Business
Rolls-Royce Voted UK’s Most Iconic Trade Mark as IPO Register Hits 150
Rolls-Royce has been crowned the nation’s most iconic trade mark in a public poll marking 150 years since Britain became one of the first countries in the world to formalise the protection of brands, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has announced.
The Goodwood-built marque pipped Radio Caroline, Twinings and Cadbury to the top spot in a survey that drew around 2,000 nominations, with the public asked to choose the brands they felt had most shaped daily life in the UK. Rounding out the top ten were Bass, Burberry, the Transport for London roundel, Calpol, Mini and the BBC, a roll-call that reads less like a marketing list and more like a cultural autobiography of post-war Britain.
The poll coincides with the 150th anniversary of the UK trade mark register, which opened for business on 1 January 1876 following the passage of the Trade Marks Registration Act 1875. The very first mark to be registered, on day one, was the Bass & Co red triangle label, a piece of intellectual property still in use today and still, as one respondent succinctly observed, attached to “good beer”.
For the SME community, the milestone is more than ceremonial. The register now protects more than 2.5 million marks, with around 200,000 fresh applications received in the past year alone, a record-breaking figure that points to the value modern entrepreneurs place on owning their identity in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
More than 400 trade marks filed before 1900 remain live on the register, a remarkable testament to brand longevity. Bovril (1886), Drambuie (1893), Lyle’s Sugar (1887), Bird’s Custard Powder (1891), Rose’s Lime Juice Cordial (1876) and Woodward’s Gripe Water (1876) are all still trading on the goodwill first banked by their Victorian founders. Even Lyle’s Golden Syrup carries with it the gloriously biblical “Out of the Strong Came Forth Sweetness”, registered in 1884 and quietly enduring on supermarket shelves ever since.
Other Victorian filings border on the prophetic. Kodak was registered in 1888, just as mass photography was emerging, while a mark named “Millennium” was filed in January 1892, more than a century before the date it would come to evoke.
Adam Williams, chief executive of the IPO, said the anniversary underscored the role of trade marks as the bedrock of consumer confidence. “Trade marks are the foundation of brand trust. For 150 years, they’ve helped British businesses, from corner shops and market stalls to app stores and global online retailers, build lasting relationships with consumers and stand behind the quality of their products,” he said. “The tens of thousands who register a trade mark each year are making a statement: we’ve built something good, and we’re putting our name to it.”
Tom Reynolds, chief executive of the British Brands Group, described trade marks as “a legal promise” between business and customer. “Some trade marks have become so embedded in our lives that they’ve become shorthand for the thing itself. Think of a tick, a swoosh, or even a silver lady on a car bonnet. Instantly, you know exactly what you’re getting. That’s the power of a trade mark, and it’s the foundation every iconic brand is built on.”
Kelly Saliger, president of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA), said the application surge confirmed the UK’s continuing pull as a centre of enterprise. “Brand recognition is a powerful asset, and a registered trade mark protects it, acting as a marker in the sand that warns other businesses to steer clear, and giving the owner the means to take action against those who come too close.”
Rolls-Royce, whose Silver Ghost was officially dubbed “the best car in the world” in 1913, has long since transcended the motor industry. Julian Jenkins, director of sales and brand at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said the result reflected the way the marque had become “a global shorthand for the best of the best in any field”. Matthew Hill, head of intellectual property at Rolls-Royce plc, added that the recognition acknowledged the company’s “continuing commitment to powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere”.
Radio Caroline, the offshore station that sailed into broadcasting history from the North Sea in 1964 and was finally registered as a trade mark in 1992, was second on the list. Station manager Peter Moore said the recognition was “a testament to our past, present and future”, while listeners reminisced about passing O-Levels to its broadcasts.
Twinings, which has traded from the same Strand address since 1706 and registered its mark in 1908, was third. Chief brand officer Heather Hartridge said the logo was “more than just a logo, it is a symbol of the craftsmanship, expertise and care that goes into every blend”.
Cadbury, first traded in 1824 and registered in 1886, was fourth. Equity marketing director Phil Warfield said the brand’s “iconic glass and a half” remained “a promise to our customers for generations”. Ewa Chappell, legal and corporate affairs director at Budweiser Brewing Group UK/Ireland, current custodians of Bass, noted that the original red triangle had been “copied so often that it proved just how powerful the demand for Bass truly was”.
Burberry’s check, born in the trenches of the First World War, made the list alongside the Transport for London roundel, first protected in 1917. TfL customer director Emma Strain said the symbol had “guided Londoners and visitors safely through the capital as a trusted and globally renowned emblem” for more than a century.
Calpol, the small bottle that has soothed generations of feverish children, sat eighth, with one parent describing it simply as “the first thing you reach for at 3am”. Mini, the diminutive motor that defined British car-making from 1959 onwards, was ninth. Head of MINI Jean-Philippe Parain said the brand “continues to stand for timeless design, go-kart handling, and distinctive personality”. The BBC completed the top ten.
When the 1875 Act took effect, applications arrived by post, were entered by hand, and could only protect marks used on physical goods. Today’s register tells a rather different story. Services as well as goods are covered, and registrable marks now include holograms, motion marks, multimedia marks and patterns of light. Applications cover categories that would have bewildered a Victorian clerk, from snack products derived from insects and edible ant larvae to wearable smartphones, humanoid robots, downloadable virtual handbags, and perfumes for use in virtual worlds.
For SMEs, the practical message is that trade mark protection has never been more accessible, or more strategically important. Registration costs a fraction of the goodwill it preserves, lasts for ten years and can be renewed indefinitely, providing the legal armoury to defend brand value as businesses scale.
After 150 years, Britain’s trade mark system has, in the IPO’s own words, “no sign of standing still”. For the small businesses building tomorrow’s iconic brands, that should be a reassuring thought.
Business
TARIL shares crash 11% after Q4 results, dividend announcement: What’s spooking investors?
The company announced the outcome of its board meeting in the post-market hours of Tuesday. WhileTARIL’s consolidated net profit declined, the company’s revenue from operations increased nearly 16% YoY to Rs 783 crore during the January-March quarter of FY26.
TARIL reported an order book of nearly Rs 5,005 crore with FY26 inflows at Rs 2,374 crore. Total income grew 18% YoY to Rs 805 crore, while total expenses increased nearly 21% YoY to Rs 686 crore.
On a standalone basis, the firm’s net profit gained a little over 1% YoY to Rs 77.5 crore, while revenue from operations increased 16% YoY to Rs 752 crore during the quarter under review. Net profit margin, however, contracted 170 basis points to 10%, while the EBITDA margin declined 200 basis points to 15.1%.
Net profit for the entire financial year 2026 gained more than 20% YoY to Rs 225.43 crore, while revenue from operations increased around 23% YoY to Rs 2,395.49 crore. EBITDA, meanwhile, rose 17% YoY to Rs 370 crore.
What TARIL’s management said
“FY26 has been a year of strong and consistent performance for TARIL. Our ability to deliver robust revenue growth along with sustained profitability reflects the strength of our execution capabilities and disciplined operational approach. The healthy order inflows and strong order book provide us with clear visibility for the coming periods. As we continue to scale our capacities and enhance our technological capabilities, we remain focused on improving efficiencies, strengthening margins, and delivering long-term value,” said Satyen J. Mamtora, Managing Director & CEO of TARIL.
The company added that it continues to benefit from improvements in manufacturing efficiency, supply chain optimisation and project execution. “In line with its growth plans, the company is undertaking a planned capex investment of approximately Rs 600 crore over the next 15 months to enhance capacity and support future demand,” it said.
Along with the Q4 results, TARIL announced a dividend of Rs 0.25 (25%) per equity share with a face value of Re 1 each. The record date to determine the eligibility of shareholders set to receive the payment is yet to be announced.
TARIL share price
TARIL shares dropped to an intraday low of Rs 295 apiece on NSE on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalisation of nearly Rs 9,150 crore.
In the longer term, the stock has rallied over 830% in three years and more than 3,350% in five years.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Business
Boeing (BA) Q1 2026 earnings

Boeing reported a smaller than expected loss for the first quarter, with improvements across its businesses, including its key commercial aircraft unit, as the manufacturer tries to stem years of losses.
Here’s how Boeing performed in the first quarter, compared with analysts’ estimates compiled by LSEG:
- Loss per share: 20 cents adjusted vs. a loss of 83 cents expected
- Revenue: $22.22 billion vs. $21.78 billion expected
Sales rose 14% to $22.22 billion in the first three months of the year. The company narrowed its net loss in the first three months of the year to $7 million, or 11 cents a share, down from a loss of $31 million, or 16 cents a share, a year earlier. Adjusting for one-time items, Boeing posted a loss of 20 cents a share.
“Though we’ve faced some challenges, I’m proud of how our team has pulled together and worked through them to keep us on plan for the year,” CEO Kelly Ortberg told employees in a note on Wednesday. “When we work as a team, it’s incredible what we can do as a company.”
Ortberg took the reins in August 2024, tasked with course-correcting for Boeing after years of safety and manufacturing crises that have cost the company billions of dollars.
Boeing said it still expects certification of the long-delayed 737 Max 7 and Max 10, the smallest and largest of the best-selling Max family aircraft, later this year, with deliveries starting in 2027.
Boeing’s commercial aircraft unit handed over 143 airplanes in the first quarter, up 10% from a year earlier. The unit, Boeing’s largest, posted revenue $9.2 billion, up 13%, though it still posted a loss from operations.
Boeing has been ramping up production of its planes, and its 737 Maxes are rolling out at about 42 a month. Further increases would require Federal Aviation Administration approval, a requirement after a near-catastrophic blowout of a fuselage door plug in January 2024.
The company’s defense business revenue rose 21% to $7.6 billion, and its services business revenue increased 6% from 2025, to $5.37 billion in the first quarter.
Business
Mystery Deepens as 11 US Nuclear and Space Scientists Die or Vanish, Sparking Federal Probe
WASHINGTON — Federal authorities are investigating a string of deaths and disappearances involving at least 11 American scientists and researchers with ties to sensitive nuclear, aerospace and space defense programs, as lawmakers warn the pattern could signal a national security threat and fuel speculation of coordinated foul play.
The cases, spanning from 2022 to early 2026, include scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory and other facilities linked to classified research. Some died under unexplained circumstances, while others vanished without trace, prompting the FBI to lead a coordinated review alongside the Department of Energy, Department of Defense and NASA.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said Monday the panel has demanded briefings from the four agencies, expressing concern that “something sinister could be happening.” Comer noted the individuals had access to highly sensitive information involving rocket technology, nuclear secrets and advanced aerospace programs, some connected to commercial space efforts by companies including SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Among the cases drawing scrutiny is the 2023 death of Michael David Hicks, a longtime NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist who worked nearly 25 years on projects including asteroid deflection technology. His passing was followed by the death of Frank Maiwald, a 61-year-old JPL space research specialist, in Los Angeles in 2024. Monica Jacinto Reza, 60, director of JPL’s Materials Processing Group and involved in advanced alloy research, disappeared while hiking in a Los Angeles-area forest in June 2025.

Other notable incidents include the fatal shooting of MIT nuclear physicist Nuno Loureiro outside his Massachusetts home and the homicide of Caltech astrophysicist Carl Grillmair. Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, who commanded research labs tied to advanced propulsion and materials, vanished from his New Mexico home in early 2026. Additional disappearances involve Los Alamos-linked personnel, including administrative assistant Melissa Casias, contractor Steven Garcia and property custodian Anthony Chavez for the National Nuclear Security Administration.
A pharmaceutical scientist with indirect ties to research networks, Jason Thomas, was also found dead. Some reports reference a total of 11 individuals when including earlier or related cases, though exact counts vary slightly across agencies as investigations overlap.
The FBI confirmed Tuesday it is “spearheading the effort to look for connections” among the missing and deceased scientists. Officials emphasized that while the cases have generated public attention and online speculation, no definitive evidence has established a single coordinated cause. Circumstances differ: some involve apparent homicides, others unexplained deaths, and several remain active missing persons investigations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is conducting a “holistic review” and vowed to leave “no stone unturned.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright acknowledged the Department of Energy’s involvement, noting many nuclear security scientists fall under its purview, and confirmed a coordinated investigation across government branches.
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed alarm over potential national security implications. The affected researchers worked on technologies with dual-use applications, including propulsion systems, materials science for extreme environments and nuclear-related programs. Some had exposure to classified aspects of space defense, satellite technology and even programs studying unidentified anomalous phenomena, according to congressional letters.
Social media has amplified theories ranging from foreign espionage by state actors to internal cover-ups or targeted eliminations tied to breakthroughs in sensitive fields. Speculation has linked the cases to broader debates over UAP disclosure, advanced energy systems and competition in the commercial space sector. However, officials and experts caution against jumping to conclusions, noting that scientists in high-stress fields with security clearances can face personal challenges, accidents or unrelated crimes.
A former nuclear official told reporters that the probe could uncover “crazy stuff” but stressed the need for thorough, evidence-based analysis rather than conspiracy narratives. Independent experts in intelligence and security have pointed out that while the cluster is unusual, proving causation requires forensic links, timeline overlaps and motive evidence that current public information does not fully provide.
The timing has heightened concerns. Several cases clustered in the Los Angeles area near JPL and Caltech, while others center in New Mexico around Los Alamos, a key nuclear research hub. Disappearances of personnel with security clearances raise questions about potential insider threats, data exfiltration or external recruitment attempts by adversaries.
NASA stated it is cooperating fully with federal partners and reviewing internal security protocols for personnel involved in sensitive missions. The agency has not commented on specific individuals but noted that employee safety remains a priority.
The House Oversight Committee’s demand for information highlights possible gaps in inter-agency information sharing. Letters sent to the FBI, Pentagon, DOE and NASA seek details on any common threads, including shared projects, clearances or external contacts.
Public reaction has been intense, with viral posts and cable news segments amplifying the story. Some commentators draw parallels to historical patterns of suspicious scientist deaths during the Cold War or in other nations, though direct comparisons remain speculative.
Authorities urge patience as investigations proceed. Local law enforcement in California and New Mexico continue active searches and probes into individual cases, sharing findings with federal teams. Forensic reviews, digital analysis of communications and background checks on potential suspects or witnesses are underway.
For families of the missing and deceased, the lack of answers has been agonizing. Relatives of Reza and McCasland have made public appeals for information, while others have requested privacy amid the heightened scrutiny.
The broader context includes intensifying global competition in space and nuclear technologies. China and Russia have accelerated their own programs, raising espionage risks. U.S. officials have previously warned about intellectual property theft in aerospace and energy sectors.
Despite the mystery, officials stress that most scientist deaths and disappearances historically prove unrelated upon full investigation. Factors such as age, health issues, travel in remote areas or personal circumstances often explain individual cases once thoroughly examined.
Still, the sheer number and professional overlaps have elevated the matter to a priority national security review. Updates are expected in coming weeks as the FBI and congressional committees receive briefings.
As the probe deepens, questions linger about whether these tragedies represent coincidence amplified by public attention or something more deliberate targeting expertise critical to America’s technological edge. For now, the mystery surrounding the 11 scientists continues to unsettle Washington and the scientific community alike.
Business
Trump Media names interim CEO as Devin Nunes steps aside amid losses
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Trump Media & Technology Group on Tuesday named an interim chief executive as Devin Nunes stepped aside, marking a leadership transition at the parent of Truth Social following recent board departures and steep financial losses in 2025.
The company appointed longtime advisor Kevin McGurn as interim CEO effective immediately, succeeding Nunes, who has led the company since 2022. McGurn brings more than two decades of experience across media, telecommunications and advertising technology, according to the company.
The leadership shift comes as Trump Media continues to report significant losses relative to its revenue. The company posted a net loss of more than $712 million in 2025 – on roughly $3.7 million in revenue, according to its annual filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
GOP SENATOR WILL BLOCK WARSH NOMINATION UNTIL ‘BOGUS’ POWELL PROBE ENDS

Devin Nunes served as CEO of Trump Media since 2022. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Financial disclosures show expenses far outpaced revenue, including more than $576 million in operating costs. A substantial portion of the losses was tied to write-downs and losses related to digital assets, highlighting the company’s exposure to volatile investment areas.
“I want to thank Devin Nunes for his dedicated service to the Company over the past four years, and congratulate Kevin McGurn on his appointment as Interim CEO,” Donald Trump Jr., a board member, said in a statement.

President Donald Trump walks toward reporters before answering questions prior to boarding Air Force One on April 10, 2026. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Nunes said the transition comes as the company enters a new phase, adding it was “an appropriate time” for McGurn to take over leadership while he shifts focus to other roles, including serving as chairman of the president’s Intelligence Advisory Board.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJT | TRUMP MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORP | 9.82 | -0.38 | -3.73% |
The leadership change follows a series of recent board departures disclosed in regulatory filings. Former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer resigned from the board in March, and director Eric Swider stepped down earlier this month. The company said in both cases the exits were not due to any dispute with management.
TRUMP MEDIA BACKS 5 AMERICA-FOCUSED ETFS

Trump Media is the parent company of Truth Social. (iStock)
Trump Media, which operates the Truth Social platform along with its streaming service Truth+ and fintech brand Truth.Fi, has sought to expand beyond social media into areas including financial services and digital assets as it looks to grow its business.
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The company has framed the leadership transition as part of its next phase, with McGurn expected to guide operations and strategic initiatives moving forward.
Business
Protein boom powering dairy powder market dynamics

Strong demand, tightening inventories drive gains in nonfat dry milk and whey.
Business
Late Delivery Fix & Part-Time Workforce Overhaul
Royal Mail has put a £500 million price tag on rescuing its battered reputation for on-time delivery, unveiling a five-year recovery plan that will see Saturday second-class post wound down from May and thousands of part-time posties asked to take on full-time hours.
The pledge marks the first substantive operational reset under Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, whose EP Group completed its £3.5 billion take-private of parent group International Distributions Services last year, lifting Britain’s letters monopoly off the London Stock Exchange after more than a decade as a quoted company.
Under the blueprint, the 510-year-old postal operator will spend £100 million a year creating the equivalent of 3,000 full-time delivery roles, achieved largely by persuading roughly 6,000 part-timers to lift their average week to 35 hours. The company has secured trade union backing for the package, no small feat in a business that has weathered some of the most bruising industrial disputes in recent British corporate history.
The numbers behind the overhaul lay bare just how far standards have slipped. Against a regulatory benchmark of delivering 93 per cent of first-class mail the next day, Royal Mail is currently managing 77 per cent, leaving nearly one letter in four arriving late. Second-class performance is little better, with 91 per cent landing on doormats within three days against a target of 98.5 per cent.
Ofcom has already softened the rulebook in the wake of the Kretinsky takeover, easing the universal service obligation to permit non-first-class items to be delivered on alternate days and trimming the regulatory targets to 90 per cent for next-day first-class and 95 per cent for three-day second-class. Royal Mail says it will hit those revised thresholds within twelve months of the new regime bedding in.
For SME owners and finance directors who have long complained that unreliable post is gumming up invoicing, contract delivery and customer correspondence, the proof will be in the doormat. The company’s own diagnosis pinpoints “completion rates of delivery routes” as the central failure, with an estimated 8 per cent of rounds either under-resourced or too unwieldy to be finished within the working day. A targeted shake-up of working practices is planned at the weakest performers among Royal Mail’s 1,200 delivery offices, with fresh recruitment focused on Oxford, Cambridge and London, where staff shortages have been most acute.
The pay backdrop is also instructive. Posties hired since 2022 are on the equivalent of £27,200 a year, around £1,800 below the £29,000 paid to longer-serving colleagues, a two-tier structure that has fuelled retention difficulties and which the move to fuller hours is designed, in part, to mitigate.
Alistair Cochrane, chief executive of Royal Mail, struck a contrite note. “We recognise our service hasn’t always been the standard our customers rightly expect and we’re determined to do better,” he said. His chairman went further when grilled by MPs in recent weeks, with Mr Kretinsky telling a parliamentary inquiry: “We are sorry for every letter that has arrived late,” before describing operations as “not perfect but not catastrophic”.
The political optics matter. The universal service obligation, baked in when David Cameron’s coalition floated Royal Mail in 2013, has been the convenient scapegoat for years of underperformance. With Ofcom now having loosened that corset, the excuses are wearing thin. Of Royal Mail’s 130,000-strong workforce, 80,000 are front-line delivery staff, and it is on their rounds that Mr Kretinsky’s £500 million bet will ultimately stand or fall.
For Britain’s small businesses, many of which still rely on the post for everything from cheques to compliance documents, the message from Mount Pleasant is one of cautious optimism. Whether the new owners can succeed where successive management teams have stumbled remains the open question.
Business
FIFA Faces Slow Ticket Sales for USMNT World Cup Opener Against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium
LOS ANGELES — With less than two months until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on American soil, organizers are grappling with unexpectedly sluggish ticket sales for the host nation’s opening match, as high prices appear to be deterring fans from snapping up seats for the United States men’s national team’s June 12 clash against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.

An internal document dated April 10 and distributed to local organizers showed only 40,934 tickets purchased for the marquee Group D opener, according to a report by The Athletic. That figure lags behind other matches at the same venue, including 50,661 tickets sold for Iran versus New Zealand three days later. SoFi Stadium has a listed World Cup capacity of 69,650, leaving a significant number of seats potentially available just weeks before the tournament begins.
FIFA has not publicly disputed the sales numbers but has declined to provide detailed clarification on whether the figures include hospitality packages or other non-general admission tickets. The governing body announced Tuesday a fresh round of ticket inventory for all 104 matches would go on sale starting Wednesday at 8 a.m. PDT, signaling an effort to boost demand across the board.
When tickets first went on general sale in October following the draw, the U.S.-Paraguay match was priced as the third-most expensive fixture of the entire tournament, behind only the final and one semifinal. Category 1 tickets carried a price tag of $2,730, Category 2 tickets $1,940 and Category 3 tickets $1,120. Those premium prices have remained frozen even as other matches saw adjustments or stronger uptake.
Fans and analysts have pointed to the steep costs as the primary culprit. Many supporters expressed sticker shock on social media and forums, with some opting instead for resale markets where secondary prices have also softened in recent weeks. American Outlaws, the largest U.S. supporters group, voiced frustration over pricing that they say prices out average families and dedicated fans.
The slow sales contrast sharply with the excitement surrounding the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The U.S. opener was billed as a glamorous curtain-raiser in the glittering SoFi Stadium, home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. Yet demand has not matched the hype, raising questions about FIFA’s pricing strategy and a possible miscalculation of the USMNT’s domestic drawing power for a group-stage game against a relatively modest opponent like Paraguay.
Paraguay, ranked outside the top 20 by FIFA, does not bring a large traveling fan base to Los Angeles, further limiting organic demand. In contrast, matches featuring larger diaspora communities or more attractive matchups have moved tickets faster in some host cities.
Broader ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup have shown uneven patterns. While high-profile later-stage games and certain group fixtures with strong international interest have performed well, several opening-round matches — including some not involving host nations — have also lagged. FIFA has responded by launching additional sales phases and introducing new inventory, but critics argue the organization has been reluctant to lower prices on premium categories for high-visibility U.S. games.
The situation highlights ongoing challenges for soccer in the United States. Despite growing popularity of Major League Soccer, the English Premier League and domestic interest in the USMNT during major tournaments, filling massive NFL-caliber venues for every match remains difficult. The USMNT has historically drawn strong crowds for friendlies and Gold Cup games in smaller or mid-sized stadiums, but scaling that enthusiasm to 70,000-seat arenas at premium pricing has proven tougher.
U.S. Soccer Federation officials have expressed confidence that sales will accelerate as the tournament nears and excitement builds. “We’re focused on delivering an unforgettable experience for fans,” a spokesperson said, noting that hospitality and corporate packages may account for some of the discrepancy in reported general sales figures.
Still, the optics are not ideal for a host nation less than 60 days from its opening match. Resale platforms show thousands of tickets listed for the U.S.-Paraguay game, with some Category 1 seats trading below face value in recent days. That secondary market activity suggests FIFA may need to consider further incentives or adjustments to avoid a half-empty stadium for one of the most anticipated games of the group stage.
The pricing controversy is not isolated. Earlier sales phases were marred by website glitches, long virtual queues and frustration over dynamic pricing elements. FIFA has defended its approach by noting that average ticket prices across the tournament remain comparable to or lower than recent World Cups when adjusted for inflation and venue scale. However, the premium positioning of the U.S. opener has drawn particular backlash.
Local organizers in Los Angeles, including representatives from SoFi Stadium and regional tourism bodies, are monitoring the situation closely. A strong turnout for the opener could set a positive tone for the dozens of matches scheduled across California and other U.S. venues. Conversely, visible empty seats could dampen the atmosphere and generate unfavorable headlines as the tournament launches.
The USMNT, under coach Mauricio Pochettino, enters the World Cup with rising expectations after solid performances in recent qualifying and friendlies. Players and staff have avoided commenting directly on ticket sales, focusing instead on on-field preparations. Captain Tyler Adams emphasized the importance of fan support, saying, “Having the home crowd behind us from the first whistle will be massive.”
Paraguay coach has downplayed any advantage from potential lower attendance, calling the match a historic opportunity regardless of the crowd size.
As FIFA pushes the new sales phase, attention turns to whether lower-category tickets or promotional bundles can move the needle. Some analysts suggest that bundling with other group-stage matches or offering family packages could help, though FIFA has given no indication of major price reductions on the flagship U.S. game.
The broader 2026 World Cup ticketing picture remains mixed. Matches in cities with large immigrant communities from participating nations have generally sold better, while neutral or less glamorous fixtures have faced similar headwinds. Overall sales have reached millions of tickets, but the flagship U.S. opener’s performance has stood out as a concern.
With the tournament fast approaching, FIFA faces pressure to fill venues and create the electric atmosphere expected of soccer’s biggest event on home soil for the United States. The coming weeks will reveal whether pent-up demand or last-minute buying surges can close the gap, or if pricing strategy will leave a notable void in SoFi Stadium on June 12.
For now, the slow movement of tickets for the USMNT’s World Cup debut serves as an early test of how effectively the world’s most popular sport can captivate American audiences when ticket costs reach thousands of dollars per seat.
Business
Disabled People Key to AI Accessibility, Business Disability Forum Poll Reveals
British businesses racing to embed artificial intelligence into their products risk leaving millions of disabled consumers behind unless they bring them into the design process from the outset, according to fresh research from the Business Disability Forum (BDF).
A poll of 1,032 disabled UK adults, conducted with Opinium, found that two in five (40%) believe designing, developing and testing AI products with disabled people is the single most effective way to make the technology genuinely accessible. The same survey identified more user-friendly interfaces (38%), better information about how AI can support disabled users (37%) and stronger onboarding support (36%) as further priorities.
For SMEs in particular, many of whom are weighing how, and how quickly, to integrate AI into customer-facing tools, the findings carry a clear commercial message. Roughly one in four people in the UK will experience disability at some point in their lifetime, representing a significant share of the consumer base and the workforce. Building products that fail to accommodate that audience is, increasingly, a competitive liability as well as an ethical one.
The research suggests considerable optimism about what the technology can deliver. More than a third of disabled adults said AI tools could help by improving communications (38%) and online experiences (34%). Other anticipated benefits included better access to healthcare information (33%), education (32%), digital content (32%), support for independent living (31%), improved customer experience (25%) and better access to employment (24%).
That optimism, however, is tempered by significant scepticism. One in five disabled UK adults (20%) said they did not believe AI products would help them at all, while a further 18% said they simply did not know, a sizeable trust gap that businesses will need to close if they want adoption to follow investment.
A parallel Opinium poll of 2,000 UK adults found broadly similar attitudes across the wider population, with 34% agreeing that co-designing AI products with disabled users would improve accessibility, evidence that inclusive design is increasingly viewed as a mainstream expectation rather than a niche concern.
Lara Davis, communications director at Business Disability Forum, said the stakes were considerable. “There is the potential for AI products and tools to make a radical and positive difference to disabled people’s lives, but there is also the risk that disabled people could be left behind,” she said. “With AI developing at pace and one in four people experiencing disability at some point in their lives, this is not an issue that we can afford to overlook.”
Davis urged firms to “actively consult with their disabled consumers to make sure they are involved in the design, development and testing of AI products”, alongside providing better access to information and advice about the technology more generally.
Lucy Ruck, who leads BDF’s Tech Taskforce, was equally direct. “AI has the capacity to transform lives, but only if we get inclusion right from the start,” she said. “Making sure that disabled people are active participants in shaping this technology isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s how we build AI that genuinely serves everyone.”
The forum has set out four recommendations for businesses and developers. They are urged to involve disabled people throughout the AI lifecycle, on the basis that inclusive design removes barriers for everyone, not only disabled consumers. They should publish clear information about the accessibility features of their AI products, in formats tailored to differing communication needs. Compatibility with assistive technology, on which many disabled users rely daily, must be tested rather than assumed. And ethical judgement and meaningful human oversight should be built into both the tools themselves and the content they generate, with inclusive training data used to reduce bias and stereotype.
For SME founders and product leaders, the message is one that has been heard before in other waves of digital transformation: retrofitting accessibility is invariably more expensive, and less effective, than designing it in from the start.
Business
Anheuser-Busch invests $600M in US manufacturing, veterans and hiring
FOX Business’ Lauren Simonetti gives the latest market check and reports on Anheuser-Busch’s earnings success.
FIRST ON FOX – Anheuser-Busch is increasing its U.S. investment to $600 million over two years, expanding brewery capacity, worker training and veteran hiring as the beer giant leans further into domestic manufacturing, Fox News Digital learned.
“Anheuser‑Busch is doubling down on investing in our U.S. operations because we see strong, long-term growth opportunities right here at home,” Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth exclusively told Fox News Digital. “When we invest in our U.S. operations and expand training for our people and opportunities for our veterans, we strengthen communities and drive real economic prosperity.”
“This $600 million investment is about advancing American manufacturing, strengthening our supply chain, and creating lasting careers and a brighter future for U.S. workers,” Whitworth added.
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Anheuser-Busch announces a $600 million U.S. investment to boost domestic production. (Getty Images / Getty Images)
The company said the expansion will increase manufacturing capacity and invest in workforce development through 15 new training centers and veteran programs. The move aligns with broader industry and government efforts to boost domestic production and rebuild the manufacturing workforce, echoing calls from the Trump administration.
Anheuser-Busch will spend the $600 million over two years, from 2025 through 2026, focusing on brewery upgrades, technology, and production capacity. The Wednesday announcement expands upon a $300 million investment announced in 2025.
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The company said it makes 99% of the beer it sells in the U.S. domestically, including Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, and Bud Light.
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The initiative aims to upskill 90% of its workforce over five years, training employees in digital systems, mechanical and electrical skills, and management systems.

“This $600 million investment is about advancing American manufacturing, strengthening our supply chain, and creating lasting careers and a brighter future for U.S. workers,” Whitworth said. (Anheuser-Busch)
“By strengthening our manufacturing operations, we are creating sustainable careers – not just jobs – and investing in the people who are vital to our success,” said Whitworth in a press release viewed by Fox News Digital.
“We are proud to continue building the next generation of manufacturing leaders through our new technical training centers while also providing new opportunities in the workforce for our nation’s veterans,” he added.
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Anheuser-Busch is expanding veteran partnerships to help service members transition into the workforce. A new “SmartResume” platform will translate military skills and experience for employers.

Anheuser-Busch is expanding veteran partnerships to help service members transition into the workforce. (iStock / iStock)
The announcement follows the Trump administration’s continued push of “America First” policies creating indirect incentives for companies and reshaping trade policy for domestic production.
“This is yet another example of the Trump effect. Thanks to President Trump’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding American industry, companies are investing in the United States, expanding manufacturing, creating good-paying jobs, and driving a new era of prosperity for the American people,” White House spokesperson Liz Huston told Fox News Digital.
In March, 15,000 new jobs were added in the manufacturing sector, according to the White House.
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Trump has also signed various executive orders and actions to revitalize American manufacturing, recently signing a proclamation to strengthen tariffs imposed on imported steel, aluminum, and copper imports to help Americans compete and companies to build factories in the U.S..
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