* StatefulSet: The deprecated `pod.alpha.kubernetes.io/initialized` annotation for interrupting the StatefulSet Pod management is now ignored. StatefulSets with this annotation set to `true` or with no value will behave just as they did in previous versions. Dormant StatefulSets with the annotation set to `false` will become active after upgrading.

- `kube-controller-manager`: Fixed a `v1.34` regression that triggered a spurious rollout of existing StatefulSets when upgrading the control plane from `v1.33` to `v1.34`. This fix is guarded by the `StatefulSetSemanticRevisionComparison` feature gate, which is enabled by default. ([#135017](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/135017), [@liggitt...

- Validation now requires new StatefulSets with a `.spec.serviceName` field value to pass DNS1123 validation. Previously created StatefulSets with an invalid `.spec.serviceName` field value could not create any pods, and should be deleted.

- Kubernetes was built with Go 1.23.2. ([#128110](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/128110), [@haitch](https://github.com/haitch)) [SIG Release and Testing]
- Label `apps.kubernetes.io/pod-index` added to Pod from StatefulSets is promoted to stable

- `CSIMigrationvSphere` feature is now enabled by default.
   ([#103523](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/103523), [@divyenpatel](https://github.com/divyenpatel))
- `MaxUnavailable` for `StatefulSets`, allows faster `RollingUpdate` by taking down more than 1 pod at a time.
  The number of pods you want to take down during a `RollingUpdate` is configurable using `maxUnavailable` parameter.

- Make STS available replicas optional again. ([#109241](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/109241), [@ravisantoshgudimetla](https://github.com/ravisantoshgudimetla))

- Kube-controller-manager: Fixes a 1.34 regression, which triggered a spurious rollout of existing statefulsets when upgrading the control plane from 1.33 → 1.34. This fix is guarded by a `StatefulSetSemanticRevisionComparison` feature gate, which is enabled by default. ([#135087](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/135087), [@liggitt](https:/...