New York Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Aaron Rodgers “absolutely” will remain the team's starting quarterback and start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers, who turns 41 next Monday, has been hampered at times during the Jets' 3-8 start by various injuries to his left leg, including a sore knee, sprained ankle and balky hamstring. Ulbrich said Monday the quarterback came back from the team's bye-week break ready to go. “All I can say, and you'd have to ask Aaron if he's fully healthy, but he's better off today than he's been as of late,” Ulbrich said. "So he's definitely feeling healthier than he has probably for the past month. A healthy Aaron Rodgers is the Aaron Rodgers we all love. “So, I'm excited about what that looks like.” NFL Network reported on Sunday that Rodgers, who missed all but four snaps last season with a torn left Achilles tendon, has declined having medical scans on his injured leg so he can continue to play. People are also reading... GM: The New York Jets are turning to one of their former general managers to help them find their next GM and head coach. The franchise announced Monday that The 33rd Team, a football media, analytics and consulting group founded by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, will assist team owner Woody Johnson in the searches. Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman, former GM of the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, will be The 33rd Team's primary representatives in helping find replacements for former coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas. Patriots' Peppers cleared to practice, play FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The NFL removed New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner exempt list on Monday, making him eligible to participate in practice and play in the team’s games. Peppers missed seven games since being placed on the list on Oct. 9 after he was arrested and charged with shoving his girlfriend’s head into a wall and choking her. The league said its review is ongoing and is not affected by the change in Peppers’ roster status. Braintree, Massachusetts, police said they were called to a home for an altercation between two people on Oct. 7, and a woman told them Peppers choked her. Police said they found at the home a clear plastic bag containing a white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine. Peppers, 29, pleaded not guilty in Quincy District Court to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class “B” substance believed to be cocaine. At a court appearance last week a trial date was set for Jan. 22. Raiders' Minshew out for season HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew is out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone, coach Antonio Pierce said Monday. Minshew was injured with 3:12 left in Sunday's 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. Pierce will have to decide whether Aidan O'Connell or Desmond Ridder will start Friday's game at Kansas City. The Raiders, who have lost seven consecutive games to fall to 2-9, could use a spark. Minshew's grip on the starting job was tenuous even before he was injured. He threw 10 interceptions to just nine touchdown passes this season and Minshew also lost four fumbles. Jaguars' Lawrence hopes for return JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will practice Monday and “we'll see where he's at from there,” coach Doug Pederson said. Lawrence missed the past two games, losses to Minnesota and Detroit, with a sprained left shoulder. Lawrence had extra time to rest during Jacksonville's bye week. The Jaguars (2-9) host AFC South-leading Houston (7-5) on Sunday and need a victory to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention. Pederson said Lawrence is “feeling better" and they will know more about his playing status following practice Wednesday. Lawrence took a hit to his left shoulder while scrambling at Philadelphia on Nov. 3. Instead of sliding, he chose to go head-first and got hammered by linebacker Zack Baun. Lawrence has practiced some in a limited role since, but was inactive for both games. BRIEFLY LIONS: Detroit wide receiver Jameson Williams won't be charged with a crime after he was found with a gun in a car driven by his brother in October. Prosecutor Kym Worthy says Michigan law is “far from clear” when applied to the 1 a.m. traffic stop in Detroit. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Controversial billionaire Elon Musk responded to speculation that MSNBC could be put up for sale , asking on Friday how much the cable news network would set him back. The Comcast media conglomerate announced Wednesday it planned to spin some of its NBCUniversal properties — including MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen and E! — into “a new publicly traded company.” The announcement prompted some social media users, including Donald Trump Jr., to suggest the world’s richest man should buy MSNBC . Many of the left-leaning network’s hosts, including Joe Scarborough, Rachel Maddow and Mika Brzezinski, have been critical of Musk and the MAGA movement he supports . “Hey @elonmusk I have the funniest idea ever!!!” Trump Jr. posted on Friday alongside a graphic joking that MSNBC would sell for the “best offer.” “How much does it cost?” replied Musk, whose net worth was estimated to have reached a record high of $321.7 billion on Friday. Musk’s response was very similar to the one he gave in 2017 when some social media users suggested he buy Twitter. Five years later, he spent $44 billion to purchase the platform , which he renamed X and has since used to promote his right-wing ideology and conspiracy theories . “I mean it can’t be much,” Trump Jr. wrote back. “Look at the ratings.” MSNBC viewership reportedly plummeted 38% after Election Day, according to The Wrap. Musk’s banter with Trump Jr. continued, with the entrepreneur writing, “The most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely.” While Comcast made no mention of selling MSNBC to Musk , the big-spending tech wiz has proven he can take over companies despite resistance from their board of directors, just as he did with Twitter. Speculation about Musk buying a progressive cable news network comes a week after satirical site The Onion announced it had purchased Alex Jones’ far-right “InfoWars” empire in a bankruptcy auction. Jones was forced to sell the disgraced brand to satisfy a judgment against him in connection with the lies and conspiracy theories he pushed about the 2012 massacre at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School . A Texas judge has delayed that acquisition while a court reviews details of the bidding process.
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael eye independent TDs as option to secure Dail majorityPrince Harry and Meghan reveal where their charity's money has gone and their 2024 highlightsIreland's election is over, but the country faces weeks of talks before there's a governmentJulie Appleby | KFF Health News Unauthorized switching of Affordable Care Act plans appears to have tapered off in recent weeks based on an almost one-third drop in casework associated with consumer complaints, say federal regulators . The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees the ACA, credits steps taken to thwart enrollment and switching problems that triggered more than 274,000 complaints this year through August. Now, the annual ACA open enrollment period that began Nov. 1 poses a real-world test: Will the changes curb fraud by rogue agents or brokerages without unduly slowing the process of enrolling or reducing the total number of sign-ups for 2025 coverage? “They really have this tightrope to walk,” said Sabrina Corlette, co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. “The more you tighten it up to prevent fraud, the more barriers there are that could inhibit enrollment among those who need the coverage.” CMS said in July that some types of policy changes — those in which the agent is not “affiliated” with the existing plan — will face more requirements, such as a three-way call with the consumer, broker, and a healthcare.gov call center representative. In August, the agency barred two of about a dozen private sector online-enrollment platforms from connecting with healthcare.gov over concerns related to improper switching. And CMS has suspended 850 agents suspected of being involved in unauthorized plan-switching from accessing the ACA marketplace. Still, the clampdown could add complexity to enrollment and slow the process. For example, a consumer might have to wait in a queue for a three-way call, or scramble to find a new agent because the one they previously worked with had been suspended. Given that phone lines with healthcare.gov staff already get busy — especially during mid-December — agents and policy analysts advise consumers not to dally this year. “Hit the ground running,” said Ronnell Nolan, president and CEO of Health Agents for America, a professional organization for brokers. Meanwhile, reports are emerging that some rogue entities are already figuring out workarounds that could undermine some of the anti-fraud protections CMS put in place, Nolan said. “Bottom line is: Fraud and abuse is still happening,” Nolan said. Brokers assist the majority of people actively enrolling in ACA plans and are paid a monthly commission by insurers for their efforts. Consumers can compare plans or enroll themselves online through federal or state marketplace websites. They can also seek help from people called assisters or navigators — certified helpers who are not paid commissions. Under a “find local help” button on the federal and state ACA websites , consumers can search for nearby brokers or navigators. CMS says it has “ramped up support operations” at its healthcare.gov marketplace call centers, which are open 24/7, in anticipation of increased demand for three-way calls, and it expects “minimal wait times,” said Jeff Wu, deputy director for policy of the CMS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. Wu said those three-way calls are necessary only when an agent or a broker not already associated with a consumer’s enrollment wants to change that consumer’s enrollment or end that consumer’s coverage. It does not apply to people seeking coverage for the first time. Organizations paid by the government to offer navigator services have a dedicated phone line to the federal marketplace, and callers are not currently experiencing long waits, said Xonjenese Jacobs, director of Florida Covering Kids & Families, a program based at the University of South Florida that coordinates enrollment across the state through its Covering Florida navigator program. Navigators can assist with the three-way calls if a consumer’s situation requires it. “Because we have our quick line in, there’s no increased wait time,” Jacobs said. The problem of unauthorized switches has been around for a while but took off during last year’s open enrollment season. Brokers generally blamed much of the problem on the ease with which rogue agents can access ACA information in the federal marketplace, needing only a person’s name, date of birth, and state of residence. Though federal regulators have worked to tighten that access with the three-way call requirement, they stopped short of instituting what some agent groups say is needed: two-factor authentication, which could involve a code accessed by a consumer through a smartphone. Unauthorized switches can lead to a host of problems for consumers, from higher deductibles to landing in new networks that do not include their preferred physicians or hospitals. Some people have received tax bills when unauthorized policies came with premium credits for which they did not qualify. Unauthorized switches posed a political liability for the Biden administration, a blemish on two years of record ACA enrollment. The practice drew criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; Democrats demanded more oversight and punishment of rogue agents, while Republicans said fraud attempts were fueled by Biden administration moves that allowed for more generous premium subsidies and special enrollment periods. The fate of those enhanced subsidies, which are set to expire, will be decided by Congress next year as the Trump administration takes power. But the premiums and subsidies that come with 2025 plans that people are enrolling in now will remain in effect for the entire year. The actions taken this year to thwart the unauthorized enrollments apply to the federal marketplace, used by 31 states . The remaining states and the District of Columbia run their own websites, with many having in place additional layers of security. Related Articles Health | Feds suspend ACA marketplace access to companies accused of falsely promising ‘cash cards’ Health | More foods are making us sick: What to know as foodborne outbreaks hit Health | At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall Health | Which health insurance plan may be right for you? Health | Pay first, deliver later: Some women are being asked to prepay for their baby For its part, CMS says its efforts are working, pointing to the 30% drop in complaint casework. The agency also noted a 90% drop in the number of times an agent’s name was replaced by another’s, which it says indicates that it is tougher for rival agents to steal clients to gain the monthly commissions that insurers pay. Still, the move to suspend 850 agents has drawn pushback from agent groups that initially brought the problem to federal regulators’ attention. They say some of those accused were suspended before getting a chance to respond to the allegations. “There will be a certain number of agents and brokers who are going to be suspended without due process,” said Nolan, with the health agents’ group. She said that it has called for increased protections against unauthorized switching and that two-factor authentication, like that used in some state marketplaces or in the financial sector, would be more effective than what’s been done. “We now have to jump through so many hoops that I’m not sure we’re going to survive,” she said of agents in general. “They are just throwing things against the wall to see what sticks when they could just do two-factor.” The agency did not respond to questions asking for details about how the 850 agents suspended since July were selected, the states where they were located, or how many had their suspensions reversed after supplying additional information.
When Pat Gelsinger returned to Intel as CEO in 2021, it was heralded as the start of a redemption arc. After more than 30 years with the company, including his tenure as CTO during its golden age, Gelsinger seemed uniquely qualified to tackle Intel's mounting challenges. His mission: restore the company to its former glory as a leader in chipmaking and manufacturing. But less than four years later, that redemption story has ended. According to sources cited by Bloomberg , Gelsinger was forced out -- a stunning turn for one of the industry's most respected technical minds. His sudden departure raises tough questions: Why couldn't Gelsinger complete the mission he was seemingly born to lead? And if Intel's most capable steward couldn't turn the ship around, what hope does the company have in a market dominated by Nvidia, Qualcomm, and TSMC? Also: The fall of Intel: How gen AI helped dethrone a giant and transform computing as we know it Gelsinger's ousting isn't just about one leader. It's a symptom of a company that has lost its way. His departure is a wake-up call for Intel to confront its cultural stagnation, address its legacy dependencies, and embrace the transformative changes required to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. Without decisive action, Intel risks becoming a relic of its own storied past. 1. Gelsinger's exit highlights Intel's cultural stagnation Gelsinger brought credibility and a bold vision to Intel but he couldn't overcome the cultural inertia that has plagued the company for years. Intel's internal dynamics have become a major roadblock. Bureaucratic bottlenecks, risk-averse decision-making, and an overreliance on legacy systems have significantly slowed innovation. Also: I switched from Intel to AMD - here's why I'm never going back I've spoken with engineers who describe Intel as a place where risk-taking is discouraged and new ideas are often met with skepticism. In contrast, companies like Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Apple thrive on experimentation and rapid iteration. Gelsinger's technical expertise alone wasn't enough to resolve these systemic issues. The next CEO must prioritize cultural transformation. This involves empowering engineers, reducing red tape, and fostering a sense of urgency. Consider what Satya Nadella accomplished at Microsoft: he transformed a slow-moving giant into one of the most agile and innovative companies in the world. Intel requires a similar cultural revolution to unlock its full potential. 2. x86 dependency: Both strength and weakness x86 has been Intel's core product for decades, powering PCs, servers, and enterprise systems. However, as the industry shifts toward AI, cloud-native computing, and energy-efficient designs, x86 is beginning to seem outdated. Arm-based processors are now dominant across a range of devices, from smartphones to cloud servers, and Apple's M-series chips have demonstrated that Arm can surpass x86 in both efficiency and performance. Also: If Intel can't come up with a Qualcomm-killer soon, it's game over for x86 PCs That said, x86 is not yet obsolete. Legacy applications in enterprise environments still rely heavily on x86, and it remains popular among gamers for its capability to deliver high frame rates. However, those markets are gradually shrinking. At the same time, competitors like Ampere are proving that Arm servers can manage data center workloads with lower power consumption, while companies like Nvidia are pioneering new approaches to high-performance computing. Intel's challenge is clear: it must protect its x86 foundation while aggressively transitioning to new architectures. If it fails to adapt, x86 risks becoming a niche product, potentially leaving Intel behind in an industry increasingly prioritizing scalability, efficiency, and flexibility. 3. Foundry services: Intel's best bet - or biggest gamble Intel's venture into contract chip manufacturing through Intel Foundry Services (IFS) represents one of its most ambitious moves in recent years. The semiconductor industry urgently needs alternatives to TSMC and Samsung, especially given the geopolitical tensions that underscore the dangers of relying heavily on Asia. On paper, Intel is well-positioned to fill this gap. However, the journey to becoming a leading foundry is challenging. Intel's advanced manufacturing processes, such as the 18A node, have experienced delays, and gaining customer trust remains a significant hurdle. TSMC is not only ahead in technology but is also a reliable partner for companies like Apple, AMD, and Nvidia. For IFS to be successful, Intel must demonstrate its ability to deliver results on par with or better than TSMC. This requires meeting deadlines, offering competitive pricing, and establishing strong relationships with prominent clients. The funding provided by the CHIPS Act gives Intel an advantage, but this is a high-stakes risk. If IFS does not succeed, it could result in another setback for Intel. 4. AI hardware: Intel's missed opportunity The future of computing is centered around artificial intelligence (AI), with Nvidia at the forefront. The company's GPUs are the dominant force in AI training and inference workloads, and its Grace Hopper platform is specifically designed to manage the complex, parallel tasks that AI requires. Apple is also heavily investing in AI through its custom silicon. Also: Today's AI ecosystem is unsustainable for everyone but Nvidia, warns top scholar In contrast, Intel has struggled to establish itself in this area. While the 2019 $2B acquisition of Habana Labs was a positive move, the outcomes have been disappointing. Qualcomm is advancing AI-powered PCs with its Snapdragon X series, and AMD is working with Microsoft on custom AI chips. For Intel to remain relevant, it needs a clear and aggressive AI strategy. This could involve developing memory-safe architectures like CHERI or concentrating on edge computing. The company must act swiftly to adapt to this rapidly changing landscape. 5. Betting boldly on Arm and RISC-V Selling its xScale Arm business in 2006 -- just a year before the introduction of the iPhone and two years before Android-based devices hit the market -- was one of Intel's biggest strategic mistakes. Arm-based architectures now dominate everything from smartphones to cloud servers, and companies like Apple and Qualcomm have shown that Arm can scale effectively for high-performance computing. Meanwhile, RISC-V is gaining traction as an open-source alternative, particularly in the IoT and edge computing sectors. Also: Why Intel can no longer live in denial Although Intel has explored RISC-V through partnerships with SiFive, it has not fully committed to either Arm or RISC-V. This hesitation could prove to be a significant mistake. To effectively compete with Qualcomm and Apple, Intel must embrace a multi-architecture future. This strategy could involve acquiring Arm startups, developing its own Arm-based products, or investing more heavily in RISC-V. Intel can no longer afford to rely solely on x86 architecture. The industry is evolving, and Intel needs to take the lead -- or risk being left behind. 6. Leveraging geopolitics for strategic advantage Geopolitical tensions have transformed semiconductors into a national security concern, and Intel is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this shift. The CHIPS Act provides billions in funding for domestic semiconductor manufacturing, offering Intel an opportunity to take the lead in this sector. However, merely constructing fabrication plants (fabs) is not enough. Intel must also develop advanced manufacturing processes that can compete with TSMC and Samsung in terms of price and performance. Expanding into regions like Europe and India could help diversify Intel's supply chain, thereby reducing geopolitical risks and creating new opportunities. If Intel can successfully navigate these challenges, it could become an indispensable player in the global semiconductor ecosystem. Nonetheless, the margin for error is very slim. 7. Leadership: The key to Intel's survival With Gelsinger no longer at the helm, Intel is facing a leadership void at a crucial time. The company requires a CEO who can inspire confidence, tackle complex challenges, and implement ambitious plans effectively. This situation goes beyond mere technical expertise; it hinges on vision. The right leader must confront Intel's cultural stagnation, accelerate its transition to AI and Arm technologies, and restore trust with customers and investors. Without strong leadership, even the best strategies are likely to fail. 8. The unthinkable solution: Selling Intel to ensure its legacy It may seem radical, but what if Intel's best option is to sell? For instance, Qualcomm could benefit from Intel's manufacturing capabilities to scale its Arm-based products and compete with Nvidia in AI and data centers. Intel's fabs would give Qualcomm the infrastructure it needs to operate more quickly and efficiently. However, selling Intel wouldn't be straightforward. Regulators would scrutinize the deal, and the company's role as a national security asset adds complexity. Still, in a landscape where speed and focus are crucial, selling to a more agile player might be the only way to preserve Intel's legacy. Sic transit Gelsinger Pat Gelsinger's exit marks a turning point for Intel. The challenges ahead are daunting, but they're not insurmountable. Whether through cultural transformation, bold pivots to new architectures, or even a strategic sale, Intel must act decisively -- and soon. The semiconductor industry isn't waiting for anyone. Intel has a choice: adapt and lead, or fade into irrelevance. My top 5 Cyber Monday deals all hover near the best prices of the year I test AI tools for a living, and these are the only two worth paying for Best Cyber Monday deals 2024 live now: 170+ sales featuring some of the lowest prices ever There's a new king of online shopping, and it's built an unstoppable monopolyCEC's Generation of Environmental Leaders Program Now Open to North American Youth!