their twitching net curtains. Meanwhile, the Seagull Slayer – a self-appointed crusader on a mission to rid the Capital of its 'flying rats' – harbours a murderous hatred for Scotland's first minister, complicating things further. Now writing under the pseudonym A Gill-Gray, Allan worked for several years on national and regional newspapers, including the Yorkshire Post and the London Evening Standard. He has already earned notable accolades, National Feature Writer of the Year among them. Allan said: 'Born and raised in Edinburgh, I have always been aware of its humour and eccentricities and wanted to capture some of that in a light-hearted thriller. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I also lived in a street full of characters very similar to the one described in the book. When I first arrived one of the friendlier neighbours told me there had been a drugs raid on an address in the street on a Friday afternoon, affording residents an exciting matinee performance over their preprandial sherries as various people, including a taxi driver, were handcuffed to the railings.' A Smart Address by A Gill-Gray, published by the Book Guild, available from July 28 from Amazon and Edinburgh bookshops including Blackwell's and Toppings; £9.99.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Wilder, weirder, darker, bloodier': Read what critics are saying about horror sequel '28 Years Later'
Danny Boyle returns to the franchise that redefined modern zombie cinema with 28 Years Later , a daring and visually inventive sequel to 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007). Reuniting with writer Alex Garland and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, Boyle crafts a fresh, emotionally resonant continuation that critics are already calling one of the best films of the year. Set nearly three decades after the original outbreak of the rage virus , the film introduces a new generation of survivors, led by breakout star Alfie Williams . The story blends post-apocalyptic horror with a surprisingly intimate, coming-of-age drama — a tonal shift that has drawn widespread acclaim for its ambition and emotional depth. Critical Praise: A Legacy Sequel Done Right Nick Howells of the London Evening Standard calls it 'wilder, weirder, darker, bloodier' than the original. Julian Roman ( MovieWeb ) and Bill Bria ( Discussing Film ) hail it as one of the year's finest, while Variety 's Peter Debruge praises Boyle for preserving his 'punk-rock spirit' in a more technologically advanced cinematic landscape. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo David Rooney ( The Hollywood Reporter ) commends the film for resisting commercial cynicism, noting it "never feels like a cash grab." Instead, Garland's script intentionally subverts genre tropes, injecting both humanity and unpredictability into the horror. Style, Visuals & Editing: A Sensory Assault Anthony Dod Mantle's cinematography is a visual standout, capturing eerie beauty amid chaos. From haunting landscapes in the Scottish Highlands to surreal action sequences enhanced by avant-garde techniques—like multi-iPhone camera rigs and bullet-time-like effects—the film is a visual feast. Live Events Editor Jon Harris adds another layer of chaos and poetry, using non-linear splices, rapid cuts, and unconventional storytelling methods to keep audiences on edge. Though some critics find the stylization occasionally overwhelming, few deny its bold creativity. Performances: A Star Is Born Alfie Williams shines in his feature debut, with several critics praising his emotional range and screen presence. He holds his own alongside seasoned actors like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. Kaitlyn Booth ( Bleeding Cool ) notes that while the cast is uniformly excellent, 'Williams is the standout.' Scares, Themes, and Tone The horror in 28 Years Later is visceral and unpredictable. While some critics say it leans more toward drama than traditional horror, the emotional weight gives it staying power. Matt Donato ( Daily Dead ) describes it as more contemplative, focused on 'the value of life and death,' while others point out the juxtaposition of brutal gore with quiet, introspective moments. As for the infected, Boyle pushes the envelope, introducing new variations on the virus. Not everyone is thrilled by the changes, but the risk-taking is emblematic of the film's larger creative ethos. Flaws and the Cliffhanger Ending The film isn't without criticisms. Several reviews cite pacing issues, particularly due to its split narrative structure. Others take issue with the cliffhanger ending, which some feel undercuts the film's emotional payoff. Still, most agree that the setup for future sequels—Boyle has confirmed this is the first of a planned trilogy—is tantalizing. Final Verdict 28 Years Later isn't just a return to form—it's a bold reimagining. Visually stunning, emotionally rich, and thematically daring, it cements its place as one of the greatest legacy sequels in recent memory. Despite a few bumps in pacing and a divisive ending, Boyle and Garland prove they still have new nightmares—and new stories—left to tell. 'Boyle's thrilling reboot offers enlightenment as well as adrenaline.' — Peter Debruge, Variety '28 Years Later belongs to Alfie Williams… the entire movie rests on his impressively capable shoulders.' — Bill Bria, Discussing Film 'One of the chief rewards is that it never feels like a cynical attempt to revisit proven material.' — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sadiq Khan offers empty homes to rough sleepers
Sir Sadiq Khan plans to give 500 new properties to the homeless amid a national housing crisis. The Mayor of London said that he would refurbish the empty homes using £17 million of taxpayer money. It follows one of his 2024 manifesto pledges in which he said he would 'eliminate' rough sleeping in the capital by 2030. 'What we are saying to councils, registered social providers is: if you have a property that is not fit for use, it's in bad condition, let us take it over,' Sir Sadiq told the London Evening Standard. 'The Government has given us £17 million. That will help us refurbish these properties, and we can put in these properties those with complex needs. 'You can't expect after four weeks, eight weeks, 12 weeks to get them out. That is why these homes are a lifeline for those people.' The announcement comes as property prices rise at their fastest rate in almost two years. Those looking to buy a home also face an average price of £270,000, up from £50,000 30 years ago. MPs have criticised the plans, accusing Sir Sadiq of hypocrisy and arguing he has ignored those who are unable to buy a house. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green and former leader of the Conservative party, told The Telegraph that it was a case of 'ignoring' young families. He said: 'Typical of Khan. First he fails to get anywhere near his housing target which he pledged at the last election and now, with young families crying out for housing he ignores their pleas. He says one thing but does another. City Hall said that despite record levels of investment, including £10 million set aside earlier this year, the long-term consequences of the housing crisis combined with a slashing of local authorities' budgets had meant that they had been forced into crisis management. Under new plans, the availability of houses to prevent rough sleeping would be increased. Sir Sadiq also plans to change rules by 2028 to enable help for the homeless without having to wait for them to spend their first night on the streets. He also announced he would also open a network of 'ending homelessness hubs' to try and reduce rough sleeping in London. About one in 50 Londoners is technically homeless and living in temporary accommodation, presenting a growing problem for the capital's boroughs, which have a legal obligation to provide adequate housing to those in need. A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: 'The Mayor is proud of his housing record, which includes meeting the target set by the previous government to deliver 116,000 affordable homes across the capital. 'Under his leadership, London has completed more homes than at any time since the 1930s and council housebuilding has hit the level since the 1970s – benefitting all Londoners, including young Londoners. 'The mayor is determined to work with the Government to turn the tide on the last 14 years of underinvestment in affordable housebuilding, which has been a key driver of the homelessness and cost of living crisis in the capital and across the country.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
