British Prime Minister Sunak avoids wipeout in key elections
LONDON, July 21: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's governing Conservatives lost two strategically important parliamentary seats on Friday but unexpectedly retained Boris Johnson's old constituency in a setback for the main opposition Labour Party. The votes were one of the last electoral tests before a general election expected next year and had been seen as an indicator of the two main parties' prospects. Sunak, a former finance minister and investment banker, has tried to use his technocratic leadership to restore the Conservatives' credibility after a series of scandals last year forced Boris Johnson to resign, and economic turmoil forced his successor, Liz Truss, who quit after just six weeks. — Arab News
Legendary singer Tony Bennett dies aged 96
New York, July 21: Tony Bennett, the legendary New York pop and jazz singer, has died aged 96. Bennett was known for songs such as The Way You Look Tonight, Body and Soul and (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco. He also collaborated with star performers from Lady Gaga to Aretha Franklin and Frank Sinatra, who called him "the best singer in the business". During a career that spanned eight decades, the crooner sold millions of records and won 20 Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award. — BBC
Turkiye urges Sweden to act over terrorism
for NATO membership support
ISTANBUL, July 21: Turkiye will act to ratify Sweden's NATO membership bid in conjunction with cooperation from Stockholm in the fight against terrorism, President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted on Friday as saying. Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership last year in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, abandoning policies of military non-alignment that had lasted through the Cold War. Their applications must be approved by all members of the alliance. Having held up ratification of Sweden's NATO bid for more than a year, Erdogan unexpectedly agreed after the alliance's summit in Lithuania this month to forward it to Turkiye's parliament when the legislature reconvenes in October. — Arab News
Mental illness in fathers may increase risk of preterm birth
LONDON, July 21: Mothers with a mental illness are more likely to give birth too early, according to research, reports Reuters. But the risk of preterm birth can also be affected by a father's mental health. In our new study published in the journal PLOS Medicine, we found that fathers' mental illness increases the risk of preterm birth and that the risk is even greater when both parents are affected. Preterm birth refers to delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy, and is associated with a greater risk of negative health outcomes for the child. For example, babies born preterm have higher rates of neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder. The earlier the baby is born, the higher the risk of complications. Growing evidence suggests that risks of adverse health outcomes are elevated not only for infants born preterm, but also for infants born "early term" (at 37 to 38 weeks of pregnancy). — Reuters
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