Trending News – Viral Topics, Memes & Social Media Highlights

Punch the monkey takes over UAE Instagram

From being welcomed to homes, Iftar and Suhoor, to local memes, UAE feeds can’t get enough

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Punch the Monkey in the UAE

Punch the Monkey is now better, Zoo addresses concerns

Keeper update says viral macaque is eating alone and bonding with troop

This photo taken on February 19, 2026 shows a seven month-old male macaque monkey named Punch, sitting with a stuffed orangutan toy at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Chiba Prefecture.

See pics: Shikhar Dhawan weds Sophie Shine privately

Fans get a first glimpse of Dhawan and Sophie Shine’s private wedding celebrations

Dhawan and Sophie Shine tied the knot with family and friends in an intimate wedding.

NYC mayor Mamdani on why he loves Ramadan each year

Zohran Mamdani also shares iftar spread of Middle Eastern and South Asian favourites

Zohran Mamdani marks Ramadan as a time for reflection, solidarity, and community

Meet Punch: Lonely monkey clings to toy, world in tears

Videos of baby monkey Punch clinging to his toy go viral, inspiring #HangInTherePunch

This photo taken on February 19, 2026 shows a seven month-old male macaque monkey named Punch, who was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth, sitting with a stuffed orangutan toy at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Chiba Prefecture.

‘Clown show’: Obama breaks silence on Trump ape video

Former president says ‘shame’ and ‘decorum’ in public office have been lost

President Barack Obama speaks at the Cedar Falls Utilities office January 14, 2015 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

ChatGPT AI caricatures go viral: Is your job at risk?

Fun AI portraits are everywhere, but your professional data may be at risk.

Image by ChatGPT: Fun at first glance, but risky behind the scenes — AI caricatures can expose your professional life.

Korea's viral Dubai chewy cookie now in the UAE

It sells before it even hits the stands, but Gulf News has found hacks to get you a piece

Korean "Dubai-style" chewy chocolate cookies.

Epstein asked Anil Ambani 'tall blonde?' reply shocks

Epstein and Anil Ambani’s 2017–2019 messages reveal talks on business, women, meetings

Epstein and Ambani exchanged messages from 2017–2019 on business, world affairs, women, and in-person meetings.

Tragic accident: 27-year-old dies filming hanging reel

The act turned fatal as the noose tightened; her daughter’s cries alerted neighbours

Uttar Pradesh woman dies recreating hanging scene for social media reel

'I didn’t make a mistake': Trump defends Obamas video

Trump deletes video of Obamas as apes after 12 hours; White House blames staffer

US President-elect Donald Trump speaks with former President Barack Obama as they attend the State Funeral Service for former US President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on January 9, 2025.

Alex Honnold scales Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes

Alex Honnold free-solos Taipei 101 without ropes, thrilling crowds and Netflix viewers

US rock climber Alex Honnold raises his arms from the top of the Taipei 101 building after he successfully free soloed the landmark skyscraper without ropes or safety gear in Taipei on January 25, 2026.

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