Latest news with #American-themed


Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
WATCH: Arsonist sets fire to car outside shopping centre
Serious and organised crime detectives are probing whether a vehicle fire and an arson attack on an 'American-themed grocery store' at a popular shopping centre in Perth's north are linked. The latest suspicious blaze occurred outside Ballajura City Shopping Centre, on Illawarra Crescent, when a Toyota Tarago van was set alight by a masked arsonist about 3.30am on Tuesday. CCTV shows an unknown person smashing the driver's side window of the Toyota before setting it alight, ultimately gutting the vehicle. The vision shows the flames towering above the van moments after the person, wearing a dark jumper and facial covering, ran away from the car carrying a jerry can. Firefighters managed to stop the blaze from spreading to nearby businesses. Detectives from the serious and organised crime division with the assistance of Midland detectives are investigating the incident. The Toyota van that was torched on Tuesday morning outside the Ballajura shopping centre. Credit: WA Police / Supplied A person can be seen running to and from the vehicle before it goes up in flames. Credit: WA Police / Supplied They are also reviewing an arson investigation into a blaze at the same shopping centre from January 28. CCTV captured two firebugs who set fire to Candy Station — an American-style grocery store which also sells tobacco products— causing damage to the front and interior of the building. CCTV footage of the arsonists from January 28. Credit: Unknown / WA Police Police footage shows two masked men approach the store carrying a petrol canister and a large axe. One man can be seen attempting to break into the store by destroying the front lock with the axe. Police ask anyone with information to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online. Rewards up to 25,000 available for provides information that leads to the conviction of an arsonist.


Irish Independent
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wicklow Tex-Mex restaurant celebrates fifth birthday
Our photographer Leigh Anderson was there to capture the moment as father and son, Declan and Jason McLoughlin, raised a pint in honour of Jason's grandad, Sonny, who also liked a Guinness, and after whom the American-themed restaurant was named. Sonny, who passed away in 1994, would be well chuffed. There is a mural for Sonny situated at the heart of the restaurant, which first opened its doors on Church Road, on July 4, 2020 and has now become one of the town's hottest spots. A broad menu is available for diners, including a range of burgers, Mexican food, authentic Italian wood-fired pizza, ribs and wings and the restaurant was designed to allow the front to be completely opened in the summer, letting the sunshine in and giving guests the opportunity to people-watch from inside. The venue has also become the go-to location for sport, with a fab back room for viewing games. And over the next few weeks Sonny's will be following the Lions tour each day with a special breakfast available from 11am to 1pm. All matches kick off at 11am, and doors are open at 10.30am. The following games will be screened live:
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Free Pair of Wristbands to M&D's Scotland's Theme Park
Take up this offer and you will enjoy a fun family day out. That's not all – you will also be taken on a Jurassic adventure into the world of dinosaurs. Unfortunately the digital pass has now sold out but you can still pick up a copy of the Daily Record until Friday, June 13, to get an in-paper voucher. Featuring life-like dinosaurs it will feel like you've stepped into another time. The Theme Park will host free interactive daily shows plus you will have the chance to meet the baby dinosaurs too! READ MORE: Midlothian mum horrified as BMW driver ploughs into garden with children in house READ MORE: Madeleine McCann police in 'major breakthrough' with Christian Brueckner probe From 28 June to 10 August 2025 the exclusive 'Train Your Velociraptor' street show will take place at 12:30pm, 3:30pm and 5:30pm where you will see prehistoric creatures come to life in front of your very own eyes. Located next to Strathclyde Country Park, M&D's Scotland's Theme Park is one of Scotland's top visitor attractions. The Theme Park has up to 40 rides and attractions to suit every age – from toddler-friendly rides to white-knuckle thrill rides. There's also Amazonia, Scotland's only indoor tropical rainforest packed with exotic animals and plants, Devil's Island Adventure Golf, Cosmic Bowl, a ten-pin bowling alley, and Krazy Congo Soft Play. There are also many food outlets to enjoy, from snacks to restaurant meals, including the award-winning American-themed diner, Monterey Jack's. Car parking and entry into the Theme Park are completely free and there is also a range of ticket options to suit everyone's budget. Terms and conditions apply, please see voucher for details. The voucher is for two free 'ride all day' wristbands only on the following dates: June 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30. July 1-6 2025. The wristbands allow all day access to over 40 theme park rides. Voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Photocopies will not be accepted. Voucher must be presented at Ticket Office at M&D's Scotland's Theme Park. Terms & conditions apply. Visit for more information. New bus service introduced to M&D's Scotland's Theme Park M&D's Scotland's Theme Park has teamed up with First Bus to provide a dedicated local bus service to and from the Theme Park this summer! Lanarkshire residents can take advantage of a new First Bus service 247 to the Theme Park which will pick up and drop off at various points including Hamilton Bus Station, Motherwell and Bellshill. The 247 First Bus service will run from 28th June until 12th August daily. For the full service and up-to-date information click here.


Newsweek
10-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Traveler Says Us Food Is Making Them 'Sick,' Internet Has Strong Opinions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An American traveler's viral Reddit post about the stark contrast between food in the United States and Italy has ignited widespread discussion about diet, health and food quality in the U.S. The post, titled "Travel made me realize US food is making me sick," was shared by u/Temporary-Night-275 in the r/Vent subreddit. The post, which details the traveler's experience after returning from a trip to Italy, has amassed 30,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments since it was posted on June 4. The poster, who is in their 20s but did not share their name, told Newsweek that they live in the Midwest and work in health care. "I'm just so mad at the food in the US," the poster wrote. "I left for two weeks to Italy. My mood was better, my awareness was better. I could eat wheat (I'm extremely gluten intolerant and it messes with my autoimmune disease if I eat it among a multitude of other symptoms) with gluten pills with minor bloating. "I had some of the best food, best health feelings—other than muscle soreness from walking so much—I've ever had in my life. It's made me have so much resentment for U.S. food. I mean even my skin cleared up quite a bit overseas." Dr. Sandip Sachar, a New York City dentist with a background in nutrition studies, told Newsweek: "It is quite possible the Reddit poster's experience was accurate and has validity." Sachar explained: "Italy does not add fluoride to its public water supply. Unlike countries such as the United States, where water fluoridation is a public health measure to prevent tooth decay, Italy has never implemented artificial water fluoridation programs. "Despite not adding fluoride to its water supply, Italy does not have significantly higher caries [tooth decay] rates compared to the U.S. within similar socioeconomic populations." She added that diet and culture likely play a role: "Food isn't rushed or eaten on the go." A 2018 study in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine highlighted broader concerns about American dietary habits. The study said "that most chronic diseases that afflict Americans are predominantly lifestyle induced; and the belief is that the vast majority of heart attacks and strokes could be prevented if people were willing to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors." The study noted: "Over the past 50 years, the health of Americans has gotten worse, and now 71 percent of Americans are overweight or obese…today, eating processed foods and fast foods may kill more people prematurely than cigarette smoking." Stock image of a table spread with various American-themed foods, including hot dogs, burgers and potato chips. Stock image of a table spread with various American-themed foods, including hot dogs, burgers and potato chips. Getty The traveler explained in the viral post: "I eat pretty healthy—I love snacking on veggies. It just makes me so mad that having any kind of sugar is just too much here [the U.S.]. Sugar and wheat and whatever else is just so much harder on my body here than Italy." The poster told of how was initially "too nervous" to try gluten while abroad, after not having had it in 10 years. However, when they did, the reaction was mild. The poster told Newsweek: "I didn't wake up the next day feeling like I got hit by a bus. I didn't have the skin irritation. I didn't have massive weight gain, just bloating and cramping. "When I took my gluten enzymes, it basically resolved the effects in a couple hours. And this was after eating pizza, bread and pasta. Everything I ate just tasted not only better, but just better quality. It's really hard to explain. I just could tell it was cleaner." Reflecting on life back in the U.S., the poster said: "Overall, since [my travels], I have adopted some foods from overseas and try to buy organic and imported [foods]. I have continued to feel better, but there's only so much I can do when organic costs more…all I can say there is definitely a difference in quality, taste and overall feeling from the foods I had [abroad]." Food in Italy vs. the US Sachar told Newsweek: "Italy's traditional Mediterranean diet is low in added sugars. It is high in fiber, healthy fats, like olive oil, and antioxidants. Generally speaking Italian food is based on more real, minimally processed food." She added: "In the U.S., high sugar and salt is found in everything from cereals to sauces. Sugar is fuel for Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria most responsible for tooth decay. Sugary foods also cause rapid glucose spikes, triggering a strong insulin response. "Over time, this can contribute to insulin resistance, fat storage, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and increased inflammation. Excess sugar also disrupts the gut microbiome." Comparing breads, Sachar said: "Italian bread is usually made with just three to four ingredients—flour, water, salt, and yeast." In contrast, much of American bread contains dough conditioners (e.g. azodicarbonamide), emulsifiers, added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives to extend shelf life and synthetic vitamins (fortified), she said. Sachar noted that traditional Italian and European breads often undergo long fermentation (12 to 48 hours), making them easier to digest and reducing the glycemic index. "Most commercial breads in the U.S. do not go through this long fermentation process because speed is prioritized." Cultural attitudes toward food also differ significantly. "Meals in Italy are slower, social, and often cooked at home. Food isn't rushed or eaten on the go. Lunch breaks are usually one to two hours long. Children grow up learning better eating habits. Portions are smaller too. In the U.S., convenience and speed is considered a priority. Processed foods and takeout are therefore widespread," Sachar said. 'The Quality of Our Food Is Garbage' Reddit users responding to the viral post shared their own experiences of struggling with American food. "When I first moved to the U.S. I gained 60 whole ass pounds," wrote u/Ok_Profile_9278. "My habits didn't actually change much, but everyone I know who's come here from a different country has a similar story to tell." U/Platypus_31415 echoed this: "I spent three weeks in the U.S. and it took me three to four months to recover. It's the land of the free: free to sell crap to the customers." Another commenter, u/SureAd5625, pointed to a deeper problem: "The issue isn't even the type of food. It's what's in our food. Other countries have diets that are extremely carb heavy and you'll still see people that are skinny…and relatively healthier. The quality of our food is gaaaaarbage." Another noted that lifestyle plays a role. "It's also our very sedentary and car-dependent lifestyles," said u/Corguita. "When you walk and move more to get to places naturally, there's a whole lot of things that come with that. When you just drive from one place to another, you don't burn as many calories, you don't digest as well." Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.


Edinburgh Live
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Free Pair of Wristbands to M&D's Scotland's Theme Park
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Take up this offer and you will enjoy a fun family day out. That's not all – you will also be taken on a Jurassic adventure into the world of dinosaurs. To claim your two FREE 'ride all day' wristbands, simply fill in the form below. You will recieve an email with a code to claim your free wristbands at M&D's Scotland's Theme Park. Please check your junk or spam folder if you don't see the email in your inbox right away. If you cannot see the form please click here. Featuring life-like dinosaurs it will feel like you've stepped into another time. The Theme Park will host free interactive daily shows plus you will have the chance to meet the baby dinosaurs too! From 28 June to 10 August 2025 the exclusive 'Train Your Velociraptor' street show will take place at 12:30pm, 3:30pm and 5:30pm where you will see prehistoric creatures come to life in front of your very own eyes. Located next to Strathclyde Country Park, M&D's Scotland's Theme Park is one of Scotland's top visitor attractions. The Theme Park has up to 40 rides and attractions to suit every age – from toddler-friendly rides to white-knuckle thrill rides. There's also Amazonia, Scotland's only indoor tropical rainforest packed with exotic animals and plants, Devil's Island Adventure Golf, Cosmic Bowl, a ten-pin bowling alley, and Krazy Congo Soft Play. There are also many food outlets to enjoy, from snacks to restaurant meals, including the award-winning American-themed diner, Monterey Jack's. Car parking and entry into the Theme Park are completely free and there is also a range of ticket options to suit everyone's budget. Terms and conditions apply, please see voucher for details. The voucher is for two free 'ride all day' wristbands only on the following dates: June 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30. July 1-6 2025. The wristbands allow all day access to over 40 theme park rides. Voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Photocopies will not be accepted. Voucher must be presented at Ticket Office at M&D's Scotland's Theme Park. Terms & conditions apply. Visit for more information. New bus service introduced to M&D's Scotland's Theme Park M&D's Scotland's Theme Park has teamed up with First Bus to provide a dedicated local bus service to and from the Theme Park this summer! Lanarkshire residents can take advantage of a new First Bus service 247 to the Theme Park which will pick up and drop off at various points including Hamilton Bus Station, Motherwell and Bellshill. The 247 First Bus service will run from 28th June until 12th August daily. For the full service and up-to-date information click here.