Good morning readers. It’s National Pizza Day baby. Today’s a day that’s more than just a cheesy affair; it's a bona fide American tradition, celebrated with gusto. With 1 in 8 of us chowing down on pizza daily and a staggering 29,000 tons devoured in 2023 alone, this doughy delight is a staple in the U.S. diet. As we gear up for both the pizza and football frenzy, with the Super Bowl lurking around the corner, pizza joints are gearing up for a record-breaking weekend. So, if you're looking to join the millions of others indulging in a slice (or eight) this Friday, keep your eyes peeled for some saucy deals. After all, pizza is the slice of life that keeps on giving, am I right?

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Big Pharma gets grilled on high drug prices

• Headline Hustle: Tucker Carlson’s interview with Putin offered little new insight, Zelensky fires top general, five marines dead after helicopter crash in California

• Sports franchises are turning into urban developers

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

HEALTH

Pharmaceutical CEOs grilled over skyrocketing drug prices

Ever felt like you need a second mortgage just to afford your monthly prescriptions? You're not alone.

In a Senate hearing that took place yesterday, a fiery debate unfolded between pharmaceutical CEOs and US lawmakers that might just have Big Pharma reaching for their own blood pressure meds. At the heart of the discussion is the eye-watering price tags on prescription drugs in the United States compared to the rest of the globe. Senators, not shy of a confrontation, grilled executives from pharmaceutical heavyweights like Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Bristol Myers Squibb. The bone of contention? Why Americans are forking over more green for their medicines than anyone else in the clubhouse of developed nations.

It’s not me, it’s you(r) healthcare system

Executives, while acknowledging the disparity, pointed fingers at the complicated U.S. healthcare system, suggesting its complexity is a major culprit behind the price hikes. But as Senator Bernie Sanders and his colleagues highlighted, this doesn't soften the blow for American consumers, who often find themselves choosing between their health and their wallets.

The disparity in drug prices between the US and other countries is nothing short of staggering.

• Take Merck's Januvia (used in people with type 2 diabetes) as an example. The drug costs a mere $200 annually in France but commands a steep $6,900 in the US.

• Bristol Myers Squibb's Eliquis (used to prevent serious blood clots from forming), is priced at a reasonable $650 in Canada but a wallet-draining $7,100 stateside.

The blame game. Pharmaceutical CEOs scrambled to defend the indefensible, citing faster access to drugs and the staggering costs of innovation as reasons for such high drug prices. But critics weren't buying it, pointing fingers at the industry's profit-driven motives and the opaque workings of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as culprits in the pricing debacle.

Things need to change: With Medicare's new bargaining powers and growing calls for transparency and reform, the U.S. might be on the cusp of a healthcare revolution—or at least, a significant rethink on prescription drug pricing. One thing's for sure: the conversation is far from over, and the health of millions hangs in the balance.

Headline Hustle

📺️ Tucker Carlson’s interview with Putin was…meh. Russian President Vladimir Putin's lengthy interview with Tucker Carlson of former Fox News fame touched on various topics but offered little new insight. Putin addressed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, its economy, and hinted at potential negotiations over jailed journalist, Evan Gershkovich. Despite Carlson's flattery, the interview lacked depth, with Putin largely unchallenged. Critics also questioned Carlson's motives, given his history of spreading misinformation. With Putin's media interactions rare, the interview drew attention, but skepticism remains high regarding Putin's justifications for the invasion.

🇺🇦 Zelensky removes his top General in major shake-up for Ukraine military. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's removal of Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhniy, the revered commander in chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, signals a significant shift in the country's military leadership amid escalating challenges from Russia. Zelensky cited the need for urgent military reform, emphasizing it wasn't about politics but effective armed forces management. Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskiy assumes Zaluzhniy's role during a critical juncture, tasked with navigating a defensive stance against Russia's relentless assaults. The move, while risky politically, underscores Zelensky's commitment to reshaping Ukraine's military strategy.

🚁 Five marines are dead after helicopter crash in California. Five U.S. Marines tragically died when their helicopter crashed during a routine training flight in Pine Valley, California. The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, which departed from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, was discovered by civil authorities after failing to arrive at its destination in San Diego. Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte confirmed the fatalities, withholding the Marines' identities pending family notification. The incident amplifies concerns over military aviation safety amid recent crashes, prompting intensified scrutiny and grounding of aircraft fleets for safety evaluations.

BUSINESS

Field goals to high rises: The new arena of sports franchises

As the roar of the crowd fades, a new sound fills the air around stadiums across the nation: the hum of construction. Professional sports franchises are now playing a different game; transforming their homes from mere sporting venues into hubs of luxury apartments, chic shopping centers, and neon-lit entertainment districts.

This pivot isn't happening in a vacuum

From 1970 to 2020, a staggering $33 billion of public funds flowed into stadium constructions, a testament to the growing intertwining of sports, business, and urban development. In a quid pro quo, teams often gain rights to develop the surrounding lands into mixed-use havens, featuring everything from offices to residential spaces, hotels, and retail outlets.

But this ambitious melding of sports and real estate is not without its critics.

• The reliance on public subsidies and the use of eminent domain have sparked heated debates over the fairness and real benefits of such developments.

• While team owners tout these ventures as essential for financial strength and elevating franchise value, critics argue they serve more to enrich billionaires and developers than to genuinely uplift communities.

Looking ahead…as the boundaries between sports, business, and community life blur, the call for fair play grows louder. The challenge lies in ensuring these ambitious projects deliver real benefits to all, not just a scoreboard win for team owners and developers.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

• Sam Altman aims to not only develop human-level artificial intelligence but also to raise trillions of dollars to transform the global semiconductor industry.

• President Joe Biden firmly denied allegations by Department of Justice special counsel Robert Hur that he intentionally kept and leaked classified materials as a private citizen and showed poor memory regarding those materials.

• Google announced the rebranding of Bard, its AI chatbot, to Gemini, introducing a new app and subscription options, positioning it as a direct competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT.

• A woman from Columbus, Ohio, faces 20 years in prison after confessing to the kidnapping of two infant twins, whom she later abandoned, according to federal prosecutors.

Was this email forwarded to you? Feel free to sign up using the following link: https://www.pulseofprogress.info/

⚡️ Want to feature in this newsletter?

Elevate your brand's visibility to over 4,500+ decision makers by partnering with Pulse of Progress and seize the chance to connect with our rapidly expanding, highly engaged audience! Reach out for more details.