Daily Strategic Briefing

Huawei used its own silicon to re-educate DeepSeek so its output won’t bother Beijing

PLUS: India ponders tax breaks for datacenters; Samsung plans hiring spree; Taliban bans fiber internet; and more Asia In Brief  Huawei last week revealed that China’s Zhejiang University used its Ascend 1000 accelerators to create a version of DeepSeek’s R1 model that improves on the original by producing fewer responses that China’s government would rather avoid.…

Ransomware attack linked to museum break-in and theft of golden exhibits

PLUS: Luxury brands under fire; FBI warns crims are spoofing it again; ICE buys phone cracking software Infosec in brief  Online criminals prefer to deal in digital assets, but a side effect of a ransomware attack has seen a French museum robbed of $705,000 in physical gold nuggets.…

Firewall upgrade linked to three deaths after Australian telco cut off emergency calls

Optus was unaware network changes caused a problem, and ignored some customer complaints Australian telco Optus says its staff may not have followed established processes when a firewall upgrade they conducted resulted in customers not being able to call emergency emergency services for fourteen hours – a period during which it is thought three of the carrier’s customers died after trying to seek help, according to the company's CEO.…

Make Windows 11 more useful and less annoying with these 11 Registry hacks

From pain-free shutdowns to crap-free search, these tweaks will improve your experience hands on  Windows 11 has a number of puzzling or annoying UI changes from Windows 10 that power users might wish to change. But you can't make these tweaks from the Settings menu or even the legacy Control Panel. To make these changes, you’ll need to edit the Registry.…

SaaS vendors are hiking costs faster than inflation, but squeaky wheels can still get deals

And also force them to improve resilience SaaS vendors are increasing prices faster than both inflation and the typical growth rate of corporate IT budgets, but Gartner VP analyst Jo Liversidge thinks that canny buyers can reduce their bills by anticipating price hikes and planning to negotiate hard.…

Silicon Valley bets big on ‘environments’ to train AI agents

Summary:

A wave of startups are creating RL environments to help AI labs train agents. It might be Silicon Valley’s next craze in the making.

6 days left: Last chance for Regular Bird savings for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 passes

Summary:

Time’s ticking! Register by September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT to lock in Regular-Bird pricing and save up to $668 on your pass to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening in San Francisco’s Moscone West on October 27-29.

Updates to Studio, YouTube Live, new gen AI tools, and everything else announced at Made on YouTube

Summary:

YouTube unveiled tons of new updates, features, and tools geared toward creators.

Lincoln Center’s Collider Fellows explore how tech could transform the performing arts

Summary:

At a time of high anxiety around technology’s impact on arts and culture, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ Collider Fellowship is focused on new opportunities, welcoming multi-disciplinary artists to explore how emerging tech can transform live performance and the performing arts.

Only 7 days left to save on TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 tickets — lock in Regular Bird pricing now

Summary:

Time is running out to grab your pass to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27–29 in San Francisco. With less than 7 days left to lock in Regular Bird pricing, now’s your chance to save up to $668 on your ticket and join 10,000+ founders, investors, and builders at one of the most iconic startup conferences of the year.

Consumer electronics startup Indkal Technologies bags $20M funding

Indkal’s new capital will fund R&D, strengthen sales and service, expand Wobble Displays’ product portfolio, introduce new display categories, and develop after-sales infrastructure and marketing activities.

AI chip firm Groq secures $750M at $6.9B valuation

Groq, which raised $640 million at a $2.8 billion valuation in August 2024, has more than doubled its valuation in less than a year and has now raised over $3 billion in total.

Heavy-duty truck maker Blue Energy Motors raises $30M from Nikhil Kamath, others

Blue Energy Motors will use the fresh funds to expand its manufacturing capacity and develop LNG and electric heavy-duty trucks.

Scalekit raises $5.5M to build authentication stack for AI agents

The round was led by Together Fund and Z47, with participation from operator-angels including Adam Frankl, Oliver Jay, and Jagadeesh Kunda.

Lucira raises $5.5M in seed funding Led by Blume Ventures

Lucira plans to use the funding to open new retail stores, expand its design studio, and invest in technology and hiring.

Tech Mahindra Drops 5% as H-1B Fee Hike Hits IT Stocks

Tech Mahindra shares fell 5% after the $1,000 H-1B visa fee hike. IT stocks broadly declined following the announcement of the H-1B visa fee increase. Source: ScoutQuest

RBI Sets Up Regulatory Review Cell, SBI MD to Lead Advisory Group

RBI forms Regulatory Review Cell to streamline financial regulations, ensuring reviews every 5-7 years. An advisory group, chaired by SBI MD Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh, will channel industry feedback to the RRC. Source: The Economic Times

Govt Denies CB OS 2 Extension; ONGC Takes Temporary Control

Govt denied extending CB OS 2 block's Production Sharing Contract. ONGC to temporarily take control of the 3400 bpd oil, 340,000 SCMD gas block. Source: ScoutQuest

BSL Infra to Buy 26% in PM Telelinks at ₹6.81/Share

BSL Infrastructure plans to acquire 26% in P.M. Telelinnks at Rs 6.81/share. The open offer involves 26.2L shares, worth Rs 1.78 crore, spanning Sept-Dec 2025. Source: ScoutQuest

Jefferies Ups Paytm Target to Peak on Strong Showing

Jefferies raises Paytm's price target to its highest level. The upgrade follows Paytm's recent strong performance. Source: ScoutQuest

RBA Signals Vigilance Amid Steady Data, Gradual Rate Cuts

Country: Australia, Description: The Reserve Bank of Australia remains vigilant to shifts in the economic outlook, though recent data have largely met expectations, Governor Michele Bullock said Monday. Speaking to lawmakers, Bullock noted that recent rate cuts are expected to support household and business spending, but global conditions remain “uncertain and unpredictable.” She added, “Since the August meeting, domestic data have been broadly in line with our expectations, or if anything slightly stronger – the board will discuss this and other developments at our meeting next week.” The central bank indicated it is close to meeting both its inflation and employment targets, with inflation on track to hit the 2-3% midpoint and the labor market near full employment. The board has gradually eased policy, cutting rates in February, May, and August to 3.6%, while future moves will depend on incoming data.

EU Proposes Early Ban on Russian Gas in New Sanctions Push

Country: European Union, Description: The European Union has proposed accelerating its ban on Russian gas imports by one year, aiming to phase out liquefied natural gas purchases from Russia by January 2027. The move is part of the bloc’s 19th sanctions package since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, designed to weaken Russia’s war financing and align with pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. The package also targets firms, banks, and traders in China, India, and other countries accused of helping Russia bypass existing sanctions. “The proposal needs approval from all 27 member states,” the European Commission said. The EU has already slashed Russian oil imports from 29% in early 2021 to just 2% by mid-2025. The latest measures reflect Washington’s push for a full fossil fuel embargo and Brussels’s effort to encourage Trump to adopt a firmer stance on Moscow.

India, U.S. Resume Trade Talks as Goyal Heads to Washington

Country: India, Description: India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Washington today, September 22, to push forward a long-pending trade deal, following renewed talks last week. “The delegation plans to take forward the discussions with a view to achieving early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” an official statement said. On September 16, U.S. Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch met Indian officials led by Chief Negotiator Rajesh Agrawal in New Delhi. Talks were described as “positive” and “forward-looking” after President Trump softened his stance following punitive tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil purchases. However, it remains unclear whether India will address contentious issues such as visa fee hikes, pressure to curb Russian oil imports, or U.S. demands to open its agriculture and dairy sectors. Last month, Trump imposed a 25% levy on Indian imports from August 27, doubling tariffs to 50% as part of Washington’s pressure campaign on Moscow.

Australia 10-Year Yield Approaches 2-Week High

Country: Australia, Description: Australia’s 10-year government bond yield rose to around 4.29% on Monday, nearing a two-week high, as investors digested RBA comments emphasizing a measured approach to rate cuts. Governor Michelle Bullock said the central bank would remain alert to shifts in the economic outlook, noting that recent data have broadly aligned with expectations. While recent rate cuts should support household and business spending, global conditions remain uncertain. The RBA also highlighted that it is approaching its dual objectives of price stability and full employment, with inflation on track for the midpoint of the 2–3% target range and the labor market still near full employment. Markets now see a 75% chance of easing in November, down from fully priced earlier, with swaps implying fewer than two additional cuts by mid-next year. Investors' attention now turns to upcoming PMI data and the monthly CPI release for further guidance.

South Korean Won Firms on Risk-On Mood

Country: South Korea, Description: The Korean won rose to around 1,392 per USD on Monday, recovering from recent losses as global sentiment improved. Asian equities advanced after the Fed’s rate cut, with traders watching for cues on further easing. At the same time, optimism also built ahead of China’s loan prime rate decision this week, with hopes that authorities will maintain credit conditions and back regional trade. Meanwhile, upside for the won was tempered after President Lee Jae Myung warned that Washington’s push for $350 billion in Korean investments without safeguards could trigger a 1997-style financial crisis unless paired with a currency swap. His remarks highlighted risks over capital outflows, FX reserve strains, and fragile trade ties with the US, clouding Korea’s external stability outlook. Looking ahead, markets are focused on Beijing’s policy stance, the upcoming US PCE inflation report, and comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other officials for signals on the pace of easing.

Trump to announce link between Tylenol and autism Monday

Summary: The announcement comes despite medical consensus that acetaminophen is safe during pregnancy and conflicting research on autism connections., Description: President Donald Trump is poised to announce Monday that Tylenol use during pregnancy may be linked to autism in children, marking the first time the federal government has officially connected the popular pain reliever to the developmental disorder. The announcement, previewed by Trump during conservative activist Charlie Kirk's memorial service Sunday in Arizona, comes despite widespread...

Safety advisers warn SpaceX moon lander could delay Artemis III by years

Summary: NASA panel cites technical hurdles like cryogenic fuel transfer as SpaceX's lunar landing system faces "significant challenges" for 2027 mission., Description: NASA's highly anticipated return to the Moon faces another setback as safety advisers warn that SpaceX's lunar lander could be delayed by years, potentially pushing the Artemis III mission well beyond its current 2027 target date. The concern was raised at a public meeting of NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel on Friday, where panel members expressed serious doubts about the readiness of...

China keeps interest rates unchanged for fourth straight month

Summary: The central bank maintained key lending rates despite economic weakness and the Federal Reserve's recent rate cut., Description: China's central bank maintained its key interest rates for the fourth consecutive month on Monday, defying expectations that it might follow the Federal Reserve's lead in easing monetary policy, as policymakers resisted calls for aggressive stimulus amid persistent economic headwinds. The People's Bank of China kept its one-year loan prime rate unchanged at 3.0% and the five-year rate at 3.5%,...

Macron rebukes U.S. Ambassador Kushner over antisemitism criticism

Summary: French president calls diplomat's public letter attacking France's policies "unacceptable" and a violation of diplomatic protocol., Description: French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a sharp rebuke to U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner on Sunday, calling his public criticism of France's response to antisemitism "unacceptable" for a diplomat and a violation of established diplomatic protocol. The confrontation stems from a controversial letter Kushner published in the Wall Street Journal in August, which accused France of insufficient...

Trump says Murdoch, Ellison, Dell involved in TikTok talks

Summary: The president revealed on Fox News that the prominent business leaders are part of a consortium negotiating to take control of the social media platform., Description: President Trump revealed on Fox News' inaugural "The Sunday Briefing" program that prominent business figures Lachlan Murdoch, Larry Ellison, and Michael Dell are among those involved in ongoing negotiations to secure TikTok's future in the United States. The announcement came during an exclusive interview with Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy, as Trump provided new details about...