Latest news with #GenerationX
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bittersweet homecoming for USS Harry S. Truman
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — On Sunday, thousands of people were excited to greet their USS Harry S. Truman sailors pier side. Families reunite with sailors as USS Harry S. Truman returns in Norfolk It was a bittersweet homecoming after an extended deployment that made headlines several times for not just missions, but million-dollar mishaps. Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman loses aircraft, tow tractor Carrier Strike Group 8 lost 3 F/A-18 Super Hornets while at sea, totaling $180 million. in what the Navy called a 'friendly-fire' accident. Retired naval aviator shares insight on 'friendly fire' incident in the Red Sea The aircraft carrier was also involved in a collision with a merchant ship near the entrance of the Suez Canal in the beginning of the group's deployment. US aircraft carrier collides with merchant ship near Egypt, but no injuries reported The strike group conducted missions ranging from exercises with NATO allies in Europe to combat operations in the Middle East, with no loss of life. 'Today is not just a homecoming,' said Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, Commander of Carrier Strike Group 8. 'It's the return of every sailor back to their family.' Bailey described the deployment as 'up-tempo', and its homecoming reflected that. The Truman was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, which was displayed on the ship when it pulled into view Sunday. Also on display was metal carnage on the side from the collision with the merchant ship. Issues like the collision and the lost jets left questions of where some issues may lie. Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Hill said he couldn't be prouder of the group of sailors. Particularly, his praised their ability to change what people may perceive to be the shortcoming of Generation X in the military. He said he saw no cowering or fallback, but instead, he said the sailors just kept fighting and fighting. Some may say U.S. Navy ships haven't seen this kind of engagement since the Persian Gulf War of 1990. Truman was in a 50-day streak of continuous strikes, launching Tomahawk missiles and precision airstrikes aimed at degrading the Iranian backed Houthi rebels' capabilities to disrupt commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Truman also accomplished the largest airstrike in history launched from an aircraft carrier when 125,000 pounds of ordinance was launched against Islamic State terrorists in northeast Somalia. Stay with for more local news, weather and traffic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Techday NZ
a day ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
APAC Retailers Embrace AI Amid Shifting Consumer Preferences
New research from Adyen reveals significant shifts in consumer habits in Asia-Pacific as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into retail transactions and decision-making processes. The 2025 Annual Retail Report by Adyen examined the behaviour of 41,000 consumers across 28 international markets, including key locations such as Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, and Malaysia. According to the findings, over a third (38%) of APAC consumers now use AI to assist with shopping. This represents a 39% increase compared to the previous year, with more than one in ten (11%) utilising AI for shopping for the first time during the past 12 months. The report finds AI is perceived positively by users. Nearly two-thirds (63%) indicated that AI helps inspire their purchase decisions, whether for clothing or meals, at a faster rate than other sources. In addition, 62% expressed a desire to use AI to discover unique brands and new shopping experiences, creating opportunities for brands to drive sales through partnerships and cross-selling. Adyen's research also noted that 59% of APAC consumers are open to the idea of making purchases using AI in the future. The adoption of AI is evident across generations. While Generation Z leads in usage—particularly in Malaysia (74%) and Hong Kong (64%)—older groups are showing increased engagement. In Singapore, Generation X and Millennials registered the sharpest rises in AI-powered shopping over the past 12 months at 45% and 28% respectively. The report also found that 30% of those aged 60 and above are currently using AI to support their shopping decisions. Warren Hayashi, President, Asia Pacific, Adyen, said: "The introduction of AI in shopping has created new shopper journeys that are more exciting than ever. From it, we see an emergence of new consumer behaviors — one characterized by personalization and convenience. For retailers, embracing AI isn't just about staying current; it's about meeting evolving consumer expectations and staying competitive in a fast-changing retail landscape." AI is also being viewed as a tool to drive business growth. When asked about strategies for boosting revenues in 2025, more than a third (34%) of APAC retailers identified increased investment in AI to support sales and marketing, product innovation, as well as security and fraud prevention. Hayashi further commented: "Retailers generate vast amounts of payments data through their daily operations, presenting a substantial untapped opportunity. Where AI comes into play is to drive conversions at scale. Building on this potential, we recently launched an AI-powered payment optimisation solution called Adyen Uplift. By training AI on all of the transactions Adyen processes, we help retailers identify genuine shoppers at scale, and fly them through checkout securely and with minimal friction." Concerns over fraud remain pronounced. The report noted that one in three consumers across the region have experienced fraud involving account takeover, identity theft or social engineering. For businesses, the resulting losses from such incidents averaged over SGD $3 million during the last 12 months. The growing prevalence of AI in commerce has heightened consumer unease; 26% of APAC consumers reported increased concern regarding fraud and scams, and one in five avoid enabling their devices to remember payment details because of these fears. Hayashi addressed these issues, explaining: "Besides optimizing revenue, AI could aid in the fraud-fighting efforts of retailers. By training AI on the thousands of transaction data retailers process each day, it can spot anomalies, identify patterns, and predict fraud attempts – ultimately ensuring consumer trust and protecting retailers' hard-earned revenue." Currently, 40% of regional retailers use AI to assist in fraud prevention. Despite a push for digital solutions, APAC consumers continue to value physical stores. The report cites that while 36% of consumers in the region shop via social media, and 46% expect the ability to purchase across various digital touchpoints, physical presence is still important. Forty-two percent prefer both physical and online channels equally, with a further 35% favouring traditional brick-and-mortar outlets. The opportunity to see and feel products (48%), try them on (41%), and take items home immediately after purchase (35%) are the top reasons cited for this ongoing preference. The report also highlights that less than half (46%) of APAC retailers currently offer streamlined omnichannel experiences, though an additional 19% are planning such investments over the coming year. Social responsibility is another theme. A growing segment of APAC consumers now favours retailers with a strong social purpose and charitable initiatives. Correspondingly, 30% of businesses in the region are investing in social impact causes. The research, conducted by Censuswide, involved both consumers and merchants, applying standards set by the Market Research Society and ESOMAR. The data was collected in early 2025, reflecting the most recent trends in technology-led transformation within the retail sector.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Six money saving tips to make your cash go further this summer
As summer approaches, the challenge of balancing an active social life with financial prudence is a common concern. New data from MoneyPlus has revealed that Generation X, those aged 45 to 60, are facing significant financial pressures. However, the balance of saving and spending affects individuals across all age groups. But finance expert at Moneyfacts, Rachel Springall assures that 'it is possible to both save and have a sociable summer.' 'It is down to consumers to budget and be conscious of any essential bills whilst also juggling their aspiring saving goals,' she says. Why is it harder to save in summer? MoneyPlus found that 60 per cent of people surveyed felt a pressure to spend a lot of money on big events and milestones – which may be amplified during summer. 'The cost of the summer can escalate quickly if someone does not make efforts to budget,' Springall says. 'It's unwise to neglect building a saving pot at this time and it is true that consumers could be a bit apathetic this time of year to save. 'However, putting a little bit of cash aside each month could really make a difference in the months ahead.' Springall and Santander financial advisor Mark Weston share their tips for balancing saving along with enjoying the summer holidays. 'During this time, the arrival of app-based savings providers can be useful for those who want to automate their savings habits,' Springall says. 'There are apps available, such as Plum, which can connect to a customer's bank account and work out their weekly savings amount. This is incredibly handy for those with busy lives and may forget to make a manual payment each month into their savings pot.' Weston explains that the more you're aware of your spending and the more you plan, then the more likely you are to have flexibility. 'Having a clear idea of your expenses and budget is a great start,' Weston says. 'Using budgeting tools is a good way of getting a handle of what you're actually spending and what you can afford to spend. 'Making sure you understand where your spending has come from and also having a budget plan for the whole year, with summer in particular, can help for planning ahead.' 'Using a budget app like Emma, could be useful on the go,' Springall adds. 'It monitors spending and can help build a pot towards different goals, like holidays, an MOT or even Christmas.' Ask if all costs are relevant 'When trying to balance saving and still having a social life, it is important to question if all costs you are making are relevant,' Weston says. 'Ask yourself, could you cut back on some things such as coffees every day and spend that on a holiday instead.' Use regular savings accounts Springall explains that these types of savings accounts are ideal for slowly building a pot as they instil good habits. 'However, consumers will need to work out if they are the right choice for them as some can be restrictive and might not be suitable for larger deposits,' Springall says. 'Regular savings accounts can also revert to a flexible account after the term ends, which might not pay a good rate, so savers must make a diary note to reinvest if they are still building funds toward their future goal.' Have savings for a rainy day 'For parents in particular we would advise them to have savings put away in advance for a rainy day,' Weston says. 'If you know that your normal monthly disposable income is a bit tighter due to children being home more rather than being in school, it is good to have savings put away so it is still possible to socialise and do things with them in the summer.' Shake any apathy 'Consumers need to shake any apathy they may have and take a step back to decide how their money could work harder for them during this time period also,' Springall says. 'Consumers ready to get started would be wise to explore the latest top rate tables and read up on some tips and guides to help them on their savings journeys.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This spring's commencements reflect Donald Trump's upending of norms
You've heard of Generation X, Gen Y and Gen Z. The current crop of graduates in America could well be dubbed 'Gen T' because they've spent much of their lives under the shadow of Donald Trump. For the last three presidential cycles, he has been the often caustic commander in chief or the campaigner denying his election loss, and there's no doubt he will leave a mark on a generation of young adults who have watched him smash norms, stoke division, seek retribution and ignore the Constitution and the rule of law. We witnessed the president's disregard for norms Saturday during his commencement address to the graduating class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point while wearing a red Make America Great Again ball cap and delivering a speech that was more appropriate for a partisan political rally. But let's be clear, Trump's MAGA hat was maybe the least offensive thing about his maundering one-hour speech at the formal and typically somber West Point commencement. In a bizarre campaign-style avalanche of words that was disrespectful to the cadets and their families, he rambled about trophy wives and yachts and expressed a distasteful zeal for butchering one's enemies while addressing the men and women poised to become the next generation of leaders in the world's mightiest military. It wasn't that he didn't understand the assignment. He delivered the West Point commencement address in 2020 in a brisk 25-minute speech that focused on duty and even national unity, talking about the 'long gray line' of the institution's history. His world outlook and his leadership style have changed and along with it the futures of the graduates at West Point and everywhere else, regardless of their political leanings. Perhaps no group of 'Gen T' graduates knows that better than those at Harvard, who'll be participating in commencement Thursday as the president escalates his feud with America's oldest and most storied university. The Trump administration has frozen billions of dollars in federal research grants for Harvard, attempted to ban the university from enrolling international students and threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status, and it has directed federal agencies to cut any remaining ties to the school. The administration accuses Harvard of tolerating an antisemitic atmosphere on campus, and some conservatives have more broadly described Harvard as an incubator for aggressive liberal ideology. Harvard, for its part, is fighting back in court. The president has floated the idea of redirecting Harvard's federal funding toward trade and technical schools, which may play well with working-class voters, but Trump's team has said little about what it would do to fill the gap in health, technology, scientific or geophysical research that takes place at universities like Harvard. Railing against academic elites is red meat, but cancer research benefits people in red states as well as blue states. Not only that, but people who work in factories building ships and cars or who farm soybeans in the middle of the country are often using technologies that emerged from research labs at elite universities. This year's graduates form the most diverse cohort this country has ever produced. But they are walking into a world where the very word 'diversity' has been demonized and weaponized to cauterize the civil rights and human rights gains that should have been their true inheritance. The young people who remember the racial reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd are graduating at a moment when the Trump administration has swiftly dismantled diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives under the claim that DEI discriminates against white people. A claim codified under executive order with absolutely no proof. 'They came through K through 12 where they learned these lessons about how you treat other people and to be accepting and how we were supposed to treat people that were different from us,' said Tressie McMillan Cottom, a professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a New York Times columnist, 'only to arrive in college and find out that not only was that not the reality, but the very things they have been taught to value now makes them targets in their own country, either because they are those people, they embody those identities and those lived experiences or because they sympathize or empathize with those people.' McMillan Cottom, who spoke to me as I guest-hosted MSNBC's 'Last Word' last Friday, continued: 'So there's a sense of loss of trust, not just between generations, but I think between young people and what they think is possible for them in the United States of America. And frankly, that is heartbreaking.' McMillan Cottom notes that 'internet culture' set the stage by helping to destabilize 'the norms of what was acceptable discourse' and then Trump-style politics helped show them 'if you can get away with it, then it is normal, which ... is an absolute horrible way for social cohesion to work.' This season's graduates are marching into adulthood on new terrain and on their own terms. But on the way there, they did what young people generally do — look to adults for guidance about guardrails and decorum. And what did they see? Adults cheered a man making fun of disabled people and looked the other way when he talked about grabbing women by their private parts. In November, they saw a majority of those who voted accept and elevate a man who was twice impeached and convicted of 34 felony counts. And, since then, they've seen too many adults remain silent as an administration smashes constitutional guarantees of due process and lectures about the need for merit-based ideologies while appointing a litany of Cabinet officials who are manifestly underqualified but unquestionably loyal. Trump made significant inroads with young voters in the last election, especially college-age men. There has been a lot of analysis concerning why younger voters gravitated in his direction, but not enough about the impact his leadership will have on young people's psyches or their prospects in life. For not only are the graduates marching across stages this spring walking into a world where the norms have been upended, but they're strutting into an uncertain job market and a tumultuous economy. They and their aging baby boomer and Gen X parents are less likely than generations past, for example, to have solid health care or benefit from researched-based medical advancements. It has become clear that the real goal of this administration's chain saw approach to federal programs is not to cut waste, fraud and abuse but to provide more tax cuts for ultrawealthy Americans, an approach that will do nothing little to gild the futures of everyday American kids. Here's wishing all who are graduating, from universities, trade schools, military academies, community colleges and high schools, the best of luck. Given all the changes Trump is enacting, the path may be steeper for some than it otherwise would be. But sometimes it's easier to find one's footing when charging uphill. I hope this class discovers their best selves and creates a brand of leadership that combines courage and grit with compassion and curiosity. And I pray the adults that are presently in charge find a way to provide the opportunities in life that they all deserve. This column includes an adapted excerpt from the May 23 episode of 'The Last Word.' This article was originally published on
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
How emojis are shaping the future of work communications
For some, emojis are at odds with the serious world of business. — AFP Relaxnews Gone are the days of cold emails and dry, emotionless exchanges. Emojis are now becoming a common feature of professional messaging. Far from being a mere gimmick, these colorful little symbols are redefining the codes of business communications. This shift divides as much as it fascinates, but it could well make our working relationships feel more human. A recent Atlassian-YouGov* survey confirms that nine in ten Gen Z workers are in favour of using emojis at work. Indeed, this generation, which will account for 30% of the workforce by 2030, is shaking up the rules of the game. While their elders cling to their formal work emails, younger workers are all about expressiveness and responsiveness. But this difference of opinion is not without consequences. At a time when the written word is replacing physical meetings in many companies, a misinterpreted message can be costly. Some 40 hours a year are lost by a third of the workforce due to unclear written communications. In this new context, every word counts. Hence the growing interest in these little symbols. A simple "ok' sounds dry, even hostile. Add a thumbs-up or a wink, and the tone changes completely. Emojis become our virtual gestures: they convey emotion, nuance the message, and humanize the exchange. It's hardly surprising that 65% of employees use emojis to convey their emotions, and that 78% prefer to read a message containing emojis. But not everyone is following suit. Fewer than one in two Boomer and Generation X employees approve of this shift in professional communications. For them, these colorful symbols are at odds with the serious world of business. This discrepancy can create tension when a manager perceives an emoji as inappropriate, whereas a younger employee simply wants to add a human touch to their exchange. Misunderstanding sets in, and there's a growing risk of widening the generation gap within teams. The art of emoji use Yet the benefits of this emoji-based communication are measurable, with greater clarity, stronger social bonds and reduced stress. Some companies are even integrating emojis into their team culture. As a result, employees feel more connected, better understood, and less burdened by the unspoken words that plague productivity. But this new form of expression requires finesse. Not all emojis are created equal, and some can be confusing, depending on the context and the user. A study published in 2024 in the journal PLOS One also revealed significant cultural differences in the interpretation of these pictograms, depending on people's nationality. Experts recommend using simple, universal emojis and adapting their use to each situation. As with any language, it's accuracy that makes the difference between a successful message and a misunderstanding. More than just a passing fad, emojis are a performance lever for tomorrow's workplaces – emotional intelligence condensed into a few pixels. Provided, of course, that you use them wisely. – AFP Relationship *The survey, conducted by Atlassian in collaboration with YouGov from August 8 to 24, 2024, questioned 10,000 employees across five international markets (USA, Australia, France, Germany and India) about their communications and productivity at work.
