Latest news with #Alfred
Wales Online
a day ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
'Devastated' Welsh Harvard student fears Donald Trump may stop him ever returning to campus
'Devastated' Welsh Harvard student fears Donald Trump may stop him ever returning to campus Alfred Williamson said he was 'determined' to keep his place at the Ivy League College despite an escalating row between Donald Trump's administration and the university Alfred Williamson has just completed his first year at Harvard University (Image: Reuters ) Welsh student Alfred Williamson was living the dream. A former pupil of Kings Monkton School in Cardiff, Alfred had just wrapped up his first year at the prestigious University of Harvard, studying physics and government, a world away from his old south Wales classroom. The Ivy League campus had quickly become a second home; a place of opportunity and inspiration. As he set off to Denmark for his summer break, the 20-year-old was already counting the days until he could return. However, for Alfred and thousands of others, that return has been cast in doubt. According to Harvard's records, the university had enrolled over 6,700 international students last academic year, which made up 27% of its student body. Alfred Williamson has just completed his first year at Harvard University (Image: Reuters ) Alfred is among those caught in the crossfire of a growing dispute between US President Donald Trump and Harvard, a conflict centred on the administration's efforts to restrict the enrolment and retention of international students at the university. It was announced that the Trump administration had revoked the school's ability to enrol foreign students attending the school on visa; forcing any current international students to transfer or ultimately lose their legal status. "Harvard wants to fight. They want to show how smart they are, and they're getting their ass kicked," President Trump had stated. Since taking office in January, it is reported that the Trump administration has taken aim at Ivy League schools, with Harvard facing particular criticism; accused of fostering violence, antisemitism and even working with the Chinese Communist Party, despite no evidence being provided. Hundreds of international students have been left devastated by the Trump administration's decision (Image: Reuters ) While a federal judge in Boston has temporarily blocked the order, the news has left many students scrambling for what to do next as they remain in the dark over what will happen after the summer. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here "When the news hit, I was in complete and utter shock that he did do it," Alfred said, recalling the moment he learned of the decision. "I didn't know how to respond; I didn't know what to feel; I didn't know what to think; I didn't know if I'd be an illegal immigrant suddenly, or as they describe people like us, aliens. Yeah, so it was very devastating news." Speaking to The New York Times, Alfred added that he had messaged a friend from the UK, asking if they should consider a transfer to Oxford or Cambridge, a conversation that would have seemed unthinkable in the weeks prior. "People are taking this very seriously," he said. "Everyone's freaking out. No-one knows what to do." Alfred is determined to maintain his place at the university, which he has come to love (Image: Reuters ) Some students, wary of a backlash, have told Reuters that they have hesitated to speak out publicly, in fear of being targeted by US authorities. Alfred admitted that while he shared those concerns, he felt he had an obligation to speak out. "I think that the point where people begin to self-silence is a very dangerous path. When people start to self-silence, we are no longer living in a democracy. And, for me, it's absolutely critical that I voice my opinion so that we preserve these values that America was founded on. In fact, the ideals of freedom and rights." In light of this, Alfred said he was unwilling to contemplate the prospect of transferring to a different university. Regardless of his fear, he is determined to remain at Harvard, arguing that the international community contributes a lot to the United States. "I really, really keep my fingers crossed for the whole international (student) community because they are currently having a very bad experience with what's going on right now." This sentiment has been echoed in a recent Tweet by Harvard University, which simply stated: "Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard." Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below
Digital Trends
a day ago
- Business
- Digital Trends
Apple needs to fix the basics for macOS 26, or let AI run the show
The Mac apps community is a wonderful place to find utilities that can supercharge your computing experience. Alfred, Raycast, AlDente, and Rectangle are some of the most highly recommended apps for macOS users these days. The open-source community has also produced a few utilities (and their forks) that I use on a daily basis. If you read between the lines, you'll notice that these apps fill a functional gap that Apple has yet to offer natively. On the other side of the computing ecosystem, Windows has served those perks for years. Will the next big software upgrade, macOS 26, finally give users an in-house fix? We'll only get the answer at WWDC 2025 in just over a week from now. Recommended Videos What if Apple is still reluctant? In that case, I hope macOS 26 delivers something even bolder, preferably with AI taking the lead and easing up mundane tasks. Apple doesn't have to weave some cosmic quantum-tier magic to achieve that. It just needs to look around and build a few tricks of its own. Imagine Copilot, but under the Apple Intelligence banner. Why should Apple even care? That's a pertinent question. I'll keep things tethered to the very fundamental levels of computing here. Remember clipboard history? Well, macOS still lacks a native clipboard. Why does the world's most consolidated computing OS lack something as basic as a clipboard? Only the Apple overlords know. What I do know is that an absent clipboard is deeply frustrating. For someone whose life revolves around words, copy-pasting terms such as CVE-2025-24126 and a half dozen variations of it, dealing with research citations, and more such repetitive chores, I am exhausted with the Cmd+C and Cmd+V cycle. I hate it. On Windows, the universal clipboard copies text as well as media assets. It's a huge relief, and anyone who works with tools such as Office and Workspace would vouch for that. Some users argue that a clipboard can save sensitive information. Well, first of all, you shouldn't be copy-pasting passwords. Second, you can selectively delete sensitive entries or set up an auto-delete protocol for the clipboard. Apple is known for its privacy-first approach, and it certainly has the world-class talent to work on an elegant solution that offers the best of both worlds. Until then, I'll keep recommending excellent third-party alternatives such as Maccy. The problems run deep Window management in Mac still feels extremely limited, especially if you are working on external screens. On the other hand, the resizing and tiling approach in Windows is far ahead. Once again, the developer community comes to the rescue. So far, Swift Shift has been my go-to app for window management in macOS. It's a free, open-source app that makes the process of tiling and resizing app windows far less frustrating than the vanilla macOS experience. Lately, I've also experimented with Loop and have fallen in love with its intuitive approach. It's surprising that Apple is yet to find a utilitarian side to the MacBook's notch. Free apps, such as the Boring Notch, have turned it into an activity hub that handles everything from music playback and calendar viewing to file sharing and camera preview. Apple hasn't paid any attention to the cluttered menu bar situation, and once again, it's third-party apps that help fix the mess. Apple has seemingly condemned even basic facilities like a scratch pad for macOS. I recently tried Antinote and realized just how much ground macOS still has left to cover. Also, when are screenshots going to appear on my clipboard, ye trillion-dollar company? It's pretty surprising, especially when you notice that Apple sees macOS and iPadOS as somewhat of a wannabe proxies that deliver their own unique flavor of computing. And yet, macOS is deprived of even the most basic iPadOS features. Native icon theming, lock screen customization, and deeper widget controls are a few features that should've appeared on macOS by now. Likewise, I could use the flexibility of setting different dock layouts for each desktop or work profile. Once again, a third-party app will let you do just that. And while at it, Apple should simply port over the control center adjustments from iPadOS to Mac, and go a step further by giving a similar treatment to the Menu bar. AI to the rescue? Alright, that's a long wishlist. In hindsight, given how basic those feature gaps are, if Apple hasn't addressed them so far, it's unlikely that WWDC 2025 will see a solution for them all. I am not holding my breath, either. So, what next? Well, macOS 26 is reportedly getting a design overhaul. Moreover, Apple is also rumored to make some big AI announcements. macOS desperately needs some of that. Now, I am not riding the AI hype train. But there are scenarios where it proves to be helpful almost on a daily basis. Deep Research is my favorite. A close second is NotebookLM. I regularly rely on Gemini to break down complex research papers and turn them into interactive podcasts for better knowledge gathering. MacOS could use some of that magic, but baked at a more fundamental level, and with some guardrails in place. Apple already has a partnership in place with OpenAI, one that has integrated ChatGPT within the Apple Intelligence stack. Apple needs to shift gears now and expand AI access within other apps, both in-house and third-party. Look no further than Gemini's integration within Workspace and Copilot fingerprints across the Windows 11 OS. I recently tried Windows Recall on a Copilot PC and couldn't stop dreaming about a similar system for macOS. Apple's M-series silicon definitely offers enough firepower to bring a 'memory bank for Macs' to life. Apple is reportedly in talks to extend its in-house models to developers, so I'm hopeful of some positive developments coming out of WWDC 2025. With the current state of macOS, Apple desperately needs to pay attention. It can either fill the existing gaps or develop breakthrough features, or piggyback on the AI race and redefine how we get work done in the age of AI. We are already at a point where AI agents like ChatGPT Operator, Project Astra, and Mariner are redefining how we interact with phones and get work done across the internet. macOS 26 needs that eureka moment. I'd be happier if Apple took the latter route and offered it with a privacy-first approach. Apple certainly can pull it off. It's just a matter of how and when that happens.
Mercury
2 days ago
- Business
- Mercury
Retail trade falls despite Easter and Anzac Day
Don't miss out on the headlines from Money. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australians are still not spending despite back-to-back public holidays in April, and it could force the Reserve Bank of Australia to come to the rescue with additional rate relief. Retail sales fell by 0.1 per cent in April despite two holidays during the month, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show. This follows growth of 0.3 per cent in March 2025 and 0.2 per cent in February 2025. Food-related spending was up, with cafes, restaurants and takeaway services growing 1.1 per cent to be the standout. Oxford Economics Australia lead economist Ben Udy said the RBA might cut rates even sooner than expected. 'This weakness is one indication that households are being a little cautious in the face of rising global uncertainty,' he said. 'We still expect consumption to rise over the rest of the year, supported by the recovery in real household incomes and RBA rate cuts. 'But unless consumption picks up a little more strongly in the coming months, the RBA may cut rates even sooner than we currently expect.' RBA governor Michele Bullock delivered further rate relief in May. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short The RBA began its rate-cutting cycle in February, pausing on the cash rate in April before cutting again in May. It has reduced the official cash rate from 4.35 per cent at the start of 2025 to 3.85 per cent after the second interest rate reduction. ABS head of business statistics Robert Ewing said retail spending eased in April, particularly on clothing. 'Falls were partly offset by a bounce-back in Queensland as businesses recovered from the negative impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred last month,' he said 'The rise in food-related spending was driven by more dining out in Queensland this month. The bounce back comes after adverse weather negatively impacted cafe and restaurant sales, Mr Ewing said. Australians kept their hands in their pockets in April. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard There were mixed results across the industries, with the largest falls in clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing, down 2.5 per cent, while department stores also slumped 2.5 per cent. This was partially offset by rises in other retailing up 0.7 per cent and household goods retailing which rose 0.6 per cent. 'Clothing retailers told us that the warmer-than-usual weather for an April month saw people holding off on buying clothing items, especially new winter season stock,' Mr Ewing said. Retail turnover rose in Queensland by 1.4 per cent and Western Australia 0.4 per cent, with all other states and territories recording a fall since March. 'Queensland retailers recovered from last month's temporary business closures and fewer customers,' Mr Ewing said. 'In April, we saw higher spending in the industries most impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. 'More people dined out and made recovery purchases on household items like furniture and electrical goods.' Originally published as Spending falls below estimates, as holidays fail to lift consumer spending
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2025 cancelled amid beach safety concerns
One of the biggest tourism drawcards has been sidelined for 2025, with the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast officially cancelled due to ongoing beach erosion. The high-octane aerial spectacle, set to return to Surfers Paradise from August 15–17, has now been pushed back an entire year, following the continued impact of Cyclone Alfred and relentless coastal conditions which have hammered the city's foreshore, Airshow director Kevin Elliott said on Friday. 'Our team had every confidence that the ongoing beach restoration efforts would have the sandy beach in Surfers Paradise in peak shape in time for this year's event. 'Unfortunately, a combination of severe weather, recurring king tides, and powerful swell created new safety concerns. It's been one step forward, two steps back. 'The decision to cancel this year's event timely and decisively is the right one.' The airshow had become a flagship event on the Gold Coast calendar, attracting over 200,000 aviation enthusiasts from across the country with major economic benefits for Queenslands ' tourism industry. But this year's hopes were dashed. John Warn, CEO of Experience Gold Coast, said that the three-day event would have injected $33 million into the economy. 'It is a big hit.' More than four million cubic metres of sand were lost from the coastline during Cyclone Alfred. Local authorities have been working around the clock to restore the beach. 'There has been such a monumental effort behind the scenes around beach restoration,' Warn explained. 'The money, the resources, the equipment and the team effort has been exceptional. 'Unfortunately, Mother Nature has not been on our side. 'We've had significant rainfall, huge swells, king tides on the back of a one in 50-year cyclone. 'It made it very, very difficult. 'Unfortunately it hasn't landed in our favour and we've had to make that really difficult decision.' No option but to cancel In recent weeks, contingency plans were explored – including date changes and venue shifts – but none met the event's strict safety and scale standards. 'Delivering a substandard experience is not what you've come to expect. And it's not what we're prepared to offer,' Elliott explained. 'After considering all alternatives ... we couldn't find a way to keep our community safe without compromising the show, either in the air or on the ground.' Ticket holders will receive full refunds. 'You've got access to a full refund or you can defer and hold your ticket for next year and we are asking and encouraging our accommodation providers to provide that same opportunity to customers who have also booked for the weekend,' Warn said. While 2025 is off the radar, organisers are already locking in dates for 2026, promising that the event will return 'bigger, faster and louder' from August 14–16. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate backed the decision, saying safety had to come first. 'Beach recovery works continue, but we cannot guarantee this section of coastline will be ready to welcome 200,000-plus people in August.' The cancellation is a blow to the city's tourism economy, especially after 2024's record-breaking turnout, where jets like the F-35 Lightning II and F/A-18 Super Hornet wowed crowds. Local businesses hailed the previous airshow as one of the busiest weekends of the year.
9 News
2 days ago
- Business
- 9 News
Clothes retailers are paying the price for our unseasonably warm autumn
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Australians might have basked through an unseasonably warm autumn, but not everyone is enjoying the unusually summery weather. New retail data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that Australians spent less in April than the month before. That was due in part to the warm weather, which stopped shoppers from reaching for new winter purchases. Australians have pulled back on clothes shopping during a warmer-than-usual autumn. (Dion Georgopoulos) "Clothing retailers told us that the warmer-than-usual weather for an April month saw people holding off on buying clothing items, especially new winter season stock," ABS head of business statistics Robert Ewing said. Australia sweated through its hottest March on record, and April temperatures were a degree above the long-term average. While overall spending dropped 0.1 per cent in April – despite the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends that would have been expected to boost consumption – clothing and footwear was down a far more substantial 2.5 per cent for the month. There was a notable bounce back in Queensland, though, as households spent more following the destruction caused by Cyclone Alfred. "Queensland retailers recovered from last month's temporary business closures and fewer customers," Ewing said. Spending in Queensland picked up following the disruption and damage caused by Cyclone Alfred the month before. (Getty) "In April, we saw higher spending in the industries most impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. "More people dined out and made recovery purchases on household items like furniture and electrical goods." The ABS also released new data on the number of housing approvals, which have fallen to their lowest level since last August, and remain nowhere near the level required to meet the federal government's 2029 targets. "Even on a three-month annualised basis, approvals are running at around 187,000 per annum (which is an 18 per cent increase from the 2023 trough, but 26 per cent below the peak in 2021)," AMP economist My Bui said. "The key to getting housing approvals (as well as housing completions) up is to have more units in the mix, rather than detached houses. "At the peak, units accounted for about half of all approvals, but in April only 35 per cent of building approvals were units. "With Australia's chronic undersupply issue, we should be building roughly 240,000 dwelling units per year – similar to the number targeted in the national housing accord... it is now much harder to see the target being met." CONTACT US Property News: 'Stressful': Perth mum's dilemma after rental mix-up.
