WORLD IN BRIEF: SpaceX shares tumble, Kenya plans AI ETF, Iran warns Gulf states and other stories

Germany probes explosive laden drone found at airport

German authorities are investigating a major security breach after a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport, raising fresh concerns over sabotage targeting critical infrastructure.

The device was found overnight by an airport employee near cargo aircraft operated by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines. Police deployed a bomb disposal robot to remove the detonator before carrying out a controlled explosion. A second unidentified object also struck a cargo aircraft near the airport before the plane landed safely in Hanover with only minor damage.

Alexander Dobrindt, Interior Minister, described the incidents as representing a “new level of threat”. Leipzig/Halle Airport, which serves as a logistics hub for DHL and is used by the German military and NATO allies to transport military supplies, has been the focus of heightened security amid a series of unauthorised drone sightings near airports, military bases and energy facilities. German authorities have warned of possible Russian involvement in similar incidents, allegations Moscow denies.

Iran warns Gulf states against backing any new US strikes

Iran has warned Gulf states that any renewed US military attack on its territory would trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure across the region, according to sources familiar with high-level diplomatic discussions.

The warning follows President Donald Trump’s recent threat to target Iran’s energy network and infrastructure. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reportedly held talks with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, as well as Pakistan’s army chief, urging regional allies to persuade Washington against further military action.

According to the sources, Tehran warned that any attack would not only target US assets but could also extend to strategic energy facilities across the Gulf, raising fears of wider regional escalation and renewed disruptions to global energy markets.

Ukraine says North Korean missile unit deployed to support Russia

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency says North Korea has begun deploying a missile unit to western Russia in a significant expansion of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.

The unit, reportedly comprising around 90 personnel, is expected to operate from Russia’s Voronezh region and could be equipped with six launchers and up to 120 ballistic missiles for strikes against Ukraine.

North Korean ballistic missiles have already been used by Russian forces since late 2023, but Kyiv says the deployment of an entire missile unit marks a new phase in the partnership. Ukraine, which continues to face shortages of advanced air defence systems, says the additional missile capability could intensify Russian attacks on its cities and infrastructure.

Israeli strike and explosion kill three in south Lebanon

Violence continued in southern Lebanon despite ongoing ceasefire efforts, with one Lebanese civilian and two Israeli soldiers killed in separate incidents.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike hit the roof of a cemetery prayer hall in the town of Tibnin, killing one person and injuring 12 others. Hours earlier, two Israeli soldiers were killed and several others wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated inside a booby-trapped building in the village of Majdal Selem.

SpaceX shares tumble after first earnings report

SpaceX shares fell more than 13 percent after the company released its first quarterly earnings report as a publicly traded company, with investors reacting to surging spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The company reported a sharp increase in capital expenditure to $18.37 billion, more than six times last year’s level and well above analysts’ expectations. About $15.8 billion of the investment is earmarked for expanding AI computing infrastructure, including data centres, networking systems and specialised hardware.

Although revenue nearly doubled, investors questioned whether the massive spending would generate sufficient returns, sending the stock sharply lower despite the company’s ambitious expansion plans.

AFRICA

UN warns strong El Niño could push 49 million more people into hunger

The World Food Programme has warned that a powerful El Niño weather event could push nearly 49 million additional people into acute food insecurity by the end of next year.
According to the UN agency, there is an 81% probability that the current El Niño will become one of the strongest recorded since 1950, bringing drought to southern Africa, disrupted monsoons in parts of Asia and erratic rainfall elsewhere.

The WFP estimates that the number of people facing crisis-level hunger across 45 vulnerable countries could rise to 274 million, representinAFRICA percent increase. The agency urged governments and humanitarian organisations to prepare for worsening food shortages before weather conditions deteriorate further.

Kenya plans East Africa’s first AI focused exchange traded fund

Kenya’s Nairobi Securities Exchange is developing East Africa’s first exchange traded fund focused on artificial intelligence companies, with plans to launch the investment product before the end of the year.

Frank Mwiti, the Chief Executive, said the ETF would allow investors to gain exposure to global companies directly involved in AI technologies, addressing growing demand for technology-focused investment opportunities.
The move forms part of efforts to modernise Kenya’s capital markets and broaden investment options beyond traditional sectors such as banking and telecommunications.

Uganda targets February investment decision for $4bn oil refinery

Uganda expects a final investment decision on its long-delayed $4 billion oil refinery project by February 2027, marking a major milestone for the country’s emerging petroleum industry.

The Petroleum Authority of Uganda said engineering work has already begun on the planned 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery, with UAE-based Alpha MBM Investments expected to hold a 60 percent stake alongside the state-owned Uganda National Oil Company.
Authorities also acknowledged that construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline has slipped slightly behind schedule because of disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

South Africa proposes tighter oversight of former presidents’ foreign trips

South Africa is considering new rules to increase transparency around overseas travel by former presidents following Jacob Zuma’s controversial visit to India.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has recommended that Parliament establish clearer oversight after Zuma met Ajay Gupta, one of the Gupta brothers accused of playing a central role in South Africa’s “state capture” corruption scandal.

The visit reignited political controversy, with critics arguing that former heads of state should face greater scrutiny when undertaking unofficial diplomatic engagements abroad, particularly those involving individuals linked to major corruption investigations.

US nearly doubles funding for DR Congo Ebola response

The United States has pledged an additional $242 million to support efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, nearly doubling its total direct assistance to $512 million, the State Department announced on Wednesday.

The funding will support up to six months of response activities as health authorities battle what aid agencies describe as the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak on record. The epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, has been complicated by delayed detection, insecurity in eastern Congo, weak disease surveillance systems, and the absence of approved vaccines or treatments.