WASHINGTON (UPDATED: 2:40 p.m. ET, 6/8/11)-CUNA President/CEO Bill Cheney said that the Senate’s failure to delay implementing the Federal Reserve’s interchange debit fee cap will “create a train wreck that will affect every consumer with a debit card.”

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Beijing, China (AHN) – China has agreed to end subsidies of its wind power manufacturers that use domestic parts instead of imports, which violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and give Chinese firms an unfair advantage over U.S. manufacturers.

A complaint to the WTO filed by the United Steelworkers prompted China’s move, according to U.S. .Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

The end of subsidies by China’s government provides a more level playing field for U.S. wind turbine manufacturers to compete with Chinese products.

Kirk also criticized China for evading its transparency commitments by failing to provide the WTO with information about its subsidy programs on a regular basis. He said that because China is the second largest WTO trader that it is not acceptable for China to evade providing the WTO with the information.

However, critics say that China’s renewable energy manufacturing sector has grown so large that it is now so powerful that ending the illegal subsidies that allowed it to grow so large will not help other nations much to compete against Chinese manufacturers in the world market.

China’s Special Fund for Wind Power Manufacturing illegally gave individual grants of up to $22.5 million to Chinese manufacturers who agreed to use Chinese-made parts in the manufacturing of wind turbines, according to a case filed last year by the United States at the WTO.

The U.S. filed the suit so U.S. manufacturers could have an opportunity to supply parts to Chinese manufacturers.

The issue is especially important now as the U.S. struggles to create more jobs and close the huge trade gap with China.

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Americans continue to pay down revolving debt balances after all, as pessimism may be curbing consumer credit growth

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (June 6, 2011) – National Credit Union Administration Board Member Michael E. Fryzel visited South Division Credit Union in Evergreen Park, Ill., last week where he met with the credit unions’ CEO Geri Burek, several Board Members, and key staff to discuss current industry happenings and NCUA perspectives.

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City of Newport, Wales, United Kingdom (AHN Sports) – Alex Noren hoisted the hardware Sunday at Celtic Manor. He used his day-long consistency for a one-under par 70 and a nine-under par total of 275 that delivered victory at the Wales Open.

Noren won his second European Tour event with 15 pars, two birdies and only one mistake in the final round.

At the driveable par four 15th, his three-wood carried the water hazard but hit the bank and bounced back into the water. He still had a great shot at par but missed from eight feet and picked up his only bogey of the day.

He cruised to victory after opening up a four-shot lead over the first seven holes. Neither Anders Hansen nor Peter Hanson could make a run at him. Hansen shot an even par 71 and tied for second at seven-under par 277 with Gregory Bourdy of France who shot the day’s low round, a 67 that pulled him up into second place with Hansen.

Pablo Larazabal and Ricardo Gonzalez equalled Bourdy’s effort with their own 67s and finished with Johan Edfors (69) and Hanson (72) at six-under par, 278.

Defending champion Graeme McDowell recovered from his disastrous third round 81 with an even par 71 to finish at three-over par, 287.

“I’ve proved to myself that I could hit a lot of greens and not just relay on my short game,” Noren said after his win. His last victory came two years ago.

He won’t have time to rest on his latest laurels. He’ll go to Sunningdale and play in a 36-hole qualifier for the Open Championship in July. He qualified last week for a spot in the U.S. Open.

“It will be wierd but I’ll will look forward to it,” the new champion said.

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Vernon, CT, United States (AHN) – Bravo! is voluntarily recalling select boxes of Bravo! Pig Ears Chews because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The products affected by this recall includes only Bravo! 50 ct bulk Oven roasted Pig Ears Product Code: 75-121 Lot # 12-06-10.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any other surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms including, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare provider.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with the product. Bravo! is issuing this action out of an abundance of caution and sincerely regrets any inconvenience to pet owners as a result of this announcement.

Bravo! Pig Ears were distributed to retailers on the East and West Coasts. They were shipped to distributors and retailers between January 1 and February 28, 2011, where they were available for purchase.

The recall is the result of routine sampling program by the Washington State Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has no product left in inventory from this batch of pig ears.

Consumers who have purchased any of these pig ears are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions about the recall, should visit www.bravorawdiet.com or call toll free 1.866.922.9222 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.

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News 4 new results for “Near Field Communications” Stevens Student Research Protects Credit Card Owner Privacy PR.com (press release) Students at Stevens Institute of Technology built a prototype for a software-defined radio system that defends credit card near-field communications chips from being read illegally. Their system was recognized with 3rd place at the RIT . . . → Read More: Stevens Student Research Protects Credit Card Owner Privacy

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NCUA has decided to publicly share the comments on the voluntary prepaid assessments proposal. NCUA has sought public feedback to determine whether the agency should move forward with the program and, if so, what form the final program will take.

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Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The Obama administration has found an unexpected ally in a ratings agency in the White House’s battle with Republican legislators over spending cuts and hiking the federal debt limit. On Thursday, Moody’s warned that it may downgrade Washington’s credit rating if the U.S. debt ceiling is not hiked soon.

Moody’s said that the U.S. credit rating could downgraded because of a very small, but increasing risk of a short-lived default, which would likely translate into higher interest rates at a time when the country’s recovery is again on the slow lane.

The ratings agency anticipated there would be a political battle between the Obama administration and Republican legislators before the debt ceiling would be lifted, but Moody’s said that it failed to consider the worsening conflicting positions between the two parties. Washington wanted to raise the debt limit to $16.7 trillion from the current $14.3 trillion, but with no major spending cuts.

Moody’s warning came on the heels of a lower outlook by Standard & Poor’s of the AAA U.S. debt rating to negative from stable because of the political wrangling.

The House voted on Tuesday not to hike the federal debt limit without major spending cuts. At the Wednesday White House meeting of Republican legislators with U.S. President Barack Obama, the legislators asked the administration for a detailed plan on budget cuts to solve the impasse.

House Speaker John Boehner justified the lower house’s refusal to give in to Obama’s request because raising the debt limit beyond spending cuts would cost jobs for Americans. Obama, however, warned that failure to hike the debt limit soon would lead to dire consequences for the fragile, but recovering U.S. economy.

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Regulations addressing lending, savings, and consumer privacy are among those that will be taken over when a number of finance industry oversight tasks are transferred to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on July 21.

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