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This week?s GDP numbers are weak, but in line with expectations as a result of the COVID-19-driven disruptions to daily lives at home and around the globe that have rocked global markets and supply chains. We continue to have the most resilient economy in the world, driven by innovative and hardworking Americans who have shown that they are willing to make the needed sacrifices to defeat this invisible enemy.
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The Department of Commerce announced new export control actions to prevent efforts by entities in China, Russia, and Venezuela to acquire U.S. technology that could be used in development of weapons, military aircraft, or surveillance technology through civilian supply chains, or under civilian-use pretenses, for military end uses and military end-users.
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The U.S. Census Bureau is beginning to send reminder notice postcards to an estimated 69 million households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. About?53.4% of households across the country?have already responded since?invitations began arriving in mailboxes on March 12. Those households that have not yet responded to the census will receive an in person visit by a census taker to collect their information later this summer.
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The U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department?s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $13 million grant to the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce to establish a disaster resilient research and business facility to support high-growth businesses focused on the health and medical tourism industries. The EDA grant, to be located in a?Tax Cuts and Jobs Act?Opportunity Zone, will be matched with $2,350,000 in local funds and is expected to create 30 jobs.
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When two scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology brought black lights and glow powder into the Maryland State Police crime lab, they weren?t setting up a laser tag studio or nightclub.?Instead, their aim was to study the way drug particles get spread around crime labs when analysts test suspected drug evidence.?
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When first responders have access to more information, they are better able to respond to incidents and protect themselves and others. Recognizing this need for greater situational awareness, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) is supporting the Public Safety Communications Research Division of the National Institute for Standards and Technology on a new prize challenge:?CHARIoT.?
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The U.S. Department of Commerce issued?proposed regulations?to create a new Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) program. Modeled on the successful Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis program, AIM will allow both external users and the U.S. Government to track surges in aluminum imports and to detect potential evasion and circumvention of aluminum duties as well as transshipment.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is celebrating its 50th-anniversary by continuing to provide vital,?science-based information used by Americans every day.?Thanks to new and creative partnerships with space and weather enterprises and by upgrading our global weather forecast model and supercomputer capacity, NOAA is poised to deliver the world?s best weather forecasts.
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The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has updated its BroadbandUSA website?database?of 57 federal broadband programs, spanning 14 federal agencies with billions of dollars for broadband grants, loans, and other resources. The site,?created?with the help of participating federal agencies, fulfills a goal set out in the Trump Administration?s?American Broadband Initiative?to make it easier for providers and stakeholders to find federal funding and permitting information.
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The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially launches the Patent Trial and Appeal Board?s (PTAB) Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP). LEAP is designed to foster development of the next generation of patent practitioners by creating opportunities to gain the proper skills and experience in oral arguments before the Board. The USPTO understands that ?stand up? speaking opportunities before tribunals are limited and that gaining courtroom experience is advantageous for practitioners in their career development. Additionally, having a patent bar with strong oral advocacy skills benefits clients, the USPTO, the courts, and the whole IP system.
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Real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020, according to the ?advance? estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter of 2019, real GDP increased 2.1 percent.
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In partnership with?Women in International Trade Orange County?(WITOC)?and utilizing the power of virtual, interactive learning tools, the Bureau of Industry and Security is now offering our Complying with U.S. Export Controls seminar as an online program. This interactive course delivers critical information for compliance with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
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