The US launched fresh airstrikes against Iran overnight after President Donald Trump vowed retaliation for the reported downing of a US Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command said American forces began conducting what it described as “self-defence strikes” overnight on the orders of President Trump. The operation targeted Iranian air defence systems, ground control stations and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz before concluding several hours later.

The strikes followed Trump’s claim that Iran had shot down a US Apache helicopter while it was patrolling the strategic waterway overnight.

“I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that’s what this one is,” Trump told ABC News.

Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm Island and in the port city of Sirik, both located near the Strait of Hormuz, while residents also reported blasts in Bandar Abbas and near Jask, at the entrance to the vital shipping corridor.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi vowed that Tehran would not allow the attacks to go unanswered.

“The country will leave no attack or threat unanswered,” he said in a social media post, while also reiterating calls for American forces to leave the region.

Bahrain targeted, energy markets react

Iranian media, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said drones were launched against the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain in retaliation for the American strikes. The IRGC warned that any further military action by Washington would be met with more severe responses.

Shortly afterwards, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior activated warning sirens and urged citizens and residents to move to safe locations and follow official guidance. A media advisor to Bahrain’s King later said the country’s air defence systems had successfully intercepted aerial threats.

Energy markets reacted swiftly. Brent crude rose 0.57 per cent to $91.97 a barrel in early Asian trading on Wednesday, while West Texas Intermediate gained 0.48 per cent to $88.62 a barrel as traders weighed the risk of further disruption to energy supplies passing through Hormuz.

The exchange also comes as tensions remain elevated elsewhere in the region. In the last few days, Iran and Israel exchanged fire amid the latter’s continuing military operations in Lebanon.

Both Iran and Israel halted fire after Trump called for restraint, but the latest incidents will put further pressure on a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April 8.

In the UAE, shopping is a lifestyle – malls are filled with shoppers year-round, same-day delivery is expected, and a new outfit is a tap away. But, thanks to GLP-1 drugs, there is a shift underway.

Their weight-loss effects have helped pull them into the mainstream of a wellness-driven, image-conscious society. Consumers are getting smaller, changing how they eat and what they wear.

The challenge for many regions has been that the supply chains behind their food, fashion, and pharmaceuticals weren’t built for that kind of change. In the UAE, an economy built on same-day delivery and near-instant everything, access to GLP-1 drugs has become both faster and smoother than in many global markets. So, what happens when a drug that suppresses appetite becomes frictionless to access in a market built on convenience?

Smaller appetites and smaller baskets

The ripple effects are already visible in food consumption patterns. Globally, major retailers have reported reduced spending on high-calorie snacks among households using GLP-1 drugs. The UAE’s food delivery and dining sector is worth billions annually, and even subtle appetite shifts like this matter.

Consumers of GLP-1 drugs often eat smaller portions, snack less, and prioritize protein-heavy meals. However, the shift is not just toward downsized quantities, but also toward higher-quality (and often more premium-priced) groceries that align with new health-conscious consumption habits.

As a result, grocery retailers and food & beverage manufacturers relying on historical consumption patterns may see their forecasting models misfire. If even a modest share of consumers reduces caloric intake significantly, suppliers, distributors, and retailers will need to recalibrate demand planning. Essentially, appetite suppression at scale becomes a supply chain variable.

Size down and spend up

With patients reporting visible changes in weight within weeks or months, many are ready to embrace new clothing and try new styles. Considering that fashion is already seasonal and trend-driven in the UAE, and mall culture remains strong throughout the calendar year, the impact of these factors is manifold.

Body transformation shortens wardrobe cycles, clothes that fit in January may be loose by April, and consumers are replacing entire size categories at speed (often multiple times within a year) ––all of which creates unusual volatility for retailers.

At the same time, those who lose weight with GLP-1 drugs have a renewed willingness to shop and experiment with style; more fitted silhouettes, bolder cuts, and pieces they previously avoided. But the changes one must face do not stop here.

Read: Are GLP-1 weight loss drugs being dangerously misunderstood in the UAE?

Face the fa[c]ts

Undesirable facial volume loss can accompany rapid weight reduction from weight-loss drugs. The UAE’s cosmetics market is already one of the biggest in the region, projected to reach US$2.4 billion by 2032, but the ongoing rise of GLP-1 drugs could trigger even greater demand.

Clinics are already seeing increased interest in dermal fillers, skin-tightening treatments, and facial contouring from patients who have lost weight quickly and want to restore fullness. Many of these products are temperature-sensitive and depend on cold-chain logistics, so what begins as a pharmaceutical trend can feed directly into aesthetic medicine while also affecting the supply chain.

Convenience comes with complexity

The UAE’s hyper-convenience economy amplifies all of this.

Home healthcare platforms and pharmacy apps compress the distance between prescription and doorstep. But the last mile for temperature-controlled medicine is one of the most complex segments of logistics. Any delay, storage error, or heat exposure can compromise product integrity.

Unlike fashion or electronics, pharmaceuticals cannot simply be “restocked next week.” Global allocation limits and manufacturing lead times make forecasting accuracy critical. This is where the real story sits. The weight loss effect is not just changing bodies; it is testing whether supply chains can keep pace with lifestyle-driven pharmaceutical demand.

Volatility is the variable

The common thread is not vanity or wellness. It is volatility. GLP-1s are quietly rewiring demand across categories, shrinking baskets, accelerating wardrobe churn, and pushing more consumers into temperature-sensitive aesthetic treatments. For supply chains, that means historic baselines become less reliable, short-term indicators become even more valuable, and cold-chain execution moves from a back-end requirement to a front-line constraint.

The slimmer the waistlines get in the UAE, the more those bottom lines depend on supply lines that can respond quickly and stay cold.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to respond after claiming that Iran shot down a US Apache helicopter while it was patrolling near the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns about regional security despite recent efforts to ease tensions between Tehran and Israel.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump said he had been informed by the US military that an AH-64 Apache helicopter was brought down overnight.

“I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said both pilots survived the incident and were rescued unharmed.

“Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack,” he added.

According to Reuters, a US Navy surface drone rescued the helicopter’s two crew members after the aircraft went down at around 3am local time on Tuesday. US Central Command confirmed the helicopter had crashed, although no official details were immediately provided regarding the cause of the incident.

The development comes a day after Iran and Israel said they would halt attacks on each other following an appeal from Trump aimed at preventing a broader regional conflict.

However, Tehran warned that it could resume hostilities if Israel continued military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

As anticipation builds for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026, Yas Island Abu Dhabi has unveiled its Grand Prix Package for 2026, offering motorsport enthusiasts a comprehensive race-weekend experience that combines four days of Formula 1 action with hotel stays, entertainment, cultural attractions and exclusive access to the event’s renowned after-race concerts.

The launch comes as Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a leading global destination for sports tourism, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remaining one of the most anticipated events on the international Formula 1 calendar.

According to a WAM report, the package has been designed to provide visitors with a seamless experience that extends beyond the racetrack, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy world-class hospitality, live entertainment and some of the UAE capital’s most popular attractions throughout the race weekend.

Premium access to race weekend

Bookings for the 2026 Grand Prix Package are now open, with fans able to secure access to some of the event’s most sought-after ticket categories. Available options include the Main Grandstand, West Club, West Grandstand, South Grandstand, North Grandstand, North Straight Club, North Straight and Abu Dhabi Hill, offering spectators a variety of vantage points to experience the on-track action.

Read more-Disney CEO shares first glimpse of Disneyland Abu Dhabi site

Guests booking the package will be required to stay during the Formula 1 race weekend from December 3 to 6, 2026.

Packages start from Dhs4,091 for a three-night stay at participating Yas Neighbour Hotels, including breakfast and a four-day Grand Prix ticket in the Abu Dhabi Hill category. For those seeking a premium stay closer to the action, packages are available from Dhs11,070 for a three-night stay at participating Yas Island Hotels, also including breakfast and a four-day Abu Dhabi Hill ticket.

Star-powered entertainment line-up

Beyond the racing spectacle, the package includes entry to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’s iconic After-Race Concerts, which have become a major attraction for international visitors attending the event.

Organisers have already confirmed a strong entertainment line-up for the 2026 race weekend, with global music stars Zara Larsson, Lewis Capaldi and Imagine Dragons set to headline the concert series. Additional artists are expected to be announced in the lead-up to the event, further enhancing the destination’s appeal for fans seeking a complete entertainment experience.

The combination of elite motorsport and internationally recognised music acts continues to play a key role in positioning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as one of the most distinctive events on the Formula 1 calendar.

Beyond the circuit

The Yas Island Grand Prix Package 2026 also includes one-day access to a choice of the destination’s signature attractions, allowing visitors to extend their experience beyond race weekend activities.

Guests can select from Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The package also offers the option of visiting teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, providing guests with an immersive digital art experience.

In addition, visitors will receive access to two of Abu Dhabi’s most prominent cultural landmarks, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan, offering an opportunity to explore the emirate’s artistic, cultural and architectural heritage during their stay.

Strengthening Abu Dhabi’s tourism appeal

Located just minutes from Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island continues to attract visitors with its mix of entertainment, hospitality, dining and leisure offerings. The destination has increasingly become a focal point for major sporting and entertainment events, helping drive tourism and visitor spending in the emirate.

With demand expected to remain strong and ticket availability limited across several categories, organisers are encouraging fans to secure their packages early. Following booking confirmation, guests will receive details regarding digital ticket access and event information.

As Formula 1 continues to attract a growing international audience, the return of Yas Island’s Grand Prix Package underscores Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy of leveraging world-class sporting events to boost tourism while delivering an integrated visitor experience that blends sport, entertainment and culture.

Global airlines’ push to attract premium customers is making fast in-flight Wi-Fi an increasingly important perk, turning a once-patchy paid service into an emerging battleground between Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’ Amazon Leo satellite network.

Starlink, which operates around two-thirds of all satellites in space and is the major driver of revenue for SpaceX , has signed up 11 new airline customers globally so far in 2026, after 22 in 2025 and eight in 2024, compared with three in 2022, according to Valour Consultancy, an aviation intelligence firm.

Read more-Starlink rolls out satellite internet offering in UAE with plans from Dhs230

Amazon, which is still building out its Leo satellite constellation, faces a potential setback after a Blue Origin rocket failure last month. It has signed up its first customers, securing deals with Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways.

Installing Starlink or Amazon’s satellite broadband is a significant investment for airlines, running into the hundreds of millions of dollars for large fleets. But as carriers increasingly rely on premium products to boost margins, they are likely to commit more heavily in the coming years, said Decius Valmorbida, president of travel at Amadeus, a travel technology company, describing the technology as a “game changer.”

“It’s going to become a necessity that every airline will rush to have its own version of. It is becoming a must‑have,” Valmorbida told Reuters.

Starlink, which uses thousands of low-Earth-orbit satellites rather than larger, slower geostationary satellites, is multiple times faster than legacy systems, according to Ookla, a broadband analytics firm.

In a sign of demand across the airline spectrum, Southwest Airlines said it chose Starlink for its “speed to market,” but has not ruled out Amazon’s Leo as it pushes for industry-leading Wi-Fi. “There’s multiple ways to get there,” Tony Roach, Southwest’s chief customer and brand officer, told Reuters.

American Airlines said in late May it would equip more than 500 narrow body aircraft with Starlink starting in early 2027.

Ryanair rejects Starlink on costs

Not everyone is convinced. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has ruled out adopting Starlink, citing costs and fuel burn from the antennas, prompting a fiery dispute with Musk.

Jefferies analysts estimate American Airlines’ Starlink rollout could cost $150m to $250m for equipment and installation, based on its fleet, before annual service fees that could exceed $60m. Reuters could not identify equivalent public estimates for airline deployments of Amazon’s Leo.

Musk’s Starlink vs Bezos’ Amazon Leo

Lluc Palerm, research director at Analysys Mason, said airline Wi-Fi “will become a battleground” between Starlink and Amazon Leo, though Amazon remains limited as its satellite constellation is in its infancy.

SpaceX now holds Starlink contracts covering more than 7,000 aircraft, cementing an “undeniable” lead, said Daniel Welch, a senior consultant at Valour Consultancy.

Palerm said Starlink’s early gains are meaningful because switching providers is costly: aircraft must be taken out of service for installations, onboard equipment is provider-specific and contracts typically run for years.

The airline sales come as SpaceX’s upcoming record-breaking public listing has sharpened investor focus on Starlink’s expansion beyond consumer broadband. Starlink generated $11.4bn of SpaceX’s $18.67bn revenue in 2025, according to SpaceX’s IPO filing, making it by far the company’s largest revenue source.

Starlink is emphasising speed and installation simplicity, while Amazon is pitching a broader technology ecosystem, including cloud computing, entertainment and retail links that it says can help airlines serve passengers beyond basic connectivity.

Delta’s choice of Amazon Leo illustrates that distinction. The carrier selected Amazon Leo for an initial 500 aircraft beginning in 2028, building on its Amazon Web Services relationship.

Legacy in-flight Wi-Fi providers including Viasat, Intelsat, Panasonic Avionics and Hughes remain embedded across large fleets, with multi-orbit backup offerings and coverage in markets where newer Leo providers still face regulatory hurdles.

Fast Wi-Fi helps airlines tap other revenue

For airlines, faster Wi-Fi is about more than keeping passengers entertained. It gives carriers another way to draw customers into loyalty programs and market flights, upgrades and credit cards after the trip ends.

A 2025 Journal of Air Transport Management study found Wi-Fi availability was linked to higher passenger share on routes studied. At Southwest, the first Starlink-equipped aircraft is expected to be serviceable later this month and the airline has targeted more than 300 conversions by year-end, though executives said the pace depends on how fast Starlink can supply equipment.

“I want to give you fewer and fewer reasons to book another airline or feel like you need to travel on another airline,” Southwest’s CEO, Bob Jordan, said.

Delta has said more than 163 million SkyMiles members have used its free Wi-Fi since 2023, showing the scale of passenger engagement airlines are building around onboard connectivity.

United Airlines says free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members now covers more than 25% of its daily flights, with full fleet coverage expected by end-2027.

“That is going to be a differentiator versus every other airline,” United CEO Scott Kirby said.