There has been a rise in anti-trans rhetoric across Canada as far-right activists have started campaigning against trans rights on school premises. A recent incident at an elementary school track meet in Kelowna, British Columbia, saw a cisgender nine-year-old girl harangued by an older couple who needed certification that she was in fact female. Eventually banned from school property, the couple continued to verbally abuse the girl and her mother with accusations of genital mutilation, grooming and paedophilia. This is the latest in a spate of incidents across Canada, including conservative lawmakers in New Brunswick implementing a policy that makes it impossible for children to change their names or pronouns at school without parental consent before the age of 16, as well as the far-right anti-trans protest in Ottawa where protesters argued against what they call gender ideology. Trans rights activists are concerned about the backlash and argue that children and adults alike will be pushed back into the closet as they become increasingly concerned with the cost of being themselves.
Bud Light has lost its position as the best-selling beer in the US after facing a boycott. Sales of the beer were down almost a quarter in the four weeks to 3 June, according to consulting firm Bump Williams. The boycott was sparked by transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney posting an image on Instagram of a personalised can of Bud Light that the beer maker had sent her. Conservative pundits, politicians and celebrities also spoke out against the promotion. Modelo Especial has taken the top spot with 8.4% of US beer sales by value in the period.
Bud Light loses its title as America’s top-selling beer
CNN
23-06-14 11:38
Modelo Especial, a Mexican lager brewed by Constellation Brands, has overtaken Bud Light as the top-selling beer in the US. Bud Light had held the top spot for over two decades but its sales fell 24.4% in the four weeks ending 3 June, while Modelo's sales grew 12.2%. Modelo has been increasing its sales growth each week and its new low-carb beer, Modelo Oro, has had a strong start since its May launch. The popularity of Mexican beers and spirits, such as tequila and mezcal, is contributing to Modelo's success.
Bud Light has lost its position as the top-selling beer in the US to Modelo Especial. Bud Light and Budweiser saw sales drop 24.6% and 9.2% respectively for the four weeks leading up to 3 June, while Modelo Especial sales rose 10.2%. Bud Light's decline in sales is believed to be due to a backlash from conservatives over a social media promotion featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Modelo Especial now holds an 8.4% share of overall beer sales through retail stores, while Bud Light has a 7.3% share.
Bud Light, the top-selling beer brand in the US for over two decades, has been displaced by Mexican beer Modelo Especial, according to Nielsen data analysed by Bump Williams Consulting. Bud Light accounted for 7.3% of sales in grocery, convenience and liquor stores in the month ending 3 June, while Modelo Especial held an 8.4% share. Bud Light sales have fallen since it faced conservative criticism in April for featuring a transgender influencer in an Instagram ad, which some accused of pushing a pro-LGBTQ agenda. However, Bud Light remains the highest selling beer brand overall.
An amendment to a funding bill would prohibit federal funds from supporting abortions or gender-affirming care at Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. The amendment also aims to ban Pride flags from being flown at the centers. Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee accuse Republicans of focusing on culture war issues instead of improving care for veterans. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz criticised her GOP colleagues for targeting non-issues and said the committee was wasting its time.
Anheuser-Busch InBev's Bud Light has lost its position as the top-selling beer in the US market to Modelo Especial, following a conservative backlash against the brand. Sales of Bud Light and Budweiser dropped significantly, while Modelo Especial sales rose. The backlash was triggered by a social media promotion featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Conservatives called for a boycott of Bud Light, resulting in a decline in sales. Constellation Brands' Modelo Especial is now the top-selling beer brand in the US, with an 8.4% share of overall beer sales.
Bud Light has lost its position as the top-selling beer in the US to Mexican rival Modelo Especial. Sales of Bud Light dropped by 24% in the four weeks to 3 June, while Modelo Especial saw a 12% increase in sales during the same period. Bud Light's decline follows a backlash against the brand after it partnered with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Her face was printed on Bud Light beer cans, leading to a conservative boycott and criticism from her fans. Modelo Especial has grown in popularity in the US, broadening its consumer base beyond Hispanic drinkers.
The Bank of England is facing uncertainty on how much to raise interest rates due to a higher number of customers on fixed-rate mortgage deals, according to former rate-setter Michael Saunders. This means that the time it takes for rate increases to pass through to the economy has likely increased, making it harder for the Bank to calibrate its policy path. The Bank estimates that only a third of rate increases since the end of 2021 have fed through to consumers and businesses. The Monetary Policy Committee is expected to raise interest rates again next week.
Controversy has arisen around gay pride events as the scope has changed over time. Bill Clinton first declared June to be national “gay and lesbian pride month” in 1999, but over time the scope of pride has broadened, and this year Mr Biden proclaimed June to be “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex pride month”. A recent survey by The Economist suggests that about a third of Americans think society has either gone too far or not far enough in accepting transgender people. This year, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of transgender and queer drag queens dressed in habits, were uninvited and re-invited to the Los Angeles Dodgers' annual gay-pride night game after the baseball team was caught between conservatives who consider the drag nuns an anti-Catholic group and liberals outraged that the team capitulated to appease the conservatives.
Company execs used to trumpet their diversity and climate efforts. Now not so much
CNN
23-06-15 11:57
Only 74 companies in the S&P 500 mentioned ESG in their Q1 earnings calls, the lowest number since Q2 2020, according to FactSet. Mentions of ESG peaked in Q4 2021, when about 160 firms discussed the term in their earnings calls. The decline in mentions comes as assets under management in ESG funds fell by $163.2bn globally during Q1 2023, according to Lipper. The decrease in popularity of ESG investing can be attributed to a number of factors, including political division in the US and increased scrutiny of companies' ESG claims. Some US states have enacted provisions to block attempts to invest in state-run investment accounts with an ESG lens, and conservative groups have targeted companies over their ESG initiatives. However, companies are still continuing with their ESG programmes, despite a decrease in public discussion, said Douglas Chia, president of Soundboard Governance.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' handling of their annual Pride Night has led to emotional reactions from religious groups, including three high-ranking Catholic leaders who suggested that the team had committed blasphemy. The Dodgers have held Pride Nights for 10 years, but this year the event became entangled in controversy after the team rescinded an invitation to a satirical LGBTQ+ group called the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The Dodgers later reversed their decision after a backlash from LGBTQ+ groups. The team was criticised by Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, and the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Military Services, who asked Catholics to pray as an act of reparation for the blasphemies against their Lord. However, there are many Catholics who want the church to be more inclusive towards LGBTQ+ people, and some nuns have ministered empathetically to LGBTQ+ Catholics.
LGBTQ beer ads are old hat — despite new troubles for Bud Light
CBC
23-06-16 08:00
Bud Light’s retail sales in the US have plunged at the same time as the brand faces criticism over using a transgender spokesperson in an advertisement. In a video, TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney promoted the beer while holding up personalised cans featuring her face. The brand has faced negative reaction since the video’s release, with some politicians and celebrities in the US expressing anger at the use of a transgender spokesperson. Sales of Bud Light have fallen by more than 24% in the week ending 3 June, with Mexican lager Modelo Especial replacing it as the leading brand. Experts attribute the decline to a conservative backlash against the inclusion of LGBTQ groups in the advertisement. Bud Light has faced criticism for its response to the backlash, with LGBTQ advocates calling it “shameful”.
Anheuser-Busch is writing checks to distributors as Bud Light sales sink
CNN
23-06-16 12:21
Anheuser-Busch (A-B) has pledged to offer financial assistance to beer distributors who have been affected by a two-month boycott of Bud Light, the top-selling beer in the US. CEO Brendan Whitworth said the company would also reimburse fuel costs for distributors' trucks and launch a new ad campaign for Bud Light. Bud Light's sales fell by around 25% YoY after A-B partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a controversial Instagram post in April. The beer was replaced by Modelo Especial as the top-selling beer in May as a result.
Tesla has received a relatively low score of 37 out of 100 in a recent environmental, social and governance (ESG) assessment by S&P, while Philip Morris, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, scored 84. The ratings have been criticised for defying common sense, with the example cited of Tesla firing its LGBT diversity officer last year while Philip Morris has sought to improve diversity and LGBTQ equality. The backlash against the ESG agenda in the US is growing, with President Joe Biden vetoing a Republican bill aimed at preventing pension funds from considering ESG factors in investment decisions.
NBA star Ja Morant has been suspended for 25 games for briefly displaying a pistol in a video shared on social media. While Morant broke no laws, the NBA's concern about the optics of one of its brightest young stars dallying with guns in his down time has led to the suspension. The NBA has firm rules against players carrying a firearm at arenas, practice facilities, or on team planes. Morant has already served an eight-game suspension for a similar incident in March.
The commercialization of space raises legal questions around who owns space and how it should be regulated. While a treaty signed in 1967 states that no country can claim territory in space, there are still gaps in regulation for commercial activities. For example, there are no clear rules about mining on the moon or how to manage space debris. The US government has left some holes in regulation, such as a moratorium on safety regulations for commercial space launches that is set to expire in October. While some argue that more regulation could stifle innovation, others warn that we need comprehensive rules to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities. Lawyers and diplomats are grappling with these issues, such as at the Hague Space Diplomacy Symposium taking place this week in the Netherlands. The space industry is expected to reach $1 trillion in revenue by 2040, according to Citigroup analysts, so it's important to establish clear legal frameworks to govern this rapidly growing sector.
A recent Gallup poll shows that while nearly four-in-ten Americans consider themselves socially conservative, a majority hold viewpoints that would traditionally be considered liberal. Historical data on moral issues also shows that American attitudes have been trending towards more liberal viewpoints over the last several decades. However, there are certain issues, such as cloning humans and extramarital affairs, where Americans hold firm conservative values. The article argues that far-left liberals may be dragging the Democratic party further to the left, alienating mainstream voters and potentially driving them to vote for Republicans.
The shift in corporate focus from shareholder primacy to stakeholder capitalism is inherently political, leading to boycotts and division. Milton Friedman argued that corporations should prioritize profits, as this benefits the economy and society. Pursuing values and politics can lead to decisions that are not in the best interests of shareholders or society. CEOs should avoid politics and focus on activities that benefit the community and workers. Any trade-offs between long and short-term interests should be managed through government regulation. Corporations should return to shareholder primacy and leave politics out of business.
Constellation Brands, an American firm that entered the brewing industry just a decade ago, has successfully taken on Bud Light, America's "king of beers," with its Mexican brew Modelo Especial. The success of Modelo Especial can be attributed to Constellation's focus on manufacturing, distribution, and retailing, as well as its understanding of the growing power of the Latino consumer in the US. When AB InBev, the owner of Budweiser, acquired Grupo Modelo in 2013, the US Justice Department required AB InBev to divest Modelo's entire US business to Constellation. Since then, Constellation has focused on ensuring supply meets demand, investing heavily in production capacity in Mexico and expanding distribution in the US. Constellation has also been successful in marketing Modelo Especial to consumers, with authentic advertising that tells stories of ordinary people who have overcome hardship. The brand's appeal is particularly strong among Latinos, who have growing economic power in the US. The success of Modelo Especial suggests that the cultural divide between America and Mexico is narrowing.
