Shenzhen, Feb 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) Korea Republic secured their place in the knockout stage of the U-20 Asian Cup China 2025 with a dominant 4-1 victory over Thailand at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch...
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Ahmedabad, Feb 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) A resilient unbeaten half-century from Kerala captain Sachin Baby (69* off 193 balls) ensured his side ended a tense opening day at 206/4 against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy semifinal at...
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Ulan Bator, Feb 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) A cultural festival designed to boost winter tourism and highlight Mongolia's rich nomadic heritage is currently underway in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia. The 'Mongols' Winter Festival, co-organised by...
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Hyderabad, Feb 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K. Kavitha has expressed her ire on Congress and BJP for what she called hatching a conspiracy to divert the public attention from the issues of...
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Канцлер Німеччини Олаф Шольф виключає можливість одноосібних американсько-російських домовленостей щодо припинення війни в Україні. В етері ntv політик заявив, що Європа не допустить проведення такго, оскільки має право голосу в питанні безпеки континенту. Не може бути ніяких гарантій безпеки без європейців або “через голову” України, додав він: “Ми не допустимо цього як європейці. Ми також не дозволимо […]
A GRAN who thought she was suffering from hay fever ended up losing her eye and now has a permanent orange-sized hole in her face.
Melanie Wellings, 63, was plagued by “classic” allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing.
Little did she know they were a sign of a cancer so rare it affects fewer than one in a million people.
Mel first started experiencing the symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic, putting them down to hay fever despite never suffering from the condition before.
When she got a nosebleed months later, the career-woman decided to get her streaming eyes and nose checked out by a doctor.
After being referred to a consultant, Mel was diagnosed sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM).
The 63-year-old, from Stonehouse in Gloucestershire, was told by doctors in 2021 that she was the only person in the UK currently living with the rare and aggressive cancer.
Mel underwent a number of operations, removing skin from the side of her nose to her mouth and eventually her eye, after it was revealed that the cancer had invaded it.
She now lives with a permanent hole in her face, the size of a small orange.
Despite her gruelling treatment, Mel’s cancer kept returning and she was told by doctors in 2023 that there was nothing more they could do.
The grandma-of-one says she’s giving herself to science so that people diagnosed with SNMM in the future will have better treatment options.
She’s also backing a call from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) for people to to help beat cancer for generations to come by leaving a gift to the charity in their will.
Melanie said: “It came as such a shock to be told I had cancer let alone one so rare.
“I’d had no pain, just runny eyes, runny nose, sneezing and eventually a nosebleed.
“Unfortunately, I know my time is limited but my doctors are learning from me every day and research has given me more time with my family.
“I will try anything and everything to stay alive. I want to be able to help others like me in the future and hope others will too by leaving a gift in their will.”
Mel first noticed hay fever-like symptoms in 2020 and grew concerned when they lingered for months on end.
She said: “I’d had all the classic signs like a runny nose, runny eyes and sneezing and when I was still experiencing them in September, my friend urged me to get checked.
“Shortly afterwards I was woken in the middle of the night by a nosebleed so booked in to see the doctor.
“Despite it being lockdown, the GP called me in and when they looked up my nose, they immediately referred me to a consultant who saw me within a fortnight.”
The consultant “didn’t like what he saw” and booked Mel in for surgery at Gloucester Hospital to remove polyps and “concerning” tissue on her face, which was sent off to be analysed.
The only way we could eradicate and control my disease was to lose my eye, but I was willing to do that just to live
Melanie Wellings
Mel said: “I knew it must be serious because he said how much he disliked delivering bad news and then apologised for having to tell me that I had cancer.
“I looked at my son, Tom, and I wasn’t upset at first. We were both more shocked as I just never expected it to be cancer.
“I was then referred to an ENT specialist who wanted to perform more surgery to ensure all the cancer was removed.
“I had a big operation, cutting down the side of my nose to my mouth, and they removed all of the cancer.
“I had 100 stitches and it took three days to remove them all.
“It was soon confirmed that I had a very rare cancer called SNMM and they believed I was the only case of its kind in the UK.
“Due to its rarity and aggressive nature, treatment options are limited.”
Sadly, this wasn’t the end of the road for Mel, as it was later revealed the cancer had spread to her eye.
She said: “The surgery meant I was cancer free for around 15-months, but a follow-up MRI scan revealed that the cancer had returned, attaching my eye to the surrounding bone.
“I tried immunotherapy, a treatment that supercharges the immune system to kill cancer cells, but it wasn’t suitable for me.
“The only way we could eradicate and control my disease was to lose my eye, but I was willing to do that just to live.
“The operation took 11 hours for the surgeons to remove as much cancer as they safely could, taking several skin grafts and veins from my arm to rebuild my face. I was in intensive care for around three days.
Mucosal melanoma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that starts in mucosa, soft tissue that lines organs and other areas throughout your body.
You can develop mucosal melanoma anywhere you have mucosa, but the condition typically affects:
The cancer typically affects people aged 70 or older.
By the time it’s diagnosed, most mucosal melanoma already has spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of SNMM, which affects the nose and sinuses, include:
Source: Cleveland Clinic
“Unfortunately, the cancer returned again which meant further surgery and this time the skin grafts didn’t take.
“I now have a permanent hole in my face where my eye socket is. I’ve tried a prosthetic to keep it covered but find it more comfortable to wear a soft gauze.
“It’s been difficult getting used to my new appearance, especially as I’ve always really taken care of how I look.
“I have lost my taste and smell so the enjoyment of food has gone away but I’m not ready to give up.”
Having undergone six surgeries and tried immunotherapy, Mel was told by doctors in 2023 that “there was nothing more that could be done”.
With “no options left”, Mel – who’s mum to Tom, 30, grandma to Amelia, three and has another granddaughter due in March – turned to radiotherapy.
She said: “When doctors discovered the cancer was active again, we introduced radiotherapy to try to stop it in its tracks.
“I had treatment five days a week for six weeks and it’s bought me an extra 14 months so far to make memories with my family and to hopefully see my new granddaughter arrive this spring.”
The nan received some much needed good news after her most recent scans showed her cancer hasn’t grown since August.
“I’m grateful for some good news and the extra time I’ve been given,” she said.
“I’ve also put myself forward for any clinical trials that I could be suitable for that may give me more time but ultimately, I want to help anyone else who may find themselves in my shoes.”
Now she’s calling for other to donate to CRUK in their wills, which will help the charity invest in pioneering trials and long-term research projects that could find new ways to outsmart cancer and save lives across the UK.
Mel stressed: “Advances in research mean people are being diagnosed earlier, have access to kinder and more effective treatments and some cancers are prevented completely.”
CRUK spokesperson for the South West, Elisa Mitchell, said: “We’re grateful to Melanie for helping to raise awareness.
“Our scientists have played a role in around half of the world’s essential cancer drugs, led the development of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and paved the way for targeted treatments.
“This all adds up to more precious moments for people affected by cancer and their loved ones. But we must go further and faster.
“Nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. All of us can support the research that will beat it.
“We’re working towards a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer and gifts in wills are vital to making this a reality.”
A BOY of eight leans against a wall and takes furtive drags from a vape as he chats to an older mate.
Meanwhile, youngsters on scooters tear through the Viewley Shopping Centre in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, throwing insults at elderly ladies as they pass.
This is the police area of Cleveland – the UK’s most crime ridden borough with 128.5 offences per 1000 people.
New figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed it to be the most dangerous place to live in the country.
And residents have told how they are terrorised by “feral” gangs of kids, making them too afraid to venture out at night.
Local David Liddell, a 58-year-old carer, told The Sun: “The crime figures are no surprise to me at all. Knife crime here is horrific.
“One of our carers was the victim of an attack so now we have to double up. There were three lads outside a house waiting.
“Since then two carers have got to go in together in case one needs to call for help.
“The council have to foot the bill so it’s doubling the price for them. There’s loads of bikes, quad bikes, drugs runners.”
Hemlington is a housing estate built round a man-made lake.
It was the scene of a horrific attack on a police officer at the end of 2023 where the officer was set upon by a gang and injured so badly he had to leave the force.
Five men were jailed for a total of 20 years for the violence, which left the officer with PTSD.
But David fears police have little way of stopping such crimes unfold.
“The police don’t do anything,” he said. “Even if they’re watching they don’t do anything at all.
“They can’t stop them on a motorbike. They’re not allowed to. They can’t chase them. The drugs are rife.
“We need more police but I am not quite sure what they would do anyway.”
The carer said he knows someone who had a car dumped outside of their house.
But although it had “been wrecked” he claims little was done to resolve the matter.
“They had broken it up and taken the parts,” David explained. “The police towed it away but they didn’t investigate. It’s crazy.
“During the day it’s not too bad. You have a lovely lake and some nice residents.
“It’s when it falls dark. The drug runners come out. No one walks along here. It’s scary.
“It’s a no-go area. I hadn’t heard about the police officer who was attacked. It doesn’t surprise me though.”
Joyce Sturdy and friend Sharon Nicholson are both grandmothers who use mobility scooters.
And as they stopped to chat to our reporter about what it’s like to live in Hemlington two young lads on scooters yelled: “Gangsta grannies!”
Sharon, who was walking her dogs Eddie and Beau, rolled her eyes and said: “See what we mean?”
Joyce, 74, told The Sun: “We have a lot of youth hanging around here at night time round the lake.
The police don’t do anything. Even if they’re watching they don’t do anything at all.
David Liddell
“People come round the estate on their motorbikes. It doesn’t surprise me that it’s the worst.
“A lot of respect has gone. You can’t chastise children anymore. There’s no discipline.”
The retired school cook added: “You’re not allowed to do anything. We have become too soft as a society.
“They have taken power away from the police as well. I have lived here 30 odd years.
“I used to live in a house which backed onto a hill. The children would all play together.
“We’d walk them to school together. The parents would get together. You don’t see any of that now.”
Sharon, a 63-year-old retired driving instructor, agreed, insisting: “All the kids want to do is wreck everywhere.
“They are pulling fences down. They are burning the bins. The kids are feral.
“A lot of the youngsters are doing it because the bigger ones are getting them to do it.
“We don’t feel safe here. I never used to bring my phone with me but I worry something might happen so I do now.”
All the kids want to do is wreck everywhere.
Sharon Nicholson
Sharon said she no longer goes out at night, with the added fear the cops might not be able to help if something happens.
“After 5pm we stay inside,” she said. “The police seem powerless. They never come out.
“They do not have the resources. But then again if there was a bigger police presence it could instigate more trouble.”
The women claim taxis and buses won’t travel down Cass House Road, where the officer was attacked, at night out of fear of getting bricked.
Anthony Bass, 67, a retired marine diver, added: “There is a lot of trouble.
“We have motorbikes fleeing from here and into the estate over there and the police chasing after them.
“We also have quad bikes running about. We had a motorcycle with three little boys on it with ninja masks.
“The lady in the post office has had to lock her door because she’s been robbed so many times.
“It frightened a lot of the older people and the shopkeepers. It’s a bit disconcerting to say the least.”
Anthony said he is “not really surprised by the figures,” and that “crime goes where the poor people are”.
“They have got nothing so it’s nothing to them to take things that don’t belong to them,” he said.
My partner tells me not to take my wallet in case I get mugged.
Anthony Bass
“A police presence would be nice especially when people are frightened.
“Even just a bobby walking around especially given the crime figures.
“I would come here at night but my partner has said there’s no way she would.
“The lake was built as a recreational area but when you have people too scared to go there something is wrong.
At the other end of Middlesbrough, on the notorious housing estate of Brambles Farm, it is a similar story.
It was here that in December 2023, vulnerable 50-year-old Glenna Siviter was murdered for her jewellery by Andrew Hall.
The 47-year-old is now serving life for murder and the attempted murder of a separate victim.
Retired construction worker Ronald Smith, 78, said: “I wouldn’t have said it was the worst.
“There’s some nice people around here. We’ve been here a long time. It’s only a certain few who spoil it.
I wouldn’t come out at night. That’s when the gangs come out.
Charlie Mangan
“The kids have nowhere to go. But they should know better.”
Meanwhile 24-year-old mum-of-two said wouldn’t dare to “come out at night” as “that’s when the gangs come out”.
Charlie, who is mum to seven-month-old baby Teddy, and three-year-old Noah, says she walks the streets with her kids during the day but “not on an evening”.
“Kids these days are vile,” she said. “They scream and shout. It’s all the kids causing the problems.
“We see street wardens, but not the police. I would feel safer if I saw the police more often.
“Walking around the estate on a night is creepy. You don’t know what’s on the streets these days. It’s scary.
“You hear about people being chased and stabbed. You think ‘what if I go out and get chased?’
“You don’t know what’s round the corner. If you might get stabbed or attacked.”
The Sun has reached out to Middlesborough Council – responsible for Hemlington and Brambles Farm areas – for comment.
Assistant Chief Constable David Felton said: “The Cleveland Police area has a number of complex and challenging socio-economic issues including high levels of deprivation and unemployment, which influence levels of crime.
“Despite these challenges, overall crime across Teesside has reduced by 7.5 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year, with reductions in almost all crime types.
“Burglary has dropped by 22 per cent across the force and we have more than 3,000 fewer victims of violence, with a 10.2 per cent reduction.
“Whilst these figures are encouraging, we are not complacent and we will continue to strive to tackle criminals and protect the communities we serve.
“Our refreshed Neighbourhood Policing strategy focuses on community engagement to better understand residents’ priorities, problem solving and prevention to address those issues, and targeted activity in areas identified as hotspots for crime and antisocial behaviour.
“We have dedicated PCSOs in each district who work as part of our Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs).
“Together, they work with key partners to address issues like antisocial behaviour and divert young people away from the criminal justice system as we know policing alone cannot solve the issue.
“We also have Proactive Teams in all four districts who carried out almost 1,000 stop searches and seized more than £1million worth of drugs in 2024.
“This approach to utilising stop and search powers has seen a reduction in knife crime across Cleveland of 12 per cent.
“Our dedicated Matrix officers tackle serious and organised criminals who are causing significant harm within our communities and they have made 2,133 arrests in the last 12 months (January 2024 – December 2024).
“Operation Artemis also runs monthly; this is a proactive operation focused on tackling crime.
“While we are always proactive in our approach, information from the public remains vital and it’s important that our communities keep engaging with us.
“If any members of the public have any issues or concerns, please contact us on 101 or report crime online here: Report a crime | Cleveland Police Always call 999 in an emergency.”
A LAND Rover from a James Bond movie could be yours, and its a steal for petrol heads.
The Land Rover Defender 110 V8 featured in the 2021 release No Time to Die – Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007.
The eye-catching 4×4 features in a thrilling car chase across Norway as a fleet of Defenders try to track down Bond who is behind the wheel of a Toyota Land Cruiser.
And next month, a 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 V8 Bond Edition is set to go under the hammer to commemorate the motor’s role in the franchise’s 25th movie.
The vehicle is one of only 300 produced, and is manufactured in right-hand drive for UK based motorists.
The Defender is poised to fetch around £150,000 – a steal given its quality and association.
Its new owner will also enjoy 5.0-litre supercharged petrol engine which produces 518bhp, allowing it to clock a top speed of 149mph.
An all-black bodywork, 22-inch alloy wheels, and blue brake callipers all provide a classy and imposing aesthetic.
The interior boasts an infotainment systefitted with a custom start-up screen to commemorate Land Rover’s long-lasting relations with the Bond franchise.
And with a measly 384 miles on the clock, the squeaky clean motor will serve its new owner well for years to come.
Pricing is estimated between £129,000 and £150,000 and the motor will go to auction on March 1 with Historic Auctioneers.
“When filming began for Craig’s final outing in ‘No Time to Die’ in 2019, a spectacular and, for a Bond film, very muddy, chase sequence was scheduled for Norway featuring a trio of all-new Defenders with their 518bhp supercharged 5.0 litre petrol V8s,” the listing reads.
“However, due to demands for multiple cars and the fact that car production had only just begun, they weren’t quite ready.
“Shot later, with Aviemore in Scotland impersonating Norway, we were treated to the magnificent introduction of three airborne 110 Defenders finished menacingly in black.
“Whilst we naturally cheered for Bond, the Defenders’ speed and endurance were to be the best advert for the new car.
“We understand that just 15 examples were delivered to selected UK dealerships, after customers were carefully selected to place an order. This very special car was one of the ten examples supplied as a 110 to the UK, the other five being the 90.
“This ‘as new’ with little over delivery mileage example is collectors’ grade and being one of just 10 110 editions it is believed to be the lowest if not one of the lowest mileage examples in existence.
By Jacob Jaffa
A VINTAGE Aston Martin that featured alongside Pierce Brosnan for a beloved Bond film is up for sale 20 years on from the blockbuster’s release.
The car was actually owned by the manufacturer’s chairman himself and bears some special Bond-themed touches.
Chief among these is the chassis number, with the firm specially awarding the 007 digits to the motor.
A 2001 Vanquish model, it is practically identical to the stunt car used in the film Die Another Day.
The film followed Brosnan’s Bond as he thwarted a plan to allow a Communist takeover of South Korea.
In one of its most enduring scenes, Her Majesty’s superspy chases down villain Gustav Graves across the frozen landscape of an Icelandic glacier using the Vantage.
While this car wasn’t actually used on set, it did accompany Brosnan back in the real world as a press car for a number of promotional shoots and events.
Perhaps the most unique feature, though, is the fact that it comes complete with replicas of the weapons installed by MI6 boffin Q in the film.
The front grille features several ports for red-tipped missiles while the bonnet houses retractable machine guns (all fake of course).
Photos accompanying the listing on AutoTrader show that the car comes with its original registration, as well as a special 007 logo number plate.
It remains in pristine condition and has only done 53,700 miles since new.
Many of those were under the stewardship of Dr Urich Bez, the former Aston Martin chairman and original owner of the car.
The silver body work looks to have barely a smudge on it, while the chestnut leather-trimmed interior appears pretty much brand new.
Under the bonnet, it carries Aston’s iconic V12 engine, laying down over 500 horsepower and a top speed of around 190mph.
The listing states: “This is a great opportunity to buy a car with a fascinating history.
“Originally delivered to Dr. Urich Bez from new and then subsequently used as a press car and featured in various magazine articles with Pierce Brosnan as well as several Die Another Day Bond photo shoots.
“The car will come serviced and with 12 months MOT, HPI clear and no accident damage.”
However, thanks to the amazing history it does, as you might imagine, come at quite the price.
The former Bond motor is advertised at £99,950.
“Priced competitively with the new OCTA and V8 Land Rover 110’s on the market, this represents not only a well-priced ‘new car’ but also a fantastic Bond or Land Rover collector example. Full details can still be found online here with Land Rover.
“A rare opportunity to own what is a fantastic car, with a fantastic engine and produced in such numbers it will surely be a very collectable example of an appreciating asset.”
It comes after an Aston Martin DB5 was put up for sale for an eye-watering £3.3 million.
The rare 2021 Continuation Goldfinger model is one of just 25 models ever made.
The motor which is not currently street legal has an abundance of gizmos like those used by 007 on the silver screen.
It has just 30 miles on the clock and is equipped with 4.0-litres inline six with triple SU carburetors.
The DB5 is kitted out with two imitation Browning 30 caliber machine guns hidden behind the indicator lamps.
Hollywood has always had a complicated relationship with films about strippers. On one hand, they’re drenched in a neon glow of intrigue, drama, and rebellion. On the other, they often end up as cautionary tales, both on-screen and off. Few actresses know this better than Demi Moore, whose ambitious attempt to bring a high-profile stripper […]
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