From the Editors: Abu Dhabi pupils returning to classrooms a positive indicator

ABU DHABI PUPILS RETURNING TO CLASSROOMS A POSTIVE INDICATOR: After six weeks of distance learning, students in Abu Dhabi are all set to return to their classrooms from this Sunday. For many children with chronic diseases, this will also be the first time that they will be attending school from their classrooms since March 2020. The UAE has always ensured maximum possible safety and security for all its residents in view of the COVID-19 outbreak and if school students are now set to return to their classrooms, then it is a clear indication of the fact that sufficient health and safety protocols for all pupils as well as teaching and non-teaching staff have been put in place to ensure a safe return to physical schooling. This indeed is reassuring and will go a long way in instilling confidence in the health and safety measures that have been adopted by the UAE to contain COVID-19.[COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

ACCOUNTABILITY IN FOCUS: Donald Trump is out of office. But the impeachment trial in the Senate of the former US president has thrust the spotlight back on him. Footage being viewed as part of the proceedings show senior politicians fleeing for their lives in the January 6 assault on the Capitol. The question being asked – did Trump incite the riot? After the Democrats wrap up their arguments, Trump’s defence lawyers will get a chance to give their view. In all probability, the former president will not be convicted. But the process shows that everyone is accountable for his/her actions, even if it is the president of the US. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: SOFIA KENIN BROUGHT BACK TO EARTH: Young Sofia Kenin on Thursday was yet another familiar story – that of a new upstart women’s slam champion crumbling under the pressure of expectations the very next year. The 22-year-old American looked a shadow of the player that won her first major title at Melbourne Park and reached the French Open final last season as she succumbed 6-3 6-2 to Estonian veteran Kaia Kanepi on Margaret Court Arena. ‘’My head wasn't there,’’ she said later, adding: ‘’Obviously, I’m not going to take any credit away from her. She played really well at those good points.” [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

SOLVING TOXIC ENVIRONMENTS: ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ actress Charisma Carpenter has come forward to say that working with filmmaker Joss Whedon took a toll on her mental health because of how toxic and scary the experience was. Carpenter is not the first to accuse Whedon of being a terror to work with; her statement comes after actor Ray Fisher said the same thing last year. Recently, popular TV show host Ellen DeGeneres also faced accusations of being intimidating. One thing that the #MeToo movement has done is inspired people to say ‘no more’, even if the abuse is not sexual. No one deserves to feel fear at the work place and these revelations will only help to create an environment that is safer for everyone. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor]