Daily Strategic Briefing

Australian police building AI to translate emoji used by ‘crimefluencers’

Five Eyes intel alliance has created a team to target these scum who prey on kids Australia’s Federal Police (AFP) is working on an AI to interpret emojis and the slang used online by Generation Z and Generation Alpha, so it can understand them when they discuss crime online.…

Amazon Web Services’ US-EAST-1 region in trouble again, with EC2 and container services impacted

Internal dependencies again prove problematic Amazon Web Services’ US-EAST-1 region, which last week caused massive disruption to online services, is having another bad day as internal dependencies again prove problematic.…

OpenAI non-profit will run for-profit that has yet to make a profit

Corporate restructuring will benefit ... uh, humanity OpenAI has obtained a new lease on life.…

Firewalls and VPNs are so complex now, they can actually make you less secure

A report from cyber-insurer At-Bay fingers Cisco and Citrix VPNs as most likely to lead to ransomware trouble Organizations using Cisco and Citrix VPN devices were nearly seven times as likely to suffer a ransomware infection over a 15-month period, according to At-Bay, a provider of cyber insurance and a vendor of managed detection and response products.…

This is Doom, running headless, on Ubuntu Arm… on a satellite

Ólafur Waage has an unusual take on "will it run Doom?" Ubuntu Summit  Doom takes place on Mars, but up until recently, it has only been played on Earth. However, at the Ubuntu Summit, one enterprising developer explained how he extended the well-established "will it run Doom?" meme all the way into space.…

‘Silicon Valley’ star Thomas Middleditch makes a surprise appearance at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Summary:

Actor Thomas Middleditch had a planned takeover of Australian startup Othelia’s presentation at the pitch showcase stage. 

Super Teacher is building an AI tutor for elementary schools — catch it at Disrupt 2025

Summary:

Super Teacher’s app features animated tutors with AI-generated voices that guide students through interactive lessons. Students talk to the app using voice, like a conversation with a teacher.

Mappa’s AI voice analysis helps you find the best job candidates and will show off its tech at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Summary:

Mappa’s AI hiring platform can assess a candidate’s behavior based on voice patterns, and aims to take some of the guesswork out of hiring.

Inside CampusAI’s mission to close the AI training gap for everyday workers — check it out at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Summary:

CampusAI is an educational platform focused on making learning accessible to everyday people who want to bring AI into their everyday workflows, and a virtual ecosystem to connect like-minded people.

Sam Altman says OpenAI will have a ‘legitimate AI researcher’ by 2028 

Summary:

To achieve those goals, OpenAI is betting on two key strategies: continued algorithmic innovation and dramatically scaling up “test time compute” — essentially how long models spend thinking about problems.

Wonderland Foods raises Rs 140 Cr from Asha Ventures, BII to set up green processing unit

The company will use the fresh capital to build a green processing facility to expand distribution and create over 1,000 jobs.

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.

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.

SaaS startup Smallest.ai secures $8M in seed funding led by Sierra Ventures

Full-stack enterprise voice AI platform Smallest.ai will use the funds to fuel its global expansion across North America and India, as well as accelerate production innovation and deepen enterprise penetration.

Deeptech startup HYDGEN raises $5M to make cost-efficient hydrogen

The investment will accelerate HYDGEN’s efforts to make ultra-pure, cost-efficient hydrogen available directly at the point of use through its proprietary Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyser technology.

United Breweries Q2: Premium Volumes May Rise 18%

United Breweries to report Q2 earnings; premium volumes may rise 15-18%. Telangana price hikes expected to help curb declines. Source: ScoutQuest

CarTrade Sees 57 Lakh Shares Traded; Netweb Tech Climbs Again

57 lakh shares of CarTrade Tech traded on Tuesday, showing activity. Netweb Tech rises for the second consecutive day as per CNBC TV18. Source: ScoutQuest

KPI Green Energy Partners with F Plus for Sustainable Data Centers

KPI Green Energy partners with F Plus Healthcare to develop green modular data centers. The collaboration focuses on renewable energy solutions and sustainable infrastructure. Source: Livesquawk

Eicher Motors NSE Block Trade: ₹57.4 Cr Deal at ₹6983.5/Share

Eicher Motors executed an NSE block trade worth Rs. 57.4 crores. The trade involved ~82,198 shares at Rs. 6983.5 per share. Source: Livesquawk

Olectra Greentech's P/S 6.7x: Revenue Growth Outpaces Industry

Olectra Greentech's P/S ratio is 6.7x, much higher than the industry average of 2.8x, driven by strong revenue growth. Revenue grew 47% last year and is forecasted to rise 60% next year, outpacing the industry's 13% growth projection. Source: Simply Wall Street

Silver Gains Ahead of Fed Decision

Country: Commodity, Description: Silver rose to around $47.5 per ounce on Wednesday, moving away from one-month lows in a likely technical rebound, while investors looked ahead to the latest US Federal Reserve policy decision. he Fed is widely expected to deliver a 25 basis point rate cut later in the day, with markets watching Chair Jerome Powell’s comments for guidance on future easing. Meanwhile, the ongoing US government shutdown entered its fifth week, delaying key economic data releases critical for shaping monetary policy expectations. Traders also monitored trade developments ahead of Thursday’s Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea, where they are set to finalize a framework that could pause higher US tariffs and China’s rare earth export controls. Last week, silver slumped over 6% as profit-taking hit the market following a record-setting rally that raised concerns about overvaluation.

Palm Oil Plunges to 12-Week Low

Country: Commodity, Description: Malaysian palm oil futures tumbled around 1.7% to below MYR 4,250 per tonne, extending losses for the fourth consecutive session and reaching their lowest level since early August. The steep decline was driven by a stronger ringgit and weakness in rival vegetable oils traded in Dalian and Chicago markets. At the same time, demand prospects dimmed as winter approaches, when palm oil consumption in key buyers such as India and China typically slows. On the export front, shipments during October 1–25 fell by about 0.3%–0.4% month-on-month, according to cargo surveyors, reinforcing expectations of softer demand. Still, losses were partly limited after U.S. President Trump expressed optimism about reaching a trade truce with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during their meeting in the coming days. Meanwhile, palm oil inventories in top producer Indonesia fell 1% in August from the prior month to 2.54 million metric tons, data from the country’s palm oil association GAPKI showed.

Offshore Yuan Hovers Near 1-Year High

Country: China, Description: The offshore yuan traded around 7.09 per dollar on Wednesday, hovering near a one-year high as optimism persisted ahead of the highly anticipated meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Trump indicated that he expects to reduce fentanyl-related tariffs on China ahead of the meeting in South Korea later this week, following reports that the Washington may slash the existing 20% tariffs on fentanyl-linked exports by half in exchange for Beijing tightening controls on chemicals used in fentanyl production. Over the weekend, top officials from both countries reached a preliminary agreement on critical issues, including export controls, fentanyl regulation, and shipping levies. A potential deal could ease tariffs and modify Chinese export restrictions, alleviating investor concerns regarding the world’s two largest economies. Domestically, investor attention now shifts to upcoming PMI releases, with official data scheduled for this week and private surveys set for next week.

Australia 10-Year Yield Climbs After Hot CPI Data

Country: Australia, Description: Australia’s 10-year bond yield climbed to 4.23%, the highest level in two weeks, after hotter-than-expected inflation reading dampened hopes of an imminent interest-rate cut. Annual inflation accelerated to a more than one-year high of 3.2% in the third quarter from 2.1% in the previous quarter, surpassing market forecasts of 3% and now above the Reserve Bank’s 2-3% target range. Crucially, trimmed mean inflation, the RBA’s preferred gauge of underlying price pressures, rose to 3% from 2.7%, also exceeding the anticipated 2.7%. Markets have sharply reduced the odds of a rate cut at the central bank’s meeting next week, now pricing in just an 8% probability compared to 40% before the data. Earlier this week, Governor Michele Bullock also downplayed the recent rise in unemployment and stressed the board’s cautious stance.

Japan 10-Year Yield Rises Ahead of BOJ Decision

Country: Japan, Description: Japan’s 10-year government bond yield rose 2 basis points to 1.65% on Wednesday as investors positioned for the Bank of Japan’s policy decision this week, where rates are expected to remain unchanged. Still, policymakers are set to discuss conditions for resuming rate hikes as tariff-related risks ease, though persistent inflation continues to complicate the outlook. On Tuesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama to discuss foreign exchange volatility, urging “sound monetary policy” in what was viewed as a critique of Japan’s gradual pace of tightening. Meanwhile, Economic Revitalization Minister Minoru Kiuchi said the government’s focus is on accelerating growth, underscoring Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s commitment to expansionary fiscal policy. Elsewhere, US President Donald Trump met with Takaichi on Tuesday, pledging stronger US-Japan ties and signing agreements on trade and critical minerals.

Global stocks hit records on AI optimism

Summary: Nvidia and Microsoft announcements drove markets to all-time highs ahead of Fed's expected rate cut and major tech earnings reports., Description: Global stock markets soared to record highs Tuesday as a wave of artificial intelligence optimism swept across trading floors, with major announcements from tech giants fueling investor confidence ahead of this week's Federal Reserve decision and key earnings reports. U.S. stock indexes closed at all-time highs, with the S&P 500 rising 0.2% and the Nasdaq Composite jumping 0.8%. The rally was...

Trump to discuss fentanyl tariffs, Nvidia chips with Xi

Summary: The Thursday meeting in South Korea marks the first face-to-face encounter between the leaders since 2019 following weekend trade talks., Description: President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that he expects to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods related to fentanyl and will discuss Nvidia's Blackwell chip technology during his high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in South Korea. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to the APEC summit in Gyeongju, Trump said he anticipates lowering the 20% tariff...

Bill Gates rejects climate 'doomsday' view in shift

Summary: The billionaire says focus should shift from emissions reduction to poverty and disease prevention, drawing criticism from climate scientists., Description: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates declared Tuesday that climate change "will not lead to humanity's demise," marking a dramatic departure from his previous warnings about global warming catastrophe just weeks before the crucial COP30 climate summit. In a 17-page memo published on his 70th birthday, the billionaire philanthropist rejected what he called the "doomsday view of climate change,"...

Nvidia and Microsoft drive tech rally to records

Summary: Nvidia surged 5% on AI partnerships while Microsoft gained 3% on OpenAI deal, pushing major indices to historic highs., Description: US stock markets soared to unprecedented heights on October 28, 2025, with technology giants Nvidia and Microsoft leading a broad rally that pushed all major indices to fresh record closes. The surge comes as investors position ahead of crucial Federal Reserve decisions and blockbuster earnings from the "Magnificent Seven" tech companies this week.

Trump pushes for $350B South Korea investment deal

Summary: Talks stall over Trump's demand for upfront cash versus Seoul's preference for loans and guarantees to avoid economic instability., Description: President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea on Wednesday for high-stakes talks with President Lee Jae Myung over a stalled $350 billion investment deal, as negotiations continue to falter over the structure and terms of Seoul's financial commitment to the United States. The meeting at the Gyeongju Arts Center marks the climax of Trump's three-nation Asia tour and comes as a stark contrast to...

Air traffic controllers miss paychecks as shutdown hits day 28

Summary: Airlines donate meals to unpaid workers as flight delays surge. Controllers work mandatory overtime without pay, raising safety concerns nationwide., Description: Air traffic controllers across the United States missed their first full paychecks Tuesday as the government shutdown entered its 28th day, prompting airlines to donate meals and raising safety concerns as flight delays surge nationwide. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that controllers are reaching their breaking point, with some turning to second jobs driving for Uber or delivering...

25 states sue Trump administration over SNAP food aid cutoff

Summary: The coalition argues the USDA must use $6 billion in emergency funds to continue benefits for 42 million Americans amid the shutdown., Description: Twenty-five states and Washington D.C. filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the Trump administration, challenging the decision to halt food assistance benefits for 42 million Americans amid the ongoing government shutdown. The coalition argues that the Department of Agriculture is unlawfully refusing to tap into $6 billion in emergency funds to continue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance...

Vance says troops will be paid Friday despite shutdown

Summary: The vice president provided no details on funding for 1.3 million service members as the 28-day impasse nears historic length., Description: Vice President JD Vance announced Tuesday that U.S. military personnel will receive their paychecks on Friday despite the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 28th day and poised to become the nation's second-longest funding lapse in history. However, Vance provided no details on how the Trump administration plans to fund the payments for approximately 1.3 million active-duty service...