IPL 2026: Kohli smashes 9th IPL hundred to take RCB to top of the table

Virat Kohli hit a record 9th IPL hundred to power RCB past KKR’s 193 in Raipur, sending them top. He also became the first Indian to 14,000 T20 runs—reaching it with a boundary off Narine—and set a new IPL appearances record with his 279th game, bouncing back after back-to-back ducks.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited the UAE amid the war with Iran, meeting Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed. His office called the talks a “historic breakthrough,” marking a major step forward in Israel–UAE relations despite ongoing regional tensions.

The Senate is set to confirm Kevin Warsh, 56, as Federal Reserve chair, replacing Jerome Powell amid accelerating inflation. Warsh will face a divided Fed over rate direction, with markets pricing no cuts and possible hikes, as Trump pressures for easing. He’s expected to lead June’s meeting.

Amid US‑Israel‑Iran tensions, Tucson, Arizona readies to host Iran’s Team Melli for World Cup 2026 at Kino Sports Complex, with FIFA-standard facilities and security set. Despite Trump’s safety doubts, locals welcome the team. Iran faces New Zealand (Jun 15), Belgium (Jun 21) and Egypt in Group G.

KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy is out of today’s KKR vs RCB match in Raipur with a niggle, skipper Ajinkya Rahane confirmed. KKR won the toss and chose to bat; weather delayed the start but no overs were lost. Saurabh Dubey replaces Varun. Rahane says KKR are keeping plans simple in a playoff push.

Ex-Sevilla and Spain captain Sergio Ramos is set to lead a Five Eleven Capital–backed consortium to buy Sevilla for up to €440m. A deal in principle with shareholders is reached, pending funding and LaLiga/CSD approval. The move, rich in symbolism, comes as Sevilla battle near relegation.

India’s new Digital Precious Metals Assurance Council (DPMACI) seeks ministry recognition and is drafting an SRO code mandating audited 1:1 physical backing and consumer safeguards. It will engage regulators amid SEBI’s non-coverage and surging UPI-led digital gold buys. 

Cipla’s Q4 FY26 profit fell 55% to Rs 555 cr and revenue dipped 3% to Rs 6,541 cr, hit by loss of high‑margin drugs, higher R&D, US scale‑up and West Asia risks. FY26 profit -26% to Rs 3,879 cr; record revenue Rs 28,163 cr (+2%).

India’s quick-commerce is saturated in metros, squeezing profits and pushing expansion to Tier-1/2/3 cities. Amazon Now to 100 cities via 1,000 MFCs; Flipkart targets 1,500 dark stores. With 6,000+ stores serving 230M, competition intensifies as Amazon Fresh winds down.

Tata Motors Q4FY26: standalone PAT up 70% to ₹2,406 cr on 22% revenue growth to ₹24,452 cr; EBITDA margin 13.9%, EBIT 12.1%. Consolidated revenue ₹26,100 cr, PAT up 35% to ₹1,800 cr. FY26 standalone revenue ₹77,399 cr, PAT ₹3,362 cr. Final dividend ₹4/share; CEO calls FY26 a landmark year.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting is poised to quit and challenge PM Keir Starmer for Labour leadership, allies say. He'd need backing from 81 MPs. Starmer likely to stand. Markets wobbled. Soft-left may field Angela Rayner or Ed Miliband; timing could determine Andy Burnham’s eligibility.

Meta launches Muse Spark–powered upgrades to Meta AI: natural, interruptible voice chats with on‑the‑fly language switching, live camera input via phones and Ray‑Ban glasses, and expanded Marketplace shopping. Rolling out in the US across Meta apps; akin to Google’s Gemini Live.

Google unveils major Android Auto and Google built-in upgrades: a Material 3 refresh with widgets and Immersive 3D Maps, parked video playback and Dolby Atmos, smarter media UIs, and deeper Gemini (e.g., Magic Cue, app actions). Cars gain more apps, vehicle-aware help, and live lane guidance.

Google unveiled Googlebook, a laptop platform built around Gemini Intelligence with deep Android integration. It adds AI features like Magic Pointer and natural-language widgets, cross-device continuity (Quick Access), and premium designs. First models from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo

India raised gold and silver import duties by 15% to support the rupee and shrink the trade gap. But analysts say record global prices not higher volumes drive the bill, so duties may only delay or divert demand with limited deficit relief. Broader reforms and domestic mining matter.

HPCL Q4 FY26 profit surged 77.6% to Rs 6,065 cr on $70 crude and GRMs of $14.27/bbl (vs $8.44). Revenue up ~4% to Rs 1.23 lakh cr. Dividend proposed: Rs 19.25/share. LPG under-recovery Rs 12,799 cr; govt compensation Rs 3,300 cr.

Apple’s iOS 27, expected at WWDC 2026, brings a customizable Camera app with movable control widgets and a Siri Visual Intelligence mode; a more conversational Siri using Apple and Gemini AI; refreshed Safari, Weather and Image Playground; plus tab-bar, keyboard, and home-screen UI tweaks.

Android 17’s “Create My Widget,” powered by Gemini, lets users generate dynamic, cross‑device widgets from natural‑language prompts that pull data across apps. Unlike Nothing’s app‑level widgets with limited permissions, this is system‑level—advancing Android’s shift to an intelligence‑driven UI.

SRH skipper Pat Cummins was fined INR 12 lakh for a slow over-rate vs GT at the Narendra Modi Stadium, triggering a late fielding restriction; GT made 168/5 and won by 82 runs. It’s SRH’s first breach amid wider IPL discipline: fines to Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag.

Google’s Android 17 pivots to a Gemini-powered intelligence system, adding multistep app automation, improved Autofill, Create My Widget, Chrome AI, broader Quick Share and iOS migration, Pause Point, Material 3 refresh, a redesigned Android Auto with Immersive Maps, video, Atmos.

Google’s Android adds Pause Point: a mandatory 10‑second pause before opening user‑flagged distracting apps ( Instagram, YouTube). It nudges reflection, can show alternatives or photos, supports pre‑set timers, is harder to bypass (restart required), amid rising scrutiny of social media addiction.

Google previewed Gemini Intelligence for Android, recasting it as an intelligence system. Rolling out first to Pixel and Galaxy, then other devices, it adds proactive cross-app actions, smarter Autofill, Rambler voice typing, and cross-device context with opt-in privacy controls.

Brokerages have turned cautious on Dr Reddy’s Laboratories after weak Q4FY26 results, citing sharp erosion in Revlimid sales, pricing pressure in the US generics business, and delays in semaglutide and biosimilar launches.

India’s prime mall market is tightening: Delhi-NCR Grade A/A+ at 0–2% vacancy; Mumbai leads rent growth at 15–20%. Grade A+ rents up 8–12% vs 6–8% for Grade A. Pipeline: NCR 19 mn sq ft by 2031; MMR 4 mn. Investment scope $25–30B. Hybrid revenue-linked leases ~74%.

Morgan Stanley raises India GDP outlook: FY27 to 6.7% (from 6.2%) and FY28 to 7%. Cuts oil forecast to $87.5/bbl. Expects QE to peak Jun-26 as growth dips to 6.5%. Rural demand resilient; risks from geopolitics, weak exports, monsoon. RBI on hold FY27; two FY28 hikes to 5.75%.

NEET-UG 2026 was cancelled after suspected leaks, spotlighting systemic flaws in India’s exam system. Experts cite organised leak networks, human weak links, and paper-based vulnerabilities. They call for end-to-end accountability, secure infrastructure, real-time intelligence.

Cash-transfer promises now dominate Indian state politics. TVK’s TN plan (₹2,500/month to women with power/LPG aid) typifies a competitive surge. 12 states may spend ₹1.68 tn in 2025-26 (~0.5% of GDP). RBI flags strain; economists warn recurring outlays crowd out capex.

AI-saturated platforms are making online speech polished and interchangeable, and people are mirroring it. Studies show shrinking style diversity and spikes in “ChatGPT words.” To seem real, users add imperfections, while workers “humanize” AI drafts—fueling an identity crisis over authenticity.

Amid the West Asia crisis, NITI Aayog told divisions including AIM, DMEO and NILERD to cancel in-person workshops, conferences and seminars and shift major events online, backing PM Modi’s austerity push. Modi urged fuel saving, WFH, less foreign travel, delaying gold buys.

Meta will give rival AI chatbots in the EEA one month of free access to WhatsApp’s API while it negotiates with the European Commission over antitrust concerns from a policy favoring Meta AI. The move, prompted by complaints, could help it avoid a ruling and fines up to 10% of revenue.

At Android Show 2026, Google said Quick Share with AirDrop-style interoperability is expanding to phones from Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi and Honor. It enables direct, offline Android-to-Apple transfers, adds QR code cloud sharing, and will integrate into apps like WhatsApp this year.

Weak smartphone demand, elevated chip prices, fading PLI incentives and delay in Vivo JV approval have prompted brokerages to cut earnings estimates for Dixon Technologies despite retaining a positive long-term view.

Google’s new system-level Gemini Intelligence reimagines Android as an “intelligence system.” It executes multi-step tasks across apps and the web, adds generative UI and custom widgets, syncs context across devices, and absorbs basics like autofill and voice—pushing apps to the background.

At The Android Show 2026, Google launched Gemini Intelligence for proactive cross-app automation; previewed Android 17 with Quick Share, migration, safety and privacy upgrades; added creator/Instagram tools; revamped Android Auto with YouTube and Gemini; and teased Googlebook AI laptops.

At Android Show 2026, Google unveiled Android 17 with 3D emoji, Pause Point, Screen Reactions, wider sharing, and Gemini AI in Android/Chrome. Samsung launched One UI 9 Beta for Galaxy S26 in select markets, adding Notes/Contacts tools, a more flexible Quick Panel and more.

Gold-linked stocks fell for a third day (up to 6%) after India raised gold/silver import taxes to 15% (10% customs + 5% AIDC) to protect forex; PM urged curbs on buying. Titan, Kalyan, Senco, Sky Gold, Thangamayil, PC Jeweller slid; SAMCO highlights bearish bias and key support/resistance levels.

FIIs net sold Nifty futures for 8 days, offloaded 69,369 contracts, OI rose 41% to 2.28 lakh; overall sold Rs 10,254 cr in index futures as Nifty fell 3.3%. PCR 0.71, resistance 23,800–24,000; supports 23,100–23,000. Rising OI, falling price: Dalmia Bharat, Kalyan Jewellers, IEX, Bharti Airtel.

Iran’s parliamentary spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei warned Tehran could enrich uranium to 90% if attacked. Trump says the U.S.–Iran ceasefire is on “life support.” Uncertainty over ~400 kg of 60% uranium clouds talks, as Washington demands the HEU be moved abroad and enrichment renounced.

Fractal sees upside in partnering with OpenAI and Anthropic as LLM makers drive enterprise embedding. Co-founder says the market is expanding, not zero-sum, though M&A may rise. Q4: PAT ₹116 cr (2x), revenue ₹886 cr (+17%); strong healthcare/BFSI; EBITDA 22%; shift to output-based deals, lower SG&A.

Pharma/healthcare funds have rebounded after a 2025 dip, up 8.3% in 3 months and 14.7% in a year. Drivers: domestic growth, semaglutide generics, CRDMO, exports, rupee. Risks: high crude, war costs, USFDA/policy. Best for savvy, long-term investors; use SIPs, cap near 10%, trim if overallocated.

UK PM Keir Starmer, battered by local election losses, rejected calls to set a departure timeline and vowed to keep governing. He has cabinet backing as some junior ministers quit and 80+ MPs urge change, but no contest is triggered. Markets wobbled. Wes Streeting looms as a possible challenger.

US CPI rose 0.6% in April after 0.9% in March, lifting annual inflation to 3.8%, the highest since May 2023. Oil’s earlier spike and a rent-measure tweak drove gains; core CPI up 0.4%. With jobs firm, markets see the Fed on hold, heightening political risk for President Trump.

India’s new Mission for Cotton Productivity lacks the transformative tech that powered Bt cotton’s boom. With yields stagnating, output and exports falling, and illicit HtBt use rising, the authors urge science-led reforms to approve next-gen GM traits, strengthen IPM, deploy AI.

India’s power spot market is swinging: RTM/DAM prices crash to near zero in solar hours and spike to Rs 20 in evenings. Must-run renewables, weather, and demand–supply gaps drive volatility. Merchants lose, flexible assets gain; storage, hydro, transmission, and better forecasting are key fixes.

India will include E85/E100 in Motor Vehicle Rules to enable testing. Beyond E20, success hinges on year-round supply, 2G scale-up, and ethanol‑ready infra and vehicles. E85 needs 35–45 bn L vs 20–21 bn L capacity, needing major investment and a phased twin‑track rollout.

Temasek-backed Manipal Health bought land and hospital property in Mumbai’s Andheri for ₹495 crore, completing a delayed 2024 deal and taking the total to ₹908 crore. Registered May 6, 2026, it includes FSI/TDR rights. Manipal has filed for an ₹8,000 crore IPO with an OFS of ~4.32 crore shares.

India’s MoSPI has shifted provisional annual GDP and Q4 releases from end-May to June 7 (or prior working day) to improve data quality amid two‑month lags in company filings and fiscal data. Next release: June 5, 2026. The change follows ACNAS consultation and aligns with global best practices.

India’s NSO has begun NHIS 2026, its first comprehensive household income survey after decades of failed attempts where incomes trailed spending. Using CAPI and detailed categories, it faces sensitivity, informal/multiple incomes, and elite nonresponse.

Meta is building Hatch, an agentic AI assistant powered by its Muse Spark model to autonomously handle research, shopping, and content creation across its apps. Positioned against OpenAI’s OpenClaw, Hatch is in testing through June; Meta also plans an Instagram shopping agent by 2026.

Google’s The Android Show: I/O Edition streams May 12, 10:30 PM IST on Android YouTube channels and site. Expect Android 17 usability tweaks (single‑app recording, big‑screen boosts), desktop‑style “Aluminium OS,” deeper Gemini across devices, and XR smart‑glasses updates ahead of I/O.