Morning Brief: Trump Cuts Military Aid To Pakistan; UK On High Alert; Grace Marks To Continue

Good morning readers. Here’s what you need to know today.

Grace marks policy to continue this year. The Delhi High Court directed CBSE yesterday (23 May) to follow its ‘moderation policy’ of giving grace marks to students for difficult questions. The court passed the interim order on a PIL filed by a parent and a lawyer contending that the policy should not changed midway as the notification came after the exams were already held. Earlier, CBSE had decided to do away with its grace marks policy as it detected a growing trend in inflated scores which was becoming a big problem in admissions to colleges and universities that admit students solely on the basis of their Class XII marks. Changes will now be applicable from next year.

Chandraswamy dies at 66. Controversial godman Jagadacharya Chandraswami passed away yesterday after suffering a stroke. He was considered close to prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao and was an accused in plotting and financing the killing of Rajiv Gandhi. Chandraswamy counted Sultan of Brunei, Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain, actress Elizabeth Taylor, British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi among his friends and people who sought his advice.

Massive cut in military funding. Donald Trump’s administration has proposed a massive $190 million reduction in its financial assistance to Pakistan compared to last fiscal. The new tax plan assures $344 million funding to Pakistan including $100 million in foreign military funding. Last year, the total assistance stood at Rs $534 million. The reports also said that Trump administration wanted to convert assistance to Pakistan into a loan but the final call rested with the State Department.

Suspect identified, UK goes critical. Law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom have identified 23 year old Salman Abedi as the main suspect in the Manchester Arena suicide bomb attack which left 22 dead and over 50 injured. But it not yet certain if he acted alone. For this reason, the UK terror threat level has been raised to its highest level of "critical". Prime Minister Theresa May said that further threats may be imminent.

Violence erupts again in Saharanpur. Fresh violence erupted in the Chandrapura village soon after Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati visited the nearby village of Shabbirpur yesterday. Bhim army is said to have attacked houses belonging to Thakurs and in turn they allegedly attacked Dalits who were returning from Mayawati’s rally. She has blamed the BJP however couldn’t answer when asked about actions of Bhim army and its founder Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan who has been booked on charges of instigating violence.

Must-read Op-eds

The hazards of farm loan waivers: Research provides evidence that a blanket farm loan waiver scheme is detrimental to the development of credit markets.

The real problem with productivity: More attention needs to be paid to the real possibility that productivity isn’t slowing the way we think.

‘Modinomics’ report card: Indian economy is on the move but to surge ahead, relentless focus on implementation is needed.

Swarajya Special

Why the Sabarimala case is different from that of Triple Talaq and Haji Ali Dargah: Triple talaq, Hali Ali Dargah case and the Sabarimala women’s entry issue—are all three cases about misogynistic and patriarchal discrimination or is there a difference between them? If yes, how does that affect their legal standing in Constitutional Courts?