The Times of India

A windsurfer in San Francisco was knocked off his board after colliding with a surfacing gray whale at Crissy Field, in an encounter captured on video. Though both appeared unharmed, the incident drew scrutiny online over wildlife safety. As whale sightings increase in the Bay, the episode highlights growing tensions between recreation and marine conservation concerns.

UAE motorists will face significant fuel price increases in April 2026, with petrol and diesel rates set to rise by up to nearly Dh2 per litre. This sharp hike, approved by the UAE Fuel Price Committee, reflects escalating global crude oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.

Saudi health authorities have detained Arab gym trainers for illegally selling unregistered weight loss medications, hormonal drugs, and peptides. Investigations uncovered a warehouse storing these substances, including Retatrutide, under unsafe conditions. Legal action is underway, with potential penalties including imprisonment and fines.

The UAE has extended distance learning for all educational institutions until April 17, 2026, impacting millions of students. This decision, announced by the Ministry of Education, prioritizes safety while maintaining learning continuity through digital platforms. The situation will be reviewed weekly, with potential revisions to the reopening timeline.

UAE motorists should brace for higher fuel prices in April 2026 as global crude oil nears $115 per barrel. The monthly price adjustments directly reflect international market trends. Tight supply, steady demand, and geopolitical factors are driving this surge, likely increasing commuting and logistics costs for residents.

Abu Dhabi has launched an international scholarship program for Emirati students to study social work and psychology, addressing a critical shortage of qualified professionals in the social care sector.

Egypt's former Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy has been unanimously nominated by the Arab League Council to become the next Secretary-General. The seasoned diplomat, who also founded AUC's School of Global Affairs, will begin his five-year term on July 1, 2026, succeeding Ahmed Aboul Gheit. This appointment awaits final approval at the upcoming Arab Summit.

For the first time in centuries, senior Catholic leaders were blocked from Jerusalems Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, sparking global outrage. Israeli authorities cited security concerns amid the Iran conflict, while church leaders and international figures, including Macron, Meloni, and US Ambassador Huckabee, condemned the decision. The incident highlights growing tensions over religious access and wartime restrictions in the city.

JD Vance responded to Joe Rogan after the podcast host derided MAGA supporters as dorks and unintelligent, highlighting a widening rift with Donald Trumps administration. Rogan, once supportive, now criticizes policies on Iran, immigration and the Epstein files. Vance downplayed the remarks, defended deportation efforts and insisted the administration remains committed to its agenda amid tensions today.

In an odd twist in the realm of ride-hailing, a group of Chinese drivers resorted to chilling profile pictures to frighten passengers into canceling their rides, allowing them to pocket cancellation fees. Furthermore, some drivers would start rides only to leave without passengers or simply go AWOL, racking up additional penalties.

Nearly 28 years after Amy Bradley vanished from a Caribbean cruise ship, the FBI has renewed efforts to solve the case, offering a $25,000 reward for information. Despite decades of reported sightings and a parallel family-led investigation, no definitive evidence has emerged. The Bradley family continues to insist she was taken and holds onto hope that she may still be alive.

Al-Baha Municipality in Saudi Arabia participated in the Al-Baha Green Hour initiative, switching off non-essential lights for an hour to promote energy conservation and environmental protection. This local effort aligns with the broader Saudi Green Initiative, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and encourage responsible energy use among residents and in public spaces.

Oman's government has acquired SalamAir, a move designed to enhance aviation sector efficiency and economic growth. Both Oman Air and SalamAir will continue as independent brands, with a focus on improved route coordination and optimized aircraft utilization. This strategy aims to strengthen connectivity and financial stability for both carriers.

Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant environmental milestone, restoring one million hectares of degraded land and planting over 159 million trees as part of the Saudi Green Initiative. This progress, driven by national coordination and modern techniques, strengthens biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, setting the stage for future ambitious targets.

Saudi Arabia's passport directorate now offers a single helpline, 992, for visa status queries, especially for those expiring by February 25, 2026. This comes as a relief measure for stranded visitors, with an April 18, 2026 deadline for extensions or departure. Act now to avoid penalties.

A northern Kentucky family has rejected a $26 million offer for their generational farm, calling it priceless. The Huddlestons prioritize heritage and agricultural continuity over economic gain. While a proposed AI-linked data centre promises jobs and infrastructure investment, the family resists, citing long-term environmental and community impacts, highlighting the growing tension between technological development and preserving farmland for future generations.

JD Vance has injected a provocative twist into the UFO debate, suggesting they could be demons rather than extraterrestrials. Framing the mystery through his religious worldview, he admits he hasnt fully studied the evidence yet but is determined to dig into classified files, portraying himself as both deeply curious and intent on uncovering what the government really knows.

Tensions surge as Iran confirms targeting a US-linked vessel near Oman's Salalah port, a vital shipping hub. This escalation expands the conflict into critical maritime zones, threatening global trade and energy markets. The move signals Iran's willingness to strike US assets, blurring lines between military and logistical targets and raising fears of wider instability.

Recent thunderstorms saw lightning strike Dubai's Burj Khalifa, a viral moment shared by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, sparking questions about its safety. The world's tallest building is engineered to withstand such events, acting as a giant lightning rod. Advanced systems, including a lightning arrester, Faraday cage effect, and earthing system, safely channel and dissipate the electrical energy, ensuring occupants remain unharmed.

NASA's pivot from the Lunar Gateway to a surface base has prompted the UAE to reaffirm its commitment to lunar exploration. Instead of withdrawing, the UAE is doubling down on its participation in the Artemis program and seeking integration into the new lunar base roadmap, demonstrating flexibility and consistent ambition in deep space.

After vanishing without a trace in 2001, a North Carolina mother has been found alive 24 years later, bringing a long-running missing-person case to a startling close. Her reappearance has led to an emotional reunion with her daughter, while exposing deep family tensions and unanswered questions about why she left and where she had been for decades.

Switzerland unveils a unique construction practice where empty frameworks, called Bauprofile, map future buildings with poles and lines. This allows residents to visualize and challenge developments before construction, fostering transparency and public participation in urban planning. The system ensures informed objections by presenting proposals at full scale, bridging the gap between abstract plans and tangible reality.

The US has updated global travel advisories as tensions involving Iran heighten security risks worldwide. Several countries, including Iran, remain at the highest Do Not Travel level, while caution levels have risen across parts of the Middle East. Officials warn of threats ranging from detention to violence, urging Americans to stay vigilant and monitor conditions closely.

Kuwait has urged companies to temporarily suspend outdoor work due to unstable and potentially dangerous weather, including strong winds and thunderstorms. This precautionary measure aims to prevent workplace incidents and protect laborers, reflecting a growing regional focus on worker safety amidst increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

LuLu Group Chairman Yusuff Ali thanks Indian Prime Minister Modi for food supplies to the Gulf that remain uninterrupted, despite global uncertainties amid Iran vs US-Israel war. Lulu Group's robust supply chain ensures stable inventory and prevents immediate disruptions. This vital assurance strengthens India's role as a strategic food security partner for the import-reliant Gulf region, offering stability and affordability.

A Maryland roofing job sparked outrage after a homeowner allegedly reported six Guatemalan workers to immigration authorities while they were on the roof, near completion of the project. Livestream footage showed ICE agents detaining the workers as a co-worker filmed, prompting legal questions about possible intimidation to avoid payment. The incident has drawn widespread social media attention and condemnation.

Marking 20 years since Jack Dorseys first tweet, a post by Japanese comedian Eiko Kano recently went viral for showing a date of September 2, 1992, long before Twitter, now X, existed. While the post appears older, some users suggest it may be from 2011. The unusual display has sparked playful time travel theories and renewed interest in the platforms history.