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New York City mayor meets with Trump's 'border czar' to discuss how to go after 'violent' criminals

Apple is all in on AI for the Mac. It’s called Apple Intelligence , and it’s really only starting to get off the ground. Meanwhile, OpenAI went ahead and launched its own ChatGPT app earlier this year, and supported it with a recent update that made it even more useful, bringing ChatGPT’s web-searching powers to its Mac app. I’ve been trying out the latest iteration in macOS Sequoia , and so far, I’ve been thoroughly impressed with how big of a difference it makes. With its incredible abilities, web search integration, and a few clever Mac-friendly touches, ChatGPT’s macOS app has a huge amount going for it — and finally makes my MacBook feel like a proper “AI PC.” It’s certainly become a must-have entry among the best Mac apps to download. Picture this ChatGPT’s Mac app uses OpenAI’s flagship 4o model , which can understand text, image, and voice inputs. By default, ChatGPT will try to interpret which of those modes you want to use, but you can lock in on one or the other by pressing forward slash (/) and choosing either “picture,” “search,” or “reason.” Image creation is impressive as long as you provide ChatGPT with enough information to go on. Unsurprisingly, tell it to “create me a landscape” and you may not get exactly what you had in mind. Try something more detailed — “create a snowy landscape set in the Norwegian fjords. It’s midday, there are snowcapped mountains, and local wildlife is out in abundance,” for example — and the chatbot produces a detailed image for you. There are still the kind of oddities we’ve grown used to AI producing (my image featured an animal that looked like a cross between a wolf and a reindeer), but you can ask for refinements or for ChatGPT to try again, and the results are generally very competent. Voice mode, on the other hand, is for when you’re not at your keyboard or just prefer speaking to ChatGPT. How well it works depends on what you ask it — try asking it for recipes, for example, and it’ll find some good ones, but will read all the steps and ingredients at such a fast pace that you will struggle to take notes. You can’t see the text output until you end the voice chat, which is fine for some topics but less helpful when you’re trying to follow cooking instructions. Pick ChatGPT’s “reason” option and you tap into OpenAI’s o1 model . This is for “solving hard problems,” OpenAI says, and specializes in science, math, and coding tasks. It takes longer to operate than 4o but is much more able to solve challenging and complex requests. Still, it’s beyond anything I need ChatGPT for, and while I occasionally ask it for help with things like Excel equations, the regular GPT-4o model can easily handle that with no need to rope in o1. The Google killer Over the past few years, I’ve been getting more and more dissatisfied with Google. Its search results are frequently unhelpful and inaccurate, it has an infuriating tendency to simply ignore my search terms (even when they’re put in quote marks), and trying to find specific solutions to niche problems is often nigh-on impossible. And that’s the real draw of ChatGPT’s Mac app for me. Instead of loading up a web browser and getting hit-and-miss results from Google, I can just open ChatGPT and get the answers I need with its ability to search the web. Compared side-by-side, Google’s search results page loads faster than ChatGPT can finish answering my queries. But ChatGPT wins in the long run because its web answers are frequently more useful than anything Google can find. Whereas Google has a short AI snippet at the top of its results and then a long list of web pages (pages that I’ve often found directly contradict the AI overview), ChatGPT takes the time to fully explain its answers, breaking them down into sections and bullet points where necessary. Instead of having to click through various websites and trawl through mountains of text, I get everything neatly summarized with minimal effort. Who wouldn’t want that? For instance, I asked ChatGPT to tell me the result of Liverpool’s recent Champions League clash against Real Madrid. Not only did it give me the score but it included a match report with key details from the game, plus extra reading, info on what the result meant for both teams, and even the historic context of the tie. It was exactly what I needed and more. I could find that info using Google, but I’d have to click through several websites to get it all. Here’s another example. I’ve been playing Stardew Valley ’s new 1.6 update and wanted some layout inspiration for my farm. Ask ChatGPT and it includes both images and text tips full of good ideas. There’s more packed into a few paragraphs than Google can muster with its traditional web page results and, importantly, it gives me certainty right away, without needing to click through multiple different destinations. I don’t use ChatGPT every time I want something from the web. Google is still better if I have a nebulous concept in mind — if I just want to browse a forum or Reddit and see what I come across, for example. Old habits die hard, too, and I’m still not quite over the muscle memory of pulling up a browser and heading to Google. But one thing that should make that easier is the ChatGPT app’s built-in macOS keyboard shortcut : just press Option-Space on your Mac to bring up a small input box for messaging ChatGPT. It’s reminiscent of the macOS Spotlight feature, both in its appearance and the shortcut you use to summon it (Spotlight uses Command-Space), and with ChatGPT at my fingertips, I’m hoping it’ll become my go-to way to find the answers I need. A new internet era The more time I spend using ChatGPT on my Mac, the more I feel it’s the ideal solution for my Google frustrations. Given how capable ChatGPT is and how differently it does things — instead of throwing random websites at you and leaving you to comb through the debris, it simply tells you what you need to know — I can see myself reaching for it much more readily than Google. Just as on-demand streaming services make much more sense to me than having to make do with whatever a TV channel’s schedule-maker decides is worth watching, so too does ChatGPT’s answer engine make far more sense to me than a cumbersome and inaccurate search engine like Google. Both sum up information found elsewhere, and neither really “knows” anything inherently. But ChatGPT is tailored to what I actually want, not to someone else’s idea of what I want. And with the seamless integration into macOS, it’s not longer something I have to go out of my way to seek out. That convenience is key to seeing AI make a tangible improvement on my work and life without requiring too much effort. The best part? With Apple Intelligence rolling out more features over the coming months, it’s only the beginning.

Donald Hand Jr. scores 29 with 10 rebounds, Boston College beats Fairleigh Dickinson 78-70

WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. The announcement caps a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth , who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” He did not immediately announce a new selection. Last week, he named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible contender, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. The withdrawal, just a week after the pick was announced, averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation fight that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to support Trump’s Cabinet picks. The selection of the fierce Trump ally over well-regarded veteran lawyers whose names had circulated as possible contenders stirred concern for the Justice Department's independence at a time when Trump has openly threatened to seek retribution against political adversaries. It underscored the premium Trump places on personal loyalty and reflected the president-elect's desire to have a disruptor lead a Justice Department that for years investigated and ultimately indicted him. In the Senate, deeply skeptical lawmakers sought more information about Justice Department and congressional investigations into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, which Gaetz has denied. Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyers were taken aback by the pick of a partisan lawmaker with limited legal experience who has echoed Trump's claims of a weaponized criminal justice system. As Gaetz sought to lock down Senate support, concern over the sex trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating. In recent days, an attorney for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18. "They’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” Leppard said Thursday of his clients. “They’re hoping that this brings final closure for all the parties involved.” Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department’s investigation ended last year with no charges against him. Gaetz’s political future is uncertain. He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected as attorney general, a move seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025, but he said in his resignation letter last week to House Speaker Mike Johnson that he did not intend to take the oath of office. He transmitted a similar letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the state launched a special election process to fill the vacancy. Republicans on the House Ethics Committee declined this week to release the panel's findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter. As word of Gaetz's decision spread across the Capitol, Republican senators seemed divided. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, called it a “positive move." Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” Others said they had hoped Gaetz could have overhauled the department. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close ally of Trump, said he was “disappointed. I like Matt and I think he would have changed the way DOJ is run.” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said he hoped that Trump will pick someone “equally as tenacious and equally as committed to rooting out and eliminating bias and politicization at the DOJ.” Gaetz is not the only Trump pick facing congressional scrutiny over past allegations. A detailed investigative police report made public Wednesday shows that a woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth, the former Fox News host now tapped to lead the Pentagon, after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared,” Hegseth told reporters Thursday at the Capitol, where he was meeting with senators to build support for his nomination. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!First Nation helps develop its own language learning app

Small, luxury foods are great as stocking stuffers or other gifts. Ideas for under $50 If you have an avid cook or food lover in your life, your gifting opportunities these days are vast and deep. There are authentic ingredients and creative concoctions in brick-and-mortar shops and online. The global pantry beckons. Katie Workman, The Associated Press Dec 12, 2024 1:54 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message If you have an avid cook or food lover in your life, your gifting opportunities these days are vast and deep. There are authentic ingredients and creative concoctions in brick-and-mortar shops and online. The global pantry beckons. Plus, in many cases, the packaging is gorgeous! Many of these affordable luxuries can be tucked into a stocking, but they also make great presents for a co-worker, mail carrier, nephew or teacher. As a slightly compulsive and obsessive gift giver, matching the right edible treat to the recipient is my jam (another great gifting option!). All of these items cost under $50, but make a big splash. Let’s go! Ah, nuts Two Chinese American friends took the flavors of their favorite childhood treats and transformed them into sweet spreads, ready to be slathered on toast, apples or just eaten with a spoon. Rooted Fare sells spreads like Crunchy Black Sesame Butter (inspired by tang yuan, a Lunar New Year dessert ), Pineapple Cake Cashew Butter, and Chinese Almond Cookie Butter. $15 per jar. Il Colle del Gusto makes some sweet and unusual nut-based spreads with an Italian twist: Coarse Hazelnut and Cocoa, Crunchy Peanut, and Sicilian Pistachio, all blended with olive oil. Swirl them into ice cream, slather them onto toast. Each jar under $10. Related: Sesame lovers will be delighted with either an assortment of tahini products such as Chocolate Sesame Sauce, or a tub of flaky, melt-in-your-mouth halva in flavors like cardamom and pistachio from Seed + Mill . Some great gift sets available for under $50. The crunchiest Chile crunch condiments have taken the cooking world by storm, and there are some highly giftable options. Fly By Jing makes a large assortment of Asian-inspired chile crunches, and they have some attractively packaged gift sets for the holidays . The mini sampler set is around $20. The aptly named Chile Crunch sells several varieties of their crunchy condiment, including hot, chipotle, mild and original, all for about $13 per jar. Somos' Salsa Macha Mexican Chili Crisps explode with texture thanks to a whole lot of nuts and seeds. Scoop these spicy-crunchy sauces over everything from avocado toast to tacos — and try the sweeter one on ice cream! The gift set of two comes with a cute spoon for $35. Feeling saucy Chef Patricia Quintana has created a line of salsas, sauces, dressings and condiments that preserves the heritage of traditional Mexican cooking. Treat someone to a jar of Achiote sauce or Pineapple Habanero Salsa (and hope you get invited over for the ensuing meal). $15 to $20 per jar. Ever heard of Secret Aardvark sauces ? You might be tempted to spread the word. This Caribbean/Tex-Mex line of condiments has a big following for what they call their “flavor that kicks you in the mouth.” There are many choices, including Drunken Jerk Jamaican Marinade, and Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce. $10 each, with combo packs starting at $20. Something fishy Tinned fish is also having a blockbuster culinary moment (and in many cases the packaging is super fun). Fishwife cans ethically sourced fish, like salmon, anchovies and trout, from around the world, with some attractive gift boxes under $50. La Narval focuses on combinations of fish and sauce, such as their mussels in Spanish sauce. Each tin is about $10. Just a nibble The Drinks Bakery creates savory snacks with flavor profiles meant to match up perfectly with your favorite libations. Munch on a Lancashire Cheese and Spring Onion biscuit with a hoppy IPA or a sauvignon blanc. Serve the Parmesan, Toasted Pine Nut and Basil biscuits with a whiskey highball or champagne. Choose from small or larger boxes. Oil and vinegar I can’t think of a food gift I’m happier to see than a high-quality bottle of oil or vinegar, two of the most-used ingredients in my kitchen. Bona Furtuna's selection of Sicilian olive oils is fresh and fragrant, and their aged balsamic vinegars are thick, sweet and rich. The Invecchiato 7-Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, for instance, sells for $44.95; Forte Extra Virgin Olive Oil from $10.95 to $39.95. Metafora olive oil comes in a beautiful bottle and is a nice introduction to Portuguese olive oil. $40. Alvear makes lovely Andalusian sherry vinegars. For the salad makers and Spanish chefs in your life, think about gifting one each of the bottles, a sweet and a dry , about $20 apop. Fancy pants Tartuflanghe makes all sorts of luxury ingredients infused with white and black truffles. Elevate your cooking game with truffle-infused butters with flavors like porcini or anchovy (about $10 each). Pick up a box of decadent, truffle-flavored Tartufissima 19 for $32. Or how about a little jar of black truffle pearls, which look like caviar, and are the most elegant way to finish off a risotto or a deviled egg ($40)? Sweet delicacies ’Tis the season for sweet things, but there's no need to settle for the same old bonbons. Sanders is known for decadent, chocolate-covered caramels, and this holiday season they have some limited-edition flavors. Do you know someone who might like a bag of bourbon, maple or peppermint dark-chocolate sea-salt caramels? I do! $10. Perhaps you’ve seen the elegant Lady M layered crepe cakes? Well this holiday, try their more portable and giftable Holiday Crepe Biscuit Collection . Eight wedge-shaped boxes contain a delicate crepe biscuit with fillings such as vanilla, chocolate hazelnut and green tea. $28. André’s Confiserie Suisse makes handmade chocolate with deep rich flavor, a result of generations of Swiss chocolate-making expertise. Some unusual classics include the Nussbergerli Sticks, a mix of caramel, candied orange peel and nuts, covered in either dark or milk chocolate, as well as a lovely assortment of chocolate-covered almonds. Also check out the festive, almond-stuffed chocolate pinecones, a cute edible ornament. Offerings start at $7. There are chocolate bars and then there are chocolate bars. At Chocopologie , it's hard to decide among the creative confections. Burnt Caramel Hawaiian Sea Salt? A S'Mores Bar that includes organic graham crackers and vegan marshmallows? At $10 each, you might need to buy a few. The bakers you know will love playing around with the Salted Caramel Crumbles from Kitty Keller. These toffee-like crumbles are made from the butter and salted caramel of Brittany, France, and can be used to finish all kinds of sweet treats with a crunchy little panache. $12. I could go on (quite clearly), but suffice it to say that a little special treat can have a big impact. Those stockings aren’t going to stuff themselves! ___ For more AP gift guides and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays . ___ This story was first published on Nov. 20, 2024. It was updated on Dec. 12, 2024 to correct the spelling of Bona Furtuna. Katie Workman, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo Dec 12, 2024 4:02 PM Movie Review: ‘Nickel Boys’ is a knockout, one of the most powerful films of the year Dec 12, 2024 3:40 PM Creditors approve proposed $32.5B deal with tobacco giants today: lawyer Dec 12, 2024 3:26 PM Featured Flyer

ST. PAUL — Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic died Friday following a battle with cancer. She was 62. Her family said she died surrounded by loved ones. “She had a heart of gold, willing to go to any measure to help those she loved,” they said in a statement. Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin the Minneapolis Democrat was committed to working for Minnesotans. She served in the Minnesota Senate for more than a decade. “It is impossible to overstate the positive impact that Senator Dziedzic’s leadership has had on our state,” Martin said in a statement. “She devoted her life to making her fellow Minnesotans’ lives better, and she refused to allow cancer to get in her way. Minnesota has lost a giant, but her extraordinary legacy will outlast us all.” Dziedzic was instrumental in holding together the Senate DFL caucus in 2023 as they passed, with a one-vote majority, a variety of Democratic priorities like funding universal school meals for students, approving a paid family and medical leave program, cementing legal protections for abortion and gender-affirming care and legalizing cannabis for recreational use. She was respected on both sides of the political aisle and her demeanor was always steady, even amid tense times in the Senate. Dziedzic’s laid-back style made her a surprising pick for majority leader after the 2022 election. Leaders from both major political parties said they were heartbroken by her death. “Senator Kari Dziedzic was a passionate legislator, a respected leader, and a trusted colleague and friend. She will be remembered for her integrity and her compassion for Minnesotans, something that we all saw as she continued to serve even as she battled cancer,” said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, an East Grand Forks Republican. “I’m deeply saddened at her passing and am praying for her family and friends as we all mourn this loss.” House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said she was “one of the most skilled diplomats ever to serve in elected office.” “Her legacy includes significant achievements in policy and investment in Minnesota, but more importantly she will be remembered for treating people with dignity and respect and never giving up on finding workable compromises,” Hortman said. “She had an incredible ability to work diligently through the most arcane and difficult policy issues to find resolution.” Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, agreed, saying she was “an uncommon leader.” “Her talents as a consequential and thoughtful leader made us all better legislators, and her examples of kindness humor, and selflessness made us all better people,” Murphy said. Former Senate DFL Leader Melisa López Franzen praised Dziedzic as a hard worker. “The last time I spoke to Kari a few weeks ago she was still serving her constituents,” she wrote on social media. “That’s Senator Dziedzic, the hardest working legislator I have ever had the honor to serve with. Rest in peace my friend.” Dziedzic was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2023 and underwent emergency surgery to limit its spread. She stepped down from her leadership position in February after her cancer recurred. The Senate will now stand in a 33-33 tie between Democrats and Republicans heading into the 2025 legislative session. Gov. Tim Walz has not yet said when he might call for a special election in the Minneapolis district. Dziedzic had a degree in engineering but couldn’t resist the family pull into public service. Her father, Walt, was a colorful Minneapolis city council member who later served on the park board. Dziedzic told MPR News that she felt drawn into politics after watching her father’s example. “I knew the long hours. I knew the phone calls at home. I knew what I was walking into,” she said. “But I also knew the opportunity that you have to help other people. And it’s about helping people and making your community better.” Dziedzic began a career in public service as a campaign volunteer and later moved on to become a scheduling aide for former U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone. After a stint working for a Hennepin County commissioner, she was nudged to run for a state Senate seat when longtime lawmaker Larry Pogemiller stepped down to take another government job. Gov. Tim Walz called Dziedzic a “one-of-a-kind leader.” He added, “Her legacy should inspire all of us in elected office to be better public servants.” Details for a memorial service have not yet been announced.Everdome Introduces Innovative Experience-to-Earn

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Professional boxer Paul Bamba dead at 35, days after winning title bout

Amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has taken decisive action by ordering a significant boost in funding for military brigades to acquire additional drones. This move reflects his growing focus on utilizing drone technology in the extended war effort. Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, shared that he had received a crucial report from Pavlo Palisa, the newly appointed deputy chief of staff, leading to the decision to amplify financial support for drone acquisition. The president instructed the prime minister to enhance the funding multiple times in the coming days. Initially non-existent in drone production, Ukraine has seen a remarkable change since Russia's invasion in February 2022. In October, Zelenskiy highlighted Ukraine's contract to produce 1.5 million drones this year, with plans to escalate production to four million annually. (With inputs from agencies.)