## Biden administration secretly funded Ukraine's drone industry, NYT reports

Authored by kyivindependent.com

While much of the U.S. aid for Ukraine has been publicly disclosed — covering missiles, air defense systems, tanks, and training — support for the drone sector has largely remained secret.

The declassified data reveals that the U.S. allocated funds for drone manufacturing and facilitated partnerships between U.S. tech companies and Ukrainian drone producers.

These efforts intensified during preparations for Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive, which struggled to achieve significant territorial gains, reportedly due to Russia's extensive drone use.

In response, the U.S. accelerated aid to Ukraine's drone sector.

Officials reportedly believe this investment has made Ukrainian drones more effective and deadly.

Ukrainian maritime drones, credited with destroying 25% of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, and aerial drones deployed on the front lines have slowed Russian advances in eastern Ukraine.

By the end of 2024, Ukraine had delivered over 200,000 domestically produced drones to frontline units, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in December. »

### US recovers $31 million in Social Security payments to dead people

Authored by abcnews.go.com

Ever since the U.S. Social Security Administration opened its books to the Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service, it has been able to stop and recover more than $31 million in improper Social Security payments to dead people.

WASHINGTON -- Ever since the U.S. Social Security Administration opened its books to the Department of the Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service, it has been able to stop and recover more than $31 million in improper Social Security payments to dead people.

“These results are just the tip of the iceberg,” the Treasury’s Fiscal Assistant Secretary David Lebryk said in a news release. »

### As the LA fires raged, Riot Games provided a generator to a fire station that lost power and donated meals from its employee cafeteria

Authored by pcgamer.com

"Early in the crisis, we provided a backup generator to a local fire station that had lost power, enabling them to continue fighting fires and protecting homes," Riot said in a blog post on Thursday.

Last week, Riot CEO Dylan Jadeja said that the game developer intends to "stand up for Los Angeles" and give back however it can.

According to the LA Times, those fires have so far resulted in 27 confirmed deaths and over 10,000 structures destroyed. »

### Former CIA analyst pleads guilty to leaking information on planned Israeli attack on Iran

Authored by latimes.com

A former CIA analyst has pleaded guilty to leaking information on a planned Israeli attack on Iran.

Asif Rahman, 34, was arrested by the FBI in November weeks after classified documents appeared on the Telegram messaging app.

Israel carried out a retaliatory attack on air defense systems and missile manufacturing facilities in Iran in late October. »

### Teacher who cut student's hair may have had a psychotic episode: Psychologist

Authored by abc30.com

Teacher who cut student's hair may have had a psychotic episode: Psychologist.

A Fresno psychologist is weighing in on what may have caused 52-year-old Margaret Gieszinger to cut her student's hair and chase them with scissors. »

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