Daily Strategic Briefing

AMD’s AI datacenter revenue dived due to US ban on China GPU exports

Worry not, the rest of the business is EPYC and demand is RYZEN AMD’s revenue from AI products destined for datacenters dipped in the quarter ended June 28th, thanks to the USA’s ban on GPU exports to China.…

Broadcom’s Jericho4 ASICs just opened the door to multi-datacenter AI training

Forget building massive super clusters. Cobble them together from existing datacenters instead Broadcom on Monday unveiled a new switch which could allow AI model developers to train models on GPUs spread across multiple datacenters up to 100 kilometers apart. The switch could help pave the way for an alternative to the massive facilities currently being built to power the AI boom, allowing companies to stitch together distant and less power-hungry datacenters.…

Vibe coding tool Cursor's MCP implementation allows persistent code execution

More evidence that AI expands the attack surface Check Point researchers uncovered a remote code execution bug in popular vibe-coding AI tool Cursor that could allow an attacker to poison developer environments by secretly modifying a previously approved Model Context Protocol (MCP) configuration, silently swapping it for a malicious command without any user prompt.…

Make Redmond angry by setting up Windows 11 with a local account

They want you to use a Microsoft account, but we'll show you how to get around it hands on  Redmond really – and I mean really – wants you to log into Windows 11 with a Microsoft account.…

OpenAI makes good on its name, launches first open weights language models since GPT-2

GPT-OSS now available in 120 and 20 billion parameter sizes under Apache 2.0 license OpenAI released its first open weights language models since GPT-2 on Tuesday with the debut of GPT-OSS.…

Clay confirms it closed $100M round at $3.1B valuation

Summary:

The AI sales automation startup raised fresh funds, led by CapitalG, just months after its last round.

For the first time, OpenAI models are available on AWS

Summary:

This is a juicy competitive move for both companies after AWS faced an onslaught of criticism over its progress with AI.

OpenAI launches two ‘open’ AI reasoning models

Summary:

For the first time in more than five years, OpenAI is launching a new open language model that appears to be state of the art.

Some people are defending Perplexity after Cloudflare ‘named and shamed’ it

Summary:

In a debate likely to get louder as AI agent usage grows, some people say Perplexity crawling blocked websites isn’t a simple matter.

The EU AI Act aims to create a level playing field for AI innovation: Here’s what it is

Summary:

The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, known as the EU AI Act, has been described as “the world’s first comprehensive AI law” by the European Commission.

Deeptech startup SixSense bags $8.5M from Peak XV, others

The Singapore-based company has developed an AI-powered platform aimed at improving efficiency and reducing errors in semiconductor manufacturing.

Neo Asset Management raises Rs 750 Cr in first close of Rs 2000 Cr secondary PE fund

Neo Asset Management has raised approximately Rs 750 crore in the first close of its flagship private equity vehicle, Neo Secondaries Fund (NSF), less than three months after its launch. The fund, registered with SEBI as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund, is targeting a total corpus of Rs

TurboHire gets $6M in Series A funding led by IvyCap Ventures

With this funding, Hyderabad-based TurboHire plans to scale its global expansion, enhance its AI-driven recruitment platform, and build deeper integrations within the broader HR tech ecosystem.

IPO-bound Zetwerk to raise Rs 600 Cr from co-founders via new entity

According to filings, the B2B ecommerce platform will raise new funding from Creovate Innovation—a company set up by Zetwerk’s co-founders, Amrit Acharya and Srinath Ramakkrushnan.

GameRamp raises $5.4M in pre-seed round led by BITKRAFT Ventures

The funding will support GameRamp in scaling its engineering and applied AI teams across the US and India.

Alembic Pharma Q1: Growth Drivers, Market Outlook Discussed

Alembic Pharma Q1 results focus on domestic and international market outlook. Key growth drivers discussed as part of the report on ET Now. Source: ScoutQuest

Akzo Nobel Declares ₹30/Share Final Dividend for FY25

Akzo Nobel India Ltd approves final dividend of INR 30/share for FY ending March 31, 2025. Dividend declaration confirmed during AGM held on August 4, 2025. Source: MarketScreener

Gokaldas Exports Falls 15.9% on US Tariff Impact; Textile, Pharma Stocks Dip

US tariffs impact Indian exports; Gokaldas Exports drops 15.9%. Textile, pharma stocks like Raymond and Dr Reddy's face decline. Source: The Times of India

Yes Bank Allots 9.2L Shares Under ESOP; Paid-Up Capital at ₹62,737.2L

Yes Bank allotted 9.2 lakh equity shares under ESOP on Aug 5, 2025. Paid-up capital increased to Rs. 62,737.2 lakh post allotment. Source: Business Standard

BHEL, IRCON & 5 PSUs to Report Earnings Today

BHEL, IRCON, and 5 other PSU firms will release earnings today. Source: ScoutQuest

Indonesia Plans First Kangaroo Bond to Diversify Funding

Country: Indonesia, Description: Indonesia is preparing to launch its debut Kangaroo bond—government debt issued in Australian dollars—this August, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati recently said. The government is currently holding meetings with potential investors in Australia to gauge interest, with the final decision depending on investor feedback and market conditions. The potential offering may include five- and ten-year notes, according to Bloomberg News, which cited UBS Group AG, one of the joint lead managers for the deal. The move is part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to diversify funding sources and strengthen financial ties with Australia. The plan follows a meeting between Sri Mulyani and Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in South Africa in April 2025.

Thailand Consumer Prices Fall for 4th Month

Country: Thailand, Description: Consumer prices in Thailand declined by 0.70% year-on-year in July 2025, a sharper drop than the expected 0.45% fall and following a 0.25% decrease in June. This marked the fourth consecutive month of deflation and the steepest decline since February 2024, keeping inflation below the central bank’s 1%–3% target range. Meanwhile, core consumer prices, which exclude raw food and energy, rose 0.84% year-on-year, slightly below the forecasted 0.90% increase and down from 1.06% in June. This was the slowest pace of core inflation in six months.

Silver Holds Advance on Dovish Fed Bets

Country: Commodity, Description: Silver held around $37.8 per ounce on Wednesday after rising for three straight sessions, as expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts continued to build. The latest ISM Services PMI for July pointed to sluggish growth, declining employment, and persistent price pressures, reinforcing signs of a cooling labor market after last week’s weaker-than-expected payrolls report. Markets are now pricing in two Fed rate cuts by year-end, with the first possibly arriving in September. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly echoed this dovish tone, citing labor market softness and the limited inflationary impact of Trump’s tariffs. Silver was also boosted by political uncertainty following the resignation of Fed Governor Adriana Kugler, which raised concerns about central bank independence and opened the door for President Trump to appoint a more dovish successor.

Qatar Non-Oil Private Sector Growth Eases

Country: Qatar, Description: Qatar’s S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declined to 51.4 in July 2025, down from June’s three-month high of 52.0, indicating a softer pace of non-energy private sector growth. However, the index remained slightly above the 2025 trend level of 51.2. The moderation in growth was driven by a faster decline in new orders, slower output growth, and quicker supplier delivery times. Output rose only slightly. These factors were partially offset by stronger employment growth and an increase in input inventories, with job creation reaching the second-highest level on record. Meanwhile, backlogs of work increased despite the sharp rise in staffing levels. On the price front, selling prices fell for the twelfth consecutive month, with the rate of deflation accelerating to its fastest pace since September 2024. Finally, business sentiment weakened to a one-year low.

Philippines to Temporarily Halt Rice Imports, No Tariff Hike Yet

Country: Philippines, Description: The Philippines will suspend rice imports for 60 days starting September 1, Communications Secretary Dave Gomez announced Wednesday. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension to protect local farmers, following consultations with Cabinet members during his state visit to India and upon the recommendation of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. The Philippines is one of the world’s top rice importers, making the move particularly significant for both domestic producers and global markets. While the Agriculture Department had earlier proposed raising rice import tariffs due to a sharp drop in palay prices amid record-high production, Marcos stated it was “not yet time” to discuss tariff hikes. Previously, his administration had reduced rice tariffs to 15% to ease consumer burdens during a period of high global prices.

US household debt hits record $18.39 trillion

Summary: The $185 billion quarterly increase was driven by mortgages, while seniors emerged as the fastest-growing borrowing demographic., Description: US household debt climbed to a record $18.39 trillion in the second quarter of 2025, marking a $185 billion increase from the previous quarter, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit released today. The 1% quarterly rise comes as Americans continue to navigate elevated borrowing costs and evolving spending patterns post-pandemic. The...

RFK Jr. cancels $500M in mRNA vaccine research contracts

Summary: Health secretary terminates federal funding for COVID, flu and bird flu vaccine development despite scientific evidence of mRNA effectiveness., Description: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday the termination of 22 federal contracts worth nearly $500 million for mRNA vaccine development, marking the most dramatic shift in U.S. vaccine policy since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The decision affects programs targeting respiratory viruses including COVID-19, influenza, and H5N1 bird flu being developed by major pharmaceutical...

China battles major chikungunya outbreak with over 7,000 cases

Summary: Over 7,000 cases across Guangdong province prompt COVID-like containment measures and a CDC travel warning for the region., Description: China is battling its most severe chikungunya outbreak in more than a decade, with cases exceeding 7,000 across Guangdong province since July, prompting aggressive containment measures reminiscent of COVID-19 protocols and a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel warning. The mosquito-borne virus has struck hardest in Foshan city, where 95% of cases are concentrated, forcing...

Rwanda agrees to accept 250 US deportees in new deal

Summary: The agreement marks the third African nation to join Trump's expanding third-country deportation program, despite human rights concerns., Description: Rwanda has officially agreed to accept up to 250 migrants deported from the United States under a new agreement with the Trump administration, marking the third African nation to participate in Washington's expanding third-country deportation program. The deal, signed in June 2025 in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, allows Rwanda to review and approve each individual case before resettlement....

Chinese officials pressure UK students to spy on classmates

Summary: Report finds Chinese students asked to monitor peers critical of China, while universities' financial dependence may hamper response efforts., Description: Chinese students at UK universities are being pressured by officials to monitor their classmates and report back on discussions critical of China, according to a new report by UK-China Transparency (UKCT) that reveals widespread interference in British academic institutions. The findings come as the UK implements new legislation requiring universities to actively protect academic freedom and...