Man hospitalised after 6lb gummy binge

Nathan Rimington, a 33-year-old truck driver from Yorkshire, was hospitalised after eating 3kg (6.6lb) of gummies in three days — over 10,000 calories’ worth of sweets.

He developed severe abdominal pain, sweating and high blood pressure before being rushed to hospital, where doctors found dangerously high gelatine levels and diagnosed acute diverticulitis, a painful colon inflammation.

Rimington spent six days in intensive care before recovering. Health experts warn that excessive gelatine intake can cause digestive distress and, in extreme cases, intestinal blockage or infection.

Brazil opens massive mosquito factory

Brazil has opened the world’s largest mosquito factory in Campinas, São Paulo, to fight dengue fever. The 1,300 sq m facility can produce up to 190 million mosquitoes weekly.

Inside, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are bred and infected with Wolbachia bacteria, which block the dengue virus from developing or being passed to humans. The bacteria also pass to offspring, gradually reducing transmission.

The project follows Brazil’s record 2024 dengue outbreak, when it accounted for over 80% of global cases. The new facility will scale up mosquito releases to protect more than 100 million people each year.

China tests giant flying wind turbine

China has tested the S1500, the world’s largest airborne wind turbine, which generated one megawatt of power during flight.

Developed by Beijing Linyi Yunchuan Energy Technology Co. Ltd., the helium-filled turbine stands as tall as a 13-storey building and can operate at altitudes up to 1,500 metres, where winds are stronger and more consistent. Its ring-shaped design channels air through 12 internal generators, sending electricity to the ground via tethered cables.

Unlike fixed wind farms, the inflatable turbine needs no heavy towers or foundations, cutting costs by up to 30%. Mass production is planned next year after further safety tests.

TikToker jailed for syringe prank

French influencer Amine Mojito (real name Ilan M) has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, six in custody, for pretending to inject strangers with syringes in public prank videos filmed around Paris.

The 27-year-old went viral for the disturbing clips, recorded during a time of public fear over syringe attacks in France. Although the syringes were capped and empty, several victims were so traumatised they needed hospital treatment.

In court, Ilan admitted it was “a very bad idea,” saying he copied similar pranks from abroad. The judge ruled that his videos had fuelled panic and rejected his plea for leniency, noting that even without physical harm, the fear caused was real.

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 15th, 2025