Warner Bros. unveiled new footage of Mortal Kombat II at its CinemaCon presentation, offering the first substantive look at Karl Urban's portrayal of Johnny Cage in the video game sequel. The clip positioned Urban's character as a central figure in the film's action sequences, suggesting a narrative pivot toward the franchise's most recognizable fighter. CinemaCon, the annual theater-industry convention in Las Vegas, serves as a key platform where studios court exhibitors with early footage ahead of wide releases. Warner Bros. used the slot to build exhibitor confidence in the sequel, which carries heightened expectations following the 2021 original's strong streaming and theatrical performance. Urban, best known for The Boys and the rebooted Star Trek films, brings marquee recognition to a role that Cage fans have long anticipated. The casting choice signals Warner Bros. is investing in broader audience appeal for the sequel. Box office performance of the follow-up will test whether the franchise can convert its gaming fanbase into a reliable theatrical draw.
HDFC Bank's board has approved Rajiv Kumar, former Chief Election Commissioner and financial services secretary, as its Part-time Non-Executive Chairman from June 30, 2026. His chairmanship still requires RBI approval, but the move ends the bank's prolonged search for a permanent board leader.
Indian startups raised $1.1 billion across 16 deals in the week of June 21-26, 2026, up 2.5 times from the prior week, with CRED's $900 million Series H led by Meta accounting for most of the total. Square Yards became India's 131st unicorn after closing a $95 million round.
Jet fuel costs dropped sharply after a US-Iran interim peace deal, but airlines are expected to use the savings to rebuild margins rather than cut fares. Tight capacity, aircraft delivery delays, and weak budget carriers give major carriers unusual pricing power heading into the second half of 2026.
Meta is investing $900 million in CRED at a $4.5 billion valuation, the largest Indian startup round of 2026, as founder Kunal Shah moves to a global leadership role at WhatsApp. Miten Sampat takes over as interim CEO, and a major employee stock buyback is expected within weeks.
