Life moves fast. News moves faster.The rate of child marriages in South Asia seems to have decreased, a Kashmiri hospital is under investigation for an alarming number of child deaths and Indian officials face yet another corruption scandal.
Here comes the (child) bride. Good news: The prevalence of child marriages in South Asia has decreased over the past 20 years. However, this is only true for those under 14. Though the youngest members of society are marrying at lower rates, those over 15 are no less likely to be married than they were two decades ago. (International Business Times)
Bank trolling. Weeks after Bangladesh’s Finance Minister most of Grameen Bank’s affiliates were not authorized, an investigation into the institution founded by microlending pioneer Muhammad Yunus has been announced. On a recent visit, American Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton asked Bangladesh’s leadership not to undermine the effectiveness of the bank. (The Mainichi)
Toll roads. As Pakistan and NATO move closer to a deal to reopen supply routes into Afghanistan, the former has proposed a fee of $5,000 for each container and tanker that would make its way through. This amount remains one of the details remaining to be worked out, and it may be one of the last obstacles in the way. (The Washington Post)
Hospital horror. Jammu and Kashmir officials are probing the practices of Srinigar’s GB Pant Children’s Hospital after an alarming number of deaths. Since January, nearly 358 children have perished in the neonatal and pediatric wards. Investigators have been asked to submit a report within a week. (DNA India)
Parks and rec. A $1.8 billion park project in Uttar Pradesh, India, is under investigation for possible corrupt practices. The parks, which are meant to honor India’s lowest caste, the dalits, feature statues and monuments and have come under fire in a region where many go without food and water. It is not clear how much of the funds were misused. (TIME)
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Amina Elahi is Divanee.com’s Managing Editor.
