From the editors: Air passengers to get COVID-19 tests at cheaper rates

AIRLINE-HEALTH CARE PACT FOR CHEAPER COVID-19 TESTS A POSITIVE: It is indeed heartening to see how several UAE and Indian airlines and health-care service providers in the UAE have joined hands to allow passengers to get themselves tested for COVID-19 at cheaper rates. These are unusual times we live in and thinking out of the box is not only pragmatic, but a part of the survival strategies for all concerned. This pandemic has brought the entire world on an even playing field and it is crucial that all stakeholders stay committed and connected to one other in as many fields as possible. These are times of convergence, compliance and consolidation and the airline-health care pact is a huge step in the right direction. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

TRUMP'S IRAQ TROOP WITHDRAWAL IS LINKED TO DOMESTIC POLITICS: President Donald Trump will announce a further reduction of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. The move follows the mini-scandal that erupted after reports emerged that Trump had disparaged US soldiers killed in battle. The decision also comes at a time when Trump is trailing his Democratic rival Joe Biden in opinion polls ahead of election. That has led to speculation the announcement may have more to do with trying to convince his vote-base that he was keeping his promise to end his country’s disastrous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Trump seems to be doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

A TEMPORARY SETBACK FOR COVID-19 VACCINE: Clinical trials of one of the most advanced experimental COVID-19 vaccines have been paused after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness. The British drugmaker AstraZeneca, which is developing the vaccine with the University of Oxford, said the voluntary measure was being taken to review safety data. While the suspension may hit the chances of an early rollout of a vaccine to combat the coronavirus, it is also an indication that the safety of billions of people is being kept in mind. As other companies race towards developing a vaccine it is important to uphold the integrity of the scientific process. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

END OF THE ROAD FOR WALL STREET PARTY? Wall Street's months-long party fueled by investors' appetite for some of the world's best-known technology stocks is likely coming to an abrupt end. The sharp sell-off that began last Thursday has wiped out nearly 7.1% from the S&P 500 as of Tuesday. Asian shares reflected the Wall Street trend on Wednesday. A recent study by Deutsche Bank showed the best run for stocks and bonds over the past 160 years is ending as a new ‘age of disorder, looms. Long-term market trends are notoriously hard to time. However, the current correction, by any stretch of imagination, was long overdue as the markets were largely driven by low interest rates the liquidity boom, as fundamentals remained weak. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

ENGLAND, AUSTRALIA PLAYERS GET MATCH TIME BEFORE IPL: England and Australian players headed for the IPL had purposeful match practice in a three-match T20 series in England, which the hosts wrapped up 2-1 on Tuesday. Aaron Finch’s Australia, however, avoided a series whitewash as they survived a mid-innings wobble to beat England by five wickets in the third international and regain their top-ranking in the sport’s shortest format. Having restricted England to 145 for six at Southampton, they survived a wobble before Mitchell Marsh plundered 13 off Mark Wood's final over to ease Australian nerves and take them over the line. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

BOLLYWOOD STARS STAND UP FOR RHEA: A number of celebrities including Vidya Balan, Farhan Akhtar and Dia Mirza have shown their support for Rhea Chakraborty in the form of a succinct social media post based on what the actress wore when she was arrested by the NCB in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. “Roses are red, violets are blue, Let’s smash the patriarchy me and you,” read the quote emblazoned on her T-shirt. It’s heartening to see Bollywood stars putting aside neutrality in a highly charged and emotional case. Their posts are just a small gesture, but for Chakraborty, who could be feeling incredibly lonely right now, it might be a ray of hope. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor - Features]