Russia behind Walz deepfake video, US intelligence community officials say
A deepfake video disparaging vice presidential candidate Tim Walz was created by “Russian influence actors” who are trying to undermine Kamala Harris’ campaign, U.S. intelligence community officials told Fox News. The video circulating on social media purports to show former Mankato West High School student Matthew Metro claiming that he was groped and kissed by Walz in 1997 when the Minnesota governor was a teacher there. Except the allegations are completely fabricated. “Based on newly available intelligence analysis conducted over the weekend, Russian influence actors manufactured and amplified the content,” the officials told Fox News, adding that the video fit a pattern used by Russian actors in which the subject was “staged direct to camera and trying to make them go viral.” These intelligence community officials also pointed out that they believe Russia is likely to be more aggressive in its efforts to sow division in the U.S. post-election if Harris wins, because Russia prefers that former President Trump win the 2024 race. TIM WALZ PRESSED ON ‘THE VIEW’ ABOUT PAST MISSTATEMENTS: ‘I SPEAK HONESTLY’ The real Matthew Metro – who is now living in Hawaii – told The Washington Post that he has never met Walz. “It’s obviously not me: The teeth are different, the hair is different, the eyes are different, the nose is different,” he said. “I don’t know where they’re getting this from.” TIM WALZ HITS BACK AT CRITICS OF HIS GUN-LOADING TECHNIQUE: ‘I CAN SHOOT BETTER THAN ALL OF THEM’ Metro called the deepfake “an invasion of my privacy and my personal life.” It so far has been viewed more than 5 million times, The Washington Post reported, citing engagement data from the social media platform X. Metro told the newspaper that he suspects his dormant accounts on Facebook and other social media platforms might have been raided for images and information about his background to create the deepfake. Both the Harris and Trump campaigns did not immediately respond Tuesday to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
GOP challenges to overseas balloting rules stymied in two key battleground states
Republicans in two key battleground states were hit by twin legal setbacks Monday, after judges in Michigan and North Carolina rejected their efforts to crack down on overseas voting from U.S. residents living abroad, criticizing both the short timeline and the proposed remedy sought by the plaintiffs. A claims court judge in Michigan described the effort as an “attempt to disenfranchise” voters living overseas, while a Superior Court judge in North Carolina said the plaintiffs “presented no substantial evidence” to back their claims that the current laws do not go far enough to protect against election fraud. The two separate court rulings come just weeks after Republicans in Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina filed lawsuits aimed at restricting both the registration and vetting process for overseas voters. Republican plaintiffs argued that current law makes it possible for these residents to register and vote in elections without proper identification. That contention has been fiercely rejected by Democrats, who argued the level of vetting sought by Republicans would disenfranchise “tens of thousands” of voters abroad, including U.S service members and their families. FLURRY OF PRE-ELECTION LEGAL CASES IS NOW ‘STANDARDIZED’ STRATEGY, EXPERTS SAY Judges in U.S. battleground states appear to back this line of thinking, following two separate decisions filed Monday. In Michigan, the Court of Claims Judge Sima Patel rejected plaintiffs’ effort to invalidate a rule that allows spouses and dependents of U.S. service members stationed overseas to vote at that person’s former home address, even if they never lived in the state themselves. Patel criticized the timing of the GOP-led lawsuit, which was filed just 28 days before the election, and said it would result in “extreme prejudice” for would-be voters and election administrators. “Consistent with federal law, the Michigan Legislature made a policy choice to allow a small pool of individuals who accompany family members abroad to qualify as Michigan residents for the purpose of voting in Michigan because they are connected to Michigan through their spouse, parent, or someone serving a parental role,” Patel said, adding that “It is hard to imagine a more prejudicial situation arising from plaintiffs’ delay.” Patel further noted that the law for overseas voters has been in place for 12 years and had gone unchallenged until now. FLURRY OF PRE-ELECTION LEGAL CASES IS NOW ‘STANDARDIZED’ STRATEGY, EXPERTS SAY And in North Carolina, Wake County Superior Court Judge John Smith dismissed the GOP lawsuit that pushed for similar rules for absentee voting and spouses of U.S. service members, noting that the current statute for overseas voting had been adopted in 2011 with bipartisan support, and “has not been challenged until the filing of this complaint and motion.” Further, he said, plaintiffs “have failed to show any likelihood of irreparable harm” as a result of the voters in question. FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS: VOTER OUTREACH, BALLOT EFFICIENCY AND A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING In Pennsylvania, judges are expected to rule on three separate lawsuits Republicans have filed in recent weeks seeking to restrict overseas voters and their registration under the 1986 Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), which oversees the voting process for U.S. residents living abroad. Democrats, for their part, have criticized the legal push as a last-minute effort by Republicans to restrict voter turnout from a demographic that has until recently been a reliable bedrock of GOP support. More than 1.2 million overseas ballots were cast in the 2020 election, according to data from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. And in a dead-heat sprint to Election Day, these voters could play a pivotal role in the race’s final outcome. All three states are considered “toss-up” states in the 2024 election, and could prove pivotal in picking the next president. “Election-denying extremists, afraid they are losing this election, are actively working to disenfranchise members of our military deployed outside of the United States,” Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat and Air Force veteran, told Fox News. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Harris campaign announces concert series with Bruce Springsteen to mobilize voters ahead of Election Day
The Harris campaign announced a concert series with Bruce Springsteen in battleground states to mobilize voters with just two weeks to go until Election Day. The Harris campaign’s “When We Vote We Win” concert series will be a massive get-out-the-vote effort in key states, a senior campaign official said. The official said Springsteen will headline the kick-off concerts, with the first on Thursday in Atlanta. Former President Barack Obama will join Vice President Kamala Harris for the event. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ENDORSES KAMALA HARRIS IN NEW INSTAGRAM VIDEO: ‘VISION OF AMERICA’ The official said Springsteen will headline another concert on Monday in Philadelphia, another event Obama will attend. The concert series will hit all seven battleground states: Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin. The official said the campaign will announce additional concerts in the coming days. ‘KAMALA ERA’: DNC LAUNCHES TAYLOR SWIFT-THEMED CAMPAIGN IN PITCH TO YOUNG VOTERS A senior campaign official said campaign advisers see the events as opportunities to attract voters and ensure the attendees turn out to vote. Springsteen announced his support for Harris earlier this month, saying she and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have “a vision this country respects and includes everyone, regardless of class, religion, race, your political point of view or sexual identity, and they want to grow our economy in a way that benefits all.” Springsteen slammed former President Donald Trump, saying he “doesn’t understand the meaning” of being “deeply American.” The announcement comes after the Democratic National Committee (DNC) rolled out a Taylor Swift-themed “I Will Vote” campaign to target young voters across battleground states with just over two weeks until Election Day. The DNC’s “I Will Vote” campaign includes a new Snapchat filter urging young voters to be “fearless” on issues that Democrats say “will decide this election,” including reproductive rights and the economy, while urging them to “learn how to cast their ballot for Vice President Harris this November.” Meanwhile, Trump will hold a massive rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday.
Cyclone Dana: Schools closed in West Bengal, Odisha for 4 days from…
The depression will further intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 23 and cross north Odisha and southern West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island in the early morning hours of October 25 as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, it said.
Texas Supreme Court justice’s oversight of the trust of a Houston millionaire with dementia raises ethics concerns
Despite objections from her family, John Devine oversees the trust of Elvie Kingston, a clear violation of Texas’ judicial ethics rules, experts said. His wife is also her legal guardian.
Biden admin faces scrutiny over response to ‘significant rise’ of assaults on Border Patrol agents
FIRST ON FOX: Republican lawmakers are looking for answers from the Biden administration about what action is being taken against illegal immigrants who assault Border Patrol agents, as officials report a “significant rise” in assaults. Lawmakers, led by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland and acting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Troy Miller asking about illegal immigrants who assault agents in an effort to evade capture. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT BITES BORDER PATROL AGENT IN THE FACE AMID ‘SIGNIFICANT RISE’ OF ATTACKS ON CBP “In FY23, CBP reported that 610 agents were assaulted, while in FY24 at least 413 agents were assaulted. Though these incidents primarily involve physical assault, CBP agents also endure a large percentage of assaults by other means, including through the use of projectiles, vehicles, and firearms,” they say. In August, Border Patrol in the El Paso Sector of Texas warned that it has seen a “significant rise in attacks on Border Patrol Agents recently.” That was highlighted last month when an illegal immigrant bit a Border Patrol agent in the face after being encountered coming across from Mexico. CAUGHT ON CAMERA: FENCE-CUTTING MIGRANTS BUSTED BY FEDS While the attacker in this instance was prosecuted, it has fueled concerns from the lawmakers that illegal immigrants are not being prosecuted sufficiently. They cite media reports that assaults have become a regular occurrence. “Though this incident was somewhat outlandish in the mode of attack, CBP agents have stated they experience assaults like this almost every night while on duty, including getting rushed by large groups of illegal aliens all at once, many of whom will punch and kick the outnumbered agents,” they say. The Republicans also say that statements from agents contradict claims that “CBP is working closely with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to hold these criminal illegal aliens accountable.” The lawmakers are asking for the number of illegal immigrants CBP has referred to the Department of Justice for assault and how many of those have been charged. They are also asking whether CBP reached out to DOJ to discuss why an illegal immigrant is not charged with assault, and whether the agents themselves are contacted. They also want to know how many illegal immigrants who have assaulted agents have been released into the U.S. and the types of support they offer to agents who have been assaulted. CBP says it responds to congressional inquiries through official channels. The letter comes amid intense scrutiny of the southern border and the way it has been handled by the Biden administration. It comes after a massive influx of illegal immigration that has dropped sharply since June, when President Biden signed an order limiting releases into the U.S. The Harris and Trump campaigns have fought over who is the best candidate to tackle the crisis. The Trump campaign has sought to pin the 2021-2024 crisis on Vice President Kamala Harris and her role in the administration, while the Harris campaign has attacked former President Donald Trump for rejecting a bipartisan border security bill introduced earlier this year, but that has failed to pick up Republican support. Get the latest updates on the ongoing border crisis from the Fox News Digital immigration hub.
Georgia Supreme Court denies emergency appeal for GOP-backed ballot rules struck down by judge
The Georgia Supreme Court has denied the Republican Party’s request to immediately reinstate new ballot rules passed by the State Election Board (SEB) last month. The Peach State’s highest court said it will hear the Republican National Committee’s (RNC’s) request for an expedited appeal late last week after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Cox, Jr. ruled the measures were “illegal, unconstitutional, and void.” The one-page decision by the state Supreme Court released on Tuesday afternoon indicates that ruling will remain in place through Election Day. It was unanimously backed by all judges on the court. Cox’s decision covered a requirement for ballots at each precinct to be hand counted by three separate county officials to ensure the total matches the machine-tabulated number, as well as a provision directing county boards to certify election results only after “a reasonable inquiry” into their accuracy, among others. GEORGIA GOP CHAIR SHARES 2-PRONGED ELECTION STRATEGY AS TRUMP WORKS TO WIN BACK PEACH STATE Plaintiffs in the case included civil rights groups like the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP and Eternal Vigilance, as well as a current and a former state official. The state Supreme Court noted it “lacks jurisdiction over this motion” but said it would take the case due to the “issues of gravity and public importance” it presents. The RNC and its allies, including the Georgia state GOP, requested an emergency expedition of the appeals process. It comes as Election Day approaches in exactly two weeks, though Georgia has already shattered early voting records just seven days after the process began last Tuesday. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 1 in 4 Georgia voters had cast ballots. The SEB voted to pass the rules in a 3-2 decision on Sept. 20, with three Republican-appointed members voting for the change and one against. GEORGIA DEMS CHAIR REVEALS MESSAGE TO UNDECIDED GOP VOTERS AS HARRIS WORKS TO BUILD BROAD BASE In addition to the two aforementioned rules, the SEB measures struck down by Cox included an ID requirement and heightened documentation requirements for people delivering absentee ballots to drop boxes, and a rule requiring video surveillance of drop boxes for votes cast there to be counted. The plaintiffs in the case argued the SEB did not have the authority to make such rules. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represented the plaintiffs in the case, said the measures were “injecting chaos into the democratic system in the immediate run-up to the November election.” ‘ILLEGAL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND VOID’: GEORGIA JUDGE STRIKES DOWN NEW ELECTION RULES AFTER LEGAL FIGHTS “Early voting has begun and over 1 million Georgians have already cast their ballots. Judge Cox’s ruling prevented a rule change in the middle of the game,” the ACLU said in response to the Republicans’ appeal. Even if the court were to have ruled in the RNC’s favor, however, the hand-count ballot rule would still have been blocked due to a separate Fulton County Superior Court ruling temporarily delaying its implementation. Another earlier ruling mandated that the elections must be certified by a certain date, regardless of county officials’ inquiries. Democrats had accused the GOP officials of trying to sow doubt and chaos in the election process with the new rules. Republican skeptics, including State Secretary Brad Raffensperger, have argued their implementation is unworkable this close to the election. However, party officials like Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon argued the rules are necessary guardrails to ensuring election security. “If his decision were upheld, it would severely curtail the ability of the state elections board to regulate our elections and to do the job,” McKoon said. Fox News Digital reached out to both the Harris and Trump campaigns for a response to the Georgia Supreme Court decision.
Georgia Supreme Court to consider new GOP-backed ballot rules after judge strikes down
The Georgia Supreme Court is reviewing a judge’s decision to nullify new rules, including a hand-count ballot measure, passed by the Republican-majority State Elections Board (SEB). The Peach State’s highest court said it will hear the Republican National Committee’s (RNC’s) appeal late last week after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Cox, Jr. ruled the measures were “illegal, unconstitutional, and void.” The RNC filed a subsequent request asking the court to temporarily block Cox’s ruling and allow the rules to go into effect while the decision was weighed, according to Democracy Docket. His decision covered a requirement for ballots at each precinct to be hand counted by three separate county officials to ensure the total matches the machine-tabulated number, as well as a provision directing county boards to certify election results only after “a reasonable inquiry” into their accuracy, among others. GEORGIA GOP CHAIR SHARES 2-PRONGED ELECTION STRATEGY AS TRUMP WORKS TO WIN BACK PEACH STATE Plaintiffs in the case included civil rights groups like the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP and Eternal Vigilance, as well as a current and a former state official. The state Supreme Court noted it “lacks jurisdiction over this motion” but said it would take the case due to the “issues of gravity and public importance” it presents. The RNC and its allies, including the Georgia state GOP, requested an emergency expedition of the appeals process. It comes as Election Day approaches in exactly two weeks, though Georgia has already shattered early voting records just seven days after the process began last Tuesday. The SEB voted to pass the rules in a 3-2 decision on Sept. 20, with three Republican-appointed members voting for the change and one against. GEORGIA DEMS CHAIR REVEALS MESSAGE TO UNDECIDED GOP VOTERS AS HARRIS WORKS TO BUILD BROAD BASE In addition to the two aforementioned rules, the SEB measures struck down by Cox included an ID requirement and heightened documentation requirements for people delivering absentee ballots to drop boxes, and a rule requiring video surveillance of drop boxes for votes cast there to be counted. The plaintiffs in the case argued the SEB did not have the authority to make such rules. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represented the plaintiffs in the case, said the measures were “injecting chaos into the democratic system in the immediate run-up to the November election.” ‘ILLEGAL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND VOID’: GEORGIA JUDGE STRIKES DOWN NEW ELECTION RULES AFTER LEGAL FIGHTS “Early voting has begun and over 1 million Georgians have already cast their ballots. Judge Cox’s ruling prevented a rule change in the middle of the game,” the ACLU said in response to the Republicans’ appeal. Even if the court rules in the GOP’s favor, however, the hand-count ballot rule would still be blocked due to a separate Fulton County Superior Court ruling temporarily delaying its implementation. Another earlier ruling mandated that the elections must be certified by a certain date, regardless of county officials’ inquiries. Democrats had accused the GOP officials of trying to sow doubt and chaos in the election process with the new rules. Republican skeptics, including State Secretary Brad Raffensperger, have argued their implementation is unworkable this close to the election. However, party officials like Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon argued the rules are necessary guardrails to ensuring election security. “If his decision were upheld, it would severely curtail the ability of the state elections board to regulate our elections and to do the job,” McKoon said. The Harris campaign referred Fox News Digital to a response to an earlier ruling temporarily blocking the hand-count ballot rule when asked for comment, “From the beginning, this rule was an effort to delay election results to sow doubt in the outcome…We will continue fighting to ensure that voters can cast their ballot knowing it will count.”
Delhi govt to provide special assistance of Rs 5000 monthly to…
Earlier today, in a landmark move aimed at supporting persons with special abilities, the Aam Aadmi Party government announced a monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for individuals with high special needs in Delhi.
Harris town hall only accepted ‘predetermined’ questions, moderator Maria Shriver admits
Journalist Maria Shriver admitted during a town hall event for Vice President Kamala Harris in Michigan that only questions that had been “predetermined” would be allowed to be asked. When asked by a member of the audience during the Monday event if voters would be able to ask questions to the presidential candidate directly, Shriver admitted that those in attendance would have to settle for her asking questions that “might be in your head.” “You’re not, unfortunately. We have some predetermined questions, and hopefully, I’ll be able to ask some of the questions that might be in your head. I hope so,” Shriver told the audience. FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS: VOTER OUTREACH, BALLOT EFFICIENCY AND A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING The Michigan event also featured a long-time adversary of former President Donald Trump, former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, who has hit the trail for the vice president in hopes of winning over Republican moderates who are still skeptical of the former president. The former Republican lawmaker joined Harris for a three-state battleground tour Monday, according to The Associated Press, telling voters in Wisconsin that the vice president was the candidate people from both parties could trust. “We might not agree on every issue,” she said at an event near Milwaukee. “But she is somebody you can trust.” TRUMP MYSTERY MAKES ELECTION OUTCOME EVEN MURKIER Nevertheless, some critics piled on Harris for holding a town hall, which typically features a more open question and answer session, with mostly predetermined questions. “They’re not even hiding it anymore,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung wrote in a social media post along with a video of the exchange. Harris has faced accusations of avoiding interviews and questions throughout the campaign, though the Democratic candidate has looked to put those issues to bed during a string of high-profile media appearances, including interviews with Fox News and CBS’ “60 Minutes” and appearances on popular radio shows and podcasts such as “The Breakfast Club” and “Call Her Daddy.” The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.