Daily Strategic Briefing

ICE plans to scour Facebook, TikTok, X, and even defunct Google+ for illegal immigration leads

Draft solicitation calls for nearly 30 contractors to mine social media and other open-source data US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking contractors to trawl social media and other open-source data for potential immigration enforcement leads, assuming public posts can yield actionable intelligence.…

Bezos plan for solar powered datacenters is out of this world… literally

Aspiring Bond villain believes the best place to train our AI overlords is in orbit Amazon founder and executive chair Jeff Bezos says that, within two decades, gigawatt-scale datacenters powered by a continuous stream of photons from the sun will fill Earth's orbit.…

No suds for you! Asahi brewery attack leaves Japanese drinkers dry

One week after the blitz, beer biz is still stymied Ransomware has left Japan's biggest brewer struggling to ship beer, with Asahi warning domestic customers to brace for patchy supplies while its core systems stay offline.…

'Retired' cybercrime group demands $989M not to leak 1B Salesforce records

CRM giant insists its platform wasn’t breached Despite multiple arrests and talk of retirement, a crew now calling itself Scattered LAPSUS$ Hunters has reemerged with a data-leak site listing about 40 companies’ Salesforce environments, and is demanding $989.45 to prevent what it claims is about 1 billion stolen records from being published online.…

Google goes straight to shell with AI command line coding tool

Devs live in terminals - now Jules does too In the beginning was the command line, and despite all the machine-learning froth, developers still live there. That is why Google has shoved its Jules coding agent into a terminal with a new tool it calls Jules Tools.…

With its latest acqui-hire, OpenAI is doubling down on personalized consumer AI 

Summary:

OpenAI is acquiring the CEO of Roi, an AI financial companion. Roi will sunset its service as its talent heads to OpenAI, ostensibly to help boost revenue in consumer apps.

Sources: Naveen Rao’s new AI hardware startup targets $5B valuation with backing from a16z 

Summary:

Former Databricks AI chief is raising $1 billion to build an Nvidia rival through a novel approach.

What to expect at OpenAI’s DevDay 2025, and how to watch it

Summary:

OpenAI’s third developer conference is around the corner, and it’s shaping up to be the company’s biggest yet.

Google’s Gemini AI app could soon be getting a big makeover

Summary:

The company is seemingly experimenting with a new user interface that would shift the app from having a chatbot-style look and feel to one offering a scrollable feed with suggested prompts accompanied by eye-catching photos.

Can AI companies turn brainrot into revenue?

Summary:

The U.S. government shutdown that began this week is the first in seven years. While it might not feel immediately disruptive, for startups waiting on permits, visas, or regulatory approvals, even a few weeks can become an existential problem.  On this episode of Equity, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Max Zeff talk through how uncertainty […]

Handpickd raises $15M in Series A round led by Bertelsmann India Investments

The fresh produce delivery startup plans to use the funds to expand to more cities, hire talent, and improve its supply chain technology.

Hyderabad-based fintech Zaggle to raise nearly Rs 60 Cr through warrants

Enterprise fintech company Zaggle had raised Rs 595 crore through a QIP in December 2024, with the state-owned Bank of India emerging as the largest buyer.

Hocco secures Rs 115 Cr in funding at Rs 2,000 Cr valuation led by Sauce.VC

Since its launch less than two years ago, Hocco has expanded quickly, gaining traction through product innovation, quality, and a modern approach to distribution.

Peak XV leads YC-backed PostHog’s $75M Series E round at unicorn valuation

The India-based venture capital firm has, in recent months, backed a series of YC-backed startups as it looks to step up investments beyond India.

Kapiva raises $60M in Series D round led by 360 ONE Asset and Vertex Growth

Kapiva, a healthcare brand focused on Ayurveda-based products, has raised $60 million in a Series D funding round. The round included $28 million in primary capital and was led by 360 ONE Asset and Vertex Growth, with participation from existing investors Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India an

Swyom, Takht Buy 3.56% in Jinkushal; BNP Picks Stake in Sammaan

Swyom India Alpha Fund, Takht Financial, and others acquired 3.56% stake in Jinkushal Industries on its debut; stock closed at Rs 121.66, up 0.55%. BNP Paribas bought 58.98 lakh shares of Sammaan Capital at Rs 164.42; Eternal saw block deals with BofA acquiring 1.08 crore shares at Rs 329. Source: Moneycontrol

HUL, Colgate Face GST Heat; CBIC to Act on Price Hikes

GST lapses spark blame game among FMCG firms like HUL, Colgate, and distributors over passing tax benefits. CBIC to act on brands/e-commerce platforms for price hikes post-GST cuts; 2,000 complaints forwarded by CCPA. Source: The Economic Times

Mutual Fund Holdings in Vindhya Telelinks: Key Insights

Mutual fund ownership details for Vindhya Telelinks explored. Analyze investments in Vindhya Telelinks for better insights. Source: Live Mint

Punjab & Sind Bank: Key Valuation Metrics Unveiled

Punjab & Sind Bank adjusts valuation; current price slightly above previous close. Key metrics: PE ratio 19.2, ROE 8.1, net NPA/book value ratio 6.5. Source: Marketsmojo

Tata Capital Raises ₹4,641 Cr Pre-IPO; LIC Leads at ₹326/Share

Tata Capital raises Rs 4,641 cr from anchor investors pre-IPO. LIC emerges as the largest investor; shares priced at Rs 326 each. Source: The Times of India

Agricultural Commodities Updates: Wool Soars by 7.71%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity gainers are Wool (7.71%), Coffee (2.28%) and Rubber (1.67%). Biggest losers are Cocoa (-4.84%) and Canola (-1.33%).

Metals Commodities Updates: Platinum Rises by 2.97%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity gainers are Platinum (2.97%), Copper (2.51%), Silver (2.08%) and Gold (0.77%).

Energy Commodities Updates: Natural gas Falls by 3.08%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity losers are Natural gas (-3.08%) and Ethanol (-0.65%). Gains are led by Natural Gas UK GBP (2.19%), Natural Gas EU Dutch TTF (1.92%), Brent Crude Oil (0.37%) and Crude Oil WTI (0.35%).

FX Updates: Swedish Krona Rises by 0.35%

Country: Currency, Description: Top currency gainers are Swedish Krona (0.35%), Swiss Franc (0.32%), British Pound (0.30%) and Euro (0.22%). Biggest losers are Turkish Lira (-0.28%), Japanese Yen (-0.11%) and Dollar Index (-0.13%).

Ibovespa Rebounds at Week's End

Country: Brazil, Description: The Ibovespa rose 0.2% to close at 144,201 on Friday on positive company news and strength among commodity producers even as a sharp contraction in private sector activity pushed expectations for a dovish Central Bank. Embraer gained 1.9% after reporting 62 aircraft deliveries in the third quarter, up from 59 a year earlier, with commercial plane deliveries up 25% to their strongest third-quarter level in eight years. WEG advanced 0.9% as it accelerates expansion into Europe’s EV charging market and expects local battery charger sales early next year. Suzano Papel e Celulose, Raia Drogasil and TOTVS also outperformed, adding 1.1%, 3.8% and 1.9% respectively. S&P Global’s composite PMI for Brazil fell to 46.0 in September from 48.8 in August, the fastest deterioration in nearly four and a half years, underscoring a broad slowdown in new orders, output and services activity and reinforcing bets on easier policy.

Trump urges Israel to halt bombing after Hamas accepts parts of Gaza plan

Summary: Hamas agreed to release all Israeli hostages but said certain aspects of Trump's proposal require additional dialogue, particularly regarding Gaza's future., Description: Hamas agreed to parts of President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan on Friday, including releasing all Israeli hostages, prompting Trump to urge Israel to "immediately stop the bombing of Gaza" in an unprecedented intervention by the U.S. president.

Over 2 million Italians strike in solidarity with Gaza

Summary: Transport networks, schools and healthcare services halted across 100 cities as protesters occupied ports, railways and even airport runways in Pisa., Description: Over 2 million Italians participated in a nationwide general strike on Friday, bringing the country to a standstill in solidarity with Gaza and the intercepted Global Sumud Flotilla in what represents one of Italy's largest mass mobilizations in decades. The extraordinary day of action, called by major unions CGIL and USB, saw an estimated 60% national strike participation and brought transport...

California lets rideshare drivers unionize as contractors

Summary: Over 800,000 Uber and Lyft drivers can now collectively bargain for wages and benefits under a compromise ending years of legal battles., Description: California Governor Gavin Newsom signed groundbreaking legislation on Friday granting more than 800,000 rideshare drivers the right to unionize while maintaining their status as independent contractors, marking what supporters call the largest expansion of private sector collective bargaining rights in state history. The measure, Assembly Bill 1340, allows drivers for Uber and Lyft to form...

Government shutdown stretches into next week

Summary: Senate failed for the fourth time to pass funding measures, leaving 750,000 federal employees furloughed over healthcare subsidy dispute., Description: The US government shutdown will extend into next week after the Senate failed for the fourth consecutive time on Friday to pass competing funding measures, leaving approximately 750,000 federal employees furloughed and essential workers unpaid. Both chambers of Congress adjourned without resolution, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune announcing no weekend votes and the House remaining in...

Berkshire Hathaway splits chairman and CEO roles

Summary: The board voted to separate the positions effective immediately, with Greg Abel set to become CEO when Warren Buffett steps down Jan. 1, 2026., Description: Berkshire Hathaway has officially separated the roles of chairman and CEO, clearing the path for Greg Abel to succeed Warren Buffett as the conglomerate's chief executive when the 95-year-old legendary investor steps down on January 1, 2026. The Omaha-based company filed documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday revealing that its board voted September 30 to amend the...