Latest news with #Layla
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
UK charity funds Gaza medics' University of Leicester studies
Two medical students displaced from Gaza will have their studies in the UK paid for by a pair were the first to come to the UK under the University of Leicester's Displaced Medical Student Initiative to support people with studies affected by war, natural disasters and persecution students, named by the university as Mariam and Layla to protect their identities, were unable to study in the Palestinian Territories as all universities in Gaza have been partly or fully four-year course in Leicester will be funded by a £78,000 donation from UK-based The Hanoon Foundation (THF) which supports medical education in the Palestinian occupied territories. The university will waive tuition fees for students accepted through the initiative while a fund has also been set up to support its Dr Ahmed Massoud said THF was "proud" to support the initiative and help Mariam, who is from the Al-Azhar University of Gaza, and Islamic University of Gaza student said: "Such students will form the spine of the future rebuilt healthcare system in Gaza and the rest of Palestine."Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas' cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken least 54,056 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 3,901 over the past 10 weeks, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Layla said: "Gaza is entirely unsafe, entirely destroyed, or burned, including my home university, which has been bombed many times."Despite nothing being clear, I'm counting days to go back to rebuild my Gaza, practice medicine there, give a hand to the most brave, innocent people, and live there until death."Mariam said coming to study in Leicester in 2024 "came at a time when hope was fading".She said: "I have a lot of mixed feelings, but the most important ones are that I am grateful and happy to seize an opportunity like this."On the other hand, I carry a sense of guilt for being here while my colleagues are still facing challenges without similar opportunities."Prof Shameq Sayeed, Leicester Medical School's Director of International Teaching Partnerships, said: "Though their displacement – with family and friends still under constant threat in Gaza – constitutes an ongoing and unimaginable challenge, this funding removes at least one of the barriers to the students' ability to complete their studies and return to Gaza as doctors."
New York Post
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Mom spent almost $5K on her 5-year-old's birthday party: ‘I wanted to give her a big day'
It's her party and she'll spend what she wants to. A UK woman spent almost $5,000 on her daughter's birthday party. In today's economy, it's no surprise that something as routine as throwing a 5-year-old a birthday party can be expensive. And while there are ways to do it on a budget — Charlotte Boscic seemed to have done the opposite for her little girl. This UK woman doesn't seem to regret spending thousands on her daughter's birthday party. Getty Images Being a professional party planner, Boscic did not hold back when it came to organizing her little girl Layla's lavish birthday party last summer — and for good reason. 'Layla has autism as well as verbal dyspraxia and struggles with speaking,' Boscic told the Times. 'For her fifth birthday, I wanted to give her a big day as she'd overcome so much during the year.' The 30-year-old mom made the birthday party one that Layla would never forget. The big bash was complete with entertainers, a dance floor, food trucks, a ball pit, a bouncy castle and party greeters wearing candy-colored ensembles, according to the Times. And from the sounds of it, the party wasn't small by any means. 'I've always been a 'no child left out' mum, so I invited around 60 to 70 kids,' she told the Times. The exact total cost for the party was $4,740.40 — which supposedly included presents for the birthday girl. While Boscic's party bill might cause some people's jaws to drop — she doesn't seem too extreme compared to some parents who send out a gift registry for their childrens' birthday parties. One annoyed mom shared with the Daily Mail how she received invites for kids' birthday parties that had a QR code for a website where people could buy luxury gifts for the birthday kid. 'Scanning the catalogue of goodies, it also included a Barbie DreamHouse at £250 [about $320 USD] and a Barbie campervan costing over £50 [about $64 USD],' she told the outlet. 'My first emotion was shock, before the rage kicked in.' The mom said she picked the cheapest item on the list — which in theory, is still an outrageous option for a 7-year-old. 'I picked the cheapest thing on the list at [about $32 USD] — a bottle of Marc Jacobs perfume, which seems an extraordinary gift for a seven-year-old — and had it delivered to my house so that at least I could wrap it and my daughter could give it to her friend in person.'
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Pets will never replace babies even though they're easier option for millennials… or this country will go to the dogs
WE all know someone who is a 'pet parent', don't we. Those who cherish and adore their dog 'fur babies', who puts their needs before their own and constantly spoils them. 7 7 It's a bond that should be cherished. After all they are man — and woman's — best friends. But our obsession for dogs is, incredibly, threatening the future of our country. A new academic report has shown that many people are actually avoiding having babies because they see dogs as 'their children' instead. Which is absolutely barking. This report, published in the journal European Psychologist, helps explain why our birth rate is declining. It says pets are fulfilling 'a nurturing drive similar to parenting, but with fewer demands than raising biological offspring'. Pet parents are even choosing dogs with 'infant-like features' such as large eyes, small noses and rounder faces. In other words, they look like babies. It's our millennials — those aged 29 to 36, who are in their peak baby-making years — who think a dog's life is the perfect, and only, way for them. How sad that they have already ditched any plans for real-life babies while their biological clocks are still firmly ticking. But I get it. I was very nearly one of them. Heartwarming moment pet owner cries with joy as he reunites with lost dog at burned LA home after thinking he was dead There were points, when me and the Geordie struggled to become human parents, that I truly thought our Boxer dog Layla was actually enough for me. We chose our wedding venue so she could be there, Layla has her own Instagram account and she often eats better food than we do. I have spent more than a year's salary just keeping her alive with operations on her legs and eye, scans for her kidney disease, hideously expensive medication for her allergies and when she had cancer last year we even paid for her to have chemotherapy. I couldn't love her any more than I do. But I will always be grateful that we became human parents too. Because I now know with complete certainty that being a mum to a dog just can't be compared. Different love, different interactions, different aspirations, different everything. It is on a different plane. I feel lucky that I have them both. Not everyone can have a child. And some never want one. There's no reason they should. But if you were contemplating parenthood it can these days seem like being one to a pet is the easier option. Less complicated While kids are stuffed into expensive nurseries, dogs are allowed to trot into the office and never leave your side. You see dogs in prams, in baby carriers. They are allowed in B&Q, Waterstones and John Lewis. We barely have to leave them at home. In Italy this week they ruled that large dogs can even sit next to their pet parents on planes. They are cheaper, easier, less complicated. But if the number of fur babies increases we must make sure that they, just like our kids, have boundaries. Because not everybody loves dogs — some are scared, others are allergic to them. I've seen an owner let their dog sprawl in the aisle of a train as passengers were forced to step over him, another who let their pooch stand on a table in a pub. If I allowed my six-year-old to do that there would — rightly — be outrage. I hope that those who are thinking of making one their entire family — instead of part of it — don't regret that decision in the long run. And I hope that as they raise them they try to realise that regardless of their love for their fur baby, it can never truly replace a human. Because if they do not, this country really will go to the dogs. Let 'em Loose again AS the chaos surrounding daytime TV emerged this week, I decided – for the purpose of research – to watch some recent episodes of Loose Women. It was the first time I'd seen it in about two decades, not because I am averse to daytime TV, but because when it is on I am usually at work. I discovered not a lot has changed – the same format, the same arrival into the studio as though they're bursting on to Stars In Their Eyes and outfits that make them look like fruit Skittles. But the major difference is that they are no longer 'loose women'. The show now appears scripted, staged and stale – full of woke opinions with a dose of fake shrieking. Which is a shame. Sadly, it is no surprise bosses want to cut down the episodes. But what they should have done is revamped it before shoving a gaping hole in the lives of all those who see it as part of their essential daily routine. Or, you know, actually allowed the presenters to do their jobs properly to pull in viewers and be what they're supposed to be – loose women. Every litter helps THE idea of Tesco setting up a wedding list sounds like a sensible one – after all, 'every little helps' doesn't it? So many couples live together be-fore they tie the knot, so they usually have their fill of tea towels and mugs before the big day arrives. But there's just something unromantic about a wedding gift package that includes bin bags, antibacterial hand wash and loo rolls, isn't there? And imagine only being able to remember what great aunt Margaret bought you as a gift because you're sitting on the loo. Ben serves beefcake – your turn next, Jamie BEN SHEPHARD is the latest middle-aged man to prove that they're not over the hill at 50. He looks amazing. Fans loved him stripping off for Men's Health. Ben is the newest star to hit the milestone and pack in the protein and the intense gym routines to transform their bodies and get a rippling six- pack. He follows in the shirt-stripping antics of 50-year-olds David Beckham, Jamie Lomas and Idris Elba. Now you've got to wonder who's next. Jamie Oliver hits that milestone on Tuesday. And if anybody was going to do it, you'd imagine it would be The Naked Chef. No pressure, Jamie. Becks rift is so sad 7 THE fallout between Brooklyn Beckham and his parents is sad. Not because they are in the spotlight or because they are rich and famous, but because any family fallout is unpleasant. And now this rift appears to have rippled up to Brooklyn's grandparents, because last Sunday he failed to wish his grandad Tony Adams, Victoria's father, a happy birthday. Which is so sad considering they were once so close. It's not because Brooklyn has lost the ability to use social media. The week before, he posted to mark the anniversary of the death of his wife Nicola's grandmother saying how he misses her 'every day'. It may be wise for Brooklyn to remember how heartbroken he is about her when thinking of his own family. As the saying goes, you should never go to sleep on an argument. Because none of us ever know what the future holds. A real shock MOLLY-MAE HAGUE might be a reality star, but she appears to have actually lost her grip on reality. After a flight from Dubai and a seven- hour hair appointment, she got leg pain and thought she had a blood clot, so went to A&E. It was 'packed', a 'sad environment' with such a long queue she headed home. She was forced to return, still in pain the next day. And she came back to Planet Earth.
Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
‘I spent £3,500 on my five-year-old's birthday party'
Five-year-old Layla is in the lucky position of having a party planner for a mother. And Charlotte Boscic knows how to put on a real celebration. Layla's party in July last year had a dancefloor, entertainers, a burger van and an ice-cream van, a professional magician, a huge ball pit, a bouncy castle and girls in candy-coloured costumes to greet guests. The lavish party, held in the village hall in Bredhurst, Kent, cost £3,500. 'Layla has autism as well as verbal dyspraxia and struggles with speaking,' Boscic said. 'For her fifth birthday, I wanted to give her a big day as she'd overcome so much during the year.' 'I've always been a 'no child left out' mum, so invited around 60 to 70 kids.' Boscic,
Cosmopolitan
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Star Layla Interview with Cosmo
Each member of #MomTok has a unique talent for stirring up drama, but no one was quite as good at it in season 2 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as Layla Taylor. The 24-year-old single mother of two has generally been one of the least dramatic members of the group, but in season 2 she consistently found herself at the scene of the crime, which caused some fans on TikTok to wonder if she was really a producer plant. 'It's an unscripted show,' Layla tells Cosmopolitan, dismissing the theory that she was essentially doing the producers' bidding. 'No. Obviously no, those actions and the things that I did were not forced upon me.' Showing Taylor Frankie Paul her private text exchanges with Demi Engemann on a private jet? That was her idea. Getting everyone to play pregnancy roulette and inadvertently forcing Mikayla Matthews and Mayci Jeeley to reveal their pregnancies? That's on her too. 'Things will happen and it looks abrupt, but I think you have to remember that they cut a lot out and they cut a lot out of that conversation leading to me showing Taylor the text messages and my intentions behind that. They cut out [my intentions behind] pregnancy roulette,' she continues. 'So, I feel like, at the end of the day, you have to remember that you're seeing so little, and obviously they can't show a 30 minute conversation that leads me to doing an action.' The only person responsible for Layla's actions on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is Layla. And she's ready to own it all, even her not-so-great moments, like going after Jen Affleck, who had to stop filming midway through the season to take care of her mental health. 'Something that I regret would be writing the 'Jen is fake' [note in the Truth Box]. I think if I knew more context about what she was going through in the moment, I absolutely would've not written that,' she tells Cosmo when asked what her biggest regret of the season is. 'Once I did find out context of what she was struggling with, I completely dropped what I was doing and kind of put everything aside for that,' she adds. 'But I think looking back, I probably wouldn't have written that.'
