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☆ Biotech’s doldrums are a warning amid exuberance
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The sector’s doldrums are a warning sign, despite the broader market shrugging off recession concerns. In 2000, the index peaked weeks before the S&P 500 Index (.SPX) and hit bottom three months earlier. In the 2009 financial crisis, the biotech index peaked later, but both emerged at about the same time. Yet biotech stocks have been lackluster since. Since January, the index is down 2%, while the S&P 500 Index is up 19% and the Nasdaq Composite Index is up 35%.

Persons: Robert Cyran, Jonathan Guilford, Sharon Lam Organizations: YORK, Reuters, Biotechnology, Nasdaq Biotechnology, Nasdaq, Twitter, Thales, Thomson Locations: Spain

☆ Spotify’s awkward three-way dance leads to slip-up
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 25 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Spotify (SPOT.N) is caught between the expectations of investors and major music labels. One bullish argument for Spotify’s stock is that higher prices will mean higher margins over time. First, some of Spotify’s customers pay annually, which means the price hike might take a while to come through. He’s locked in a long-term standoff with major labels like Universal Music Group (UMG.AS), which currently grab the overwhelming majority of Spotify’s revenue. In other words, Spotify’s future may be rosier than Ek is willing to let on.

Persons: Daniel Ek, Ek, coy, He’s, Karen Kwok, Liam Proud, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Spotify, Universal Music, Twitter, Thales, Thomson Locations: Spain

☆ Spotify is hiking its prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Spotify is the latest streaming service to hike its prices. Beginning Monday, new subscribers will pay $1 more per month for its ad-free premium plan, rising to $10.99 per month. Current customers are being given a “one-month grace period before the new price becomes effective,” Spotify said. Spotify (SPOT) will also continuing offering a free plan, which includes ads and limited features. Discovery) have all increased the prices of their services in recent months.

Organizations: New, New York CNN, Spotify, Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros Locations: New York, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden

☆ YouTube removed video of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for violating vaccine misinformation policy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —YouTube said on Monday that it had removed a video of presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. being interviewed by podcast host Jordan Peterson for violating its policy prohibiting vaccine misinformation. YouTube began cracking down broadly on vaccine misinformation in 2021, following an earlier policy preventing false or misleading claims about Covid-19. Under its policy, YouTube removes false claims about currently administered vaccines that the World Health Organization and local authorities have approved and confirmed to be safe. Although YouTube removed the video, it remains available on Twitter, showing the fractured approach to vaccine misinformation across the internet as his campaign gets underway. Hotez had tweeted in support of a Vice article criticizing Spotify’s handling of vaccine misinformation in an interview with Kennedy on Rogan’s show.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy, Jr, Jordan Peterson, ” Kennedy, Peter Hotez, podcaster Joe Rogan, Hotez, Elon Musk, Bill Ackman, ” Hotez Organizations: New, New York CNN, YouTube, CNN, Instagram, Children’s Health Defense, World Health Organization, Twitter Locations: New York, Covid

☆ A prominent vaccine scientist says he was ‘stalked’ in front of home after Joe Rogan Twitter exchange
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —A prominent vaccine scientist said he was accosted outside of his home after a Twitter exchange with podcaster Joe Rogan, who challenged him to debate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. over the weekend. “I just was stalked in front of my home by a couple of antivaxers taunting me to debate RFKJr.,” Houston-based scientist Peter Hotez tweeted Sunday. The confrontation came after Hotez tweeted Saturday in support of a Vice article that criticized Spotify’s handling of vaccine misinformation on Rogan’s show. Investor Mark Cuban defended Hotez, jumping in the Twitter debate. “Trying to bully Dr Hotez is ridiculous,” Cuban tweeted, accusing Musk and Rogan of acting in their own self interest.

Persons: podcaster Joe Rogan, Robert F, Kennedy, Jr, “, ”, Peter Hotez, Hotez, I’m, Rogan, “ I’m, “ He’s, Elon Musk, ” “, Bill Ackman, Joe Rogan, Jerry Springer, ” Hotez, vaxer, Mark Cuban, Dr Hotez, ” Cuban, Musk, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Daniel Ek Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, National, Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, RFK, Twitter, MSNBC, Spotify Locations: New York, ” Houston, Covid

☆ GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google’s help
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems allow users to mirror their smartphone screens in a vehicle’s dashboard display. GM is designing the on-board navigation and infotainment systems for future EVs in partnership with Alphabet’s Google. GM’s Chevrolet brand in the past boasted of offering more models with CarPlay or Android Auto than any other brand. GM plans to continue offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mirroring systems in its combustion models. Owners of vehicles equipped with the mirroring technologies will still be able to use the systems, GM said.

☆ Spotify Faces Some of the Music
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Dan Gallagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Talk hasn’t been cheap for Spotify. Neither has anything else lately. The music streamer’s fourth-quarter results Tuesday morning showed both the costs and benefits of a surge in investments across the business. The company added a record 33 million total monthly active users during the quarter, while the 10 million new paid subscribers was more than it added in all but two previous quarters. Both also exceeded Wall Street’s forecasts for the period, helping to send Spotify’s stock price up 13% Tuesday.

☆ Spotify Adds Users, Reports Loss After Big Investments in Podcasts
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Anne Steele | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Spotify Technology SA reported strong user growth but another quarterly loss after the company invested extensively to build its podcast business. The audio giant, which last week laid off employees and reorganized its top brass, said it aims to become a more efficient business this year following an intense period of spending. Spotify’s chief content and advertising business officer, Dawn Ostroff , will leave the company. She spearheaded the company’s expansion into podcasting, helping acquire studios and ink deals with high-profile figures such as Joe Rogan, Michelle Obama and Kim Kardashian.

☆ New Spotify release gives bull-market vibes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Just when it seemed like technology investors were done with “growth at all costs”, Spotify Technology (SPOT.N) has sent investors into a retro spin. The Swedish music-streaming company led by Daniel Ek on Tuesday said it ended 2022 with 205 million paid subscribers, a 14% year-on-year increase. The shares leapt almost 10%, boosting Spotify’s market capitalisation to roughly $21 billion. That means Spotify’s bull-market vibes are only relative. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ Uber’s CEO almost said no to the job—then Spotify’s CEO convinced him to take it
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

When Uber first approached now-CEO Dara Khosrowshahi about leading the company, he ignored the call. It was 2017, and the rideshare app was going through a "historically difficult time," Khosrowshahi told LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky in a recent interview. He was entering his twelfth year as Expedia's CEO, and still "having a great time," he told Roslansky. He was prepared to call Uber's board of directors and take himself out of the running for CEO — until one conversation with a friend changed his mind. The following morning, Khosrowshahi called the head hunter back — and in August 2017, he was announced as Uber's new CEO, after a unanimous vote from the board.

☆ Spotify to cut 6% of jobs; content head to depart
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The tech industry is facing a demand downturn after two years of pandemic-powered growth during which it had hired aggressively. “I was too ambitious in investing ahead of our revenue growth,” he added, echoing a sentiment voiced by other tech bosses in recent months. It said Dawn Ostroff, the head of content and advertising, was leaving after an over four-year stint at the company. Ostroff helped shape Spotify’s podcast business and guided it through backlash around Joe Rogan’s show for allegedly spreading misinformation about Covid-19. The company said it is appointing Alex Norström, head of the freemium business, and research and development boss Gustav Söderström as co-presidents.

☆ Spotify to cut 6% of its workforce
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Spotify (SPOT) said Monday that it will cut 6% of its workforce to reduce costs, joining tech companies including Amazon (AMZN) and Microsoft (MSFT) in slashing headcount as the global economy slows. The Stockholm-headquartered music streaming business had about 9,800 employees globally as of September 30, according to an earnings report. The company’s stock, which has nearly halved in value over the past 12 months, gained more than 4% in premarket trading in New York. Over the past three months, Amazon (AMZN), Google (GOOGL), Microsoft (MSFT) and Facebook (FB)-parent Meta have announced plans to cut more than 50,000 employees from their collective ranks. Spotify’s decision to shed about 590 jobs is part of a wider reorganization to improve efficiency and “speed up decision-making,” according to Ek.

☆ How Spotify’s ‘Case 63’ Went From Regional Hit to Unexpected Chart-Topping Podcast
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Anne Steele | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Spotify Technology SA’s original sci-fi thriller “Case 63” has become one of its biggest shows, marking a strategic shift for the streaming giant in the type of content it is creating for its audio business. Initially a Spanish-language Chilean series, “Caso 63” ranked No. 1 for nearly a month in Argentina and Mexico post-premiere in 2020. 1 podcast in translations for Brazilian and Indian audiences. The English version, released at the end of October, topped the charts in the U.S., Canada, Ireland and the U.K.

☆ Tired of Spotify’s Algorithm? These 5 Apps Help You Discover Music in New Ways
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Lina Abascal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

BOTH APPLE MUSIC AND SPOTIFY have catalogs of over 80 million songs, but for many music lovers, access to these giants’ seemingly limitless options hasn’t translated to more diversity in listening habits. When an algorithm limits discovery, all roads seem to lead to Drake, Dua Lipa or whatever rut you’re in, even though these platforms upload new songs everyday. If you’re ready to break that musical routine, plenty of platforms that have been launched in recent years by both established players and tech upstarts offer wildly different ways to seek out new music. Also worth your consideration: services that have been around for a while, but haven’t been adopted as widely by folks outside the audio industry. Here, five apps to try—all, unless noted, are available to download on both Apple and Android phones.

☆ Spotify Wrapped 2022: Bad Bunny is the most popular artist worldwide
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Maybe the year of the rabbit came early – Bad Bunny was Spotify’s most-streamed artist worldwide in 2022, his third year in a row. The Puerto Rican superstar once again dominated Spotify Wrapped, the streaming service’s yearly roundup of the artists and songs its users spent the year listening to. Bad Bunny was already a star, but this year proved to be a blockbuster for the “Moscow Mule” singer. His smash-hit album “Un Verano Sin Ti,” which has since been nominated for album of the year at the upcoming Grammys, was also Spotify’s most-streamed album worldwide this year. Harry Styles, pictured performing during the 2022 Coachella festival, is featured on this year's Spotify Wrapped.

☆ Creator Emma Chamberlain inks exclusive Spotify podcast deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Spotify is pulling influential Gen Z creator Emma Chamberlain into its podcast orbit. Under a multiyear pact with Chamberlain, Spotify starting in early 2023 will become the exclusive home for her “Anything Goes With Emma Chamberlain” podcast, including all back-catalog episodes and future installments. “I couldn’t be more honored to be their exclusive partner, and work together to allow ‘Anything Goes’ to blossom in ways it couldn’t have anywhere else. Chamberlain rose to YouTube fame in 2018 with her uniquely personal spin on the vlog format and currently has 11.9 million subscribers on her channel. “Emma Chamberlain is one of the most influential voices fueling the creator community today, and Spotify is thrilled to be her exclusive podcast partner,” Max Cutler, Spotify’s VP of creator content and partnerships.

☆ Spotify is going to war with Apple after the App Store rejected its big new feature
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN Business —Spotify is looking to give Apple a good bruising in the press. Here’s the backstory: Spotify (SPOT) simply refuses to fork over the whopping 30% cut of its business to Apple. That means that the company cannot sell audiobooks, a business it is trying to break into, inside its iOS app. iOS users who scroll through Spotify’s audiobooks library and tap on a selection are greeted with a message: “Want to listen? Spotify’s public war on Apple is part of a larger trend lately, with other Big Tech companies taking aim at the iPhone maker.

☆ Taylor Swift makes the top 10 spots of the Billboard Hot 100 all her own
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Taylor Swift is breaking yet another record thanks to the release of her most recent album “Midnights.”The entertainer, who already became Spotify’s most-streamed artist over a 24-hour period upon the release of the record earlier this month, now claims all top ten slots of the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time, according to the music charting website on Monday. Swift is the first artist to ever accomplish the feat in Billboard’s 64-year history. She beat Drake, who in September 2021 claimed nine of the Hot 100’s top 10 spots for a week. According to Billboard, the Hot 100 list “blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data.”At the top of the list this week is “Anti-Hero,” the lead single off of “Midnights,” which is Swift’s tenth studio album. The other nine slots are also claimed by songs from the new album, including the tracks “Lavender Haze” and “Karma.”The accomplishment gives Swifties yet another reason to rejoice, adding yet another bauble to their beloved artist’s “bejeweled” crown.

☆ Taylor Swift’s ‘Anti-Hero’ music video appears to have been edited on one platform amid backlash
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The backlash against one moment in Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” music video appears to have prompted an edit on at least one platform. The video, which was written and directed by the singer, is meant to portray Swift’s “nightmare scenarios and intrusive thoughts,” according to her Instagram. The version of the video featured on Apple Music no longer cuts to the word, a moment some body positivity advocates construed as fatphobic. The YouTube version of the music video still featured the controversial scene as of Wednesday afternoon. In her 2020 documentary “Miss Americana,” Swift said unflattering pictures and unkind comments about her figure would sometimes “trigger me to just starve a little bit – just stop eating.”The controversial moment in Taylor Swift's music video, 'Anti-Hero' from the album 'Midnights'.

☆ Taylor Swift gets some love from Janet Jackson for name-drop on 'Midnights'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

After humming along to the melody, Jackson sweetly says, “It’s nice, it’s nice,” at the end of the clip. In the caption, Jackson wrote, “i LUV it @taylorswift #snowonthebeach #taylorswift #lanadelray”. “Midnights,” Swift’s tenth original studio album, is already breaking records, with Spotify announcing on Saturday that it helped the ever-popular “Evermore” singer to achieve new heights. “Midnights” on Friday became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day, the music streaming platform shared. That feat also allowed Swift to break the record for the most-streamed artist in a single day in Spotify history.

There is no evidence that any school has deployed litter boxes for students to use because they identify as cats. The rumor of litter boxes in schools appears to have begun among parents on social media, and one of the first schools to confront the falsehood was in Canada last fall. Catalina Lauf, a Republican congressional nominee in Illinois, tweeted this month that schoolchildren were using litter boxes in her state. Some say litter boxes are located in “transgender bathrooms” in schools. Meanwhile on TikTok, one video claiming “kids are now requesting litter boxes at school” collected 3 million views on the platform.

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