Latest news with #Meknes
Edinburgh Live
4 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Family airlifted to Edinburgh hospital after baby struggles to breathe
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 A family have opened up on their devastation after being told their baby was given months to live. Bobbie Hardingham, 36, and her partner Callum Booth, 31, were left heartbroken when their nine-month old son Tommy was given a devastating diagnosis. This came after Tommy had 'subtle, but worrying' health problems following his birth, reports the Daily Record. Doctors have since told his parents he has Meknes disease, which affects copper absorption in the body and stops the normal development of nerves and the brain. Babies face severe neurological symptoms and a drastically shortened life expectancy - usually between six months to three years. Bobbie said: "We were told he had Menkes disease. I was absolutely shocked. We had never heard of it so we didn't know what it meant at first. "When they explained that his life was limited we were devastated. It was heartbreaking to know that he may not live past an early infant." Tommy's health issues started early on, with subtle but worrying signs. "When he was first born, he struggled with feeding and had a really low temperature," Bobbie said. "They just put it down to suspected sepsis and sent us home, but he kept getting worse. (Image: Supplied/Daily Record) "We took him back in and his temperature was down to 28 degrees. He began struggling with his breathing and we were airlifted to Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh on September 26 for tests and scans. Still, no one could figure it out." Doctors began to run genetic tests in the background in a search for answers before the family received a life-changing call. Bobbie explained: "We were told to come into Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. One of the genetic doctors noticed his hair, took pictures, and tested it. That's when it came back positive for Menkes." With no cure, the couple were initially told there was little that could be done. But Bobbie refused to accept defeat. She continued: "At first the NHS told us that with Menkes disease they would only recommend copper injections if it was diagnosed within the first 28 days because that is when it is most effective. Due to Tommy getting diagnosed at eight months, they said we were outwith the guidelines. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "I couldn't sit back as a mum and accept that. I did my own research and reached out to other parents whose child where diagnosed late with Menkes. They all recommended copper injections. I fought and fought with the NHS until they submitted a referral, and we finally got them approved. He started them last week." The injections aren't a cure, but they may help control Tommy's frequent seizures and give him a better quality of life. The couple are now exploring cutting-edge treatments abroad, including gene therapy being trialled in the US and Germany. She added: "We've been in touch with specialists. If there's a breakthrough, we want to be ready to travel at a moment's notice. That's why we have started a fundraiser. (Image: Supplied) "The money we raise will help with that, and also to keep him comfortable." They've launched a GoFundMe titled "Help Us Give Tommy the Best Life Possible", and the response has moved them. Bobbie said: "The support from family, friends and complete strangers has been absolutely amazing. "I thought because it's such a rare disease, it wouldn't reach many people but it has. Hopefully by sharing Tommy's story we can raise awareness too." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Their fundraiser will help cover essential care, make special family memories, and when the time comes, if there is no breakthrough, help them give their little boy the send-off he deserves. She finished: "When the time comes for his funeral, although we don't like to talk about it, we want to give him a big send-off with a lovely headstone. "Some days we are just absolutely devastated, but we're trying to give him the best life. We don't have days to spare." To support the family, visit their GoFundMe page here.
Morocco World
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Netanyahu Announces New Gaza Offensive to Force Hamas to Release Hostages
Meknes – In Israel's latest row of hostilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that Israel's Occupation Forces (IOF) are 'dividing ' up the Gaza and taking control of new areas to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages held in the enclave. 'We are dividing the Gaza Strip and increasing pressure step by step so they return our hostages,' Netanyahu said in a video. 'The army is capturing territory, striking terrorists, and destroying infrastructure.' Defense Minister Israel Katz used the common excuse, saying the operation aims to 'clear the area of terrorists' and incorporate parts of Gaza into Israeli security zones. He also called on Gaza residents to 'act against Hamas and return the hostages.' The Hostages Families Forum, Israel's main association representing relatives of hostages, responded sharply, dooming that the government is prioritizing military action over negotiating an agreement. In an open letter, about fifty freed hostages and their families warned about 'the dangers military pressure poses to the hostages' lives.' Following the expiration of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, Israel resumed its genocidal offensive on March 18, claiming that increased bombardment and attacks are the only way to secure the release of 58 hostages still held in Gaza. Read also: Palestinians Mark Their Second Eid Amid Grief, Rubble and Genocide Meanwhile, IOF's relentless bombardment continues on Gaza, killing 20, including children and women, and injuring dozens on Thursday. IOF embarked today on bulldozing streets in the neighborhood of Iktaba, east of Tulkarm. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was 'shocked' by Israeli attacks that killed 15 humanitarian workers in Gaza. Since March 2, Israel has enforced a blockage of humanitarian aid in the enclave, worsening the already dire situation for thousands of desperate Palestinians. Amid Israel's ongoing intensified genocide on Gaza, far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir caused outrage in the Arab world by storming the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Tags: Gazagaza genocideIsrael-PalestineNetanyahu
Morocco World
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco Climbs Two Places to 12th in FIFA World Rankings
Meknes – Morocco's Atlas Lions ranked as the 12th-ranked team in the latest FIFA World Rankings published today, climbing two places following recent successful international matches. The Moroccan national football team earned a well-deserved 6.06 additional points following victories against Niger and Tanzania, bringing their April ranking total to 1,694.24 points. Morocco's ascent comes as it capitalized on setbacks experienced by Uruguay and Colombia, both of which dropped two positions in the latest rankings. In the African continent, Morocco continues to lead in the rankings, maintaining its 1st position for the fourth year in a row, ahead of Senegal, which slipped to 19th globally with 1,630.32 points. Egypt holds the third position among African nations and ranks 32nd worldwide with 1,518.79 points. The other African teams are ranked as follows: Algeria (36th), Côte d'Ivoire (41st), Nigeria (43rd), Tunisia (49th), Cameroon (50th), Mali (53rd), South Africa (56th), and Congo DR (61st). At the global level, the podium has changed slightly. While Argentina maintains its position at the top of the FIFA rankings with 1886.16 points, Spain has moved up one spot to second place, thanks to their boost by 1.37 points, taking advantage of France's misstep in Croatia to claim the runner-up position. Despite this setback, France remains on the podium in third place with 1852.71 points, closely followed by England in fourth. Brazil completes the top five, while the Netherlands has climbed one position to sixth, overtaking Portugal, which now sits seventh. Belgium (8th), Italy (9th), and Germany (10th) have maintained their positions in the top ten. Read also: Brahim Diaz: 'I Can't Wait to Play AFCON in Morocco' Meanwhile, the Atlas Lionesses climbed one place in FIFA's latest rankings, published on March 6. The team jumped to 60th globally, up from their previous 61st position in December 2024. Despite periods of stability in the FIFA rankings, expectations remain elevated for both Morocco's men's and women's national football teams as they aim for significant achievements in 2025. The upcoming calendar year features several pivotal tournaments for Moroccan football, most notably the men's and women's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competitions, both of which will be hosted on home soil, a home advantage that adds to the growing optimism surrounding Morocco's football prospects. Looking further ahead, Morocco will also serve as the host nation for the men's 2025 AFCON between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026, and the women's tournament between July 5 and 26, 2025.
