By Jonathan Landay, Gram Slattery and Timour Azhari
WASHINGTON/RIYADH, July 22 (Reuters) - Iranian drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf have prompted U.S. intelligence **** ysts to investigate whether Russia **** isted by providing targeting information or advanced drone technology, said four people familiar with U.S. intelligence.
These people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to ‌discuss national security matters, said U.S. intelligence officials have not yet reached firm conclusions about the possible Russian involvement in the attacks on CIA facilities. But they cited ‌the strikes' effectiveness and apparent precision, as well as Russia's broader technical support for Iran, as possible evidence.
Reuters and other media have reported — and U.S. officials have acknowledged — that Russia has provided targeting and other support for Iran in its strikes on U.S. targets in the Gulf region generally, but the intelligence community's investigation of possible Russian involvement in supporting the CIA facility attacks has not been previously disclosed.
At least two CIA sites were struck in March, Reuters and other outlets have reported. One of the facilities was the CIA station in Saudi Arabia, which is located in the U.S. embassy in Riyadh, and a separate site was located in eastern Iraq. Some of the sources said additional CIA sites had been hit, but they did not disclose details.

#intelligence #possible #riyadh #russian

U.S. Central Command said that two U.S. service members were killed in Jordan while defending against Iranian missile and drone strikes on July 17. NBC News' Julie Tsirkin and Kier Simmons report on the deadliest strikes on American personnel since the two countries signed a ceasefire agreement.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced some backlash on Monday after attempting to explain rising rates of rape within his city, as he said it was due in part to an expanded definition of what constitutes rape.
During an interview with PIX11 News, reporter Dan Mannarino asked Mamdani about New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin's concerns over rape and felony ****** ault numbers within the city.
Mamdani maintained that the NYPD has reported among the lowest numbers of murders and shootings in its recorded history and suggested that the rape statistics need to be contextualized.
Zohran Mamdani Praised For 'Fantastic' Question-dodging On Presidential Eligibility
"And what I think is important to know is a lot of the increase in rape also comes from an expanded definition of what counts as rape, as well as survivors coming forward for acts that took place years prior," Mamdani said. "And we are thankful for them coming forward, the courage and the bravery it takes, but just to provide New Yorkers with that context."

FIRST ON FOX: A coalition of state financial officers said it uncovered roughly $225 million in alleged fraud across America's schools over the past six years, identifying nearly 90 cases involving embezzlement, fake invoices, inflated enrollment, bid-rigging and kickbacks.
In a new report obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF) and Open the Books ***** yzed every Education Department Office of Inspector General (OIG) Semiannual Report to Congress issued between Oct. 1, 2019, and March 31, 2026, revealing alleged fraud across 24 states and Puerto Rico.
"All fraud is harmful, but defrauding education dollars meant to help kids learn and succeed is especially hideous," SFOF CEO OJ Oleka said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"The findings in this report should alarm every family, teacher, and civic leader, especially since they only scratch the surface of the problem. The state financial officers courageously tracking every school dollar abused historically have had a bloated federal education bureaucracy only make their job harder."
The War On Fraud Is Here, And Vice President Vance Is Leading It From The Front

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A nun was released from immigration custody after she was arrested walking to Mass in her habit in South Texas.
Sister Leticia Ugboaja was walking to Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Texas, just a few miles from the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday when she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not responded to a request for comment since Sunday.
Parish officials posted a message on social media shortly after the arrest that gained traction in the news and led to Congress members including U.S. Rep. Monica de la Cruz intervening on Ugboaja's behalf.
The nun is part of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and volunteered as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, according to Brenda Riojas, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Brownsville.

Federal authorities say a foiled plot targeting a planned UFC event at the White House is the latest case to raise concerns about the role the internet can play in radicalizing people and connecting would-be attackers.
According to court documents, the men accused in the UFC plot allegedly communicated through encrypted messaging platforms and discussed plans involving drones, firearms and attacks on government officials.
Rather than involving a single suspect acting alone, authorities allege the case involved multiple individuals who connected online and shared extremist beliefs. Investigators have increasingly warned that digital communities can help spread radical ideologies and, in some cases, encourage real-world violence.
From alleged ISIS supporters to anti-government extremists, authorities have repeatedly linked high-profile terror and violent crime investigations to online networks where radical beliefs can spread rapidly. Here are some recent examples.
5 Chilling Details From The Alleged White House Attack Plot Tied To Ufc Event