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Medicare will require prior authorization for certain procedures starting January through a pilot program in six states. Private companies using artificial intelligence will review treatments like spine surgeries and steroid injections before approval (NYT).

The six-year program covers Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington State. Companies receive payment based on savings from rejected claims, targeting about twelve costly procedures the government deems wasteful or harmful.

Democratic lawmakers and physician groups oppose the initiative, warning it mirrors unpopular Medicare Advantage practices. The program expects to save billions but critics fear it could expand beyond current targeted procedures.

The politics of Medicare here.

Corporate America is witnessing an unprecedented leadership crisis as chief executives abandon their posts in record numbers. Over 1,300 CEOs have departed this year, reflecting mounting pressures from economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and increasingly demanding boards seeking fresh perspectives.

The exodus spans every industry, from struggling retailers facing tariff pressures to government organizations navigating political shifts. Many executives are voluntarily stepping down rather than weathering the storm, signaling how challenging the top job has become.

As business environments grow more volatile and stakeholder expectations intensify, the traditional long-tenured CEO may become extinct. Companies are recalibrating leadership faster than ever, prioritizing adaptability over experience in an increasingly unpredictable marketplace.

The U.S. ends the de minimis tariff exemption Friday, eliminating the rule that allowed packages worth $800 or less to enter tariff-free since 2016. The Trump administration change means all overseas e-commerce purchases will now face duties (WSJ).

Tariffs will vary by country and product type, with some items seeing price increases exceeding 50 percent (chart). Many international merchants have halted U.S. sales, while postal services across Europe and Asia stopped shipping packages entirely.

Parcel carriers like FedEx and UPS are preparing for increased workload collecting duties. Some companies are establishing U.S. warehouses to avoid tariffs, while consumers face higher prices or fewer purchasing options from international sellers.

Tariff impact guide from Fedex, here.

Mitochondria aren't just "cellular batteries." They're the CEO of every cell — deciding which genes activate, when cells die, and how your entire body responds to stress.

Columbia's Martin Picard discovered the shocking truth: Your biggest health threats are mitochondrial breakdowns.

But here's the game-changer: You control your mitochondrial network. Exercise powers up their electrical potential. Social bonds strengthen brain energy flow. Low-sugar diets feed them premium fuel.

You're not a fixed biological machine. You're pure energy flow. When mitochondria communicate smoothly, you thrive. When they fragment and fail, disease wins.

Read this full article here.

Kevin Kelly, WIRED's founding editor, shares comprehensive publishing advice based on extensive personal experience: bestselling books through traditional New York publishers, successful self-published Amazon titles, major Kickstarter hits, international foreign editions, newsletters, and popular podcasts. His guide comprehensively covers all modern publishing options after years of frequent reader inquiries.

Read this article here.

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