Daily Strategic Briefing

Japan exploring whether AI could help inspect its nuclear power plants

If regulators heed the lessons of Fukushima, testing will have to jump Godzilla-sized hurdles Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority has requested extra funds to experiment with AI-powered nuclear plant inspectors.…

ChatGPT hates LA Chargers fans

Harvard researchers find model guardrails tailor query responses to user's inferred politics and other affiliations OpenAI's ChatGPT appears to be more likely to refuse to respond to questions posed by fans of the Los Angeles Chargers football team than to followers of other teams.…

AI arms dealer Nvidia laments the many billions lost to US-China trade war

China would be a $50 billion a year market for Nvidia if Uncle Sam would let us sell competitive products, says Jensen Huang Nvidia's top brass urged Washington to approve the sale of Blackwell accelerators to China during the GPU giant's Q2 earnings call on Wednesday.…

We all live in a virtual machine, a virtual machine, a virtual machine

VMware tweaked its licenses to suit submarines VMware has tweaked its software licensing so submarines can keep their computers running when they’re beneath the waves.…

Nvidia details its itty bitty GB10 superchip for local AI development

Starting at $2,999, tiny doesn't mean cheap Hot Chips  Back in 2023, Nvidia's superchip architecture introduced a new programming model for accelerated workloads by coupling the CPU to the GPU via a high-speed NVLink fabric that makes PCIe feel positively glacial.…

Nvidia reports record sales as the AI boom continues

Summary:

Nvidia’s revenue hit $46.7 billion in the second quarter, a 56% increase compared to the same period last year.

911 centers are so understaffed, they’re turning to AI to answer calls

Summary:

The company offers an AI voice assistant that helps 911 centers handle non-emergency calls.

Google and Grok are catching up to ChatGPT, says a16z’s latest AI report

Summary:

The report, in its fifth iteration, showcases two and a half years of data about consumers’ evolving use of AI products.

OpenAI co-founder calls for AI labs to safety-test rival models

Summary:

In an effort to set a new industry standard, OpenAI and Anthropic opened up their AI models for cross-lab safety testing.

Here are the 33 US AI startups that have raised $100M or more in 2025

Summary:

Last year was monumental for the AI industry in the U.S. and beyond. How will 2025 compare?

Kitchenware startup Cumin Co raises $1.5M in funding round led by Fireside Ventures

The funding will be used for R&D, product innovation, expanding manufacturing capacity, and strengthening Cumin Co's direct-to-consumer online presence.

Baby care quick commerce startup Peeko raises $3.2M led by Stellaris Venture Partners

Bengaluru startup Peeko bets on curated supply, AI-driven recommendations, and under-60-minute delivery to ease shopping woes for young parents.

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.

CredRight raises $10M in Series B funding from Abler Nordic, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

CredRight said it will use the capital to expand its loan book, upgrade its technology platform, and extend its reach across Tier II to Tier IV towns.

Palmonas raises Rs 55 Cr in Series A round from Vertex Ventures

Palmonas will use the capital to make demi-fine jewellery a household name in India and take everyday luxury to global markets.

ITDC Hikes Dividend to ₹2.90, EPS Up 48% Over 5 Years

India Tourism Dev. Corp announced a dividend hike to ₹2.90, yielding 0.5%, above industry avg. EPS grew 48% annually over 5 years; payout ratio may reach 22%, ensuring sustainable dividends. Source: Simply Wall Street

Subros Hikes Dividend to ₹2.60; EPS Set to Grow 20.8%

Subros Ltd raises dividend to ₹2.60, yielding 0.3%, below industry average. EPS forecast to grow 20.8%, with a 9.9% estimated payout ratio ensuring sustainability. Source: Simply Wall Street

KNR Constructions: ₹0.25 Dividend, Sustainability in Question

KNR Constructions declares ₹0.25/share dividend with a low 0.1% yield, payable on October 25. EPS grew 29% annually over 5 years, but declining cash flows raise concerns on dividend sustainability. Source: Simply Wall Street

Grasim Delivers 324% TSR in 5 Years, Outpaces EPS Growth

Grasim Industries delivered a 324% TSR over 5 years, outperforming its 312% share price gain. EPS grew 2.7% annually, while the share price rose 33% yearly, reflecting market optimism. Source: Simply Wall Street

Time Technoplast Loses ₹4.5B in Market Cap; Top 5 Hold 52%

Time Technoplast's market cap fell by ₹4.5b, impacting private companies owning 44%. Top 5 shareholders control 52% of the company; CEO holds 2% directly. Source: Simply Wall Street

Indonesia Stocks Hit Record High in Early Trade

Country: Indonesia, Description: The IDX Composite climbed 45 points, or 0.6%, to 7,981 in morning trade on Thursday, extending gains from the previous session and reaching a new record high. Investor sentiment was lifted by growing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut at the September meeting, following dovish signals from Fed Chair Jerome Powell last week. Domestically, optimism was supported by Bank Indonesia’s decision to cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points last week, as well as a policy agreement between the government and the House of Representatives on macroeconomic indicators, including economic growth targets for FY 2026. Almost all sectors traded in the green, led by raw materials (+1.2%), followed by healthcare, energy, and technology. Traders largely shrugged off a workers' demonstration demanding higher wages. Top performers included Perusahaan Gas Negara (2.1%), Astra International (1.8%), Bank Danamon (1.6%), and Indofood (0.8%).

India Extends Cotton Import Duty Exemption Through Year-End

Country: India, Description: India has extended its exemption on cotton import duties until December 31, offering relief to the domestic garment industry, which has been strained by a 50% tariff on exports to the U.S. The initial exemption, announced on August 18, was set to expire on September 30. According to a Press India Bureau release, the extension aims to “augment availability of cotton for the Indian textile sector.” Despite being the world’s third-largest exporter of raw cotton, trailing Brazil and the U.S., with USD 6.78 billion in export value in FY24, India’s textile manufacturers rely on imports of specific cotton varieties not readily available domestically. The move is expected to ease input cost pressures and support production amid global trade headwinds.

Silver Rises as Dollar Weakens

Country: Commodity, Description: Silver climbed above $38.6 per ounce on Thursday, trading near one-month highs as the dollar retreated on growing expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut next month. Markets now assign an 89% probability of a 25 basis point cut in September, up from 82% a week earlier. The shift came as President Donald Trump sought to exert greater influence over the central bank after attempting to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook and replace her with a more dovish candidate. On the industrial side, silver demand drew support from robust photovoltaic sector data in China. Recent figures showed Chinese solar cell exports surged more than 70% in the first half of the year, led by strong demand from India. This followed China’s installation of over 93 gigawatts of solar capacity in May — a record high and a 300% year-on-year increase — ahead of policy changes that will make it more difficult to connect new panels to the grid.

Vietnam to Adopt E10 Fuel Next Year, Boosting U.S. Import Prospects

Country: Vietnam, Description: Vietnam plans to fully switch to ethanol-blended gasoline (E10) in 2026, creating opportunities to expand imports of U.S. ethanol and corn, according to documents from the Ministry of Industry and Trade seen by Reuters. The proposal, aimed at narrowing Vietnam’s trade surplus with the U.S., calls the shift “one of the quick and effective solutions to increase the imports of goods from the U.S., reducing the surplus.” Washington recorded a USD 123 billion trade deficit with Hanoi last year, among its highest globally. Vietnam recently cut its ethanol import tariff to 5% from 10%, while Donald Trump suggested last month that U.S. exports to Vietnam could eventually face zero tariffs. The country consumes under 30 million tons of petroleum annually and has already pledged to boost imports of U.S. goods. Vietnam’s six ethanol plants can meet only 40% of the projected E10 demand, leaving room for significant imports.

AUS 10-Year Yield Tracks US Yields Lower

Country: Australia, Description: Australia’s 10-year government bond yield edged down to 4.30% on Thursday, mirroring a decline in US bond yields as traders ramped up bets for a Fed rate cut in September. This followed comments from New York Fed President John Williams, who suggested a cut was possible, along with concerns over President Donald Trump's ramped-up campaign to exert more influence on monetary policy as he attempted to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook. Back at home, data released on Wednesday showed consumer prices rose more than expected in July, dampening hopes for an imminent rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia next month. Markets are currently implying just 34bps of additional easing for the remainder of 2025. The data came a day after the release of the RBA’s latest meeting minutes, which reiterated the central bank’s openness to further interest rate cuts, provided inflation continued to ease in line with its forecasts.

Tropical deforestation kills 28,000 people yearly from heat

Summary: Forest loss across hot regions exposes 345 million people to dangerous temperature increases, with Southeast Asia bearing the heaviest burden., Description: Tropical deforestation is killing people at an alarming rate, with a new study finding that forest loss across the world's hottest regions led to approximately 28,000 heat-related deaths annually between 2001 and 2020. The research, published in Nature Climate Change, reveals for the first time the direct human health toll of clearing tropical forests, exposing over 345 million people to...

Japan's top negotiator cancels D.C. trip, delays $550B deal

Summary: Ryosei Akazawa's abrupt cancellation highlights growing complications in finalizing the landmark July trade agreement between the world's largest economies., Description: Japan's top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa abruptly canceled his planned visit to Washington on Thursday, further delaying critical negotiations over a $550 billion investment package that Tokyo offered to secure reduced U.S. tariffs. The cancellation came just hours before Akazawa was scheduled to depart for what would have been his 10th round of tariff talks since negotiations began in...

Mexico raises Chinese tariffs, halts US postal deliveries

Summary: Two major trade moves signal alignment with US economic pressure as Trump's new customs rules take effect., Description: Mexico is simultaneously announcing two major trade policy shifts that signal its alignment with US economic pressure and response to changing global trade dynamics, according to reports from August 27, 2025. President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration plans to raise tariffs on Chinese imports as part of its 2026 budget proposal, expected to be submitted to Congress by September 8. The tariff...

Hundreds of thousands protest across Israel for hostage deal

Summary: Demonstrators blocked highways in largest anti-war rallies since October 7, demanding Netanyahu accept ceasefire to free 50 remaining Gaza hostages., Description: Hundreds of thousands of Israelis flooded the streets nationwide on August 26-27, 2025, in what organizers called the largest anti-war demonstrations since the October 7, 2023 attacks. The protests, dubbed a "Day of Disruption," saw demonstrators blocking major highways and demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accept a ceasefire deal to bring home 50 remaining hostages held in Gaza. The...

Ukraine leverages battlefield data as diplomatic asset

Summary: Country offers comprehensive combat dataset to Western allies while AI-powered drones now destroy 80-90% of Russian targets., Description: Ukraine is leveraging its "priceless" trove of battlefield data as a strategic asset to strengthen relations with Western allies, according to Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The 34-year-old deputy prime minister revealed in a Reuters interview published Tuesday that demand for the country's comprehensive combat dataset is "incredibly high" as Kyiv carefully develops policies...