A record 23 of NATO’s 32 member nations are hitting the Western military alliance’s defense spending target this year, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday, as Russia’s war in Ukraine has raised the threat of expanding conflict in Europe.
The estimated figure is a nearly fourfold increase from 2021, when only six nations were meeting the goal. That was before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
— “A record number of NATO allies are hitting their defense spending target during war in Ukraine,” Associated Press
My Ten Favorite Albums of 2024
This year, I added 214 albums to my library, spanning nearly a century of music. After much listening, I’ve chosen my ten favorite albums released in 2024. From ambient masterpieces to electrifying jazz, these picks showcase the year’s best. Thank you for following along—here’s to another great year of music!