Podcasts about International Trade Administration

(0:00) Intro(1:26) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel(2:13) Start of interview(2:45) Joe's origin story(4:07) His early career starting in London, with law firm Linklaters. (6:43) His move to Friendster in Silicon Valley.(8:00) His time at Videoegg.(9:24) His time at the International Trade Administration in the Obama Administration.(11:30) His return to private practice with Gannett and Facebook's emerging products.(13:10) His operating role at SOSV, a global venture capital firm (2019-present)(15:10) How he got started with his board service. First board experience: a UK public company called GoCompare.(16:50) Difference between a "good" and a "great" director. (18:34) Distinguishing the concept of overboarding between public and private VC-backed companies. Reference to VCBA (5/14/25)(21:06) Some differences between U.S. and U.K. governance practices.(24:57) On the increasing politicization of corporate governance, including ESG and DEI (plus boardroom diversity). "Let's bend it, not end it."(27:47) The origin story of the bio books that he compiles.(31:07) On the impact of AI in the boardroom. Boards need to 1) move faster on AI, and 2) focus on the transformation, not only the tech.(35:50) On navigating in VUCA times (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity). "Act proactively, not reactively"(38:18) Challenges for boards in next 5-10 years: 1) time management and 2) increasing focus on director skill sets.(35:50) On navigating the regulatory landscape in VUCA times (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity).(41:27) On board evaluations.(46:00) Will governance regulations harmonize internationally? Example: climate change disclosures.(49:15) The UK's approach for boards to engage with employees: workers' council, board representation, or DNEDs.(46:00) Will governance regulations harmonize internationally? Example: climate change disclosures.(51:50) Books that have greatly influenced his life:How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (1936)Range, by David Epstein (2019)(52:38) His mentors: Barry Williams (E153)(54:13) Quotes that he thinks of often or lives his life by. "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" and "I never lose, I either win or learn."(56:27) An unusual habit or an absurd thing that he loves. (57:10) The living person he most admires.Joe Hurd is a purpose-driven public company board director and strategic advisor who focuses on digital transformation, international expansion and stakeholder engagement. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 11-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,273 on turnover of 3.2-billion N-T. The market gained ground on Monday as it extended momentum from the previous session on the back of strong momentum in the bellwether electronics sector - which continued to lead the broader market higher. However, turnover failed to register any significant expansion, with many investors opting to stay on the sidelines amid concerns of volatility on Wall Street in the lead-up to the U-S presidential election in November. US Executives Visiting to Explore Drone Tech Collaborations More than 20 executives from U-S companies that manufacture drone and anti-drone systems are visiting Taiwan this week to explore collaboration and trade opportunities. The trip has been organized by the American Institute in Taiwan and the U-S Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. According to A-I-T, the delegation includes representatives from Northrop Grumman, AEVEX Aerospace and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, among others. A-I-T says the business development mission will help foster the relationships between U-S and Taiwan companies that are needed to increase global supply chain resilience (彈性). Forest Fire Drill Alert to be Sent out in Parts of Kaohsiung Friday And, The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency is reminding residents of two Kaohsiung districts that they will receive a forest fire drill text warning on their phones this Friday. A message reading "Forest Fire Alert Drill. Please don't panic" will be delivered through the Public Warning Cell Broadcast Service between 2:30 and 3:30PM. It will be sent phone users in Tianliao and Cishan districts. According to the agency, the drill is part of the efforts to help raise awareness (提高認識) of forest fires in higher-risk areas in central and southern Taiwan, particularly during October's dry season. Japan Claims Russia Plane Violates Airspace Japan is protesting to Moscow after claiming a Russian plane violated its airspace on Monday. The incursion triggered (觸發) a Japanese Self-Defense Force jet to respond with signal flares for the first time ever. Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo. Congo Prisoners Released Congo's minister of justice says nearly 1,700 ill inmates have been released from the country's largest prison as part of an effort to thin out Congo's overcrowded prisons. The operation took place Monday at Makala Central Prison in the capital Kinshasa. Severely ill prisoners received immediate medical care, while others were sent home on buses provided by the ministry of justice and a state-owned company. Makala prison, Congo's largest penitentiary (監獄) with a capacity for 1,500 people, holds more than 12,000 inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial, according to information from Amnesty International. The country's minister of justice says there are plans for the construction of a new prison in Kinshasa, without giving more details. That was the I.C.R.T. news, Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 遠東商銀Podcast節目《十樂不設

To discuss the post-election future of US competition policy, ChinaTalk interviewed Peter Harrell and Nazak Nikakhtar. Nazak served in the Trump administration after a long career as a civil servant, where she was instrumental in shaping the Commerce Department's work on China, first at the International Trade Administration and later leading the Bureau of Industry and Security. Peter worked in the Biden administration on the National Economic Council and National Security Council, focusing on international economics, export controls, and investment restrictions. We discuss… The role of the executive in setting the industrial policy agenda Leadership shortcomings in the Biden and Trump administrations Competition with China — bipartisan consensus, bureaucratic inertia, and strategies to stop wasting time. Advice for America's next president, from export controls to pharmaceutical decoupling and alliance management Creative approaches to supply chain resilience This is 2023 CSET report Jordan referenced (See the “Understanding the Intangibles section) Outtro Music: Jun Mayuzumi - Black Room (Youtube Link) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To discuss the post-election future of US competition policy, ChinaTalk interviewed Peter Harrell and Nazak Nikakhtar. Nazak served in the Trump administration after a long career as a civil servant, where she was instrumental in shaping the Commerce Department's work on China, first at the International Trade Administration and later leading the Bureau of Industry and Security. Peter worked in the Biden administration on the National Economic Council and National Security Council, focusing on international economics, export controls, and investment restrictions. We discuss… The role of the executive in setting the industrial policy agenda Leadership shortcomings in the Biden and Trump administrations Competition with China — bipartisan consensus, bureaucratic inertia, and strategies to stop wasting time. Advice for America's next president, from export controls to pharmaceutical decoupling and alliance management Creative approaches to supply chain resilience This is 2023 CSET report Jordan referenced (See the “Understanding the Intangibles section) Outtro Music: Jun Mayuzumi - Black Room (Youtube Link) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

STOPfakes.gov Information pages of the German Patent and Trademark Office for SMEs Summary and Main Takeaways Episode Overview: This episode features an interview with Michelle Sara King, the intellectual property team lead and senior international trade specialist at the International Trade Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce. The discussion centers on her role, the […]

In this episode, we dive in with May Cheng, Acting Chief Information Officer at the International Trade Administration. With over 25 years of experience across various federal agencies, May shares insights into promoting U.S. exports, defending against unfair trade practices, and enhancing international competitiveness. Discover how she leads a team of 160+ IT professionals, collaborates on emerging technologies, and discusses the transformative impact of the SAFE program. Tune in as we explore the critical importance of re-skilling staff to update operational models and ensure ongoing relevance in today's dynamic trade landscape.

What is the IT strategy for the International Trade Administration (ITA)? How is ITA modernizing and securing its technology infrastructure? What does the future hold for IT at the International Trade Administration? Join host Michael J Keegan as he explores these questions and more with guest Gerald Caron, Chief Information Officer at ITA within the […]

What is the IT strategy for the International Trade Administration (ITA)? How is ITA modernizing and securing its technology infrastructure? What does the future hold for IT at the International Trade Administration? Join host Michael J Keegan as he explores these questions and more with guest Gerald Caron, Chief Information Officer at the International Trade Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is the IT strategy for the International Trade Administration (ITA)? How is ITA modernizing and securing its technology infrastructure? What does the future hold for IT at the International Trade Administration? Join host Michael J Keegan as he explores these questions and more with guest Gerald Caron, Chief Information Officer at the International Trade Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

Jasjit Singh is executive director of SelectUSA, a U.S. government program housed within the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration that works to attract foreign direct investment to the United States. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Singh about trends in foreign direct investment and SelectUSA's work to drive FDI activity.

About the Debate: In Nov 1945, the U.S. joined UNESCO, a new post-WWII organization designed to promote world peace and security. In Dec 1984, President Reagan took the U.S. out of UNESCO citing corruption and mismanagement. In Oct 2003, President George Bush rejoined UNESCO to advance human rights, tolerance, and learning. In Dec 2018, President Trump took the U.S.out of UNESCO citing anti-Israel bias, and the U.S.'s mounting arrears to UNESCO resulting from Palestine's election as a full member. In July 2023, President Biden rejoined UNESCO for the third time to combat increasing Chinese influence at the organization. Given the problematic relationship between the U.S. and UNESCO, and the organization's history of controversial initiatives, was this a wise decision? What are the pros and cons for the U.S. of being a member of UNESCO once again? About the Presenters: Gerald C. Anderson served as Director of Administration and Finance at the Pan American Health Organization in Washington, DC, from March 2014 to July 2021. Prior to joining PAHO, Mr. Anderson served from 2011-2014 as Secretary for Administration and Finance at the Organization of American States in Washington DC. Mr. Anderson served the United States Foreign Service from 1980 - 2010, completing his serviced as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of International Organizations. Mr. Anderson also served in Foreign Service posts in Warsaw, Tel Aviv, Seoul, Jerusalem, and at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Mr. Anderson served in the United States Peace Corps in Benin, West Africa, and in the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. Anderson holds a Master of Arts degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Washington, DC, (1980) and a Bachelor of Arts from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois (1976). Stephen Engelken is a veteran of 38 years in the U.S. Foreign Service. Notably, he was Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission to UNESCO in 2007-2010, serving as Charge' d'Affaires for seven months in this period. Engelken went on from there to serve as Deputy Chief of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan (2010-2011). Prior to those senior assignments, he served postings abroad in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Italy; France, and Australia and at the State Department in Washington as Director of Pakistan/Bangladesh Affairs, Director of the Office of Proliferation Threat Reduction, Deputy Director of the office of Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Operations, and Deputy Director of Arabian Peninsula Affairs. Since his retirement in 2012 while Principal Officer in Peshawar, Pakistan, Mr. Engelken has taught at Foreign Service Institute, the State Department's training center. Mr. Engelken is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a resident of Washington, D.C. He holds a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University. He is also a graduate of the Ecole Nationale d'Administration in France. Mr. Engelken speaks French, Italian, and Arabic.

The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities, including Pittsburgh, and in more than 75 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets. Ryan Russell of the U.S. Commercial Service and Jerry Pompa of Compunetix step up to the One Mic Stand to tell you how businesses of any size can use the U.S. Commercial Service to tap into global markets. Learn how Compunetix has worked with the U.S. Commercial Service to get market analysis and one-on-one introductions to potential trade partners.

This week, climate leaders, scholars, and activists from around the world will travel to the United Arab Emirates for the annual United Nations conference on climate change known as COP. Many highly debated topics will take center stage at this year's COP28, including the role of fossil fuels in meeting future global energy demands, the follow through on loss and damage commitments from last year's meeting, and rising international trade tensions over clean energy economics. Even the location of the meeting has sparked debate. The UAE is a major oil exporting country, and the CEO of its national oil company, Ahmed Al Jaber, is this year's COP president.  So, how will world leaders address some of these major topics? And what could be the outcome of this year's meeting?  This week host Bill Loveless talks with David Sandalow and Sagatom Saha about COP28.  David is the director of the energy and environment concentration at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He is also the inaugural fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy, and founded and directs the Center's U.S.-China Program. Before joining Columbia, David served in senior positions at the White House and at the U.S. State and Energy departments. Sagatom is a senior associate in the energy transition practice at Macro Advisory Partners as well as an adjunct research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy. He previously worked on cleantech competitiveness at the International Trade Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce, and served as a special adviser to the Office of the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy, John Kerry.

Trade, Industry, and Competition minister Ebrahim Patel has directed the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) to consider the creation of a temporary rebate provision on chicken meat. The directive follows an engagement between the Minister Patel and the Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development, minister Thoko Didiza. South Africa is currently dealing with avian flu outbreak, which led to the culling of more than 2-million chickens. The impact of avian flu outbreak has led to the depletion of locally available poultry, which could have a severe food security implications and prices of poultry.Sakina Kamwedno spoke to ITAC Chief Commissioner, Ayabonga Cawe.

Francisco J. Sánchez served as the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Trade until 2013, a role former President Barack Obama nominated him to in 2009. As Under Secretary, Mr. Sánchez led the International Trade Administration in its efforts to improve the global business environment by helping U.S. businesses compete abroad and was one of the architects of President Obama's National Export Initiative, with the goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014.During the Clinton Administration, Mr. Sánchez served in the White House as a special assistant to former President Bill Clinton, and chief of staff to the Special Envoy to the Americas. He then served as assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), before returning to the private sector.Currently the co-head of the International Trade practice at Holland & Knight, he is also an entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded NorthStar Bank in Tampa, Florida, which was later sold to Seacoast Bank, as well as CNS Global Consulting Group. Until recently, he was on the board of directors of Archer Daniels Midland. He is also a good friend and business partner of host Tal Zlotnitsky, and is the co-founder and Chairman of Tal's new startup – still in stealth mode -- Breez AI.Join a remarkable interview about life, inspiration, overcoming imposter syndrome and leading with love.

Can tech companies send data about European Union citizens across the Atlantic? According to a new framework, the answer is yes. Recently, the EU formally adopted a new agreement with the U.S. on data privacy that gives companies the green light to send data back and forth. For years, EU privacy advocates have raised alarms that U.S. intel agencies like the NSA are spying on EU citizens, particularly by tapping the data droves of Big Tech companies like Google and Meta. This framework is the third attempt at a data-sharing framework after past attempts were struck down by a European court after the Edward Snowden revelations revealed U.S. spying practices. Will the third time be the charm?Evan is joined by Caitlin Fennessy, Vice President and Chief Knowledge Officer at the International Association of Privacy Professionals. Prior to joining the IAPP, Caitlin was the Privacy Shield Director at the U.S. International Trade Administration, where she spent ten years working on international privacy and cross-border data flow policy issues. You can read her work on these issues here.

Technologies such as AI, automation, and analytics all have a critical role to play when it comes to cybersecurity and zero trust. On this episode of the GovFuture Podcast we interview Gerald (Gerry) Caron, who is the Chief Information Officer, International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. We discuss the use of emerging The post AI, Automation, and Analytics in the Context of Cybersecurity: Interview with Gerald Caron, Department of Commerce [GovFuture Podcast] appeared first on GovFuture.

At a time when cybersecurity is a growing concern for Irish businesses, Centripetal have taken the decision to open its European Cyber Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Galway, from where it will aim to address cybersecurity opportunities in the UK and Ireland. Ronan talks to David Silke, CMO of Centripetal. David talks about his background, what Centripetal does, AI, why they are based in Galway and education.  More about Centripetal's move to Galway: According to the International Trade Administration, the cybersecurity market in Ireland is thriving, valued at €280 million. However, cybercriminals continue to retain the upper hand. Grant Thornton Ireland reports that the cost of cybercrime in Ireland exceeded €9.6 billion in 2020. With the opening of Centripetal's European Cyber Intelligence Centre of Excellence, the company will bring its innovative, patented technologies to the European market to protect organisations from every known cyberthreat, which will also in turn bring 50 cybersecurity jobs to Ireland, and work to democratise access to technology positions away from the large tech centres in the UK.  

In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, we are joined by Daniel Mabey. Daniel is the Asia Region President of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA). He is also the director of UNPA's Market Development Cooperator Program with the U.S. Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, which aims to increase exports of US-made natural health products to China through a new export certification and quality program. Daniel's role is crucial to the newly established export certification and quality program, which aims to expand the export of natural health products produced in the United States to China. In our conversation with Daniel, we get valuable insights into the various segments of the nutraceuticals market in China, the cultural factors driving its growth, and the regulatory environment for foreign companies. We discuss effective sales channels and marketing strategies for companies looking to enter the Chinese market. Daniel also predicts continued growth in the nutraceuticals market in China, driven by factors such as the aging population and increasing health awareness. We also talk about the importance of data and analytics in predicting customer behavior to be successful in China. Enjoy!Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      The power of exposure●      The booming nutraceuticals market in China●      Consumer attitudes in China toward nutraceuticals●      The Blue Hat registration process in China●      The motive behind the Chinese government setting up the cross-border e-commerce system●      Effective marketing tactics and strategies e-commerce enterprises can use to achieve prosperity in the Chinese market●      Challenges of importing products to China●      The importance of using the right marketing and trading partner in China●      WPIC's data-driven approach to the Chinese market●      The regulatory environment of the nutraceutical industry in China ●      Dietary supplement health and education act of 1994●      Why we could see the consolidation of foreign brands in China in the future●      Why having relevant data and market knowledge are keys to succeeding in China

After high school, guest Michael Anderson was wrestling whether he wanted to arrive at college as a Michael or Mike. It became a moot point after his Boy Scout qualities were immortalized a nickname given to him in orientation: Ranger. Known thusly ever since, Ranger soaked up the experiences of college and yet didn't leave with a clear path in mind. Early jobs in Boston were of the "work to live" sort, providing him enough structure and income to allow him to concentrate being in the moment with friends, a marker of achievement at the time. Recognizing he wasn't enjoying his work, he decided to pack it in for home in Chicago and press reset. After some soul searching he realized he was interested in urban planning and public policy and went back to graduate school.An early position in municipal planning led him to understand that many of the ways his hands were tied at the local level came from decisions made at the federal level. So he headed to Washington and landed in the Department of Commerce, where he would ultimately spend his career in various analyst and budget director roles. When he realized that the pendulum of achievement had shifted too far to the career and too far from other markers of a well-lived life, he decided he needed to refocus once more. Making some major adjustments later in life, he found what achievement looks like changes as life experiences and circumstances change as well.In this episode find out from Ranger how the desire to make a difference can remain strong even as the scope changes from the wider world to the world within your own four walls. About This Episode's GuestFormer Boy Scout Michael 'Ranger' Anderson has a master's degree in urban planning and public policy. He is a long-time budget director within the U.S. Department of Commerce, currently working within the International Trade Administration. He lives in Fairfax County with his wife and pandemic baby. Luckily, Ranger has the balance necessary to be there for them.  For another story about discerning a truer source of personal achievement, listen to our episode with John Strayer.Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.comExecutive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com

Jorge Sanchez is President and CEO of San Antonio-based Thor Energy, which develops and finances energy-efficient projects throughout Mexico and South America. Sanchez tells the fascinating story of how a start in his family's business turned into Thor Energy, and how simply listening – to your customers, yourself, your children – holds the key to differentiating yourself from the competition. From the start, Sanchez listened to customers' specific needs and found a foothold selling locomotive parts to Mexican businesses. Leveraging the common language, Sanchez quickly expanded into South America, and listened when businesses in the marine and oil and gas industries – both of which utilize the same parts as the auto industry – asked for his services as well. At every turn, says Sanchez, listening to customers and their needs catapulted Thor over their competitors. The move from oil and gas and fossil fuels to renewable energy occurred when Sanchez's daughter presented a school project on renewable energy; it was the moment he recognized not only the opportunity, but also an immediate need, to pivot in that direction. Sanchez seamlessly transitioned the company into a service that recognizes a problem, identifies the technology to solve it, then finds funding for the partnership. In this instance, he explains, Thor quickly overtook the competition by adding the financing piece. Even large, State-run companies throughout South America often lack the financing up front to address pressing issues in the Amazon, he explains. Thor Energy can simultaneously find the partners and technology for a solution and conduct a visibility study to secure the financing to push projects forward. Culturally, each country is its own entity, says Sanchez. To help bridge the gaps, pay attention to “country briefings” from the US Department of Commerce and utilize the services of the US Commercial Service and your local District Export Councils (DECs), both of which will open doors to the whole world.   Links: United States Commercial Services - https://www.trade.gov/let-our-experts-help-0 National Association of District Export Councils - https://www.usaexporter.org/ The International Trade Administration's Country Commercial Guides - https://www.trade.gov/ccg-landing-page   Connect with Wendy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendypease/ Connect with Jorge – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-g-sanchez-3151950/ jsan@thor-energy.com Music: Fiddle-De-Dee by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

A push for stronger climate policy should unite Americans and Europeans. It might be raising trade tensions instead. The Inflation Reduction Act was a signal that America is a serious player in global climate negotiations. European countries, however, worried the bill would be a threat to their domestic manufacturers and took their complaints directly to the Biden Administration. The EU responded by proposing a Green Deal Industrial Plan, which will match American subsidies to clean-energy manufacturers. European officials are also pursuing a green tariff in 2026, which would tax imports of carbon-intensive goods.  How will this transatlantic industrial arms race play out? And will it cause trade disputes between the U.S. and EU to escalate? This week, host Bill Loveless talks with Noah Kaufman and Sagatom Saha. Noah is an economist and research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy. He served as a senior economist at the Council of Economic Advisers under President Biden. He also served as the deputy associate director of energy and climate change at the White House Council on Environmental Quality under President Obama. Sagatom is an adjunct research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy and is an expert on the global energy transition and America's competitiveness in clean energy technologies. He previously worked on cleantech competitiveness at the International Trade Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce, and served as an adviser to John Kerry, the U.S. special presidential envoy for climate.  Noah, Sagatom, and two of their colleagues, Chris Bataille and Gautum Jain, recently published an article in The Conversation about how conflicting carbon tariffs could undermine climate efforts. Bill talks with them about the details of the U.S. and EU's domestic industrial policies, and why tensions are flaring between them.

in this episode, Career Services Specialist Jodi Hammer chats with RPCV Laura Henderson (RPCV Togo), Director of the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellowship offered through the Congressional Hunger Center.  Laura shares more about this paid 2-year program which combines grassroots fieldwork in food security challenged countries with policy work at the headquarters level of an assigned counterpart agency, and why RPCVs are especially competitive. She also shares how to apply for this prestigious program. FEATURED GUESTS: Laura Henderson is an RPCV from Togo, and she is a passionate global advocate for social justice for all, poverty eradication, food security and education. She has worked for 20+ years in international development and is currently the Director of the Mickey Leland Fellowship program at the Congressional Hunger Center. She began her career working for two years as a Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) with US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. Laura then served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, where she introduced coffee and cocoa marketing techniques to farmers, greatly increasing their capacity, profits and overall food security.PODCAST HOST: Jodi Hammer is an RPCV (Ecuador, 1994–97), Job Coach, and host of the Global Reentry's Jobs with Jodi Podcast. In her role as Global Reentry Career Support Specialist with NPCA, she develops and delivers individual and group programming to foster Global Reentry's mission of providing career and transitional support to RPCVs worldwide.

Being the 2nd largest country in the world, there are many things it has the most of or the largest of - such as having the most lakes in the world, having the highest tides and the place with the strongest current, having the most northern settlement, the largest wheat field, and the longest street. But it's more famous for ice hockey, moose, maple syrup, and bears, especially grizzly and polar bears. In fact, in one city in Manitoba province, people make sure they leave their cars unlocked. This is so that someone who may need to flee from an oncoming polar bear, can find safety in a close-by vehicle. ·      00:25 – Intro  ·      01:10 – Bare Bones ·      02:32 – Heart of the Nation o   Geography/Climate to Social Provisions Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? The Fact File  https://thefactfile.org/canada-facts/ (https://thefactfile.org/canada-facts/) Fact Retriever  https://www.factretriever.com/canada-facts (https://www.factretriever.com/canada-facts) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/canada/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/canada/) AFS https://www.afsusa.org/countries/canada/#afs-nav-people (https://www.afsusa.org/countries/canada/ - afs-nav-people) Culturalatlas https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/canadian-culture (https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/canadian-culture) World Atlas https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/canada (https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/canada) https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/5-interesting-facts-about-the-canadian-american-border.html (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/5-interesting-facts-about-the-canadian-american-border.html) https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/10-facts-you-may-not-know-about-canada-s-prime-minister-justin-trudeau.html (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/10-facts-you-may-not-know-about-canada-s-prime-minister-justin-trudeau.html) UN Data  http://data.un.org/en/iso/ca.html (http://data.un.org/en/iso/ca.html) World Data  https://www.worlddata.info/america/canada/index.php (https://www.worlddata.info/america/canada/index.php) OEC  https://oec.world/en/profile/country/can (https://oec.world/en/profile/country/can) World's Top Exports https://www.worldstopexports.com/canadas-top-exports/ (https://www.worldstopexports.com/canadas-top-exports/) The Global Economy https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/economies/ (https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/economies/) Google Freebase sites  https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas/canada-english (https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas/canada-english) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Canada.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Canada.html) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices  https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/canada/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/canada/) https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/canada/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/canada/) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/canada-business-travel (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/canada-business-travel) Worldometers ...

The federal government will hear comments on Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods; certification will be needed to import quartz surfaces from Malaysia; Quarra Stone to open $19 million campus in Wisconsin; more.00:33 Section 301 Tariff Comments to be Heard02:31 Certification Required for Malaysia Quartz-Surface Imports05:47 A Word from Quantra07:00 MSI Opens New Haven Area Facility 07:00 MSI Opens New Haven Area Facility 08:10 U.S. Hard Surface Imports Hits Another New High09:51 Manu Shaw Honored by Orange CA Chamber10:52 Fabricator on NKBA Young Leaders List11:31 Howard Feted with NTCA Ring of Honor

Cameroon has had a history of attacks by the Islamist terrorist group known as Boko Haram, who was responsible for the death of at least 1,000 in 2015. The country has one of the most diverse ecosystems in Africa. It has been confirmed by scientists that HIV originated here in wild chimpanzees. Some of its people practice spider divination, where the spider is deemed capable of answering questions depending on how it displaces cards stacked outside its burrow hole. ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      01:05 – Bare Bones ·      02:40 – Heart of the Nation ·      01:08:04 – Who Is? ·      01:08:31 – Who Would've Thought? Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? The Fact File  https://thefactfile.org/cameroon-facts/ (https://thefactfile.org/cameroon-facts/) Fact Retriever  https://www.factretriever.com/cameroon-facts (https://www.factretriever.com/cameroon-facts) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cameroon/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cameroon/) AFS  https://www.afsusa.org/countries/cameroon/#afs-nav-people-and-community (https://www.afsusa.org/countries/cameroon/ - afs-nav-people-and-community) UN Data  http://data.un.org/en/iso/cm.html (http://data.un.org/en/iso/cm.html) World Bank https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/819481492188154977/mpo-cmr.pdf (https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/819481492188154977/mpo-cmr.pdf) World Data  https://www.worlddata.info/africa/cameroon/index.php (https://www.worlddata.info/africa/cameroon/index.php) OEC  https://oec.world/en/profile/country/cmr (https://oec.world/en/profile/country/cmr) The Global Economy https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Cameroon/ (https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Cameroon/) The Crazy Tourist  https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-cameroon/#more-6652 (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-cameroon/ - more-6652) Google Freebase sites  https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas/cameroon-english (https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas/cameroon-english) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/cameroon-travel-advisory.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/cameroon-travel-advisory.html) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cameroon.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cameroon.html) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (yearly report) https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/cameroon/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/cameroon/) https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/cameroon/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/cameroon/) Human Rights Watch  https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/cameroon (https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/cameroon) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/cameroon-business-travel (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/cameroon-business-travel) Worldometers  https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/cameroon-population/...

Cambodia has the largest religious structure ever built within its borders and was built to the Hindu god Vishnu. It's home to many interesting and unique animal species including the first (and currently the only) species of terrestrial mollusk known to be bioluminescent. It's also where the Aspara dance originated – a dance which is such a symbolic feature of the culture that it was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Prime Minister – Hun Sen – single, and serving since 1985, is an avid social media user who insists that he wouldn't appoint anyone to be a provincial governor who isn't knowledgeable in the use of social media and smartphones. ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      01:17 – Bare Bones ·      02:47 – Heart of the Nation ·      01:18:24 – Who Is? ·      01:23:56 – Who Would've Thought? Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? The Fact File  https://thefactfile.org/cambodia-facts/ (https://thefactfile.org/cambodia-facts/) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cambodia/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cambodia/) Worldometers  https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/cambodia-population/ (https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/cambodia-population/) https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/cambodia-demographics/ (https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/cambodia-demographics/) Living National Treasures http://lntreasures.com/cambodiab.html (http://lntreasures.com/cambodiab.html) Animalia https://animalia.bio/elastic-search?search=Cambodia (https://animalia.bio/elastic-search?search=Cambodia) The World of Info  https://theworldofinfo.com/cambodia/ (https://theworldofinfo.com/cambodia/) Culturalatlas https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/cambodian-culture (https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/cambodian-culture) UN Data http://data.un.org/en/iso/kh.html (http://data.un.org/en/iso/kh.html) OEC  https://oec.world/en/profile/country/khm (https://oec.world/en/profile/country/khm) The Global Economy https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Cambodia/ (https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Cambodia/) World Data  https://www.worlddata.info/asia/cambodia/economy.php (https://www.worlddata.info/asia/cambodia/economy.php) The Crazy Tourist  https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-cambodia/#more-24004 (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-cambodia/ - more-24004) Google Freebase sites  https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas/cambodia-english (https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas/cambodia-english) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cambodia.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cambodia.html) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices  https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/cambodia (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/cambodia) https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/cambodia/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/cambodia/) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/cambodia-business-travel...

In Edible-Alpha® podcast #116, Sarah sits down with Chris Wojtowicz, international trade consultant with the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC). With 30 years of experience in trade development and trade compliance, he helps small businesses statewide plan and execute their global strategies.   According to Chris, less than 1% of U.S. companies export, yet more than 95% of the world's market lies outside the U.S. Therefore, selling excess capacity overseas or simply expanding internationally could be a smart play for food and farm businesses. Many entrepreneurs assume it'll be too complicated, expensive, or scary, but Chris insists it doesn't have to be. It just requires research, planning, and tapping into the right resources. Chris tells clients to first evaluate their product, its benefits, and the reason consumers want to buy it. Then explore various international markets to learn whether they are importing similar products and/or would have a desire for theirs. To help, the International Trade Administration has a database at export.gov that suggests market opportunities for specific products. Next, zero in on the nations with the most potential and develop a strategic market entry. Entrepreneurs should decide how they want to sell, such as direct to the end user or through a distributor, and what each path would entail. Overall, this process is very similar to planning a regional or national expansion, except it also requires consideration of foreign regulations around food safety, packaging, labeling, licensure, taxes, etc. Entrepreneurs must also look at costs and logistics, and if working with a distributor, hammer out terms such as who covers freight, insurance, and loss. Clear documentation and good relationships are key. On the surface, this all might seem daunting to a small business owner. But there are plenty of resources to help, including SBDC and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and similar organizations in other states, as well as the U.S. Commercial Service and industry trade associations. Domestic resources such as these can then connect entrepreneurs to foreign-equivalent organizations.   With the right guidance, Chris says even very small companies can successfully go global—in some cases, even before they expand domestically. It all boils down to finding the white space and executing on the right opportunities—and budgeting time and money carefully, of course.   There's a lot more valuable info packed into this podcast, so definitely tune in!

Brunei has luxurious rainforests teeming with colorful flora and fauna. It also has a history of great oil production and natural gas reserves. The kingdom is tax-free, a subsidized society, and its people enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes on earth. The same family has ruled over the country for 6 centuries. The ruler, or sultan, has astounding wealth, living in a 172-room palace. He has a love for expensive cars and owns 500 Rolls Royces and 300 Ferraris.  ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      00:27 – Bare Bones ·      03:28 – Heart of the Nation ·      01:02:55 – Who Is? ·      01:04:01 – Who Would've Thought? Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? The Fact File  https://thefactfile.org/brunei-facts/ (https://thefactfile.org/brunei-facts/) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brunei/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brunei/) Living National Treasures http://lntreasures.com/brunei.html (http://lntreasures.com/brunei.html) India Times https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/sultan-of-brunei-hassanal-bolkiah-and-his-net-worth-560996.html (https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/sultan-of-brunei-hassanal-bolkiah-and-his-net-worth-560996.html) World Atlas https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/brunei-darussalam (https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/brunei-darussalam) The World Bank  https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.CD?locations=BN (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.CD?locations=BN) https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.IMP.GNFS.CD?locations=BN (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.IMP.GNFS.CD?locations=BN) The Global Economy https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Brunei/ (https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Brunei/) World Data https://www.worlddata.info/asia/brunei/index.php (https://www.worlddata.info/asia/brunei/index.php) The Crazy Tourist  https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-brunei/#more-24039 (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-brunei/ - more-24039) Nations Online  https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/countries_of_the_world.htm (https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/countries_of_the_world.htm) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brunei.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brunei.html) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (yearly report) https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/brunei/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/brunei/) https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/brunei/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/brunei/) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/brunei-business-travel (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/brunei-business-travel) UN Data http://data.un.org/en/iso/bn.html (http://data.un.org/en/iso/bn.html) Government of Canada https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/brunei (https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/brunei) Heritage  https://www.heritage.org/index/country/brunei (https://www.heritage.org/index/country/brunei) Freedom House  https://freedomhouse.org/country/brunei/freedom-world/2022 (https://freedomhouse.org/country/brunei/freedom-world/2022) Brunei

Brazil is the largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) nation in the world and the only one in the Americas. Brazil has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan. Brazil has more animal and plant species than any other country in the world and is at the top among the 18 megadiverse countries. It hosts between 15 and 20 percent of the world's biological diversity. It contains about two-thirds of the Amazon Rainforest. The deadliest place on earth is Queimada Grande Island, also known as Snake Island, cannot be visited without authorization of the Brazilian Navy.   ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      00:30 – Heart of the Nation Social Provisions through Travel ·      35:24 – Who Is?  ·      39:51 – Who Would've Thought?  Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? World Atlas https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/brazil (https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/brazil) Trading Economics  https://tradingeconomics.com/brazil/indicators (https://tradingeconomics.com/brazil/indicators) The Crazy Tourist  https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-brazil/#more-8109 (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-brazil/ - more-8109) Nations Online  https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/brazil.htm (https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/brazil.htm) Google Freebase sites https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas (https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/brazil-travel-advisory.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/brazil-travel-advisory.html) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices  https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/brazil/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/brazil/) https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/brazil/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/brazil/) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/brazil-business-travel (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/brazil-business-travel) UN Data http://data.un.org/en/iso/br.html (http://data.un.org/en/iso/br.html) The World Bank  https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.CD (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.CD) https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.IMP.GNFS.CD (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.IMP.GNFS.CD) ARDA  https://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_31_1.asp (https://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_31_1.asp) The Fact File  https://thefactfile.org/brazil-facts/ (https://thefactfile.org/brazil-facts/) Fact Retriever  https://www.factretriever.com/brazil-facts (https://www.factretriever.com/brazil-facts) IEA  (good for energy summary) https://www.iea.org/countries/brazil (https://www.iea.org/countries/brazil) OEC https://oec.world/en/profile/country/bra...

Brazil is the largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) nation in the world and the only one in the Americas. Brazil has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan. Brazil has more animal and plant species than any other country in the world and is at the top among the 18 megadiverse countries. It hosts between 15 and 20 percent of the world's biological diversity. It contains about two-thirds of the Amazon Rainforest. The deadliest place on earth is Queimada Grande Island, also known as Snake Island, cannot be visited without authorization of the Brazilian Navy.   ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      01:28 – Bare Bones ·      04:35 – Heart of the Nation Geography/Climate through Doing Business Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? World Atlas https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/brazil (https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/brazil) Trading Economics  https://tradingeconomics.com/brazil/indicators (https://tradingeconomics.com/brazil/indicators) The Crazy Tourist  https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-brazil/#more-8109 (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-brazil/ - more-8109) Nations Online  https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/brazil.htm (https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/brazil.htm) Google Freebase sites https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas (https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/brazil-travel-advisory.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/brazil-travel-advisory.html) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices  https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/brazil/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/brazil/) https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/brazil/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/brazil/) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/brazil-business-travel (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/brazil-business-travel) UN Data http://data.un.org/en/iso/br.html (http://data.un.org/en/iso/br.html) The World Bank  https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.CD (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.CD) https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.IMP.GNFS.CD (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.IMP.GNFS.CD) ARDA  https://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_31_1.asp (https://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_31_1.asp) The Fact File  https://thefactfile.org/brazil-facts/ (https://thefactfile.org/brazil-facts/) Fact Retriever  https://www.factretriever.com/brazil-facts (https://www.factretriever.com/brazil-facts) IEA  (good for energy summary) https://www.iea.org/countries/brazil (https://www.iea.org/countries/brazil) OEC https://oec.world/en/profile/country/bra (https://oec.world/en/profile/country/bra) OECD ...

Botswana was, in 2016, named by Lonely Planet, as the top destination for tourists. It is likely because about 40% of its land is reserved under government protection, as natural areas in the form of sanctuaries, reserves, wildlife management areas, and national parks. One special area is the Kalahari Desert, with a delta that supports many species of large mammals including rhinoceros, cheetahs, and lions. It is also famous for its large dazzle of zebras and meerkats.   ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      01:11 – Bare Bones ·      03:03 – Heart of the Nation ·      01:08:26 – Who Is? ·      01:10:14 – Who Would've Thought? Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? The Crazy Tourist  https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-to-visit-in-botswana/ (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-to-visit-in-botswana/) Trend Economy https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/Botswana?time_period=2020,2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,2013,2012,2011,2010,2009 (https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/Botswana?time_period=2020,2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,2013,2012,2011,2010,2009) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Botswana.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Botswana.html) https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-botswana/ (https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-botswana/) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (yearly report) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/botswana/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/botswana/) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/botswana/#people-and-society (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/botswana/ - people-and-society) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/botswana-business-travel (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/botswana-business-travel) UN Data http://data.un.org/en/iso/bw.html (http://data.un.org/en/iso/bw.html) The World Bank  https://data.worldbank.org/country/botswana (https://data.worldbank.org/country/botswana) ARDA  https://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_29_1.asp (https://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_29_1.asp) OEC https://oec.world/en/profile/country/bwa (https://oec.world/en/profile/country/bwa) The Global Economy https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Botswana/imports_dollars/ (https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Botswana/imports_dollars/) Worldometers  https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/botswana-demographics/ (https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/botswana-demographics/) The Free Geography  https://www.thefreegeography.com/botswana-arts-and-literature/ (https://www.thefreegeography.com/botswana-arts-and-literature/) Animalia https://animalia.bio/botswana-animals?page=1 (https://animalia.bio/botswana-animals?page=1) Social Protection https://socialprotection.org/discover/programme?f%5B0%5D=field_programme_country%3A1388&f%5B1%5D=field_programme_type%3A1120 (https://socialprotection.org/discover/programme?f%5B0%5D=field_programme_country%3A1388&f%5B1%5D=field_programme_type%3A1120) World's Top Exports https://www.worldstopexports.com/botswanas-top-10-exports/ (https://www.worldstopexports.com/botswanas-top-10-exports/) Living National...

In this episode of Coffee and Wine, Niamh and I have the great honor of interviewing Elizabeth Ahern. With her impressive and distinguished resume, you will find this conversation both enlightening and very informative.As the Director of the U.S. Commercial Service office in Illinois, Elizabeth is the executive in the field representing the practices and policies of the U.S. government and leads the export ecosystems with trade promotion operations oversight for the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration.Elizabeth has over 20 years of international business experience, spanning the private sector, academia, not-for-profit, and public service.  Also, an entrepreneur that founded her own consulting firm focusing on international business operations.  She has an executive master's in international business studies from Saint Louis University and a bachelor's in history/political science and Spanish. She is fluent in Spanish and has knowledge of French and Portuguese.A Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) and holds a certification in Change Management and the Board Leadership Program from the University of Denver.  Additionally, Elizabeth is an Executive Coach and serves as an internal coach within her bureau – The International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 2020 her coaching cadre won the prestigious ICF (International Coaching Federation) International Prism Award.  Case study:  https://coachingfederation.org/app/uploads/2021/06/2020-Prism-Case-Study_ITA.pdfPress release:  https://coachfederation.org/blog/international-coaching-federation-announces-2020-prism-award-honoreesTo connect with Elizabeth, the following is her contact information: Elizabeth_ahern@yahoo.com

In 1984, Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted the Olympics, in the city of Sarajevo, making it the first ever Winter Olympic Games held in a socialist state and a Slavic language-speaking country. It was also the first Olympics to take place in the Balkans. The Sarajevo Sahat Tower is a historic timepiece which is said to be the only clock in the world that keeps lunar time. According to the World Tourism Organization, with over one million people visiting, the country has the third highest tourism growth rate worldwide from 1995 to 2020. ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      01:11 – Bare Bones ·      03:39 – Heart of the Nation ·      01:15:08 – Who Is? ·      01:15:55 – Who Would've Thought? Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? World Atlas https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/bosnia-and-herzegovina (https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/bosnia-and-herzegovina) Adventurous Miriam  https://adventurousmiriam.com/things-to-do-in-sarajevo-bosnia/ (https://adventurousmiriam.com/things-to-do-in-sarajevo-bosnia/) https://adventurousmiriam.com/bosnia-travels/ (https://adventurousmiriam.com/bosnia-travels/) Trend Economy https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/BosniaAndHerzegovina?time_period=2020,2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,2013,2012,2011,2010,2009 (https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/BosniaAndHerzegovina?time_period=2020,2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,2013,2012,2011,2010,2009) Nations Online  https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/bosnia_herzegovina.htm (https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/bosnia_herzegovina.htm) Google Freebase sites   https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/europe/bosnia-and-herze3 (https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/europe/bosnia-and-herze3) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/BosniaandHerzegovina.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/BosniaandHerzegovina.html) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (yearly report) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/bosnia-and-herzegovina/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/bosnia-and-herzegovina/) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/bosnia-and-herzegovina/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/bosnia-and-herzegovina/) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/bosnia-and-herzegovina/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/bosnia-and-herzegovina/) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/bosnia-and-herzegovina-business-travel (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/bosnia-and-herzegovina-business-travel) UN Data http://data.un.org/en/iso/ba.html (http://data.un.org/en/iso/ba.html) The World Bank  https://databank.worldbank.org/views/reports/reportwidget.aspx?Report_Name=CountryProfile&Id=b450fd57&tbar=y&dd=y&inf=n&zm=n&country=BIH (https://databank.worldbank.org/views/reports/reportwidget.aspx?Report_Name=CountryProfile&Id=b450fd57&tbar=y&dd=y&inf=n&zm=n&country=BIH) https://data.worldbank.org/country/bosnia-and-herzegovina?view=chart (https://data.worldbank.org/country/bosnia-and-herzegovina?view=chart) ARDA ...

Bolivia is a country with 36 indigenous people and 37 official languages. It has the world's largest salt flat. Besides supplying salt, it contains several other minerals of use. It is so large that after it rains the standing water becomes the earth's largest mirror making it ideal for calibrating the altimeters for earth's satellites. Nearby you will find the Hotel de Salad, built entirely from salt blocks including the interior and the furniture. It is home to what was known as The Death Road - the world's most dangerous road in the 90's.  ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      01:29 – Bare Bones ·      05:12 – Heart of the Nation ·      01:14:43 – Who Is? ·      01:16:04 – Who Would've Thought? Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? World Atlas https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/bolivia (https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/bolivia) Adventurous Miriam  https://adventurousmiriam.com/bolivia-travel-guide/ (https://adventurousmiriam.com/bolivia-travel-guide/) https://adventurousmiriam.com/witches-market/ (https://adventurousmiriam.com/witches-market/) The Crazy Tourist  https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-bolivia/ (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-bolivia/) https://globaledge.msu.edu/global-insights/by/country (https://globaledge.msu.edu/global-insights/by/country) Nations Online  https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/bolivia.htm (https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/bolivia.htm) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/bolivia-travel-advisory.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/bolivia-travel-advisory.html) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bolivia.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bolivia.html) https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-bolivia/ (https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-bolivia/) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (yearly report) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/bolivia/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/bolivia/) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/bolivia/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/bolivia/) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/bolivia/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/bolivia/) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/bolivia-business-travel (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/bolivia-business-travel) UN Data http://data.un.org/en/iso/bo.html (http://data.un.org/en/iso/bo.html) The Fact File  https://thefactfile.org/bolivia-facts/ (https://thefactfile.org/bolivia-facts/) Want to Know it https://wanttoknowit.com/interesting-facts-about-bolivia/ (https://wanttoknowit.com/interesting-facts-about-bolivia/) OEC https://oec.world/en/ (https://oec.world/en/) The Global Economy https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Bolivia/ (https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Bolivia/) World Data  https://www.worlddata.info/america/bolivia/economy.php (https://www.worlddata.info/america/bolivia/economy.php) https://www.worlddata.info/america/bolivia/index.php (https://www.worlddata.info/america/bolivia/index.php)...

Ukraine is known as the “Breadbasket of Europe” because of its extremely fertile soil, a black soil, called Chernozem. It has the deepest metro station in the world at 105.5 meters (346 feet). The largest airplane ever built was built here. It is a country responsible for many inventions and first successes such as hard disk drives, performing the first heart mitral valve surgery, the movable frame beehive, allowing beekeepers to extract honey without harming or killing bees, the first design and production of the helicopter, and many more. It is home to a city having 1500 cafés, the most per capita of any city in the world. ·      00:00:00 – Intro  ·      00:00:32 – Heart of the Nation Government through Travel ·      00:58:20 – Who Is? ·      01:03:53 – Who Would've Thought? Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? Humanitarian Response (UN Site) https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-situation-flash-update-5-24-march-2022 (https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-situation-flash-update-5-24-march-2022) Atlas https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-seven-natural-wonders-of-ukraine.html (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-seven-natural-wonders-of-ukraine.html) https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/animals-that-live-in-ukraine.html (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/animals-that-live-in-ukraine.html) https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-native-birds-of-ukraine.html (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-native-birds-of-ukraine.html) Adventurous Miriam  https://adventurousmiriam.com/things-to-do-in-kyiv-ukraine/#11_friendship_of_nations_arch (https://adventurousmiriam.com/things-to-do-in-kyiv-ukraine/ - 11_friendship_of_nations_arch) The Crazy Tourist  https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-odessa-ukraine/ (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-odessa-ukraine/) Global Edge https://globaledge.msu.edu/global-insights/by/country (https://globaledge.msu.edu/global-insights/by/country) Trend Economy https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/Ukraine?time_period=2020,2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,2013,2012,2011,2010,2009 (https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/Ukraine?time_period=2020,2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,2013,2012,2011,2010,2009) Nations Online https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/ukraine.htm (https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/ukraine.htm) European Commission  https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/eu-solidarity-ukraine_en#eu-support-to-ukraine (https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/eu-solidarity-ukraine_en - eu-support-to-ukraine) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ukraine.html#/ (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ukraine.html - /) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (yearly report) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ukraine/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ukraine/) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/static/82c8929ce783a313655168a51edcd1ad/UP-summary.pdf (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/static/82c8929ce783a313655168a51edcd1ad/UP-summary.pdf) https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ukraine/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ukraine/) International Trade Administration ...

Ukraine is known as the “Breadbasket of Europe” because of its extremely fertile soil, a black soil, called Chernozem. It has the deepest metro station in the world at 105.5 meters (346 feet). The largest airplane ever built was built here. It is a country responsible for many inventions and first successes such as hard disk drives, performing the first heart mitral valve surgery, the movable frame beehive, allowing beekeepers to extract honey without harming or killing bees, the first design and production of the helicopter, and many more. It is home to a city having 1500 cafés, the most per capita of any city in the world. ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      02:08 – Bare Bones ·      03:52 – Heart of the Nation Geography/Climate through Current Political/Humanitarian Issues Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? Humanitarian Response (UN Site) https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-situation-flash-update-5-24-march-2022 (https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-situation-flash-update-5-24-march-2022) Atlas https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-seven-natural-wonders-of-ukraine.html (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-seven-natural-wonders-of-ukraine.html) https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/animals-that-live-in-ukraine.html (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/animals-that-live-in-ukraine.html) https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-native-birds-of-ukraine.html (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-native-birds-of-ukraine.html) Adventurous Miriam  https://adventurousmiriam.com/things-to-do-in-kyiv-ukraine/#11_friendship_of_nations_arch (https://adventurousmiriam.com/things-to-do-in-kyiv-ukraine/ - 11_friendship_of_nations_arch) The Crazy Tourist  https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-odessa-ukraine/ (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-odessa-ukraine/) Global Edge https://globaledge.msu.edu/global-insights/by/country (https://globaledge.msu.edu/global-insights/by/country) Trend Economy https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/Ukraine?time_period=2020,2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,2013,2012,2011,2010,2009 (https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/Ukraine?time_period=2020,2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,2013,2012,2011,2010,2009) Nations Online https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/ukraine.htm (https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/ukraine.htm) European Commission  https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/eu-solidarity-ukraine_en#eu-support-to-ukraine (https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/eu-solidarity-ukraine_en - eu-support-to-ukraine) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ukraine.html#/ (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ukraine.html - /) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (yearly report) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ukraine/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ukraine/) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/static/82c8929ce783a313655168a51edcd1ad/UP-summary.pdf (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/static/82c8929ce783a313655168a51edcd1ad/UP-summary.pdf) https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ukraine/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ukraine/) International Trade Administration ...

What happens when you pursue your dreams?  What if we all embraced an intentional approach to life and went after our goals?  Well, you may end up living around the world, working within different cultures, and impacting hundreds, maybe thousands of people across the globe!  My guest this week dreamed of being a diplomat at age 15 and she has worked to make that dream a reality, as a career foreign commercial service officer. Camille Richardson is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle East and Africa for the International Trade Administration. Camille describes her job and the role she plays in helping U.S. businesses explore international opportunities and create export strategies. She shares her 30-year career journey from serving as a Presidential Management Fellow to her current role, how she found her purpose, and the personal and professional challenges she faced along the way.We also touch on the following: Intentional mindset and overcoming self-sabotage Embracing change and connecting peopleMentoring and coachingDiversity in the workplace The WELLTI Initiative (Women Empowered Lead Legacies Through Trade and Investment) Opportunities for small and medium businesses relative to international trade Resources available to help entrepreneurs engage in international tradeListen to Episode 503 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:WELLTI Initiativehttps://www.trade.gov/contact-us Trade WindsContact usTake Control of Your Life: How to Silence Fear and Win the Mental Game by Mel RobbinsThriving Points:You're not going to be everybody's cup of tea and that's okay. As long as you treat people with respect,  and command the same respect for yourself - you give it, you get it. - Camille RichardsonIt's a good idea just to not just have a mentor, but even a circle of advisors, and trusted people that you can turn to for different perspectives. - Camille RichardsonYour dreams are out there and sometimes you have to defy gravity, the weight of other people's expectations, or even your own fears to reach them. - Camille RichardsonA lot of people talk about fear of failure,  but a lot of us have a fear of success because to succeed, then you have to be different. - Nikki RogersGet to Know the Guest:Camille Richardson is a tenured Senior Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Commercial Service. She began her career in government with the International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1993 and became an accredited diplomat with the U.S. Commercial Service in 1998.  Camille has served in Miami, FL; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Nairobi, Kenya; Mumbai, India, and Sao Paulo, Brazil facilitating commercial partnerships between U.S. and local companies. In 2021, she was appointed as Commerce ITA's new Deputy Assistant Secretary for the MEA region.A native of Washington, D.C., Camille earned a B.A. in International Relations from Brown University and an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins/SAIS. She speaks Portuguese and Portunhol along with a bit of Hindi, Swahili, and French.Connect with Camille:LinkedIn

Benin is a country whose government's aim is to educate future generations about its long history of human suffering via the slave trade. There are a couple of museums in place just for this purpose. Yet, due to great poverty in the country it is ironic that many parents in desperation, send their children to work as servants in the homes of the wealthy, both in their own country and in neighbouring countries. It is also the birthplace of Vodou, a practice which voodoo stems from. This is a country where the Royal Python is welcomed into the homes nearby the Serpent Temple they are released from weekly, as they hunt for a meal. Those who've hosted a python visit will kindly return them to the temple at day's end.  ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      01:19 – Bare Bones ·      02:47 – Heart of the Nation ·      48:43 – Who Is? ·      49:13 – Who Would've Thought? Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? Trading Economics  https://take-profit.org/en/statistics/countries/benin/ (https://take-profit.org/en/statistics/countries/benin/) Nations Online  https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/benin.htm (https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/benin.htm) Google Freebase sites  https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas/benin-english (https://mobile.sites.google.com/site/theinternetnations/the-earth/receitas/benin-english) U.S. State Department https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Benin.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Benin.html) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices  https://www.state.gov/bureau-of-international-narcotics-and-law-enforcement-affairs-work-by-country/benin-summary/ (https://www.state.gov/bureau-of-international-narcotics-and-law-enforcement-affairs-work-by-country/benin-summary/) https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/benin/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/benin/) https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom/benin/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom/benin/) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/benin/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/benin/) Social Security Administration https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2016-2017/africa/benin.pdf (https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2016-2017/africa/benin.pdf) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/benin/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/benin/) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/benin-business-travel-and-etiquette?navcard=14992 (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/benin-business-travel-and-etiquette?navcard=14992) https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/benin-travel-and-tourism (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/benin-travel-and-tourism) https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/benin-telecommunications (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/benin-telecommunications) The World Bank  https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/benin/overview#1 (https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/benin/overview#1)...

Belize is an adventurer's paradise. You can explore the wonders of the ocean in its barrier reef system, the second largest in the world. Here you will find the largest sinkhole in the world teeming with marine life. Almost half of the country is covered by rainforest with thousands of different animals and plants to see. It is home to hundreds of Mayan ruins which are accessible both via land and via water by entering underground caves. ·      00:00 – Intro  ·      01:01 – Bare Bones ·      03:16 – Heart of the Nation ·      00:56:49 – Who Is? ·      00:58:49 – Who Would've Thought? Find Nations of the World Podcast: Email now-podcast@heartsgroup.org Website https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm/ (https://nations-of-the-world.captivate.fm) Patreon https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld (https://www.patreon.com/nationsoftheworld) Where is this information coming from? Trading Economics  https://tradingeconomics.com/belize/indicators (https://tradingeconomics.com/belize/indicators) The Crazy Tourist  https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-belize-tours/#more-65539 (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-belize-tours/#more-65539) Take-Profit https://take-profit.org/en/statistics/countries/belize/ (https://take-profit.org/en/statistics/countries/belize/) Nations Online  https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/belize.htm (https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/belize.htm) Travel.State.Gov (US Dept. of State) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Belize.html (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Belize.html) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/belize/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/belize/) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (yearly report) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/belize/ (https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/belize/) cia.gov  https://www.cia.gov/site-policies (https://www.cia.gov/site-policies) CIA World Factbook  https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/belize/ (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/belize/) International Trade Administration  https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/belize-business-travel (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/belize-business-travel) UK Government https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belize/local-laws-and-customs (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belize/local-laws-and-customs) The World Bank  https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/BLZ/Year/2019/Summary (https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/BLZ/Year/2019/Summary) The Fact File  https://thefactfile.org/belize-facts/ (https://thefactfile.org/belize-facts/) Fact Retriever  https://www.factretriever.com/ (https://www.factretriever.com) Want to Know It  https://wanttoknowit.com/interesting-facts-about-belize/ (https://wanttoknowit.com/interesting-facts-about-belize/) OEC https://oec.world/en/profile/country/blz (https://oec.world/en/profile/country/blz) World Data  https://www.worlddata.info/america/belize/asylum.php (https://www.worlddata.info/america/belize/asylum.php) https://www.worlddata.info/america/belize/health.php (https://www.worlddata.info/america/belize/health.php) Worldometers https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/belize-demographics/ (https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/belize-demographics/) Caving in Belize https://ambergriscaye.com/caving/8caves.html (https://ambergriscaye.com/caving/8caves.html) Belize

Guest Bio: Lori Feathers '90 Lib is the co-owner and principal book buyer for Interabang Books a large, independent bookstore in Dallas, Texas, which she opened after retiring from a legal career in 2017. After Lori earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Russian from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts in 1990 where she was Phi Beta Kappa, she earned a Juris Doctorate degree and a Master's degree in international affairs, both from American University in Washington DC in 1993. Upon graduating she took a job at the US Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, and during her tenure she traveled extensively throughout the former Soviet Union—spending time in 13 of the 15 former Soviet republics--as a member of various delegations working on US trade and investment issues in the region. After four years at the Department of Commerce, Lori was hired as an international oil and gas attorney by Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) and moved to Dallas, Texas. While at ARCO Lori chaired negotiations with companies such as Rosneft, Lukoil, and the Georgian State Oil Company for billion-dollar oil exploration and infrastructure deals, accumulating lots of frequent flier miles in meetings with officials in Moscow and Tbilisi. When ARCO was acquired by British Petroleum in 2000, Lori joined the corporate law firm of Haynes and Boone in Dallas as an international attorney. In 2005 she was hired by Dallas-based independent oil and gas producer Pioneer Natural Resources as its Associate General Counsel for International Business. In addition to owning and running Interabang Books, Lori is a writer and a published book critic and was elected by her peers to serve two terms on the Board of the National Book Critics Circle, a national organization of book reviewers and publishing professionals. As a Board member she sits on the jury for the annual National Book Critics Circle awards. She is also Chair and Founder of the Republic of Consciousness Prize for Small Presses, a literary prize that supports the work of small publishers in the United States and Canada. In addition to reading books and writing about them, Lori enjoys a full life in Dallas with Kelem, her partner of 26 years, and their English bulldog, Botero. Episode Specifics: In this episode, Lori shares her insights on: · Handling world changes that directly impact your major – like the fall of the Soviet Union · Coming to college from a rural, small town and starting at a Commonwealth Campus · Discovering passions and career interests in general education courses and deciding on a career in law · Working for the government, private industry, and private law firms · What it's like moving far away from home after college – or law school · Learning a new industry to be an effective lawyer · Strategies for networking · Tips for students pursuing travel intensive careers · The differences between confidence and competence · How to know when to call it a day on career #1 and pivot to something new · How to position yourself as a business against the giants · An inside look at what it's like being a bookstore owner and book buyer · Ways to be involved in the literary community without being an author · Tackling childhood activities as an adult hobby ----- Schreyer Honors College Links: • Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • LinkedIn • Upcoming Events • Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! • Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer • Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars • Join the Penn State Alumni Association ----- Credits & Notes: This content is available in text form here. This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College's Web Developer. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

This episode of Export Nation features Kristin Drauschke of Medi-Dyne, a medical healthcare company located in Colleyville, Texas. The company specializes in sports medicine, orthopedic podiatry products, and more. David Royce, a senior international trade specialist with our U.S. Commercial Service Dallas Fort-Worth Texas office also joins to provide further insights. Hosted by Derrick Small, a Communications Manager for the International Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service.

This episode of Export Nation explores the export journey of Sanford Health with Luke Lindberg, Head of Global Strategy, and Executive Director of Innovation and Sanford World Clinic. Hosted by Derrick Small, a Communications Manager for the International Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service.

In this episode, Paraag is On the Horn with Steve Glickman, Senior Advisor at Aspiration, Entrepreneur in Residence at CohnReznik, and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University. Earlier in his career, Steve received multiple presidential appointments to serve in the Obama Administration, including as senior economic advisor at the White House, where he managed trade, investment, manufacturing, and small business policies for the National Security Council and National Economic Council.  He also served as Chief of Staff for the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, Special Advisor for the International Trade Administration, and Deputy Associate Counsel for the White House.

This episode of Export Nation, Take The Leap Of Faith, is a mashup featuring snippets of content from previously published podcasts.  Episodes Acrow Connects Bridges Across the Globe Amethyst Technologies Turns International Experience Into Domestic Success Global Air Media Finds Success In Africa Hosted by Derrick Small, a Communications Manager for the International Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service.

On July 26, 2018, Craig Allen began his tenure in Washington, DC as the president of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing over 200 American companies doing business with China. Prior to joining USCBC, Craig had a long, distinguished career in US public service.   Craig began his government career in 1985 at the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA). He entered government as a Presidential Management Intern, rotating through the four branches of ITA. From 1986 to 1988, he was an international economist in ITA's China Office.   In 1988, Craig transferred to the American Institute in Taiwan, where he served as Director of the American Trade Center in Taipei. He held this position until 1992, when he returned to the Department of Commerce for a three-year posting at the US Embassy in Beijing as Commercial Attaché.   In 1995, Craig was assigned to the US Embassy in Tokyo, where he served as a Commercial Attaché. In 1998, he was promoted to Deputy Senior Commercial Officer. In 1999, Craig became a member of the Senior Foreign Service.   From 2000, Craig served a two-year tour at the National Center for APEC in Seattle. While there, he worked on the APEC Summits in Brunei, China, and Mexico. In 2002, it was back to Beijing, where Craig served as the Senior Commercial Officer. In Beijing, Craig was promoted to the Minister Counselor rank of the Senior Foreign Service.   After a four-year tour in South Africa, Craig became Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia at the US Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. He later became Deputy Assistant Secretary for China. Craig was sworn in as the United States ambassador to Brunei Darussalam on December 19, 2014. He served there until July 2018, when he transitioned to President of the US-China Business Council.   Craig received a B.A. from the University of Michigan in Political Science and Asian Studies in 1979. He received a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1985.   On today Show we Talk about:   We Talk About What is the extent of high-tech relations between US and China? What steps are China taking to advance Chinese innovation? How does the China's 2017 Intelligence Law, have an impact on technology transfer? How has the Biden and Trump approach to China relationships been similar and how have they been different?   Connect with Craig https://www.uschina.org/ Craig Allen callen@uschina.org   CONNECT WITH SHAWN https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV Shawn Flynn's LinkedInAccount Silicon Valley LinkedInGroup Account Shawn Flynn's FacebookAccount Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com  

This virtual event will examine current national security issues, including relations with China, as well as coordination with allies, utilization of available legal tools, and whether those tools might be effective.Featuring:-- Hon. Nazak Nikakhtar, Nazak served as Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis at the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. She also served as the U.S. government's top official for export controls on dual-use items and technologies, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties as Under Secretary for the Bureau of Industry and Security.-- Adam J. Szubin, Mr. Szubin served for two years as Acting Treasury Department Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. During his nearly 13 year tenure at the Treasury, Mr. Szubin served as the Director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for nine years and Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.- Moderator: Eric J. Kadel, Jr., Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

After two decades of a low boil, but highly demanding series of conflicts in Asia required an extensive focus on the now - in both funding and leadership time. America finds herself facing the 2020s with a rested, increasingly well equipped and confident People's Republic of China on the other side of the Pacific stretching herself on a global scale.Advances of the last few decades that were made were focused on the fight at hand, but they may not be the right equipment for the expected fight to come. What does the USA need to start investing in now to ensure we are better positioned at the end of this decade than we were entering it?This Sunday from 5-6pm Eastern, join my guest co-host Mark Vandroff and me to discuss these and related issues with Hallie Coyne, a research associate at the American Enterprise Institute. We will use as a starting point for our conversation the recent report she co-authored with Mackenzie Eaglen, The 2020s Tri-Service Modernization Crunch.Hallie supports work on defense budget analysis, defense reform and acquisition, and US military strategy. She has published on trends related to military construction funding and the national security implications of data protection regulations. Before joining AEI, Coyne worked at the multinational technology company Oracle as a business development consultant, with previous experience at the US Embassy Ottawa and the International Trade Administration in the US Department of Commerce. She holds a BA with honors from the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, with majors in international relations and history. She has also completed academic work at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) and the Department of War Studies at King’s College London.

Join the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a discussion about what all inventors, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and start-ups should know about Intellectual Property.Topics include:• Patents• Trademarks• Copyrights• Trade Secrets• Why Savvy Startups Care about Intellectual Property• USPTO Resources Available to Inventors, Entrepreneurs, and StartupsSean WilkersonInnovation Development Program Manager, Office of Innovation Outreach, USPTOSean Wilkerson works in the Office of Innovation Outreach at the USPTO, creating intellectual property (IP) awareness programs and managing outreach services to independent inventors, small businesses, entrepreneurs, makers, and universities. Mr. Wilkerson previously worked as an outreach coordinator for the programs leading up to the opening of the USPTO's Silicon Valley and Texas Regional Offices. He also spent a year as part of the New York engagement team that developed the 2015 Future of Urban Innovation Startups Summit in coordination with Columbia University and the USPTO.From 2011–2013, he served as the program manager of the inaugural Select USA Summit, developing the program, structure, and outreach efforts of a U.S. government-wide program housed in the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. As an education program analyst in the Global Intellectual Property Academy from 2008–2011, he managed international programs focused on providing IP training related to enforcement of patents, trademarks, and copyrights and the U.S. patent and trademark system. Prior to working for the federal government, he served as the Director of Events for the National Association of Homebuilders in Washington, D.C. and as the Ideas Exchange Manager for Accenture in Reston, Virginia.NIHF (national inventors hall of Fame) Inductee James Wynne Invented the Excimer Laser Treatment Gwen BlackwellSupervisory Patent Examiner (SPE) in the Chemical and Material Engineering Technology Center 1700.Ms. Blackwell also delivers lectures to new examiners at the Patent Training Academy on various topics concerning effective patent examination processes.She has also completed a 9 month detail as a Resource SPE at the Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office located in Detroit, Michigan where she worked to develop the K-12 outreach program will local school districts.Ms. Blackwell began her career at the USPTO in December 2000 as an examiner in TC 1700, specifically addressing applications in areas such as semiconductors, nonstructural laminates, glass substrates with coatings, and artificial flora and fauna.In January 2012 she was promoted to a Supervisory Patent Examiner and served as a Trainer for new examiners in the Patent Training Academy. She transitioned in the Fall of 2012 and began supervising an Art Unit of examiners in TC 1700. She has worked in various parts of the USPTO, on temporary assignment, including periods at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, in the office of Patent Cooperation Treaty, as a Training Assistant and Supervisory Patent Examiner at the Patent Training Academy as well as completing a detail in the Office of Enrollment and Discipline with the Patent Pro Bono Program.Ms. Blackwell received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. NIHF Inductee James WynneJames Wynne is co-inventor of a process using a short pulse ultraviolet laser to etch tissue in minute increments and in a highly controlled fashion. The technique, discovered with his colleagues at IBM, allows removal of material to a precisely determined depth without thermal damage to surrounding tissue.Until the early 1980s, lasers were used in eye surgery to create scar tissue that had therapeutic value, as when welding a torn or detached retina. The excimer laser breakthrough is used for delicate surgical procedures, most notably refractive eye surgeries such as PRK, and LASIK, which permanently change the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye.Born in Brooklyn, New York, Wynne, a physicist, received his A.B. in 1964 and his Ph.D. in 1969 from Harvard. He then joined IBM, working at the Zurich Research Laboratory before moving to the Watson Research Center in New York, where he was manager of the laser physics and chemistry group when excimer laser surgery was discovered. The recipient of many honors, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and NAE's Russ Prize, Wynne is presently exploring new ways to apply laser technology to dermatology. He has also been involved with technical education outreach since 1990.As an inventor, when we come up with an idea, it can be challenging and lonely navigating through the steps of bringing your ideas to reality. That's why the National Inventor Club was “invented”, for you to become part of a community of like minded inventors and resources for inventors to help each other keep our invention journey moving forward, together.Inventors, Entrepreneurs and resources for inventors welcome.Become a member today!www.nationalinventorclub.comThank you and keep on inventing!Brian FriedFounderNational Inventor Club

Rona Bunn, the acting chief information officer at the International Trade Administration in the Commerce Department, said the launch of a new website is part of how the agency is making interaction with its customers integrated and seamless.

Kendra Kuo, Director of the US Export Assistance Center Grand Rapids. Kendra and her organization assist US companies sell their goods and services into foreign markets. Their assistance falls into four areas: international market research, international matchmaking (finding local partners and customers), trade events and training, and advocacy and investment. The U.S. Commercial Service, part of the International Trade Administration, has 100 U.S. locations and a presence in 70 countries worldwide. Kendra’s office has received lots of inquiries from companies as they deal with new issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and surrounding disruptions to the supply chain. She suggests working closely with your freight forwarder, and reaching out to her (or one of her colleagues; Michigan offices are in Grand Rapids, Pontiac, and Detroit). Regulations are changing quickly, and the government’s trade specialists are best equipped to know current policy—in the U.S. as well as overseas. Other agencies that can be of assistance are the Small Business Administration, FEMA, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Procurement Site. Companies interested in supporting the response to COVID-19 with goods and/or services can reach out to the DHS Procurement Action Innovative Response Team at DHSIndustryLiasion@hq.dhs.gov. Although some events have been postponed, companies can still take advantage of great virtual services that are offered on the website; locally, there is a webinar on the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA/the new NAFTA) taking place on May 7th. Looking forward to fall, Discover Global Markets, a U.S. Commercial Service signature event, will take place October 7-9 in Indianapolis. Local trade specialists can be found here on the staff directory by locating the state and city of your local office. » Subscribe for More: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX... » Visit MBN website: https://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ MBN ON SOCIAL: MBN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX... Like MBN: https://www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork Follow MBN: https://twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ MBN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

What if your dreams are way bigger than your reality? Who would you ask for help? How would you find the courage and confidence to take action? Anu Bhardwaj, serial entrepreneur and investor, shares her journey of struggling financially, being nobody and knowing no one, to building a global movement championing economic empowerment for women worldwide. Anu is the founder of Women INVESTING in Women DIGITAL, the world’s largest digital media platform focused on Women & Investing with over 1,000,000+ followers across 120 countries. She is also founder of the State of Women Radio Network that shares stories of role models, thought leaders and changemakers with a mission to make an impact on the state of women everywhere. In this episode, Anu takes us through her journey and how she discovered her why and defined her path. She is candid about the obstacles she faced, why she is unapologetically authentic, and how her tenacity and optimism have helped her overcome barriers. She lives her life outside the box and in pursuit of a really big mission. She shares why it’s so important for women to have equal opportunity and access to education, and positions of power and influence. Highlights: [02:22] Anu’s background [04:31] Story of Women Investing in Women Digital [06:11] Women Investing in Women Digital Mission [09:56] Focus on “can do” versus “can’t do” [13:32] Creating impact in the world [14:56] Understanding gender equality and parity around the globe [18:10] Millennials and Gen Z – what business leaders need to know [20:54] Making it all happen [29:51] Gaining access and earning trust [34:24] Building relationships [39:52] The future for women of color [43:58] Embracing success in the digital age [45:05] What is your Why Quotes: “If you're going to get something done, you need confidence.” – Anu Bhardwaj “I think it's very important for you to have role models and leaders within your organization that really speak to millennials and Gen Z.” - Anu Bhardwaj “It's not what don't I have, it's what do I have that you have to really focus on and, and just run with it.” – Anu Bhardwaj “There's this common sisterhood where we can support one another and invest in one another.” – Anu Bhardwaj “Focus on your strengths, what is it that you have that no one else has. Because ultimately, that's your differentiator.” – Anu Bhardwaj “My Why is ultimately paving the way for girls who did not have the opportunity and I think it's our duty and our obligation to help.” – Anu Bhardwaj About Anu Bhardwaj: Anu is the founder of SHEQ+, Krypto 4 Kids, Qrpto Queens, & Women INVESTING in Women DIGITAL, the world’s largest digital media platform focused on Women & Investing. Launching in December2014, WIIW Digital includes over 1,000,000+ followers across 120 countries; the “Women INVESTING in Women and Girls” Radio show on Voice America Kids now featured on the State of Women Radio Network, and the WIIW Global Summit & Women in Private Equity Roundtable Series, which took place in New York City, Stockholm, Johannesburg, San Diego, Scottsdale, Muscat, Singapore, Phoenix, Vienna, & Ankara. Prior to founding WIIW DIGITAL, Bhardwaj spearheaded the 2010-2013 U.S. Department of Commerce Private Equity/Venture Capital Certified Trade Missions to the Nordics and Middle East, representing over $175 billion USD private-equity and venture-capital interests in collaboration with the International Trade Administration, the U.S. Embassies in Sweden, Denmark. Links: Website: http://www.thestateofwomen.com/ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/anu-bhardwaj-1726b41b Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenInvesting/ Twitter: @womeninvesting

Calling it a fundamental change in how the agency does digital, the International Trade Administration launched a new iteration of its Trade.gov web site. It's full of new features to help companies that export, or hope to. For what went into this digital services effort, the ITA's acting chief information officer, Rona Bunn spoke to the Federal Drive with Tom Temin.

We’re seeing escalating taxes and tariffs with foreign countries having a significant impact on American businesses – and on American consumers. For instance, in addition to tariffs on some $365 billion in Chinese-origin imported goods, the Trump administration has imposed global tariffs on large residential washers, solar products, and steel and aluminum articles. Given the importance of international trade to our regional economy, and the growing prominence of tariffs and trade wars in the news, we wanted to visit with Michelle Schulz, a Dallas-based shareholder at the Polsinelli law firm. Michelle chairs the firm’s distinguished International Trade and Customs practice, where she is a nationally recognized leader in her field – including serving as a senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and as a member of the International Trade Administration’s Industry Trade Advisory Committee for Aerospace Equipment. Click here to visit the Polsinelli website. Special thanks to our sponsor, Dallas County Community College District. 

There are deep interconnections between the U.S. and Chinese economies, and China has built its technology base on what it has acquired from the West. China’s government and some Chinese companies will use any means, legal or illegal, to acquire technology. The United States’ relationship with China cannot continue unchanged, but given the interconnections, change must be managed carefully. This event will focus on how the U.S. can modernize its technology transfer policies to manage risks without damaging American innovation. Michael Brown, Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Department of DefenseWith offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin and at the Pentagon, DIU’s mission is to accelerate the adoption of commercial technology into the military and access and stimulate the national security innovation base. Previously, Michael served two years (2016-2018) as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow at the Defense Department. He is the co-author of a Pentagon study on China’s participation in the U.S. venture ecosystem, a catalyst for the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) providing expanded jurisdiction to CFIUS. Additionally, he led the initiative for a new Defense Department-sponsored investment vehicle, National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) to fund dual-use hardware technology companies.Eileen M. Albanese, Director, Office of National Security and Technology Transfer Controls, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of CommerceEileen Albanese is the Director of the Office of National Security and Technology Transfer Controls (NSTIC). NSTTC is responsible within the Bureau of Industry and Security for issues related to national security export and reexport controls. Previously, Ms. Albanese served as the Director of the Office of Exporter Services (OExS). She entered the Department of Commerce in 1976 to work in the International Trade Administration on the Tokyo Round of the Multilateral Trade Negotiations. She holds a B.A. in International Affairs from the George Washington University.David Hanke, Partner, Arent Fox LLPDave’s practice centers on matters involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and emerging technologies.  He previously spent 12 years on Capitol Hill, serving in a variety of national security staff positions, and three years on active duty in the U.S. Army.  While at the Senate Intelligence Committee, Dave was the primary staff architect of Sen. John Cornyn’s Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA), the most sweeping overhaul of CFIUS’s processes and jurisdiction in its 44-year existence. Thomas Feddo, Assistant Secretary for Investment Security, U.S. Department of Treasury. Mr. Feddo serves as the county’s first assistant secretary of the Treasury for investment security, overseeing national security reviews undertaken by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Prior to his current position, Mr. Feddo served as the U.S. Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Investment Security, and as a partner at Alston & Bird working in their International Trade & Regulatory Group. Moderated by James A. Lewis, SVP and Director, CSIS Technology Policy Program   This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.   

If you’ve considered exporting but aren't sure where or how to start, today's episode will serve as your blueprint. Join Tony Uphoff and Anne Evans, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service, as they explore current export opportunities and resources available to American industrial businesses. Resources From This Episode: List of Best Exporting Resources: https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/the-best-government-tools-and-resources-for-exporting/ How to Use the EXIM Bank: https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/how-to-use-the-exim-bank-to-stay-internationally-competitive/ International Trade Administration: https://www.trade.gov/ U.S. Small Business Administration: https://www.sba.gov/ STEP Grants: https://www.sba.gov/content/state-trade-and-export-promotion-step-pilot-grant-initiative-cfda-59061-1

Speaker: Craig Allen, President, US-China Business Council This event is part of the "China Economy Lecture Series," hosted by Professor Meg Rithmire at the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University. On July 26, 2018, Craig Allen began his tenure in Washington, DC, as the sixth President of the United States-China Business Council (USCBC), a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing over 200 American companies doing business with China. Prior to joining USCBC, Craig had a long, distinguished career in US public service. Craig began his government career in 1985 at the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). He entered government as a Presidential Management Intern, rotating through the four branches of ITA. From 1986 to 1988, he was an international economist in ITA’s China Office. In 1988, Craig transferred to the American Institute in Taiwan, where he served as Director of the American Trade Center in Taipei. He held this position until 1992, when he returned to the Department of Commerce for a three-year posting at the US Embassy in Beijing as Commercial Attaché. In 1995, Craig was assigned to the US Embassy in Tokyo, where he served as a Commercial Attaché. In 1998, he was promoted to Deputy Senior Commercial Officer. In 1999, Craig became a member of the Senior Foreign Service. From 2000, Craig served a two-year tour at the National Center for APEC in Seattle. While there, he worked on the APEC Summits in Brunei, China, and Mexico. In 2002, it was back to Beijing, where Craig served as the Senior Commercial Officer. In Beijing, Craig was promoted to the Minister Counselor rank of the Senior Foreign Service. After a four-year tour in South Africa, Craig became Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia at the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. He later became Deputy Assistant Secretary for China. Craig was sworn in as the United States ambassador to Brunei Darussalam on December 19, 2014. He served there until July 2018, when he transitioned to President of the US-China Business Council. Craig received a B.A. from the University of Michigan in Political Science and Asian Studies in 1979. He received a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1985.

The role government should play in the free market has always been a contentious issue, even more so when international trade jeopardizes national security. As the standoff between the United States and China continues, disagreements over what constitutes mutually acceptable trade practices are becoming more entrenched, with both governments accusing the other of interference and overreach. Watch Amy Celico of Albright Stonebridge Group discuss how concerns over economic competition and national security inform U.S. implementation of trade strategies like market protectionism and ‘securitization.’ Amy Celico is a principal of Albright Stonebridge Group, a global strategic advisory and commercial diplomacy firm, and leads the firm’s China practice in Washington, D.C. She has more than 20 years of experience working on China issues. Previously, Ms. Celico served as senior director for China affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. She also worked at the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as the International Trade Administration and the Bureau of Intelligence and Research in Washington, D.C. Ms. Celico serves on the Board of Directors of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

The CSIS Energy & National Security Program is pleased to invite you to a conference on energy investment and infrastructure in Asia.  This conference will feature discussions on shared interests from U.S. and regional leaders in Asia's energy future and energy dynamics across the region, including how the energy trade map is changing.  The conference will include U.S. government, private sector, and other expert views on advances in the electric power sector, possible avenues for regional collaboration with the United States, and opportunities for governments and the private sector to advance developments on the energy agenda. Keynote: U.S. Interests in AsiaSenator Cory Gardner, CO-R; Frank Fannon, U.S Department of StateThe Role of Government Policy and InitiativesGloria Steele, USAID; James Sullivan, International Trade Administration; Takeshi Komoto, Embassy of Japan; Nguyen Dang Trung, Embassy of Vietnam; Arunish Chawla, Embassy of India in the United States​Energy Trends in the RegionDavid Turk, IEA; Clay Nesler, Johnson Controls; Khary Cauthen, Cheniere Energy; Todd Abrajano, Deputy Director (Acting), U.S. Trade and Development Agency; Tommy Joyce, U.S. Department of Energy This event is made possible by general support to CSIS and the CSIS Energy & National Security Program.  

If you thought you would never find the real Qrypto Queen, you can thank us later but first you MUST listen to Episode 1 of the Money Season with Anu Bhardwaj.Anu is not only the founder of Women Investing In Women Digital, she also founded the State of Women Radio + TV network and started her own company. With extensive experience in private equity and venture capital including collaborating with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the International Trade Administration, and the U.S Embassies of many countries around the globe, this woman is literally a super hero. We guarantee you, you'll be stalking her on the below links as soon as the episode ends! https://thestateofwomen.com/ https://www.facebook.com/WomenInvesting/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anu-bhardwaj-1726b41b/

In this episode, we review guidance by the International Trade Administration on Privacy Shield and its utility post-Brexit for transfer of personal data from the UK to the US.

Our guest is WQA Government Affairs Director David Loveday, talking about the International Trade Administration, a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Loveday attended the recent Aquatech show in Shanghai, participating in a meeting to discuss how the International Trade Administration can help WQA members conduct business in China and elsewhere around the world. We also discuss the recent EPA summit on PFCs and what’s ahead when it comes to regulating those contaminants. https://wqa.org/blog.

Episode 221: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings VideoCast|PodCast for week ending Apr 16, 2017 features an interview with one of the most venerated experts in the Building Automation Industry, Leroy Walden, President and Chief Consultant Highrose Consultants, LLC. Updated Ken’s Calendar details upcoming training, webinars, and major industry events; more 2016 ControlTrends Awards video highlights; new DLP pressure sensor from ACI; EasyIO’s Mike Marston and Lim Hoon Chiat discuss new product release and the upcoming EasyIO Global Conference. 2016 ControlTrends Awards Highlight: The PID Award. Join all the excitement, and I do mean EXCITEMENT, as the most exciting man in the smart buildings controls industry Roger Rebennack and Mike Marston from EasyIO (both former recipients of the PID Award) light up the crowd and announce this year’s PID Award winners. ControlTrends Keeps an Eye on 2017 Events with Ken’s Calendar. While it has been an amazingly busy and productive year so far, many more events are on the horizon. ControlTrends will continue to post the event information as we receive notice or become aware of the event. Please note that the information is gathered from various sources, and the times, dates, and locations may have changed. Be sure to visit the appropriate website or contact the event coordinator to ensure the most up-to-date information. Our interview this week is with Leroy Walden, LEED AP, President and Chief Consultant Highrose Consultants, who has worked in the Building Controls and Automation industry since 1978, beginning with Robertshaw Controls as an Applications Engineer. Leroy recently retired from a leading systems integration firm to pursue his passion for tracking the growing uses of technology in sustainable building operations. Listen in, as Leroy brings specific insights to smart devices and equipment and how open-source integration platforms will transform building maintenance in the coming decades. Contact Leroy ASAP (lcwalden256@gmail.com) — to take advantage of Leroy’s $100.00 discount for the 2017 Realcomm|IBcon Conference June 13th-15th in San Diego, CA. ACI’s Differential Low Pressure Sensor has Arrived — The DLP is Available Now! ACI is combining all the best features from multiple products to create an all-encompassing differential pressure option that should make a huge impact! Every aspect of this product was analyzed and designed to maximize the value it will present to you! Connexx Energy to Participate in US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration Smart Technologies Mission to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Lee’s Summit, Missouri, April 5, 2017: Connexx Energy (www.connexxenergy.com), a recognized developer and implementer of smart building, energy and IoT data management and visualization solutions, announced today that it will be participating in the Smart Technologies Business Development Mission to Hong Kong and Taiwan being organized by the United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration. 2016 ControlTrends Awards Highlight: The Light Commercial Control System of the Year. Light Commercial Solution of the Year Winners: KMC Commander and Proton, Optergy. KMC’s mission is to “provide innovative, intuitive building automation and Smart Buildings Controls solutions from responsive and supportive people,” and the KMC Commander delivers as an open building automation and Smart Buildings control system that is “open, secure, and scaleable.” “Proton by Optergy became the first true open supervisor and controller that can interoperate with any BACnet unitary controller and is 100% web based. It has all the needed tools to setup, operate and maintain the system, and has all of this at economical price points.” EasyIO’s Mike Marston and Lim Hoon Chiat Discuss the FW Wireless Controller “That Will Change the World!” This is the first video of a series from EasyIO’s Mike Marston and Lim Hoon Chiat, who share their visions of the FW Series wireless controllers — that they believe will change the world of Building Automation. Lim cites how WiFi, the defacto protocol for wireless networking, has been around for over 20 years, and because it’s so pervasive and each generation is inherently compatible, it’s ideally suited for the HVAC and Building Automation industry. EasyIO’s Mike and Lim Preview Next-Gen Smart Sensors and Introduce the Early Guns Education & Learning Program. EasyIO’s Mike Marston and Lim Hoon Chiat continue their discussion on the differences and nuances between M2M and IOT, smart sensors and edge devices, and the impact that wireless will have on the future of HVAC and Building Automation. Also, Lim’s amazing insight into programming starter kits and educational programs to kick start our next generation of system integrators and HVAC technicians. Let’s Go to England: Last Chance for Discount to EASY IO. Manchester (UK) May 21–23, 2017. This EasyIO Global Partner Event will unveil and officially release awesome new EasyIO products and features to further enhance building and energy solutions for all types of buildings. We’re gonna reveal all the secrets of our five(!) new controllers that are coming up: the WiFi controllers FW-14 and FW-8, the WiFi VAV controller FW-8V, the powerful FS-32 and the FR-02. Register Here! Haystack Connect 2017 Update! Keynote Speakers & Technical Program & The IBB is Getting Back Together! Make your reservations for Haystack Connect 2017! There are, technically, a lot of reasons to attend Haystack Connect 2017. Now, we added some fun ones! See below. Register Today! 3-Day Technical Conference at the Saddlebrook Resort Tampa: See the very latest software and hardware solutions for the Building Industry exhibited in the Vendor Showcase. Meet and network with leading experts in our industry that are implementing real solutions that combine diverse devices, systems, data and protocols. LIGHTFAIR 2017 PHILADELPHIA — PRE-CONFERENCE MAY 7-8, TRADE SHOW & CONFERENCE MAY 9-11. Trade Show + Conference + Networking = See It All. LIGHTFAIR 2017. The world’s leading manufacturers will be showcasing their latest products in IoT (Internet of Things), intelligent lighting, LEDs, decorative lighting, daylighting, exterior lighting and more. Experts from around the world will be leading courses on the forward thinking topics in lighting design and technology. DDC Training with the BAScontrol22: For Colleges and Training Centers Interested in Providing Direct Digital Control (DDC) System Training. April 2017 – For colleges and training centers interested in providing Direct Digital Control (DDC) system training, Contemporary Controls recommends using the BAScontrol22 unitary controller and the free Sedona Application Editor (SAE). The BAScontrol22 is an ideal controller for training technicians on programming DDCs and use of unitary building automation controllers. Increasing Efficiency for Better Business — New Siemens Website Launches Next Week! Mark your calendar for next week. That’s when the new Siemens partner’s website will launch! The new site will replace the Vantage, Beacon and Infolink sites which you may have used in the past. By the end of next week, all links will take you directly to the new site. What can you expect? A product-centric site that is organized around the products you sell and the information you need to succeed; Updated content and a systematic approach to managing important assets; and Account registration that has self-service capabilities. The post Episode 221: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings VideoCast|PodCast for Week Ending Apr 16, 2017 appeared first on ControlTrends.

International Trade Administration's Stefan Selig weighs in on the TPP on Bloomberg Surveillance with Tom Keene and Michael McKee. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Tuesday, Sept 29, 2015 1:00-2:00pm ET – Chandra Brown, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing at the International Trade Administration, Ed Youdell, President and CEO of The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA), and Jennifer McNelly, President of The Manufacturing Institute join hosts Tim Grady and Lew Weiss to share all that’s happening this year for MfgDay ®, the nationwide celebration of modern manufacturing that’s inspiring our next generation of manufacturers. Listen in as common misperceptions about manufacturing are dispelled, and hear all about the coordinated efforts by public and private enterprises to address the skilled labor shortage facing the industry. Learn how your company can engage, invest in and inspire the tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce.

Part 1 of a two part series on the continuing resolution that will fund the government until the end of September. In this episode, we examine the funding for the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, and science related appropriations. H.R. 933: Consolidated and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013 B = billion M = million DIVISION A: AGRICULTURE, FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION Totals Grand total of division: 139 B for 2013 ($137 B in 2012) ($144 B requested) Food and Drug Administration (FDA): $4 B in 2013 Food Stamps: $77 B for 2013 ($80 B in 2013) ($82 B requested) All domestic food programs: $105 B for 3013 ($106 B in 2012) ($109 B requested) Subject to 2.513% sequester cut TITLE I - Agricultural Programs Extension Activities People eligible for taxpayer food: States, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, the Northern Marianas, and American Samoa Food Safety & Inspection Must have at least 148 inspectors Hazardous Waste Management: LIMITED to $5 M for site investigations and cleanup expenses TITLE II- Conservation Programs $831 M: water & soil conservation including water management to prevent floods Title III—Rural Development Programs Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program Account $2 B limit: Loans for construction or purchase of fossil fuel burning electric plants that use carbon sequestration systems. TITLE IV—Domestic Food Programs Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) $7 B available until September 30, 2014 Commodity Assistance Program $1.3 M yearly until 2023: Planting and agricultural maintenance programs for Marshall islands because our nuclear test 'Castle Bravo' exposed them to radiation in 1954. TITLE V—Foreign Assistance and Related Programs Food for Peace Program $1.5 B grants available until whenever TITLE VI—Related Agency and Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration $887 M for food safety inspectors TITLE VII—General provisions Section 721 Prohibits funding the salaries or expenses of people to carry out the Watershed Rehabilitation Program "The purpose of rehabilitation is to extend the service life of the dams and bring them into compliance with applicable safety and performance standards, or to decommission the dams so they no longer pose a threat to life and property." Section 725 Prohibits funding for the salary or expenses of a person who prepares or submits language into the President's budget proposal that assumes revenues or money from fees that have not been passed into law. The person would be paid if they submit, along with the revenue language, a corresponding cut that would go into effect if the suggested revenue is not enacted by the time the 2014 Appropriations conference begins. Section 732 No money can go towards a contract with a corporation that has been convicted of a felony in the previous 2 years, unless the contract officer says it's not necessary to protect the government. Section 733 No money can go towards a contract that hasn't paid all their Federal taxes, unless the agency says it's not necessary to protect the government. Section 735 Section 411 of the Plant Protection Act prohibits regulated plant "pests", like weeds, that are somehow considered harmful if allowed to be freely grown in the United States. Anyone is allowed to petition to have a plant removed from the regulated list. If the Secretary of Agriculture chooses to regulate a plant that was previously unregulated, this bill says the Secretary "shall" "immediately grant temporary permits" which will authorize the movement, introduction, continued cultivation, or commercialization, while the petition is evaluated. Section 736 No money will be allowed to pay for "mitigation" associated with removal of a dam on the White Salmon River in Washington state on October 26, 2011. "Mitigation" according to FEMA: "Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. Mitigation is taking action now- before the next disaster- to reduce human and financial consequences later… Without mitigation actions, we jeopardize our safety, financial security, and self-reliance." Section 742 Prohibits any money from going towards implementing proposed and some existing regulations in the poultry market. Regulations prohibited: Terms eliminated "Tournament system": Methods used by poultry dealers to calculate the payment rate to poultry farmers by comparing one one farmer's performance with another's. "Additional capital investment": $25,000 or more paid by the poultry or pig farmer beyond his initial investment for expanding facilities. "Competitive injury": When conduct distorts competition in the marketplace "Likelihood of competitive injury": When their's reason to believe a competitive injury is likely to occur. Examples: When a dealer kills competition through large-scale exclusive dealings When a poultry/pig dealer raises competitor's costs When a dealer lowers amounts paid to the farmers below market value When a dealer impairs a farmer's ability to compete with other farmers When a dealer impairs a farmer's ability to get their full payment from their sales in the marketplace Applicability of Regulations (these people would be exempted) Poultry dealers - buy and sell the poultry from farmers List of actions that would not be allowed by regulation Being deceitful in poultry market contracts Retaliatory actions -including intimidation or disadvantage- by a dealer against a farmer in response to anything said or written by that farmer A refusal to give farmer the statistical information & data used to determine the compensation paid to him by the dealer An action or attempt to limit a farmer's rights in a contract, including: Right to a trial by jury (arbitration ok if voluntarily agreed to) Right to damages Rights to attorney fees awards Right to fair trial location Paying a premium or applying a discount on the payment to a pig farmer without documenting the reason and cost justification Ending a contract with a poultry/pig farmer for no reason other than an allegation of wrong doing. The violation must be reported to the authorities for it to be grounds for termination. A business practice designed to mislead farmers A contract that causes a competitive injury Eliminated Rules Packers and dealers would have to submit a copy of their contracts to the Grain Inspection, Packers, & Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) within 10 days. Packers, purchasers, and dealers would have to tell GIPSA when their contracts are dead. The contracts would be available to the public on the internet. Trade secrets, confidential business information, & personal information would not be made public. Confidential business information of packers and dealers would have to be given to GIPSA. Tournament System: All farmers growing the same type and kind of poultry would have to paid at the same rate. There would be a minimum required payment. A dealer would have to notify the farmer of the cancellation of an order 90 days in advance. DIVISION B— COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE TITLE I—Department of Commerce Subject to 1.877% sequester cut International Trade Administration $483 M: Promoting American corporations abroad NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration $3 B: Total funding $926 M: National Weather Service $1.8 B: Weather Satellite Systems, money spent between GOES-R (weather forecasting) and JPSS (replacement of dying satellites) projects GOES-R: $10.8 B estimated total cost JPSS: $11.9 B estimated total cost Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery $65 M available until September 30, 2014: salmon conservation in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska. States must match 33% of the Federal funds. Section 109 Orders monthly reports to Congress on the reason for all official travel to China by Commerce department employees. TITLE II—Department of Justice FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigations $8 B: Total funding ATF: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives $1 B: Total funding No money can go towards paying the salary or expenses of a government employee who works on implementing regulations that limit importation of "curios or relics" Original firearms that are over 50 years old Museum quality collector's items Bizarre, rare, or historical firearms No money will be allowed to implement a law requiring a physical inventory of any firearms manufacturer, dealer, or importer. Federal Prison System $6.8 B: Total funding Office on Violence Against Women $416 M: Total funding Juvenile Justice Programs $280 M: Total funding Section 202 No funds can pay for an abortion, unless the life of the mother is endangered If this is declared unconstitutional, this will be null and void Section 203 No funds can be used to force someone to perform or help someone get an abortion Section 204 An individual can refuse to do so, but the the prisons must provide "escort services" to a female inmate to an outside clinic where she can get an abortion. Section 209 No funds can be used to purchase recreational electronics for inmates Funds can be used to purchase electronics for inmate training, religious, or education programs. Section 212 No funds can be used to plan, implement, or finish a public-private contract competition for work performed by government prison employees Competitions would create detailed comparisons of the costs associated with either a private prison contract or a public prison contract Section 217: Response to Fast & the Furious No money can go towards giving firearms to members of drug cartels unless law enforcement personnel continuously monitor or control the firearm at all times TITLE III—Science NASA $18 B: Total funding $4 B: Space exploration $4 B: Space operations $5 B: Science National Science Foundation $6 B: Total funding Provides 20% of Federal research done in colleges & universities TITLE IV—Related agencies TITLE V—General provisions Section 501 No money can go towards "publicity or propaganda" Section 505 No more than $500,000 or 10% (whichever is less) can go towards privatizing functions currently performed by the government… unless Congress is notified Section 509 No money can go towards promoting tobacco products or to try to get a foreign country to loosen their regulations on the marketing of tobacco, unless the restrictions are unfairly applied. Section 516 No money can be used to buy information technology unless the FBI, or other appropriate agency, has assessed the risks of cyber-spying or sabotage, especially if parts of the system are produced by China. Section 517 No one is allowed to torture. Section 528 No money can go towards first class air travel, unless no coach fares are available or when a disability demands it Section 530 No money can be used to transfer or release Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or anyone else who has been held since June 24, 2009 in Guantanamo Bay Section 531 No money can be used to prepare a facility in the United States for the detention of Guantanamo Bay detainees. Upgrades can be made to Guantanamo Bay Section 532 No money can go to ACORN Section 533 Funds should go towards energy star light bulbs Section 535 NASA is not allowed to work with China or a Chinese owned company unless specifically authorized to do so in a future law. Exception if there is no risk of transfer of national security or economic security data, if the Chinese person has no involvement in civil rights abuses, and if NASA submits a written explanation to Congress. Section 536 No funds can go towards moving the census from the Department of Commerce to the Executive Office of the President Section 538 No funds can be used to pay the salaries of a person who denies or fails to act on a application to import a shotgun if the law was followed and the same model shotgun had not been denied importation prior to January 1, 2011. Ban was implemented because military shotguns including semi-automatics were being imported. Ban only allowed shotguns that were suitable for sporting purposes. Section 539 No funds can be used to create or maintain a computer network that doesn't have pornography blockers installed, unless the network is used for criminal investigations Section 540 No money can go towards a contract with a corporation convicted of a felony in the previous two year, unless the agency says that this isn't necessary to protect the government. Section 541 No money can go towards a corporation with unpaid Federal taxes, unless the agency says this is unnecessary to protect the government. Section 543 No money can go towards the political science program at the National Science Foundation, except for research projects that promote national security or the economic interests of the United States. Previous studies have been on collective bargaining, campaigns, elections, electoral choice, our electoral system, citizen involvement in democracy, lobbying, partisanship, etc… Next week: Department of Defense, Veterans Administration, Department of Homeland Security, and all other parts of government that will be continued at the 2012 funding levels.