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The following GAIN reports were released on August 5, 2022. _______   Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly Export prices of all grades of rice increased around one percent from the previous week as the Thai baht strengthening to 35.94 baht/$1.00 from the previous week’s exchange rate of 36.49 baht/$1.00. There continue to be new inquiries for fragrant and white rice, especially from Middle Eastern countries, the European Union, and the United States. Fright costs were stable for most markets such as routes to the United States and Asian countries; although, the current rates remain higher than rates from before the COVID-19 outbreak. Domestic rice prices also remain unchanged from the previous week as the supplies of new second-crop rice enter the market.   South Africa: Anti Dumping Duties Suspended for Competitors but Remain for United States Poultry On August 1, 2022, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition announced a decision to suspend the imposition of Anti-Dumping Duties (ADDs) on poultry from Brazil, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, and Spain for a period of twelve months “considering the rapid rise in food process… as well as the impact that the imposition of the anti-dumping duties may have on the price of chicken.” Although the Commission investigating dumping found that poultry originating in these countries was dumped into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) market and recommended the application of ADDs, the Minister determined that the imposition of these duties would have a negative impact on the poor.   South Africa: Food and Fuel Feed Rising Inflation South Africa’s annual consumer price index inflation rate surged to a 13-year high of 7.4 percent in June 2022, driven mainly by a rise in food and fuel prices. Fuel and food prices soared globally due to the Russia/Ukraine conflict that disrupted commodity markets. Food price inflation was exacerbated in South Africa by ongoing load shedding, or prolonged power outages, that have increased costs along the supply chain. As a result, South Africa’s food price inflation accelerated by 9.0 percent, the highest level since February 2017. The consumer prices of grain-related and vegetable oils products are expected to rise in the coming months, which will keep food inflation at relatively higher levels. To help curb the escalating inflation rate, the South African Reserve Bank increased the interest rate by 0.75 percent, rising borrowing costs to its highest level since March 2020. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

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Prepare for the Impacts of Extreme Heat With Heat.gov   The heat is on and rolling heat waves continue to impact the country. Extreme heat can be deadly, so it's important to understand how the high temperatures affect your health.   Heat.gov includes interactive maps, forecasts, and tips on keeping cool. See how many people across the country are currently under heat advisories, watches, and warnings. Take steps to prepare for extreme hot weather.

Healthcare “plans” and “products” didn’t deliver as promised, says the FTC

By Lesley Fair


It’s a discussion taking place around kitchen tables at this very moment: “What healthcare coverage is best for us – and how can we afford it?” Even with glossaries, tables, and charts ‘n’ graphs, it can be a complicated decision. Now factor in the companies that trick people into buying insurance “plans” or healthcare products that make impressive claims, but deliver less than promised – or businesses that add on fees without consumers’ express consent. Is it any wonder that people are often provoked into insur-rants? A proposed $100 million FTC settlement with Benefytt Technologies and corporate affiliates, as well as settlements with former CEO Gavin D. Southwell and former Vice President Amy E. Brady, will offer relief for consumers injured by the defendants’ deceptive claims, Telemarketing Sales Rule violations, illegal billing practices, and hidden schemes that flouted the protections of the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA).Read more >

Don’t click on that random text. It’s a scam By Gema de las Heras Sorry to burst your bubble. That unexpected text from the Postal Service (USPS), Costco, or The Home Depot telling you about an unclaimed package or a survey you can complete to claim a freebie is NOT from them. It’s a scam. Read More>

Small Business Administration

Join SBA and Public Private Strategies Institute for a webinar on Wednesday, August 17 at 2:00 p.m. ET to learn about resources to help you develop effective international business strategies for growth. Speakers include:Gabriel Esparza, Associate Administrator, Office of International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration
Alisa S. Joseph, Director of Programs, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.

Additional speakers will be announced later.
Register


U.S. Small Business Administration

The Week Ahead: National Health Center Week  Today is Monday, August 8, and we are celebrating National Health Center Week. August 5-14 is the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Additionally, August is known for Back to School preparation.  View our Stats for Stories page for more upcoming observances. National Health Center Week began yesterday. Health centers are one of the largest health care providers in the country. The first health center was launched in 1965 and was created to improve the lives and well-being of Americans and provide high-quality affordable, accessible, and value-based primary health care services. This week, we take time to recognize the importance these health centers play in our communities. Discover Census Bureau data on health centers. Explore You May Be Interested In America Counts: Who Makes More Preventable Visits to the ER? America Counts: Who Are Our Health Care Workers? America Counts: Health Care Still Largest U.S. Employer Monthly Feature: August 2022: By the Numbers The U.S. Census Bureau will release the final set of results from the 2020 Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) on Aug. 16. These results will provide insight into the quality of the 2020 Census counts for the Puerto Rico population and housing units. It also includes coverage estimates for housing units across the nation, regions, states and the District of Columbia, and by selected characteristics for the nation.   The release includes two parts:   Puerto Rico population and housing unit coverage Housing unit coverage  Read More  Happy Birthday, Missouri! On Wednesday, August 10, we will celebrate Missouri's 201st anniversary of statehood. Did You Know? Missouri joined the Union on August 10, 1821, as the 24th state. Missouri is the 18th largest state by area. Missouri's population increased by 165,986 from 2010-2020. The state nickname is the Show Me State.  Help us spread the word about Census Bureau data.  Share this on social media or forward it to a friend. Share This  Upcoming Census Academy Webinars August 9: Using Census Bureau Data for Grant Writing: 2022 Back to Data Basics Webinar Series August 17: Who is Served by the Tip Credit? Effects of Minimum Wage Laws on Tipping, Employment, and Prices at Restaurants August 18: Exploring Census Data Webinar: Public Sector August 24: Introduction to the American Community Survey August 24: Second Round of Demonstration Data for the Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC) August 25: Data for Congressional and State Legislative Districts: 2022 Back to Data Basics Webinar Series August 30: Data at Your Door: Census API Decoded September 1: The American Community Survey: A Comprehensive Look - Back to Data Basics Webinar Series September 7: Statistics in Schools and American Community Survey Data for Classrooms September 8: Data Access and Cross Tabulation Using MDAT - Back to Data Basics Webinar Series September 20: Finding Census Bureau Data to Complete a Business Plan - Back to Data Basics Webinar Series September 27: Your Tribal Nation by the Numbers: Accessing American Indian and Alaska Native Statistics - Back to Data Basics Webinar Series September 28: Using the American Community Survey Summary File September 29: Veteran Data by the Numbers - Back to Data Basics Webinar Series More Upcoming Webinars  Releases This Week Wednesday: Monthly Wholesale Trade: Sales and Inventories Thursday: Business Formation Statistics See Economic Indicators About the Census Bureau We serve as the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. The Census Bureau is the federal government's largest statistical agency. As the world's premier statistical agency, we are dedicated to making our nation a better place. Policy-makers, businesses, and the public use our data to make informed decisions.