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Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: Dec. 23 The Washington Post on President Biden's commutation of death sentences President Joe Biden’s Monday announcement that he would commute the death sentences of 37 federal inmates should not be seen as an act of mercy for people convicted of awful crimes. It was a substantial move to align the United States with the rest of the democratic world, which has largely abandoned the practice of killing people as an instrument of justice. In other words, Mr. Biden’s use of his commutation power was extraordinary — and insufficient. Three men will remain on federal death row, and more people could be put there in future years. Meanwhile, many states continue to execute people. We say this while acknowledging the horrors these people committed; the three men Mr. Biden left on death row were convicted of mass shootings or terrorist attacks. We also acknowledge that a majority of Americans still favors the death penalty, despite a downward trend in recent years. Mr. Biden’s attempt to split the difference, leaving what he considered the worst of the worst on death row, is therefore understandable. Yet the death penalty is expensive, impractical and too often unjustly applied. And, even if the death penalty posed none of these problems, the government should not purposely take lives outside of war or similar conflict. The state should be better — far better — than those who unnecessarily and premeditatedly extinguish human life. Our view has seen substantial wins in recent years. Executions have plummeted as public support for the practice has moderated. But 2024 offered multiple signs that the momentum may be ebbing. President-elect Donald Trump promised during his campaign to expand the death penalty . And the Death Penalty Information Center, in its annual end-of-year report, shows that the number of executions nationwide, though still far below their heights at the turn of the century, have been ticking upward in recent years. Twenty-five people were executed in the United States in 2024, slightly up from the previous year and more than twice the three-decade low reached in 2021. That’s largely the result of efforts by officials in Republican-run states to reactivate the death penalty. Three states this year — Utah, South Carolina and Indiana — carried out their first executions in more than a decade. Alabama also experimented with a new way to kill its inmates : asphyxiating them with nitrogen gas. The first person subjected to this method, Kenneth Smith, convulsed and gasped for air for four minutes. Following the execution, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall encouraged other states to adopt the method. “Alabama has done it, and now so can you,” he said. Increasingly, states are carrying out these executions behind a veil of secrecy. Just last week, Indiana, citing state law, executed Joseph Corcoran with no media witnesses . This year also saw an increase in the number of people sentenced to death, from 21 in 2023 to 26. About a third of those sentences were imposed by nonunanimous juries, thanks to laws in Florida and Alabama that allow jurors to recommend the death sentence even if they don’t reach consensus. In fact, Florida in 2023 enacted legislation allowing death sentences to be imposed if just 8 out of 12 jurors vote in favor. Of course, as Mr. Biden acknowledged in his Monday announcement, most people with death sentences in the United States committed heinous crimes and deserve little sympathy. But one can condemn such acts while also maintaining that executing criminals cannot bring back victims of those crimes or make whole those who lost loved ones. Also, mistakes happen, even in an advanced criminal justice system such as that of the United States. In July, Larry Roberts became the 200th person sentenced to death to be exonerated of his alleged crime since the DPIC starting tracking wrongful convictions in 1973. No one should be comfortable with that number. Since 1976, when the Supreme Court ended its four-year moratorium on the death penalty, more than 1,600 people have been executed in the United States. How many of them were likewise innocent? ONLINE: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/12/23/death-penalty-trump-criminal-justice/ Dec. 24 The New York Times on the teen mental health crisis Rates of anxiety and depression in adolescents have been rising for years . Millions of Americans with mental health problems are not getting the treatment they need for myriad reasons. Many families can’t afford it. And many young people also don’t know where to turn for help. The UJA-Federation of New York, an organization created in 1917 to provide Jewish New Yorkers with economic and social support, is trying to fill the coverage gap for young adults of all backgrounds. The organization helps them get care from its network of mental health professionals through educational outreach at schools, community centers and even coffee shops. This kind of localized approach has long been recommended by experts because it has been shown to reach people who might not otherwise seek treatment or support. “Since UJA was founded — and that’s now well over 100 years ago — we have focused on critical issues facing New Yorkers in need,” said Alex Roth-Kahn, a managing director at the organization. That mission has led to decades of supporting people with mental health challenges. Just this year, Marcellus Williams was executed in Missouri for a 1998 murder, even though the prosecuting attorney in St. Louis County filed a motion to vacate his death sentence because DNA testing of the murder weapon ruled him out. And in Texas, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is fighting the death sentence of Robert Robertson, convicted in the death of his 2-year-old, who prosecutors said died of shaken baby syndrome — though Robertson’s lawyers have cited medical and forensic experts who concluded she likely died from undiagnosed pneumonia. Mr. Biden’s intervention this week is a nod to the flaws of the death penalty, but also a need for a system that claims human dignity and equal application of the law as its driving values. State and federal lawmakers should finish the job by abolishing the practice. ONLINE: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/opinion/communities-fund-uja-federation.html Dec. 23 The Wall Street Journal on rising life expectancy in the United States Some good news as 2024 nears the end: Life expectancy in the U.S. last year made an unusually sharp increase as deaths from most major causes declined, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Americans can expect more longevity gains in the future—as long as Washington doesn’t introduce harmful policies. Life expectancy in 2023 rose 0.9 years to 78.4 while the overall mortality rate adjusted for age declined 6%. Death rates among all age groups fell, and more sharply for middle-aged Americans and seniors. A typical 65-year-old can expect to live another 19.5 years, up from 18.9 years in 2022. The large rebound in a single year owes largely to a decline in Covid deaths as the pandemic receded into the past. Covid deaths last year were roughly the same as those from the flu during a bad flu season. Death rates from cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and unintentional injuries (e.g., drug overdoses) also declined. It’s true that U.S. life expectancy is still lower, and deaths from most causes somewhat higher, than before the pandemic when it reached an overall average of 78.8 years. But that’s because of an increase in chronic illnesses, which may have been exacerbated by the pandemic lockdowns. Forced to stay home, many Americans ate and drank more and used more drugs. The Biden Administration claimed credit for the lifespan increase because drug overdoses declined slightly in 2023. Perhaps political attention to the fentanyl scourge is making a difference. But overdoses were still 50% higher last year than in 2019. The truth is that the Administration’s “harm reduction” policies—e.g., distributing sterile needles and opioid-overdose medicine naloxone to addicts—have failed to reduce addiction. A common lament on the political left and right is that the U.S. has a lower life expectancy despite spending more on healthcare than most developed countries. But America also has more chronic disease and drug addiction, which aren’t from failings in private healthcare. Americans have access to more treatments than any country in the world. This is why U.S. cancer survival rates are higher than in most developed countries and continue to improve. Personalized cancer vaccines and CAR T-cell therapies have shown potential to treat deadly cancers like pancreatic and glioblastoma. GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic could help extend lifespans by reducing obesity, diabetes and even drug addictions. The policy risk is that government drug price controls will discourage innovation. Expanding government control over healthcare isn’t the way to make Americans healthier. ONLINE: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/cdc-u-s-life-expectancy-rises-covid-mortality-chronic-illness-drugs-pharma-e2f03030?mod=editorials_article_pos3 Dec. 24 The Boston Globe says Republicans taking directions from Elon Musk might want to reconsider Until last week’s budget debacle, Elon Musk was a warm-up act for President-elect Donald Trump. Like the many adulatory openers at Trump rallies and Republican gatherings, he amped up the crowd — but strictly in preparation for the main act. While Democrats like to flash star power at events — A-listers, movie stars, and pop icons — in today’s Republican Party, Trump is the star power. But the rise of Musk as a political figure means that another successful, powerful businessman is potentially poised to eclipse Trump’s voice in the Republican Party, whether he intends to or not. That’s a problem for Trump, who isn’t exactly used to sharing the limelight. The MAGA movement, as Trump allies describe it, is built around the idea that politicians of all stripes are too blinded by corruption, political complications, and self-interest to serve the needs of the American people. Such a movement necessitates an audacious leader who isn’t afraid to break with the pack and stand out — someone exactly like Trump. His no-holds-barred style of leadership has allowed him to quickly overhaul the Republican Party, elevating loyalists and his favored policies with little regard for pushback from liberals or traditional Republicans. Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, owner of X (formerly Twitter), and the world’s richest man, has been one of Trump’s most important allies in spreading that message. His endorsement, his campaigning efforts, his nearly quarter of a billion dollar America PAC, his energizing rally appearances, and even his transformation of X into a “town square” have been vital to spreading Republican messaging. Musk has been a dutiful “First Buddy.” But he could become more than that, as he revealed last week. Starting early Wednesday morning, a mere series of X posts from Musk helped to derail a bipartisan congressional deal to fund the government and avert a shutdown. That Musk had concerns about a 1,500-page budget bill isn’t the issue here; it’s safe to assume that any impenetrable packet of government spending contains eyebrow-raising allocations. What is of concern is how Musk seemingly single-handedly hijacked the process — and how Republicans let him. On X, Musk and his sidekick Vivek Ramaswamy praised Republicans who bowed to his opposition of the bill and put on notice those who didn’t. “Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” Musk posted early Wednesday afternoon, generating more than 47 million views. He beat Trump to the punch — or, maybe, pushed the president-elect into action. Twelve hours after Musk’s first post opposing the bill, JD Vance and Trump released a statement condemning the bill. And that evening, Trump posted on Truth Social that “Any Republican that would be so stupid as to do this should, and will, be primaried.” So Republican leaders dutifully withdrew the bill and replaced it with a slimmed-down alternative that met Musk and Trump’s demands. That bill failed on Thursday. So on Friday, rather than allow the government to shut down, the House voted on and passed a third bill — which looked suspiciously like the initial version with some face-saving changes to placate Musk and Trump — with Democratic votes. That Musk is using his platform to share his views isn’t an issue. As he often points out, he has made X a public square for many different viewpoints — including many of his own detractors. The problem is that Republicans have allowed Musk to disproportionately sway their leadership. That’s not necessarily a problem when Musk is advocating for budget cuts and bureaucratic overhaul in his self-conceived Department of Government Efficiency. DOGE will be an extragovernmental advisory board that might have the potential to help trim some federal fat. In this advisory role, an innovator like Musk, along with his cochair Ramaswamy, have the potential to make helpful recommendations unburdened by the political pressures of being in the federal government. But advisers advise, they don’t direct. Will it be a problem when the new ascendant voice on the right wants to, say, protect his business interests with American adversaries like China ? He has many potential conflicts of interest in dictating how the American government should spend and not spend its money. His companies Tesla and SpaceX, for example, have had over $15 billion in government contracts over the past decade. Musk is doing more than swaying policy. He’s also creating a new line of attack for Democrats who are more than pleased to point out that Republicans’ reimagined “working people’s party” is being led by a billionaire puppeteered by a far richer billionaire. On X, Democrats lined up to highlight “President Musk’s” pull, with Senator Chris Murphy posting about the Trump administration’s “Billionaire First” agenda. Trump is no stranger to criticisms from the left, nor is he particularly stringent about consistency in his policy positions. Like any good populist, Trump has shown himself willing to adapt to his supporters’ whims. He might bristle, however, at the prospect of being relegated to an opening act, a mere figurehead for a party driven by someone younger, richer, and more influential. The bristling may have already started. Trump’s transition spokesperson immediately went on the defense: “President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party. Full stop,” Karoline Leavitt said . And maybe some resistance from Team Trump is for the best. Even if Trump agrees with Musk, an unelected billionaire with a long list of conflicts of interest should not have such a direct line of influence over our government. Trump was elected, he should be making the decisions — not waiting for his rich friend to endorse them before Trump himself has even weighed in. Republicans are going to have to answer plenty of tough questions about Musk’s influence on their party over the next four years. None might be as difficult as this: Is Trump willing to let Musk steal his show? ONLINE: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/24/opinion/elon-musk-trump-congress/?event=event12 Dec. 24 The Philadelphia Inquirer says RFK Jr. cannot be taken seriously as HHS Secretary America’s public health could be at risk if the incoming administration doesn’t correct some of the campaign rhetoric that may have helped Donald Trump win an election but has no merit now that voting is over. For example, inaccurate comments about water fluoridation that prospective U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has not taken back. “ Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis , bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease,” Kennedy said in a November social media post in which he also claimed the president-elect would advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water. As is typical with Trump, he has neither embraced nor denied Kennedy’s assertions, preferring to instead suggest support of ideas that he may later reject by nebulously saying of Kennedy: “I’m going to let him go wild on health. I’m going to let him go wild on the food. I’m going to let him go wild on medicines.” Please, don’t. America doesn’t need anyone “wild” in charge of public health. Kennedy can’t be taken seriously when he makes misleading comments about water fluoridation that may have a veneer of truth but don’t hold up when someone takes the time to review the facts. Fluoride is not an industrial waste product. It is a mineral found in rocks and soil that leaches naturally into streams and other water supplies. Its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay was discovered in the 1920s when it was observed that Colorado Springs, Colo., residents whose teeth were stained by excessive fluoride in their water sources had fewer than normal cavities. Kennedy is wrong to suggest the subsequent fluoridation of community water supplies across America occurred hastily and without due investigation of potential dangers. The National Institutes of Health began investigating how fluoride affects the human body in the 1930s, but the first major trial of fluoridation of a community’s water supply didn’t occur until 1945 in Grand Rapids, Mich. President Harry S. Truman signed an act creating the National Institute of Dental Research in 1948 in large part because 20% of young men being drafted for military service were rejected because their teeth were so bad. Meanwhile, 10 years after the Michigan study began, the cavity rate among Grand Rapids children was reduced by more than 60%. Subsequent research shows drinking fluoridated water not only reduces cavities and associated dental pain but correspondingly cuts missed school and work days. Such results prompted cities and towns across America — including Philadelphia — to begin fluoridating their water, so much so that by 2010 the tap water of more than 200 million Americans was flowing from fluoridated systems. There have been virtually zero instances in which putting fluoride in a water system has been blamed for a public health issue since the fluoridation of most of America’s water supplies began. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ranked water fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Kennedy is trying to solve a problem that doesn’t seem to exist. The National Institutes of Health did complete a study that concluded there might be a connection between the lower IQs of children after long-term exposure to more than twice the federal government’s recommended level of fluoride in drinking water. But why would any town knowingly exceed the government’s fluoridation guidelines by such a large margin? There’s no incentive for local officials to risk their children’s or adults’ health. Kennedy also says fluoridating water systems is no longer necessary. “ Fluoride made sense in the 1940s when they put it in, but now we have fluoride in toothpaste,” he said. That’s true, fluoride today is in toothpaste, mouthwashes, and other oral hygiene products, but that’s why the recommended level of fluoride in water supplies was reduced from 1.0 parts per million to 0.7 parts per million in 2011. Future research may lead to more reductions in recommended fluoride levels, but there’s no basis for Kennedy’s call for a ban now. Trump’s choice to plot the course of public health agencies that make life-and-death decisions based on scientific evidence is a bad one. Kennedy comes across as someone who loves basking in the limelight too often afforded contrarians who pay little attention to facts. In that same vein, Kennedy has criticized vaccines that have long protected millions of Americans from crippling and deadly diseases. Surely the president-elect can do better with his nominations. ONLINE: https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/health-water-fluoride-robert-kennedy-20241224.htmlMcGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules

Jeff Bezos backs AI chipmaker TenstorrentFull transparency, readers, I’m not thinking much about video games this weekend. It is a weekend for movies and music. It’s Wicked weekend and, on top of that, Kendrick Lamar just dropped a whole album. But if, for some reason, you’re looking for something to do other than watch Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo absolutely kill it at your local theater (or you’re a Drake stan), you could also play a video game this weekend. We’ve got a few suggestions right here: Play it on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Current goal: No goals, just happiness Having spent a good chunk of time playing next year’s Avowed this week , I’m desperate to find a way to spend more time in Eora. It then occurred to me, it’s been nearly ten years since I played the game’s first prequel, Pillars of Eternity . I almost never replay RPGs, because...I’ve just had three goes at typing out why, but I’m not entirely sure. It’s something to do with not wanting to re-experience a beloved story, but with the existential weirdness of not wanting to make all the same choices, and yet knowing I made all those choices because they were the ones that feel right to me. Also, revisiting a beloved RPG is quite different than returning to a favorite book, because the way RPGs tell stories is utterly different, not least in that a bunch of average skirmishes is a lot more hard work to do a second time than turning over a page. Despite all this, and despite remembering the main beats of Pillars ’ plot, I really have forgotten huge swathes of the story, and just want to be back in that world some more. It’s also the perfect time to play it (and its sequel) before February 2025 finally lets us get our hands on Avowed . — John Walker Play it on: PC, Switch Current goal: Finish a video game I think I’ve written about 1000xRESIST multiple times for the weekend guide over the past year, and that’s because it’s been hanging over my backlog all along. I was so enthralled with Sunset Visitor’s adventure game when I first started it, but for one reason or another, I got pulled away multiple times. Now it’s the end of November, and if I’m going to have anything insightful to say at Game of the Year talks, I need to play more games. I usually carve out time around now to play the smaller games that slipped through the cracks, and 1000xRESIST is sitting at the top of the list. I’m still a little exhausted after marathoning Metaphor: ReFantazio and Dragon Age: The Veilguard with little time in between, so I just need something shorter that’s going to draw me in. 1000xRESIST was full of moments that told me it would do that, but I haven’t been able to commit to it. Until now. So help me god. — Kenneth Shepard Play it on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC Current goal: Reach the Tower of Transcendence I didn’t expect a remake of a 1980s RPG that stays surprisingly faithful to its simple roots would grip me the way it has, but the more I play Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake , the deeper it pulls me in. Not so much its barebones story or simplistic party progression, but its beautifully retooled world that still hides secrets like a pre-internet game intended for extended obsession rather than easy consumption. Like the early Final Fantasy games, the directions are minimal and the fights will knock you on your ass if you don’t put the grind in. That makes it perfect for playing during football games and late-night sessions rocking the baby to sleep, my eyes lit up with child-like glee at the hi-res pixel art and gorgeous, whimsical backgrounds. It’s not for the faint of heart, but RPG nerds with nostalgia for the old-school days are in for a treat. — Ethan Gach Play it on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC Current goal: Kill a god or two The Veilguard took quite a while to hook me. For its first dozen hours or more, it all just felt so video game-y, so amusement park-y to me, the fairly small areas I was in so hyper-designed, so full of little caches of coins and resources for me to find so I never went more than a few seconds without some little dopamine-hit reward. And it still does have those problems, exacerbated all the while by how familiar the structure is, so plainly “ Mass-Effect-2- but-make-it-fantasy.” So rigid and tightly controlled it sometimes feels lifeless. And yet I liked the concept of some of its characters enough to keep going, even if it took some time for the characters themselves to become deep and complex enough to intrigue me. I mean, Neve, a fantasy private eye and political rebel who wields ice magic and wears a dwarven prosthesis to replace her lower-right leg? That’s rad as hell! And yes, now that I’m many, many hours into the game, I actually feel a connection to these characters and not just to the idea of them, and to the stakes of the conflict they’re facing, too. (I just played a second-act siege sequence that was pretty exciting and helped remind me what a serious threat the escaped elven gods actually are.) In some ways, the fact that every party member has some problem they need help with feels very contrived. “Oh, I just can’t focus on the thing threatening the whole world if we don’t deal with my personal issue first!” It’s, again, just all very Mass Effect 2 , in a way that feels pretty conspicuous and artificial to me. But if surrendering to that structure lets me get to know Neve better, so be it. Ya got me, game. Ya got me. — Carolyn Petit Play it on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch Current goal: Get to know the new guy Like I said, I want to get to 1000xRESIST this weekend, but I also gotta carve out some time for Overwatch 2 , my greatest love/hate relationship in video games. This weekend, Blizzard is letting folks test out Hazard , the new tank hero officially joining the game in December. I don’t play tank often unless I queue for every role and just end up in it. I love claiming space as Orisa and defending my teammates as Ramattra, but I tend to just queue for damage and support. I don’t know if Hazard will bring me back to tanking, but he could at least shake things up enough that I stop actively avoiding it. Hopefully, the queue times aren’t so bad that I don’t get to put Hazard through his paces. — Kenneth Shepard

Overwatch 2 players have “absolutely cooked” with suggestions for an Arcane crossover, so much so that the results work. The second and final season of the hit League of Legends TV series Arcane has dropped. It has brought in huge viewership numbers for Netflix , with other Regions hinted to be explored next in the project. With Arcane on the minds of many gamers, Overwatch 2 players have now put a massive pitch forward to have the characters from the show crossover with those in Overwatch. Both franchises love a collab, with Overwatch often crossing over with other major video game and anime franchises, such as One Punch Man , My Hero Academia , Diablo , and many more. Similarly, Arcane has recently had crossovers with Valorant, TFT, Wild Rift and more. In a new Reddit thread that quickly amassed over 12,000 upvotes, Overwatch players outlined a whole roster for an Arcane x Overwatch 2 crossover. Overwatch 2 players pitch “fire” Arcane crossover skins The initial poster shared multiple slides of images, all of which showcase which Overwatch 2 heroes would be suitable for unique Arcane skins. Some of the suggested crossover skins included the following. Ramattra x Viktor Lux x Mercy Moira x Silco Sojourn x Ekko Zarya x Vi Ashe x Caitlyn Junker Queen x Sevika Naturally, the OW2 community discussed plenty of other ideas throughout, with many going back and forth about which Arcane character is the best fit for the roster of Overwatch heroes. While the initial poster suggested Ashe x Caitlyn as a collab, others noted that “Widow as Cait would be amazing” instead. Despite the comments section being flooded with fellow Overwatch 2 players who deem all these suggested skins have “very few misses, if any at all” and “absolutely cooking,” players are not optimistic that this collab will ever actually come to fruition. Related: Given that Overwatch 2 devs Blizzard and LoL creators Riot Games are very much so direct competitors in the industry, the two joining forces would be a game-changing move. Regardless, this hasn’t stopped OW2 players from pitching what a potential collab between the two products would look like, and the results are “absolute fire.”

Percentages: FG 42.029, FT .571. 3-Point Goals: 2-17, .118 (Olsen 1-4, Gyamfi 1-1, Stuelke 0-1, Affolter 0-2, Feuerbach 0-3, Mallegni 0-3, McCabe 0-3) Blocked Shots: 7 (Heiden 3, Stuelke 1, Affolter 1, Mallegni 1, Stremlow 1) Turnovers: 14 (O'Grady 2, Affolter 2, Feuerbach 2, Stremlow 2, Stuelke 1, Olsen 1, Ediger 1, Heiden 1, Guyton 1, Mallegni 1) Steals: 7 (Affolter 2, Olsen 1, Ediger 1, Gyamfi 1, Mallegni 1, Stremlow 1) Technical Fouls: None Percentages: FG 27.419, FT .667. 3-Point Goals: 7-30, .233 (J.Villa 3-9, Wallack 3-8, E.Villa 1-3, Tuhina 0-3, Mendes 0-2, Abraham 0-3, Gardner 0-2) Blocked Shots: 5 (Covill 2, Wallack 1, Mendes 1, Gardner 1) Turnovers: 20 (E.Villa 3, Wallack 3, Alsina 3, Abraham 2, Dart 2, Covill 1, Tuhina 1, J.Villa 1, Mendes 1, Kpetikou 1, Chiu 1, Gardner 1) Steals: 9 (Tuhina 2, Gardner 2, E.Villa 1, J.Villa 1, Abraham 1, Alsina 1, Chiu 1) Technical Fouls: None A_14,998 Officials_Cameron Inouye, Missy Brooks, Lauren NiemieraVladimir Putin's chilling threat to drag Britain into Ukraine war with new 'hazel' missiles

Florida State continues torrid star with rout of UMassNEW YORK , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global voice evacuation systems market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.1 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.84% during the forecast period. Growth of real estate and construction industry is driving market growth, with a trend towards adoption of lot in building control systems. However, high initial cost of installation of voice sounder and loudspeakers poses a challenge. Key market players include 4EVAC Hacousto Holland BV, ABB Ltd., Ambient System SP ZOO, ATEIS International SA, Audico Systems Oy, Baldwin Boxall Communications Ltd., Cofem SA, Eaton Corp. Plc, Hochiki America Corp., Honeywell International Inc., Johnson Controls International Plc, Mircom Group of Companies, NAFFCO FZCO, OPTIMUS SA , ORR Protection Systems Inc., Protec Fire and Security Group Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, Siemens AG, TOA Corp., and Zeta Alarms Ltd.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver Voice evacuation systems, also known as voice alarm systems, are becoming increasingly popular for emergency communication in public facilities, commercial buildings, industrial sites, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. These systems use spoken messages to alert individuals of potential risks, such as fire breakouts, in a calm and clear manner. This trend is driven by the need for safe evacuation during unprecedented events, ensuring the safety and awareness of individuals in secure environments. Traditional fire alarm systems have limitations, such as the use of horns or chimes which can cause panic. Voice evacuation systems offer a more effective solution by providing customized messages and clear instructions. The initial financial investment for voice evacuation systems can be higher than traditional systems due to necessary equipment, customization, and professional installation services. However, the long-term benefits, including cost savings from retrofitting existing buildings and seamless communication with building automation systems, make it a worthwhile investment. The decision-making process for potential clients includes considering the building size, complex zoning, and existing building technologies. Voice evacuation systems offer interoperability with smart building technologies, elevators, and real-time monitoring, making them a converging solution for safety and security. With the industry shift towards innovative technologies, compatibility challenges with existing building technologies and communication protocols are being addressed. Safety and wellbeing are top priorities for private buildings, residential areas, public sector undertakings, industrial units, governments, and corporations. Voice evacuation systems are an essential part of safety solutions, ensuring social consideration for individuals with disabilities, impairments, and an ageing population. These systems offer a critical infrastructure for emergency communication, providing effective solution for evacuation during fire incidents. The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized building systems and safety equipment by enabling interconnected devices to exchange data over a network. Traditionally, voice evacuation systems operated independently. However, integrating IoT technology has significantly improved their functionality. This integration enhances data and control management, ensuring quick response and notification without human intervention. The development of mesh networks further supports connectivity, allowing every device to function as a node to a central location. This advancement in technology not only increases reliability but also eliminates redundancy, making voice evacuation systems more efficient and effective. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges Voice evacuation systems are essential safety solutions for public facilities, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. These systems deliver spoken messages during emergencies like fire breakouts, unprecedented events, or fire incidents. Traditional alarm systems using horns or chimes can cause panic and confusion. Voice evacuation systems provide clear instructions for safe evacuation, enhancing safety, awareness, and security. However, adopting voice evacuation systems comes with challenges. Cost is a significant factor, influenced by building size, necessary equipment, and professional installation services. Complex zoning, customization, and hardware costs add to the initial financial investment. Custom content and audio quality are essential considerations. Retrofitting existing buildings with voice evacuation systems can be complex due to interoperability issues with existing building technologies, communication protocols, and compatibility challenges. Critical infrastructure like airports, stadiums, and other public spaces require evacuation systems to ensure safety and wellbeing. Safety and social considerations, such as an ageing population, disabilities, and impairments, necessitate innovative technologies and assistance in understanding risks. The convergence of voice evacuation systems with smart building technologies, building management, real-time monitoring, and building automation systems offers seamless communication and evacuation processes. The industry shift towards voice evacuation systems underscores the importance of professional skills in installation and design, as well as the need for preloaded messages and custom content. The decision-making process for potential clients includes considering the potential risks, necessary equipment, and the benefits of voice evacuation systems over traditional alarm systems. Voice evacuation systems are essential safety features in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. In small and mid-size buildings, the cost of deploying these systems includes hardware installation, which is the largest expense, and minimal service and maintenance costs. However, in large buildings and high-rise residential complexes, regulations mandate the installation of automated emergency alarms and voice evacuation systems, leading to higher procurement and setup costs. In the commercial sector, especially healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and hotels, the expense of installing multiple systems, including emergency alarm control systems, is significant. Overall, the cost of voice evacuation systems varies depending on the size and complexity of the building or facility. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This voice evacuation systems market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Commercial sector 1.2 Industrial sector 1.3 Residential sector 2.1 Voice sounders 2.2 Loudspeakers 2.3 Emergency microphones 2.4 Networked and wireless system 3.1 APAC 3.2 North America 3.3 Europe 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America 1.1 Commercial sector- The commercial sector is experiencing significant growth in the voice evacuation systems market due to increased regulations and safety awareness. This trend is driven by stringent government requirements and user education in various countries. The global market is also benefiting from rising foreign direct investment and construction activity in emerging economies. A major technological advancement is the integration of voice evacuation systems with fire alarms and security control systems. However, compatibility and interoperability challenges persist when integrating these systems with existing infrastructure. Mature markets like the US, Canada , and parts of Europe will primarily focus on replacement activities and software upgrades. In contrast, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, particularly Dammam in Saudi Arabia , is poised for substantial growth due to commercial hub development and expanding retail sectors. Key projects like the Al-Rehab project in Dammam are expected to boost market expansion during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis Voice evacuation systems, also known as voice alarm systems, are essential components of modern public address (PA) systems designed to ensure safety and order during emergency situations. These systems use spoken messages to alert and guide people in buildings during unprecedented events such as fire breakouts. They are installed in various public facilities, including private buildings, residential areas, public sector undertakings, industrial units, government establishments, and new age constructions. The voice evacuation system is a crucial part of a building's ecosystem, prioritizing safety and wellbeing, and is a matter of corporate social responsibility and strict safety laws. The system's detectors trigger a preloaded message, which may include instructions on the nature of the emergency and the safest evacuation routes. The message can be delivered through a voice alarm or a combination of voice and horn or chime. The effective implementation of voice evacuation systems requires professional skills and adherence to industry standards. Market Research Overview Voice evacuation systems, also known as voice alarm systems, are essential safety solutions designed to ensure safe evacuation of individuals in public facilities and buildings during fire breakouts or unprecedented events. These systems use spoken messages instead of traditional alarm systems with horns or chimes to provide clear instructions and reduce panic. Public facilities, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities all benefit from voice evacuation systems, prioritizing safety, awareness, security, and the wellbeing of individuals. The adoption of voice evacuation systems is driven by potential risks such as fire incidents and the need for evacuation systems to protect assets. Traditional alarm systems may not provide adequate communication during emergencies, making voice evacuation systems a cost-effective and necessary investment for buildings of all sizes. Customization is a crucial factor, with prefabricated messages and custom content available to cater to specific building needs. Audio quality, initial financial investment, and necessary equipment are essential considerations in the decision-making process. Professional installation services ensure seamless communication and interoperability with existing building technologies, including building management systems, elevators, and smart building technologies. Voice evacuation systems are increasingly important in private buildings, residential areas, public sector undertakings, industrial units, government establishments, and new age buildings. The safety and wellbeing of individuals, corporate social responsibility, and strict safety laws are driving the industry shift towards voice evacuation systems. Existing buildings may require retrofitting with voice evacuation systems, posing challenges related to existing building technologies, communication protocols, and compatibility with proprietary technologies. Critical infrastructure and converging technologies, such as building automation systems, elevators, and real-time monitoring, are essential considerations in the adoption of voice evacuation systems. The voice evacuation system market is continually evolving, with innovative technologies addressing consumer requirements and addressing the unique needs of various sectors. Detectors, preloaded messages, and modern designs are essential components of voice evacuation systems, ensuring effective and efficient evacuation during emergencies. The understanding of risks, social considerations, and the ageing population, disabilities, and impairments are crucial factors in the design and implementation of voice evacuation systems. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation End-user Commercial Sector Industrial Sector Residential Sector Type Voice Sounders Loudspeakers Emergency Microphones Networked And Wireless System Geography APAC North America Europe Middle East And Africa South America 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

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California lawmakers kicked off a special session of the state Legislature Monday. The reason? To fund a $25 million war chest for anticipated legal battles with incoming President Donald Trump’s administration. As nearly 30 new state lawmakers were sworn into office at the state Capitol in Sacramento, legislative leaders gaveled in a special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom that’s geared toward protecting undocumented immigrants, reproductive rights, climate policy and more from Trump’s second administration. The regular, two-year legislative session also began Monday, but the special session will allow for a speedier lawmaking process. Newsom has requested the funding for the state Department of Justice and other agencies, which are expected to file a flurry of lawsuits challenging Trump policies — as California Democrats did during the president’s first term. The governor’s ask was introduced in bills Monday by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, an Encino Democrat who chairs the body’s budget committee. “We will work with the incoming administration and we want President Trump to succeed in serving all Americans,” Newsom said in a statement. “But when there is overreach, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms are targeted, we will take action.” Newsom expects to sign the legislation before Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20, and top Democratic lawmakers are on board. They’ll do the bulk of that work in early January after a break, said Assemblymember Marc Berman, a Menlo Park Democrat. “Just like eight years ago, California must once again do everything we can to protect our 39 million residents and our economy,” he said in an email. “During both the special session and the regular session, we must double down on policies to defend reproductive freedom and autonomy, protect the environment, and invest in science and education.” Republicans, however, blasted the special session as a tone-deaf stunt to raise Newsom’s profile as a Trump foil. Politics observers say the Democratic governor almost surely will run for president in 2028, after his final term ends. “Instead of taking the hint that Californians are growing tired of Democrat incompetence, Newsom is doubling down on his extreme agenda and using his special session to ‘Trump-proof’ California with taxpayer dollars,” California GOP Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson said in an email. “It’s clear that Gavin Newsom’s 2028 presidential run is now underway, and Californians are simply pawns in his game.” The $25 million set aside for litigation would be a tiny fraction of California’s $288 billion 2024-25 operating budget. But approving that budget required a series of measures to close a $27.6 billion deficit , including dipping into reserves. It was unclear Monday whether funding legal wars with Trump would come at the expense of other programs. On the campaign trail, Trump slammed California as a den of crime, rampant inflation and homelessness, while taking shots at the Golden State’s top Democrats. He also pledged to use the military to conduct mass deportations of immigrants without proper documentation, fueling anxieties of a “worst-case scenario” among Bay Area immigrant advocates . Democrats including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta say they’ll staunchly defend immigrants and will not cooperate with deportations. Bonta also announced Monday that lawmakers are sponsoring bills to ensure Californians can access medication abortions and empowering the attorney general to seek fines from local governments that restrict abortion providers. “I want to make it unequivocally clear: California will remain a safe haven for reproductive rights and access to abortion care, no matter who is in the White House,” Bonta , a potential candidate to succeed Newsom , said in a statement. After Trump’s victory last month, Newsom and California Democrats quickly laid the groundwork to oppose the incoming Republican administration. It’s a reprise role. During Trump’s first term, California filed 122 lawsuits challenging his administration’s policies under Democratic Attorney General Xavier Becerra. That litigation cost the state $42 million, according to Newsom’s office, and netted some victories. In one case, California and New York successfully sued the U.S. Department of Energy in 2017 to allow energy efficiency standards to go into effect nationally, which were expected to save consumers $8.4 billion and prevent nearly 100 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Another victory won California $60 million in federal public safety grants, the governor’s office said. Once again, California’s stand-off with Trump is likely to be a major force in state politics for the next four years. But this time around, Newsom is stressing that he’s open to finding common ground with the former president. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire say they’ll be mostly be focusing not on resisting Trump, but making California more affordable, CalMatters reported . In fact, Newsom and Rivas have made overtures to California voters since Republicans nationally swept the November elections, reclaiming the White House and Senate and holding the House of Representatives. He made gains throughout the state in part because of discontent over inflation and living costs. In response, Newsom is touring conservative counties to highlight an economic development plan and has said that Democrats need to focus more on the economy. A spokesperson for Rivas did not return a request for comment by press time. Nearly 30 new lawmakers were also sworn in at the state Capitol on Monday. The new legislature includes a record-breaking number of women — 59 of its 120 members, one seat shy of the same number as men . Democrats still have a complete control on state government, with supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature and holds on all executive seats.None

Malique Ewin finished with team highs of 17 points and seven rebounds to lead the Florida State Seminoles to a 92-59 victory over the Massachusetts Minutemen in each team's final game of the Naismith Hall of Fame Tip-Off on Sunday afternoon in Uncasville, Conn. The Seminoles (6-1) won their third consecutive game and went 2-0 in the event as they pulled away in the second half, leading by as many as 36 points. It's Florida State's best start since the 2019-20 season when it went 7-1. UMass (1-5) dropped its fifth in a row following a season-opening win over New Hampshire despite a strong game on Sunday from Jaylen Curry, who scored 17 points. Curry, with six free throws, helped propel the Minutemen on a 10-0 run over a four-plus minute span in the first half to take a 24-23 lead with 4:22 left. FSU closed the half on a 13-3 run to lead 37-27 at halftime. A 15-4 surge to open the second half helped the Seminoles break the game open. Florida State's defense frustrated UMass shooters throughout the contest, especially on the perimeter, limiting the Minutemen to 3-for-24 shooting (12.5 percent) from 3-point range and 18-for-58 (31 percent) overall. The Seminoles finished with 22 points off 17 UMass turnovers. On the flipside, Florida State had one of its best shooting games of the season. The Seminoles moved the ball well throughout the game and finished with 25 assists while only turning the ball over 10 times. The Seminoles shot 33 for 58 (57 percent) from the field and made 9 of 18 three-pointers to put together a season-high scoring output. Once again, Florida State shined thanks to its depth as 10 players scored and four scored in double figures. The Seminoles were able to have 16 players participate in the game as well. Jamir Watkins finished with 14 points while Jerry Deng and Justin Thomas each had 10 points. For UMass, Daniel Rivera finished with 12 points and six rebounds while Nate Guerengomba had 10 points. Daniel Hankins-Sanford collected a game-high 13 rebounds. --Field Level Media

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