Why readers connect more deeply with flawed characters

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Why readers connect more deeply with flawed characters

Startups

Readers connect more deeply with flawed characters than perfect ones because imperfections mirror real-life human experiences. These flaws foster authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy, allowing readers to see their own struggles reflected. Furthermore, imperfect characters drive plot conflict and provide opportunities for meaningful growth. By embracing moral complexity and human error, authors create relatable figures that resonate emotionally and remain memorable long after a story ends.

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SEDEMAC’s Q1 Profit Soars To ₹33 Cr, Revenue Up 43% YoY

Business

SEDEMAC Mechatronics reported a 95.1% year-on-year increase in net profit to ₹33.3 crore for Q1 FY27, driven by a 42.5% rise in operating revenue to ₹309.8 crore. While the mobility segment grew significantly, the industrial solutions vertical declined. Despite the profit surge, EBITDA margins fell to 19.4% due to semiconductor supply issues and higher raw material costs. The company has sold over 1.3 crore ECUs globally.

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Ozlo’s Sleepbuds 2 build on Bose’s sleep earbud legacy

Startups

Ozlo, founded by former Bose engineers, has launched Sleepbuds 2 for $279. This updated model improves upon the original with 14-hour battery life, enhanced Bluetooth connectivity, and superior sound quality via a built-in amplifier. New features include a Sleep Shield to block notifications and expanded biometric sleep tracking. The company aims to evolve into a comprehensive sleep platform, integrating AI to analyze user sleep patterns.

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The robot NASA hired to lift a orbital telescope is tumbling out of control

Startups

"A Katalyst Space robot, the LINK spacecraft, is tumbling out of control after being launched to raise NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher orbit. Two reaction wheels failed and thruster issues occurred, complicating communications. This marks NASA's first private contract for observatory orbit elevation. Flight controllers are currently using alternative thrusters to stabilize the spacecraft and recover the mission to extend the observatory's lifespan.".

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Waymo, robotaxi operators face fresh scrutiny over emergency response failures

Startups

"Rep. Kevin Mullin has proposed the AV Emergency Response Coordination Act to establish national safety standards for autonomous vehicles. The bill follows numerous reports of robotaxis, including Waymo, obstructing emergency responders and ignoring safety signals. Proposed measures include mandatory emergency protocols, a 24-hour hotline, and geofencing capabilities for public officials. While Waymo supports a federal framework, regulators and city officials demand stricter oversight to ensure public safety.".

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eBay reaches $56M settlement with e-commerce newsletter writers it terrorized in 2019

Startups

"eBay has settled a 2021 civil case with the Steiners after former executives and employees conducted a disturbing harassment campaign involving threatening letters, disturbing items, and digital stalking. The settlement includes $46.15 million from eBay and millions more from former executives. Seven employees previously pled guilty to criminal charges, including security chief James Baugh. eBay condemned the actions as reprehensible and not representative of its corporate culture.".

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These App Store hidden gems prove there’s still room for great software in the AI era

Startups

New app launches have surged in 2026, with worldwide releases up 60% and iOS launches increasing by 80%. This growth is largely attributed to AI coding tools that allow novices to ship software more quickly. Recent innovative indie apps include Albo for content bookmarking, Coop for local commerce, and Pressed Petals for botanical tracking, demonstrating a continued appetite for creative tools despite the rise of AI agents.

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HBO Max embraces vertical video with a new ‘Shorts’ feed

Startups

HBO Max is introducing a TikTok-style short-form video feed and an experimental AI-powered conversational search tool to improve content discovery. The "Shorts" feature uses AI-analyzed clips personalized to user preferences, while the search tool interprets natural language queries for recommendations. Currently testing with select U.S. users on iOS and Android, these updates align HBO Max with competitors like Netflix and Disney+ in leveraging AI.

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5 Fiction books that offer surprising life lessons

Startups

"Fiction often provides deeper life lessons than nonfiction by allowing readers to experience emotional journeys. Through novels like The Midnight Library and The Alchemist, readers learn about perspective and perseverance. Works such as A Man Called Ove, Station Eleven, and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine emphasize empathy, meaning, and human connection. By witnessing characters' struggles, readers discover personal wisdom and reflect on their own lives.".

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Saudi prince buys 5% stake in Lucid Motors

Startups

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud has acquired a 5% stake in Lucid Motors, purchasing over 19 million shares when the company's market cap fell below $2 billion. This investment increases Saudi Arabia's overall ownership of the electric vehicle maker, which is already majority-owned by the Public Investment Fund. The purchase follows bankruptcy rumors and significant workforce reductions as the company undergoes a major restructuring under new leadership.

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Data centers may face temporary power cuts to prevent blackouts on largest US grid

Startups

"PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. electrical grid operator, will begin curtailing power to data centers of 50 megawatts or larger during shortages starting June 2027. This decision follows a failed auction for generating capacity amid surging electricity demand from data centers. Affected users will receive compensation, though the move may increase reliance on costly, polluting diesel generators as operators seek on-site power to avoid potential outages.".

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Vishal Mega Mart Doubles Down On Quick Commerce Amid Retail Shift

Business

"Vishal Mega Mart is expanding its quick commerce services to 767 stores across 520 cities, reaching 1.4 crore registered users. The initiative, offering 30-minute deliveries, contributes 2% to 9% of store revenue, with many locations hitting a 5% target. By leveraging existing stores instead of dark stores, the retailer has attracted new customers, contrasting with DMart's strategy of avoiding ultra-fast deliveries to prioritize low pricing.".

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Centre Sets Up Inter-Ministerial Group To Form Financial Cybersecurity Strategy

Business

The Indian government has established an inter-ministerial group to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy for the financial sector. This move addresses rising AI-driven threats, including deepfakes and sophisticated phishing, which Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman warned could destabilize the industry. Additionally, the government is utilizing the India Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation to detect real-time fraud, complementing existing frameworks like CERT-In to safeguard India's digital payment ecosystem.

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PayPal leaves the door open to a higher takeover offer following earnings beat

Startups

PayPal CEO Enrique Lores indicated the company remains open to Stripe’s $53.4 billion takeover bid if it offers superior shareholder value. While Stripe offered $60.50 per share, analysts suggest a value closer to $70. PayPal recently reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating profit and revenue estimates. Simultaneously, the company is pursuing an AI-focused turnaround strategy to streamline operations and achieve $1.5 billion in cost savings.

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Elon Musk’s X Money app is rolling out in the U.S.

Startups

X is launching X Money for paid US subscribers, offering a Visa debit card with Apple Pay integration and free peer-to-peer transfers. Premium+ and Premium users can earn 6% APY, with the latter requiring direct deposit. The app also provides up to 3% cash back and free worldwide ATM withdrawals. This move aligns with Elon Musk's ambition to transform X into an "everything app" for financial services.

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WhatsApp now lets you make calls using its web app

Startups

Meta is expanding WhatsApp's calling capabilities by introducing audio and video calls to WhatsApp for Web, including screen-sharing and reactions. New updates allow users to transfer calls between devices and implement waiting rooms for group calls via approval links. Additionally, the platform now features background noise suppression and immediate high-definition video. WhatsApp is also rolling out usernames to facilitate easier calling across different platforms.

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Cursor Doubles Down On India, Launches India-Specific AI Coding Plan

Business

AI coding platform Cursor has launched "Cursor Start," a subscription plan exclusively for India priced at ₹649 per month. This move follows SpaceX's $60 billion agreement to acquire the startup. The plan offers Grok 4.5 and cloud agents to India's growing developer base, which has tripled to 3 million. This expansion reflects a broader trend of global AI firms targeting the Indian market, projected to reach $126 billion by 2030.

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Flipkart’s Ekart Opens Logistics Network To D2C Brands Via Franchise Model

Business

Flipkart Group’s supply chain arm Ekart has opened its pan-India logistics network to MSMEs, D2C brands, FMCG companies, and enterprises,.

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Fish Audio raises $50M seed to build AI voice models for creators and enterprises

Startups

Fish Audio, a Palo Alto startup specializing in expressive AI voice models, has raised $50 million in seed funding led by Coreline Ventures and Capital Today. With over 8 million users and $21 million in annual recurring revenue, the company offers natural language controls for creators and enterprises. Despite facing challenges regarding voice consent, Fish Audio is expanding its product line to include audio understanding and speech-to-speech models.

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Apple launches ‘Upgrade’ device leasing program in partnership with Klarna

Startups

Leasing prices start at $17.99 per month for iPhone, $11.99 for Apple Watch, $24.99 for Mac, and $11.99 for iPad.

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