Companies founded by women received less than 2% of venture capital funding in 2022— a decline from the year before. However, when women-led startups are funded, research has shown that they generate more in cumulative returns, compared to those led by men. A new VC fund aims to take this lesson to women’s sports. On Monday, venture capitalists Kara Nortman and Jasmine Robinson announced the close of a $100 million fund, the Monarch Collective, with a mission to “accelerate equity in global sport.” Nortman is a former partner at the Los Angeles-based venture capital firm Upfront Ventures. Robinson was a partner at Causeway, a fund focused on sports, media, and entertainment. The Monarch Collective, founded in January, will focus on investing in women’s teams and leagues, along with adjacent industries, such as media and gaming. The duo say they are initially considering investments in women’s soccer teams in the U.S., and in women’s teams and leagues in sports such … [Read more...] about The Monarch Collective unveils $100 million fund to bring equity to women’s sports
Venezuela world baseball classic
Milton Glaser didn’t want to be the voice of a generation. He was anyway
I ❤️ New York . Dylan . The New York Magazine logo . As one of the most well-known graphic designers of the past century, Milton Glaser and his work have long been ubiquitous in culture. If you assumed you’d seen it all, you’d be in good company. “I thought I had laid eyes on most everything Milton designed,” says Beth Kleber, the founding archivist of the Milton Glaser Design Study Center and Archives at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. “I was wrong.” In Milton Glaser: Pop , authors Kleber , Steven Heller (disclosure: whose blog this author edits), and Mirko Ilić resurrect hundreds of works from Glaser’s pop period (roughly 1963 to 1975) that have remained filed away since their initial publication. In kaleidoscopic color and Glaser’s signature line and wit, the works—1,100 of which are collected in the book—fueled a graphic revolution that existed beyond stuffy galleries and away from mid-century realism. As the authors detail, “pop” … [Read more...] about Milton Glaser didn’t want to be the voice of a generation. He was anyway
Asian, European markets rise as banking crisis fears ease
HONG KONG -Asian and European markets traded higher on Tuesday, as fears of a banking crisis eased thanks to the sale of fallen lender Silicon Valley Bank. News that North Carolina-based First Citizens Bank had agreed to take over most of SVB boosted European stocks and Wall Street on Monday. The gains were led by banking shares, following a rout last week over concerns that the turmoil in the sector could hit other major institutions, such as German giant Deutsche Bank. Hong Kong and Tokyo closed higher, while Sydney, Singapore and Seoul also gained. Shanghai was down, however. European equities were also higher in early trade, with London, Frankfurt and Paris all in positive territory. Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at National Australia Bank, said Tuesday that the acquisition by First Citizens had “helped set a positive tone” in global markets. SVB deal helps to steady banks amid credit crunch concerns “Together with the absence of new scare stories over … [Read more...] about Asian, European markets rise as banking crisis fears ease
Metro Pacific invests P2B in Leandro Leviste’s solar power firm
Metro Pacific Investments Corp chair and president Manuel V. Pangilinan and Solar Philippines founder and CEO Leandro Leviste shake hands after signing the share purchase agreement. MANILA -Tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is buying into businessman Leandro Leviste’s SP New Energy Corp., announcing on Tuesday the infusion of a P2-billion investment in the company plus an option that could make it the solar energy startup’s single largest shareholder. In a stock exchange filing on Tuesday, Metro Pacific said it signed definitive agreements to acquire 1.6 billion common shares or a 16 -percent stake in SP New Energy, which is aggressively raising money to bankroll an ambitious pipeline of solar power projects. Solar Philippines aims to build world’s largest solar farm Pangilinan will also replace Leviste, son of Sen. Loren Legarda, as chair of SP New Energy. Leviste will remain president and CEO of the company. “Our thrust of pursuing … [Read more...] about Metro Pacific invests P2B in Leandro Leviste’s solar power firm
China spent $240B bailing out ‘Belt and Road’ countries, study shows
JOHANNESBURG -China spent $240 billion bailing out 22 developing countries between 2008 and 2021, with the amount soaring in recent years as more have struggled to repay loans spent building “Belt and Road” infrastructure, a study published on Tuesday showed. Almost 80 percent of the lending was made between 2016 and 2021, mainly to middle-income countries including Argentina, Mongolia and Pakistan, according to the report by researchers from the World Bank, Harvard Kennedy School, AidData and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. China has lent hundreds of billions of dollars to build infrastructure in developing countries, but lending has tailed off since 2016 as many projects have failed to pay the expected financial dividends. “Beijing is ultimately trying to rescue its own banks. That’s why it has gotten into the risky business of international bailout lending,” said Carmen Reinhart, a former World Bank chief economist and one of the study’s authors. Chinese loans to … [Read more...] about China spent $240B bailing out ‘Belt and Road’ countries, study shows
Comedy suffering because ‘you have to be careful’ now, says Aniston
US Actress Jennifer Aniston poses as she arrives for the Premiere of the movie Murder Mystery 2 released by Netflix, in Paris, on March 16, 2023. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP) PARIS, France — Jennifer Aniston said she wishes we could laugh more at ourselves, rather than having to police every word in comedies. “Comedy has evolved, movies have evolved,” the “Friends” star, 54, told AFP in Paris, where her new film “Murder Mystery 2” with Adam Sandler, is set. “Now it’s a little tricky because you have to be very careful, which makes it really hard for comedians, because the beauty of comedy is that we make fun of ourselves, make fun of life,” she said. In the past, “you could joke about a bigot and have a laugh — that was hysterical. And it was about educating people on how ridiculous people were,” she said. “And now we’re not allowed to do that.” Aniston said the culture had changed dramatically since the days of “Friends” in the 1990s. “There’s a whole generation … [Read more...] about Comedy suffering because ‘you have to be careful’ now, says Aniston
Revolution is upon us: Lin-Manuel Miranda announces ‘Hamilton’ is coming to PH in September
“Hamilton.” Image: Instagram/@hamiltonmusical The revolution is coming to the Philippines as the hit musical “Hamilton” is set to make its Asian premiere in the Philippines this coming September. The announcement was made by songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda on theater producer GMG Productions official Facebook page on Tuesday, March 28. “I am so excited to officially announce that ‘Hamilton’ will be making its Asian premiere in the Philippines. We’ve had so many incredible Filipino company members part of the ‘Hamilton’ pamilya (family) all over the world, and now, we’re bringing the show to your beautiful country very soon. I can’t wait for you to see it,” he said. This marks the first time that “Hamilton” will go on its first international tour, which will kick off in Auckland, New Zealand in May. Ticket details are yet to be disclosed, as of this writing, but the production company and Miranda advised fans to sign up for its waitlist which has opened on its official … [Read more...] about Revolution is upon us: Lin-Manuel Miranda announces ‘Hamilton’ is coming to PH in September
Mela Habijan on Klea Pineda’s coming out: ‘She owned her identity and the love she deserves’
(From left) Mela Habijan, Klea Pineda. Images: Instagram/@missmelahabijan, Instagram/@kleapineda Activist and Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan is fully supportive of Klea Pineda, who came out as gay on her 24th birthday and went public with her romance with girlfriend Katrice Kierulf. In an interview with INQUIRER.net during a recognition dinner with Cosmopolitan Philippines magazine, Habijan said Pineda being open about her sexuality is a “beautiful” way of “owning” her identity and the love that she deserves. “I am happy that she came out because we need those coming out stories. Sabi nila, ‘Sana dumating tayo sa pagkakataon na hindi kailangang mag-come out and that’s the dream.’ But because our story in terms of the queer narrative will always be in that sense of erasure, kailangan talagang mag-come out,” she said. Habijan also noted that Pineda’s decision to open up about her romance with Kierulf is “important” for the LGBTQ community, saying that it empowers queer … [Read more...] about Mela Habijan on Klea Pineda’s coming out: ‘She owned her identity and the love she deserves’
Jennifer Aniston: Netflix ‘Friends’ deal a testament to show’s value
Jennifer Aniston attends the world premiere of “Dumplin'” at TCL Chinese Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Los Angeles. Image: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP LOS ANGELES — Jennifer Aniston calls it “amazing” that “Friends” still has an audience big enough to prompt multi-million dollar business deals to keep it from disappearing on Netflix. “I find it amazing that it’s continued to have such love and such an audience and such an appetite for it,” Aniston told The Associated Press Thursday at the premiere of her Netflix film “Dumplin”. After an outcry from fans, Netflix announced earlier in the week that it was keeping the adventures of Ross, Rachel, Phoebe and Joey available to subscribers through 2019 — at a reported $100 million (around P5.2 billion) price tag to the streaming service. READ: ‘Friends’ staying on Netflix through 2019 “I think it says a lot about the show. Especially since it takes place at a time where it’s so different from now. You know, people … [Read more...] about Jennifer Aniston: Netflix ‘Friends’ deal a testament to show’s value
Ukraine aims to exhaust Russian troops in Bakhmut–general
FILE PHOTO: Drone footage over Bakhmut, Donetsk region shows devastation amid fierce fighting during Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine in this still image obtained from social media video released March 26, 2023. 93rd Mechanized Brigade “Kholodny Yar” via REUTERS KYIV — Ukraine is aiming to exhaust and inflict heavy losses on Russian forces trying to capture the small eastern city of Bakhmut, the commander of Ukrainian ground forces said in a video posted on Tuesday. In a video showing him addressing soldiers in what appeared to be a large industrial warehouse, General Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russia was continuing to focus on the Bakhmut area after months of battle. Moscow sees capturing Bakhmut as vital to its efforts to establish complete control over the Donbas industrial region in eastern Ukraine. “They do not stop trying to surround and capture the city,” Syrskyi said in the video posted on the Telegram messaging app. “As of today, our main task is to wear down the … [Read more...] about Ukraine aims to exhaust Russian troops in Bakhmut–general