Daily Strategic Briefing

Robotic lawnmower uses AI to dodge cats, toys

The Sunseeker Elite X5 can mow on its own, but it doesn't come cheap The tentacles of AI seem to be reaching everywhere, even to the humble lawnmower. We tested the Sunseeker Elite X5, a robotic mower that uses machine learning to steer around your lawn, to see what happens when artificial intelligence meets whirling blades of doom.…

AI blew open software security, now OpenAI wants to fix it with an agent called Aardvark

AI promises to find bugs and gaps in your apps After helping expand the modern software attack surface with the rise of AI services prone to data poisoning and prompt injection, OpenAI has thrown a bone to cyber defenders.…

Datacenter biz and nuke startup join forces for Texas AI ranch

The bit barn will run on gas power first. Texas is set to get another nuclear-powered datacenter project thanks to Blue Energy and Crusoe, but any atomic action isn't likely until the next decade.…

Ransomware gang runs ads for Microsoft Teams to pwn victims

You click and think you're getting a download page, but get malware instead Imagine searching for Microsoft Teams, seeing a text link at the top of the results, visiting it, and then getting hit with malware. The Rhysida ransomware gang, an especially insidious criminal organization that has stolen millions of people's info, has been placing fake ads for Microsoft Teams in search engines and then infecting victims who make the mistake of clicking them.…

YouTube's AI moderator pulls Windows 11 workaround videos, calls them dangerous

Creators baffled as videos on local accounts, unsupported PCs vanish under ‘harmful acts’ rule Is installing Windows 11 with a local account or on unsupported hardware harmful or dangerous? YouTube's AI moderation system seems to think so, as it has started pulling videos that show users how to sidestep Microsoft's setup restrictions.…

Rising energy prices put AI and data centers in the crosshairs

Summary:

A majority of consumers say they’re worried about data centers driving up electricity costs. Is the industry prepared for a possible backlash?

AI researchers ’embodied’ an LLM into a robot – and it started channeling Robin Williams

Summary:

AI researchers at Andon Labs embedded various LLMs in a vacuum robot to test how ready they were to be embodied. And hilarity ensued.

AI mania tanks CoreWeave’s Core Scientific acquisition — it buys Python notebook Marimo

Summary:

CoreWeave’s failed buy of Core Scientific is another sign of an AI bubble. But it’s still shopping.

ChatGPT: Everything you need to know about the AI-powered chatbot

Summary:

A timeline of ChatGPT product updates and releases, starting with the latest, which we’ve been updating throughout the year.

Equity Live: From $300M seed rounds to data center builds, AI is feeling bubbly

Summary:

The Equity crew was live at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025! Hosts Kirsten Korosec, Max Zeff, and Anthony Ha took over the Builders Stage on Monday morning to kick off the event with the question everyone’s asking: are we in an AI bubble?  Between valuations that have tripled in months, $300M seed rounds, and $100B commitments flying […]

Biotech startup Helex raises $3.5M to advance gene therapies for kidney diseases

Hyderabad- and Cambridge-based biotech startup Helex will use the capital to advance its gene therapy platform and develop targeted treatments for inherited kidney disorders.

Fertility startup Pluro raises Rs 125 Cr Series A funding from Bessemer Venture Partners

Pluro will use the fresh capital to expand its network presence, invest in technology, and deepen clinical capabilities in advanced reproductive science.

VC funding in October reaches $1.6B—the highest monthly level so far this year

The sharp increase in venture capital funding into Indians startups was primarily driven by large value deals.

Silver jewellery brand Goyaz raises Rs 130 Cr from Norwest

The funding will support Goyaz’s next phase of expansion, including widening retail presence in key cities, improving design and manufacturing, and strengthening online and offline integration.

BII invests $75M in Blueleaf Energy to help scale clean energy infrastructure in India

The financing is expected to help renewable energy platform Blueleaf Energy support nearly 2 GW of utility-scale solar, wind, and energy storage capacity in India.

Stocks to Watch: BOB, BPCL, HUL, Godrej

Bank of Baroda, BPCL, HUL, and Godrej Consumer Products are stocks to watch. Source: ScoutQuest

75+ Indian Firms to Report Q2 FY26 Results on Nov 3

Over 75 Indian firms, including Bharti Airtel, Power Grid, Titan, and Ambuja Cements, to announce Q2 FY26 results on Nov 3. Results reveal revenue, profit, and growth insights; earnings calls may discuss performance and dividends, influencing market sentiment. Source: NDTV Profit

Power Grid Q2 Results on Nov 3; Stock Falls 7.2% YTD

Power Grid will announce Q2FY26 results on Nov. 3, 2025; interim dividend decision and earnings call scheduled for Nov. 4. Power Grid shares dropped 0.47% in 5 sessions; year-to-date fall of 7.2%. Stock closed at Rs 288.15, down 1.2%. Source: NDTV Profit

Coromandel Intl Invests ₹2,000 Cr in Acid Plants; Q2 Profit ₹793 Cr

Coromandel Intl plans ₹2,000 cr investment at Kakinada for phosphoric and sulfuric acid plants by Jan 2026. NPK expansion, MAP plant at Vizag, and Senegal mine aim to reduce China's dependency; Q2 profit rose to ₹793 cr. Source: The Hindu BusinessLine

Entertainment Network Q2 FY26 Earnings Call on Nov 6; CEO, CFO to Join

Entertainment Network (India) Ltd schedules Q2 FY26 earnings call on Nov 6, 2025 at 1 PM IST. CEO and CFO to participate; pre-registration open for investors and analysts. Source: ScoutQuest

Peru Inflation Holds Nearly Steady at 1.35% in October

Country: Peru, Description: The annual inflation rate in Peru’s capital, Lima, was almost unchanged in October 2025 at 1.35%, compared to 1.36% in the previous month, remaining near the lower end of the central bank's target range of 1% to 3%. A slowdown in prices for recreation and culture (2.53% vs 2.69% in September) was offset by faster increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.80% vs 0.59%) and transportation (0.50% vs 0.30%). Meanwhile, housing and utilities prices fell at a steeper pace (-1.52% vs -1.15%). On a monthly basis, the CPI edged down by 0.10% in October, after edging up 0.01% in the previous month.

Russia Manufacturing Shrinks the Most in 3 Months

Country: Russia, Description: The S&P Global Russia Manufacturing PMI edged down to 48.0 in October 2025 from September’s 48.2, signaling a fifth consecutive month of contraction and the sharpest downturn since July, as new sales fell at the fastest pace in three months. Output continued to fall amid muted demand conditions, though the rate of decline softened from September. However, foreign sales returned to growth amid more favorable sales conditions in existing markets. Meanwhile, employment fell fractionally, and purchasing activity quickened to the fastest pace in three months. Supplier delivery times have shortened to the greatest extent since November 2019. On prices, input cost inflation eased to the lowest level in over sixteen and a half years, while output prices fell marginally as firms sought to stimulate new sales and maintain competitive pricing for existing customers. Finally, business sentiment weakened to the lowest since May 2022, reflecting concerns over financial difficulties among clients.

China to Host 2026 APEC Summit in Shenzhen, Xi Confirms

Country: China, Description: Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Saturday that Shenzhen will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2026, marking the third time China hosts the summit. The 2025 APEC forum in Gyeongju, South Korea, concludes today, following a temporary trade truce reached between President Trump and Xi. During the summit’s opening session on Friday, Xi pledged China’s commitment to global free trade and supply chain stability, positioning the nation as a counterbalance to Trump’s protectionist stance. In written remarks to the APEC CEO summit, Xi emphasized China’s long-term appeal for investors, saying, “Investing in China is investing in the future.”

Brunei Trade Surplus Widens

Country: Brunei, Description: Brunei’s trade surplus increased to BND 514.6 million in August 2025 from BND 492.8 million in the same month a year earlier. Year-on-year, exports declined 11.6% to BND 1.11 billion, primarily due to lower shipments of mineral fuels (-9.3%), chemicals (-15.5%), and machinery and transport equipment (-39.9%). Key export destinations included Australia (21.6% of total shipments), China (18.2%), Singapore (16.0%), Japan (11.4%), and Taiwan (7.3%). Meanwhile, imports tumbled 21.9% to BND 597.1 million, mainly reflecting weaker demand for mineral fuels (-35.3%). Malaysia remained the top import source (16.5%), followed by the United Arab Emirates (16.3%), Australia (11.7%), China (11.7%), and Singapore (6.3%). For the first eight months of the year, the trade surplus fell slightly to BND 3.63 billion from BND 3.70 billion a year earlier, as exports shrank 13.2% while imports slumped 19.3%.

Rwanda Producer Inflation Hits 19-Month High

Country: Rwanda, Description: Producer prices in Rwanda rose 13.5% year-on-year in September 2025, accelerating from an 11.0% increase in August and marking the tenth consecutive month of producer inflation. It was also the fastest annual increase since February 2024, as manufacturing prices grew at a faster pace (14.5% vs 11.5% in August). Meanwhile, prices in mining and quarrying rose slightly slower (1.0% vs 1.1%), while electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply prices surged 34.8%, the same pace as in August. In contrast, prices in water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities were unchanged. On a monthly basis, producer prices rose 2.5% in September, rebounding from a 0.3% decline in August and marking the fastest increase in four months.

India to face South Africa in historic cricket final

Summary: Sunday's Women's World Cup final will crown the tournament's first new champion in 25 years as both nations seek their first title., Description: India and South Africa will make history on Sunday when they meet in the Women's Cricket World Cup final at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium, guaranteeing the tournament will crown its first new champion in 25 years. The high-stakes encounter, scheduled for 3:00 PM IST on November 2, will see India playing for their third World Cup final appearance after defeats in 2005 and 2017, while South...

Shutdown halts food aid for 42 million Americans

Summary: Federal judges ordered benefits restored, but payments remained frozen Saturday as pantries reported unprecedented demand from families nationwide., Description: Millions of Americans lined up at food pantries across the country Saturday as the government shutdown triggered an unprecedented halt to federal food assistance, creating the largest disruption to the nation's hunger safety net in decades. Despite two federal judges ordering the Trump administration Friday to use emergency funds to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)...

Engineers develop brain-like computer using magnets

Summary: University of Texas at Dallas researchers created a neuromorphic prototype achieving six times better efficiency than existing systems using magnetic components., Description: University of Texas at Dallas engineers have created a neuromorphic computer prototype that mimics human brain learning, using magnetic components to achieve dramatically improved energy efficiency compared to traditional artificial intelligence systems. The breakthrough, published in August in Nature Communications Engineering, represents a significant step toward bringing AI processing...

Coral reefs enter irreversible decline as CO2 hits record

Summary: Scientists confirm warm-water coral reefs have crossed their tipping point, threatening one billion people and a quarter of all marine life., Description: Leading climate researchers issued stark warnings this week that humanity is "hurtling toward climate chaos," as multiple reports released ahead of next week's COP30 summit revealed alarming new milestones in global warming. The planet has crossed its first major climate tipping point with coral reefs entering irreversible decline, while atmospheric carbon dioxide levels surged to unprecedented...

China to suspend rare earth curbs after Trump-Xi summit

Summary: Beijing will issue general licenses for critical minerals and end semiconductor probes under a one-year trade truce reached in South Korea., Description: China will effectively suspend implementation of new rare earth export controls and terminate investigations targeting US semiconductor companies following a breakthrough trade agreement reached between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House announced Saturday. The landmark deal, finalized during a nearly two-hour meeting in South Korea on Thursday, provides...

Israel claims remains returned by Hamas are not hostages

Summary: Forensic tests in Tel Aviv revealed the three bodies handed over via the Red Cross do not match any of the 11 deceased hostages still expected., Description: Israel announced Saturday that the remains of three individuals handed over by Hamas via the Red Cross on Friday night do not belong to any of the Israeli hostages, marking another setback to the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The confirmation came after forensic examination at the Abu Kabir institute in Tel Aviv revealed the remains did not match any of the 11 deceased hostages...

Climate change made Hurricane Melissa 4 times more likely

Summary: The Category 5 storm killed at least 50 people across the Caribbean and caused up to $52 billion in damage., Description: Multiple scientific studies released this week confirm that human-driven climate change significantly increased both the likelihood and intensity of Hurricane Melissa, the catastrophic Category 5 storm that devastated Jamaica and other Caribbean islands. Research from Imperial College London found the hurricane was four times more likely to occur in today's climate compared to pre-industrial...