‘Glaring’ Trump avoids jail time with unconditional discharge sentence as he slams hush money case as ’embarrassment’

DONALD Trump has emerged unscathed as he avoids prison time with an unconditional discharge sentence, cementing his status as the first felon to serve in the White House. Despite the president-elect’s repeated efforts to dismiss the case, citing his Election Day victory and his right to presidential immunity, Judge Juan Merchan had the final say…

The Most Buzz-Worthy Tech From CES

The Gist AI-driven productivity tools. CES 2025 featured innovations like Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, enhancing productivity with AI-driven features. Sustainability at CES. The Circular Smart Ring 2 introduced eco-friendly materials and advanced health-tracking features, focusing on sustainability. Empowering creators and enhancing accessibility. From AI-integrated TVs to dyslexia-friendly monitors, CES 2025 showcased tools for personalization and inclusivity. CES 2025 once again turned Las Vegas into a hub for groundbreaking consumer technology, featuring a range of devices and concepts that aim to improve daily life. This year’s event highlighted advancements in AI, sustainability, and design, focusing on creating tools that are easily integrated into various aspects of modern living. In this article, we’ll explore the most buzz-worthy technologies that have captured the attention of attendees and set the stage for the future of consumer electronics. Table of ContentsReimagining Productivity with AI-Driven Devices ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable features a display that transitions between 14 inches and 16.7 inches, offering adaptability for different tasks. Whether it’s editing lengthy documents, multitasking with split-screen functionality, or presenting visually-rich data, this device combines versatility with practicality. Powered by Intel Core Ultra processors and equipped with AI tools for real-time task optimization, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable provides enhanced capabilities for business users on the go. Lenovo AI Now Assistant Lenovo AI Now Assistant, built on Meta’s Llama 3 model, was built to handle tasks such as document summarization, workflow automation, and natural language processing, reducing time spent on mundane activities. Unlike cloud-based solutions, AI Now operates locally, offering both enhanced security and personalized assistance. Luca Rossi, president of Lenovo Intelligent Devices Group, emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing technology for a wide range of users. He noted that “AI [is] at the heart of our personalized, productive and protected experiences,” driving innovations across product lines like ThinkPad, Yoga, and Legion. These advancements, Rossi explained, are designed to “redefine how users work, create, and play” while delivering exceptional performance and versatility.Related Article: CMSWire’s Guide to CES Las Vegas 2023 Sustainability Meets Innovation Circular Smart Ring 2 The Circular Smart Ring 2 introduces practical improvements to smart ring ownership, addressing common challenges with a digital sizing system that uses a smartphone camera to measure ring size, removing the need for physical sizing kits. This feature simplifies the ordering process and reduces waste. The ring also includes enhanced health-tracking capabilities, such as FDA-cleared Atrial Fibrillation detection and ECG monitoring. Built from durable titanium and offering up to eight days of battery life, the Circular Ring 2 provides a more streamlined approach to wearable health technology. Innovations for Creators and Professionals AI-Integrated TVs Samsung unveiled its Vision AI technology at CES 2025, showcasing what could be the future of personalized, interactive TV experiences. Samsung Vision AI turns screens into adaptive companions that are built to integrate into our daily lives. Features such as “Click to Search” provide instant content information, while “Live Translate” features real-time subtitle translation. Samsung also introduced innovations like generative wallpaper and integration with SmartThings, offering tools such as Home Insights for real-time household updates. Not to be left out, LG’s 2025 OLED evo lineup also emphasizes AI-driven personalization, offering tailored experiences for users. According to LG, the TVs are “powered by AI-driven personalization [to offer] a customized experience tailored to each user,” including features such as personalized greetings, voice recognition, and content recommendations based on viewing habits. Additionally, according to the announcement, LG’s 2025 OLED evo lineup provides “access to Microsoft Copilot, which further streamlines the process, allowing users to efficiently find and organize complex information using contextual cues,” while its AI Chatbot enables a smoother experience by “proactively identifying potential user challenges and offering timely, effective solutions.” Lili Dyslexia-Friendly Monitor Designed by French startup Lili for Life, the Lili Dyslexia-Friendly monitor addresses some of the challenges that are faced by people with dyslexia. By emitting imperceptible light flashes, it improves text comprehension and reduces eye strain, offering a transformative tool for accessibility in education and professional settings. Building on research by French physicists Albert Le Floch and Guy Ropars, the Lili screen addresses the root cause of reading challenges in dyslexia: overlapping “mirror” images caused by two dominant eyes. This innovative display emits subtle light flashes to shift visual perception, making reading smoother and less tiring. Currently available in Europe and the UK, Lili for Life aims to expand availability to the United States, providing a useful tool for the 5-10% of the global population that is affected by dyslexia. Yoga Slim 9i with Camera-Under-Display Technology Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 9i introduces a unique feature for creators with the world’s first camera-under-display (CUD) technology. This 14-inch laptop offers a 98% screen-to-body ratio and a 4K PureSight Pro OLED display, delivering immersive visuals. Paired with AI-powered tools like Smart Note for intuitive note-taking and Smart Reader for AI-generated synopses, it’s a device that is likely to interest creators seeking portability without compromise.Related Article: Cool Tech Finds Its Purpose A Visionary Look at AI and Modular Tech PieX AI Emotion Tracking Pendant PieX introduced its AI-Driven Emotion-Tracking Pendant, a unique wearable that leverages mmWave radar and on-device AI to provide real-time emotional insights. Designed as more than just a tech accessory, the pendant features emotion tracking, meditation guidance, automatic journaling, and personalized AI-driven coaching to help users manage their emotional well-being. With its ability to monitor stress levels and deliver actionable advice via integrated large language models (LLMs), the pendant offers a unique blend of innovation and practical application, drawing significant attention from CES attendees. The pendant’s standout feature is its AI-driven coaching, which delivers tailored advice based on the user’s emotional state, creating a personalized user experience. Legion AI-Enhanced Legion Space Lenovo enhanced its gaming ecosystem Legion Space with a suite of AI-powered tools and features tailored for competitive gamers and content creators. Central to this platform is Game Coach, which analyzes gameplay inputs such as eye movement and reaction times to deliver personalized performance improvement plans.View all Complementing this is Game Clip Master, a generative AI tool that transforms hours of streamed footage into curated highlights, ideal for social media sharing. The Game Companion, an AI avatar, provides real-time encouragement and advice, adding a layer of interactivity to gameplay. The CASBOT Humanoid Robot CASBOT is advancing the field of humanoid robotics with its sophisticated robot, CASBOT 01, nicknamed ‘Wednesday.’ Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 132 pounds, this humanoid robot boasts 52 degrees of freedom, 550 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of computing power, and over four hours of continuous operation. Designed with precision bionic hands, high dynamic force control, and an ultra-durable structure, CASBOT 01 can perform a wide range of tasks, from assembling furniture and changing light bulbs to running and jumping. Its application extends across smart home solutions, industrial manufacturing, emergency rescue, and more. Bird Buddy’s AI Nature Camera Bird Buddy, known for its AI-powered Bird Buddy feeder, unveiled its latest innovation under its new Wonder brand name this week at CES 2025. The Petal, an AI-enhanced camera designed to deepen users’ connection to nature. This circular, biomorphic device integrates advanced engineering and solar power for flexible and non-intrusive placement in natural habitats. Its AI, dubbed “Natural Intelligence,” not only identifies wildlife through motion and sound detection but also interprets faint sounds such as butterfly wings or flowers blooming, offering a unique sensory window into the natural world. What sets Petal apart is its ability to enhance the user experience through ChatGPT integration. When the AI identifies a bird, insect, or plant, users can ask follow-up questions to learn more about their observations. Powered by solar panels and designed with interchangeable lenses for both wide-angle and close-up views, Petal blends innovation with ecological mindfulness. CES: A Preview of Forward Facing Technology CES 2025 presented advancements that prioritize practicality and integration across diverse fields, from robotics and health monitoring to gaming and entertainment. The event once again delivered on CES’ commitment to blending technology with sustainability and personalization, offering a glimpse into the future of innovation in consumer electronics. Core Questions Around CES 2025 Innovations Editor’s note: These are some of the top questions about CES 2025 that highlight key trends, technologies, and takeaways from the event. What were the most talked-about technologies at CES 2025? CES 2025 showcased groundbreaking advancements in AI, sustainability, and personalization. Highlights included Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, Circular Smart Ring 2, Samsung Vision AI TVs, and PieX AI Emotion Tracking Pendant. These innovations captured attention for their practical applications, from reimagined productivity tools to eco-conscious designs. How did AI play a role in CES 2025 innovations? AI was a central theme at CES 2025, with technologies like Lenovo AI Now Assistant enhancing productivity, Samsung Vision AI personalizing entertainment experiences, and PieX’s pendant offering emotional well-being insights. These advancements showcased AI’s transformative impact on everyday devices, emphasizing automation, personalization, and accessibility. What does CES 2025 tell us about the future of consumer electronics? CES 2025 signaled a future focused on practical innovation, sustainability, and integrated AI solutions. From health monitoring wearables to AI-driven gaming ecosystems, the event highlighted how technology is evolving to meet consumer demands for personalized, eco-friendly, and seamless experiences.

AP Technology SummaryBrief at 6:19 a.m. EST

Man pleads guilty in failed ransom plot that may have been linked to $240M crypto heistHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Florida man has pleaded guilty in connection with the carjacking and kidnapping of a Connecticut couple, in what authorities call a failed ransom plot that may have been linked to a $240 million cryptocurrency heist. Michael Rivas was one of six men arrested after the series of events in Danbury on Aug. 25. He has plead guilty Thursday to kidnapping and conspiracy in federal court in Hartford and is set to be sentenced in May. The couple were assaulted but survived the ordeal. Danbury police say the FBI was investigating whether the couple’s son was involved in a Bitcoin theft a week before the kidnapping.One Tech Tip: Start the new year with a clean inboxLONDON (AP) — For Jan. 9Farming tech is on display at CES as companies showcase their green innovations and initiativesLAS VEGAS (AP) — Sustainability is a key theme this year at the annual CES tech trade show in Las Vegas. Agriculture tech is on full display on the show floor while companies big and small also showcase their green innovations and initiatives. That includes Volvo CEO Martin Lundstedt’s vow to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 and Wisconsin-based OshKosh Corporation’s electric fire engines and garbage trucks. John Deere also unveiled a fleet of fully autonomous equipment like tractors that are already in use on some farms and orchards. Some experts say AI is key to the industry’s future as climate change makes farming more unpredictable.The ‘Worst in Show’ CES products put your data at risk and cause waste, privacy advocates sayLAS VEGAS (AP) — So much of the technology showcased at CES includes gadgets made to improve consumers’ lives — whether by leveraging AI to make devices that help people become more efficient, by creating companions to cure loneliness or by providing tools that help people with mental and physical health. But not all innovation is good, according to a panel of self-described dystopia experts that has judged some products as “Worst in Show.” The award that no company wants to win calls out the “least repairable, least private, and least sustainable products on display.”TikTok’s fate arrives at Supreme Court in collision of free speech and national securityWASHINGTON (AP) — In a collision between free speech and national security, the Supreme Court will hear arguments over the fate of TikTok, a digital age cultural phenomenon that roughly half the U.S. population uses for entertainment and information. The case is being heard Friday. TikTok says it plans to shut down the social media platform in the U.S. by Jan. 19 unless the Supreme Court strikes down or otherwise delays the effective date of a law aimed at forcing TikTok’s sale by its Chinese parent company. Enforcement of the law would be left to the incoming Trump administration. President-elect Donald Trump has dropped his support for a TikTok ban. The court’s decision could come within days.The Supreme Court is considering a possible TikTok ban. Here’s what to know about the caseWASHINGTON (AP) — The law that could ban TikTok is coming before the Supreme Court. The justices largely hold the app’s fate in their hands as they hear the case Friday. The popular social media platform says the law violates the First Amendment and should be struck down. The U.S. government argues that the app having a China-based parent company means it’s a potential national security threat. Three appeals court judges have sided with the government and upheld the law, which bans TikTok unless it’s sold. The law is set to take effect Jan. 19, right before a new term begins for President-elect Donald Trump. The Republican has asked for the law to be paused to “save TikTok.”Musk uses X livestream to amplify German far-right leader’s views ahead of an electionWARSAW, Poland (AP) — Elon Musk livestreamed his chat with a leader of Germany’s far-right party, using the power of his social media platform, X, to amplify the party’s message ahead of an upcoming national election. More than 200,000 accounts tuned into Thursday’s livestream, which raised concerns across Europe about the world’s richest man trying to influence foreign politics. The Tesla chief executive, who helped reelect Donald Trump in the United States, spoke with Alice Weidel, a co-leader of the Alternative for Germany party and its candidate for chancellor. They agreed that Germany’s taxes are too high and that there is too much immigration. Musk said he was “strongly recommending” that Germans vote for Weidel’s party in next month’s election.Meta rolls back hate speech rules as Zuckerberg cites ‘recent elections’ as a catalystIt wasn’t just fact-checking that Meta scrapped from its platforms as it prepares for the second Trump administration. The social media giant has also loosened its rules around hate speech and abuse, specifically when it comes to sexual orientation and gender identity as well as immigration status. The changes are worrying advocates for vulnerable groups, who say Meta’s decision to scale back content moderation could lead to real-word harms. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Tuesday that the company will remove restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that he said are out of touch with mainstream discourse. He cited recent elections as a catalyst.Flying taxis are on the horizon as aviation soars into a new frontierSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — When he was still a boy making the long, tedious trips between his school and his woodsy home in the mountains during the 1980s, JoeBen Bevirt began fantasizing about flying cars that could whisk him to his destination in a matter of minutes. As CEO of Joby Aviation, Bevirt is getting closer to turning his boyhood flights of fancy into a dream come true as he and latter-day versions of the Wright Brothers building launch a new class of electric-powered aircraft vying to become taxis in the sky. They lift off the ground like a helicopter and then fly like airplanes capable of traveling at speeds of 200 miles per hour.ALS sidelined this Israeli TV journalist. AI is helping him make a comeback.JERUSALEM (AP) — A renowned Israeli TV journalist who lost his ability to speak clearly because of ALS is returning to the air using artificial-intelligence software that recreates his widely recognized gravelly voice. Moshe Nussbaum has been connecting with audiences for more than 40 years. But after being diagnosed two years ago with a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells, he had to greatly scale back his on-air work. Nussbaum will be making a comeback soon using an AI program that has been trained to speak with his voice. He will be filmed as if he were presenting and his lips will be technologically adjusted to match the words. He calls the technology a magic trick that has incredible meaning for everyone with disabilities.​COPYRIGHT 2025 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Asymmetric Graphene Ribbon Breakthrough Could Advance Quantum Tech

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Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have recently achieved a significant breakthrough in the development of next-generation carbon-based quantum materials, opening new horizons for advancements in quantum electronics.The innovation involves a novel type of graphene nanoribbon (GNR), named Janus GNR (JGNR). The material has a unique zigzag edge, with a special ferromagnetic edge state located on one of the edges. This unique design enables the realisation of one-dimensional ferromagnetic spin chain, which could have important applications in quantum electronics and quantum computing.The research was led by Associate Professor Lu Jiong and his team from the NUS Department of Chemistry, in collaboration with international partners.Graphene nanoribbons, which are narrow strips of nanoscale honeycomb carbon structures, exhibit remarkable magnetic properties due to the behaviour of unpaired electrons in the atoms’ π-orbitals. Through atomically precise engineering of their edge structures into a zigzag arrangement, a one-dimensional spin-polarised channel can be constructed. This feature offers immense potential for applications in spintronic devices or serving as next-generation multi-qubit systems which are the fundamental building blocks of quantum computing.Janus, the ancient Roman god of beginnings and endings, is often depicted as having two faces pointing in opposite directions representing the past and the future. The term “Janus” has been applied in materials science to describe materials that have different properties on opposite sides. JGNR has a novel structure with only one edge of the ribbon having a zigzag form, making it the world’s first one-dimensional ferromagnetic carbon chain. This design is achieved by employing a Z-shaped precursor design which introduces a periodic array of hexagon carbon rings on one of the zigzag edges, breaking the structural and spin symmetry of the ribbon.Want more breaking news?Subscribe to Technology Networks’ daily newsletter, delivering breaking science news straight to your inbox every day.Subscribe for FREEAssoc Prof Lu said, “Magnetic graphene nanoribbons – narrow strips of graphene formed by fused benzene rings – offers tremendous potential for quantum technologies due to their long spin coherence times and the potential to operate at room temperature. Creating a one-dimensional single zigzag edge in such systems is a daunting yet essential task for realising the bottom-up assembly of multiple spin qubits for quantum technologies.”The significant achievement is a result of close collaboration among synthetic chemists, materials scientists, and theoretical physicists, including Professor Steven G Louie from UC Berkeley in the United States, Professor Hiroshi Sakaguchi from Kyoto University in Japan and other contributing authors.The research breakthrough was published in the scientific journal Nature on 9 January 2025.Creating the Janus graphene nanoribbonsTo produce the JGNR, the researchers initially designed and synthesised a series of special ‘Z-shape’ molecular precursors via conventional in-solution chemistry. These precursors were then used for subsequent on-surface synthesis, which is a new type of solid-phase chemical reaction performed in an ultra-clean environment. This approach allowed the researchers to precisely control the shape and structure of the graphene nanoribbons at the atomic level.The ‘Z-shape’ design allows for the asymmetric fabrication by independently modifying one of the two branches, thereby creating a desired ‘defective’ edge, while maintaining the other zigzag edge unchanged. Moreover, adjusting the length of the modified branch enables the modulation of the width of the JGNRs. Characterisation via state-of-art scanning probe microscopy/spectroscopy and first-principles density functional theory confirms the successful fabrication of JGNRs with ferromagnetic ground state exclusively localised along the single zigzag edge.“The rational design and on-surface synthesis of a novel class of JGNR represent a conceptual and experimental breakthrough for realising one-dimensional ferromagnetic chain. Creating such JGNRs not only expands the possibilities for precise engineering of exotic quantum magnetism and enables the assembly of robust spin arrays as new-generation qubits. Furthermore, it enables the fabrication of one-dimensional spin-polarised transport channels with tunable bandgaps, which could advance carbon-based spintronics at the one-dimensional limit,” added Assoc Prof Lu.Reference: Song S, Teng Y, Tang W, et al. Janus graphene nanoribbons with localized states on a single zigzag edge. Nature. 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08296-xThis article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release publishing policy can be accessed here.

Exhibitors tout sustainability in their advanced technology at Las Vegas CES

Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 | 2 a.m.

Visitors come to the CES show in Las Vegas for a peek at the newest gadgets, salivating over the latest technological advances to make everything from transportation to health care more efficient.

Officials with Consumer Technology Association — the group hosting the weeklong show in the Resort Corridor — stress most of those advancements also demonstrate solutions to fight climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

Whether it be a device to track water leaks or solar-powered vehicles, technology needed to achieve green goals is everywhere at the popular Las Vegas show.

The association is working to keep pace with the Paris Agreement, an international treaty on climate change signed by 196 countries including the United States, said Walter Alcorn, vice president of environmental affairs and industry sustainability at the association. The pact was adopted in 2016 at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris.

“All the countries who signed that (knew) there are not technologies in production and use currently sufficient to meet those goals,” Alcorn said. “Technology is absolutely going to play a key role in meeting climate goals.”

Some sustainability in technology trends will be visible, like companies reducing product packaging, but most of the trends will take place behind the scenes, like companies incorporating more recycled material into their products, Alcorn said. Sustainability has been an ongoing effort with trends, including water conservation.

“The climate crisis is a real thing,” Alcorn said. “We are working very hard to try to set and track progress toward climate goals.”

The circular economy — where materials are recycled and reused in new products to limit waste — is employed by many tech companies. For instance, kinari, a sustainable plant-based alternative to plastic, is part of circular innovations at Panasonic.

Panasonic in 2022 established the Panasonic Green Impact to set goals for carbon reduction, CEO Yuki Kusumi said in his keynote speech at CES. It aims to reduce carbon emissions by at least 300 million tons, equal to 1% of current global carbon emissions, by 2050.

Panasonic introduced the OASYS system for an energy-efficient approach to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning that can save homeowners up to 53% more than conventional HVAC systems, the company said.

“Technology moves ahead at an amazing pace,” Kusumi said. “It’s important that we be intentional in our work.”

The use of artificial intelligence technology in sustainability is also prevalent at this week’s CES.

Take Hydrific — an innovator in water conservation technology for households — which created Droplet, a device that attaches to the main water line into a single-resident home to track water usage and detect leaks, said Julia Deister, Hydrific co-founder and CEO. Employing ultrasonic sensors and AI to track household water use, Droplet notifies users via an app of what it detects.

One of the most common leaks is caused by a faulty toilet flapper, she said.

Homeowners can save up to 30% of water, which is good for water bills and helps people be more aware of water usage, she said.

“We want to make water conservation easy and enjoyable with this product,” Deister said. “Sustainability has a huge opportunity for AI-enabled products.”

Sustainability is also at the forefront of technological advances in transportation on display at CES, Alcorn said. California-based Aptera Motors, for example, is straying away from fossil fuels by building what it says is the world’s first solar-electric vehicle. With two wheels in the front and one in the back, the vehicle employs solar panels on its hood, trunk and roof to maintain power.

The vehicle, which still uses a lithium battery, can travel up to 40 miles a day using solar energy and without plugging into an electrical outlet, said Steve Fambro, co-CEO at Aptera.

“When you use solar energy, you’re going right to the source,” Fambro said. “It connects the consumer directly to the energy without any carbon change (and) without any other middleman.”

That goes to show how industry is playing an important role in the climate footprint, Alcorn said.

“Technology is both a player … and a facilitator, helping achieve new sustainability solutions,” he said. “That’s one of the fun things.”

[email protected] / 702-948-7836 / @ilana_willi

Martin and the Sacramento State Hornets take on conference foe Eastern Washington

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Sacramento State Hornets (8-7, 1-1 Big Sky) at Eastern Washington Eagles (5-10, 1-2 Big Sky)Cheney, Washington; Saturday, 5 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Eastern Washington hosts Sacramento State in a matchup of Big Sky teams.
The Eagles have gone 5-2 in home games. Eastern Washington is sixth in the Big Sky at limiting opponent scoring, allowing 65.0 points while holding opponents to 40.0% shooting.The Hornets are 1-1 against conference opponents. Sacramento State is ninth in the Big Sky with 31.2 rebounds per game led by Lina Falk averaging 5.1.Eastern Washington averages 64.8 points per game, 4.2 more points than the 60.6 Sacramento State allows. Sacramento State averages 5.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 6.9 per game Eastern Washington allows.The matchup Saturday is the first meeting this season for the two teams in conference play.