From the editors: Abu Dhabi residents welcome new entry rules; Iran continues to stockpile enriched uranium

RELAXED RULES TO ENTER ABU DHABI IS A BIG RELIEF FOR RESIDENTS: Residents in the UAE have welcomed the decision of Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee to ease conditions to enter Abu Dhabi. With effect from September 5, residents and visitors can enter Abu Dhabi within 48 hours of receiving a negative PCR or DPI laser test results. Earlier, DPI test was not accepted without the PCR test. The new move will make it easier for residents to take necessary trips to Abu Dhabi without much hassle. Now, they should not be complacent and must follow guidelines set by the government to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

‘V’ ON MARKETS COULD BE A 'U' OR 'L' IN REALITY: Indian economy is on a path of a V-shaped recovery, claims India’s finance ministry in its August outlook citing indicators such as manufacturing, e-way bills, kharif sowing, power consumption, cargo traffic and vehicle sales. A few days ago data showed a different picture that the economy contracted by a record 23.9 per cent in the April-June quarter. While the ‘V’ in real economy is yet to materialize, stock markets indeed have been on a V-trajectory. The market’s disconnect with reality comes with the risk of corrections, capital flight, currency volatility and impairments on corporate balance sheets that could delay the recovery. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

IRAN CONTINUES TO TREAD NUCLEAR WEAPONS PATH: The International Atomic Energy Agency has accused Iran of stockpiling enriched uranium in violation of limitations set in a key agreement with the Big Powers. Tehran has continued to go against the agreement. The main aim of the deal with Iran was to prevent it from making an atomic bomb. But now, it has stockpiled enough enriched uranium to make a weapon. If Iran wants to be a full-fledged member of the comity of nations, it should aim to gain the world's confidence by ending its nuclear obsession, and halting its interference in the internal affairs of Arab states. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

While most of the cricketing world is focused on the UAE and the upcoming Indian Premier League, England and Australia showed the T20 game is still alive and kicking on the international stage as they served up a cracker in Southampton. It was Australia’s first competitive match in six months, while England are coming off series against West Indies and Pakistan. Australia went down by two runs in a dramatic finish, but the lack of fans really dampened the atmosphere. Australia’s David Warner summed it up as he said: “It’s the first time I have been here and not been abused, which is quite nice.” [COMMENT BY: Matehew Smith, Sport Editor]

JUSTICE FOR A DIFFERENT CAUSE? And so it begins. The corralling of suspects in the Sushant Singh Rajput case. First arrested - Rhea Chakraborty's brother, Showik Chakraborty, and his house manager, Samuel Miranda. If Indian media reports are to be believed this is just the beginning and all those associated with substance abuse should beware – they’re going down. Which is great. Except when police confuse a drug trafficking case with a murder or abetment to suicide one. It’s time perhaps to step back and analyse, is this really a #JusticeforSSR move or have things mutated into something else? (COMMENT BY: Karishma Nandkeolyar, Assistant Online Editor)