It has been an up-and-down summer for Giants cornerback Deonte Banks, but Wednesday was one of his better training camp practices.
Day: August 6, 2025
The last time someone other than David Peterson completed six innings in a start for the Mets was on June 7, when Clay Holmes did it. Peterson extended his streak of finishing at least six innings to six straight outings on Wednesday, although for a second consecutive start, the Mets lost. This time, Peterson was…
Backroom Deals Transform Export Trade Amid Political Turmoil
A burgeoning export industry has thrived on clandestine negotiations and personal contacts, according to insights from an experienced lobbyist. The lobbyist expressed concern that U.S. President Joe Biden’s evolving relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin poses a significant threat to this economic landscape, describing it as an impending “asteroid,” reports 24brussels.
As the dynamics of international politics shift, various stakeholders within the export sector are bracing for potential fallout. The intricate network of embassy connections and informal agreements has historically facilitated trade, enabling goods to flow between nations despite political tensions. However, the lobbyist warns that changing tides in U.S.-Russia relations may disrupt these established channels.
The lobbyist’s analysis coincides with a broader trend of increasing scrutiny on political figures and their relationships with foreign leaders, particularly in the context of trade policies. With every diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow, industries reliant on the normalization of relations face uncertainty. Exporters are urged to consider the implications of these high-stakes interactions on their operations.
Market analysts are monitoring the situation closely, highlighting the potential economic ramifications. A reversal of friendly ties could lead to stricter sanctions or trade barriers, impacting the flow of goods significantly. Industry leaders have begun to recalibrate their strategies in anticipation of possible shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
In the backdrop of these developments, the export sector continues to show resilience, leveraging past experiences to navigate the uncertainties ahead. Stakeholders remain hopeful that diplomatic solutions will prevail, allowing the industry to sustain its growth amidst the turbulence of global politics.
The ongoing scrutiny of international relationships underscores the delicate balance between commerce and diplomacy. As companies adapt to the evolving landscape, the potential for disruption serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global trade and political alliances.
Kim Kyung-Hoon/REUTERS
- Endex, the first AI agent tool for Microsoft Excel, raises $14 million led by OpenAI’s startup fund.
- Endex said the tool would be capable of hour-long tasks and “change how financial analysts do work.”
- It is unclear whether this tool is welcomed by Microsoft, both an investor and competitor to OpenAI.
OpenAI just helped fund an AI tool that could reduce your stress when staring at a huge spreadsheet.
A venture fund launched by OpenAI to invest in early-stage tech companies has led a $14 million funding round for Endex, a startup that said it has created an AI agent that will exist in Microsoft Excel and help you process data, handle financial tasks, and write memos.
“Finance professionals don’t just need search results; they need structured thinking and deep analysis,” said Tarun Amasa, CEO of Endex and recipient of the Thiel Fellowship, in a statement. “We envision a future where every firm has access to teams of digital analysts, seamlessly augmenting time-intensive workflows.”
Based on OpenAI’s blog post, Endex is powered by OpenAI’s reasoning models.
In a video that Amasa posted on X to announce Endex’s product launch on Wednesday, a screen displaying the word “Microsoft Excel” was replaced after a screen glitch to display “Endex,” followed by a brief demonstration of how the AI agent works by Amasa.
In the following posts, Amasa also said his team has spent a large portion of last year in OpenAI’s San Francisco office and has offered to send limited early invites to users who comment beneath the posts.
Microsoft and OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how the AI agent would impact the Excel product.
The two companies have both competed and collaborated over the years.
Microsoft has invested over $13 billion in OpenAI since 2019 and is considered one of the company’s biggest backers. In exchange, Microsoft has access to OpenAI’s intellectual property and the right to resell it to customers through Azure’s OpenAI service and by building its own products with the technology, including its AI assistant, Copilot.
But as OpenAI builds its own service products like ChatGPT Enterprise and developer tools, it has also started to compete directly with its long-time investor. In 2024, Microsoft began to list OpenAI as a competitor in its annual report.
“What excites me most about this collaboration is our shared vision for vertical-specific AI,” said Amasa. “Our work goes beyond APIs — it’s about building the agent-user interfaces that will change how financial analysts do work.”
Read the original article on Business Insider
TSD Chapter Negotiations Between Indonesia and the EU
Negotiations on the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter between Jakarta and Brussels have made progress, with an announcement from spokesperson Gill indicating that an “agreement has been reached on all the key elements.” However, this does not imply that the agreement is final or completely endorsed, reports 24brussels.
The backdrop of these discussions includes lingering tensions from a 2021 WTO case regarding Indonesia’s nickel ore export ban. As one of the world’s leading nickel producers, Indonesia instituted this ban to bolster its local industry focused on producing materials for electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel. The EU challenged this move and won the case, but without a functioning appellate body, Indonesia’s appeal remains unresolved.
Significantly, the export ban remains in effect, continuing to hinder negotiations. “It’s also the right of Indonesia to want to develop local industry and to hold a share of the value of nickel in their country and build up their own industrial policy,” noted Alessa Hartmann, a researcher at the German climate think tank Power Shift.
Despite this ongoing challenge, the EU is determined to secure access to critical raw materials as part of the negotiations. Spokesperson Gill emphasized the need to strike a balance, stating that the EU aims to enhance its competitiveness by addressing Indonesia’s disruptiveness in key supply chains while also respecting Indonesia’s policy space needs.
Deforestation and Trade Issues
The discussions encompass broader themes as well, particularly Indonesia’s status as the world’s largest producer of palm oil. As the EU intensifies its efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese imports, Indonesia’s palm oil export practices are under increased scrutiny. This scrutiny aligns with new EU deforestation regulations set to take effect on December 30, which will require Indonesia to demonstrate that its palm oil exports do not contribute to deforestation.
Overall, the negotiations reflect a complex interplay of economic interests and environmental policies, as both parties seek to address their respective challenges while navigating the intricacies of international trade dynamics.
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