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Introducing Fortunes Faze: An Eclectic Fusion of Country and Rock from Ohio's Talented Songwriter 12-09-2024 11:32 PM CET | Leisure, Entertainment, Miscellaneous Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: ArtistPR.com Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1733736127.jpeg Dive into the innovative sound of Fortunes Faze and explore a rich mosaic of music influenced by both tradition and technology. In a world where musical genres often pigeonhole artists, Fortunes Faze emerges as a refreshing blend of country and rock, fusing eclectic storytelling and modern technology. Fortunes Faze represents the artistic endeavors of Wendy Westhoven, who has channeled her passion for writing and stained-glass artistry into the creation of her unique musical identity. Her music, characterized by its vibrant textures and resonant themes, invites listeners on a journey that defies conventional boundaries. What sets Fortunes Faze apart is its embrace of computerization to develop distinct sounds. "I use computerization to enhance voices and music," Wendy explains. "This is just an extension of what artists have been doing for decades with synthesizers and technology. I'm not here to pretend. I'm a songwriter utilizing the tools at my disposal to present my music honestly." Fortunes Faze is not merely about creating tracks but crafting experiences that inspire imagination and evoke emotion, resonating with a wide array of audiences. Wendy's musical journey began in the solitude of Northeast Hungary, where she found peace and inspiration for her songwriting. Despite her modest beginnings, she has achieved significant strides by releasing albums on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and YouTube Music. Fortunes Faze's presence extends beyond these platforms, welcoming collaborations with established musicians and opportunities for her music to enhance visuals in advertising and film. Her dedication and flexibility make her music adaptable and engaging, promising a future filled with creative collaborations and new musical adventures. Let your curiosity lead you to this compelling musical project. Explore Fortunes Faze's website [ https://fortunesfaze.com/ ] for more immersive music experiences, follow her on social media, and consider purchasing her CDs to support a rising star dedicated to sharing her unique sound with the world. Video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/mh7kutP4Sec?si=5-9PahvaghKvrsr6 ABOUT Fortunes Faze is the artistic project of Wendy Westhoven, a multifaceted creative based in Ohio. Known for her imaginative stained-glass artistry, Westhoven discovered her passion for music by transforming her poetry into songs. She uses cutting-edge computer technology to create compelling vocals and instrumentals, crafting a sound that bridges rock, hard rock, and country genres. Unconstrained by traditional methods, Westhoven sees computerized music as a natural evolution in artistic expression. Her lyrics are rooted in authenticity, drawing from a lifetime of introspection and creativity. Though she doesn't perform live, she envisions Fortunes Faze evolving into a performance band or inspiring established artists to reinterpret her work. Westhoven's music is distributed across Spotify, YouTube, and major streaming platforms. With her debut album already garnering positive feedback, her second release, Shadows Into Light , signals her commitment to exploring new artistic horizons. As she prepares for future projects, including a country-focused album, Fortunes Faze is becoming a beacon of innovation in independent music. LINKS Main Website: https://fortunesfaze.com [ https://fortunesfaze.com/ ] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortunesfaze/profilecard/?igsh=ZDB3ZXd5cnJxc2Zw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Edd7MHJKu/ Kunaki: https://kunaki.com/msales.asp?PublisherId=208209&pp=1&fbclid=PAY2xjawGy2iVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpt3JqQT9eKKUK03mkWByai4laXVX-2jGskovM1WOlklK_OlEvFv82MR5UQ_aem_bzg4AIt2tc_pyDbIrQUV1A YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fortunesfaze Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6jQBl5FqikFds1NmQRVKaP?si=P3MrYr_VSN-_dLzmugQ_Fw Media Contact Contact Person: Wendy Westhoven Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=introducing-fortunes-faze-an-eclectic-fusion-of-country-and-rock-from-ohios-talented-songwriter ] Phone: 800-983-1362 State: Ohio Country: United States Website: https://fortunesfaze.com/ This release was published on openPR.
Red Star Belgrade and Sturm Graz end 4-game losing runs in Champions League Red Star Belgrade and Sturm Graz ended four-game losing runs in the Champions League to get their first points and wins. The 1991 European Cup winner Red Star rallied for a 5-1 rout of Stuttgart which had taken the lead in the fifth minute. Sturm Graz won 1-0 against Girona the Spanish newcomer to European competitions this season. The later games, included Liverpool taking the only perfect record in the competition into hosting Real Madrid. Red Star’s goal to level the game in the 12th was scored by on-loan forward Silas, playing against his parent club Stuttgart. Daniel Jones is signing with the Vikings after his release from the Giants, AP source says A person familiar with the decision says former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is signing with the Minnesota Vikings. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement hasn’t been finalized. Jones will join Minnesota’s practice squad less than a week after the Giants released the former No. 6 overall draft pick. Sam Darnold has helped the Vikings start 9-2. Jones joins Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien in Minnesota’s quarterback room. Rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy had season-ending knee surgery in August and a second procedure on his knee earlier this month. LIV Golf will hire sports and entertainment leader Scott O'Neil to replace Greg Norman, report says Scott O'Neil is set to become the next CEO of Saudi-funded LIV Golf. The Athletic is reporting the move for the former head of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. O'Neil recently was CEO of Merlin Entertainments. The company that owns resorts like Legoland announced O'Neil was leaving for a new opportunity. O'Neil would replace Greg Norman at LIV Golf. Sports Business Journal reported last month that Norman would move to a different role that has not been announced. Norman has been CEO of the rival golf league since it launched in 2022. The PGA Tour and Saudi backers are still negotiating an investment deal. Two companies drop McGregor after civil jury ruled he must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her LONDON (AP) — Two companies have cut ties with Conor McGregor after a civil court jury in Ireland ruled last week that he must pay nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) to a woman who accused the mixed martial arts fighter of raping her. Proximo Spirits, the owner of Irish whiskey brand Proper No. 12, will no longer feature McGregor’s name or image. Video game developer IO Interactive ended its collaboration with McGregor, who had played a character in a game. Nikita Hand said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. Israeli soccer team prepares for closed-door match in Hungary after attacks on fans in Amsterdam DEBRECEN, Hungary (AP) — Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team has returned to Europe for the first time since its fans were assaulted in the Netherlands earlier this month. The attacks in Amsterdam were condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Israel and across Europe. Macabbi will face off Thursday against Turkey’s Besiktas in an Europa League match that was relocated to Hungary. The contest will be played without fans due to security concerns following the violence in Amsterdam. Hungary has hosted several home games for Israel’s national team for security reasons since the war in Gaza began. Thanksgiving Weekend Sports Guide: Your roadmap to NFL matchups, with other games, times and odds The long sports-filled Thanksgiving weekend is a time when many Americans enjoy gathering with friends and family for good food, good company and hopefully not too much political conversation. Also on the menu — all the NFL and college sports you can handle. Here is a roadmap to one of the biggest sports weekends of the year, with a look at marquee games over the holiday and how to watch. Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley prepare for earliest matchup ever between 1,300-yard running backs Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry combined for 395 yards rushing on back-to-back nights at SoFi Stadium as the dynamic playmakers keep proving that investing in running backs can pay off in the right situation. Next, they will play on the same field at the same time when Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles take on Henry and the Baltimore Ravens in the first matchup ever between two 1,300-yard runners in Week 13 or earlier. Before this year, no player had rushed for at least 1,300 yards and 10 TDs in the first 12 weeks of the season since Shaun Alexander in 2005 as teams moved away from bell-cow backs and diminished the importance of the position. Staley counsels some South Carolina fans to keep calm after No. 4 Gamecocks 1st loss in two seasons COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is not in panic mode, even if some of famous “Fams” are following her team's first loss in two seasons. The Gamecocks had won 85 of their previous 86 games, including a program record 43 in a row before falling to UCLA 77-62 this past Sunday. South Carolina slipped from No. 1 to No. 4 in the rankings while the Bruins took over the top spot. Still, it caught Staley by surprise that some supporters were worried about the November loss. Staley said the defending national champions are still finding their way. SEC losses are big gains for SMU and Indiana in latest College Football Playoff rankings The Southeastern Conference’s losses were almost everyone else’s gain in the College Football Playoff rankings, with SMU nudging its way into the top 12 and Indiana staying in the mix at No. 10 despite a lopsided loss of its own. The latest 12-team bracket placed undefeated Oregon on top for the fourth straight week. It did not include Alabama or Mississippi of the SEC, both of which suffered their third losses of the season last week. That helped place SMU in the ninth spot, joining No. 6 Miami to give the Atlantic Coast Conference two teams in the 12-team bracket.
MLB News: Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers Reportedly Agree to 3-Year, $66M Contract in FANEW YORK , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global cloud storage services market size is estimated to grow by USD 123.84 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 19.56% during the forecast period. Growth in data generation is driving market growth, with a trend towards high adoption of cloud storage services by SMES. However, vendor lock-in issues poses a challenge. Key market players include Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Cloud Software Group Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Hitachi Ltd., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., InterVision Systems LLC, Microsoft Corp., NetApp Inc., Nutanix Inc., Oracle Corp., Pure Storage Inc., Rackspace Technology Inc., ServiceNow Inc., Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Toshiba Corp.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Cloud storage services have seen adoption in business environments due to their flexibility, scalability, and convenience. Agile IT companies are increasingly turning to cloud storage solutions for their data needs, from small businesses to large enterprises. Cloud storage providers offer various models, including public, private, and hybrid, catering to different business requirements. Key trends include the integration of AI and automation for data management, ensuring data security and integrity. Big data and IoT proliferation necessitate cloud storage for handling large volumes of data. Rapid deployment and reduced CAPEX are also driving the adoption of cloud storage services. Cloud storage solutions offer user-friendly interfaces, seamless monitoring, and reliable uninterrupted services. Data encryption, backup, and synchronization are essential features for safeguarding critical information. Service providers offer customizable storage models, including block, file, and object storage, catering to various use cases. Cloud storage services enable IT hardware savings, quick deployment, and easy accessibility for remote workforces. The technology development also supports database sharing, EC2 Console, and edge computing. With the increasing use of connected devices, cloud storage is essential for data generation and management. Cloud storage services are not just for IT environments but also for verticals like government, healthcare, and finance, ensuring data security and compliance. The market continues to grow, with Dropbox, Amazon S3, and Microsoft Azure leading the way. The future of cloud storage services includes advanced features like self-driving cars, remote sensing, and real-time data processing. Enterprises worldwide, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), are prioritizing cost reduction by embracing new technologies. Cloud storage services have emerged as a preferred choice for SMEs due to their limited IT resources and budget. Instead of managing their own data centers, SMEs can access IT resources like storage and servers on-demand through cloud solutions. Cloud storage offers cross-platform solutions, enabling SMEs to develop web, desktop, and mobile applications for various device types and architectures. The flexibility to scale resources up or down according to requirements makes cloud storage an economical and efficient choice for SMEs. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Cloud storage services have become essential for businesses of all sizes, enabling convenient access to data from anywhere, at any time. However, the market faces several challenges. Agile businesses require quick deployment and scalability, making AI and automation crucial for cloud storage solutions. Big data and data volume necessitate adoption of public and private cloud storage. Data security, integrity, and encryption are paramount, with ransomware and malware posing significant threats. IT environments, including cloud applications, edge computing, and IoT, proliferate, necessitating flexible, user-friendly, and scalable models. Hybrid cloud solutions offer the convenience of public cloud with the security of private cloud. SMEs and large enterprises seek reliable, cost-effective options, while verticals like government, healthcare, and finance prioritize data safeguarding. Cloud storage providers must offer seamless monitoring, customization, and backup. Service providers must ensure uninterrupted services, handling data generation from connected devices and containerized workloads. Rapid deployment, reduced CAPEX, and accessibility are essential for businesses during economic downturns. Cloud storage solutions must cater to the increasing demands of technology development, database sharing, and software stack synchronization. Cloud storage services must be secure, reliable, and offer user-control. They must support various storage models, including block, file, and object storage, and cater to the needs of various industries, including self-driving cars, remote sensing, and remote work. Ultimately, cloud storage services must be convenient, reliable, and cost-effective, enabling businesses to focus on their core competencies. Vendor lock-in is a significant challenge in the cloud storage services market, preventing customers from easily transitioning between vendors. This issue arises when a customer becomes dependent on a specific vendor due to the use of their proprietary technology or solutions. The lack of standardization in cloud computing exacerbates this problem, making it difficult for customers to switch to alternative vendors. Applications built on specific platforms and tools further complicate the situation. To address this concern, there is a growing need for standardization and interoperability in cloud storage services. This will enable customers to freely choose the vendor that best suits their needs without facing undue barriers to migration. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This cloud storage services market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Solutions 1.2 Services 2.1 Large enterprises 2.2 SMEs 3.1 North America 3.2 APAC 3.3 Europe 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Solutions- Cloud storage solutions hold a significant position in the component segment of the global cloud storage services market in 2023. These solutions cater to unique customer requirements and generate value through offerings like data security, file synchronization and sharing, disaster recovery, and data backup and recovery. The solutions segment encompasses various cloud-based storage solutions such as file storage and sharing, primary storage, disaster recovery, and backup storage. The popularity of cloud storage solutions among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) due to their scalability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and security features. Solutions like Google Drive and Dropbox provide a range of storage options and top-level encryption for data protection. With the shift to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cloud storage solutions have become indispensable for enabling file sharing and collaboration between teams. Microsoft OneDrive is an example of a cloud storage solution offering file-sharing features. The increasing demand for cloud storage solutions is driven by their scalability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, security, and file-sharing capabilities, making them a vital component for end-users in data storage and sharing. Consequently, the growth of the global cloud storage services market is anticipated to be fueled by the solutions segment during the forecast period. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis The Cloud Storage Services Market is experiencing exponential growth due to the increasing adoption of cloud technologies by businesses of all sizes. Agile and flexible cloud storage solutions cater to various use cases, including cloud object storage for unstructured data, block storage for databases, and file storage for traditional applications. Big data and IoT generate massive volumes of data, necessitating scalable and secure cloud storage solutions. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming cloud storage, enabling data analysis, and improving business continuity. AI-driven data management tools ensure data integrity and security, while edge computing reduces latency and enhances performance. Cloud-based storage solutions offer cost savings, ease of deployment, and seamless integration with cloud applications. Cloud archival storage is an essential component for long-term data retention and disaster recovery. Overall, cloud storage services provide and reliable infrastructure for managing and securing data in the digital age. Market Research Overview Cloud Storage Services Market: Unleashing the Power of Agile and Scalable Data Storage Cloud storage services have revolutionized the way businesses handle data, enabling convenient customization, rapid deployment, and uninterrupted services. The market is witnessing adoption across various verticals, from large enterprises to SMEs, due to its flexibility, reliability, and reduced CAPEX. The proliferation of cloud technologies, including AI and automation, is driving innovation, with cloud storage solutions offering advanced features like data encryption, integrity, and security. The market caters to diverse storage needs, from file storage and block storage to cloud object storage and cloud archival storage. Cloud storage services are integral to cloud applications, hybrid cloud, and edge computing, ensuring seamless monitoring and safeguarding data from malware and ransomware attacks. The Internet of Things (IoT) and remote work have further fueled the demand for cloud-based storage, with connected devices and containerized workloads generating massive data volumes. Cloud storage providers offer various storage models, including public, private, and hybrid cloud storage, catering to the unique requirements of different IT environments. The market is expected to continue its rapid growth, driven by technology development, increased data generation, and the need for business continuity and data backup. With user-friendly interfaces, convenient accessibility, and scalable models, cloud storage services are an essential component of modern IT infrastructure. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Component Solutions Services End-user Large Enterprises SMEs Geography North America APAC Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio
WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Joe Biden visited Angola last week, one of the highlights was his pledge of hundreds of millions of dollars for an ambitious trans-Africa rail project that would bring copper and cobalt from central Africa to the Atlantic port of Lobito. The project is possible because of the commitment of a $553 million direct loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, created in 2019 during the first Trump administration to counter China’s expansion of its global reach through infrastructure projects, such as the mega-port in Chancay , Peru, inaugurated just last month. On Monday, the U.S. agency celebrated its five-year milestone by vowing to advance U.S. foreign policy and strategic interests through projects around the world such as the one in Angola. It also seeks re-authorization from Congress and a greater ability to invest in more countries when there’s a strategic need to compete with China. “We need to be good partners while offering an alternative based on our values,” said Scott Nathan, the chief executive officer of the development agency, who was in Angola last week with the president. “Quite simply, we need to continue to show up.” RELATED COVERAGE Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? Biden creates Native American boarding school national monument to mark era of forced assimilation Nathan is set to leave the post. President-elect Donald Trump is yet to name his pick to lead the agency. Over its first five years, the agency has developed a portfolio of more than $50 billion in 114 countries, including solar panel manufacturing in India, a power plant in Sierra Leone, and digital infrastructure in South America. To do that, the agency has leveraged government funding to partner with private investments. In the last fiscal year, the agency committed to $12 billion in new transactions, using the roughly $800 million in appropriations, Nathan said. Investments by the agency are having a “transformational impact on economic development while concretely advancing U.S. strategic interests,” Nathan said. In Angola, for example, the rail project would help secure the supply chain by cutting both time and cost in transporting critical minerals. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the agency was created when the U.S. was “ceding the field” to China in a new era of geopolitics. The U.S. needed a vision “calibrated to new geopolitical realities” and that matched ”the scope of the transformational challenges we faced.” It was in 2013 when Beijing launched the massive Belt and Road Initiative to gain markets and influence around the world by building roads, railways, power plants, transmission lines and ports, usually in less-developed regions. A recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office said China provided $679 billion for international infrastructure projects such as those in transportation and energy between 2013 and 2021, compared with the $76 billion the U.S. provided in the same period. Western politicians have criticized these Beijing-backed projects for creating debt traps, but Beijing argues that they have brought tangible and much-needed economic benefits to the host countries. In 2018, Congress passed a bipartisan bill that created the U.S. development agency, aimed at bringing private investments into low- and middle-income countries through tools such as equity investment, loan guarantee and political risk insurance. On Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the agency for “reimagining how the U.S. does development” and said, through its work, the U.S. has “shown countries that they don’t have to resort to projects that are poorly built, environmentally destructive, that import or abuse workers, that foster corruption or burden countries with unsustainable debt.” “We really are the partner of choice,” Blinken said. As challenges lie ahead, Blinken said the agency needs to do even more and in more countries than before.What does Donald Trump truly want with his tariff threat?Moscow (Reuters): Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a military focused budget for 2025-2027, a document published on the official legal acts website showed on Sunday. The state budget for next year includes a 25% hike in military spending but will be the most secretive in post-Soviet history, with almost a third of all spending closed to public scrutiny. The government has acknowledged that the needs of what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine and support for the military will remain the budget priority along with social needs and technological development. The government has presented the draft budget as "balanced", with the deficit falling to 0.5% against this year's projected deficit of 1.7% and state debt remaining below the 20% mark for the next three years.
10 tips from experts to help you change your relationship with money in 2025US President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he was nominating staunch loyalist and retired general Keith Kellogg as his Ukraine envoy, charged with ending the two-and-a-half-year Russian invasion. Trump campaigned on a platform of ushering a swift end to the Ukraine war, boasting that he would quickly mediate a ceasefire deal between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. But his critics have warned that the incoming Republican will likely leverage US military aid to pressure Kyiv into an agreement that left it ceding occupied territory permanently or agreeing not to join NATO. "I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia," Trump said in a statement on social media. "Keith has led a distinguished Military and Business career, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first Administration." A fixture on the cable news circuit, the 80-year-old national security veteran co-wrote an academic paper earlier this year calling for Washington to leverage military aid as a means of pushing for peace talks. Ukraine has received almost $60 billion from Washington for its armed forces since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, but with the more isolationist Trump taking over the White House, supporters fear the spigot will run dry. "The United States would continue to arm Ukraine and strengthen its defenses to ensure Russia will make no further advances and will not attack again after a cease-fire or peace agreement," Kellogg's research paper for the Trumpist America First Policy Institute think tank said. "Future American military aid, however, will require Ukraine to participate in peace talks with Russia." Kellogg served in several positions during Trump's first term, including as chief of staff on the White House national security council and national security advisor to then-vice president Mike Pence. Kellogg told Voice of America at the Republican convention in July that Ukraine's options were "quite clear." "If Ukraine doesn't want to negotiate, fine, but then accept the fact that you can have enormous losses in your cities and accept the fact that you will have your children killed, accept the fact that you don't have 130,000 dead, you will have 230,000–250,000," he said. Trump's announcement came as the outgoing administration of Democrat Joe Biden was hosting a news conference to urge Ukraine to enlist more recruits by reducing the minimum age of conscription to 18. Facing a much larger enemy with more advanced weapons and with stocks of volunteers dwindling, Ukraine is facing an "existential" recruitment crunch, a senior administration official told reporters. "The simple truth is that Ukraine is not currently mobilizing or training enough soldiers to replace their battlefield losses while keeping pace with Russia's growing military," said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. He was pressed on what Washington considers an appropriate minimum age and he replied that "we think there's real value in them considering lowering the recruiting age to 18" -- in line with the US benchmark. He added that an additional 160,000 troops would be "on the low end" to fill out Ukraine's ranks -- but "a good start." The former Soviet republic's population has fallen by more than a quarter since its mid-1990s peak of 52 million, and authorities are desperate to shield the younger generation -- but a US congressional report in June estimated the average Ukrainian soldier is 40. Zelensky signed a decree in April lowering the draft age from 27 to 25 but the move did not alleviate the chronic troop shortages, according to US officials. ft/bjt
The Consumer Electronics Show, known as CES, is the premiere annual event for consumer brands debuting new products. The sheer size of the event, which takes over Las Vegas from January 5 to 10 , is hard to wrap your head around, as is the breadth of products represented there. Smart home technology makes up a big enough slice of the pie to have its own section of the event, this year at The Venetian. In some ways, when we talk about what we hope to see at CES, we’re actually saying what we hope to see for the next year, because most things at CES aren't quite ready for the mass market just yet. While I’ve been getting sneak peeks at what a lot of companies are going to be releasing for CES in 2025, there are still a few types of products I really hope I'll get to see more of. More types of sensors for better automation Sensors are a key part of a smart home toolbox , serving as a trigger for various actions. Their utility depends on two factors: that they work reliably, and that the automation software offers enough flexibility in how you can use them. There's still a lot of room for both these factors improve. There are lots of brands that offer sensors with spotty reliability—particularly those that measure water and temperature. So generally, I’d like to see more big brands in this space release basic sensors (motion, light, presence, temperature, and water) that can be trusted. Beyond improving what we already have, there are some newer spaces I'd love to see smart sensors explore. With the explosion of smart lights that I expect us to see at CES, I’d love better and more sensitive light sensors that can sense a color shift—I dream of being able to run an automation where my robot mop is triggered by a sensor recognizing the white tiles are no longer white due to dirt, for example. I’d also like sensors that compare indoor and outdoor air quality with greater detail about where air issues are coming from, and weight sensors that can be used to run automations based on how much weight changes—for instance, a sensor on food and water dishes that can tell me how much my dog ate and drank today. We already know that the most trusted name in sensors, Aqara, is rumored to release a new presence sensor . As exciting as that is, I’d love to see even more sensors from them—ones that push into new areas of representation like I’ve named above. Key improvements in robot vacuums and mowers, please This year, I've played with an untold number of vacuums, a bunch of lawnmowers, and even a few personal robots like the Enabot . I expect we’re going to continue to see robot vacuums leap forward this year, as they have the past few. I expect we’ll see absurd levels of suction power, and the robots are going to start to develop a whole new set of skills. We had one stair-climbing robot last year, so I expect we’ll start to see more robots with that sort of dexterity. Switchbot started to play with the idea of a robot vacuum as a household butler, shuttling water from the source to humidifiers, and I predict it'll continue to build that idea out. If the robot can shuttle water, what else can it move for you? What I’d like to see in robot vacuums is consistency in high-end models—by now they should all have a compartment for cleaning fluid on board the charging dock, and they should all have the ability be to directed by remote control in the app. I’d like to see robot assistants for vacuums go away entirely: they’re unhelpful, unrefined, and just another unwanted voice in my house. Instead, I’d like robot vacuums to better integrate with existing voice assistants. Also, I'd love to see robot vacuums take on baseboards. I'm sure this seems small, but brands are obsessed with how close their robots get to the wall, and yet they ignore the baseboards, which remain filthy and ignored. Narwal has started to address this, although in the most basic way, by attaching a muff to the robot that sweeps against the baseboard, but it's not enough. I predict we’ll see a ton of robot lawnmowers this year, which is exciting. I predict that like the Yarbo and Mowrator , most lawnmowers will also start to do “more,” including collecting and dumping of leaves. What I hope to see is more stability in mid-large size models, with beefier wheels that can handle dips and hills with ease, but with a tighter turn radius that doesn't tear up your lawn. I would love to see a fleet of small robot lawnmowers, perfect for tiny lawns, and for them to be sold at tiny prices. I would not like to see more lawn printing, which allows you to mow designs into your lawn. Though it sounded exciting, it turned out to be pretty silly in practice. Will we finally get our personal robots this year? Remember Ballie , from Samsung? I’d love this to be the year actual personal robots make it into the consumer market in a real way. So far, I’m unimpressed with those I’ve tried. I have an Enabot that is supposed to follow my dog around, but so far, it just runs into my washing machine over and over again. Personal robots don’t have to do it all yet, but I truly think these robots could work for emotional support and a light physical assist in housework or technological chores. But for that to happen, a brand has to (please) get a good one to market already. Better smart lighting throughout the entire home Over the last year, smart home tech has deeply infiltrated the new construction and retrofit market. It’s not enough to have a smart bulb or a lamp on a smart plug, now everything from recessed lights to under cabinet lights to permanent outdoor lights are smart. I hope we continue to see growth in the retrofit market, which benefits renters. I’ve noticed a massive uptick in entertainment lighting in the last year—floor lamps that can change to any color, bendable foam lights that resemble neon lights , even light curtains. After falling in love with my glowing Nanoleaf lights, I’d love to see more exploration in LED smart lights for inside the home and office that look like they're for adults, not just kids. There’s really no reason any light in your home should only be able to be tuned to white anymore, and when all your lights can play together as one to engage in shifting color schemes, your whole house becomes a big light therapy factory. Where else can smart locks possibly go? Every time I think smart locks have been all figured out, something new comes out that improves things yet again. The first facial recognition locks came out this year, and then the palm print lock, and now, it looks like Eufy is going to announce a lock with palm recognition. It feels like Star Trek . My biggest wish for smart locks is that they get better about retrofitting older homes, which arguably need the security the most. There are still many kinds of older locks that have few or no smart lock retrofit options. I’d also like to see some smart locks that look like many of our homes do: stately and refined instead of cold and modern. Better, more secure smart cameras This year, smart cameras took on a few trends: 24/7 continuous recording , which is more informative than the clips we were used to getting. We also saw an explosion of off-grid cameras which worked well and only needed solar power. The downside of these cameras is the amount of data they use, since they’re not connected to wifi. I’d like to see better compression of that video on off-grid cameras so they become more usable. I’d love to see the cameras get smaller and less visible, too. At this point, I’m only interested in PTZ (point, tilt, zoom) cameras, and wonder why anyone would buy something else, so I’d like to see less of the static viewpoint cameras, too. Finally, I hope to see better security around these cameras, with real ways to secure the feeds. Standards, hubs, and automation I don’t want this, really, but I expect we will see tons of brands try to relaunch their hubs as multi-hubs—that is, platforms that control not just that brand's devices, but allows them to integrate and interact with all your devices across brands. Most people utilize Google, Apple, or Amazon for this. Personally, I would prefer to see brands focus on exceptional integration with major multi-hubs that already exist. Of course, I’d like to see Matter —the connection standard that was supposed to revolutionize smart home by getting rid of all your smart hubs and apps so you only needed one—utilized in all new devices as a connection method. Matter has been slow to adoption, but I still believe in its potential. I’d also like to see automation get easier with our assistants and multi-hubs. While AI has started to play a role (Google has recently added Gemini as a possibility for automation help, but I found it clunky), automation remains pretty one-note for most users. It's a lot of "if this happens, do that." It’s difficult to execute multi-step automations or dependent automations with more than one condition. I’d love to see that change.