## Ban on child marriage is deemed 'un-Islamic' by Pakistan's religious leaders

Authored by dailymail.co.uk

A new law banning child marriage in Pakistan has been criticised by a prominent council for being 'un-Islamic'.

Pakistan's government last week passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, which aims to put an end to minors being forced into marriages and cohabitation with adults.

Researchers and activists point to a range of factors contributing to Pakistan's soaring child marriage rate, including religion, long-entrenched societal and gender norms, and rampant poverty.

Naseema Ehsan, 50, told the Senate: 'I got married at 13 years old and I want child marriage to be banned.

Ehsan added: 'I've never been so content to vote for a bill as the child marriage restraint bill,' in comments to The Guardian.

Senator Naseema Ehsan, 50, said: 'I got married at 13 years old and I want child marriage to be banned.

The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also drafted a child marriage restriction bill, though it is yet to be passed. »

### Immunotherapy drug doubles cancer survival in breakthrough trial

Authored by bbc.com

Breakthrough cancer drug doubles survival in trial.

Hundreds of thousands of people with advanced head and neck cancer could live longer without their cancer returning thanks to an immunotherapy drug, a clinical trial suggests.

This is the first sign of a breakthrough for patients with this difficult-to-treat cancer for 20 years, say scientists behind the research. »

### This Cat Poop Parasite Can Decapitate Sperm—and It Might Be Fueling Infertility

Authored by gizmodo.com

A more recent study found that male infertility rates increased nearly 80% from 1990 to 2019.

Water, shellfish and unwashed fruits and vegetables can also harbor infectious parasite eggs.

Between 30% and 50% of the world’s population is permanently infected with Toxoplasma due to the many ways the parasite can spread. »

### RFK Jr.'s "MAHA" report contained nonexistent studies. White House says it will be updated.

Authored by cbsnews.com

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked by reporters about the nonexistent studies Thursday and said the report would be updated.

"I understand there was some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed and the report will be updated," Leavitt said during the White House briefing.

The White House has requested a $500 million boost in funding from Congress for Kennedy's MAHA initiative. »

### Trump pardons drug kingpins even as he escalates U.S. drug war rhetoric

Authored by npr.org

Trump pardons drug kingpins even as he escalates U.S. drug war rhetoric.

Already during the early months of his second term, Trump has granted clemency to at least eight individuals convicted on federal drug charges.

Some critics of the U.S. drug war offered cautious praise of Trump's use of presidential authority to free drug offenders. »

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