Merge Release 1.6.0 into main

[spetrescu84]

Proposed changes

Release 1.6.0

Type of change

• [x] Feature work
• [ ] Bug fix
• [ ] Documentation
• [ ] Engineering change
• [ ] Test
• [ ] Logging/Telemetry

Risk

• [ ] High – Errors could cause MAJOR regression of many scenarios. (Example: new large features or high level infrastructure changes)
• [x] Medium – Errors could cause regression of 1 or more scenarios. (Example: somewhat complex bug fixes, small new features)
• [ ] Small – No issues are expected. (Example: Very small bug fixes, string changes, or configuration settings changes)