From the Editors: Sharjah school move a signal for return to normality

SHARJAH SCHOOL MOVE A SIGNAL FOR RETURN TO NORMALITY: In a noteworthy bid signalling a return to normality, Sharjah is considering the possibility of students returning to “normal” schooling in September for the coming academic year after the July-August summer break. The move is significant as this signals increasing confidence among the authorities that the war against the COVID-19 pandemic is steadily being won. With children also starting to receive the vaccine, the coming summer months will ensure that a large portion of the student community will be inoculated. A return to normal schooling will be in the students’ best interests. [COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

NETANYAHU ERA FINALLY ENDS IN ISRAEL: Benjamin Netanyahu was so distraught over his ouster as Israeli premier after 12 years that he shied away from a handover ceremony with Naftali Bennett, who took the reins as PM on Sunday. Bennett is also a hard-right politician like Netanyahu, and mirrors his views on many issues. In fact, it could be argued that Bennett is even more hardline that his former mentor. Israeli analysts pointed out that Netanyahu was grumpy and bitter till the end. But writing Bibi off would be a big mistake. The combative former PM will now work really hard to topple Bennett’s government. And given the fragility of Israeli coalitions, the new government, formed with a razor-thin 60-59 backing in the Knesset, is anything but guaranteed to last the full term. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

NATO HOPES FOR A NEW CHAPTER WITH BIDEN: After four tense years with Donald Trump, Nato leaders hope to open a new chapter in transatlantic relations when they meet US President Joe Biden today. Biden will use his time at the summit to underscore the US commitment to Article 5 of the alliance charter, which spells out that an attack on one member is an attack on all and is to be met with a collective response. For the 30 allies meeting in Brussels, nothing could be further from the truth, looking to the nuclear-armed alliance founded in 1949 to help deal with threats from extreme weather that can worsen conflicts to Russian attempts to undermine Western democracies through covert attacks. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor]

FRENCH OPEN CHAMPION NOVAK DJOKOVIC TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO CALENDAR GRAND SLAM: Newly crowned French Open champion Novak Djokovic is gearing up for a shot at even greater glory. The Serb world No. 1 is on course to become the first man in more than 50 years to claim all four tennis Grand Slam titles in a calendar year after he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas at Roland Garros on Sunday night to add the Paris crown to his Australian Open. Next he heads to Wimbledon, where he is looking to defend his title, before he aims to complete the season and add the UAE Open to his haul in September. He could even complete a ‘Golden Slam’ by adding the Olympic title at the Tokyo Games. Djokovic is the only player in the Open Era to win every Grand Slam title at least twice in his career. He is also the third player in tennis history to do it after former Australian stars Roy Emerson and Rod Laver. “Of course, I am thrilled and very proud of this achievement. Being part of the history of the sport that I love with all my heart is always something that is very inspiring and very fulfilling for me,” Djokovic said. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smih, Sport Editor]

SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT: CELEBRATE HIS LIFE TODAY: Dignity in death should be a basic human right, which Sushant Singh Rajput was nearly robbed off following the media circus and the social media squabbling that followed in the wake of his death. A year later, the late Bollywood actor should be mourned and celebrated with equal measure today. Grieve the loss of a young talent snatched away in his prime while revel in the works he has left behind as his lasting legacy. Rajput was that rare actor who comes across once in a lifetime, slipping into any role his character demanded with relative ease and conviction. His roster of Bollywood films may be few, but their lasting impact will continue to inspire generations to come. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]