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SoftBank Limits Kalanick’s Power In Uber Deal

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SoftBank Group Corp can move ahead with their multi billion dollar investment in Uber only after agreeing to block any attempt made to elevate Travis Kalanick back to the company’s top ranks. Early investor, venture capital firm Benchmark has sought a guarantee in writing from SoftBank to block Kalanick’s appointment as the chairman of the board or head of one of its subcommittees.

SoftBank, along with General Atlantic and Dragoneer Investment Group, is looking to invest $ 1 billion in the taxi hailing startup at $ 69 billion valuation. According to media reports, the three investment firms are also planning to buy as much as $9 billion in shares from the existing investors. This round of funding could be the largest private stock sale in history.

The valuation of these shares will be determined by an auction which is expected to start at about $45 billion. As per a report by Bloomberg, SoftBank may ask for 2 board seats as a part of the deal. An alternative proposal that is being discussed will give SoftBank one board seat and a board observer seat. It is unclear if Uber will create new directors or shuffle its existing eleven for the new members.

Benchmark will agree to not block the investment deal only if SoftBank agrees to ban Kalanick and guarantees not to revive his power. The venture firm has also agreed to sell some of its shares at the direction of Uber’s new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The prospective investor from China, Didi Chuxing has reportedly walked away from this investment deal.

Kalanick, who resigned as the CEO of the company in June, still retains some power over the board through his control of three board seats, two of which remain unfilled. Last month, Benchmark sued Kalanick, accusing him of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and contractual obligations. Recently, Uber was banned from operating in London due to serious criminal offenses and a lack of corporate responsibility. The company is also facing a bitter lawsuit against Google spinoff Waymo.

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CoRover Unveils BharatGPT Mini: India’s First Offline Multilingual AI

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CoRover has launched BharatGPT Mini, India’s first offline multilingual AI model, at VivaTech 2025 in Paris, with the event officiated by Union Minister Jitin Prasada. This innovative Small Language Model (SLM), featuring around 534 million parameters, is specifically designed for edge devices and low-compute environments, enabling robust AI capabilities without the need for cloud connectivity. Its ability to function entirely offline and support 14 Indic languages makes it a powerful tool for digital inclusion, particularly in rural and remote regions where internet access is limited.

BharatGPT Mini’s architecture is optimized for deployment across various sectors, including healthcare, education, banking, and governance, allowing citizens to interact with essential services in their native languages. The model can be integrated into small businesses, government offices, and other organizations through the CoRover Builder platform, which offers a no-code solution for deploying AI assistants across web, telephony, and IoT systems. By processing data locally and encrypting it on-device, BharatGPT Mini ensures strong privacy and data sovereignty, aligning with India’s strategic goal of developing indigenous AI solutions. 

The launch has garnered strong support from both the Indian government and industry leaders, who see BharatGPT Mini as a catalyst for democratizing access to digital services. CoRover anticipates significant growth in the adoption of Small Language Models, with early feedback indicating a substantial increase in project demand. As CoRover looks to expand its expertise globally, BharatGPT Mini stands out as a scalable, multilingual, and privacy-centric solution, setting a new standard for inclusive and sovereign AI innovation in India’s diverse landscape.

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Kerala Startup E-Quark Launches Innovative Mobile Holder with Built-In Charger

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Kerala-based startup E-Quark Molecule Innovations Pvt Ltd, headquartered in Thrissur, has introduced an innovative device called Keratin that combines a mobile phone holder with a built-in charger. This unique gadget is designed to offer users a convenient solution to hold and charge their smartphones simultaneously, addressing the common challenge of managing power supply while using mobile devices.

The device enhances user experience by integrating two essential functions into one compact design. It securely holds the phone while providing efficient charging, making it perfect for use on desks, bedside tables, or other personal spaces where easy access and power are needed. This innovation aligns with the growing trend of multifunctional mobile accessories that prioritize both convenience and practicality.

E-Quark Molecule Innovations is a key player in Kerala’s dynamic startup ecosystem, which has been rapidly expanding in tech-driven areas such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure. With the launch of this mobile holder-charger, the company is establishing itself as a leader in user-centric mobile accessories, further cementing Kerala’s position as a hub for cutting-edge technology development.

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New Instagram Features Let Users Customize Profiles and Share Quietly

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Instagram is rolling out two major features in June 2025 that promise to give users unprecedented creative control and privacy: grid rearranging and silent posting. The long-awaited grid rearranging tool allows users to freely drag and drop posts anywhere on their profile grid, breaking away from the traditional chronological order. This means users can now curate their profiles for a more visually appealing or thematic presentation, without the hassle of deleting and reposting content—an update especially welcomed by brands, creators, and anyone meticulous about their digital aesthetic.


In tandem, Instagram is introducing the “Post quietly to profile” feature, which lets users add photos and videos to their grid without notifying followers or pushing the content to their feeds. This silent posting option is ideal for those who want to document moments privately, experiment with new content, or maintain a cohesive grid without spamming their audience. It’s designed to reduce the pressure of public sharing, making Instagram a more comfortable space for personal expression and experimentation.

 

These updates reflect Instagram’s commitment to user empowerment and flexibility, responding directly to years of feedback. As Instagram head Adam Mosseri stated, the goal is to help users “create and share without added pressure,” giving them more freedom over how their content appears and how they engage with their audience.

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