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Iranian Operatives Escalate Efforts to Influence 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, Microsoft Reports
Microsoft has revealed that Iranian operatives are intensifying their attempts to influence the upcoming U.S. presidential election by creating fake news outlets targeting both liberal and conservative voters. Additionally, they have made attempts to hack a U.S. presidential campaign, according to research published by Microsoft late Thursday.
The report highlights one of the fake news sites allegedly created by Iranian operatives, which disparaged former President Donald Trump, referring to him as an “opioid-pilled elephant in the MAGA china shop” and a “raving mad litigiosaur.” Another fake outlet, posing as a “trusted source for conservative news” in Savannah, Georgia, focuses on LGBTQ issues and gender reassignment. While these sites have not yet gained significant traction on social media, Microsoft warns that they could gain momentum as the election approaches.
The findings from Microsoft provide some of the most explicit public examples of what U.S. intelligence officials recently described as an ongoing covert social media campaign by Iran. This campaign aims to undermine Trump’s candidacy and increase social discord in the U.S. ahead of the November election.
Clint Watts, general manager of the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center, stated in a blog post that the Iranian operatives have “laid the groundwork for influence campaigns on trending election-related topics and begun to activate these campaigns in an apparent effort to stir up controversy or sway voters – especially in swing states.”
The report also detailed an attempt by a hacking group linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to breach the email account of a high-ranking official in a U.S. presidential campaign. While Microsoft declined to specify which campaign was targeted, it confirmed that it had notified the campaign of the hacking attempt.
In addition to Iranian efforts, Microsoft noted ongoing attempts by Russian operatives to “drive headlines with fake scandals” aimed at disrupting the U.S. election. These fabricated stories include claims that the CIA instructed a Ukrainian troll farm to interfere with the election and that the FBI wiretapped Trump’s residence. Chinese online personas were also reported to have used numerous online accounts to amplify outrage around pro-Palestinian protests at U.S. universities earlier this year.
As the 2024 election approaches, U.S. officials are bracing for an array of foreign intelligence operations aimed at influencing or undermining the electoral process. While Russia remains the predominant threat, Iran and China also pose significant risks, according to assessments from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
Iran has denied the allegations of election interference and assassination plots against Trump. The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced charges against a Pakistani man with alleged ties to the Iranian government for attempting to carry out political assassinations, further heightening tensions surrounding Iran’s activities.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify
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Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
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