Daily Strategic Briefing

China's IPv6 adoption takes a decent leap forward, especially on fixed networks

PLUS: Nightmare insect found in Australia; Arista makes more stuff in India; Atlassian job cuts; And more! Asia In Brief  China’s Cyberspace Administration last week reported increased uptake of IPv6.…

Lazarus Group rises again, this time with malware-laden fake FOSS

PLUS: Slow MFA rollout costs Canucks $5m; Lawmakers ponder Stingray ban; MSFT tightens Teams; And more! Infosec In Brief  North Korea’s Lazarus Group has changed tactics and is now creating malware-laden open source software.…

Silent Push CEO on cybercrime takedowns: 'It's an ongoing cat-and-mouse game'

Plus: why takedowns aren't in threat-intel analysts' best interest interview  It started out small: One US financial services company wanted to stop unknown crooks from spoofing their trading app, tricking customers into giving the digital thieves their login credentials and account information, thus allowing them to drain their accounts.…

Capacity planning a rising concern for datacenter operators as AI grows

New Uptime survey flags cost, power, outages Being able to forecast future capacity requirements is a growing concern for datacenter operators as they face conflicting factors such as rising costs, power constraints, and meeting the demands of AI workloads.…

Long live the nub: ThinkPad designer David Hill spills secrets, designs that never made it

We almost got more butterfly keyboards and foldable workstations Interview  Launched in 1992, the boxy black ThinkPad with its little red nub remains the quintessential business productivity notebook. Unlike commercial offerings from competitors such as Dell and HP, Lenovo's laptop has a following of people who collect old models and celebrate each new innovation.…

Apple might be building its own AI ‘answer engine’

Summary:

Apple is reportedly working to create a lightweight competitor to ChatGPT.

Inside OpenAI’s quest to make AI do anything for you

Summary:

OpenAI developed the first AI reasoning model less than a year ago, but the technology has shifted Silicon Valley’s focus to agents.

The uproar over Vogue’s AI-generated ad isn’t just about fashion

Summary:

“Modeling as a profession is already challenging enough without having to compete with now new digital standards of perfection that can be achieved with AI,” Sarah Murray told TechCrunch.

Tim Cook reportedly tells employees Apple ‘must’ win in AI

Summary:

Apple CEO Tim Cook held an hourlong all-hands meeting in which he told employees that the company needs to win in AI: “Apple must do this. Apple will do this.”

Anthropic cuts off OpenAI’s access to its Claude models

Summary:

Anthropic has cut off one of its biggest competitors, revoking OpenAI’s access to its Claude family of AI models.

[Weekly funding roundup July 25- Aug 1] VC inflow remains lacklustre on lower deal volumes

The month of July has been lacklustre for Indian startups, as a lower number of deals brought down the overall momentum.

IPV launches $110M global angel fund under GIFT City framework

IPV International completed the first close in April 2025 and has already made its debut investment in Singapore-based deeptech startup Cellivate Technologies.

Zepto raises Rs 7.5 Cr in funding from Elcid Investments

Elcid Investments picked up a stake in Zepto at a $5 billion valuation, as the quick-commerce firm readies a larger funding round.

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.

[Weekly funding roundup July 19-25] VC money continues to move in the slow lane

Venture capital funding in the month of July has been quite lacklustre, hovering around the $100 million range.

Federal Bank Dips 5% as Nomura Downgrades on Microfinance Stress

Federal Bank shares fell over 5% after Nomura downgraded the stock. Nomura reduced its target citing stress in the microfinance sector. Source: ScoutQuest

Nifty Near 24,600; ITC in Focus, Sensex Flat

Nifty opens near 24,600; Sensex remains flat with ITC in focus. MCX and Delhivery also highlighted in today's market activity. Source: ScoutQuest

Torrent Power Plans ₹3,110 Cr Nagpur Investment, Promises Lower Tariffs

Torrent Power proposes Rs 3,110cr investment in Nagpur for power distribution. The plan includes modernising infrastructure, better services, and lower tariffs than MSEDCL. Source: The Times of India

Adani Ports' July Cargo Up 8% YoY; YTD Growth at 10%

Adani Ports' July 2025 cargo volume rose 8% YoY to 40.2 MMT. YTD cargo volume grew 10% to 160.7 MMT; rail volumes up 15% YTD. Source: ScoutQuest

Telcos vs Tech: 5G Spectrum Clash Heats Up

Telcos and tech firms clash over 5G spectrum allocation for private networks, citing monetisation and control. DoT's fresh study reignites debates; tech firms cite global precedents, while telcos warn of regulatory concerns. Source: The Economic Times

AUS 10-Year Yield Rises on Inflation Gauge Jump

Country: Australia, Description: Australia’s 10-year government bond yield rose to around 4.25%, rebounding after briefly touching a four-week low, as a sharp rise in inflation prompted a reassessment of the monetary policy outlook. The TD-MI Inflation Gauge surged 0.9% in July, the highest monthly increase since December 2023, reinforcing the RBA’s lingering concerns about supply chains and consumer demand. The RBA still expects core inflation to ease gradually but remain in the upper half of its 2–3% target range through late 2025, while headline inflation is forecast to approach the top of the range by year-end and stay elevated into 2026 as household energy subsidies are phased out. Governor Michele Bullock also recently warned of external risks, including a fragile global outlook, which could fuel imported inflation and disrupt Australia’s trade-dependent economy. Helping ease trade concerns, the US left the 10% baseline tariff on Australian goods unchanged.

China 10-Year Yield Falls for 3rd Session

Country: China, Description: China’s 10-year government bond yield inched lower to around 1.70% on Monday, marking its third-session losing streak, as markets digested fresh policy signals from the People’s Bank of China. On Friday, the central bank announced a new financial stability committee and reaffirmed its commitment to an “appropriately loose” policy stance, aiming to maintain ample liquidity and guide reasonable credit growth in the second half. It also pledged to resolve risks in key regions and support local government financing platforms. While yields declined, bond sentiment remains pressured by rising equity inflows, tempering the downside and reinforcing one of the strongest equity–bond divergences since the pandemic. Looking ahead, markets are focused on October’s political plenum, where leaders are expected to address deflation, overcapacity, and the prolonged property downturn. Markets also turn to trade and inflation data, amid concerns over a US-China tariff truce still awaiting final approval.

JGB Yields Fall in Tandem with US Treasury Yields

Country: Japan, Description: Japan’s 10-year government bond yield fell about 5 basis points to around 1.5% on Monday, mirroring a sharp drop in US Treasury yields after July’s weak US jobs report. The data reinforced expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in September, with over 63 basis points of easing now priced in by year-end. Investors also continued to weigh the broader economic impact of President Donald Trump’s sweeping retaliatory tariffs on global growth and inflation. Domestically, markets are awaiting minutes from the Bank of Japan’s latest policy meeting for clues on future rate hikes. The BOJ held rates steady last week but raised its inflation forecast, while flagging heightened risks from global trade tensions.

SK Won Rises Amid Market Headwinds

Country: South Korea, Description: The South Korean won appreciated to around 1,384 per dollar on Monday, rising for the third consecutive session due largely to recent weakness in the dollar. This came amid a weak US jobs report and President Donald Trump’s abrupt dismissal of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, developments that unsettled investors and reinforced expectations of imminent Federal Reserve rate cuts. On the domestic front, investor sentiment remained cautious as uncertainties lingered over unaddressed non-tariff barrier issues between South Korea and the US. While the recent tariff deal reduced tariffs on South Korean imports, key challenges persist, particularly regarding regulations in the digital sector, quarantine measures on agricultural products, and concerns related to foreign exchange and security.

Japan Mulls Extra Budget Amid Tariff, Inflation Pressures

Country: Japan, Description: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the government is prepared to compile an extra budget to mitigate the economic impact of U.S. tariffs, acknowledging mounting political pressure after his coalition’s recent upper house election loss. “We will compile one if necessary, taking into account discussions with other parties,” Ishiba told parliament Monday when asked about including tax cuts in the budget. A stimulus package would likely be submitted during an extraordinary parliamentary session in September. While Japan’s recent trade deal with the U.S. eased tariffs on some goods, uncertainty remains over when auto tariffs will be reduced from 25% to 15%. Analysts expect the extra budget could total around JPY 10 trillion, adding to Japan’s already record JPY 115.5 trillion budget and worsening fiscal strain. Ishiba remains cautious about cutting Japan’s 10% sales tax, which opposition parties want lowered to ease the burden of rising food prices and support consumption.

Hamas offers Red Cross access to hostages with conditions

Summary: The group demands Israel permanently open humanitarian corridors and halt airstrikes during aid distribution after videos showed emaciated captives., Description: Hamas announced on Sunday that it would allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to deliver aid to Israeli hostages in Gaza, but only if Israel permanently opens humanitarian corridors and halts airstrikes during aid distribution. The offer came amid international outrage over disturbing videos showing emaciated Israeli captives, particularly 24-year-old Evyatar David, who appeared...

China rejects U.S. demands to halt Russian, Iranian oil imports

Summary: Beijing says it will defend energy sovereignty despite Trump's threats of 100% tariffs on Chinese goods over sanctioned oil purchases., Description: China has firmly rejected U.S. demands to halt oil purchases from Russia and Iran, setting up a potential collision course with the Trump administration over energy sovereignty versus sanctions enforcement. The standoff emerged during two days of trade negotiations in Stockholm, where Chinese officials pushed back against threats of 100% tariffs on Chinese goods if Beijing continues importing...

Russia launches state-controlled messaging app Max to be installed on all devices

Summary: Max combines messaging with government services and grants unprecedented device access, functioning as what experts call "state-backed spyware.", Description: The Kremlin has launched Max, a state-controlled messaging app that will become mandatory for government officials by September 2025, marking Russia's boldest step toward creating a Chinese-style digital surveillance ecosystem. The platform, developed by state-controlled VK Company, combines messaging with government services, financial transactions, and extensive monitoring capabilities that...

23 Palestinians killed seeking food aid despite Israeli pauses

Summary: The deaths occurred at distribution sites amid widespread famine, with witnesses describing indiscriminate gunfire as hungry crowds gathered for aid., Description: Israeli forces killed at least 23 Palestinians seeking food aid on Sunday in Gaza, according to hospital officials and witnesses, marking another deadly incident despite Israel's recent announcement of daily military pauses aimed at improving humanitarian aid delivery. The killings occurred as desperate crowds gathered around aid distribution sites amid widespread famine conditions across the...

Texas Democrats flee to Chicago to block Republican redistricting plan

Summary: The walkout breaks quorum needed to pass redistricting that could give Republicans five additional congressional seats in 2026., Description: Over 51 Texas House Democrats fled the state Sunday to Chicago, breaking the quorum needed to pass new congressional maps that could deliver Republicans five additional House seats in the 2026 midterm elections. The dramatic walkout represents a high-stakes gambit to delay what Democrats characterize as a Trump-backed gerrymander that would disproportionately harm Black and Latino voters. The...