From the editors: Is Trump really healed after COVID-19? Demand for travel low in spite of cheap tickets

UAE RETURNING TO NORMALITY: The UAE continues to return to normal life, with two major icons of the country’s annual events calendar, Global Village and Sharjah International Book Fair, have announced their dates. Visitor interest remain undiminished at Global Village with platinum tickets already sold out. The annual book fair has opted for a hybrid approach, with both physical presence at the venue as well as virtual events. Movement restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 will be in place at both venues. It is important that we continue to maintain caution while enjoying these events. (COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor)

CHEAP TICKETS, BUT AT WHAT COST? How low will airline ticket rates need to go for demand to pass through airport check-ins? Even with ultra-low rates available, passengers are in no mood to queue up… even keeping in mind social distancing norms. For those braving their fears about the virus, travel could not have been any easier on the wallets than now. Tickets to India and Pakistan are dropping below the Dh1,000 mark, which in the past would have led to a demand surge. Which raises another question – countries will need to think outside of air bubbles and heavy quarantining to bring the traveler back. Until then, it’s hello low rates… (COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

TRUMP ‘FEELING GOOD’ BUT HEALTH IN SPOTLIGHT. A week after being sidelined with COVID-19, US President Donald Trump is getting ready to hit the campaign trail again. Saying he is feeling “really good” and with the doctor’s go-ahead, Trump is planning to campaign in Florida and Pennsylvania over the weekend. However, the president has said that he will not participate in the virtual debate with Joe Biden on October 15. With little more than three weeks to go for the presidential polls, Trump’s health will remain in the spotlight even if he begins attending rallies. (COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

IS IT OVER? The IPL points table will be grim reading for Anil Kumble, KL Rahul, Chris Gayle and the rest of the Kings XI Punjab set-up on Friday after they plunged to their fifth loss in six games on Thursday night — a 69-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai. Chasing a mammoth target of 202, they were all out for 132 with the lone resistance coming from Nicholas Pooran at No. 4. It was a tournament that promised so much, but as they find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table, their competition may well be finished well before November comes around. (COMMENT BY: Matt Smith, Sports Editor)

DEATH OF THE MOVIE HALL? Direct to streaming is picking up pace, especially in the case of Bollywood releases. After the debut of 'Gulabo Sitabo' and 'Shakuntala Devi', Amazon Prime Video has now gotten a hold of movies including ‘CoolieNo1’ and ‘Chhalaang’. As COVID-19 stills people from venturing into crowed threatres or even halls with socially distant seating, the question that must be asked is…is this the end of movie nights in theaters? Is it time to finally invest in projectors or giant TV screens to still feel the magic? Only the premiere of the coronavirus vaccine will tell. (COMMENT BY: Karishma H. Nandkeolyar, Assistant Online Editor)