The U.K.s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has a new interim chairman: former Amazon executive Doug Gurr (pictured above).The announcement comes as the U.K. seeks to position itself as a pro-growth, pro-tech nation by cutting red-tape and bureaucracy, with artificial intelligence (AI) taking center stage. The country is also nearing the end of a long investigation into the domestic cloud services market that had Amazon firmly in the CMAs crosshairs.In its announcement on Tuesday, the government leaned into Gurrs past at Amazon as a means to boost growth and support the economy, noting that he will bring a wealth of experience from his work in the sector.This Government has a clear Plan for Change to boost growth for businesses and communities across the U.K., Jonathan Reynolds, the U.K.s secretary of state for business and trade, said in a statement. As weve set out, we want to see regulators including the CMA supercharging the economy with pro-business decisions that will drive prosperity and growth, putting more money in peoples pockets.The big tech factorGurr joined Amazons U.K division in 2011, initially as VP of its hardlines division, which focused on products such as gardening and toys. He transitioned into the role of country manager for Amazons China business in 2014, before moving back to head up U.K. operations in 2016. Gurr left Amazon in 2020 to become the director of the Natural History Museum.Outgoing chair Marcus Bokkerink, who has more of a consulting than commercial background, held his post for less than three years, a relatively short tenure as the position typically lasts up to five years. However, reports indicate that chancellor Rachel Reeves was underwhelmed following a meeting with various U.K. regulators last week, prompting a changing of the guard.Its worth noting that although Gurrs appointment is on an interim basis, the CMAs CEO Sarah Cardell was also initially appointed as interim CEO back in 2022 before she moved into the role permanently. Thats not to say this is what will happen with Gurr, but it gives a clear indication about the type of person the government wants to see chairing the countrys antitrust regulator a body currently investigating big tech firms for all manner of alleged contraventions.Alex Haffner, competition partner at law firm Fladgate, says its no coincidence that Gurrs appointment has come at a time when the U.K. is banging the drum for its growth agenda. He also highlighted that Gurrs background is unashamedly commercial compared to his predecessor. Over and above that, however, this appointment raises questions about how the CMA might approach its enforcement of rules around big tech across verticals.What stakeholders will now be assessing is how the new appointment translates into the CMAs approach to enforcement, Haffner said in a statement to TechCrunch. Recent signs are that it has taken heed of criticism of previous decisions and is perhaps more willing to be flexible the recent Vodafone / Three clearance decision being a case in point. However, the new Chair also takes on the role at a time when the CMA has taken on significant new powers under the Digital Markets Competition and Consumer Act, particularly in relation to its oversight of big tech, meaning the CMA will likely become more activist, albeit giving considerable attention as to how to enforce in a way which best stimulates competition and therefore economic growth.The Open Cloud Coalition, a Google-backed lobby group launched back in October to curry favor with European lawmakers, congratulated Gurr on his appointment as interim chair. However, Nicky Stewart, senior advisor to the Open Cloud Coalition, urged the regulator not to lose sight of its ongoing investigation into the cloud services market, which counts Amazon as the runaway market leader.As the CMAs cloud market investigation enters a critical phase, we urge the regulator to stay the course and take decisive action to create a fairer, more competitive cloud market that benefits businesses, consumers, and the wider digital economy, Stewart said in a statement issued to TechCrunch. The cloud industry can only flourish when there is a level playing field, and as outlined in our position paper, meaningful intervention is essential to unlocking innovation and investment across the sector.

European Unionmember states have been asked to gather examples of how encryption technologies are frustrating criminal investigations as police and governments step-up demands for lawful access to end-to-end encrypted messaging services.Europol aims to gather evidence to show how encrypted communication services supplied by tech companies including WhatsApp, Meta and Signal are exploited by criminals to hide their tracks, the agency has confirmed.According to a European Commission working group, law enforcement agencies have struggled to quantify the challenges that end-to-end encryption poses in monitoring the communications of criminals and terrorists, as it has not been possible to collect data.Known examples include the case of Khalid Masood, who conducted the London Bridge attack in 2017, killing 29 people and injuring six.Minutes before the attack, it emerged that he had sent a PDF document entitled Jihad to a large number of his contacts on WhatsApp and Apples iMessage, both of which are encrypted by default.In another case, UK police say their investigation into a rape was hindered because the suspects had used WhatsApp to send encrypted messages.The European Commission confirmed last night that it was seeking to gather examples from European states to show how encryption has disrupted police investigations. A spokesperson said it was not yet clear whether the examples would be released publicly.The move comes as Europols director general, Catherine De Bolle, stepped up public pressure on Big Tech during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, calling in a newspaper interview for them to give law enforcement access to encrypted communications and data.De Bolle told the Financial Times that Big Tech companies had a social responsibility to give police access to encrypted messages that were being used by criminals to protect their identity. She claimed that tech companies that did not comply could threaten democracy in Europe.Her comments show the width of the gap between tech companies, computer experts and cryptographers, and police and intelligence agencies. Technology experts argue that any attempt to weaken encryption would put the public and businesses at greater risk from cyber criminals.The European Commissions high level working group, argues that while encrypted apps and devices protect the privacy of legitimate users, they also allow criminals to hide their identities, market illegal products and services, and launder money without detection.Police should be granted lawful and strictly controlled effective access to data, it said. Law enforcement should also be involved in standards bodies to ensure that products are shaped to ensure that the technical requirements of law enforcement are taken into account at an early stage.Cooperation between companies and law enforcement is inadequate and deficient, and needs to be supplemented by clear rules, the groups November 2024 report said. Without clear and enforceable legal obligations, companies are often unable to assist law enforcement in accessing data.The high-level group found the interception of telecommunications is an essential tool in investigations, but its effectiveness has decreased following the take-up of encrypted messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Facebook and WeChat, which account for 97% of messages.Law enforcement experts have suggested a cautious approach, according to the working group. Technology companies should not be asked to integrate into any system likely to systematically weaken encryption for all users of the service. Lawful access should be targeted on a communication by communication basis.There is a need to advance gradually and involve tech companies, cyber security and privacy experts given the potential risks and the sensitivity around public debate, the report argues.De Bolle said that in the physical world, when police have a warrant to search a house, and the door is locked with the criminal inside, the public would demand that police should be able to enter the house. The same principles should apply to messages and data that are locked inside encryption, she argued.European police chiefs and the UKs National Crime Agency warned in a declaration in April 2024 that privacy measures including end-to-end encryption would stop law enforcements ability to prosecute the most serious crimes, including child sexual abuse, drug trafficking, human trafficking, murders, economic crimes, and terrorism.According to the declaration, signed by 32 countries, police chiefs were deeply concerned that end-to-end encryption would undermine the ability of law enforcement and tech companies to detect crime.Companies will not be able to respond effectively to a lawful authority, the declaration states. Nor will they be able to identify or report illegal activity on their platforms. As a result, we will simply not be able to keep the public safe.The police chiefs said they did not accept that there was a binary choice between cyber security and privacy, and public safety, arguing that technical solutions existed that would allow both, if industry and governments were flexible.However, police and government claims that it is possible to provide law enforcement with access to encrypted communications are disputed by technology companies and cryptographic experts.According to security expert Bruce Schneier, Chinese hackers appear to have accessed backdoors used by the US government to execute wire-tapping requests to breach US telecoms networks in the Salt Typhoon attack, posing major security risks to the country.Many of the worlds top computer scientists and cryptographers warned in 2017, for example, that proposals by Apple to scan encrypted messages for illegal content on behalf of law enforcement were unworkable, vulnerable to abuse, and a threat to safety and security.Amandine Le Pape, co-founder of encrypted messaging service Matrix, which is used by police forces, governmentsand military organisations in Europe, told Computer Weekly that degrading encryption to provide access to law enforcement would weaken security for everyone, including police forces.I feel that weakening encryption is a threat to democracy because that gives the opportunity to any state to spy on their citizens, she said. Maybe we can trust our European governments today, but what about tomorrow?Le Page said there are ways for law enforcement to investigate crimes without having to break into encryption, which include monitoring unencrypted chats, social media and analysing meta data from communications.The Matrix founder said that under De Bolles analogy of a locked door in a house, providing law enforcement access to encrypted messages was the equivalent to weakening the lock on the door.If the house has no door, then anyone can come into it, whether its the police or criminals wanting to break in, she said.Cryptowars: Read more about the debate on encryptionCrime agency criticises Meta as European police chiefs call for curbs on end-to-end encryption.ech companies remain concerned about the impact of the bills spy clause, which could require them to scan encrypted messages.Technology companies say reassurances by government ministers that they have no intention of weakening end-to-end encrypted communication services do not go far enough.BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, argues the government is seeking a technical fix to terrorism and child abuse without understanding the risks and implications.Government boosts protection for encryption in Online Safety Bill but civil society groups remain concerned.CEO of encrypted messaging service Element says Online Safety Bill could pose a risk to the encrypted comms systems used by Ukraine.Tech companies and NGOs urge rewrite of Online Safety Bill to protect encrypted comms.Protecting children by scanning encrypted messages is magical thinking, says Cambridge professor.Proposals for scanning encrypted messages should be cut from Online Safety Bill, say researchers.GCHQ experts back scanning of encrypted phone messages to fight child abuse.Tech companies face pressure over end-to-end encryption in Online Safety Bill.EU plans to police child abuse raise fresh fears over encryption and privacy rights. IT professionals wary of government campaign to limit end-to-end encryption.John Carr, a child safety campaigner backing a government-funded campaign on the dangers of end-to-end encryption to children, says tech companies have no choice but to act.Information commissioner criticises government-backed campaign to delay end-to-end encryption.Government puts Facebook under pressure to stop end-to-end encryption over child abuse risk.Former UK cyber security chief says UK government must explain how it can access encrypted communications without damaging cyber security and weakening privacy.Barnardos and other charities begin a government-backed PR campaign to warn of dangers end-to-end encryption poses to child safety. The campaign has been criticised as one-sided.Apples plan to automatically scan photos to detect child abuse would unduly risk the privacy and security of law-abiding citizens and could open up the way to surveillance, say cryptographic experts.Firms working on UK governments Safety Tech Challenge suggest scanning content before encryption will help prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material but privacy concerns remain.Private messaging is the front line of abuse, yet E2EE in its current form risks engineering away the ability of firms to detect and disrupt it where it is most prevalent,claims NSPCC.Proposals by European Commission to search for illegal material could mean the end of private messaging and emails, says MEP.

ZDNET's key takeaways The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini is available now from the official site for $799. The Ambeo Mini produces a big, rich sound but does depend on the subwoofer (sold separately) to give it enough depth. The Sennheiser app can be a bit tricky, but once you get it all connected, it works like a charm to help customize the sound. more buying choices A good soundbar can elevate your television or music experience to another level. Instead of listening through tinny TV speakers or those cheap desktop speakers, why not go with a device capable of giving you more -- more volume, more bass, more depth, more space, and more clarity?I've tested and used many soundbars over the years, and my favorite has been the JBL Bar 1000, which usurped my aging Klipsch. But the Bar 1000 does take up some space. Not only is the main speaker long, but the sub is large, and the satellite speakers need to be mounted and plugged in.Also: Changing these 5 soundbar settings made my living room feel like a movie theaterIf you don't have the money or space for such a soundbar, consider the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini. It offers incredibly immersive sound with just a single 27" soundbar and a subwoofer that delivers serious depth for its size.And given you get that classical, rich Sennheiser sound, what's not to love? details View at Amazon The specsAutomated self-calibration.Connectivity via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect with Dolby Atmos, Alexa, and Google Chromecast.4" dual subwoofers.6 x class D amps.Total power output - 250 W (RMS).Audio processing - Quad Core 1.8 Ghz SOC.Frequency response - 43Hz - 20KhzPorts - 1 HDMI eARC in4 far field micsDimensions - 27.5" long, 2.5" high, and 4" deep.Price - $799 without sub (matching sub costs $549).My experienceMy first attempt at testing the Ambeo Soundbar Mini didn't go so well. I connected it to an older smart TV (that doesn't support eARC) in my workout room via HDMI, and the TV didn't recognize the soundbar. Since the Ambeo Soundbar Mini didn't include any other connection possibilities that the older TV could support, I opted to connect it to my laptop to see how this speaker combo would work not only with movies/TV but also with music. After discovering the soundbar was the Mini version, everything fell right into place.Also: Hisense's new laser projector is so sharp and vivid, it may just replace your 4K TVI'm happy to report this small-footprint speaker does a remarkable job of filling a room with sound that puts to shame most other soundbars I've tested (with the exception of the JBL). Of course, I was not surprised, given Sennheiser's reputation and ability to produce high-quality audio products.Before I continue, it's important to know that the Ambeo Soundbar Mini and the Ambeo subwoofer are sold separately. Although the Ambeo Soundbar Mini does have pretty solid bass on its own, the frequency response should let you know that it's not capable of getting to the depths you probably expect from high-quality audio and (especially) a soundbar to heighten the experience of movie watching.Also: This midrange Yamaha soundbar holds its own against systems that are twice its priceFor me, it's not so much about the kabooms and roars that a sub can enhance; it's how they can give more depth and presence to the human voice and the Ambeo Mini handles the human voice beautifully. I've always found a lot of sound bars in this price range push the mids a bit too much resulting in tinny sound; this cheapens the sound and doesn't do the human voice any favors. The Ambeo Mini gives voices a richness and depth you won't find on competitors devices near the $600 price point. Of course, to really get the best experience, you should consider the accompanying subwoofer, which takes the lower end to new levels and bolsters the voices. At the same time, the difference between EQ options (Movie, Music, News, Sports, Neutral, and Adaptive) is very subtle but effective. Jack Wallen/ZDNETHowever (and this is a big however), the Ambeo Soundbar Mini includes automated self-calibration to sense the acoustics of the room and adjust the sound accordingly. Because of that, you'll want to allow it to make the adjustments before drawing a conclusion. I tested the soundbar in my office, which has very high ceilings. To my surprise, the Ambeo did a great job of adjusting to the room, and the sound was impressive.I will say this: Spotify sounded much better than Netflix through the Ambeo Soundbar Mni. In fact, I would recommend this soundbar/sub combo to replace your desktop speakers (especially if you play games via that computer). That's not to say the Ambeo isn't a solid option for TV and movies, but I do have some nits to pick.Also:This stereo amp made me feel like I was hearing my favorite band for the first timeFirst off, the Sennheiser app is really helpful, once you get it connected. It took me a few tries to get it working (part of the reason was because the documentation led me to believe I was dealing with a Plus and not a Mini). Once that was figured out, the connectivity was easier. However, the fact that the app requires network connectivity to function, rubs me a bit the wrong way.I understand for upgrading firmware, but I've reviewed and used a lot of devices that do not require a direct connection to the network for upgrading firmware. Often the firmware is downloaded by the mobile app and then pushed to the device via USB. I'm sure Sennheiser has their reasons for this, but I'm not a fan.Trust me when I say you'll want to use the app. Not only is it used for firmware updating but also to customize the sound. With the app, you can tweak the sound of the Ambeo to perfectly fit your space and your needs. With that in mind, go ahead and connect it to your wireless network so it can do its thing. My second (and final) nit to pick is connecting the sub (sold separately) took a few tries.I realize if these items were sold together as a unit it would be possible to have them automatically connected from the factory, but since they are purchased separately, the connection process is required. Have patience with this because it's very much worth it. The sub is smooth and gives you just the right punch for all of those kabooms, and roars. And the bottom adds to the music is gorgeous.ZDNET's buying adviceI found the Ambeo Soundbar Mini (and sub) a delight to hear. The sound is rich, with a wide soundscape, and includes enough depth to level up your television's sound.Sadly, the Ambeo Soundbar Mini did not live up to the JBL Bar 1000, but few soundbars in this price range do. That doesn't mean it's a product you should avoid. It's not. The Ambeo is quite a capable soundbar that would be a perfect fit for a small room with low ceilings. With the right acoustics, this soundbar really shines -- especially when using the adaptive EQ setting from the remote.Also: This is the soundbar I recommend if you have limited space at homeGiven its size, you'll be shocked at how well it can fill a room. Better yet, you will never miss a word spoken with the help of this soundbar. Sennheiser has done a great job of overcoming issues surrounding modern films and the horrible mastering of sound. No matter what genre of film or TV I watched, voices were always very clear.If you listen to more music than you do watching movies or TV, the Sennheiser Soundbar Mini will be most impressive. I found that music really brought this speaker to life. But if I were to compare the Ambeo Soundbar Mini to the JBL Bar 1000 (which sells for $899 on Amazon), I would go with the Bar 1000 every time. If, however, you are tight on space and money, you could do a lot worse.Featured reviews

How time flies. We are already halfway through the first month of 2025, a year I think will be brimming with possibilities but also with changes and challenges. From AI to climate change, geopolitics, and social movements, 2025 promises to be a roller coaster ride of excitement.Heres what my team of futurists at MarketsandMarkets has put together for 202515 trends they believe will be instrumental in shaping this year.Top 15 Trends for 2025Markets and Markets Trump 2.0 Could Be A Double-edged SwordTrumps economic agenda signals a dramatic shift toward deregulation, supply-side policies, and protectionist trade measures. While these moves aim to stimulate growth, potential downsides could outweigh the benefits. Tax cuts may offer short-term relief from fiscal tightening but are unlikely to drive significant GDP growth amid mounting economic challenges. Immigration restrictions and tariffs risk stifling consumption, investment, and exports, undermining economic stability. High inflation poses a growing threat to straining household budgets. Benefits of Trump 2.0 are unevenly distributed, with corporations and oil giants gaining while consumers and farmers face rising costs and disruptions.Trumps Hardline Tariff Proposals Will Result in Trade FrictionTrumps return could reignite trade tensions with aggressive tariff proposals. Plans include 10-20% tariffs on imports, risking supply chain disruptions and resulting in higher costs for businesses and consumers. China faces 60% tariffs on imports, with an additional 10% on existing tariffs, escalating the US-China trade war. Mexico and Canada could see 25% tariffs unless border security improves, straining key trade ties. US export restrictions target 140 Chinese firms like Naura and Huawei affiliates in the tech sector, aiming to curb Chinas tech rise. Retaliation could hit US agriculture, adding to farmers struggles. Trumps strategy seeks to assert US dominance but risks severe retaliation, supply chain chaos, and diplomatic strain while the benefits remain uncertain, at best.Economic Growth Will Slow with Sectoral HeadwindsGlobal economic growth is expected to be around 3% in 2025, reflecting a modest pace due to ongoing trade tensions and policy uncertainties. These challenges, including geopolitical instability and inflation, continue to impact global markets. The automotive sector is likely to continue to experience a slowdown. However, a potential reduction in interest rates could boost sales and offer relief to consumers.MORE FOR YOURising Uncertainty Will Increase Global TensionsIn 2024, regional conflicts disrupted supply chains, commodity prices, and political stability, and these challenges will persist into 2025. Energy and raw material shortages are expected to drive price hikes and market instability, while political uncertainty in the US and EU will add to the volatility. Trumps victory could revive America First policies, creating trade barriers and straining global cooperation. In Germany, the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition and upcoming elections in February 2025 will add further uncertainty to the EUs largest economy. The Israel-Palestine conflict, though on course for a ceasefire, remains unresolved, further escalating geopolitical instability. With rising conflicts and weakened diplomacy, the global order is set to fragment in 2025, intensifying economic volatility. Businesses and governments will need agile strategies to navigate this turbulent landscape.The Birth of Muskonomics Will Be Crucial to Global Economic GrowthElon Musk continues to dominate headlines with disruptive cost-cutting moves and expanding satellite broadband services. His influence drives both innovation and controversy, shaping key industries. Tesla aims for growth in 2025, with a new low-cost vehicle priced around USD 25,000 and targeting an annual production rate of 5 million vehicles. Musk is also increasing investments in sectors like space, satellite broadband, generative AI, and brain-interface technologies, which are likely to benefit from supportive policy initiatives. In March 2023, Musk founded xAI to compete with OpenAI. With a valuation of over USD 50 billion and a recent USD 6 billion in funding, xAI is advancing AI development. It uses data from Musks platform X to train its AI chatbot, Grok, powered by a supercomputer in Memphis. Musks ventures are supported by global policy shifts favoring industries like satellite broadband and electric vehicles. His ability to capitalize on these trends will shape these sectors in the coming years.Breakthroughs in Quantum Computing Will Redefine CybersecurityGoogles Willow quantum chip recently took just 5 minutes to solve a problem that would have taken supercomputers 10 septillion years to solve, showcasing quantum computings disruptive potential in cybersecurity. As quantum advancements progress, traditional encryption faces new risks, especially in sectors like government, finance, and telecommunications, which rely heavily on secure data. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is emerging as a key solution, with evolving regulations pushing companies to adopt PQC for compliance and protection. Early adoption is critical to mitigate risks, ensure resilience, and remain competitive in the quantum era. In 2025, industries handling sensitive data will lead PQC adoption, driven by regulatory pressures and security needs.Green Molecules Will Emerge as the Building Blocks of the FutureIn 2025, investments in green molecule production, including green hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, and synthetic fuels, will grow significantly, driven by policy support and private funding. These molecules are key to decarbonizing sectors like aviation, shipping, and heavy industries. The capital cost of green hydrogen and electrolyzers is expected to drop by up to 30%, improving production viability. Policies like tax credits and subsidies are fueling green hydrogen projects, with the US planning 67 projects worth USD 26 billion over the next five years. Green hydrogen production costs are projected to fall to 5 - 7 per kilogram by 2025, while capacity is set to double, with China expected to hold half by 2027.Large-scale Energy Storage Systems Will Transform EnergyEnergy storage solutions especially, Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are vital for integrating renewables and enhancing grid resilience. In 2025, BESS will help stabilize grids and address energy intermittency. Renewables will generate 45% of global electricity in 2025, and BESS and other mid and long term energy storage solutions will play a key role in grid stabilization. Lithium-ion battery prices have fallen 85% since 2010, and emerging technologies like solid-state and sodium-ion will further reduce costs. AI and IoT will optimize BESS efficiency, while blockchain will enable energy trading. Large-scale projects like Teslas 300 MW Megapack in Texas will reshape storage.Cloud and Data Centers Will Move to Sustainable Models Though cloud and data center growth is accelerating, driven by increased Capex in AI and digital infrastructure to meet the rising demand for scalable computing, energy and water challenges persist. Data centers currently consume about 2% of global energy, which is projected to rise to 3-4% by 2030. They also account for 1% of global water withdrawals, with hyperscale facilities using up to 1.5 million liters daily. These issues are critical in water-stressed regions, slowing development. To mitigate this, the industry is prioritizing renewable energy, advanced cooling, and energy-efficient designs to reduce environmental impact and meet regulatory demands. Sustainable practices are key to balancing growth with responsibility.Carbon Capture Will Ramp Up Despite Trump 2.0Trumps return to the White House could disrupt the trajectory of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) development. However, the technology is expected to continue making inroads into the power sector. Generous tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act have already sparked a surge in planned CCUS projects to reduce power plant emissions. Even if Trump abandons national climate targets and rolls back EPA rules on power plant emissions, utilities will still face pressures to meet corporate sustainability commitments and state or local climate goals.Robotaxis and Air Taxis Will Take-Off in 2025Waymo, Baidu, Zoox, WeRide, and Tesla are expected to be at the forefront of the robotaxi market in 2025. Waymo plans to launch a pilot in Japan, while Zoox is scheduled to start operations in Las Vegas and San Francisco later in the year. Baidu's Apollo Go is set to dominate the market, with USD 30,000 vehicles offering affordable services, while Teslas USD 28,000 Cybercab is expected to launch in Texas and California, with mass production expected by 2026.Air taxis are poised to transform urban transportation by 2026, with commercial flights expected to be ready to take off by the end of the year. Joby Aviation plans to launch air taxi services connecting JFK Airport to Manhattan, while Uber, in partnership with Joby, is targeting electric air taxi rollouts in New York City and Los Angeles in 2025. However, despite these advancements, financial challenges persist, as highlighted by Volocopter GmbH's insolvency, revealing the economic obstacles still facing the air taxi industry.Biotech and Pharma Revolution Will Redefine the Future of LifeBiotechnology in 2025 will advance healthcare, with CRISPR-based gene editing enabling personalized treatments for genetic disorders like muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia. Cancer therapies will also improve, offering fewer side effects. The first commercial CRISPR therapies for sickle cell anemia, beta-thalassemia, and inherited blindness are expected following successful clinical trials. Biotech will address agricultural challenges, creating disease-resistant and climate-resilient crops while reducing pesticide use. Lab-grown meat will rise as a sustainable alternative to livestock, supporting the growing global food demand. Biotechnology will improve lifespans, protect the environment, and transform how we live and work, driving health, sustainability, and well-being in unprecedented ways.As the landscape of medicine evolves, it leads to revolutionary ways to address age-old problems, one of them being obesity. A new wave of obesity drugsanti-obesity medications for the unversedis taking the world by storm and is set to reach new heights in 2025. Over a billion people around the world are already classified as obese, and the number continues to rise each day. The current trend will see us reach peak obesitywhere obesity levels reach a peak before droppingby 2028, marking a turning point and requiring a collaborative effort from governments, healthcare systems, and industries, besides individuals, to correct.Precision Fermentation Will Revolutionize What We EatPrecision fermentation is revolutionizing environmental technology, moving from drug and food additive production to staple food innovations. Melt&Marble plans to launch its precision-fermented fat product in the US by early 2025, aiming to improve the taste and texture of plant-based meat alternatives. Favorable policies and product innovations in the US and Canada are expected to drive the growth and adoption of precision fermentation. This technology is advancing alternative protein production and creating bio-based products that offer sustainable alternatives to traditional agricultural methods. Precision fermentation reduces reliance on resource-intensive processes, addressing global food security and environmental challenges, becoming essential for future sustainability.Spatial Computing Will Redraw the Boundaries of Reality Spatial computing, blending physical and digital environments, is set to surpass USD 200 billion in 2025, transforming sectors such as healthcare, education, and entertainment. AR will be widely adopted across industries in 2025 and will enhance retail with immersive shopping experiences, transform education through interactive learning, and assist in healthcare procedures. Brands will use AI to create dynamic 3D virtual stores, offering personalized shopping experiences within the metaverse. Companies like Meta are developing AR glasses with holographic capabilities, aiming to integrate users into the metaverse seamlessly. HTC's Viverse seeks to create an open, interoperable metaverse that connects various virtual environments and services. Initiatives like World Labs, led by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, focus on developing AI systems capable of creating entire virtual worlds, enhancing the depth and interactivity of the metaverse.Bots Will Become the Hidden Influencers of the Digital WorldIn 2025, bots are expected to account for over 50% of internet traffic, posing significant risks in areas like elections and the spread of conspiracy theories. Key countermeasures to tackle the bot problem will include using AI and machine learning to detect and counter increasingly sophisticated, human-like bots; governments implementing stricter data privacy and bot transparency laws, such as California's Bot Disclosure Law and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Guidelines on AI Chatbots; industries allocating more resources to securing apps, websites, and APIs to fight bot-driven cybercrime; and companies and law enforcement working together, sharing data, and developing solutions to neutralize bots. New tools, going beyond CAPTCHAs, will be developed to tackle increasingly sophisticated bots.ConclusionHeres what I think of 2025: a pivotal year featuring innovation and requiring adaptation, where technology, sustainability, and collaboration will converge to redefine our world. We are on the cusp of a significant transformation, and these 15 trends will highlight a dynamic and ever-changing future. Or will they? I dare say there may be a few twists thrown in. Anyway, Happy 2025, and lets regroup in a year to see if my team of futurists at MarketsandMarkets did their job well.

What appliance do you cook on? And will your next house likely have one?LG Electronics USAThe wildfires devastating lives, livelihoods and properties in Los Angeles are also creating unprecedented levels of smoke and ash across the region. According to the California Air Resources Board, which monitors and regulates the states air quality, communities more than 10 miles away from the Palisades and Eaton blazes are experiencing red levels of hazardous fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air theyre breathing. This same pollutant is generated in our kitchens every time we switch on our gas stoves and cooktops.Health Risks of Gas Cooking AppliancesChildren are at greatest risk due to the fact that their lungs are still developing, as are those with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, says MeiLan Han, MD, chief of University of Michigan Healths pulmonary and critical care division.Awareness by the scientific community of health risks associated with gas cooking technology is not new, Han says, especially when it comes to her discipline. There is data dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s suggesting gas stoves could impair respiratory health. Thats about a half century since the American Gas Association created its catchy Now youre cooking with gas! ads.This awareness among both the health profession and health-conscious consumers has increased in the last few decades. There is more recent data to suggest indoor air pollution from gas stoves may increase mortality due to cardiovascular disease, Han adds. There was also a 2023 study by the University of California San Diego linking PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide, also released by gas burners, with cognitive impairment, Alzheimers and related dementias.The negative human health impacts of indoor air pollution from gas are pretty compelling, ranging from eye, nose and throat irritation, headache, fatigue, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, cancer, adverse pregnancy outcomes, asthma, visual impairment, reduced cognitive functioning, the inability to perform complex tasks, nausea, loss of consciousness, and even death, says Los Angeles area consultant Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic, who advises builders and developers on wellness and sustainability for their projects. She has seen a major shift in recent years as builders and homeowners began focusing on the health issues surrounding their homes. Covid accelerated this trend, I can add.MORE FOR YOUIve had gas stoves my entire life and never had a problem is a common response to recent warnings about their health risks. Han notes that there are many factors affecting personal impact, including the stove itself, ventilation and exposure time as well as underlying conditions that all influence how much impact a gas stove will have on the health of any particular individual.Cooking Appliance MarketThe North America cooking range market size was estimated at $10.86 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2024 to 2030, according to Grandview Research. Gas still dominates the category, with 46.09% revenue share in 2023, the firm reports, but the induction segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate of 10.1% CAGRE in the next five years.While U.S. consumer adoption of induction cooking may have been slower than in other markets, LG has seen an increase in the adoption of induction cooking ranges over the past three years, with the industry shipments expected to double over the next two years, says Dean Brindle, head of home appliance product management for LG Electronics USA.Northern New Jersey-based kitchen and bath designer Sharon Sherman is seeing this trend in her practice too, she shares. Although I have known about induction for more than 20 years, it has taken off in the last five or so years. Eight of the last 10 kitchens I designed have had induction appliances. I think that the biggest change is that the clients are asking for induction, rather than me making the introduction to the cooking method.Concerns about the safety of gas stoves have prompted homeowners to seek alternatives, leading to a surge in interest in induction, Grandview adds. Federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act and local gas bans have also spurred induction sales, though many local regulations have been overturned by lawsuits.With continued interest in electrification and incentives in some states, we expect to see increased household penetration for induction cooking. Regardless of potential policy changes, consumer benefits will ultimately lead to increased adoption of induction, Brindle predicts.In addition to gas industry pushback against electrification policies of the sustainability movement has been a vocal and viral public square response. Those who love their gas cooking appliances or just dislike government intervention have posted virally on social media that you would never get past their kitchen pass-throughs. Whats regrettably lost in the regulatory and cultural food fights are the many benefits that induction technology can bring to a home, benefits that exceed those of gas cooking methods.Induction BenefitsAt the beginning of 2024, the International WELL Building Institute expanded its WELL standards for commercial spaces to single family homes. Jelovic served on the programs advisory panel. WELL for residential aligns with WELLs Air Quality Monitoring and Indoor Air Quality Testing features. The monitoring assures homeowners that the air theyre breathing is healthy and safe. She sees induction as the superior cooking technology, even beyond its abundant health benefits.Pittsburgh area chef and kitchen consultant Christopher Galarza agrees, reeling off its many advantages: Its faster meaning I can cook nearly twice as much food as gas [at the same time]. Its far more precise than gas, staying to within one degree of whatever temperature I set it to. That makes it easier for him to maintain consistent high standards in the meals he prepares, he says.Its much more energy efficient, he adds, with more than 90% of its heat going directly into the pot or pan, rather than heating up the room. By using induction, rather than gas, Im now able to ensure that my dollar is going further in regard to how much food I can produce, Galarza comments.One of my favorites from the chefs list: Its easier to clean, requiring only hot soapy water and 60 seconds of your time. With gas that isnt the case, he observes, providing a 10-point cleaning checklist for gas burners. This can take upwards of 30 minutes to do it correctly.Last but not least, Galarza comments that induction cooktops keep kitchens cooler. Thats less of an issue for a home chef with four or six burners, but spending less on your electric bill is always welcome. So is not being uncomfortably hot while cooking in the summer months. Sherman points out an additional benefit: The lack of open flame is a plus if children or elder family members are using the kitchen.Brindle cites another benefit: Consumers also benefit from an added safety element, as the cooktop remains cool immediately after use.One final benefit Sherman shares: In many states, large gas cooktops require larger exhaust fans, which need bigger ducting. Once the CFM (cubic feet of air per minute) increases above 400, you must install makeup air, which can be very expensive. I have had to upgrade systems to accommodate the make-up air, she recalls, noting that Induction tops can work with a lower CFM blower. This can lower the cost of a replacement or kitchen remodel.Gas BenefitsGalarza sees the main benefit of gas appliances over induction being their lower price tag. There is an upfront cost to this technology and that needs to be addressed. (He does predict that those costs will come down as more models hit the market. More homes built for electrification will also drop the cost, eliminating the need for boosted ducting and possibly expanded electrical panels.)Electrical grid shutdowns are another concern for buyers, one that may be growing with more natural disasters occurring across the country. Shermans clients want to know: If there is a power outage, how will they cook? That issue is being resolved with most clients installing whole home generators, problem solved, she remarks. (Battery storage for solar systems is another resilience strategy.)Final ThoughtsJust as cars have replaced horse-drawn carriages for most travelers and email has replaced telegraphs for most messaging, the more energy-efficient, faster, healthier and more precise induction cooking appliances are likely to largely replace gas models in coming years. It may not be as fast as sustainability advocates or the medical profession would prefer, but its probably inevitable. As one of my building industry sources once remarked in a trade magazine article I wrote about indoor air quality, No one wants a house that will kill them.Designer Sherman adds this testimonial, I have not had one client who has regretted the move to induction from gas.***Note: All primary sources were interviewed by email in November 2024 through January 2025.

What just happened? Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the once-infamous dark web drug marketplace Silk Road, has been given a full pardon by President Donald Trump. Ulbricht, 40, had been serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole since being sentenced in 2015, and has been behind bars since 2013. In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump wrote, "The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern day weaponization of government against me. He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous."Trump said he called Ulbricht's mother to let her know that he was signing the pardon in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which he said had supported the president strongly."Ross Ulbricht has been a libertarian political prisoner for more than a decade. I'm proud to say that saving his life has been one of our top priorities and that has finally paid off," said Angela McArdle, the chair of the Libertarian National Committee.Launched in February 2011, Silk Road, which used the Tor network, grew into an enormous drug market worth $1.2 billion. Its size and the money it generated, via Bitcoin payments, put Silk Road on the radar of law enforcement, which began a search to uncover The Dread Pirate Roberts's identity. The name taken from The Princess Bride book/movie was used by Ulbricht while running his business empire.Prosecutors said Ulbricht collected $18 million in Bitcoin through commissions during the three years he ran Silk Road. It's estimated that around 30% of the marketplace's one million registered users were based in the US. // Related StoriesUlbricht was caught in 2013 and charged with computer fraud, money laundering, and drug offenses. He was also accused of hiring people to kill five Silk Road users for stealing from the site and trying to blackmail him by revealing his true identity, but no evidence of murders was found. Ulbricht was convicted after a four-week jury trial.In November, a few days after Trump was elected president, Ulbricht posted a message on X that he dictated to his wife from prison."Immense gratitude to everyone who voted for President Trump on my behalf. I trust him to honor his pledge and give me a second chance," it read.It's unclear exactly when Ulbricht will be released from the federal prison in Arizona where he is currently incarcerated.In 2020, near the end of his first term in office, it was reported that Trump could pardon Ulbricht before departing the White House. Sources said that Trump reviewed documents related to Ulbricht's case and expressed sympathy for his situation. Trump did pardon 73 people and commute the sentences of another 70 as one of his final acts, but Ulbricht was not among them.

DARPA seeks to modify red blood cells to enhance troop performance.The Red Blood Cell Factory program aims to insert biologically active components in cells.The agency says this research could one day lead to longer-lasting meds and blood-cell drug delivery systems.The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, the Pentagon's top research arm, wants to know if red blood cells can be modified in novel ways to protect troops and help them manage extreme battlefield environments.The DARPA program, known as "Red Blood Cell Factory," is looking for researchers and is interested in inserting "biologically active components" or "cargoes" in red blood cells. The hope is that modified cells would bring with them special enhancements, "thus allowing recipients, such as warfighters, to operate more effectively in dangerous or extreme environments."Red blood cells could act like a truck, carrying "cargo" or special protections, to all parts of the body, since they already circulate oxygen everywhere, Christopher Bettinger, a professor of biomedical engineering overseeing the program, told Business Insider."What if we could add in additional cargo inside of that disc," Bettinger said, referring to the shape of red blood cells, "that could then confer these interesting benefits protective capabilities that we're trying to sort of imbue to our warfighters?" US soldiers on patrol a mountain pass of Kunar province, Afghanistan's Korengal Valley U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Moeller, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment What could these modifications do?DARPA does not expect the researchers to experiment on people or animals, just on bags of blood. The research is foundational, Bettinger said, but could allow scientists to identify how red blood cell modification could evolve over time.The research could impact the way troops battle diseases that reproduce in red blood cells such as malaria, for example, Bettinger hypothesized."Imagine an alternative world where we have a warfighter that has a red blood cell that's accessorized with a compound that can sort of defeat malaria," Bettinger said. In this scenario, a red blood cell could be "accessorized" with a countermeasure."It's kind of like an automatic drug delivery system," he said, "that could then protect the warfighter from the harmful effects of subsequent infection and sort of replication of the parasite."It could also be possible to modify the red blood cells in ways that would allow medications to last longer without a service member having to ingest them daily instead, relying on doses that protect a person for weeks or months instead of just 24 hours.Another potential use of modified cells could be stopping a hemorrhage from trauma, including battlefield wounds."Trauma induces a kind of host of biological responses, one of which is rupturing of red blood cells," Bettinger said. DARPA's research efforts could ascertain from its blood research whether a catastrophic injury that would normally mean death from blood loss instead sees blood automatically coagulate. US Marines conduct a patrol out of Forward Operating Base Tabac in Sangin, Helmand province, Afghanistan Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Jason Morrison A path to a more capable warfighter"Each red blood cell stays in the blood for about four months, and it accesses pretty much every organ in the body," said Samir Mitragotri, a professor of bioengineering at Harvard. Their prevalence and relatively long lifetime are partly why red blood cells are such an attractive target for scientists.Part of the challenge, Mitragotri said, is that the cells can't be so radically changed that the body no longer recognizes them as red blood cells, thus prompting quicker bodily digestion.Such advances in bioengineering could be a game-changer in fields like infectious disease treatment and oncology, said Mitragotri, illnesses which require long periods of drug treatment. Though the science is still emerging, it's "a very promising area," he said.The Department of Defense has long been interested in learning how biomedical engineering could benefit troops.For years, the US military has been looking into the benefits of biofeedback technologies to better understand mental and physical health. And there's also been research into potential physical enhancements through various lines of effort.In 2019, for instance, the Army released a "Cyborg Soldier 2050" report detailing how the military is thinking about a future where troops could benefit from things like neural and optical enhancements, though the report acknowledged ethical and legal concerns surrounding such possibilities.US rivals like China are, as the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies noted in a new report, also exploring this space, but with less concern for ethical considerations.The Chinese People's Liberation Army "has long recognized the strategic importance of biotechnology, engaging in extensive collaborations with Chinese biotechnology behemoths," the report said. "These and other partnerships have yielded research with potential military applications, including efforts to enhance Chinese soldiers' physical and cognitive abilities."

Federal workers in DEI roles will be placed on leave by 5 p.m. Wednesday.The move follows President Donald Trump's executive order terminating DEI roles and initiatives.It's part of a wider right-wing pushback against DEI, which Trump says is discriminatory.Federal workers in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) roles are being put on paid leave as DEI initiatives, offices, and programs are dismantled under the Trump administration.CBS News obtained an Office of Personnel Management memorandum that said all federal employees in DEI roles should be placed on leave by 5 p.m. on Wednesday.Agencies are instructed to inform those in DEI offices their leave would be "effective immediately," it said, as the agency works to close DEI initiatives.The move follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office, which declared the termination of DEI "mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities" in the federal government.The order requires agency, department, and commission heads to work with the Attorney General and the directors of the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Personnel Management to take action within 60 days.As well as the termination of DEI roles, the order also called for the termination of "environmental justice" offices.Karoline Leavitt, assistant to the president and White House press secretary, confirmed the memorandum's authenticity in an X post.She wrote: "To every reporter asking about this: I can gladly confirm!"The memo urged heads of departments and agencies to immediately take down all "outward facing media," including social media and websites, of DEI offices and cancel any related training.It also said the heads of departments and agencies need to report to the Office of Personnel Management by midday on Thursday, detailing all the steps taken to implement the memo, by providing lists of DEI offices, personnel, and any related contracts as of Election Day 2024.Additionally, the department and agency heads are asked to submit plans to the OPM by the end of the month on executive force reduction within DEI offices.Trump's executive order accused former President Joe Biden's administration of forcing "immoral discrimination programs" into "virtually all" aspects of the federal government.The move is part of a wider effort to clamp down on DEI, which has increasingly become the subject of criticism in conservative circles.On Tuesday, the White House issued a separate presidential order ending all DEI-based hiring in the Federal Aviation Authority, including those that consider race, sex, or disability.Trump said in his inauguration speech on Monday: "We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based."He also announced that it would become official US policy that there are "only two genders: male and female."

GTA 6's next trailer could drop next week, according to a fresh theory from Rockstar Games fans who have been playing detective yet again in the hunt for fresh informationTech09:29, 22 Jan 2025GTA 6 could hit its 2025 date, or it could be delayedGTA 6 fans still think we're getting a second trailer this month, and a new 'number theory' has fans turning detective (again) to put a date on the game's next reveal.The game which some have suggested could 'save' the video game industry (if returning president Donald Trump doesn't change that) still doesn't have a release date, but fans think we could hear a lot more next week.Here's why the GTA 6 community is circling a date on the calendar.As shared by GTA 6+ on X (formerly Twitter), the reveal of a fresh car in GTA Online has a series of numbers on the side in a column, written on a shipping container.Content cannot be displayed without consentWith Rockstar's parent company Take-Two holding its earnings call at the start of February fans have been looking for a pattern in those numbers.All of them added together make 30, and the number 2 is in a larger font, meaning some fans are expecting the trailer on January 30.That's not all, though. As GTA 6+ points out, Rockstar revealed both GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2's release dates on Thursdays, and wouldn't you know it, January 30 is a Thursday.Given the earnings call on February 6 is likely to reveal something whether Rockstar wants to say anything or not, it'll be interesting to see if this fan theory is proven correct.Other theories in recent months have included plotting the phases of the moon in GTA Online, as well as a PlayStation event that didn't materialise, analysing social media posts and a mystery YouTube playlist.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Activision is taking a different approach with Call of Duty Warzone's next season, with the studio focusing more on fixing the community's issues than adding contentTech09:26, 22 Jan 2025Warzone is one of the most popular battle royales around(Image: Activision)Call of Duty Warzone players have continued to complain about cheaters and a whole host of bugs, and it's clear Activision has heard complaints loud and clear.In a Community Update blog post for the month, the team has promised a focus on fixes instead of additional new content for the battle royale shooter in Season 2.Still, one of the community's biggest issues at the moment appears to be the current Urzikstan map.After acknowledging issues with Caldera and Al Mazrah from Warzone 1 and 2 respectively, the post above says: "Urzikstan has just been so dull from the start. And aside from the superstore update, there hasnt been any significant changes.""Its the most uninspired map Ive ever seen. I also hate how the water divides the map up. Theres zero flow to it and every poi is a cluster of buildings. Buildings are so confusing and frustrating when trying to find a contract. Colors are washed and dull," they added.Others aren't so sure, with some complaining about Caldera and its central volcano, while others preferred it thanks to its more "scenic" qualities.Many agreed that Urzikstan is lacking in style and memorable areas to explore, but there's good news on the horizon.Reports earlier this month suggested that Verdansk (the original Warzone map), is expected to return with Season 3 of Warzone.We're some time away from that, but given the poster of the Reddit discussion noted it's their favourite map, that's reason to be cheerful.Season 2 of Black Ops 6 (and Warzone) is expected on January 28 as a free update for all players. In case you missed it, players weren't best pleased about the most recent patch notes.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED