Daily Strategic Briefing

Anthropic brings mad Skills to Claude

Teaching an old bot new tricks Paying Anthropic customers can now teach their Claude new tricks, which the company calls Skills.…

TSMC hurrying to bring advanced chip tech to Arizona fab

CEO C.C. Wei cites strong demand for AI products. Intel may also be a factor TSMC is accelerating the rollout of advanced process nodes at its Arizona fabs to meet growing demand for American-made AI products.…

AI makes phishing 4.5x more effective, Microsoft says

And potentially 50 times more profitable People receiving an AI phishing email are 4.5 times more likely to click on the malicious link or file, according to Microsoft.…

Decomposed dinosaurs make Texas a top destination for AI bit barns

Datacenter hopefuls looking to cash in on AI craze are setting up shop in Lone Star State in search of cheap power Everything is bigger in Texas and that includes the GPU bit barns at the heart of the AI boom.…

Vulnerability scores, huh, what are they good for? Almost nothing

CVE and CVSS systems suffer from misaligned incentives and inconsistency Aram Hovespyan, co-founder and CEO of security biz Codific, says that the rating systems for identifying security vulnerabilities and assessing threat risk need to be overhauled.…

OpenAI pauses Sora video generations of Martin Luther King Jr.

Summary:

OpenAI is pausing AI video generations of Martin Luther King at the request of the late civil rights activists’ estate.

Kayak launches an ‘AI Mode’ for travel questions, search, and bookings

Summary:

Kayak is bringing AI directly to its main platform with a new “AI Mode” that lets travelers research, plan, and book trips through a built-in chatbot.

Why AI startups are taking data into their own hands

Summary:

Where training sets were once scraped freely from the web or collected from low-paid annotators, companies are looking to proprietary training data as a competitive advantage.

The real reason Google DeepMind is working with a fusion energy startup

Summary:

Google has invested in fusion startups as potential power suppliers. This latest move suggests Google sees them as potential customers, too.

Apple loses another AI exec to Meta 

Summary:

Yang’s departure marks the latest in a string of exits from Apple’s AI unit, putting the company into jeopardy in the lead-up to a much-anticipated Siri revamp scheduled for March.  

Gen AI-driven English speaking platform SpeakX secures $16M in pre-Series B funding

The Gurugram-headquartered company’s funding round was led by WestBridge Capital, with participation from Elevation Capital and Goodwater Capital.

Zepto raises $450M led by CalPERS, now valued at $7B

The round was led by US-based pension fund CalPERS). Existing investor Avenir, Avra, Lightspeed, Glade Brook, The Stepstone Group and Nexus Venture Partners have also participated.

CIMCON Software raises Rs 52 Cr in new funding round led by Niveshaay

The newly raised funds will be used to strengthen CIMCON’s working capital base, provide support for large operations and maintenance contracts, and expand its capacity.

Bengaluru fintech startup GoodScore raises $13M in Series A funding led by Peak XV

Founded in 2023 by Sanchit Bansal, GoodScore uses AI to deliver real-time credit insights, repayment tracking, and personalised advice aimed at improving users’ credit scores.

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.

India's Chip Push Needs 100K Engineers, Alliances: Endiya Report

India's semiconductor efforts face gaps in manufacturing, with only 0.5% global fabrication capacity despite 20% design workforce. Endiya report sees investor optimism, calls for 100K engineers, alliances, and operational reliability to boost India's chip ventures. Source: The Economic Times

Infosys, Wipro, LTIMindtree Beat Revenue Estimates on AI Demand

Infosys, Wipro, and LTIMindtree exceed revenue estimates, citing AI project demand. IT sector recovery expected in H2 as clients invest in AI-led initiatives. Source: Business Standard

SAIL Trades at 17.9x P/E, Below Market Avg; Earnings Growth Trails at 16%

SAIL's P/E ratio is 17.9x, lower than India's average of 28x, reflecting limited growth expectations. Analysts forecast SAIL's earnings to grow 16% annually, lagging the market's 19% growth. Source: Simply Wall Street

Vadraj Cement to Issue ₹1200 Cr CCDs; Nirma Among Investors

Nuvoco Vistas' subsidiary Vadraj Cement to issue CCDs worth Rs. 1200 Cr. CCDs split into Series A & B, Rs. 600 Cr each; investors include Nirma Ltd. Source: ScoutQuest

USFDA Okays India's Device, Shrimp Export Ban Lifted

USFDA approves India's Turtle Excluder Device, lifting US shrimp import ban since 2021. This boosts sustainable shrimp exports and adds ₹1.2k–₹1.5k crore yearly revenue. Source: ScoutQuest

Indonesia Stocks Hit 4-Week Low

Country: Indonesia, Description: The IDX Composite dropped 132 points, or 1.6%, to 7,993 in early trade on Friday, tracking a downbeat session on Wall Street overnight amid fears over bad loans at U.S. regional banks, persistent U.S.-China trade tensions, and the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. The broader index erased gains from the previous session and touched its lowest level since September 16, with all sectors trading in the red, led by technology stocks. On the domestic front, fresh foreign direct investment (FDI) data also weighed on sentiment, showing the steepest quarterly decline in over five years in Q3 2025. Traders are also closely watching the central bank’s policy meeting scheduled for next week. Among the worst performers were Elang Mahkota (-5.1%), XL Axiata (-4.0%), Gudang Garam (-3.1%), Kalbe Farma (-2.5%), and Unilever Indonesia (-2.5%).

Won Slips on IMF Warning

Country: South Korea, Description: The South Korean won weakened to around 1,420 per dollar on Friday, retracing earlier gains as sentiment softened after the IMF warned that US tariffs could weigh on South Korea’s medium to long-term growth prospects. Thomas Helbling, deputy director of the IMF’s Asia Pacific department, noted that while growth is expected to improve in the near term amid lower political uncertainty and policy support, rising tariffs and lingering uncertainty may gradually weigh on exports and momentum. However, the latest round of US-South Korea trade talks showed signs of progress in the shipbuilding project cooperation. Adding to the cautious tone, the Bank of Korea showed that import prices rose for a third straight month in September, driven by higher oil prices and a weaker currency. The figures point to persistent inflationary pressures from external factors and continued weakness in the won, despite export resilience, with import prices up 0.2% month-on-month, following a 0.3% rise in August.

Japan 10-Year Yield Falls Despite Hawkish BOJ Tone

Country: Japan, Description: Japan’s 10-year government bond yield fell to around 1.62% on Friday, a four-week low, even after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled willingness to raise interest rates if confidence in the economic outlook strengthens. Ueda said he would assess incoming data ahead of this month’s policy meeting, implying the BOJ has not ruled out a near-term move despite lingering political uncertainty and risks from US tariffs. Still, markets assign only a slim chance of a rate hike in October. Meanwhile, investors continued to watch political developments as opposition parties have yet to agree on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s October 21 proposal to hold a vote for a new prime minister. Externally, global risk aversion driven by US credit concerns, US-China trade tensions, and the prolonged US government shutdown boosted demand for safe-haven bonds, pushing yields lower.

US 10-Year Yield Slides on Credit Market Fears

Country: United States, Description: The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note fell to around 3.95% on Friday, its lowest level since April, as renewed concerns over credit market risks drove demand for safe-haven assets. Shares of Zions and Western Alliance plunged more than 10% after both banks disclosed bad loans with two counterparties, amplifying worries following recent bankruptcies of auto parts maker First Brands and subprime lender Tricolor. Mounting US-China trade tensions, the prolonged US government shutdown, and expectations of further Federal Reserve rate cuts also weighed on yields. Fed Governor Christopher Waller said Thursday he supports another rate cut this month amid rising labor market risks, while Fed Governor Stephen Miran called for more aggressive easing. The Fed’s Beige Book further signaled economic strain, citing increased layoffs and weaker spending among middle- and lower-income households.

October Rate Decision Hinges on Data: BoJ Governor Ueda

Country: Japan, Description: Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said Thursday the central bank will closely examine a range of data—including insights gathered during his Washington visit—before deciding whether to raise interest rates in October. He reiterated that a rate hike will depend on whether the probability of meeting the bank’s growth and inflation forecasts increases. Speaking after the G7 and G20 finance meetings, Ueda noted that while global and U.S. economies remain resilient, the effects of U.S. tariffs are expected to surface soon. On the domestic front, Japan’s two major political parties, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), have reached a broad agreement to hold a parliamentary vote on October 21 to select the next prime minister, according to Kyodo News.

Wandering black hole found destroying star 2,600 light-years from galaxy center

Summary: The discovery challenges assumptions about where supermassive black holes reside and produced the fastest-changing radio emission ever recorded from such an event., Description: Scientists have made several groundbreaking discoveries in recent months, identifying wandering supermassive black holes, elusive intermediate-mass black holes, and a mysterious interstellar visitor with chemistry unlike anything in our solar system.

Gen Z protests erupt in Peru against new president

Summary: Thousands demand resignation of President Jerí just six days after he took office amid the country's prolonged political crisis., Description: At least one person was killed and more than 100 others injured as violent protests led by Generation Z activists erupted across Peru on October 15-16, demanding the resignation of interim President José Jerí just six days after he took office. The demonstrations mark the latest chapter in Peru's prolonged political crisis, as the country faces its seventh president in less than a...

US military strike on suspected Caribbean drug boat leaves survivors

Summary: The Thursday strike marks the sixth boat attack since September, with previous operations destroying vessels and killing at least 27 people., Description: The U.S. military conducted a strike against a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean Sea on Thursday, marking the first time survivors were reported in such operations since the Trump administration began its military crackdown in the region. This strike represents the sixth boat attack by U.S. forces in the Caribbean since early September, with previous operations resulting in the complete...

Oklahoma scraps Bible mandate for public schools

Summary: New State Superintendent Lindel Fields will dismiss the requirement and pending lawsuits, reversing his predecessor's controversial policy weeks after taking office., Description: Oklahoma's new State Superintendent Lindel Fields announced Wednesday he will rescind his predecessor's controversial mandate requiring Bibles in every public school classroom, marking a dramatic policy reversal just weeks after taking office. Fields stated he has "no plans to distribute Bibles or a Biblical character education curriculum in classrooms" and will file a motion to dismiss pending...

Senate reaches bipartisan deal on aviation safety bill

Summary: Bipartisan legislation would require aircraft to equip advanced tracking technology by 2031, closing exemptions that allowed military helicopters to fly without it., Description: U.S. senators announced Thursday a bipartisan agreement on sweeping aviation safety legislation prompted by the deadly January collision between an American Airlines regional jet and Army helicopter that killed 67 people near Reagan National Airport. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell unveiled the deal that would require aircraft operators to equip...