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Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the USThe states that saw the most active attacks against election certification two years ago certified the results of this year’s races without controversy this week, prompting the Arizona secretary of state to proclaim that “election denialism” is a thing of the past. Others said they weren’t so sure. Certification proceeded normally this year in part because Donald Trump won the presidential race, quieting his supporters after he had spent the campaign making unsubstantiated claims that he could lose only through widespread cheating . The statewide certification votes Tuesday in Nevada and New Mexico follow a vote Monday to certify the results in Arizona. In all three states, the certification process was tumultuous during the 2022 midterms when Democrats won most statewide offices. Those controversies followed attempts by Trump and his allies to halt or challenge certification in Michigan, Georgia and other battleground states in 2020, disrupting what until then had been a routine administrative process. This year, some who have been the most vocal in questioning the integrity of elections have instead been celebrating Trump’s victory. “The results are being accepted in the manner that they are, in part, because those who have been eroding trust or casting doubt on the integrity of U.S. elections have a result they feel good about,” said David Levine, a former local election official in Idaho who now advises on election administration issues. “Hopefully we can get back to a place where Americans can feel confident in the results even if it’s one they disagree with.” On Tuesday, Nevada and New Mexico certified their statewide results with little discussion. During Monday’s certification in Arizona, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes reflected on the lack of controversy this year. “I think the age of election denialism, for all intents and purposes, is dead,” he said. Sitting next to Fontes, state Attorney General Kris Mayes, a fellow Democrat, said she was more skeptical. Her Republican opponent in 2022 spent two years challenging his loss . “Do I think election denialism is dead? No, I don’t,” she said. “We’ll see over the next couple of election cycles what happens, but I don’t think we’re there yet.” Public confidence in elections has dropped since Trump challenged his loss in 2020 and made false claims of widespread fraud, particularly among Republicans . Some Republicans began targeting the certification process, when local and state boards certify the results after local election officials provide them with the final tally of votes. A firestorm erupted in Georgia over the summer when the state election board, with a new pro-Trump majority, attempted to politicize the certification process with changes later blocked by the courts. While certification battles did not surface after the Nov. 5 election , a vocal segment within the Republican Party remains deeply skeptical of election processes, particularly of the availability of mail ballots and the use of ballot scanners to tally votes. During a forum Monday on the social platform X led by the group Cause of America, the group's director expressed doubt about voting equipment. Shawn Smith, who also is a retired Air Force colonel, argued the certification process suppresses legitimate concerns and goes against “the sovereignty of the people.” Although not as widespread as four years ago, this sentiment did surface sporadically at the local level this month. In Washoe County, Nevada, which includes Reno and voted narrowly for Vice President Kamala Harris, the vote to certify the results was 3-1 with one abstention. Commissioner Jeanne Herman has consistently voted against certification and did not make a public comment about her vote this year. Commissioner Mike Clark, a staunch Trump supporter who had also previously voted against certification, said he would abstain and left before the vote. “I am not an election denier and clearly the person I wanted to win, won this state,” Clark said before leaving the meeting. “However, that does not mean that all the protocols were followed and that we can truly certify the election.” Such skepticism, whether in Nevada or elsewhere, leaves the door open to certification disputes during future elections. The questioning of election results isn't limited to Republicans. Even though Harris quickly conceded after losing all seven presidential battleground states , online posts among her supporters continue to raise concerns about her loss. One Reddit community that has amassed 23,000 members features a steady drumbeat of Democrats scrutinizing a result they can’t believe is real. Some posting in the group have issued calls to contact Harris and her running mate to ask them to demand a recount or otherwise object to the outcome. Among the battlegrounds, Michigan was among those where Trump and his allies pressed to halt certification of the 2020 election for Democrat Joe Biden amid false claims of fraud and manipulation. Two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers who initially opposed certification eventually relented. The state board of canvassers eventually voted to certify, even after one Republican member abstained. This year, the state board voted unanimously on Nov. 22 in favor of certifying and praised the state’s election workers. In Georgia, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger certified his state’s results on Nov. 22. Four years ago, the Republican state official was facing immense pressure from Trump and his allies to investigate their unsubstantiated claims of fraud. Also certifying results Tuesday, and doing so unanimously, was the state Board of Elections in North Carolina. It was the only presidential battleground state won by Trump in 2020 — and the only one where he and his allies didn't make claims of fraud. ___ Cassidy reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ken Ritter in Las Vegas, Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, and Ali Swenson in New York contributed to this report. Christina A. Cassidy, The Associated PressBy KRISTEN WOOD Chilly weather and early nights make the holiday season the best time of year for cuddling up with your favorite games. From enjoying a quiet afternoon alone to gathering with family, these board, video and card games will bring cozy vibes to your holiday gaming. The holidays are prime time for coziness. Cold weather, hot drinks and days off work or school are perfect for snuggling up under a blanket. With many games designed to be cozy, relaxed and lighthearted, accompanying your cozy afternoons with a game might be your new holiday tradition. Many holidays bring together friends and family as well. While some families may look forward to feuding over the Risk board or resources in Settlers of Catan, more low-key games can be an opportunity to bond with loved ones. Cooperative games or games with a bit of friendly competition let you focus on who you’re playing with. Since these cozy games often have easier instructions, everyone can get involved. A busy holiday season also benefits from rest. Take a break from shopping, cooking, traveling and other holiday tasks with some games. Stress-busting games let you enjoy a couple of hours of quiet gameplay or raucous laughter, both sure to provide some relaxation. Relaxing board games are great for a lazy afternoon with friends or after dinner at a holiday party. These games often feature cooperative play or minimal competition, beautiful artwork and straightforward gameplay ideal for all ages. For the holidays, these games provide a whimsical escape from seasonal chaos. Patchwork Patchwork is a chill two-player puzzle game where you and your opponent compete to create the best quilt. The tactile experience and cozy results are relaxing on a chilly day. If you have more than two players, try Calico instead where you’ll create quilts for cats. Carcassonne In Carcassonne, players compete to build Medieval cities and fields by laying tiles. The game takes a bit of strategy and luck, and it will generate some friendly competition among children and adults alike. The charming artwork of parks, featuring America’s national parks, will also transport you on a road trip from the comfort of your home. Everdell and Flamecraft For those looking for longer gameplay, Everdell will have you playing as cute forest creatures building new cities during a game that averages a little over an hour. Flamecraft is another delightfully whimsical game where players try to attract dragons to improve the reputation of their shops. Each of these games is simple to pick up and, with every playthrough offering something new, they’ll get you through the entire holiday season. Parks, Everdell and Flamecraft can also be single-player games if you need a break from socialization. Snuggling up on the couch with a video game is inherently relaxing. Whether you enjoy mobile, computer, handheld or console games, the cozy game genre provides dozens of options. This season, try games ranging from relaxing to enchanting. If having everything in its place provides calm in the chaos of the holiday season, you’ll love Unpacking. This puzzle game, available on Switch, PC and Xbox, has you unpacking boxes and putting items away. Playing games like Unpacking can be a meditative experience. Other puzzle games like A Little to the Left and Spiritfarer blend stories into the gameplay. For spooky autumn vibes, try Strange Horticulture and play as the owner of a plant shop and potion maker. Maintaining a virtual farm or building a make-believe castle from your sofa can be a great stress reliever. Stardew Valley is a quintessential farming game surrounded by charming townspeople. With the highly anticipated November update, you can now play on console, mobile and PC. Palia , a massively multiplayer online game, features farming, quests and community building with other players. It’s also free. For those with a Nintendo Switch, the Animal Crossing series has you interacting with other animal players in a peaceful village. With multiplayer modes, these games are great options for playing with friends and family from afar during the holidays. For a single-player escape, try the recently-released Tiny Glade on PC where you’ll build castles. This cozy game’s detailed artistry and conflict-free gameplay will bring hours of relaxation. Or build a world from tiles in Dorfromantik. The game can be entirely chill or provide a bit of strategy if you want to go for a high score. A pack of cards is reliable entertainment at any gathering. From classics to innovative new card games, having a few in your game collection can be worthwhile. Card games can range from simple to complex, a few minutes to a few hours and single-player to dozens of players. If you have a standard deck of playing cards, Blitz is a great option for any number of players. Also known as Thirty One, this game gives every player three cards and lets them trade out a card on each turn, trying to get a value of thirty-one. President is another simple social card game where players race to get rid of their cards in ascending order. If you are imbibing this holiday season, some people play it as a drinking game. For a two-player card game, try The Fox in the Forest. This trick-taking card game features cozy graphics, and its fast, simple gameplay is perfect for a winter date night. For two to four players, Arboretum has darling tree graphics on its cards. Players lay cards down with the goal of creating a beautiful garden. This holiday season, be sure to take time to connect with loved ones and catch a few moments to yourself. Cozy games are a lighthearted escape. As the genre grows, there are options for everyone this season, from mindless games to those that require a touch of strategy – perfect for any mood or moment. Kristen Wood is a writer, photographer, avid cozy gamer and creator of The Cozy Gaming Nook , your source for everything cozy games. Her work has been featured in various online and print publications, including Elle, NBC, Forbes, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, Seattle Times and more.

La mandataria mexicana Claudia Sheinbaum se mostró el martes dispuesta a un diálogo con el presidente electo Donald Trump, pero advirtió que si el nuevo gobierno estadounidense impone aranceles a México su administración responderá con una medida similar. Así lo planteó Sheinbaum en una carta que enviará el martes a Trump en la que expresó que “no es con amenazas ni con aranceles como se va atender el fenómeno migratorio, ni el consumo de drogas en Estados Unidos”, pero advirtió que “a un arancel vendrá otro en respuesta y así hasta que pongamos en riesgos empresas comunes”. “¿Por qué ponerle un impuesto que las ponga en riesgo? ”, se preguntó la presidenta en la misiva al hablar de las consecuencias que un incremento de los aranceles podría tener para las automotrices estadounidenses como General Motors y Ford Motors Company —que tienen plantas en México— y dijo que es “no es aceptable y causaría a Estados Unidos y a México inflación y pérdidas de empleo”. Sheinbaum abogó por el diálogo y la “cooperación y entendimiento recíproco” para fortalecer económicamente a Norteamérica y asegurar que la región siga siendo más competitiva frente a otros bloques económicos. Esa idea la amplió en su conferencia matutina en la que anunció que además de la carta se buscará una conversación telefónica para concretar un encuentro lo más pronto posible. “Hay que poner todo sobre la mesa. Pero si ponemos en el centro la coordinación, la colaboración para poder atender de manera profunda el fenómeno migratorio, el problema de la crisis humanitaria que tienen en Estados Unidos por el consumo de fentanilo, pues entonces se va atender de manera integral”, afirmó la mandataria. En una serie de publicaciones en su plataforma de redes sociales Truth Social, Trump dijo el lunes que impondría un impuesto del 25% a todos los productos que ingresen al país desde Canadá y México y un arancel adicional del 10% a los bienes procedentes de China. El presidente electo aseguró que los nuevos aranceles permanecerían en vigor “hasta detener esta invasión de drogas, en particular del fentanilo, y de todos los extranjeros ilegales en nuestro país”. No está claro si Trump realmente llevará a cabo las amenazas o si las está utilizando como táctica de negociación antes de asumir el cargo en enero. El tratado de libre comercio entre Estados Unidos, México y Canadá prohíbe imponer aranceles a los países miembros. Al desmostar los argumentos esgrimidos por Trump, Sheinbaum dijo que de acuerdo con las cifras de la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de Estados Unidos (CBP, por sus siglas en inglés) los encuentros con migrantes en la frontera sur estadounidense se han reducido 75% desde diciembre de 2023 a noviembre de este año y que la mitad de los extranjeros que han llegado a esa frontera es a través de una cita legalmente otorgada por el programa CBP One que estableció la administración del demócrata Joe Biden. Durante su conferencia matutina, la presidenta mexicana resaltó los esfuerzos que ha desplegado México para atender el problema migratorio y expresó que “a lo mejor esto no lo conoce el presidente Trump”. Asimismo, Sheinbaum destacó las acciones que han emprendido las autoridades mexicanas para combatir el tráfico de drogas y el apoyo que han dado a Estados Unidos ante la “epidemia” del fentanilo, que aseguró que es consecuencia de un “problema de consumo y de salud pública de la sociedad de su país”, y recordó que las drogas sintéticas ingresan a Estados Unidos, Canadá y México de “manera ilegal proveniente de países asiáticos”, ante lo que planteó que es “urgente la colaboración internacional”. De igual forma, reiteró las quejas de México sobre el tráfico ilegal de armas provenientes de Estados Unidos, que estimó en 70%, y el impacto que eso genera en la escalada de la violencia. “Los muertos por la delincuencia para responder a la demanda de drogas de su país lamentablemente los ponemos nosotros”, recordó. También criticó el gasto armamentista y dijo que “si un porcentaje de lo que Estados Unidos destina a la guerra se dedica a la construcción de la paz y al desarrollo, se estará atendiendo de fondo la movilidad de las personas”. Pese a las tensiones, el secretario mexicano de Economía, Marcelo Ebrard, se mostró el martes optimista y dijo en un mensaje de su cuenta de X, antes Twitter, que “encontraremos una solución”. “El arancel es un impuesto y dañaría a ambos países”, agregó. La reacción de Sheinbaum sugiere que Trump se enfrentaría a una mandataria muy diferente a su antecesor. A fines de 2018 el entonces presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador, un político carismático de la vieja escuela, entabló una relación cordial con Trump y ambos llegaron a un acuerdo por el que México ayudaba a mantener a los migrantes lejos de la frontera estadounidense y recibía a los extranjeros deportados de otros países y el republicano retrocedía en las amenazas. Pero Sheinbaum, formada en movimientos radicales estudiantiles, parece menos dispuesta a una relación más política o a apaciguar a Trump. “Nosotros negociamos como hermanos...pero no hay subordinación”, sostuvo el martes la mandataria al reconocer que la relación con Estados Unidos es de “alto nivel”, pero “es de iguales”. De concretarse la amenaza del republicano Trump el impacto se sentiría especialmente en Estados Unidos con un aumento drástico de precios en diversos productos, desde la gasolina y automóviles hasta productos del campo. Pero México no escapará de las secuelas económicas. Los primeros efectos se sintieron el martes en el mercado cambiario. La moneda mexicana concluyó la jornada con una depreciación de 1,87% frente al dólar lo que llevó la tasa de cambio alrededor de 20,68 pesos por dólar. El mercado de valores también sufrió una leve afectación y cerró la sesión con una pérdida de 0,97%. La directora de análisis económico del grupo financiero local Banco Base, Gabriela Siller, indicó que de concretar Trump sus amenazas podría desencadenarse una salida paulatina de empresas extranjeras de México, lo que afectaría el desempeño económico del país. En cuanto a la advertencia que lanzó Sheinbaum de responder también con aranceles, Siller dijo que “con una política espejo México sería el gran perdedor” y sostuvo que la economía mexicana depende mucho más de su vecino del norte que lo que Estados Unidos depende de México. En tanto, Moody’s dijo en un comunicado que la brecha comercial negativa del país latinoamericano podría ampliarse en 2025 debido a que los aranceles estadounidenses reducirán la demanda de exportaciones mexicanas, lo que “empeorará” la debilidad de la economía. Es por ello que la calificadora ajustó su proyección de crecimiento económico para el próximo año y la pasó del alrededor de 1% a 0,6%. “Los efectos adversos afectarán a la baja el desempeño económico de México, particularmente en los próximos dos años”, reconoció la calificadora. Además, Moody’s señaló que los impactos también se sentirán en el sector financiero, en el flujo de remesas y las inversiones, debido a que algunas empresas estadounidenses podrían reconsiderar o cancelar sus planes de relocalización en México. El comercio transfronterizo entre México y Estados Unidos pasa por su mejor momento, con transacciones que superan los 800.000 millones de dólares anuales. Estados Unidos es el mayor importador de bienes del mundo, siendo México, China y Canadá sus tres principales proveedores.Arsenal, Man City and Bayern advance to Women's Champions League quarterfinals

France's far-right propped up the weak government. But could now bring it crashing downHistory is made in BBC One’s latest Christmas special, as of a British police detective parachuted into the sleepy (and entirely fictional) Caribbean island of Saint Marie. But as he dons the droopy green sun hat of DI Mervin Wilson, he has his work cut out in a fun, feature-length instalment that tries to pull off several demanding tasks simultaneously. Firstly, the episode must introduce DI Wilson as a fully rounded replacement for Secondly, it has to serve up a distinctive dollop of Christmas cheer on a weekend when heave under a dead weight of tinsel and season’s greetings. Oh, and it has to deliver a satisfying murder mystery with the inevitable loose ends tied up by the closing credits. That’s a tall order – too tall perhaps. There are moments when this Christmas one-off threatens to lose its footing and tumble head over heels like Santa slipping on a dodgy roof tile. The good news is that Gilet is a great addition to the series. His phlegmatic, crotchety persona harks back to the OG policeman abroad, Richard Poole (the harrumphing Ben Miller). Poole was forever grumbling about life on a glorious tropical island. DI Wilson has some of that same Columbo-esque energy, complaining early on that visiting Saint Marie is “like stepping back in time”. But there’s deep sadness under that glum exterior, and it is revealed that he came to the island hoping to connect with his mother, whom he had never known. He also seems not to have any friends back in London – revealing to DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) that he always volunteered to work at Christmas because he didn’t have much else on. The episode also brims with yuletide conviviality. As it was no doubt filmed months ago, in sunny Guadeloupe, conjuring the season’s charm must have been a challenge. But it pulls it off, with a heart-warming subplot in which Danny John-Jules’s officer Dwayne Myers pulls out all the stops to spend 25 December with his ageing dad Nelson (Ram John Holder), who he suspects may not have too many more Christmases left in him. Dwayne follows this up by announcing he is stepping down as a policeman so that he can have more quality time with his father (it is Jules’s second exit from after he previously took time away in 2022). Where the instalment falls down is in its manically convoluted murder plot. You know that internet meme from , in which a wild-eyed Charlie Day stands in front of a cork-board map criss-crossed with red lines? That is what this storyline feels like, as the holidaying Wilson is asked to delay his return to London to help the local police investigate the double killing of two men, both dressed as Santa. The two have seemingly been killed with the same gun – at the same time. Oh, and there is another near-victim, again done up as Father Christmas and pinged with a bullet at the very moment his fellow Santas were shot dead. Untangling the mystery is a tremendously fiddly undertaking, and I’m still not sure I entirely understand it all. I won’t spoil it here – suffice to say it’s a bonkers combination of Agatha Christie’s and Oliver Stone’s , with several potential culprits and enough deep-fried red herrings to stock a chipper on Christmas Eve. It’s all quite baffling, and not even DI Wilson appears to fully understand it as he breaks down the details of the murder. But then, the crimes – and the idea they need to make any sense at all – have always taken a back seat on . Far more important is the fact that the new DI strikes up an instant connection with the support crew of DS Thomas and police chief Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington). The chemistry is great, the sunshine a balm at this time of year – and the Christmas spirit appropriately festive. You could go down a tropical rabbit hole trying to unravel the complicated plot. But bah humbug to that. What is really important is that has a compelling new lead detective. To grumble about the twisting, turning story would be to indulge in criminal levels of nitpicking.A Florida man was arrested Wednesday and charged with a plot to "reboot" the U.S. government by planting a bomb at the New York Stock Exchange this week and detonating it with a remote-controlled device, according to the FBI. Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, of Coral Springs, Florida, was charged with an attempt to use an explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce. The FBI began investigating Yener in February based on a tip that he was storing "bombmaking schematics" in a storage unit. They found bomb-making sketches, many watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics that could be used for building explosive devices, according to the FBI. He had also searched online for things related to bomb-making since 2017, according to the FBI. RELATED STORY | Court overturns actor Jussie Smollett's 2019 conviction in hate crime hoax case Yener also told undercover FBI agents that he wanted to detonate the bomb the week before Thanksgiving and that the stock exchange in lower Manhattan would be a popular site to target. "The Stock Exchange, we want to hit that, because it will wake people up," he told undercover FBI agents, according to court documents. Yener, who was described as "unhoused," wanted to bomb the stock exchange in order to "reboot" the U.S. government, explaining that it would be "like a small nuke went off," killing everyone inside the building, according to court documents. In the last month, he had rewired two-way radios so that they could work as remote triggers for an explosive device and planned to wear a disguise when planting the explosives, according to court documents. Yener had his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon and will be detained while he awaits a trial. He was known to post videos on a YouTube channel about making explosives and fireworks from household items, and had a history of making threats, according to court documents. He was fired last year from a restaurant in Coconut Creek, Florida, after his former supervisor said he threatened to "go Parkland shooter in this place." He was also part of a small group that tried to join the far-right anti-government group the " Boogaloo Bois " and extremist group the Proud Boys but was denied membership because he said he wanted "to pursue martyrdom," according to court documents. The news was first reported by the website CourtWatch. Calls to telephone numbers listed for Harun Abdul-Malik Yener in public records rang unanswered and a lawyer was not listed in court records.