Arizona, which just became Trump's latest swing state, gained a new senator. Democrat Ruben Gallego beat Republican Kari Lake. He will become the first Latino senator to represent Arizona in the US senate. Georgia has begun to certify the results of this presidential election. The Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has classified Georgia's election as “free, fair, and fast”. A New York judge has postponed a decision on whether to undo Trump’s hush money conviction as prosecutors debate on how to proceed, after last week election results, while Trump lawyers ask for dismissal. A US state department statement has been released stating that the Biden administration has not assessed that Israel is in violation of US law and will not change its policy at this time, on the US- mandated 30-day deadline for the Netanyahu government to take specific steps to improve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. President-elect Donald Trump has demanded that Senate Republicans surrender their role in vetting his nominees. While there are no legal obstacles to this request, it would be a violation of constitutional norms. 

Democrat Ruben Gallego defeats Republican Kari Lake in Arizona Senate race (BCC) 

Certifying this year’s presidential results begins quietly, in contrast to the 2020 election (AP) 

Judge delays ruling on whether to scrap Trump’s conviction in hush money case (AP) 

U has not assessed Israel is violating law on Gaza Aid, will not change policy despite humanitarian group’s findings (CNN)

Trump demand to skirt senate confirmations poses early test of a radical second term (NYT, NPR)