Daily Strategic Briefing

The price of software freedom is eternal politics

Many don't realize or forget, but the FOSS world has ideological wings, too Comment  The new fork of the X.org X11 server is conservative… and we don't mean just technologically conservative.…

If MCP is the USB-C of AI agents, A2A is their Ethernet

Tell me, Mr. Smith ... what good is an agent if it's unable to speak? We have protocols and standards for just about everything. It's generally helpful when we can all agree on how technologies should talk to one another. So, it was only a matter of time before the first protocols governing agentic AI started cropping up.…

Looks like 1,300 Indeed and Glassdoor staffers will need their former employer's websites

No reason given for the 6% cull, but the CEO has previously talked up AI taking jobs Recruit Holdings, the Japanese job site conglomerate that owns recruitment job site Indeed and employer reviewer Glassdoor, has eliminated about 1,300 positions.…

AI coding tools make developers slower but they think they're faster, study finds

Predicted a 24% boost, but clocked a 19% drag Artificial intelligence coding tools are supposed to make software development faster, but researchers who tested these tools in a randomized, controlled trial found the opposite.…

Hegseth signs flying memo to expand military use of cheap drones in oddball video

An announcement so weird it could only come from the Trump administration video  Flanked by a pair of buzzing drones that threatened to drown out his voice, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reached up to grab a memorandum hung from a third drone hovering above his head. …

A United Nations research institute created an AI refugee avatar

Summary:

A research institute connected to the United Nations has created two AI-powered avatars designed to teach people about refugee issues. 404 Media wrote about an experiment conducted by a class at the United Nations University Center for Policy Research that resulted in the creation of two AI agents or avatars — Amina, a fictional woman […]

xAI and Grok apologize for ‘horrific behavior’

Summary:

In a series of posts on X, the AI chatbot Grok apologized for what it admitted was “horrific behavior.”

The posts appear to be an official statement from xAI, the Elon Musk-led company behind Grok, as opposed to an AI-generated explanation for Grok’s posts. (xAI recently acquired X, where Grok is prominently featured.)

Just 3 days left to save before TechCrunch All Stage 2025 lights up Boston

Summary:

In only 3 days, founders, investors, and operators will flood into the SoWa Power Station in Boston for TechCrunch All Stage 2025 — and if you haven’t grabbed your pass yet, this is your final window to lock in the lowest prices available and save up to $475. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a […]

OpenAI delays the release of its open model, again

Summary:

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Friday the company is delaying the release of its open model indefinitely.

Windsurf’s CEO goes to Google; OpenAI’s acquisition falls apart

Summary:

Notably, Google is not taking a stake in Windsurf and will not have any control over the company.

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.

Partners Group to acquire majority stake in Infinity Fincorp for Rs 1,950 Cr

The deal includes a primary capital infusion of Rs 600 crore and a secondary purchase from existing shareholders, including Indium IV (Mauritius) Holdings Limited, a fund advised by True North Managers LLP.. Existing investor Jungle Ventures also participated in the round. The transaction

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.

Varthana Finance raises Rs 159 Cr debt from impact-focused global investors

Varthana Finance provides loans and academic support to small, affordable private schools that primarily serve students from low-income households.

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.

Ashish Kacholia Cuts Jyoti Stake; Dolly Khanna Exits Chennai Petro

Ashish Kacholia trimmed his stake in Jyoti Structures Ltd from 2% to 1.4%. The stock saw 900% growth over 5 years but faces liquidity issues. Dolly Khanna exited Chennai Petroleum Corp Ltd amid declining financials. The stock surged 790% in 5 years but trades at a high PE of 50x. Source: Financial Express

Paragon Finance Falls 0.98%, Up 249% in 5 Years

Paragon Finance faces selling pressure, down 0.98% vs Sensex's 0.46% drop in 1 day. Year-to-date, Paragon Finance is down 11.9%, while 5-year gains are a strong 249.5%. Source: Marketsmojo

NLC India Eyes Russian Lithium Deal for Clean Energy Push

NLC India is in advanced talks with a Russian firm to source lithium. The move supports India's efforts to secure lithium for clean energy needs. Source: Business Standard

₹1 Trn Hydro Push in Arunachal: 18,000 MW Projects Allocated

Arunachal Pradesh sees ₹1 trn investment in hydro projects for 18,000 MW output. Projects allocated to NEEPCO (2,620 MW), SJVN (5,097 MW), and NHPC (3,800 MW). Source: Business Standard

Persistent Updates AGM Notice: Bonus, Stock Options Revised

Persistent Systems issued an addendum for its 35th AGM notice on July 21, 2025. Revised clauses include bonus terms for Sandeep Kalra and stock options for Vinit Teredesai. Source: BSE

Agricultural Commodities Updates: Orange Juice Surges by 9.48%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity gainers are Orange Juice (9.48%) and Rubber (2.21%). Biggest losers are Oat (-9.09%), Cocoa (-8.60%) and Canola (-3.16%).

Metals Commodities Updates: Platinum Gains by 4.11%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity gainers are Platinum (4.11%), Silver (3.65%) and Gold (0.92%). Biggest losers are Copper (-0.94%) and Steel Rebar (-0.61%).

Energy Commodities Updates: Heating Oil Rises by 3.46%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity gainers are Heating Oil (3.46%), Crude Oil WTI (3.27%) and Brent Crude Oil (2.99%). Biggest losers are Methanol (-1.41%).

FX Updates: Japanese Yen Drops by 0.77%

Country: Currency, Description: Top currency losers are Japanese Yen (-0.77%), British Pound (-0.68%), New Zealand Dollar (-0.61%) and Euro (-0.11%). Gains are led by Dollar Index (0.22%).

Oil Climbs Amid Market, Tariff, Sanction Concerns

Country: Commodity, Description: WTI crude oil futures rose 2.8% to settle at $68.40 per barrel on Friday, rebounding from a 2.5% drop in the previous session and logging a 0.6% weekly gain, as traders weighed near-term supply tightness against longer-term surplus concerns. Despite the IEA forecasting a potential surplus later this year, strong summer travel demand and high refinery runs are supporting current prices. Russia’s pledge to offset overproduction and expectations of record Saudi crude shipments to China in August added to short-term bullish sentiment. However, the IEA’s upward revision to supply growth and lowered demand projections point to a softer balance later in the year. Longer-term demand uncertainty was echoed by OPEC, which cut its global oil demand outlook for 2026–2029 due to slower Chinese growth. Meanwhile, geopolitical risks remain in focus, with markets bracing for potential new US sanctions on Russia amid growing tensions over Ukraine.

Kim Jong Un reaffirms support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine

Summary: North Korean leader met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as both nations strengthen their strategic partnership amid Ukraine conflict., Description: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his country's "unconditional support" for Russia's actions in Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as both nations continue to strengthen their strategic partnership amid ongoing international tensions over the conflict.

Trump defends Bondi as MAGA backlash grows over Epstein files

Summary: President urges supporters to let attorney general "do her job" amid growing calls for resignation over Justice Department's handling of case., Description: President Donald Trump has come to the defense of Attorney General Pam Bondi amid growing criticism from his MAGA supporters over the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, urging unity within his administration and telling followers not to "waste time" on the matter.

Japan breaks internet speed record

Summary: The breakthrough is 16 million times faster than India's average broadband speed and could download Netflix's entire library in one second., Description: Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has shattered the global internet speed record, achieving an astonishing 1.02 petabits per second—fast enough to download the entire Netflix library in just one second and approximately 16 million times faster than India's average internet speed.

Massive Russian drone and missile barrage hits Ukraine overnight

Summary: Two killed in western city of Chernivtsi as Moscow targets previously safe regions in fourth major assault this month., Description: Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine overnight on July 12, 2025, firing nearly 600 drones and 26 cruise missiles in what marks the fourth major attack this month, killing at least two people in the western city of Chernivtsi and wounding dozens across multiple regions as Moscow continues to target areas previously considered safe havens.

Federal judge halts immigration raids across parts of California

Summary: Judge rules agents cannot detain individuals based solely on race, ethnicity or language without reasonable suspicion of immigration violations., Description: A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to halt indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests in seven California counties, ruling that federal agents cannot detain individuals based solely on race, ethnicity, language, or occupation without reasonable suspicion of immigration violations, while also requiring that detainees be given access to legal counsel.