A foreign manufacturer is being accused of doing the dirty on an Aussie food icon and wanting to shut the brand down rather than allow it to be sold and potentially prosper under a new owner. The Tasmanian government has now said it may nationalise the company in order to keep the 120-year-old Australian brand going. “We do not call out this behaviour lightly, but we will not stand idly by while a global company welshes on its responsibility to work with the government for the benefit of Tasmania,” Tasmanian Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff told The Australian . The drama surrounds King Island Dairy, whose bries, creamy camemberts and sharp cheddar cheeses are stocked in supermarkets across Australia. In 2019, Canadian cheese and dairy giant Saputo bought King Island Dairy and combined it with its existing Australian operations which also included Cheer, Devondale, Liddell’s and Mersey Valley cheeses. King Island Dairy is owned by Canada’s Saputo. But in September, Saputo announced that King Island Dairy would no longer operate from mid-2025. The diary employs 58 people and is the single biggest employer on the island which only has a population of 1600. The Montreal based firm said it made the decision to retire the brand after it was unable to find a buyer. At the time Saputo Dairy Australia (SDA) president Leanne Cutts said the decision to close the brand “had not been taken lightly”. “After thoroughly reviewing every possible option, closure of the facility was determined as the most viable way to strengthen SDA’s competitiveness based on changing industry and market conditions,” Ms Cutts said. Saputo Dairy Australia is in the spotlight over the sale of King Island Diary. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS ‘Increasingly concerned’ However, the Tasmanian government suspects Saputo hasn’t tried hard enough to sell off King Island Dairy as a going concern and is instead determined to close it down and remove a potential competitor from the market. It said last week that it was “increasingly concerned,” Saputo wasn’t committed to the process. Saputo brands such as South Cape and Tasmanian Heritage sell similar products to King Island Dairy and might benefit if there were less brands in the market. The government said Saputo’s preferred buyer only wanted to buy one of King Island’s two dairy farms and that raised questions about how long a smaller operation would remain feasible. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has also been critical of Saputo’s antics. “We see time and time again multinationals, god damn them, buying into our Tasmanian companies ... only for them to turn their backs on the locals before much longer,” ABC reported her as saying. Now, the Tasmanian Government has said it could temporarily nationalise King Island Dairy and restart the sale process. “All options are on the table to ensure the best outcome for the King Island community and to support the continuation of King Island Dairy’s operations,” Mr Rockliff said. “Government has sought legal advice on a range of options available to ensure the best outcome is secured.” King Island only has 1600 inhabitants and King Island Dairy is its biggest employer. Photo: Supplied Mr Rockliff believes the right buyer could ensure the long term survival of the premium cheese business. That would save a Tasmanian brand seen across Australia as well as keeping a vital employer on the island. The threat appears to have had some impact with Saputo apparently re opening negotiations with potential buyers. “Saputo has listened to our concerns and re-engaged other interested parties,” Mr Rockliffe said. “We will continue to work with Saputo to secure a new owner who values the brand’s legacy and importance to King Island and Tasmania.” News.com.au has contacted Saputo Dairy Australia for comment. More Coverage Iconic Australian cheese brand closes down Lauren Ferri What happened after Coon changed its name Frank Chung Originally published as Foreign firm ‘called out’: Killing Aussie icon Manufacturing Don't miss out on the headlines from Manufacturing. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Business Breaking News ASX snaps grim days-long losing streak The ASX has surged back and broken a days-long losing streak - after better than expected inflationary data out of the US sent markets higher around the world. Read more At Work Coke supply threatened for Christmas Christmas could be a little flat as Coca-Cola factory workers go on strike on Thursday for a second time this month. Read more
Related ArticlesDana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
An improvised line in 'Elf' almost got cut, and now it's gone viralNothing's guaranteed, but Bucs need to win out to give themselves best shot to make the playoffs
MAC defensive lineman commits to Iowa out of transfer portal5 players found guilty of age cheating after Moukoko's dad accused him of fraudWhen you consider things to do for New Year's Eve, you might picture the usual: giant parties, long lines to get to the bathroom, and crowds gathered every way you turn. But just because New Year's is known as a major night to go out doesn't mean you have to buy into all the hype. In fact, staying in might be way more fun. There are a ton of festive things you can do at home on New Year's Eve, from trying Nara Smith recipes with your friends to playing a sex game with your significant other . And when you stay in on Dec. 31, you don't have to deal with the super-expensive bar tabs, the challenge of keeping track of your friends in a crowd, or the misery of trying to get ahold of an overpriced Uber ride home. Whether you're celebrating alone, with close family, with roommates or friends, or with your partner, there are plenty of ways to make this countdown to midnight one to remember, and it may even help you start new traditions . Keep reading for more things to do for New Year's Eve if you want to celebrate at home this year. — Additional reporting by Kelsey Hurwitz Finally, a Sparkly New Year's Eve Manicure You Can DIY Prepare the Perfect Cocktails Celebrating at home means you won't have to wait in line for an overpriced drink (a major win)! Instead, stock up on all your favorite spirits, beer, wine, and mixers so you'll have plenty of options when the day rolls around. Then whip up some festive cocktails or mix your go-to drink. If you aren't drinking, make a tasty mocktail instead. Bottom line: always have a delicious drink on hand for the night. Enjoy the Snack Boards of Your Dreams Tasty food is a must on New Year's Eve, even if you aren't cooking for a lot of people. Make these party appetizers to last all night or serve holiday appetizers for two . One thing you can never go wrong with? A charcuterie board, either sweet or savory. Dress Up In a Sparkly New Outfit Your home is now your runway. If you feel better in sweatpants, go for it! But if you want to get in the holiday spirit, you can't go wrong with a sparkly new party dress . Who cares if you're alone? Watch Funny Movies or TV Shows Watching funny movies or TV shows is one of the best ways to spend New Year's Eve. Laughter is the best medicine, and the voices of your favorite characters from classics like "Friends", "Sister, Sister", "The Office", or "Girlfriends" will keep you company long into the night. Pull Out All the Board Games An at-home New Year's Eve celebration is not complete without board games. Everything from Monopoly to Medium to Twister should be on the table here. Nothing is too childish, too silly, or too long to play on New Year's Eve. Plus, it's the fastest way to get the laughs rolling with your roommates or partner. Have a Dance Party Turn up the music, turn down the lights, and have a dance party right in your living room. Sure, it's not like a club, but you have space to have fun, let loose, and sing at the top of your lungs with no one or just your closest friends around to care. It's fun, and it relieves stress, so there's no excuse not to do it. Host a Murder Mystery Party Invite over a few friends, look up a murder mystery dinner script (or make up your own), and have fun trying to determine who "killed" the victim. You can even all dress up as your characters for extra fun. 15 Last-Minute Gifts That'll Arrive by Christmas — and Cost Less Than $25 Play Video Games Challenging your partner or your friends virtually to a video game will be your new favorite tradition. There are plenty of options on your phone or laptop if you don't have a game console. The night will go by in a flash. Journal About the Past Year Whether you've had an amazing or challenging year (or more likely a combination of both), it's no small feat that you made it through the year. Celebrate it! Spend some quiet time this New Year's Eve journaling, meditating, and reflecting on all that happened in 2024. It's therapeutic, plus it'll be a good way to keep a record for you to look back on someday. Write Your Resolutions Down Set your resolutions, goals, or intentions for 2025. Yes, it's cheesy, but planning ahead is also motivating, and clarifying. It's a time to reflect on your values and your actions, to make sure you're living the life you want. If you're not sure what to manifest in 2025, look to your zodiac sign . Bake and Decorate a Cake Baking sweets can make everything better, so spend some time on New Year's Eve trying out a new recipe for cookies, brownies, pie, or cake. Then decorate it and eat it! It's calming, fun, and totally delicious. Have a Sleepover in the Living Room You may not be at a glamorous hotel this New Year's Eve, but you can still sleep somewhere new. Bring all your coziest pillows and blankets to the living room to have a sleepover with your roommates, partner, besties, or pets. You can stay up late watching a movie and drinking, then simply pass out wherever you are. Donate to a Good Cause Start off 2025 right by donating to a cause you're passionate about. It's a good way to help those in need and feel good about the new year. Pop a Bottle of Bubbly at Midnight The beginning of a new year is definitely a cause for celebration. Make sure you have at least one bottle of Champagne or the sparkling non-alcoholic drink of your choice on hand to pop at midnight. Even if you're celebrating solo, the bubbles tickling your throat always feels like a festive way to cap off a night. 26 Holiday Nail-Art Designs That Are Festive but Not Cheesy Clean House OK, this one might require some explaining, but if you get it, you get it. First, in some cultures, cleaning your house is a traditional New Year activity — what better way to usher in a fresh slate than by cleansing your most private place? Second, cleaning can be fun. Scroll through some Clean Tok videos on TikTok ahead of the big day, order some fresh new cleaning supplies and organizational tools, and use what you've learned to scrub every last bit of dust and grime out of your corners. We promise, you'll feel bright and light and free going into 2025. Enjoy a Quiet Brunch The best part about celebrating New Year's Eve at home is that there's no end time. Want to go to sleep at 12:01 a.m.? Go for it! Want to stay up drinking, playing games, and watching movies until 5 a.m.? Totally OK, too! No matter how late you stay up, you can sleep in, then make yourself pancakes for brunch the next morning (and maybe some mimosas, too?). It's cozy, with no frenzied Uber rides to have to worry about. Create a Scrapbook You know all those photos you take and promptly forget about? Give them the display they deserve by creating a scrapbook to commemorate your year. You'll be amazed how good you feel seeing all the highlights of your 2024 spread out in front of you; plus, this is a fun, creative project that will help you feel inspired to make more memories. Read Through Your Journals From the Past Year The new year is always an important time of self reflection. See how far you've come and how your life has changed and evolved over the last year by taking the time to read through your journals. This isn't a time to judge your past self, but rather to appreciate how every small step you took over the course of the year led you to where you are. Take a Relaxing Bath Few things are as wonderfully relaxing as a long, hot bath. Sync your music to a Bluetooth speaker, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils, and, of course, don't forget the bubbles. Allow yourself to leave the stress of 2024 in the past as you relax your way into the new year. 10 Easy but Impactful Ways to Refresh Your Home in the New Year Sydni Ellis is a PS contributor with her master's degree in journalism from the University of North Texas. She loves talking about her passions, including writing, shopping, and reading murder mysteries. Kelsey Hurwitz was a former assistant editor at PS.
India-Sri Lanka Ties And Regional DynamicsA palace in shock: Bashar al-Assad's final moments in Syria
California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sitesPlaying top competition nothing new for Milton
Can Palantir Stock Become the Next Nvidia?
T hree hundred twenty-four. That was the score Mary Louis was given by an AI-powered tenant screening tool. The software, SafeRent, didn’t explain in its 11-page report how the score was calculated or how it weighed various factors. It didn’t say what the score actually signified. It just displayed Louis’s number and determined it was too low. In a box next to the result, the report read: “Score recommendation: DECLINE”. Louis, who works as a security guard, had applied for an apartment in an eastern Massachusetts suburb. At the time she toured the unit, the management company said she shouldn’t have a problem having her application accepted. Though she had a low credit score and some credit card debt, she had a stellar reference from her landlord of 17 years, who said she consistently paid her rent on time. She would also be using a voucher for low-income renters, guaranteeing the management company would receive at least some portion of the monthly rent in government payments. Her son, also named on the voucher, had a high credit score, indicating he could serve as a backstop against missed payments. But in May 2021, more than two months after she applied for the apartment, the management company emailed Louis to let her know that a computer program had rejected her application. She needed to have a score of at least 443 for her application to be accepted. There was no further explanation and no way to appeal the decision. “Mary, we regret to inform you that the third party service we utilize to screen all prospective tenants has denied your tenancy,” the email read. “Unfortunately, the service’s SafeRent tenancy score was lower than is permissible under our tenancy standards.” Louis was left to rent a more expensive apartment. Management there didn’t score her algorithmically. But, she learned, her experience with SafeRent wasn’t unique. She was one of a class of more than 400 Black and Hispanic tenants in Massachusetts who use housing vouchers and said their rental applications were rejected because of their SafeRent score. In 2022, they came together to sue the company under the Fair Housing Act, claiming SafeRent discriminated against them. Louis and the other named plaintiff, Monica Douglas, alleged the company’s algorithm disproportionately scored Black and Hispanic renters who use housing vouchers lower than white applicants. They alleged the software inaccurately weighed irrelevant account information about whether they’d be good tenants – credit scores, non-housing related debt – but did not factor in that they’d be using a housing voucher. Studies have shown that Black and Hispanic rental applicants are more likely to have lower credit scores and use housing vouchers than white applicants. “It was a waste of time waiting to get a decline,” Louis said. “I knew my credit wasn’t good. But the AI doesn’t know my behavior – it knew I fell behind on paying my credit card but it didn’t know I always pay my rent.” Two years have passed since the group first sued SafeRent – so long that Louis says she has moved on with her life and all but forgotten about the lawsuit, though she was one of only two named plaintiffs. But her actions may still protect other renters who make use of similar housing programs, known as Section 8 vouchers for their place in the US federal legal code, from losing out on housing because of an algorithmically determined score. SafeRent has settled with Louis and Douglas. In addition to making a $2.3m payment, the company has agreed to stop using a scoring system or make any kind of recommendation when it came to prospective tenants who used housing vouchers for five years. Though SafeRent legally admitted no wrongdoing, it is rare for a tech company to accept changes to its core products as part of a settlement; the more common result of such agreements would be a financial agreement. “While SafeRent continues to believe the SRS Scores comply with all applicable laws, litigation is time-consuming and expensive,” Yazmin Lopez, a spokesperson for the company, said in a statement. “It became increasingly clear that defending the SRS Score in this case would divert time and resources SafeRent can better use to serve its core mission of giving housing providers the tools they need to screen applicants.” Tenant-screening systems like SafeRent are often used as a way to “avoid engaging” directly with applicants and pass the blame for a denial to a computer system, said Todd Kaplan, one of the attorneys representing Louis and the class of plaintiffs who sued the company. The property management company told Louis the software alone decided to reject her, but the SafeRent report indicated it was the management company that set the threshold for how high someone needed to score to have their application accepted. Still, even for people involved in the application process, the workings of the algorithm are opaque. The property manager who showed Louis the apartment said she couldn’t see why Louis would have any problems renting the apartment. “They’re putting in a bunch of information and SafeRent is coming up with their own scoring system,” Kaplan said. “It makes it harder for people to predict how SafeRent is going to view them. Not just for the tenants who are applying, even the landlords don’t know the ins and outs of SafeRent score.” As part of Louis’s settlement with SafeRent, which was approved on 20 November, the company can no longer use a scoring system or recommend whether to accept or decline a tenant if they’re using a housing voucher. If the company does come up with a new scoring system, it is obligated to have it independently validated by a third-party fair housing organization. “Removing the thumbs-up, thumbs-down determination really allows the tenant to say: ‘I’m a great tenant,’” said Kaplan. “It makes it a much more individualized determination.” Sign up to TechScape A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives after newsletter promotion Nearly all of the 92 million people who are considered low-income in the US have been exposed to AI decision-making in fundamental parts of life such as employment, housing, medicine, schooling or government assistance, according to a new report about the harms of AI by attorney Kevin de Liban, who represented low-income people as part of the Legal Aid Society. The founder of a new AI justice organization called TechTonic Justice , De Liban first started investigating these systems in 2016 when he was approached by patients with disabilities in Arkansas who suddenly stopped getting as many hours of state-funded in-home care because of automated decision-making that cut human input. In one instance, the state’s Medicaid dispensation relied on a program that determined a patient did not have any problems with his foot because it had been amputated. “This made me realize we shouldn’t defer to [AI systems] as a sort of supremely rational way of making decisions,” De Liban said. He said these systems make various assumptions based on “junk statistical science” that produce what he refers to as “absurdities”. In 2018, after De Liban sued the Arkansas department of human services on behalf of these patients over the department’s decision-making process, the state legislature ruled the agency could no longer automate the determination of patients’ allotments of in-home care. De Liban’s was an early victory in the fight against the harms caused by algorithmic decision-making, though its use nationwide persists in other arenas such as employment. Laws limiting the use of AI, especially in making consequential decisions that can affect a person’s quality of life, are few, as are avenues of accountability for people harmed by automated decisions. A survey conducted by Consumer Reports , released in July, found that a majority of Americans were “uncomfortable about the use of AI and algorithmic decision-making technology around major life moments as it relates to housing, employment, and healthcare”. Respondents said they were uneasy not knowing what information AI systems used to assess them. Unlike in Louis’s case, people are often not notified when an algorithm is used to make a decision about their lives, making it difficult to appeal or challenge those decisions. “The existing laws that we have can be useful, but they’re limited in what they can get you,” De Liban said. “The market forces don’t work when it comes to poor people. All the incentive is in basically producing more bad technology, and there’s no incentive for companies to produce low-income people good options.” Federal regulators under Joe Biden have made several attempts to catch up with the quickly evolving AI industry. The president issued an executive order that included a framework intended, in part, to address national security and discrimination-related risks in AI systems. However, Donald Trump has made promises to undo that work and slash regulations, including Biden’s executive order on AI. That may make lawsuits like Louis’s a more important avenue for AI accountability than ever. Already, the lawsuit garnered the interest of the US Department of Justice and Department of Housing and Urban Development – both of which handle discriminatory housing policies that affect protected classes. “To the extent that this is a landmark case, it has a potential to provide a roadmap for how to look at these cases and encourage other challenges,” Kaplan said. Still, keeping these companies accountable in the absence of regulation will be difficult, De Liban said. Lawsuits take time and money, and the companies may find a way to build workarounds or similar products for people not covered by class action lawsuits. “You can’t bring these types of cases every day,” he said.Former Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key, one of the top offensive players in the transfer portal, announced on social media Tuesday that he will transfer to Nebraska. Key posted a photo of himself in a Nebraska uniform wearing the No. 6 he wore at Kentucky. The simple post contained the letters "GBR," short for "Go Big Red," with an emoji heart. Key led Kentucky this past season with 47 receptions for 715 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games as the Wildcats finished 4-8. In three seasons, the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has 126 receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 TDs in 38 games (35 starts). Key has one season of eligibility remaining after he was a four-star recruit in the class of 2022. --Field Level Media
Syria’s embassy in Lebanon suspends services as Lebanon hands over former Syrian army officers
NEW YORK — I’ll get you, my pretty! And your little pygmy hippo, too! Forgive us the shameless attempt to link the fantasy hit “Wicked” to the delightful Moo Deng . But, hear us out — there’s something the two have in common as the year draws to a close. Escapism. Whether we found it on the yellow brick road, or in videos from a Thailand zoo, or perhaps in unlikely Olympic heroes , we gravitated toward fantasy and feel-good pop culture moments this year. There were new trends, as always. “Brat summer” became a thing, as did “demure, mindful.” And for some inexplicable reason, we became obsessed with celebrity lookalike contests. There were breakups — Bennifer is, again, a thing of the past — and reunions: Oasis, please try to stay together for the tour. Yet some things stayed, remarkably, the same: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé kept on breaking records and making history. So, after a year where much changed but some things held steady, here’s our annual, very selective trip down pop culture memory lane: Lily Gladstone poses in the press room Jan. 7 with the award for best performance by an actress in a motion picture, drama for "Killers of the Flower Moon" at the 81st Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. It starts as a cheery tweet from a beloved “Sesame Street” figure: “ ELMO is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The answers hint at something deeper and more worrisome. “Not great, Elmo. Not great,” says one milder reply. Doing much better is the viral phenomenon called “BARBENHEIMER,” which makes its awards season debut at the GOLDEN GLOBES . But perhaps the most poignant moment comes from neither film: LILY GLADSTONE , first Indigenous winner of best actress in a drama for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” begins her remarks in the language of her tribe, Blackfeet Nation. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses Taylor Swift on Feb. 11 after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game in Las Vegas. Valentine’s Day — a perfect time to settle into a sweet love saga via TikTok. Only that’s not quite what we get with “Who TF Did I Marry?,” REESA TEESA ’s depressing, fascinating, 50-part account of her disastrous marriage with a man who lied about absolutely everything. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a single week that encapsulates peak SWIFT cultural dominance , try this: she begins with the Grammys in Los Angeles (becoming the first artist to win album of the year four times AND announcing a new album), then heads to Tokyo for four tour dates, then jets back just in time for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas — where she shares a passionate smooch with boyfriend TRAVIS KELCE on the field of victory. Ryan Gosling performs the song "I'm Just Ken" from the movie "Barbie" on March 10 during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. “What was I made for?” BILLIE EILISH sings at the OSCARS, channeling BARBIE . And what was KEN made for? Not entirely clear — but it's clear RYAN GOSLING was made to play him. His singalong version of “I’m Just Ken” is one of the most entertaining Oscar musical moments in years. Still, Christopher Nolan's “OPPENHEIMER” prevails, a rare case of the top prize going to a blockbuster studio film. Will it happen again in 2025? CYNTHIA ERIVO and ARIANA GRANDE sure hope so; as presenters, they make a sly reference to their upcoming juggernaut, “WICKED.” Speaking of marketing, people are obsessed with that bizarre “DUNE” popcorn bucket. Beyonce And BEYONCÉ carves her space in country music with “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” which will make her the first Black woman to top the Billboard country chart. Taylor Swift performs June 21 at Wembley Stadium in London as part of her Eras Tour. Tennis, anyone? The game’s been around for centuries, but it’s having a cultural moment right now, helped mightily by “CHALLENGERS,” the sweaty romance triangle starring ZENDAYA, MIKE FAIST and JOSH O'CONNOR (40-love? More like 40-sex.) Elsewhere, a new era dawns: At midnight, SWIFT drops “THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT," then drops another 15 songs two hours later. The fascinating and disturbing “BABY REINDEER,” the story of a struggling comedian’s extended encounter with a stalker, debuts on Netflix. Ben Affleck, left, and Jennifer Lopez arrive Feb. 13 at the premiere of "This Is Me ... Now: A Love Story" at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It’s MET GALA time — or as it's known in 2024, another early marketing moment for “WICKED.” ERIVO and GRANDE make fashion waves on the carpet and then musical ones at dinner, with a soulful performance of “When You Believe.” If the “Wicked” tour is in full force, another one stops in its tracks: JENNIFER LOPEZ cancels her summer tour amid reports of both poor ticket sales and trouble in her marriage to BEN AFFLECK . It’s been an eventful year for J.Lo, who's released an album and movie called “THIS IS ME ... NOW" — both reflections on her renewed love with Affleck. Welcome to BRAT SUMMER ! CHARLI XCX releases her hit “Brat” album , with its lime green cover, and launches a thousand memes. Collins Dictionary defines “brat,” its word of the year, as “characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.” At the celeb-heavy SWIFT shows in London, we see PRINCE WILLIAM shaking it off, which is either charming or cringe, you decide. Even better: KELCE dons a top hat and tux and performs for one night. At another stadium across the pond, METS infielder JOSE IGLESIAS delights the crowd with his cheery number “OMG.” Stephen Nedoroscik is introduced June 29 at the United States Gymnastics Olympic Trials in Minneapolis. Bonjour, it’s OLYMPICS time! In Paris! An audacious opening ceremony along the Seine is punctuated by a fabulous CELINE DION , perched on the EIFFEL TOWER , singing her heart out — in the rain, too. Controversy swirls over a scene critics feel mocks Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” (organizers say it does not). Olympic stars are born — including French swimming superstar LEON MARCHAND , rugby player ILONA MAHER , and bespectacled “Pommel Horse Guy” gymnast STEPHEN NEDOROSCIK , who nets two bronze medals and comparisons to Clark Kent. Baby pigmy hippo Moo Deng plays with a zookeeper Sept. 19 in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand. Also capturing hearts: yep, MOO DENG , born this month. Her name means “bouncy pork.” Australia's Rachael Gunn, known as B-Girl Raygun, competes Aug. 9 during the Round Robin Battle at the breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. This is them ... now: BENNIFER is no more. After two decades, two engagements and two weddings, J.Lo files for divorce. One union dissolves, another returns: OASIS announces a reunion tour. Everyone seems to want to get in on TikToker JOOLS LEBRON 's “ DEMURE, MINDFUL ” act — even the WHITE HOUSE press team. Back at the Olympics, in the new sport of breaking, we meet Australia’s RAYGUN , arguably neither demure nor mindful with her “kangaroo” move. Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani brings his dog Decoy to the mound Aug. 28 before Decoy delivered the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles in Los Angeles. Cute animal alert: SHOHEI OHTANI ’s perky pooch DECOY does a great “first pitch” in his Major League Baseball debut. Chappell Roan performs "Good Luck, Babe" on Sept. 11 during the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. One of the year’s biggest breakout artists, CHAPPELL ROAN , withdraws from a music festival after speaking out about frightening fan interactions. And more on the price of fame: In an excruciating moment, “Bachelorette” JENN TRAN , the franchise’s first Asian American lead, is forced to sit through a painful viewing of her proposal to her chosen suitor, after tearfully explaining how he’d later dumped her over the phone. Tran is keeping busy though — she’s announced as part of the new “Dancing with the Stars” lineup. Also on the list: rugby player Maher, and Pommel Horse Guy! Also, ANNA SOROKIN , dancing with an ankle monitor. Online fandom, meanwhile, is shaken when X is temporarily suspended in Brazil and celebrity stan accounts post tearful farewells, revealing to many across the globe that their favorite accounts are run by Brazilians. Miles Mitchell, 21, wins of the Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest Oct. 27 near Washington Square Park in New York. “Dune” Chalamets! “Wonka” Chalamets! Thousands gather in Manhattan for a TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET lookalike contest, and things really get interesting when Chalamet himself shows up. He doesn’t enter the contest, though, and with his mustache, he may not even have won. The trend continues with contests for JEREMY ALLEN WHITE, ZAYN MALIK and — in a very Washington version — Kennedy scion JACK SCHLOSSBERG , who's been gathering a following with some interesting social media posts. New York Liberty Kennedy Burke dances with the mascot, Ellie the Elephant, during an Oct. 24 ceremony after a parade in honor of the Liberty's WNBA basketball championship at City Hall in New York. Turning to basketball, who’s that dancing with USHER ? Why it’s ELLIE THE ELEPHANT , the now-viral NEW YORK LIBERTY mascot. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, right, appears Nov. 2 with Maya Rudolph on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" in New York. MAYA RUDOLPH does a pretty good KAMALA HARRIS laugh on “Saturday Night Live,” but you know who does it better? HARRIS herself. The Democratic candidate makes a surprise cameo three days before the U.S. presidential election, following in the footsteps of HILLARY CLINTON , SARAH PALIN and others. Elsewhere in television, Bravo announces that “VANDERPUMP RULES,” the Emmy-nominated reality show that has lived through countless scandals, is entirely recasting its 12th season — apart from namesake LISA VANDERPUMP . As for MOO DENG , she doesn't have her own TV series yet, but our favorite pygmy hippo is generating plenty of merch . And THAT brings us back to ... Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo pose for photographers Nov. 11 prior to the premiere of "Wicked" at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City. “WICKED” ! Director JON M. CHU ’s emerald-hued fantasy remains very very popular, to quote one of its buzzy show tunes, dancing through life and defying gravity at the multiplex. Moviegoers also come for “GLADIATOR II” and, in a veritable tidal wave, Disney's “MOANA 2,” which beckons us back to the seas of Oceania. Once again, 2024 seems to be telling us: Give people some whimsy, a place to escape, maybe some catchy tunes — and no one knows how far they’ll go. The stories and images that defined 2024. Searching for something? From queries about U.S. politics to cricket in India, Wikipedia has become a source of information for millions of people across the globe. From the Paris Olympics to the Super Bowl. From Simone Biles to Shohei Ohtani. And, of course, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. These are the sp... AP photographers assembled a visual catalog of our civilization as life in 2024 hurtled directly at us at every speed and in every imaginable ... In 2024, photographers captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election, to hurricanes and fires that ravag... Associated Press photographers captured voters with raw emotions of joy, excitement, contemplation or sorrow. See entertainment's biggest moments in 2024, through the lens of Associated Press photographers. It beat five other finalists: demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. News anchors, politicians and other public figures in the U.S. struggled with these words the most this year. Is it any surprise Merriam-Webster's word of the year is "polarization"? Here are the other words that rounded out the top 10 for 2024. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!In December 1999, the world prepared for the impending global meltdown known as Y2K. It all stemmed from a seemingly small software glitch: Many older computer programs had coded dates using only two numbers for the year. At midnight on Dec. 31, a misinterpretation of "00" in the year 2000 might cause widespread errors leading to mass panic. The Clinton administration said that preparing the U.S. for Y2K was probably "the single largest technology management challenge in history." The bug threatened a cascade of potential disruptions — blackouts, medical equipment failures, banks shutting down, travel screeching to a halt — if the systems and software that helped keep society functioning no longer knew what year it was. These fears gave rise to another anxiety-inducing acronym: TEOTWAWKI — "the end of the world as we know it." Thankfully, the so-called "year 2000 problem" didn't live up to the hype. NPR covered Y2K preparations for several years leading up to the new millennium. Here's a snapshot of how people coped, as told to NPR Network reporters. Infrastructure systems braced for the worst Computer specialist and grassroots organizer Paloma O'Riley compared the scale and urgency of Y2K prep to telling somebody to change out a rivet on the Golden Gate Bridge. Changing out just one rivet is simple, but "if you suddenly tell this person he now has to change out all the rivets on the bridge and he has only 24 hours to do it in — that's a problem," O'Riley told reporter Jason Beaubien in 1998. So, why wasn't U.S. infrastructure ready in the first place? Stephanie Moore, then a senior analyst with Giga Information Group, told NPR it stemmed from a data-efficiency measure in the expensive early days of computers: formatting years using two digits instead of four, with most computers interpreting "00" as the year 1900. "Now, when we roll over to the year 2000, computers — instead of thinking it's 2001 — are going to think it's 1901," Moore said, adding Y2K would have been avoidable "had we used four-digit year dates all along." The date switchover rattled a swath of vital tech, including Wall Street trading systems, power plants and tools used in air traffic control. The Federal Aviation Administration put its systems through stress tests and mock scenarios as 2000 drew closer. "Twenty-three million lines of code in the air traffic control system did seem a little more daunting, I will say, than I had probably anticipated," FAA Administrator Jane Garvey told NPR in 1998. Ultimately there were no systemwide aviation breakdowns, but airlines were put on a Y2K alert. The crunch to safeguard these systems was a reminder that the technology underpinning people's daily lives was interdependent and constantly evolving. "People forget that the infrastructure for the Industrial Revolution took between 300 and 500 years to put in place," University of Washington engineering professor Mark Haselkorn said at the time. "And we're about 50 years into putting the infrastructure in place for the Information Age. So, it's not surprising we've got some problems." People prepared to "bug out" A mobile home; a year's supply of dehydrated food; a propane generator — those were just some of the precautionary purchases California computer programmer Scott Olmstead made in advance of 2000. (He also said he was shopping for a handgun.) If Y2K sparked a food shortage, or an electric grid failure, or even a crime spike, Olmstead told NPR he would be ready: "Whatever it is, if we want to 'bug out,' as the programmers say, we can do it. We've got a place to go." He added that he might take his money out of the bank and convert it into gold, silver and cash. While concerned citizens pondered a panic-proof wealth strategy, Brian Roby, vice president of First National Bank of Olathe, Kan., told NPR his institution would be ready to welcome customers on New Year's Day rather than take the holiday off. "We thought about it and we said, 'Hey, if we're ready, we're ready. Let's prove it. Let's be the first to be open,' " Roby said. "And we're just going to open up like it's any other normal Saturday." Some financial analysts remained skeptical Y2K would come and go with minimal disruption. But by November 1999 the Federal Reserve said it was confident the U.S. economy would weather the big switch. "Federal banking agencies have been visited and inspected. Every bank in the United States, which includes probably 9,000 to 10,000 institutions, over 99% received a satisfactory rating," Fed Board Governor Edward Kelley said at the time. Neighbors banded together Dozens of communities across the U.S. formed Y2K preparedness groups to stave off unnecessary panic. Kathy Garcia, an organizer with the Y2K Community Project in Boulder, Colo., said fears of a societal meltdown offered an opportunity to take stock. "How do we help each other out — not when a disaster hits, but beforehand?" Garcia told NPR's Margot Adler in 1999. Her project set up shop in a Boulder mall storefront, offering Y2K educational videos and exhibits on food storage. Local resident Richard Dash stopped by, urging people to consider their neighbors — not just themselves. "Do you want to be the only house with lights, and the only house with the smell of food coming from it? Do you want to really turn yourself into a bunker?" he said. Dash added he hoped nothing would come of Y2K besides a renewed feeling he could count on his community in an emergency, and it could count on him, too. Instead of conserving their extra food, he said, people could come together and share it. "We'll all have a picnic," he said. "We'll give extra food to FoodShare, and nobody's going to be hungry for a while. And that'll be just terrific." Squashing the Y2K bug In the end, the worst fears lay in anticipation. Besides a few minor setbacks like an internet slowdown and reports of malfunctioning clocks, the aggressive planning and recalibration paid off. Humanity passed into the year 2000 without pandemonium. "I'm pleasantly surprised," John Koskinen, chair of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, told NPR's Weekend Edition on Jan. 1, 2000. "We expected that we would see more difficulties early on, particularly around the world." People like Jack Pentes of Charlotte, N.C., were left to figure out what to do with their emergency stockpiles. Pentes had filled 50 large soda bottles with tap water. "I used a half a dozen in the washing machine," he told NPR. "I can't bear to just pour it out and throw it away. There are too many people in the world that can't get any decent water." Food writer Michael Stern meanwhile offered a chili recipe for people with leftover canned food — namely, Spam. "One of its charms is that it doesn't decompose," Stern said. "No matter how long you cook it, it will always retain its identity as Spam." Others couldn't quite shake the instinct to plan ahead. Alfred Lubrano, an essayist for The Philadelphia Inquirer , wrote a letter included in a time capsule to be opened for "Y3K" — the year 3000. Lubrano's letter, which he read on NPR, ended with a question for whoever might find it in the next millennium. "We're human, same as you — flawed like you, decent like you," Lubrano wrote. "We have not yet figured out this world, this life. Have you?" Original reporting by NPR's Jason Beaubien, Ira Flatow, Steve Inskeep, Mary Ann Akers, Jack Speer, Larry Abramson, Margot Adler and Bob Edwards.