Daily Strategic Briefing

IBM renting GPUs from rivals rather than packing ‘em into its own cloud

Infra revenue soars and AI helps everything … except the share price If IBM reveals improved profit margins or a fresh round of redundancies, AI may be the reason, because Big Blue today revealed that its own “Project Bob” developer assistance tools have improved productivity among its coders by 45 percent.…

OpenAI's Atlas shrugs off security concerns over prompt injection

'Trust no AI' says one researcher OpenAI's brand new Atlas browser is more than willing to follow commands maliciously embedded in a web page, an attack type known as indirect prompt injection.…

Ex-Uber CSO is gellin' like a felon with teen cyber crims, explains why they do it

Meanwhile Sullivan's legal battle continues interview  Two convicted felons walk into a room at the request of a federal judge who wanted one of them - Joe Sullivan, the former Uber chief security officer found guilty of attempting to cover up a 2016 breach at the rideshare company - to help rehabilitate the other, whom the feds accused of hacking into corporate networks as a teen and participating in a "significant" digital heist.…

NextSilicon Maverick-2 promises to blow away the HPC market Nvidia left behind

The one chip startup building accelerators for something other than AI boasts performance up 10x that of modern GPUs using a fraction the power Researchers and engineers working in particle physics, materials analysis, or drug discovery haven't exactly been spoiled for choice when it comes to chips capable of the highly precise double-precision calculations that these workloads depend. NextSilicon aims to change that with Maverick-2, a chip aimed not at AI but the high-performance computing (HPC) community.…

Reddit to Perplexity: Get your filthy hands off our forums

Social media site continues legal campaign against those who take its content without a license Reddit on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI and three of its alleged data dealers for trafficking in unlawfully scraped information.…

Snapchat makes its first open prompt AI Lens available for free in the US

Summary:

Snapchat is expanding access to its AI-powered “Imagine Lens,” allowing all users to generate and edit images with custom prompts for free.

Why Cohere’s ex-AI research lead is betting against the scaling race

Summary:

Cohere’s former VP of AI research, Sara Hooker, is launching a new startup to build AI models that can adapt to their environment.

OpenAI requested memorial attendee list in ChatGPT suicide lawsuit

Summary:

The new information comes as the Raines family updated its lawsuit against OpenAI. The family first filed a wrongful death suit against OpenAI in August after alleging their son had taken his own life following conversations with the chatbot about his mental health and suicidal ideation. 

OpenAI’s Atlas is more about ChatGPT than the web

Summary:

OpenAI’s new browser is a surface for the company to distribute ChatGPT and develop new AI features rather than improving core web experience.

Amazon unveils AI smart glasses for its delivery drivers

Summary:

Amazon likely hopes that the new glasses will shave valuable time off of each delivery by providing delivery drivers with detailed directions and information about hazards directly in their line of sight.

L Catterton invests in Pune-based healthcare chain Healing Hands Clinic

The deal will give Healing Hands access to L Catterton’s global experience in building consumer healthcare businesses and support its plans to expand beyond its current network of 36 clinics across 14 cities.

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.

BlueHill VC to invest in Helex, top up investment in EtherealX as it looks to sharpen its deep-tech portfolio

In a conversation with YourStory, the early-stage VC firm detailed the kind of spotlight sectors the firm is looking to make investments in as it targets the final close of its Rs 350 crore maiden fund by the end of this year.

Kuku raises $85M in Series C round led by Granite Asia

The company intends to use the newly raised funds to strengthen the firm’s AI and data infrastructure, expand talent pool across technology and content, and deepen creator partnerships as well as accelerate scaling.

Pidilite Ventures doubles down on education-focused Imagimake, invests Rs 34 Cr

The latest funding — a mix of primary and secondary capital — will help Imagimake expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen R&D, and deepen its global distribution network.

Vikram Solar Bags 148.9 MW Order from Sunsure

Vikram Solar secures 148.9 MW solar modules order from Sunsure Energy. Modules to support clean energy goals in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Source: Livesquawk

Glenmark to Launch Ropivacaine Injection in US by Nov 2025

Glenmark to launch Ropivacaine Hydrochloride Injection in the USA by Nov 2025. Product bioequivalent to Naropin; Naropin's market sales approx. $20.9M for 12 months ending Aug 2025. Source: ScoutQuest

Infosys Rises 3% as Promoters Skip ₹18,000 Cr Buyback

Infosys shares gained nearly 3% after promoters opted out of the ₹18,000 crore buyback. Source: ScoutQuest

Nifty Above 26,000, Sensex Gains 500; Biocon, BEL, HCLTech in Focus

Nifty opens above 26,000; Sensex gains 500 points. Biocon in focus. BEL and HCLTech also attract attention during market opening session. Source: ScoutQuest

US Sanctions May Halt Russian Oil to Indian Refiners

Russian oil supply to Indian refiners like IOC, BPCL, and HPCL may drop to near zero due to US sanctions. Reliance Industries, with a long-term Rosneft contract, may face challenges; India is the top buyer of Russian oil. Source: NDTV Profit

Palm Oil Dips for 4th Session

Country: Commodity, Description: Malaysian palm oil futures fell below MYR 4,450 per tonne, extending losses for the fourth straight session as weaker vegetable oil prices on the Dalian exchange weighed on sentiment. Demand from top buyer India is also expected to cool after peaking during the Diwali festival in mid-October. Meanwhile, speculation grew that the world's largest producer, Indonesia, may delay its planned B50 biodiesel mandate from 2026 to 2027 due to funding constraints and an unfavorable palm oil–gas oil price spread, according to a City analyst. Still, a weaker ringgit helped limit deeper losses. On the export front, cargo surveyors reported that Malaysia’s palm oil shipments for October 1–20 rose between 2.5% and 3.4% from the same period in September. Elsewhere, crude oil prices rallied amid mounting supply concerns, while globally, sentiment was lifted after U.S. President Trump said he expects to reach several agreements with China’s Xi Jinping during their meeting in South Korea next week.

Copper Rises on Supply Concerns

Country: Commodity, Description: Copper futures rose toward $5 per pound on Thursday, extending gains from the previous session as a series of supply disruptions continued to support prices. About 80 miners were trapped following a partial collapse at a mine in Dominican Republic. Traders also continued to assess the impact of halted activity in Indonesia’s massive Grasberg mine and recent disruptions at Codelco's El Teniente underground copper mine in Chile. Meanwhile, investors kept an eye on US-China trade relations ahead of an expected meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea next week. Markets also awaited signals from the ongoing Fourth Plenum in Beijing amid optimism for fresh stimulus to bolster demand from the world’s top metals consumer.

Indian Rupee Holds Near 1-Month High

Country: India, Description: The Indian rupee traded around 87.7 per USD, holding near a one-month high as markets returned from a two-day break to signs of improving US–India trade ties. Reports suggest the two countries are close to a deal that would cut US tariffs on Indian imports to around 15%–16%, down from about 50%, with energy and agriculture central to the talks. As part of the possible agreement, which could be announced at the upcoming ASEAN summit, India may gradually reduce its Russian oil purchases while opening the door to more US corn and soymeal. The upside in the rupee was also aided by intervention from state-run banks via dollar sales, likely on behalf of the Reserve Bank of India. Last week, the central bank intervened aggressively in the foreign exchange market, conducting at least two operations to lift the rupee from record lows.

Indonesia Stocks Rebound as Central Bank Flags More Easing

Country: Indonesia, Description: The IDX Composite climbed 71 points or 0.9% to 8,226 on Thursday morning deals, bouncing back from a 1% drop in the prior session. Nearly all sectors advanced after Bank Indonesia said there remains room for further rate cuts, citing expectations of low inflation through 2026. The central bank on Wednesday unexpectedly held its benchmark rate steady, pausing after three consecutive cuts to assess the effects of earlier easing. Sentiment also improved following remarks from U.S. President Trump, who said he expects to reach several agreements with China’s Xi Jinping during their meeting in South Korea next week. Investors largely looked past reports that Washington may impose broad export restrictions on China in response to its recent rare earth curbs. Further gains were capped by vigilance ahead of key U.S. inflation data and next week’s FOMC meeting. Among early notable movers were Unilever Indonesia (7.7%), Telkom Indonesia (4.4%), Charoen Pokphand (3.9%), and HM Sampoerna (2.8%).

South Korea’s 10Y Yield Remains Rangebound

Country: South Korea, Description: South Korea’s 10-year government bond yield hovered around 2.87% in late October, staying within its recent range as investors weighed the Bank of Korea’s cautious stance against lingering US trade uncertainty. The central bank kept its benchmark rate at 2.5%, extending the pause in its easing cycle since May amid concerns over rising household debt. The move also followed tighter property rules in Seoul to curb borrowing. Policymakers cited stable inflation and an improving outlook while monitoring housing and debt risks. Domestic demand is also recovering, though the BOK warned that US trade talks and tariffs could weigh on growth. A government official reported “partial progress” in negotiations with the US as both sides work to resolve differences over Seoul’s $350 billion investment pledge under the July trade deal. The ongoing trade uncertainty continued to weigh on risk sentiment.

Judge blocks Trump's Illinois National Guard plan indefinitely

Summary: A federal judge extended a restraining order against deploying 700 troops to Illinois, prompting a Supreme Court appeal over presidential authority., Description: A federal judge in Chicago has indefinitely extended a restraining order blocking President Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Illinois, setting up a potential Supreme Court showdown over presidential military authority and state sovereignty. U.S. District Judge April Perry announced the indefinite extension during a Wednesday hearing, moving beyond the 30-day extension initially...

SpaceX breaks Falcon 9 launch record with 133rd mission

Summary: The company surpassed its 2024 record of 132 launches, deploying 28 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base on October 22., Description: SpaceX achieved a historic milestone on October 22, launching its record-breaking 133rd Falcon 9 mission of 2025, surpassing the previous annual record of 132 launches set in 2024. The launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base carried 28 Starlink satellites, marking the company's relentless pursuit of an unprecedented launch cadence that has revolutionized the commercial space industry. The...

Advocate groups demand release of pregnant ICE detainees

Summary: The civil rights group alleges shackling, medical neglect and solitary confinement at Louisiana and Georgia facilities., Description: Civil rights organizations sent an urgent letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement leadership today demanding the immediate release of all pregnant women from detention facilities, citing alarming accounts of medical neglect and abuse that included shackling women during miscarriages and denying basic prenatal care. The American Civil Liberties Union, joined by five other advocacy groups,...

Trump administration seeks equity in quantum computing firms

Summary: Commerce Department is negotiating with companies including IonQ, Rigetti and D-Wave to acquire stakes in exchange for federal funding., Description: The Trump administration is in active negotiations with multiple quantum computing companies to secure equity interests in exchange for federal funding, marking a significant expansion of government involvement in sectors deemed critical to national economic and security interests. According to sources familiar with the discussions, companies including IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum,...

Labor unions rally against Musk's $1 trillion Tesla pay package

Summary: Major unions launch "Take Back Tesla" campaign urging shareholders to reject what could become the largest corporate compensation package in history., Description: A coalition of major labor unions and progressive advocacy groups launched the "Take Back Tesla" campaign this week, urging shareholders to reject what could become the largest corporate compensation package in history when they vote next month on CEO Elon Musk's proposed $1 trillion pay deal. The campaign emerged as Tesla reported mixed third-quarter earnings results Tuesday, with record...