AnewZ Morning Brief – 4 July, 2026
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 4 July, covering the latest developments you need to know....
The Dubai Fountain, one of the emirate’s most famous attractions, has been closed for much of the year as it undergoes major upgrades.
Emaar, the developer behind the fountain, has now confirmed that it is expected to reopen in early October, with Wednesday, 1 October, marked as the target date. Recent progress shows the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake has been refilled, signalling that the attraction is close to returning.
The closure, which began on 19 April, saw the entire lake drained and the old floor replaced with a new reinforced concrete base to better protect and insulate the water. Visitors noticed in September that the lake had been refilled, indicating the work is on track.
When the fountain resumes its shows, guests can expect advanced technology, enhanced lighting and sound systems, and improved choreography. For the first time, robots will be used to move the water and control lighting, creating more spectacular performances.
In its original form, the fountain shot up to 22,000 gallons of water as high as 140 metres, accompanied by synchronised music and light.
During the closure, Emaar installed 500 metres of digital screens across the promenade to animate the area with visual content and keep footfall high. To support affected businesses, rents for 50 lake- and fountain-facing restaurants and cafés have been waived for four months between June and September.
The Dubai Fountain, set against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, is one of the city’s most visited attractions, and its upgraded return promises an even more dazzling experience for visitors.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 others injured after an 11-year-old boy driving his parents' pickup truck ploughed into a religious procession in north-eastern Thailand, police said.
Tourism operators in eastern Latvia say repeated incursions by stray military drones linked to the war in Ukraine are driving visitors away from one of the country's most popular summer destinations, threatening hundreds of small businesses that rely on seasonal trade.
TUI has reported sustained demand for holidays despite the Iran war, as the world’s biggest travel company posted lower-than-expected quarterly losses and said bookings for the second half of the year remained strong.
Travellers worried about costs and flights by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are changing their summer holiday plans, with lastminute bookings, safer destinations such as Spain, and rail travel all growing in popularity.
A Turkish Airlines plane caught fire in its landing gear tyres after landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday (11 May) morning, temporarily disrupting airport operations, officials said.
ITA Airways is preparing to raise ticket prices by between 5% and 10% this year as soaring fuel costs linked to the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the U.S. continue to pressure airlines worldwide.
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