Daily Strategic Briefing

Inside the belly of the beast: A technical walk through Intel's 18A production facility at Fab52

Now if Lip Bu Tan can just find a willing customer deep dive  Not long after rejoining Intel in 2021, former CEO Pat Gelsinger announced an ambitious plan to reinvent the chipmaker as a contract semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse.…

Weird ideas welcome: VC fund looking to make science fiction factual

Nuclear power is getting hot, but don't hold your breath for everlasting batteries A venture capital fund is looking for ideas that are out of bounds for traditional investors, seeding technology that may only come to fruition decades down the line, but where researchers can show real results in the lab.…

Who gets a Mac at work? Here's how companies decide

You can't always get what you want Most corporate laptop fleets consist primarily of PCs. However, there’s always a contingent of users who beg for Macs. Deciding who gets a Mac in your organization involves balancing IT’s need for simplicity, finance’s requirement to keep costs under control, and users’ desire to work with their preferred tools.…

Chinese phishing kit helps scammers who send fake texts impersonate TikTok, Coinbase, others

Researchers tracking 2,158 domains hosting YYlaiyu phishing pages Exclusive  A Chinese-developed phishing kit hosted on thousands of domains and boasting 97 different brands to make criminals' scams look more believable is driving a surge in financial fraud around the globe, according to security researchers.…

OpenAI GPT-5: great taste, less filling, now with 30% less bias

AI model maker touts effort to depoliticize its product OpenAI says GPT-5 has 30 percent less political bias than its prior AI models.…

Nvidia’s AI empire: A look at its top startup investments

Summary:

Over the last two years, Nvidia has used its ballooning fortunes to invest in over 100 AI startups. Here are the giant semiconductor’s largest investments.

Thinking Machines Lab co-founder Andrew Tulloch heads to Meta

Summary:

AI researcher Andrew Tulloch reportedly announced his departure to employees in a message on Friday.

Ready or not, enterprises are betting on AI

Summary:

This has been a big week for AI companies signing enterprise deals, with Zendesk unveiling new AI agents that are supposed to be able to resolve 80% of customer service issues, Anthropic and IBM announcing a strategic partnership, and Deloitte also announcing a deal with Anthropic.

It’s not too late for Apple to get AI right

Summary:

Apple still has a shot at leading the AI-powered app era. As OpenAI launches its ChatGPT app platform, Apple’s smarter Siri and deep ecosystem could keep it ahead.

The fixer’s dilemma: Chris Lehane and OpenAI’s impossible mission

Summary:

The company’s Sora problem is really at the root of everything else.

Cybersecurity firm Pantherun Technologies secures $12M funding for international expansion

Pantherun will expand into global markets, boost R&D for its advanced encryption technology, and launch new cross-platform security solutions for devices, cloud, and edge systems.

Predictive AI firm Intangles grabs $30M funding led by Avataar Venture Partners

Using IoT, AI, and digital twin technology, Intangles helps vehicle OEMs and fleet operators with proactive vehicle health monitoring and maintenance.

B2B ecommerce platform JSW One closes Rs 575 Cr funding round, adds SBI to cap table

The JSW Steel-backed JSW One Platforms clocked 2.4x growth in FY25, with a gross merchandise value (GMV) of Rs 12,567 crore. It is currently targeting Rs 8,000 crore in GMV during the first half of FY26.

[Weekly funding roundup Oct 4-10] Dhan provides a boost to keep VC inflow steady

This week, the $120 million funding deal for fintech startup Dhan boosted the weekly funding, marking one of the few $100 million deals during the year. In addition, the fintech joins the small list of Indian startup unicorns.

UNLEASH Capital Partners closes maiden fund at Rs 300 Cr

UNLEASH Capital Partners aims to invest in 12 to 15 early-stage startups in India, with investments ranging between Rs 5 crore and Rs 18 crore.

Vodafone Idea's ₹9,450 Cr ADR Case: Survival on the Line

Vodafone Idea faces Supreme Court hearing on ₹9,450 cr ADR dues. Telecom company's survival is at stake amid financial challenges. Source: ScoutQuest

Avenue Supermarts Falls 1% After Q2 Results

Avenue Supermarts shares declined over 1% post-Q2 results. Source: ScoutQuest

Nomura Keeps 'Reduce' on Phoenix Mills, Targets ₹1,350

Nomura retains a Reduce rating for Phoenix Mills with a target of 1,350. Steady retail growth and better occupancy noted, but tenant turnover may limit income growth. Source: ScoutQuest

DMart Margins Dip in Q2; Analysts Split

DMart's parent company faces scrutiny after Q2 margin drop. Analysts hold mixed views on the company's performance. Source: ScoutQuest

MOSL Sets ₹550 Target for Swiggy, Retains 'Buy' on Growth Boost

MOSL retains Buy rating on Swiggy with a target price of 550. It cites new offerings, better efficiency, and cost focus driving growth. Source: ScoutQuest

Bitcoin Rebounds After Trump-Driven Rout

Country: other, Description: Bitcoin steadied around $115,000 on Monday after a sharp selloff last week, as US President Donald Trump walked back his threat to impose massive tariffs on China, saying in a Truth Social post that trade relations with the country “will all be fine.” On Friday, bitcoin plunged over 10% to below $110,000 after Trump warned of an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting November 1 in response to Beijing’s new export controls on rare earth minerals, triggering selloff across financial markets. China responded over the weekend, vowing to retaliate if the US follows through on the measures. However, tensions appeared to ease as officials from both sides issued conciliatory statements on Sunday, signaling a willingness to resume trade negotiations ahead of a possible Trump-Xi meeting later this month.

Tencent Holdings Stock Price Hits 4-week Low

Country: China, Description: Tencent Holdings shares decreased to 627.00 HKD, the lowest since September 2025. Over the past 4 weeks, Tencent Holdings lost 2.41%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 44.04%.

Silver Hits New All-Time High

Country: Commodity, Description: Silver jumped more than 2% to above $51 per ounce on Monday, marking a new all-time high as renewed US-China trade concerns, political instability, and expectations of further US rate cuts fueled demand for safe-haven assets. On Friday, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting November 1 in response to Beijing’s new export controls on rare earth minerals. However, Trump later signaled openness to negotiate ahead of a possible meeting with President Xi Jinping later this month, saying that trade relations with China “will all be fine.” Broader geopolitical worries also supported prices, with the ongoing US government shutdown, political turmoil in France, and leadership uncertainty in Japan weighing on sentiment. Meanwhile, expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut rates by 25 basis points this month and again in December, alongside a tightening physical silver supply in London, continued to bolster the metal’s rally.

China Export Growth Hits 6-Month High

Country: China, Description: Exports from China increased by 8.3% year-on-year to a seven-month high of USD 328.6 billion in September 2025, surpassing expectations for a 6% rise and accelerating from a 4.4% gain in August. This marked the fastest pace of outbound shipments since March, as producers found new markets beyond the United States, with a tariff deal with President Donald Trump remaining elusive. Year-to-date, China’s exports rose 6.1% year-on-year, totaling USD 2.78 trillion. Over the period, export growth was recorded in several categories, including: agricultural products (1.4%), fertilizer (59.6%), ceramic products (0.8%), integrated circuits (23.3%), cars (10.8%), CD flat panel display modules (9.6%), and ships (21.4%).

China Trade Surplus Below Forecasts

Country: China, Description: China’s trade surplus came in at USD 90.45 billion in September 2025, below expectations of USD 98.96 billion but higher than the USD 81.69 billion recorded in the same month a year earlier, as exports continued to outpace imports. Exports rose 8.3% yoy, exceeding forecasts for a 6% gain and accelerating from a 4.4% increase in August, he fastest pace since March, as producers found new markets. Imports grew by 7.4%, significantly above expectations for a 1.5% rise and well above the 1.3% increase in August—marking the fastest pace since April 2024—supported by government stimulus aimed at boosting domestic demand. China’s trade surplus with the US rose slightly to USD 20.86 billion in September, up from USD 20.32 billion in August, even as both exports and imports to/from the US declined by 16.9% and 11.6%, respectively. Year-to-date, China posted a total trade surplus of USD 875.1 billion, with exports up 6.1% yoy, while imports fell by 1.1% compared to the same period in 2024.

Controversial Gaza aid sites close as ceasefire begins

Summary: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, criticized after over 2,500 Palestinians died seeking aid at its sites, is shutting operations as UN agencies prepare to expand., Description: Food distribution sites run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) are being shut down as part of the ceasefire agreement that took effect in Gaza on Friday, according to officials involved in the deal. The closures mark a significant shift in humanitarian aid delivery as the region transitions from nearly two years of devastating conflict.

Trump administration reinstates 700 CDC workers after layoff errors

Summary: Coding errors led to mistaken terminations of measles response leaders and disease detectives amid the nation's worst outbreak in 25 years., Description: The Trump administration scrambled to restore hundreds of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists to their posts on Saturday, after a chaotic night of mass layoffs resulted in critical disease experts being terminated in error during the ongoing government shutdown. Of the approximately 1,300 CDC employees who received termination notices late Friday, about 700 were reinstated by...

Earth crosses first climate tipping point as coral reefs die off

Summary: Scientists report warm-water coral reefs have passed their thermal threshold, with over 80% experiencing the most extensive bleaching event on record., Description: Earth has crossed its first climate tipping point as warm-water coral reefs undergo widespread die-off across the globe, marking a grim milestone that scientists warn signals humanity has entered a "new reality" of irreversible environmental change. The landmark finding comes from a major scientific report released Sunday by an international team of 160 researchers ahead of crucial climate...

Lecornu unveils 34-member cabinet to meet budget deadline

Summary: The French PM faces immediate no-confidence threats from far-right and left-wing parties over pension reform and political instability., Description: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a new 34-member cabinet late Sunday night in a desperate attempt to meet Monday's constitutional deadline for presenting France's 2026 budget. The announcement capped a frantic weekend of negotiations after Lecornu was reappointed to the position Friday, just four days after resigning from the same job.

Palestinian President Abbas to attend Gaza peace summit in Egypt

Summary: Palestinian president will join Trump and over 20 world leaders Monday after initial reports suggested PA had been excluded from gathering., Description: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will attend Monday's international summit in Egypt aimed at finalizing a Gaza peace agreement, confirming his participation after initial reports suggested the Palestinian Authority had been excluded from the high-profile gathering. Abbas received an official invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to join more than 20 world leaders at the...