From the Editors: Move to ensure safer delivery, safer roads in Dubai

MOVE TO ENSURE SAFER DELIVERY, SAFER ROADS IN DUBAI: The efforts of the Dubai Roads Transport Authority and Dubai Police to constantly monitor and review the plying of motorbikes on Dubai’s roads for delivery services must be commended. Their outreach campaigns to step up traffic safety and their initiation of a Delivery Service Excellence Award should go a long way in education and motivating delivery personnel to keep themselves and others on the road safe. Although the spike in the number of accidents involving delivery motorbikes is a result of the increase in the number of these vehicles on the roads, the authorities are making measures to license such drivers more stringent. This is again a very welcome move. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

TEN DAYS TO GO FOR THE EXPO 2020 TO CLOSE THE DOORS - AND NEW WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN FOR DUBAI AND UAE BUSINESSES: Across industries and sectors, businesses in the UAE are busy preparing the bleuprint for the post-Expo phase. As the work to reshape their futures, each business and business categtory doing it their way, they are unanimous on one point – that the six-month Expo run did much to cushion them to prepare for that future. And these six months helped them take on the full impact of the COVID-19-related disruptions. So, from April 1, they have a new and solidified base to seek their growth… [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

REAL CRUMBLE IN CLASICO, BARCA BACK IN TITLE RACE: Having won the previous five Clasicos and in top form in La Liga, everyone thought Real Madrid would beat fierce rivals Barcelona especially with home advantage last night. But the runaway league leaders were thrashed 4-0 at the Bernabeu. It was a shock to see Real picked apart and crumble in a game of such magnitude and in fact they were fortunate not to lose by 5 or 6. They are still 9 points clear at the top of the table with Sevilla second and Barca - who have a game in hand – third. But with 9 matches left and 37 points up for grabs, the table could have a very different look to it come the end of the season, especially if Barca – now 12 games unbeaten – continue to play like they did last night. Boss Xavi cannot rule out a late charge for the title after this remarkable result and on the evidence of his team’s latest performance it would take a brave man to rule them out of the title race. And as we all know in football, anything can happen and it often does. It’s turning into an extremely tense finale and fans of both clubs all over the world will have no fingernails left as the incredible campaign heads into the final stretch. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

SONAM KAPOOR’S BABY NEWS: There’s nothing like some baby news to celebrate Mother’s Day. Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s sweet announcement on social media will see the Bollywood star and her husband Anand Ahuja become first time parents when they welcome their child in fall of 2022. The celebrity couple, who divide their time between London and Mumbai, have been subjected to pregnancy rumours in the past, which they have taken in their stride over the past year. With this happy news, Kapoor Ahuja’s celebrity friends, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, are ready with their kids to organise play dates in the future. We are sure to see a new generation of BFFs in the coming years. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]