Daily Strategic Briefing

US government snaps up 10% of Intel for $8.9B

The funds were already allocated under the CHIPS Act and Secure Enclave program Congratulations America, your government now owns 10 percent of troubled domestic chipmaker Intel.…

Google games numbers to make AI look less thirsty

Datacenters' drinking habit exaggerated, claims report comparing apples to oranges AI's drinking habit has been grossly overstated, according to a newly published report from Google, which claims that software advancements have cut Gemini's water consumption per prompt to roughly five drops of water — substantially less than prior estimates.…

Short circuit: Electronics supplier to tech giants suffers ransomware shutdown

Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft among major customers Data I/O, a major electronics manufacturer whose customers include Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, notified federal regulators that it fell victim to a ransomware infection on August 16 that continues to disrupt its business operations.…

AI giants call for energy grid kumbaya

Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI researchers warn of uneven power usage associated with AI training, and propose possible fixes Researchers at Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI have issued a call to designers of software, hardware, infrastructure, and utilities for help finding ways to normalize power demand during AI training.…

Thunderbird 142 lands with modest upgrades – plus talk of Pro service ahead

Bug fixes, message links, and hints of Exchange support in the pipeline Mozilla-owned subsidiary MZLA has released a new version of the Thunderbird messaging client and shared details on the forthcoming paid Thunderbird Pro service.…

Meta partners with Midjourney on AI image and video models

Summary:

Meta’s chief AI officer said that the company is partnering with Midjourney to license its AI image and video model technology.

Coinbase CEO explains why he fired engineers who didn’t try AI immediately

Summary:

After getting licenses to cover every engineer, some at the cryptocurrency exchange warned Armstrong that adoption would be slow, predicting it would take months to get even half the engineers using AI. 

Apple gets ready for AI in the enterprise with new ChatGPT configuration options

Summary:

Apple will let businesses configure ChatGPT enterprise access in the fall.

Apple is in talks to use Google’s Gemini for Siri revamp, report says

Summary:

Apple promised a major revamp to Siri, but the company’s AI capabilities have lagged behind competitors.

Nvidia reportedly halts production on its H20 AI chips

Summary:

Beijing is reportedly urging Chinese companies to turn to domestic chips just weeks after Nvidia got the green light to sell in China again.

R for Rabbit raises $27M in Series B round led by Filter Capital and 3one4 Capital

The company plans to use the fresh capital to expand distribution, invest in product development, and strengthen digital initiatives.

Nikhil Kamath backs Goldi Solar with Rs 137 Cr investment

Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath bets Rs 137.5 crore on Goldi Solar to power India’s clean energy push with new solar cell capacity and expanded module production.

Motilal Oswal Alternates raises $800M in first close of fifth PE Fund

The firm said that Fund V will primarily target mid-market investments of $40 million to $80 million across consumer, financial services, healthcare, technology-led businesses, and niche manufacturing.

Goldiam raises Rs 202 Cr to scale lab-grown diamond retail play

The Mumbai-based exporter goes deeper into consumer jewellery, with plans for up to 90 ORIGEM stores, in one of India’s largest fundraises for lab-grown diamonds.

Macquarie Asset Management raises $405M for EV fleet solutions platform Vertelo

The funding includes $205 million from institutional investors and $200 million in concessional capital from its anchor investor, Green Climate Fund.

Dixon Tech Rebounds to ₹16,888 After 2-Day Dip

Dixon Tech trades at Rs 16,888, rebounding after two days of decline. Despite lower delivery volume, it outperformed Sensex last week with strong fundamentals. Source: Marketsmojo

Tejas Networks Up 6.9% in 2 Days, Weak Financials Loom

Tejas Networks rose 6.9% in 2 days, priced at ₹620.9. Despite long-term growth, weak financials and lower institutional interest weigh on outlook. Source: Marketsmojo

City Union Bank Slips 2.2% on High Valuation, Weak Investor Sentiment

City Union Bank fell 2.2% to Rs 211.65, underperforming its sector. High valuation and recent pressures reduced investor participation despite strong long-term outlook. Source: Marketsmojo

Govt OKs ₹44.3 Cr Loans for Birla Corp, Varun Beverages

Govt approves Rs 44.3 cr interest-free loans under IIEP scheme for 4 firms. Birla Corporation and Varun Beverages among companies benefiting from the initiative. Source: The Times of India

DCB Bank Slips 0.2%, Lags Despite 14% Monthly Return

DCB Bank trades at 122.15, down 0.2, underperforming with a 14.1% return last month. Strong lending and positive quarterly results noted, but trades below moving averages. Source: Marketsmojo

Crypto currencies rising on Friday

Country: Crypto, Description: Gains across the board, Ether rose 13.90%, and Bitcoin posted a 3.72% increase.

Agricultural Commodities Updates: Coffee Rises by 3.57%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity gainers are Coffee (3.57%), Cocoa (2.55%) and Orange Juice (1.75%). Biggest losers are Oat (-2.02%), Rice (-1.79%) and Lumber (-1.61%).

Metals Commodities Updates: Silicon Rises by 4.81%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity gainers are Silicon (4.81%), Silver (1.92%), Steel Rebar (1.02%) and Gold (0.95%). Biggest losers are Iron Ore CNY (-0.58%).

Energy Commodities Updates: Natural gas Drops by 4.78%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity losers are Natural gas (-4.78%), Methanol (-1.04%) and Heating Oil (-0.69%). Gains are led by Ethanol (2.54%), Natural Gas UK GBP (1.19%), Uranium (1.09%), Crude Oil WTI (0.39%) and Brent Crude Oil (0.21%).

FX Updates: South Korean Won Increases by 1.23%

Country: Currency, Description: Top currency gainers are South Korean Won (1.23%), Swedish Krona (1.17%), Norwegian Krone (1.01%), Euro (0.90%), British Pound (0.82%) and Japanese Yen (0.98%). Biggest losers are Dollar Index (-0.91%).

Trump sets two-week ultimatum for Russia sanctions

Summary: President threatens "massive sanctions or massive tariffs" after Russian strike on U.S.-owned factory and failed Alaska summit with Putin., Description: U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a stark two-week ultimatum to Russia on Friday, threatening to impose "massive sanctions or massive tariffs" if no progress is made toward ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking from the White House, Trump expressed growing frustration with Moscow just a week after his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough. "I'm...

Russia builds massive spy array near NATO border

Summary: The facility in Kaliningrad could become the world's largest known signals intelligence installation, capable of monitoring alliance communications across Eastern Europe., Description: Russia is constructing a massive antenna array just miles from NATO's eastern border, according to satellite imagery analysis released by Ukrainian researchers, potentially creating the world's largest known signals intelligence facility capable of monitoring alliance communications across Eastern Europe. The installation, located in Russia's Kaliningrad exclave approximately 15.5 miles from...

Sri Lanka's ex-president arrested in historic first

Summary: Ranil Wickremesinghe faces charges of misusing state funds for a London trip to attend his wife's graduation ceremony., Description: Sri Lanka's former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested Friday on charges of misusing state funds, becoming the first former head of state to face detention in the island nation's history. The 76-year-old was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department and later remanded until August 26 after a court denied his bail application.

Trump halts work on Orsted offshore wind farm

Summary: The $4 billion Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island was 70% complete and expected to power 350,000 homes by 2026., Description: The Trump administration on Friday ordered Danish energy company Orsted to immediately cease all work on its Revolution Wind offshore wind project off Rhode Island's coast, delivering another blow to the renewable energy sector as the president intensifies his campaign against wind power. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a stop-work order citing unspecified concerns related to...

Musk announces 'Macrohard' AI venture to challenge Microsoft

Summary: The xAI project would operate entirely through artificial intelligence, with hundreds of specialized AI agents working collaboratively., Description: Elon Musk announced Friday that his artificial intelligence company xAI is developing a new software venture called "Macrohard," positioning the project as a direct challenge to Microsoft's dominance in enterprise software. The billionaire entrepreneur made the announcement via a post on X, his social media platform, calling for recruits to help build what he described as a "purely AI software...

Trump calls TikTok security concerns 'overrated'

Summary: The president signaled he will continue extending the divestment deadline indefinitely while negotiations with American buyers continue., Description: President Donald Trump signaled Friday that he will continue extending TikTok's divestment deadline indefinitely, dismissing national security concerns about the Chinese-owned app as "highly overrated" and citing ongoing negotiations with potential American buyers. Speaking to reporters, Trump characterized the security and privacy issues surrounding TikTok and its parent company ByteDance as...

Dow soars 846 points after Powell signals rate cuts ahead

Summary: The Fed chair said at Jackson Hole that shifting economic risks may warrant policy changes, sending traders to price in a 91% chance of September cuts., Description: Wall Street roared back to life Friday as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's closely watched speech at Jackson Hole opened the door to interest rate cuts, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average soaring 846 points to a record closing high. The market rally came after Powell signaled the central bank may be ready to ease monetary policy as early as September, marking a potential turning point...