'Merz, defense CEOs arrive in Kyiv'

 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning, accompanied by chief executives of major German defense companies, including Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, Quantum Systems, and also Economy Minister Katherina Reiche.

"I travelled to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks," Merz stated upon arriving in Ukraine, claiming that Russian forces target civilian infrastructure. "If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will turn against us," he added.

During his visit to the war-torn country, the first since May 2025, the chancellor is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and announce aid to Ukraine.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Merz-defense-CEOs-arrive-in-Kyiv/67228781

Katz orders closure of crossings into Gaza, West Bank

 Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday he had ordered the closure of crossings into the Gaza Strip and the West Bank ahead of the anniversary of the October 7 attack.

The minister stated that a general closure will be imposed on October 5 and October 7 amid ceremonies marking the third anniversary of the Hamas attack, adding that the decision does not affect Israelis using West Bank checkpoints. He stressed that Palestinian "essential workers in the healthcare sector" will be allowed to cross West Bank checkpoints, as will other Palestinians in cases where there are "commitments by the state to the High Court of Justice."

In addition, Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said that humanitarian aid will not enter Gaza while crossings are closed.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Katz-orders-closure-of-crossings-into-Gaza-West-Bank/67228894

'Medvedev: Blocking Russian satellites could trigger 'space war''

 Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warned on Sunday that an attempt to block the Russian satellite constellation could trigger a 'full-scale space war.'

"'Blocking' the Russian 'Rassvet' satellite constellation at the request of some idiot in Kyiv can only mean its destruction. And that will lead to a full-scale space war. I hope the Americans understand this. After all, their low-Earth orbit 'Starlink' satellites would then rain down like toys from a withered Christmas tree," Medvedev said in a Telegram post.

The official further said that space is a very small place, and "we need to be polite to one another.'

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Medvedev:-Blocking-Russian-satellites-could-trigger-'space-war'/67228928

Australian Doctors Seek Answers From OpenAI And Governments Over Medicare Breach

 by Rex Widerstrom via The Epoch Times,

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Victorian branch has called on OpenAI and the Victorian and federal governments to explain how they will protect patient health data following a security incident in which an OpenAI agent gained unauthorized access to a Medicare statistics portal.

While the doctors' group noted that no personal information appears to have been accessed, AMA Victoria President Dr Simon Judkins asked, "What happens next time if an AI agent gains access to a system containing sensitive clinical information?"

Judkins said the breach raised serious questions for doctors and patients.

"Confidentiality remains absolutely critical to maintaining a trusted relationship between a doctor and their patient, and increasingly that depends on the security of the digital systems we use every day," he said.

"Patients and doctors need confidence that unauthorized access will be detected quickly and reported immediately ... Why did it take nearly three months for Australian authorities to be notified?"

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the agent reached the Medicare Statistics Reporting Service portal, run by Services Australia, on June 18.

It accessed public and non-public files after finding a way around existing blocks. Albanese said no personal information is believed to have been accessed, though official investigations remain ongoing.

OpenAI notified the Australian government on Sept. 10 via an email sent to a public mailbox, according to the prime minister.

Services Australia subsequently reported the breach to the Australian Cyber Security Centre on Sept. 15.

"It took until Sept. 10 before there was any notification," Albanese said, adding that "there will obviously be legal consequences on it."

Other Agencies Affected

OpenAI confirmed its agents also accessed sites belonging to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

At the Victorian Department of Health, the company stated that agents used an exposed access key to retrieve aggregate statistics, though medical records were not accessed.

The AMA said that federal investigations are examining the agent's interactions across multiple government systems.

The company has since apologized. "We should have handled our response better. We are sorry and working to do better in the future," OpenAI stated, committing to establish a task force on AI control.

OpenAI has also committed to having its chief strategy officer, Jason Kwon, appear before a Joint Select Committee inquiry in Sydney on Oct. 6.

Mounting Cybersecurity Concerns

Australia has previously experienced major breaches involving health information, including the 2022 Medibank cyberattack, in which data including names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, and Medicare numbers of millions of Australians was accessed.

In 2024, a separate attack on electronic prescriptions provider MediSecure exposed personal and health information, prompting a federal investigation.

Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, a former AMA Victoria and federal AMA president, said governments must also consider what safeguards are needed.

"The clear question to ask is whether the Federal and Victorian governments are satisfied that our health systems are adequately protected against unauthorized access by AI?" he said.

"What safeguards are in place for hospital records, My Health Record and electronic prescribing?"

An Australian Signals Directorate report found only 22 percent of surveyed government entities met all eight key cybersecurity measures in 2025.

The Epoch Times has sought comment from Services Australia and the Victorian Department of Health.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/victorian-doctors-seek-answers-openai-and-governments-over-medicare-breach

https://nypost.com/2026/10/03/world-news/al-qaeda-calls-for-copycats-to-target-us-citizens-on-planes-while-praising-dubai-flight-hijacker/

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202610044340

Chinese Hackers Impersonate Former White House Official In Attempt To Steal US AI Policy Secrets

 via American Greatness,

Chinese-linked hackers have allegedly been impersonating American artificial intelligence experts, including a former White House official, in a targeted cyberespionage campaign aimed at obtaining sensitive information about U.S. AI policymaking.

Cybersecurity firm Proofpoint revealed Thursday that a hacking group it identifies as TA419 has been attempting to steal passwords from individuals at American and Japanese think tanks, defense contractors, universities and law firms since at least 2025.

Proofpoint attributed the activity to Chinese hackers based on the malware, infrastructure and targeting patterns associated with the attacks, which the company said align with Beijing's intelligence priorities.

The latest operation involved fraudulent emails appearing to originate from prominent AI and national security experts, including Lynne Parker, former principal deputy director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The messages typically invited recipients to participate in AI-related projects or collaborations before directing them to fraudulent websites designed to steal login credentials.

Among those targeted was Alex Engler, a former White House official who now leads the Penn Center on Media, Technology, and Democracy.

Engler told Reuters he received an email supposedly from Parker inviting him to participate in a new AI policy initiative. After noticing something suspicious and consulting colleagues, he discovered the message was fraudulent.

Proofpoint said the operation targeted fewer than 10 individuals across several organizations, particularly experts involved in AI regulation, export controls and national AI strategy.

The company's findings suggest the hackers were pursuing intelligence about Washington's policymaking rather than simply attempting to steal American technology.

Parker confirmed that at least two individuals received suspicious messages using her identity in early July.

"The United States and China are in a competition around AI," Parker told Reuters.

The allegations underscore growing cybersecurity concerns surrounding America's technological competition with China, particularly as AI becomes increasingly important to national security and economic policy.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Beijing has consistently denied conducting cyberespionage operations.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/chinese-hackers-impersonate-former-white-house-official-attempt-steal-us-ai-policy