May 9, 2017

Pandora raises money to explore sale

The music streaming company announced Monday a $150 million investment by private equity firm KKR. On an earnings call with investors, board member James M. P. Feuille said the company is positioned to evaluate any potential strategic alternatives, "including a sale," in the 30 days before the financing is set to close.

Why it matters: While revenue was up 6% year over year, and subscribers up 20%, the company barely gained in advertising, its net loss grew. Most of its earnings come from its ticket vendor business, TICKETFLY. Investors are hopeful that Pandora's premium subscription model will help create a new revenue stream.

Country music could save Pandora: Per Marketwatch, 56 million of Pandora's 81 million active users subscribe to its "Today's Country" station. Country songs accounted for roughly 6% of the total streams on paid streaming services over the past two years.

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Axios

Updated 20 mins ago - Politics & Policy

George Floyd protests: What you need to know

Minneapolis police block protesters at a rally on May 30 outside the state house on the fourth straight day of demonstrations against the death of George Floyd. Photo: Megan Jelinger/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Police fired tear gas during a fourth straight night of protests in Minneapolis, video from the scene shows, as demonstrations over the death of George Floyd and other police-related killings of black men spread across the U.S. Saturday.

The big picture: Floyd's death in Minneapolis police custody is the latest reminder of the disparities between black and white communities in the U.S. and comes as African Americans grapple with higher death rates from the coronavirus and higher unemployment from trying to stem its spread.

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Axios

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

U.S. cities crack down on protests against police brutality

Demonstrators gather at Lafayette Park across from the White House to protest the death of George Floyd in Washington, D.C. Photo: Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Major U.S. cities have implemented curfews and called on National Guard to mobilize as thousands of demonstrators gather across the nation to continue protesting the death of George Floyd.

The state of play: Hundreds have already been arrested as tensions continue to rise between protesters and local governments. Protesters are setting police cars on fire as freeways remain blocked and windows are shattered, per the Washington Post. Law enforcement officials are using tear gas and rubber bullets to try to disperse crowds and send protesters home.

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Rebecca Falconer

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump to invite Russia and other non-member G7 countries to summit

President Trump at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday. Photo: Saul Martinez/Getty Images

President Trump told reporters on Saturday evening he would postpone the G7 summit to September and expand the meeting to more nations that are not members of the Group of 7.

Details: Trump said he would invite Russia, South Korea, Australia and India to the summit, according to a pool report. "I don’t feel that as a G7 it properly represents what’s going on in the world. It’s a very outdated group of countries," he said.

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