Daily Strategic Briefing

Trump extends tariff deadlines, sets new rates for dozens

Summary: New rates of 25% to 40% take effect August 1 as policy reversals create market uncertainty and inflation concerns., Description: President Donald Trump announced new tariff rates for dozens of countries this week, extending previous deadlines and adjusting rates in the latest twist of a trade policy that has created widespread uncertainty for global markets and trading partners since taking effect in early 2025. On July 7, the White House issued new tariff letters to countries including Japan, South Korea, and South...

Gaza families pay up to 40% fees to access cash

Summary: Brokers exploit desperate residents as banking collapse forces reliance on shadow economy amid 101% inflation and widespread destruction., Description: Palestinians in Gaza are paying commission fees as high as 40% to cash brokers to access physical money for daily necessities, as the territory's banking system remains largely paralyzed 21 months into the war. The cash shortage has created a shadow economy where brokers exploit desperate families seeking to buy food, medicine, and fuel in a territory where inflation has reached catastrophic...

Tesla opens first India showroom after years of delays

Summary: The electric vehicle giant will debut in Mumbai on July 15, but faces pricing challenges with Model Y expected to cost over $56,000., Description: Tesla will officially enter the Indian market on July 15 with the opening of its first showroom in Mumbai, marking the electric vehicle giant's long-awaited debut in the world's third-largest car market after years of negotiations over import duties and local manufacturing requirements. The company will inaugurate what it calls an "experience centre" at Jio World Drive in Mumbai's upscale...

Trump surveys Texas flood devastation amid FEMA criticism

Summary: The president visits hardest-hit Kerr County where 96 died as questions mount over delayed federal search and rescue deployment., Description: President Donald Trump arrived in Texas on Friday to survey the devastation from catastrophic flooding that has killed at least 121 people and left 173 missing, as questions mount over the federal response to the disaster. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are touring Kerr County, the hardest-hit area where 96 people died, including 36 children. The visit comes amid mounting scrutiny of both...

Extreme heat stretches further each year

Summary: New UCLA study finds heat wave duration accelerates beyond warming rates, with tropical regions facing 60-fold increases in extended extreme heat events., Description: As Southern California swelters under triple-digit temperatures this week, a new UCLA study reveals that heat waves are not only becoming more intense but lasting longer at an accelerating pace that outstrips the rate of climate change itself. The research, published Monday in Nature Geoscience, suggests that each fraction of a degree of global warming will trigger disproportionately longer...

RealSense spins out of Intel to scale its stereoscopic imaging technology

Summary:

RealSense is building vision tech that helps machines like robots and drones navigate and respond to a 3D world.

Grok 4 seems to consult Elon Musk to answer controversial questions

Summary:

This raises real questions around how “maximally truth-seeking” Grok is designed to be, versus how much it’s designed to just agree with Musk, the world’s richest man.

AWS is launching an AI agent marketplace next week with Anthropic as a partner

Summary:

Amazon Web Services is launching an AI agent marketplace and Anthropic is one of its partners.

Where AI meets design: Runway co-founder Alejandro Matamala Ortiz takes the AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Summary:

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is the epicenter where 10,000+ startup and VC leaders gather to explore the future of innovation — and this year, two AI Stages bring the intersection of design and machine learning into sharp focus. We’re thrilled to welcome Alejandro Matamala Ortiz, co-founder and chief design officer at Runway, to one of the […]

Former Intel CEO launches a benchmark to measure AI alignment

Summary:

Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger created a new benchmark to test for AI model’s alignment with aspects of human flourishing.

Sai Parenterals raises Rs 50 Cr in equity to expand global footprint

The company said the capital will be used to fuel its global expansion strategy, including acquisitions in regulated markets, enhancement of its manufacturing footprint, and diversification of its product portfolio.

Jumbotail turns unicorn after raising $120M in Series D round; completes acquisition of Solv

With fresh capital and a broader portfolio, the Bengaluru-based firm aims to scale its commerce and credit stack for India’s small retailers.

[Weekly funding roundup June 28-July 4] VC inflow dips as Indian startups see fewer deals

Last week, after seeing a small revival, the weekly funding figure dropped to familiar territory, in the range of $100-200 million.

NRI-focused fintech Belong raises $5M in seed round led by Elevation Capital

The startup claims to be the first fintech to offer USD Fixed Deposits to NRIs via India’s GIFT City—an International Financial Services Centre designed to streamline cross-border financial transactions.

Yulu raises Rs 25.7 Cr from auto parts maker Magna International

The fundraise comes at a time when Yulu is seeing heightened demand for its vehicles, propelled by the growth in quick commerce deliveries.

Wockhardt Restructures US Ops for Innovation Focus

Wockhardt initiates US restructuring to focus on innovative portfolio. Source: ScoutQuest

Nila Spaces Sets AGM for Aug 4; E-Voting Opens Aug 1

Nila Spaces Ltd announces its 25th AGM via video conferencing on August 4, 2025. Book closure set for July 29-August 4; e-voting opens August 1-3 for eligible shareholders. Source: BSE

Shivagrico Sets 46th AGM for Aug 7, Key Financial Decisions Ahead

Shivagrico Implements Ltd. announces its 46th AGM on 7th Aug 2025 at 11 AM via VC/OAVM. Agenda includes adoption of financial statements, director reappointment, and secretarial auditor appointment. Source: BSE

Shine Fashions Approves 7:1 Bonus Shares at 6th AGM

Shine Fashions (India) Ltd held its 6th AGM on July 11, 2025, addressing key resolutions including financial statements, dividend approval, and director appointments. Bonus shares (7:1 ratio), increased authorized share capital, and statutory auditor appointments were approved during the AGM. Source: BSE

Gland Pharma Gains GMP Nod for Global Markets

Gland Pharma receives GMP compliance certification from Danish Medicines Agency for aseptic powder for injection, infusion, and inhalation. Pashamylaram Facility certified for marketing in regions outside the European Economic Area following Regulation 30 disclosures. Source: BSE

Sensex Ends at Over 2-Week Low

Country: India, Description: India's BSE Sensex closed about 0.8% down at 82,500.5 on Friday, its lowest since June 24, marking its third consecutive decline amid escalating trade tensions and weak domestic earnings. US President on Thursday said he would impose a 35% tariff on Canadian imports starting next month and consider blanket tariffs of 15% to 20% on most other trading partners. Meanwhile, investors continued to wait for a trade deal between the US and India. IT and auto stocks led the decline, with TCS down over 3.5% after weak Q1 results. Other major losers included M&M, Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel, HCL Tech, Titan, Bajaj Finance, Reliance, Trent, and Infosys. Consumer stocks bucked the trend, with Hindustan Unilever climbing over 4% on news of Priya Nair becoming its first woman CEO from August 1. For the week, the index posted a 1.1% decline, amid ongoing uncertainty over US–India trade negotiations.

Serbia Inflation Rate Hits 5-Month High

Country: Serbia, Description: The annual inflation rate in Serbia rose to 4.6% in June 2025, the highest in five months, up from 3.8% in the previous month. The acceleration was mainly driven by faster price increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages (7.4% vs 5.7% in May), housing and utilities (3.4% vs 3.3%), recreation and culture (3.9% vs 3.6%), and miscellaneous goods and services (3.7% vs 3.4%), while a slower pace of deflation in transport (-1.2% vs -3.4%) also contributed. In contrast, these gains were partially offset by easing inflation in alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (6.4% vs 6.9%) and clothing and footwear (4.9% vs 5.5%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.9%, the fastest pace since May 2023, following a 0.2% uptick in May.

Malta Industrial Output Rebounds in May

Country: Malta, Description: Malta’s industrial production climbed 3.7% year-on-year in May 2025, rebounding from an upwardly revised 0.7% fall in the previous month. Output production rose for capital goods (17.8% vs 7.9% in April), consumer non-durable goods (3.6% vs -1%), and consumer goods (3.2% vs 0.1%), while production recovered for manufacturing (3.9% vs -1%). Additionally, output declined at a softer pace for intermediate goods (-2.4% vs -7.9%). Meanwhile, production fell for consumer durable goods (-2.4% vs 10.9%) and energy (-0.9% vs 7.3%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, industrial activity grew by 3.4% in May, following an upwardly revised 6.5% drop in the preceding period.

Montenegro Inflation Rate Hit Over 1-Year High

Country: Montenegro, Description: The annual inflation rate in Montenegro rose to 4.2% in June 2025 from 3.9% in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since May 2024, as prices increased faster for food & non-alcoholic beverages (5.0% vs 4.2% in May), housing, water, electricity, gas & other fuels (6.2% vs 6.1%), and recreation & culture (7.3% vs 7.0%). In addition, costs fell at a softer pace for transport (-1.4% vs -3.2%). Meanwhile, prices moderated for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (5.8% vs 6.1%), furnishings, household equipment & equipment & routine household maintenance (4.8% vs 5.8%), health (13.2% vs 13.5%), communication (1.6% vs 1.7%), and restaurants & hotels (9.0% vs 10.1%), while it continued to drop for clothing & footwear (-3.5% vs -1.8%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices eased to 0.4% in June from 0.6% in the preceding month.

US Futures Point to Lower Open

Country: United States, Description: US stock futures were lower on Friday, with contracts on the three major indexes down about 0.5%, as investors weighed renewed tariff threats from the Trump administration. This pullback followed record closes for both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq in the previous session. The US President announced a 35% tariff on Canadian imports starting August 1st and signaled plans to impose broad-based tariffs of 15% to 20% on most other trading partners, up from the current 10% rate. The EU is expected to receive formal notice of the applicable tariff rates shortly. Meanwhile, traders are also bracing for the start of earnings season next week, along with key economic data, including the CPI. In premarket trading, megacap tech stocks were mostly lower, including Nvidia (-0.7%), Microsoft (-0.3%), Apple (-0.7%), Amazon (-0.2%), Meta (-0.8%), Broadcom (-0.7%), and Alphabet (-0.5%). For the week, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were little changed, while the Dow Jones slipped 0.4%.