Daily Strategic Briefing

Nvidia's GB10 workstations arrive with 1 petaFLOPS of compute, 128GB of VRAM, and a $3K+ price tag

Systems from Nvidia, Dell, and others available starting Oct. 15 Nvidia's tiniest Grace-Blackwell workstation is finally making its way to store shelves this week, the better part of a year after the GPU giant first teased the AI mini PC, then called Project Digits, at CES.…

Microsoft's OneDrive spots your mates, remembers their faces, and won't forget easily

Then shalt thee change the setting three times, no more! Microsoft's OneDrive is increasing the creepiness quotient by using AI to spot faces in photos and group images accordingly. Don't worry, it can be turned off – three times a year.…

Bose kills SoundTouch: Smart speakers go dumb in Feb

Cloud support to be ditched on older hardware, customers left with pricey paperweights Audio equipment biz Bose is discontinuing cloud support for its SoundTouch product line, effectively reducing the premium devices to basic speakers with limited functionality.…

Vodafone keels over, cutting off millions of mobile and broadband customers

Outage knocks out phones, broadband – even telco's own status page Vodafone fell over in the UK this afternoon, with Register readers reporting that many services including mobile coverage, internet services, and even the company's own status page went down.…

Broadcom cozies up to OpenAI for 10 GW custom chip love-in

Every human deserves their own accelerator, says ChatGPT creator Broadcom has cuddled up with OpenAI as the ChatGPT outfit looks for ever more help building out the vast infrastructure it needs to deliver on its dreams of advanced intelligence – and possibly even a profit some day.…

California becomes first state to regulate AI companion chatbots

Summary:

SB 243 is designed to protect children and vulnerable users from harms associated with use of AI companion chatbots.

Salesforce announces Agentforce 360 as enterprise AI competition heats up

Summary:

Salesforce announces an upgraded version of its Agentforce platform designed to help enterprises build and deploy AI agents.

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.

Dineout founders raise $4.5M for The Medical Travel Company; will target the UK-India corridor

Founded in 2024, The Medical Travel Company aims to streamline the medical tourism industry by connecting UK patients with accredited Indian hospitals offering faster, affordable, and high-quality care.

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.

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.

Chara Technologies raises Rs 52 Cr in Series A led by Arkam Ventures

The newly-raised funds will be used to set up a new manufacturing plant and to launch a new range of motor and controllers.

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.

Adani Ports Sees ₹163 Cr Block Deal at ₹1,438.7/Share

Adani Ports executed NSE block trade for 1,135,463 shares at Rs. 1438.7. The transaction totaled Rs. 163.36 crores, completed at market open. Source: Livesquawk

Paras Defence Ties Up with Israel's Cielo for Inertial Solutions

Paras Defence signs MoU with Israel's Cielo Inertial for inertial solutions. Source: ScoutQuest

HCL Tech, ONGC, Lodha Among Stocks to Watch Today

HCL Tech and other stocks, including ONGC and Lodha, are on watchlists. Anand Rathi Wealth is also highlighted as a stock to monitor today. Source: ScoutQuest

Tata Motors' PV Biz Lists Today; CV Listing Next Month

Tata Motors' passenger vehicle business is set to list today. The commercial vehicle segment will be listed next month after demerger. Source: ScoutQuest

Paras Defence Partners with Cielo for Inertial Solutions in India

Paras Defence signs MoU with Cielo Inertial for inertial solutions. Partnership focuses on adaptation, marketing, and production in India. Source: BSE

HK 10Y Bond Yield Hits 14-week Low

Country: Hong Kong, Description: HK 10 Year Government Bond Yield decreased to 2.94%, the lowest since July 2025. Over the past 4 weeks, Hong Kong 10Y Bond Yield lost 2.60 basis points, and in the last 12 months, it decreased 12.70 basis points.

Offshore Yuan Rangebound

Country: China, Description: The offshore yuan edged lower to around 7.14 per dollar on Tuesday, trading within a narrow range as investors monitored signs of easing US-China trade tensions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that President Trump remains on course to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea later this month as both nations seek to defuse tensions over tariffs and export controls. However, market concerns lingered over whether the countries could finalize a lasting trade arrangement. Meanwhile, China’s commerce ministry defended its rare earth export measures, noting the US had been given advance notice and emphasizing that the restrictions are aimed at safeguarding national security, not imposing a ban. The PBOC also continued to support the yuan through stronger midpoint guidance, cushioning the impact of trade tensions. Looking ahead, investors will closely watch China’s upcoming inflation report, expected to show a modest year-on-year contraction and a slight monthly gain.

Yen Weakens Amid Political Uncertainty

Country: Japan, Description: The Japanese yen fell to around 152.3 per dollar on Tuesday, extending losses from the previous session as mounting political uncertainty dampened investor sentiment. On Friday, Japan’s Komeito party announced its withdrawal from the ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party, deepening doubts over Sanae Takaichi’s policy agenda and complicating her path to the premiership. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said Japan’s current situation differs from the Abenomics era of expansionary policy, noting that inflation, rather than deflation, is now the main concern. He also warned against one-sided and rapid currency movements, emphasizing that exchange rates should reflect economic fundamentals. Externally, the yen faced additional pressure from a stronger dollar amid easing US-China trade tensions, with Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping expected to meet later this month.

Aussie Dollar Steady as RBA Signals No Urgency to Cut Rates

Country: Australia, Description: The Australian dollar stabilized around $0.651 on Tuesday, as minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia's October meeting indicated that the central bank saw no urgency for additional rate cuts. The RBA held its cash rate at 3.6% in September 2025, following a 25bps cut in the previous month, keeping borrowing costs at its lowest since April 2023. The central bank noted that monetary policy remains somewhat restrictive, but the full effects of earlier easing are still filtering through the economy, as seen in rising housing prices and credit growth. However, the minutes also highlighted ongoing economic risks, with household consumption remaining weak amid subdued job and wage growth. Nevertheless, the board reiterated that future policy decisions will remain cautious and firmly guided by incoming data. On the economic front, Australia's NAB Business Confidence Index rose to 7 in September 2025, up from a three-month low of 4 in August, remaining above its long-term average.

Kiwi Dollar Mired at Six-Month Lows

Country: New Zealand, Description: The New Zealand dollar traded around $0.572 on Tuesday, holding its bearish slump near a six-month low, weighed down by expectations of further easing by the Reserve Bank. Policymakers surprised markets last week with an oversized 50 bps rate cut, reflecting growing concern over the country’s weakening economic momentum. Officials also hinted that additional monetary support could follow. Recent subdued PMI data reinforced this dovish stance, with markets now betting on another cut in November and projecting rates could fall to 2% by 2026. Investors are now turning their attention to next week’s Q3 inflation data. Meanwhile, the Kiwi faced additional pressure from a firmer US dollar, as markets monitored signs of easing US-China trade tensions after both sides signaled readiness to resume talks ahead of a possible meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi.

World 63% behind deforestation targets ahead of UN summit

Summary: Some 8.1 million hectares were lost in 2024, driven largely by wildfires in the Amazon that released emissions equivalent to Germany's annual output., Description: The world is falling dramatically short of global commitments to end deforestation by 2030, with new data showing countries are 63% behind targets just weeks before a pivotal UN climate summit in the Brazilian Amazon. The 2025 Forest Declaration Assessment, published Tuesday, reveals that 8.1 million hectares of forest—an area roughly the size of England—were permanently lost in 2024 alone.

Typhoon Halong leaves 3 missing in western Alaska

Summary: Rescue crews saved 51 residents from floodwaters after the storm brought 107 mph winds and record surges that swept homes away., Description: The remnants of Typhoon Halong wreaked havoc on western Alaska over the weekend, leaving at least three people missing and forcing rescue crews to pluck 51 residents from floodwaters in what officials described as "absolute devastation" rivaling Hurricane Katrina. Coast Guard and National Guard aircraft conducted round-the-clock search operations Monday after the storm slammed into the...

Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic to compete in Six Kings Slam

Summary: The exhibition tournament in Riyadh runs October 15-18 with a record $6 million winner's prize, surpassing all Grand Slam payouts., Description: Tennis superstars Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic will headline the lucrative Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Riyadh from October 15-18, featuring a record-breaking $13.5 million prize pool that surpasses any Grand Slam tournament. World No. 1 Alcaraz and 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic have received automatic byes into the semifinals, while defending champion...

Military, federal workers face missed paychecks as shutdown drags on

Summary: Trump directed the Pentagon to use $8 billion in research funds to pay troops, though legal experts question the authority., Description: Military service members and hundreds of thousands of federal employees face financial uncertainty as the federal government shutdown enters its 13th day with no congressional resolution in sight. While President Trump has directed the Pentagon to find alternative funding for military paychecks, the unprecedented move raises legal questions and does not address the broader impact on federal...

Madagascar's president flees country after military backs Gen Z protests

Summary: Andry Rajoelina departed aboard a French military aircraft after losing support from the elite unit that brought him to power in 2009., Description: Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina went into hiding and fled the country aboard a French military aircraft on Sunday, bringing a dramatic climax to weeks of deadly youth-led protests that evolved into a military coup against his government. Opposition lawmakers confirmed Monday that the 51-year-old president had departed Madagascar after losing the support of the same elite military unit that...