Daily Strategic Briefing

Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoyt found dead near Moscow

Summary: Roman Starovoyt was discovered with a gunshot wound hours after Putin fired him, amid corruption allegations from his time as Kursk governor., Description: Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoyt was found dead with a gunshot wound in his car near Moscow on July 7, 2025, just hours after being dismissed by President Vladimir Putin, with Russian investigators treating the death as an apparent suicide amid speculation linking it to corruption allegations from his time as governor of the conflict-hit Kursk region.

TSA ends shoe removal requirement at airport security for REAL ID holders

Summary: After 24 years, passengers with compliant identification can keep shoes on at security checkpoints starting July 7., Description: After more than two decades of airport security theater, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has finally eliminated one of air travel's most universally despised rituals: removing shoes at security checkpoints. As of July 7, 2025, passengers with REAL ID-compliant identification can keep their footwear on while passing through standard screening lanes at U.S. airports, ending a...

Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize at White House dinner

Summary: The Israeli PM surprised Trump with the nomination during their White House dinner, citing his Abraham Accords work and current Gaza ceasefire mediation., Description: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally nominated President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize during their White House dinner Monday evening, presenting him with a copy of the nomination letter he sent to the Nobel committee. The gesture comes as Trump mediates ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas through Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries, with both sides reportedly...

US Navy faces temporary fleet reduction due to Ford-class carrier delays

Summary: Two Ford-class carriers pushed to 2027 and 2030 due to technical setbacks, creating temporary gap when USS Nimitz retires., Description: The U.S. Navy will face a temporary reduction in its aircraft carrier fleet as delivery delays push two new Ford-class carriers to 2027 and 2030, according to recent budget documents and congressional testimony. The USS John F. Kennedy, originally slated for delivery this month, will now arrive in March 2027, while the USS Enterprise has been delayed until July 2030. The delays will leave the...

Melting glaciers could trigger more explosive eruptions

Summary: New research warns that 245 potentially active volcanoes worldwide could become more dangerous as ice retreats, creating a climate feedback loop., Description: Scientists will present new research Wednesday at an international conference in Prague warning that melting glaciers could trigger more frequent and explosive volcanic eruptions across the globe, creating a feedback loop that accelerates climate change. The findings, based on analysis of six Chilean volcanoes during the last ice age, suggest that 245 potentially active volcanoes worldwide...

Meta reportedly recruits Apple’s head of AI models

Summary:

Ruoming Pang previously ran Apple’s in-house team that trained the AI foundation models that underpin Apple Intelligence and other on-device AI features.

Cursor apologizes for unclear pricing changes that upset users

Summary:

Cursor’s CEO issued an apology this weekend over an unclear change to its pricing model that resulted in some users being charged more.

ChatGPT is testing a mysterious new feature called ‘study together’

Summary:

Some ChatGPT subscribers are reporting a new feature appearing in their drop-down list of available tools called “Study Together.” The mode is apparently the chatbot’s way of becoming a better educational tool. Rather than providing answers to prompts, some say it asks more questions and requires the human to answer, like OpenAI’s answer to Google’s […]

Tennis players criticize AI technology used by Wimbledon

Summary:

Some tennis players are not happy with Wimbledon’s new AI line judges, as reported by The Telegraph.  This is the first year the prestigious tennis tournament, which is still ongoing, replaced human line judges, who determine if a ball is in or out, with an electronic line calling system (ELC). Numerous players criticized the AI […]

CoreWeave acquires data center provider Core Scientific in $9B stock deal

Summary:

As a result of the deal, CoreWeave says it will gain access to more than a gigawatt of data center capacity — enough energy to power more than 850,000 homes.

Aukera raises $15M led by Peak XV to expand retail presence

Bengaluru-based Aukera aims to scale its lab-grown diamond retail network as consumer interest in sustainable fine jewellery rises.

Zango raises $4.8M in funding led by Nexus Venture Partners

Zango, the Bengaluru AI compliance startup, will use the funds to grow its team and expand its product suite for AI-native Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC).

Stride Ventures achieves first close for its Abu Dhabi Global Market Fund V

The fund is focused on providing capital to the startups in the Gulf Cooperation Council region with a particular emphasis on Saudi Arabia.

Khetika raises $18M in Series B funding, eyes 10X revenue jump over three years

Clean-label brand Khetika is relying on its $18M round to expand manufacturing capacity, product portfolio, and enter new markets while targeting Rs 2,000 crore revenue in 3 years.

Deeptech startup Maieutic Semiconductor raises $4.15M from Endiya Partners, Exfinity Venture Partners

The company plans to use the capital to scale its engineering team, accelerate product development, and says it is on an "aggressive hiring trajectory" to bring its platform to market.

Snowman Adds Kundli Warehouse, Boosts Capacity to 154,330 Pallets

Snowman Logistics opened a warehouse in Kundli, adding 3,576 pallet positions. Its total capacity reaches 154,330 pallets across 44 warehouses, serving key industries. Source: ScoutQuest

Nectar Lifesciences Falls 15% on ₹1,270 Cr Core Business Sale

Nectar Lifesciences shares drop 15% after announcing core business sale for ₹1,270 crore. Source: ScoutQuest

Gokaldas Exports Jumps 5% on Trump’s Bangladesh Tariff News

Gokaldas Exports surges over 5% as textile stocks react to Trump imposing a 35% tariff on Bangladesh imports. Source: ScoutQuest

Kotak Tops Nifty; Titan Slides

Kotak Mahindra Bank leads Nifty gains post Q1 updates. Titan emerges as Nifty's biggest loser in the session. Source: ScoutQuest

Bank of India Cuts Savings Rate to 2.5%, Slashes Deposit Rates

Bank of India cuts its savings deposit rate by 25 bps to 2.5%. 999-day deposit rate reduced to 6.7% from 7%, green deposit rate also cut. Source: The Times of India

Malaysia Responds to New U.S. Tariffs

Country: Malaysia, Description: Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to a “balanced” and “mutually beneficial” trade relationship with the U.S. despite President Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on Malaysian goods starting August 1. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry acknowledged Trump’s concerns over trade imbalances and market access but stressed that unilateral tariffs are “disruptive to business operations, supply chains, and investments” in both countries. It pledged to take “all necessary steps” to protect Malaysian businesses and consumers, adding that Kuala Lumpur would continue engaging with U.S. counterparts to clarify the tariff's scope and seek a resolution. Trump, in a letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, called the 25% tariff “far less” than what is needed to eliminate the U.S. trade deficit with Malaysia, warning against rerouting goods or retaliatory tariffs.

China Plans Broader Access to Offshore Bonds

Country: China, Description: China reportedly is considering doubling the quota of its Southbound Bond Connect program to CNY 1 trillion, signaling a stronger push to liberalize financial flows and broaden access to offshore bonds. Regulators are discussing a new CNY 500 billion annual allocation specifically for non-bank financial institutions like mutual funds and insurers, which are currently excluded. If approved, these entities could invest in international bonds traded in Hong Kong, including U.S. dollar-denominated debt. While no final decision has been made, the proposal aligns with Beijing’s broader efforts to open its financial system, improve two-way capital flows, and boost the yuan’s global profile. It may also increase demand for offshore yuan or "dim sum" bonds, which often yield more than onshore bonds. Talks to include securities firms and insurers began in January, according to earlier discussions between the PBoC and Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

Japan 10-Year Yield Rises as Trump Announces 25% Tariff

Country: Japan, Description: Japan’s 10-year government bond yield rose above 1.47% on Tuesday, hitting a three-week high after US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Japanese goods, set to take effect on August 1. While lower than the previously threatened 35%, the tariff remains well above the baseline 10% levied on most countries, adding pressure on Tokyo to reach a trade deal with Washington. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated that Japan will continue negotiations with the US to secure a mutually beneficial agreement. On the economic front, Japan’s current account surplus for May came in above expectations, offering a positive signal for external balances. However, weaker-than-expected wage growth data released earlier this week tempered expectations for further rate hikes by the Bank of Japan, limiting upward momentum in yields.

Indonesia Consumer Mood Improves Slightly

Country: Indonesia, Description: Indonesia's consumer confidence increased slightly to 117.8 in June 2025, up from 117.5 in May. Despite the upturn, the reading remained close to May’s level, which was the lowest since September 2022, amid weakening purchasing power and a shrinking middle class. Three of the six sub-indices showed improvement: perceptions of current economic conditions (up 0.7 points to 106.7), current income levels (up 2.1 points to 120.2), and overall job availability (up 0.3 points to 124.1). Meanwhile, declines were recorded in the remaining sub-indices: income expectations for the next six months (down 2.2 points to 133.2), job availability compared to six months ago (down 1.6 points to 94.1), and economic outlook (down 0.1 points to 128.9).

US 10-Year Treasury Yield Steady Near Two-Week High

Country: United States, Description: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note held steady around 4.38% on Tuesday, maintaining a two-week high as investors weighed the latest trade developments and economic data. President Donald Trump announced updated tariff rates on 14 countries that have yet to reach trade agreements with Washington, including major exporters such as Japan and South Korea, both of which will face 25% levies. He also signed an executive order extending the reciprocal tariff deadline to August 1 from July 9, allowing more time for negotiations. Moreover, Trump threatened an additional 10% tariff on countries aligning with the “Anti-American policies of BRICS,” as the bloc held a summit in Brazil. Meanwhile, Treasury yields have climbed in recent sessions after a stronger-than-expected US jobs report for June dampened expectations for near-term interest rate cuts. Markets have largely priced out the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut in July.