From the Editors: In-person classes in Abu Dhabi another win in pandemic battle

IN-PERSON CLASSES IN ABU DHABI IS ANOTHER WIN IN THE PANDEMIC BATTLE: From today, April 11, all students have returned to the classroom in Abu Dhabi, and that too without the need to keep a mandatory distance. Sports on campus and school trips have also resumed. Perhaps the only remaining visible sign of the COVID-19 pandemic at school is the mask, which students and teachers still have to wear indoors. UAE’s robust response to the global health crisis – from proactive government guidelines to widespread adherence by the public to the precautionary measures – has ensured the school community has returned to its closet point yet in our long journey back to pre-pandemic times. [COMMENT BY: Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor]

MACRON WILL BE COUNTING ON LEFTISTS TO VOTE FOR HIM IN SECOND ROUND: In the first round of the French presidential election, Emmanuel Macron has emerged winner. But, it is not a done deal for him yet, as far-right rival Marine Le Pen will take him on in the second round. With 97 per cent of the votes counted, Macron had 27.6 per cent of the vote, and Marine Le Pen 23.41 per cent. She has called on all non-Macron voters to vote for her in the second round. She wants voters to 'put France back in order'. All eyes now are on the far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his supporters. He won a respectable 21.95 per cent of the vote share, coming in third. In the second round battle between Macron and Le Pen, he has told his supporters "you must not give a single vote to Marine Le Pen". Pointedly, he did not tell them to vote for Macron. However, Macron will be counting on them for a victory in the second and final round. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

DEWA IPO’S RETAIL INVESTORS AWAIT THE SMS: We are coming to the business end of the DEWA IPO, with retail investors agog about knowing what they have been allotted. That message will be delivered to them via an SMS today (April 11), all 65,000 of them who participated in making DEWA the biggest stock market float in the UAE. Then will come the actual listing on DFM, and which sets up the utility giant for another show of strength, with everyone expecting a robust first-day ‘bounce’. How high will that bounce be? 15 per cent – or would that be even higher? [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

SCHEFFLER BECOMES DOMINANT FORCE IN MEN’S GOLF: American Scottie Scheffler has nailed down his spot as the dominant force in men’s golf by winning the Masters. It was the world number one’s first major. The 25-year-old won the tournament - which was dominated by the return to action of Tiger Woods - with a one-under 71 to finish 10 under par and claim the coveted Green Jacket at Augusta. He finished three shots clear of Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who shot an extraordinary 64. The US Ryder Cup star remained steady and extended his advantage with a commanding performance with the highlight being a stunning chip-in for birdie on the third in yesterday’s final round. Meanwhile, five-time Masters champion Woods was given another emotional reception after completing 72 holes. It was his first competitive appearance since his car accident in February last year and he has already announced he will participate at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in July.[COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

DON’T JUDGE A WOMAN BY HER WARDROBE CHOICES? South Indian actress Rima Kallingal, who was trolled and chastised virtually for wearing a short denim skirt at a recent film festival in Kerala, has unwittingly triggered a virtual feminist movement. Her peers and her fans have hit back at Kallingal’s cyber bullies with their own #WeHaveLegs movement, a swipe at those who make a big deal about what women wear.To put things in perspective, Kallingal was on call to talk about the need for safe spaces for women while working on a film set during the film festival in Kochi, but what caught everyone’s attention was not that burning topic but her hemline or lack thereof. But her colleagues including actress Nithya Menon and Ranjini Haridas are having none of it as they posted pictures of themselves in short skirts as a mark of solidarity towards Kallingal. Here’s to women who stand together in the face of unnecessary moral policing. And for the last time, shouldn’t what women have to say on stage more important than their skirt length? [[COMMENT BY: Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Assistant Editor Features]