AwesomeCapital

Thursday, January 1, 2026

CES is now a major player in artificial intelligence — thanks to Nvidia CEO

In past years, CES in Las Vegas has highlighted such groundbreaking technologies as electric salt spoons and Tasers that double as MP3 players.

But, increasingly, the annual event is moving beyond gimmicky inventions to be a major player in the world of artificial intelligence.

It will kick off on January 5 with a speech from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang that sources say will describe a roadmap for how Nvidia’s full stack will drive the next industrial revolution — accelerating both generative AI and physical AI.

“The Jensen keynote speech is front and center in terms of strategic direction for AI,” Wedbush analyst Dan Ives told me. “It’s not just everyone in tech and markets watching, but everyone around the world.”

He added, “This kicks off the consumer AI revolution. AI technology is coming to consumers globally this year.”

Huang has been attending CES on and off for nearly a quarter century. Last year, he also gave the keynote.

Artificial intelligence investment made up as much as 92% of U.S. GDP growth in the first half of 2024, according to Harvard economist Jason Furman. CES will have an outsized impact this year.

Lisa Su — the CEO of semiconductor designer and developer company AMD — will also keynote. She’s transformed AMD from a struggling chipmaker into a serious Nvidia competitor with a market cap exceeding $200 billion

While chips get much of the attention, Huang will emphasize physical AI in his keynote, highlighting how that can extend far beyond robotics to be used in everything from drones to refrigerators.

“Think of it as industries,” one source said. “Healthcare, automotive, manufacturing — Jensen is showing how AI transforms how these sectors actually work.”

To be sure, anything Huang and Nvidia do has outsized economic impact. The company’s market cap is currently $4.6 trillion, nearly exceeding the entire economy of Germany.

With AI-related spending expected to hit $3 to $4 trillion over the next three years, what Huang announces about data centers, physical AI, and robotics won’t just move markets; it will shape how those trillions get allocated.

While the US seems to be a clear leader in artificial intelligence this year, Chinese companies are expected to be well-represented, too.

For years, CES showcased technology of tomorrow that often never arrived. This year is about technology that’s already here — and the question is no longer whether AI will transform consumer products, but how quickly.

https://nypost.com/2026/01/01/business/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-brings-ai-cred-to-ces/

Mamdani reveals more de Blasio, Adams retreads to join his admin

Zohran Mamdani revealed another four City Hall appointments Wednesday with ties to the Eric Adams or Bill de Blasio administrations.

The new democratic socialist Hizzoner tapped Julia Kerson — who served under de Blasio, and more recently, for Gov. Kathy Hochul, as his deputy mayor of operations.

He also announced Ahmed Tigani as Department of Buildings commissioner, Louise Yeung as chief climate officer and Emmy Liss to head the office of childcare.

The rollout of new appointees came as Mamdani confirmed Manhattan’s District 3 superintendent Kamar Samuels will be the next leader of Big Apple public schools after sources told The Post on Tuesday he would be named school chancellor.

“There are five New Yorkers standing alongside of me with very different responsibilities and unique portfolios, but they share two things in common — a commitment to delivering a better future for those who call the city home, and to lead from City Hall with an unwavering commitment to excellence.” Mamdani said at a press conference.

Mamdani also confirmed Samuels would lead the city’s public school system, though he noted current Department of Education chief Melissa Aviles-Ramos would stay on for a month to help in the transition.

While Mamdani and Samuels have both been critical of the city’s Gifted and Talented programs, they said Wednesday there were no plans to immediately meddle in the classes in this school year or the portal applications for next school year.

And Mamdani, who has been critical of the mayor’s office having purview over city schools, said he would ask the state legislature to extend mayoral control next year.

“My approach to mayoral control will ensure that community involvement is not ceremonial or procedural, but tangible and actionable,” he said.

The Mamdani transition team boasted about the latest appointments’ vast government experience, including Kerson, who currently serves in Hochul’s administration as deputy director of infrastructure.

She was a senior advisor to de Blasio’s deputy mayor of operations, and later went on to work for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, helping to oversee major projects, according to Mamdani’s team.

“To deliver safe roads, clean streets, and fast buses, we need a Deputy Mayor of Operations who is experienced, hungry, and tireless in the pursuit of public excellence,” Mamdani said in a statement.

Tigani, who will lead the buildings department, currently serves as the acting commissioner for the city’s Housing Preservation & Development agency. He took over the position in March 2025, and had served in the mayor’s office under de Blasio.

Yeung, who will oversee the city’s climate agenda, most recently worked for the office of City Comptroller Brad Lander in a similar position.

She served as the director of resiliency for the Department of Transportation starting in 2019 before leaving near the start of Adams’ term, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Liss, the incoming early childhood executive director, has been in consulting after she was hired during the de Blasio era to focus on early childhood efforts, according to her LinkedIn.

The appointees join a growing list of de Blasio and Adams alums who Mamdani is turning to as he enters City Hall.

On Tuesday, he named former de Blasio aide Steven Banks to serve as corporation counsel and gave the nod to another two Adams holdovers Monday.

https://nypost.com/2025/12/31/us-news/zohran-mamdani-reveals-more-de-blasio-adams-alums-to-join-his-administration/

IRS guidance for Trump's 'no tax on tips' and overtime deductions

The new year will bring a host of tax benefits that Americans can take advantage of when filing their taxes in a few weeks.

The IRS released its guidance for the "no tax on tips" and "no tax on overtime" provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), for workers who can claim the deductions for the 2025 tax year.

President Donald Trump signed the OBBBA into law in July after Republican majorities in Congress passed the tax reform and spending bill on a party-line vote this summer.

The law included "no tax on tips" and "no tax on overtime," and the Treasury Department and IRS are now providing guidance as the law directed to help workers determine their deductions.

The IRS notice said that taxpayers who are eligible to claim the tipped and overtime income deductions may have to determine those amounts separately this year as Form W-2 and Form 1099 won't be updated to include income from tips and overtime for the 2025 tax year.

Taxpayers may review examples in the IRS guidance that illustrate how the tipped income and overtime deductions work based on the relevant reported or unreported income they received.

Under the OBBBA, workers who receive qualified tips can deduct up to an annual maximum of $25,000 and the deduction phases out for taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 (or $300,000 for joint filers).

The IRS estimates there are about 6 million workers who report tipped wages, and the tipped income deduction is in effect for tax years 2025 to 2028.

The "no tax on overtime" provision allows individuals who receive eligible overtime compensation to deduct the pay that exceeds their regular pay – which is generally the "half" portion of "time and a half" overtime pay – that is reported on a Form W-2, Form 1099 or other specified statement provided.

The maximum annual deduction is $12,500 (or $25,000 for joint filers) and the deduction phases out for taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 (or $300,000 for joint filers). Notably, the deduction is available for itemizing and non-itemizing taxpayers.

The Fair Labor Standards Act requires that most employees be paid at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked and overtime pay of at least time and one-half of their regular pay rate for working more than 40 hours in a week.

However, some employees are exempt from overtime rules, such as those who are paid a salary of at least $1,128 per week or $58,656 per year, or workers in certain occupational roles.

Additionally, the IRS said it's in the process of updating income tax forms and instructions for taxpayers to use this filing season that will assist them in claiming these deductions.

The start date of the filing season for the 2025 tax year is yet to be announced, though it has been late January in recent years.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/irs-releases-guidance-trumps-no-tax-tips-overtime-deductions-what-know

Russia's Secretive Hypersonic, Nuclear-Ready Oreshnik Missiles Go Operational In Belarus

Belarus has announced that Russia's Oreshnik intermediate-range nuclear capable ballistic missile system has been deployed on its territory, though details and specifications - including range - of the projectile remain secretive.

On Tuesday, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense released a video it claims shows the Oreshnik system being deployed inside the country. It featured Russian troops and technicians in a ceremonial flag-raising while stationed in Belarus, along with a convoy of vehicles moving into a field-based firing position before being concealed under camouflage netting.

Accompanying this was the recent emergence of satellite images indicating that Moscow is indeed positioning the nuclear-capable missiles in Belarus.

But questions have been raised as to the precise location of the missile systems, given that the undated published video features only support vehicles and doesn't appear to including the launch apparatus itself.

Still, the video includes a senior officer informing troops that the systems have officially entered combat duty and references prior routine training and reconnaissance exercises carried out by missile crews.

Russian state media has referenced a precise date for the missile transfer to Belarusian territory, however:

Russian officials have likened its conventional destructive power to that of a low-yield nuclear strike, highlighting its dual strategic and tactical potential. By comparison, Western militaries currently lack a directly equivalent hypersonic MIRV-capable system, giving Oreshnik a unique edge in speed, maneuverability, and multi-target strike capability.
Up to ten systems are slated for deployment in Belarus under an agreement reached between Minsk and Moscow shortly after the missile’s initial combat test.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced in a parliamentary address this month that the Oreshnik systems had arrived in Belarus on December 17. Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveyko said last week the combat patrol areas are set and the system is fully operational and ready for use.

Already Belarus plays host to Russian tactical nuclear weapons - though details of this too remain shrouded in mystery and intentioned strategic ambiguity.

EuroNews: "Analysts identified a former airfield near the Russian border as a likely site."

2025 has been a big year for Moscow showcasing its military might and tech. As we reviewed earlier, in a matter of less than a year, Russian scientific know-how came up with four bangers:

1. Oreshnik: hypersonic missile, already tested in the Ukraine battleground.
2. Burevestnik: Or “Stormbringer”, with that nice Deep Purple ring. Nuclear cruise missile with unlimited range.
3. Poseidon: nuclear-powered torpedo, capable of loitering underwater, undetected, for unlimited time; then, at a command, strikes enemy coasts with a nuclear payload, provoking a radioactive tsunami. Largely exceeds the destructive power of the Sarmat, Russia’s largest ICBM.
4. Khabarovsk: nuclear sub. Call him The Messenger of Doom: capable of delivering at least 6 Doomsday-enabling Poseidons.

As for the Oreshnik, it was at a December 2024 meeting with Belarusian President Lukashenko that Putin had first unveiled plans to station Oreshnik missiles in Belarus. He indicated at the time that the deployment would occur in the second half of 2025. There are prior reports saying the hypersonic Oreshnik has already been used against Ukrainian targets to demonstrate Moscow's 'shock and awe' capabilities.

https://www.zerohedge.com/military/russias-secretive-hypersonic-nuclear-ready-oreshnik-missiles-go-operational-belarus

Finnish Police Seize Russia-Linked Ship Accused Of Cutting Undersea Cable

The Europeans have taken yet more 'counter-Russia' actions amid widespread allegations that Moscow has sponsored sabotage campaigns targeting EU communications infrastructure.

Finnish authorities have newly detained a cargo ship suspected of damaging an undersea communications cable. The vessel has been identified as the Fitburg, and had departed St. Petersburg, Russia and was traveling toward Israel when it was intercepted by Finnish authorities.

Security officials have since confirmed, "Finnish authorities have taken control of the vessel as part of a joint operation."

The cable in question links Helsinki with Tallinn and is operated by the Finnish telecom company Elisa. Like with other similar cable cutting allegations, officials admit there's no smoking gun proof at this point.

Prior similar instances of Russia's 'shadow fleet' supposedly engaged in cable cutting activity have generated ample headlines but nothing in the way of proof.

Bloomberg and European media have reported that fourteen crew members are currently being held by authorities - which includes nationals of Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.

The Finnish police and the Border Guard have accused the vessel dragging its anchor along the seabed, after which it entered Finnish territorial waters at the request of authorities, whereupon it was taken into custody.

"At this stage, the police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications," the police said.

The Finnish coast guard tracked has charged that "The ship's anchor chain had been lowered into the water." This after it was taken into custody.

Finland's President Alexander Stubb says he's closely monitoring the situation amid a pending investigation. "Finland is prepared for various security challenges and responds to them in the manner the situation requires," he said on X.

This kind of thing has occurred in the Baltic Sea region, allegedly many times since the Ukraine war began. CNN writes that "At least 10 undersea cables have been cut or damaged in the Baltic Sea since 2023."

Finland seizes vessel suspected of damaging underwater cable

Finnish authorities have seized the cargo vessel Fitburg off the coast of Porkkala in connection with damage to an undersea data cable between Helsinki and Tallinn. The vessel departed Saint Petersburg on December 30… pic.twitter.com/ihtJpkZVlW
— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) December 31, 2025

Sometimes the vessels at the center of these controversies were already under Western sanctions, and have been boarded by authorities from various EU and NATO countries.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/finnish-police-seize-russia-linked-ship-accused-cutting-undersea-cable