Daily Strategic Briefing

Microsoft bolts Copilot Mode onto Edge to chase AI-browser crowd

'Edge, order two tons of creamed corn...' Microsoft on Monday introduced Copilot Mode in its Edge browser, a way to use voice or text commands to automate web-based tasks via AI.…

Microsoft spotlights Apple bug patched in March as SharePoint exploits continue

Look over there! Amidst its own failure to fix a couple of bugs now under mass exploitation and being abused for espionage, data theft, and ransomware infections, Microsoft said Monday that it spotted a macOS vulnerability some months ago that could allow attackers to steal private data. Redmond reported the bug to Cupertino, which issued a fix back in March.…

Google’s latest renewable energy deal is all gas bags and hot air

At least big bags of CO2 can be built faster than a fusion plant Caught in a constant race between its AI power needs and carbon emissions reduction pledges, Google's latest sustainability commitment sees it considering giant bags of carbon dioxide as a solution to dirty energy.…

Security pros are drowning in threat-intel data and it's making everything more dangerous

Plus, 60% don't have enough analysts to make sense of it Too many threats, too much data, and too few skilled security analysts are making companies more vulnerable to cyberattacks, according to the IT and security leaders tasked with protecting these organizations from digital threats.…

India eats China's lunch in US smartphone manufacturing

But overall sales are basically flat, says Canalys For the first time, India has overtaken China as the top manufacturing hub for smartphones shipped to the US.…

AI data analyst startup Julius nabs $10M seed round

Summary:

The seed round for Julius AI was led by Bessemer Venture Partners.

Harmonic, the Robinhood CEO’s AI math startup, launches an AI chatbot app

Summary:

The chatbot app, which is available in beta on iOS and Android, lets users access its AI model, Aristotle.

Microsoft Edge is now an AI browser with launch of ‘Copilot Mode’

Summary:

Microsoft’s Edge browser introduces an AI-powered “Copilot Mode” for smarter web browsing.

Anthropic unveils new rate limits to curb Claude Code power users

Summary:

The new rate limits will go into effect August 28 for subscribers to Anthropic’s $20-per-month Pro plan, as well as its $100- and $200-per-month Max plans.

Why Dispo’s co-founder made the leap from social media to steelmaking

Summary:

Daniel Liss, co-founder of the social network Dispo and the dating app Teaser AI, is convinced he’s onto the next big thing: steelmaking. It all started a few op-eds he wrote for TechCrunch about anti-trust enforcement in social media.

Sachin Bansal's Navi secures Rs 170 Cr from institutional investors

Navi Technologies, co-founded by Sachin Bansal, offers a range of financial services, including personal loans, mutual funds, and health insurance.

MoEngage to secure $200M from ChrysCapital, A91 Partners, and Goldman Sachs: Report

The funding round is likely to value the Bengaluru and San Francisco, California-based firm between $750 million and $800 million.

Semiconductor startup Netrasemi bags Rs 107 Cr from Zoho, Unicorn India Ventures

The startup will use the fresh funding to scale research and development, enhance manufacturing and marketing capabilities, and bring four advanced system-on-chip (SoC) variants into production.

Lo! Foods nears Rs 100 Cr ARR, fuels next phase with $3.5M funding to drive Protein Chef

Lo! Foods will use funding to scale Protein Chef by expanding warehousing, strengthening backend tech, launching offline pilots, and building its brand.

SuperK raises Rs 100 Cr in Series B round co-led by Binny Bansal and Mithun Sacheti

SuperK plans to use the fund to hire across marketing, operations, and growth functions, and to expand into new towns and adjacent product categories.

Mazagon Dock Slips 3% on Q1 Miss

Mazagon Dock shares fall over 3% after missing Q1 earnings. Antique nears its previous record highs amid market activity. Source: ScoutQuest

GHCL Textiles Opens New Unit in TN

GHCL Textiles Ltd inaugurated the New Meenakshi section at Paravai on July 2, 2025. Trial production at the Paravai unit began on June 12, 2025, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Source: ScoutQuest

SAIL Aims 200-300 bps Margin Boost by H2FY26

SAIL expects a 200-300 bps margin improvement in Q2FY26. Further 200-300 bps margin growth is anticipated in H2FY26. Source: ScoutQuest

Panasonic Energy Q1 Results on Aug 7, Trading Window Shut

Panasonic Energy to hold a board meeting on Aug 7, 2025, for Q1 FY2025 unaudited results. Trading window remains closed from July 1, 2025, till 48 hours post-results declaration. Source: BSE

Arvind Fashions Declares ₹1.60/Share Final Dividend

Arvind Fashions recommends Rs.1.60 final dividend/share on Rs.4 face value. TDS at 10% for residents, 20% for non-residents; DTAA benefits apply. Source: ScoutQuest

Indonesia FDI Falls the Most in 5 Years

Country: Indonesia, Description: Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Indonesia, excluding investments in the financial and oil & gas sectors, dropped by 6.95% year-on-year to a six-quarter low of IDR 202.2 trillion ($12.3 billion) in the second quarter of 2025, sharply reversing a 12.7% rise in the previous quarter. This marked the first decline in foreign direct investment since Q3 2021 and the steepest fall in five years. Some of the biggest beneficiaries of FDI in the April–June period were the base metal, mining, services, transportation, warehousing, and telecommunication industries. Singapore remained the largest source of FDI, followed by Hong Kong and China. Meanwhile, total direct investment, including domestic sources, reached IDR 477.7 trillion, creating more than 665,764 jobs.

US 10-Year Yield Holds Steady Ahead of Fed Meeting

Country: United States, Description: The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note hovered around 4.4% on Tuesday, marking its fourth straight session of little movement as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy decision. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, though markets will be closely watching for any signals pointing to a potential rate cut in September. Focus will also be on the upcoming Personal Consumption Expenditures report—the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—for clues on how tariffs may be impacting price pressures. A slew of labor market data is also on tap this week, culminating in Friday’s closely watched monthly jobs report. Meanwhile, trade developments continued to draw attention after the US and European Union reached a weekend agreement that imposes a 15% tariff on most EU exports. The deal is viewed as disproportionately favoring the US economy.

China 10Y Yield Eases as Trade Talks Continue

Country: China, Description: China’s 10-year government bond yield inched lower to around 1.73% on Tuesday, pulling back gains from the previous session, as investors cautiously monitored ongoing US-China trade talks. The negotiations entered their second day, with both sides aiming to extend a fragile trade truce by another 90 days ahead of the August 12 deadline. A positive outcome could set the stage for a meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping later this year and help ease tensions in key sectors such as semiconductors and rare earths. Domestically, fiscal attention remains on the rollout of special bonds, with 231 billion yuan already allocated to support the consumer goods trade-in program and the remaining issuance expected in October, slightly weighing on yields amid concerns over increased supply. Investors now await the release of July PMI figures in the coming days, along with a private sector survey.

Yen Holds Losses as Strong Dollar Weighs

Country: Japan, Description: The Japanese yen hovered around 148.3 per dollar on Tuesday, holding near one-week lows after a sharp three-day decline, pressured by broad dollar strength. The greenback remained supported as recent global trade agreements are seen as disproportionately benefiting the US economy. US President Donald Trump also reiterated on Monday that countries unwilling to negotiate separate trade deals could soon face tariffs of 15% to 20%, significantly above the 10% headline rate imposed in April. On the domestic front, the Bank of Japan is set to announce its latest policy decision this week. While rates are widely expected to remain unchanged amid ongoing tariff-related uncertainty, the central bank is likely to revise its inflation forecast upward in its quarterly outlook. Meanwhile, political tensions continued to simmer, with growing calls for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. Ishiba, however, reaffirmed his intention to remain in office.

South Korean Won Falls on Dollar Strength, US Tariff Pressure

Country: South Korea, Description: The South Korean won fell to around 1,390 per dollar on Tuesday, retreating from earlier gains as the US dollar strengthened following a favorable trade deal finalized with the EU. While several major economies have already secured agreements with Washington, Seoul is working urgently to maintain active participation in the negotiations, aiming to ease a looming 25% reciprocal tariff and various sector-specific duties on South Korean exports. Seoul's efforts include a major investment proposal in the US shipbuilding industry. In light of Japan's recently confirmed 15% tariff deal, pressure is mounting for Seoul to match or exceed its terms. President Donald Trump has warned that countries without a deal by Friday could expect to face tariffs ranging from 15% to 20%. Ahead of the deadline, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol will meet with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington on Thursday, followed by Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Harvard considers $500M settlement to end Trump admin standoff

Summary: The Trump administration froze $2.7 billion in research funding and set a September deadline for the university to comply., Description: Harvard University is in negotiations with the Trump administration to pay up to $500 million to resolve allegations of campus antisemitism and restore access to billions in frozen federal research funding, according to sources familiar with the talks. The proposed settlement would be more than double the $221 million agreement reached by Columbia University last week. The negotiations come as...

Russia launches 324 drones in massive overnight assault

Summary: The bombardment killed four civilians and wounded 40 others, including children, as Ukrainian forces intercepted most projectiles., Description: Russia unleashed one of its most intensive aerial bombardments of Ukraine in recent weeks, launching 324 drones and seven missiles at Ukrainian targets in the overnight hours between July 27-28. The assault killed at least four civilians and injured 40 others, including children, marking a deadly escalation in Moscow's ongoing air campaign. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 309 drones and two...

Heavy rain in northern China kills 30, forces mass evacuations

Summary: Xi Jinping ordered all-out emergency efforts as torrential downpours brought over 300 millimeters of rain to China's capital., Description: Heavy rain lashed Beijing and northern China on Monday, killing 30 people and forcing the evacuation of more than 80,000 residents as President Xi Jinping ordered all-out emergency efforts to protect lives and property. The capital city issued its highest-level rainstorm alert as torrential downpours threatened to bring over 300 millimeters of rain overnight. Beijing's mountainous northern...

Security experts warn Trump over Nvidia chip sales to China

Summary: Twenty former officials say allowing H20 AI chip exports represents a "strategic misstep that endangers" America's military edge., Description: Twenty national security experts and former government officials have written an urgent letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick demanding the Trump administration reverse its recent decision to allow Nvidia to resume selling advanced AI chips to China. The group, including former Trump deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger, warns the move represents a "strategic misstep that...

Pro-Ukrainian hackers cripple Aeroflot, cancel over 100 flights

Summary: Silent Crow and Cyber Partisans claimed they destroyed 7,000 servers after infiltrating the Russian airline's network for a year., Description: Russian state airline Aeroflot was forced to cancel more than 100 flights on Monday after pro-Ukrainian hacker groups claimed responsibility for a devastating cyberattack that crippled the carrier's IT infrastructure. The attack marked one of the most significant cyber assaults on Russian aviation infrastructure since the war in Ukraine began. The Ukrainian hacker group Silent Crow and the...