Good Morning. 

Kim Jong Un vows to accelerate nuclear weapons development, Philippines and South Korea elevate their ties to a strategic partnership, the UN warns that Southeast Asia's cyber scam gangs are growing more sophisticated, CIA Director William Burns warns of potential escalation between Israel and Iran due to misjudgments, and the mayor of Chilpancingo, Mexico, is killed just one week after taking office.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

Major U.S. Water Provider American Water Works Hit by Cyberattack

• American Water Works Company, serving over 14M people across 14 states, reported a cyberattack on October 3rd that impacted their billing systems.

• The company states that water and wastewater services remain unaffected, but they are unable to predict the full impact of the incident.

• This attack highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in the U.S. water sector, which has seen an increase in cyberattacks in recent years, prompting calls for improved cybersecurity measures.

Counterterrorism

• Kim Jong Un vows to accelerate nuclear weapons development and doesn't rule out their use against enemies.

• Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshaal claims the group will recover from losses, continues recruiting fighters and manufacturing weapons despite Israel's offensive. ➚

• Pakistani separatist group claims responsibility for a bombing near Karachi airport that killed two Chinese nationals. ➚

• Iran lifts flight restrictions after ensuring safe conditions, shortening the previously announced cancellation period. ➚

Military & Defense

• Philippines and South Korea elevate their ties to a strategic partnership, signing agreements on defense cooperation, coastguard collaboration, and nuclear energy. ➚

• Russian missiles hit two grain ships in Ukraine's Odesa port, killing one and injuring five, amid escalating Black Sea tensions. ➚

• The U.S. imposes sanctions on a Hamas fundraising network on the first anniversary of the Gaza war. ➚

• Ukrainian forces attack an oil terminal in Russian-occupied Crimea. ➚

• Fighting between Sudanese military and paramilitary forces in North Darfur kill at least 13 children and injured four others, according to UNICEF. ➚

Cybersecurity

• The UN warns that Southeast Asia's cyber scam gangs are growing more sophisticated. ➚

• Ukrainian hackers celebrate Putin's birthday by attacking Russia's state media provider and court system websites. ➚

• U.S. intelligence officials warn that Russia and China are targeting specific congressional races with disinformation campaigns. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• CIA Director William Burns warns of potential escalation between Israel and Iran due to misjudgments, despite leaders not seeking all-out conflict. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• The mayor of Chilpancingo, Mexico is killed just one week after taking office in a city plagued by drug gang violence. ➚

• An Ecuadorian judge orders 30 people to trial in a major organized crime and drug trafficking case involving the country's judicial system. ➚

• A U.S. congressional watchdog finds no evidence that SEC conflict minerals disclosure rules have reduced violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ➚

• Leslie Voltaire takes over Haiti's transitional presidential council amid corruption allegations against three members. ➚

The America Builds podcast sits at the nexus of national security, technology, and venture capital. Hosts Will Allen and Hayley Menser interview the brilliant operators and investors pushing the boundaries of frontier technology.