Daily Strategic Briefing

IBM Cloud to end free human support, suggests customers use enhanced AI instead

Shift to self-service will apparently improve support, presumably Big Blue's bottom line too IBM Cloud will update the services it provides under its Basic Support tier, which will move to a self-service model in January 2026.…

US puts $10M bounty on three Russians accused of attacking critical infrastructure

Seven-year-old Cisco vuln that remains inexplicably unpatched is their way in The US State Department has put a $10 million bounty on the heads of three Russians accused of being intelligence agents hacking America's critical infrastructure - primarily via old Cisco kit, it seems.…

Congressional panel throws cyber threat intel-sharing, funding a lifeline

Clock is ticking US security leaders have urged lawmakers to reauthorize two key pieces of cyber legislation, including one that facilitates threat-intel sharing between the private sector and federal government, before they expire at the end of the month.…

Oracle’s layoff train rolls on: 101 in WA, 250+ in CA - with more cuts looming

Big Red bloodbath not yet acknowledged by the company Oracle on Tuesday laid off more than 100 workers in Washington State and more than 250 in California, though we're told that the database giant may be firing thousands around the world.…

Android drops mega patch bomb - 120 fixes, two already exploited

September bundle the largest this year, and possibly the most serious Patch Tuesday is next week, but Android is ahead of the game, dropping its biggest patch bundle this year while attackers actively exploit two of the now-fixed flaws.…

Mistral, the French AI giant, is reportedly on the cusp of securing a $14B valuation

Summary:

The two-year-old OpenAI rival, founded by former DeepMind and Meta researchers, develops open source language models and Le Chat, its AI chatbot built for European audiences.

Scale AI is suing a former employee and rival Mercor, alleging they tried to steal its biggest customers  

Summary:

Scale is clearly concerned enough about the threat of Mercor, and the poaching of one of its employees, to pursue legal action.

Apple’s Siri upgrade could reportedly be powered by Google Gemini

Summary:

An AI Siri is in the works and it could be running Gemini under the hood.

xAI’s CFO is the latest executive to leave Elon Musk’s AI firm

Summary:

While at xAI, Mike Liberatore helped orchestrate the company’s $5 billion debt raise, alongside another $5 billion in equity — almost half of which came from SpaceX.

CoreWeave acquires agent-training startup OpenPipe

Summary:

CoreWeave hopes the YC-backed startup will help it expand up the stack and cash in on enterprises developing AI agents.

FirstClub secures $23M to push quality-first quick commerce platform

Backed by Accel and RTP Global, FirstClub is betting that India’s quick commerce boom will shift from speed to standards, with families paying more for quality everyday essentials.

PlatinumRx is betting on generic substitutes to cut India’s soaring medicine bills

The Bengaluru-based online pharmacy, which has raised $6 million funding led by Stellaris Venture Partners, wants to break India’s branded generics cartel with cheaper, vetted substitutes for chronic care patients.

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.

Short-form video learning platform Seekho bags $28M led by Bessemer

Seekho plans to invest in new content formats, primarily powered by AI, blending video with interactive elements to create more personalised learning journeys.

StockGro raises Rs 50 Cr in venture debt from Trifecta Capital funds

The funding comes as StockGro expands its product suite. Last month, the Bengaluru startup launched Stoxo, billed as an AI-powered stock market research engine for retail traders and investors.

Sensex Hits 81,000; M&M Rallies Early

Nifty opens at 24,980; Sensex reclaims 81,000 mark. M&M rallies in trade during market opening. Source: ScoutQuest

M&M Jumps 6% on GST 2.0 Benefits

M&M surges over 6%, leading gains as a key GST 2.0 cut beneficiary. Source: ScoutQuest

Bharat Seats: No Major Events Impacting Stock

Bharat Seats clarified no major events or price-sensitive info affecting its stock. The company confirmed no announcements impacting price-volume behavior on exchanges. Source: BSE

GST Exemption May Raise Insurer Costs, Hit Commissions

PB Fintech sees GST exemption on individual life and health insurance but challenges insurers/distributors. Insurers may face 5-7% cost rise, impacting loss ratios, term insurance value, and distributor commissions. Source: ScoutQuest

GST Revision Hits Tata, Maruti Stocks

GST revision in the auto sector impacts Tata Motors and Maruti. Source: ScoutQuest

India GST Rate Cuts Effective September 22

Country: India, Description: India’s 56th GST Council meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday, approved the most significant overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime since its launch eight years ago. According to The Economic Times, the new rate structure will take effect on September 22, with the exception of tobacco products, which will be subject to separate conditions. The GST Council, the apex decision-making body for the tax, unanimously approved sweeping rate cuts on a wide range of everyday goods and some services, aiming to make them more affordable and stimulate consumption. The revised structure transitions to a two-slab system of 5% and 18%, effectively eliminating the 12% and 28% slabs. The reform is expected to contribute 20–30 basis points to GDP growth, helping to offset the economic impact of the recently imposed 50% US tariffs.

China Mulls Curbs on Speculation Amid Market Boom

Country: China, Description: Chinese regulators are weighing measures to cool the stock market after a strong rally since early August, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday. Proposals submitted to top policymakers include lifting some short-selling curbs and tightening oversight of speculative trading, amid concern that a sharp reversal could hit retail investors. Officials aim to foster more stable gains to support the economy and consumer sentiment. It remains uncertain if any proposals will be adopted. At a symposium in Beijing last month, China Securities Regulatory Commission Chairman Wu Qing pledged to safeguard market stability and consolidate the “positive momentum” while encouraging “long-term, value, and rational investing.”

New Zealand Dollar Steady

Country: New Zealand, Description: The New Zealand dollar was pinned at $0.587 on Thursday, after gaining 0.3% in the prior session amid a broadly softer US dollar. The greenback was on the backfoot after Wednesday’s data showed US job openings fell more than expected, signaling a weakening labour market and reinforcing hopes of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve later this month. However, upside for the kiwi remains limited by dovish policy expectations at home. Analysts are currently anticipating two more rate cuts from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, which would bring the cash rate down to 2.50% — the lowest level since mid-2022. Investor attention is also on leadership changes at the central bank, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon indicating that the appointment of a new RBNZ governor could be announced within weeks.

Thailand Parliament to Vote on New Prime Minister Friday

Country: Thailand, Description: Thailand’s House of Representatives will vote for a new prime minister on Friday, according to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. The announcement follows the Privy Council’s reported rejection of a draft royal decree to dissolve the House, citing procedural and legal concerns raised by caretaker PM Phumtham Wechayachai. The Privy Council, a formal advisory body to the monarchy, plays a key role in vetting royal documents and ensuring constitutional compliance. The upcoming vote could pave the way for Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai, to form a government backed by the 143-member People’s Party—the largest in parliament. However, this support comes with strict conditions: the new prime minister must dissolve the House within four months of presenting their policy statement, triggering a general election and potentially a referendum on constitutional amendments.

BI to Raise Interest Paid on Government Deposits Under Burden Sharing Deal

Country: Indonesia, Description: Indonesia’s central bank has agreed to a “burden sharing” arrangement with the government, under which it will raise the interest rates paid on government deposits to help fund public programs. Bank Indonesia (BI) spokesperson Ramdan Denny Prakoso said on Thursday that the arrangement is designed to support the government's efforts to raise funds through the bond market for initiatives such as affordable housing and the establishment of cooperatives in villages, according to Reuters. Under the deal, the "burden" will be calculated by evenly splitting the cost of funds on bonds issued for these programs, after deducting any interest the government earns on its deposits with domestic financial institutions. In addition, BI has purchased IDR 200 trillion (USD 12.3 billion) of government bonds in the secondary market, including IDR 150 trillion through a debt switch with the government.

Russia unleashes largest assault on Ukraine since war began

Summary: More than 500 drones and 24 missiles struck 14 locations across Ukraine, forcing NATO allies to scramble fighter jets., Description: Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults since the war began, unleashing more than 500 drones and 24 missiles across Ukraine early Wednesday morning in an attack that targeted critical infrastructure and forced NATO allies to scramble fighter jets. The bombardment struck at least 14 locations across nine Ukrainian regions, injuring railway workers and causing significant damage to...

Apple to launch AI search tool with Google partnership

Summary: The "World Knowledge Answers" system will transform Siri into an answer engine, debuting in spring 2026 with multimodal responses., Description: Apple's plan to launch an AI-powered search tool with Google's Gemini integration represents a significant shift in the tech giant's approach to digital search. The company is internally developing a system called "World Knowledge Answers," which aims to transform Siri into an answer engine capable of providing web-based information with multimodal responses. The initiative, first reported by...

NASA's InSight lander reveals Mars has Earth-like core

Summary: Seismic data shows the Red Planet has a solid inner core surrounded by liquid metal, plus ancient asteroid fragments in its mantle., Description: NASA's InSight lander has revolutionized our understanding of Mars through two groundbreaking discoveries: the Red Planet possesses a solid inner core surrounded by liquid molten metal, and its mantle contains billions-year-old fragments from ancient asteroid impacts that may include remnants of failed protoplanets.

Israeli minister proposes annexing 82% of West Bank

Summary: Bezalel Smotrich frames the move as preempting Western recognition of Palestinian statehood, prompting sharp warnings from the UAE., Description: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced a sweeping plan Wednesday to annex 82 percent of the occupied West Bank, framing the move as a preemptive strike against international recognition of Palestinian statehood. The proposal has drawn sharp warnings from the United Arab Emirates that such action would cross a "red line" and jeopardize the Abraham Accords. Speaking alongside Yesha...

UK budget delayed to Nov. 26 as borrowing costs hit 27-year high

Summary: Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a £40 billion fiscal shortfall as gilt yields surge to 5.75%, the highest since 1998., Description: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed the Autumn Budget will be delivered on November 26, marking the latest autumn fiscal statement in more than a decade amid mounting pressure from financial markets and an estimated fiscal shortfall of up to £40 billion. The announcement comes as UK government borrowing costs reached 27-year highs, with 30-year gilt yields surging to 5.75% on Wednesday, the...