From the Editors: Impact of Dubai travel protocol change to global currency war

Revised travel protocol to boost tourism with safety: Dubai has once again taken lead in easing travel protocol aiming at hassle free movement for passengers. However, the decision has been taken without compromising on safety of travelers amid COVID-19 restrictions. Now, passengers travelling out of Dubai will not be tested for COVID-19 unless it is required by the country of their destinations while Emiratis are required to undergo a PCR test only upon arrival to Dubai. Transit passengers from some countries are required to conduct a PCR test prior to departure for Dubai. The revised travel protocol will certainly encourage more tourists to come to Dubai. [Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

Can COVID-19 trigger a currency war?; Is there a currency war looming? There are signs on the horizon with the trigger going off between the dollar and the euro; and the dollar and the yen. The central banks such as the Fed, the ECB and the Bank of Japan have been trying to reflate their economies with limited success. Well, that could increase the temptation of appropriating some inflation from trading partners by talking down your own currency. The relatively weaker inflation outlook in Europe and Japan is resulting in appreciation pressure on the dollar. If emerging economies pursue accommodative monetary policies resulting in devaluation, the Fed may be dragged into a currency war. [Babu Das Augustine, Banking Editor]

How Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis will impact election campaign: This US election year was already unique, with a pandemic devastating the country and deep divisions highlighted in the ugly ‘debate’ between the contenders. But now, with President Donald Trump’s hospitalisation after a COVID-19 diagnosis, we have truly entered uncharted territory. The most direct impact will be on election campaigning: With Trump under quarantine, he will be unable to address large public rallies that have been the hallmark of his campaign. For Trump, the problem is that attending the rallies will undermine his style and messaging: He had made not wearing a mask and making unscientific claims about COVID-19 a focal point of his campaigning. [Omar Shariff, International Editor]

The Sunrisers Hyderabad prevailed over the Chennai Super Kings by seven runs in a Dubai IPL thriller. Young Abdul Samad held his nerve in the final over to thwart CSK when skipper MS Dhoni looked like re-enacting another one of his dramatic finishes. The brilliance of Priyam Garg and Abhishek Sharma helped Hyderabad to reach 164. Chennai’s chase never really got going after Shane Watson fell early. A 72-run fifth-wicket partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni brought CSK back into the match and raised visions of a dramatic finish. But after Jadeja’s exit, Dhoni couldn’t work his magic. [Shyam Krishna, Senior Associate Editor]

IT WAS A CHOICE Unpopular opinion: Looking for the person solely responsible for Sushant Singh Rajput’s death is a wild goose chase. Doctors have finally confirmed that the theories of poisoning and strangulation by another are untrue. It’s also a given that for closure a family will look for a cause, someone to blame; something, anything to understand why a loved one would do something so drastic. But in their crusade for justice someone needs to point out a fact - while they may never know why he killed himself, it was a decision HE MADE. And he is gone. Acceptance no matter how painful is the only way out of this maze of hurt. Karishma Nandkeolyar [Associate Online Editor]