Latest news with #Stoke-on-Trent
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Fit and Healthy' Dad of Four, 57, Gets Random Whiffs of 'Strange, Sweet Caramel Smell.' It's a Fatal Sign
A 'fit and healthy' man was given the devastating diagnosis that he had an inoperable brain tumor — and his only symptom was that he would randomly smell 'sweet caramel.' Costa Fantis, 57, would randomly smell something sweet, his son, Antonio, said, according to Daily Mail. 'His sense of smell changed and he kept getting this strange sweet caramel smell. We didn't think much of it. We definitely didn't know it was a symptom of something so serious.' Antonio shared that his father, a chip shop owner who hails from the English town of Stoke-on-Trent, would smell the 'sweet smell' sporadically: 'On the odd occasion he would have a caramel smell … it would happen very quickly, and once a month or so.' Since his father struggled with epilepsy as a child, Antonio explains that 'we told him to have a scan and said it's probably going to be in relation to the epilepsy. We weren't really thinking anything of it at all, as he was a really fit and healthy man.' When Costa underwent tests in April 2024, the family was given bleak, unexpected news: He had stage 4 IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. 'There's no cure for glioblastoma," the Mayo Clinic explains. "Treatments might slow cancer growth and reduce symptoms.' And as the National Library of Medicine says, IDH-Wildtype [glioblastoma] — which Costa has — is 'an incurable disease with poor survival.' Antonio explains that the family was 'worried, scared, nervous — but then, still trying to get to grips with the situation and what was going on because he had no symptoms' apart from the smell. "It's really bizarre because symptoms-wise he didn't have much at all," Antonio told the outlet. Phantom smells — like what Costa experienced with the caramel scent — is known as phantosmia, and can, rarely, be a sign of a brain tumor. 'It just kind of proves that you can be a fit and healthy man yet still have something wrong with you,' Antonio tells the outlet, sharing that his father has undergone chemotherapy and radiation for the tumor — but is now looking for alternative treatments, as 'in the last 20 years the treatments haven't changed for glioblastomas.' 'It's quite a scary thing to be diagnosed with,' Antonio says, sharing his family has been told, 'just enjoy your life, in the most harrowing way possible.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homes and factories ‘can be built faster' with water reforms, says Reed
Water reforms will help speed up housebuilding and ease wild swimmers' fears that they might be bathing in sewage, the Environment Secretary has said. Steve Reed described supply and sewage infrastructure as 'critical for housing development, economic development and economic growth', as he took questions about the Independent Water Commission's final report published on Monday. Mr Reed told MPs the Government would publish a white paper this autumn, with proposals in response to the review led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, and teased plans for a new water reform Bill. In the Commons, Labour MP Allison Gardner warned that 'antiquated mains water infrastructure cannot adequately cope with the increased demand of new housing developments, even when the developer meets all the required mitigations'. The Stoke-on-Trent South MP asked: 'Does the minister agree with me that with the Government's plan to build 1.5 million homes, it is vital that privatised water companies ensure that they can adequately meet systems demand without sewage dumping, prioritising this over profiteering?' Conservative MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, David Reed, later said some billpayers feared water companies might not 'keep pace with development' in their area. Responding to the Labour MP, Mr Reed said: 'Water infrastructure is critical for housing development, economic development and economic growth in every single region of the country. 'I've accepted in principle, today, one of Sir Jon's recommendations that will allow us to align for the first time water infrastructure investment and spatial planning so that those homes and factories can be built faster to the benefit of local people.' In his report, Sir Jon wrote that 'planning for the water system should be closely aligned with other spatial planning'. This could involve requiring town halls to ask water firms what they need before agreeing their local planning policies. Samantha Niblett said wild swimmers in Derbyshire and Staffordshire 'frequently have to avoid a Trent tan' when they are in the water. The Labour MP for South Derbyshire asked: 'Does the Secretary of State agree with me that by having cleaner waters we can encourage more great exercise like this to make a healthier – and improve the wellbeing of – our country?' Mr Reed replied: 'The Trent tan is a very alarming and graphic image but it does capture what has gone wrong with our water sector for so long. 'The changes we're announcing today will clean up our waterways across the country, so that wild swimmers as well as many other people who like to enjoy our precious rivers, lakes and seas can get on and enjoy them without the kind of concern that she's alluding to.' The Environment Secretary also rejected the suggestion that ministers should take water firms into public ownership. Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, said the review 'feels like a missed opportunity for the Government to show the public whose side it's on'. He said: 'It entrenches a privatised model that has already failed economically, environmentally and democratically, with 20-50% of bills going on servicing debt. 'Why if public ownership is good enough for rail, good enough for GB Energy and renewables, is it not good enough for water?' Mr Reed said the Government had to 'take a rational and not an ideological approach to tackling this problem', and added Government officials had calculated that 'nationalising the water companies would cost £100 billion'. He continued: 'And to pay that money, we'd have to take it away from public services like the National Health Service and education in order to hand it to the owners of companies that have been polluting our waterways. 'That makes no sense to me, it makes no sense to the public. Frankly, I'm surprised it makes any sense to him.' Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said Sir Jon's report 'looks at how to tinker' with the system and added: 'It's a moribund model that has resulted in billions being paid out to shareholders, billions of debt being loaded up, and neglecting crucial infrastructure, meaning that sewage is regularly pumped into our rivers and seas. 'So, does the Secretary of State accept that the cost of this failure must be part of the calculation in determining the cost of bringing water into public hands where it belongs, and that figures like £100 billion are grossly inflated by those who don't think the water industry should pay for this greed and terrible mismanagement of our water systems?' The Environment Secretary said it would take 'years to unpick the current models of ownership, during which time, pollution in our rivers would get much worse not better'. He said: 'He's talking about cutting the National Health Service, giving £100 billion to the owners of the current water companies, and making pollution far worse – doesn't sound very Green to me.'
The Independent
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Homes and factories ‘can be built faster' with water reforms, says Reed
Water reforms will help speed up housebuilding and ease wild swimmers' fears that they might be bathing in sewage, the Environment Secretary has said. Steve Reed described supply and sewage infrastructure as 'critical for housing development, economic development and economic growth', as he took questions about the Independent Water Commission's final report published on Monday. Mr Reed told MPs the Government would publish a white paper this autumn, with proposals in response to the review led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, and teased plans for a new water reform Bill. In the Commons, Labour MP Allison Gardner warned that 'antiquated mains water infrastructure cannot adequately cope with the increased demand of new housing developments, even when the developer meets all the required mitigations'. The Stoke-on-Trent South MP asked: 'Does the minister agree with me that with the Government's plan to build 1.5 million homes, it is vital that privatised water companies ensure that they can adequately meet systems demand without sewage dumping, prioritising this over profiteering?' Conservative MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, David Reed, later said some billpayers feared water companies might not 'keep pace with development' in their area. Responding to the Labour MP, Mr Reed said: 'Water infrastructure is critical for housing development, economic development and economic growth in every single region of the country. 'I've accepted in principle, today, one of Sir Jon's recommendations that will allow us to align for the first time water infrastructure investment and spatial planning so that those homes and factories can be built faster to the benefit of local people.' In his report, Sir Jon wrote that 'planning for the water system should be closely aligned with other spatial planning'. This could involve requiring town halls to ask water firms what they need before agreeing their local planning policies. Samantha Niblett said wild swimmers in Derbyshire and Staffordshire 'frequently have to avoid a Trent tan' when they are in the water. The Labour MP for South Derbyshire asked: 'Does the Secretary of State agree with me that by having cleaner waters we can encourage more great exercise like this to make a healthier – and improve the wellbeing of – our country?' Mr Reed replied: 'The Trent tan is a very alarming and graphic image but it does capture what has gone wrong with our water sector for so long. 'The changes we're announcing today will clean up our waterways across the country, so that wild swimmers as well as many other people who like to enjoy our precious rivers, lakes and seas can get on and enjoy them without the kind of concern that she's alluding to.' The Environment Secretary also rejected the suggestion that ministers should take water firms into public ownership. Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, said the review 'feels like a missed opportunity for the Government to show the public whose side it's on'. He said: 'It entrenches a privatised model that has already failed economically, environmentally and democratically, with 20-50% of bills going on servicing debt. 'Why if public ownership is good enough for rail, good enough for GB Energy and renewables, is it not good enough for water?' Mr Reed said the Government had to 'take a rational and not an ideological approach to tackling this problem', and added Government officials had calculated that 'nationalising the water companies would cost £100 billion'. He continued: 'And to pay that money, we'd have to take it away from public services like the National Health Service and education in order to hand it to the owners of companies that have been polluting our waterways. 'That makes no sense to me, it makes no sense to the public. Frankly, I'm surprised it makes any sense to him.' Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said Sir Jon's report 'looks at how to tinker' with the system and added: 'It's a moribund model that has resulted in billions being paid out to shareholders, billions of debt being loaded up, and neglecting crucial infrastructure, meaning that sewage is regularly pumped into our rivers and seas. 'So, does the Secretary of State accept that the cost of this failure must be part of the calculation in determining the cost of bringing water into public hands where it belongs, and that figures like £100 billion are grossly inflated by those who don't think the water industry should pay for this greed and terrible mismanagement of our water systems?' The Environment Secretary said it would take 'years to unpick the current models of ownership, during which time, pollution in our rivers would get much worse not better'. He said: 'He's talking about cutting the National Health Service, giving £100 billion to the owners of the current water companies, and making pollution far worse – doesn't sound very Green to me.'
BBC News
21-07-2025
- BBC News
Wedgwood statue moves to Stoke-on-Trent railway station frontage
A bronze statue of Josiah Wedgwood has been moved to a new position outside Stoke-on-Trent rail new site was intended to create a focal point for people leaving the station, according to statue of the famous potter was built in 1862 and previously stood between the station and the North Stafford hotel.A scheme to improve the station approach was nearing completion, and was due to finish on 11 August, Stoke-on Trent City Council said. Work to enhance the area around the railway station began in August the Wedgwood statue was quite an undertaking but had been carefully planned with heritage experts, the council said when the work began last year."The bronze statue is a symbol of civic pride and its more prominent position will allow people to better appreciate one of the city's greats and the unique heritage of the city as a global centre of ceramics production," the authority said. The council's cabinet member for transport, regeneration and infrastructure, Finlay Gordon McCusker, said the scheme would provide a safe and attractive link between the railway station and city centre."As we enter the final phase of this transformational project I would like to thank residents for their ongoing patience throughout the works," he said."I am hopeful that residents, visitors and commuters will feel the benefit of these improvements as they travel around the city during our centenary year and beyond."Prior to the reopening, Station Road will be closed in both directions until 22:00 BST on 10 full road closure was to enable block paving to be laid, as well as the completion of a bus gate at Winton will still be able to use car park 3, at the rear of the station, for drop off and pick taxi rank will remain accessible and the Keele and Newcastle-under-Lyme bus stop will be temporarily relocated to Stoke Road. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Two-time darts world champion, 40, reveals he is at ‘crossroads' in major retirement hint
ADRIAN LEWIS admits he's standing at a 'crossroads' as he contemplates a return to professional darts. Two-times World Champion Lewis has been competing at exhibition events throughout the UK this year. 3 Adrian Lewis has hinted that he may soon return to the world of competitive darts Credit: Getty 3 The two-time world champion stepped away from the competitive game and has since been playing exhibition events Credit: Getty But the Stoke-on-Trent thrower has been absent from competitive action for over 26 months. "Jackpot" had previously stepped away from the oche due to the stress of the game and to care for his ill wife Sarah. He told the Tops and Tales podcast: 'Sarah's got an incurable kidney disease, so we obviously spent a lot of time in hospital. 'My daughter, she's got autism and ADHD, so she's got them both combined. So, she's on disability. READ MORE ON DARTS 'So, and all that like, like I said, she's at our level, our level needs. But yeah, she's still a diamond like, you know.' The 40-year-old is currently unable to compete in PDC events after his Tour Card expired at the end of 2024. Four-times major winner Lewis insists there's no chance of a half-hearted return to the big stage as he weighs up his next move carefully. Lewis added: 'I mean, we'll see where January takes us in regards to going back to professional darts. Most read in Darts JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 It has been 26 months since Lewis last played a competitive game of darts Credit: PA 'You know, obviously, I'll never write it off and say I'm, you know, I never go back to the PDC because that would be my aim again. 'But I wouldn't turn up there, say I won my Tour Card back and then after six months, say no, I wasn't ready for it. Darts icon Bobby George shows off amputated TOE he keeps in vodka after it was chopped off by 'big pair of nail cutters' 'I want to make sure I'm 100 per cent ready, mentally right and just go at it all guns blazing. 'I feel, I mean, I haven't really said anything to anybody else really. I feel as if like it's a crossroads. Do you know what I mean?" List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler
