US grants relief to university students

Date – 25th August, 20

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced that university students paying off their student loans
will get a relief of 10,000 dollars addressing a problem that leaves millions in crushing debt as they
graduate.
This relief comes 3 months before the mid-term congressional elections and could potentially boost
support for the Democrats. President Biden in a statement said that this plan aims to give working and
middle class families breathing room.
The relief granted by Biden Administration falls short of some Democrats' goal of granting complete
forgiveness or relief amounting to 50,000 dollars. The Republicans opposed the relief saying that it offers
disproportionate advantage to the higher income classes. As per the Republicans, the step is an unfair
move for the students who spent years paying off their student loans.
According to several economists, the relief can lead to a rise in inflation by freeing up billions of dollars
for new consumer spending.
Crushing Student loan debt is a massive problem in the US. According to the White House, the total
amount of student debt is 1.6 million dollars collectively owed by 45 million people across the country
with individual student debt being 25,000 dollars.

Thailand Prime Minister suspended as court considers a legal challenge

Date – 25th August, 2022

Thailand's constitutional court on Wednesday suspended the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha from his
duties as it decides whether he has reached the end of his term limit.
The case was brought up in front of the court by the Opposition. The judges of the constitutional court
agreed to suspend the Prime Minister by a vote of 5 against four until the case is decided.
It is argued that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who came into power in 2014 after leading a
military coup, has reached the term limit of 8 years which is in violation of Thailand's 2017 constitution.
According to the constitution, the Prime Minister of the country cannot serve for more than 8 years in
total.
A spokesperson for PMO on Wednesday said that Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, another
former army chief, will take over as the acting Prime Minister while Prime Minister Prayut can continue
his role as the Defence Minister. Mr. Prayut has a time of fifteen days to respond to the case against him.
Hundreds of protestors also gathered in front of the Bangkok's Democracy Monument on Tuesday ahead
of the court's rulings.