Tens of thousands of Catholics in the UAE attended Easter Sunday services, with significant turnouts at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi and St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai. Services were held in various languages, and the UAE's weekend reorganization facilitated participation. Pope Francis called for a ceasefire in Gaza and humanitarian aid during his Easter message. Bishop Paolo Martinelli also emphasized peace, calling for prayers in the Holy Land, Ukraine, and other conflict areas. The Catholic Church estimates about a million Catholics reside in the UAE.

Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, stated that while progress has been made in bridging some gaps at Cop28, significant work remains with the summit entering its final hours. As one of eight climate ministers working on the final outcome text, with a focus on mitigation, she noted that negotiators are still divided on issues such as fossil fuels and climate finance. Cop28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber aims to conclude on time, and discussions include the language on fossil fuel phase-out and the need for an energy transition that supports developing countries. Singapore is seeking to expand its renewable energy capacity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The second day of Cop28 saw significant commitments to sustainable agriculture and climate finance, with 134 leaders endorsing a UAE declaration and a $30 billion pledge announced by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed. The World Food Programme supported the declaration, emphasizing the intersection of conflict and climate as drivers of hunger. World leaders, including King Charles III and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, called for urgent action to address climate change. The future of fossil fuels and the global stocktake of the Paris deal remain key topics for the summit. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva highlighted the need for renewable energy and fair decarbonisation.

Majid Al Suwaidi, Cop28 director general, emphasized the importance of countries delivering on climate action at the upcoming Cop28 summit in Dubai. With the event set to begin shortly, Al Suwaidi highlighted the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, the need for consensus on contentious issues such as the loss and damage fund, and the role of fossil fuels in future energy systems. Despite geopolitical tensions and criticism of the UAE's role as host, Al Suwaidi remains optimistic about the potential for progress and the inclusive nature of the summit.

A UN report warns that the world is on a trajectory to warm by up to 2.9°C above pre-industrial levels this century without significant action, falling short of the goals set by the Paris Agreement. The Emissions Gap Report 2023 highlights a failure to reduce emissions, with a call for a 28% to 42% reduction to meet the 2°C and 1.5°C targets, respectively. The report arrives ahead of Cop28 in Dubai, emphasizing the urgency for leaders to commit to more aggressive measures. Despite some progress since the Paris deal, current pledges are insufficient, and the report stresses the need for an energy transition and increased climate finance. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen urge for immediate and substantial action to avoid repeating 'broken records' of unmet goals and escalating climate impacts.

Clare Dalton from the International Committee of the Red Cross emphasized the need for humanitarian assistance in war-torn countries to include long-term planning for climate change adaptation, not just immediate aid like food parcels. Speaking at the MENA Climate Week, she highlighted the importance of considering climate change in humanitarian responses, especially in conflict-affected areas. The ICRC has pointed out the challenges of governance and finance in addressing climate change in these regions. A joint report by the ICRC and Norwegian Red Cross called for increased climate finance for vulnerable communities in the Middle East. The upcoming Cop28 climate talks in Dubai will include a day dedicated to health, relief, recovery, and peace, which Dalton sees as a crucial step in linking humanitarian assistance, conflict, and climate issues.

Brian Johnson, the architect behind the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club clubhouse, reflects on the design process and its significance in Dubai's skyline. His design, inspired by the lateen sails of a dhow, has become an iconic structure in Dubai, even featured on the Dh20 note. Johnson's career in the UAE began in the mid-1970s, and his work includes the Marbella Resort, Jumeirah English Speaking School, and Emirates Golf Club. The Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club opened in 1993 with a grand celebration and has since hosted performances by renowned artists. Johnson considers the clubhouse a symbol of Dubai and a testament to the city's resilience and growth.

Abu Dhabi faces significant environmental challenges with an average of one plastic bottle discarded every two metres along its coastline. The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, with policy adviser Monir Bou Ghanem, has launched initiatives to address single-use plastic waste, including a bottle return program with reverse-vending machines. The program aligns with the emirate's single-use plastic policy and aims to recycle 20 million bottles annually. This effort contributes to the UAE's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and is part of a broader strategy to promote a circular economy and change public mindsets about plastic use.

The French ambassador to the UAE, Nicolas Niemtchinow, expressed optimism about the upcoming Cop28 summit, which he believes will position the UAE at the center of the global stage. He emphasized the importance of the summit for climate action and praised the strong bilateral relationship between France and the UAE, highlighting cooperation in various sectors and mutual support during difficult times. The ambassador also reflected on the historical ties and current challenges faced by France, advocating for order, peace, and tolerance over chaos and conflict.

Following the suspension of in-person classes at a New York university due to COVID-19, a deaf virologist recounts the challenges faced with communication during the pandemic. Initially, online platforms lacked real-time captioning, making it difficult to understand conversations. Despite some resistance, technological improvements and the mainstreaming of remote meetings with live transcription have significantly enhanced the ability to participate in meetings and conferences for those with hearing impairments.

Ecuador is set to launch a digital currency controlled by the Central Bank of Ecuador, aiming to benefit those in the informal economy who lack bank accounts. The system allows users to convert cash to digital money stored on their phones, facilitating payments via text messages. Despite the government's enthusiasm, with Digital Money Analyst David Duque at the forefront, the public response has been tepid, with only 8,000 sign-ups out of a population of 15 million. The initiative has sparked skepticism and political division, with President Rafael Correa's supporters optimistic and the opposition critical, fearing authoritarian motives and economic mismanagement. The digital dollar is backed by physical reserves, and while some businesses plan to adopt it, others remain cautious, viewing it as an experiment.

The article discusses the rise of dark web markets following the closure of the Silk Road in 2013, highlighting the convenience and perceived safety of purchasing drugs online with cryptocurrencies. It explores the potential for similar online marketplaces to make human smuggling safer by providing public feedback on smugglers and using escrow services. The article differentiates between human smuggling and trafficking, and suggests that while the dark web could offer a safer alternative for migrants, there are significant challenges, such as vetting users to prevent law enforcement infiltration. The piece includes insights from researchers and professors, and references the evolution of crypto-markets like OpenBazaar, which could potentially be used for human smuggling services. The article also touches on the technological barriers that migrants might face in accessing these markets.