Good Morning. 

Iran sets nuclear talks with European powers after UN censure over 60% uranium enrichment, Ukraine has lost 40% of captured territory in Russia's Kursk region as Russia advances, Chinese hackers position themselves in U.S. critical infrastructure networks as conflict preparations mount, a Norwegian student gets arrested for passing U.S. Embassy intelligence to Russia and Iran, and the FBI probes international crime ring's connection to NFL star burglaries.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

Philippine VP Makes Assassination Threat Against President Marcos and Family

• Vice President Sara Duterte publicly announced she has contracted an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife Liza, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself is killed – a statement she later attempted to downplay as merely expressing concern over threats to her own life.

• The threat came amid escalating political tensions, sparked by the detention of Duterte's chief of staff during a congressional inquiry, and deepening rifts between Duterte and Marcos over policy differences, including approaches to China and allegations of corruption.

• The Presidential Security Command has increased security measures for President Marcos and is coordinating with law enforcement agencies, while military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner issued a statement calling for calm and emphasizing the military's nonpartisan stance.

Counterterrorism

• Iran sets nuclear talks with European powers after UN censure over 60% uranium enrichment. ➚

• Iran conducts 133 executions and issues 24 new death sentences between October-November 2024. ➚

• Israeli rabbi Zvi Kogan found murdered in Dubai; UAE arrests three suspects as Israel points to Iran connection. ➚

• Kim Jong Un dismisses Trump-era diplomacy as hostile, pledges nuclear expansion and deepens Russian alliance. ➚

Military & Defense

• Ukraine has lost 40% of captured territory in Russia's Kursk region, now controlling 800 square kilometers amid Russian counteroffensive. ➚

• Heavy gunfire erupts in South Sudan's capital as forces attempt to arrest ex-spy chief Akol Koor amid power struggles. ➚

• Russia notified U.S. before launching experimental ballistic missile at Ukraine's Dnipro through nuclear threat reduction channels. ➚

• Trump's incoming security adviser expresses concern over Ukraine war escalation, citing new landmines and missile exchanges. ➚

• Hezbollah fires 250 rockets at Tel Aviv area after Israeli strike kills 29 in Beirut, as U.S.-led ceasefire talks progress. ➚

• Mali's military junta claims security success while UN reports attacks have doubled since peacekeepers' withdrawal in 2023. ➚

• Pakistani authorities lock down Islamabad as thousands of Imran Khan supporters march demanding his release from prison. ➚

Cybersecurity

• Chinese hackers positioning themselves in U.S. critical infrastructure networks in preparation for potential conflict. ➚

• Bipartisan Senate bill proposes new health care cybersecurity measures after 89M Americans' medical data breached in 2023. ➚

• Russian hackers breach U.S. company's Wi-Fi through novel 'daisy chain' attack using multiple neighboring networks. ➚

• UK minister warns NATO to stay ahead in AI arms race, announces £8.2M lab to counter Russian cyber threats. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• Norwegian student working as U.S. Embassy guard arrested for passing sensitive information to Russian and Iranian intelligence agencies. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• FBI probes possible international crime ring connection to burglaries targeting NFL stars Mahomes and Kelce. ➚

• Haiti's crisis deepens as gangs control 85% of capital despite Kenyan police mission, forcing aid groups to suspend operations. ➚

• Gunmen kill six and wound five in bar shooting in Mexico's Tabasco state amid escalating regional violence. ➚

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.