The Central Intelligence Agency has reportedly fired a female employee who claimed she was sexually assaulted in a stairwell of the agency‚ according to NBC News. She accused the governmental agency of trying to dissuade her from filing a criminal complaint about the incident.The woman's attorney‚ Kevin Carroll‚ claimed that the CIA's termination of the unnamed woman was a clear example of brazen retaliation. Her case has motivated at least two dozen more to come forward‚ claiming that they had also been sexually assaulted by those within the agency. The development has led to an inquiry from the CIA Office of Inspector General. Carroll went on to suggest that his client's termination was a case of "unlawful retaliation against a whistleblower to Congress‚ the inspector general and law enforcement about workplace sexual violence at the agency."“The only reason to terminate her is to intimidate all the other women from coming forward (about alleged sexual misconduct).”However‚ the CIA has pushed back against Carroll's claims. "This statement is factually inaccurate. To be clear‚ CIA does not tolerate sexual assault‚ sexual harassment‚ or whistleblower retaliation‚” spokesperson Tammy Thorp said.Carroll said the situation began after his client failed the CIA's clandestine officer training program. When this has happened in the past‚ employees are free to apply to other positions within the agency. However‚ Carroll's client applied for another job but was not selected. She was subsequently dismissed on Monday‚ according to the Associated Press.The agency said the woman did not pass the clandestine training due to her poor writing skills. But Carroll — who said he had communicated with his client for months — claimed she was an excellent writer and that it was alarming that the agency arrived at a different conclusion.But the agency did not give in.“Regarding allegations related to the agency’s rigorous training‚ as you would expect‚ CIA uses consistent processes to ensure the fair and equal treatment of every officer going through training. Our mission demands no less‚” Thorp said.Former CIA officers chimed in on the issue. They suggested that a significant portion of those who go through the clandestine training do not pass‚ and they are not guaranteed another job within the agency if they fail.Ashkan Bayatpour — who the woman accused of wrapping a scarf around her neck and threatening her — was convicted of a state misdemeanor charge of assault and battery in a court in Virginia last year.The investigation is still ongoing. Like Blaze News? Circumvent the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Law enforcement officers responded to a "possible shooter" at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Texas on Sunday afternoon. The shooting suspect is reportedly dead‚ but a man and a child were shot. KTRK reported‚ "The 2 p.m. Spanish-speaking service was about to begin when chaos erupted."A witness told the outlet‚ "The whole church started praying and declaring Jesus' name. I was like‚ 'This might be the last time I get to pray‚ that I get to glorify the name of Jesus‚ so I'm going to do this.'"A man told KTRK that he ran out of the megachurch in southwest Houston with his three young daughters after hearing between 20 to 30 gunshots. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez wrote at 3:10 p.m. EST on the X social media platform‚ "Receiving initial reports of possible shots fired at/or around Lakewood Church." The Lakewood Church later stated‚ "There is an active situation involving shots fired at Lakewood. Law enforcement is on the scene."Gonzalez said‚ "Shooter is down. But it does not appear that @HCSOTexas deputies fired shots; other agencies fired. We continue to assist in a methodical/thorough search of the complex."Houston Police Department said that the suspect was a 30 to 35-year-old woman‚ who entered Lakewood Church with a long rifle‚ trenchcoat‚ and a backpack. She was accompanied by a child‚ who is approximately 5-years-old. HPD Chief Troy Finner said the shooter at the Joel Osteen's Lakewood was shot by off-duty Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officers. The TABC officers were reportedly working at Lakewood Church. However‚ a 5-year-old was also shot‚ and is in critical condition. A 57-year-old was shot in the leg.The shooter allegedly threatened to have bombs‚ but law enforcement has not found any explosives. She was also allegedly "spraying some kind of substance‚" according to Finner. A police spokesman said‚ "She had a long gun and it could've been a lot worse." Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released the following statement:Our hearts are with those impacted by today's tragic shooting and the entire Lakewood Church community in Houston. Places of worship are sacred. I have been in contact with Mayor Whitmire and offered the full support and resources of the State of Texas‚ including Department of Public Safety officers and Texas Rangers‚ to help this community and help bring swift justice to the criminal who committed this heinous act. Join Cecilia and me in praying for this community during this difficult time and for the brave men and women in blue who acted quickly to respond to this tragedy.This is a developing story and will be updated when new details arrive. — (@) Like Blaze News? Circumvent the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Building a mini-ITX PC is no fun if it isn’t a challenge. That’s the conclusion I’ve come to after spending many moments pondering why I’m such a huge fan of mini-ITX systems. There are other factors‚ of course. Moving into a bigger house has meant having a bigger office and far less of a need to maximize desk or floor space by downsizing my PC. Nevertheless‚ my two main systems I’ve used since moving have both been mini-ITX. Continue reading Building a mini-ITX PC should be hard – that’s the point MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card‚ Best gaming PC‚ Best SSD for gaming

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A Texas sheriff said a shooter was down after a shooting at the Houston megachurch of celebrity pastor Joel Osteen on Sunday afternoon.