trade representative ron kirk says chinese tariffs are costing american poultry producers nearly a billion dollars a year. the u.s. has complained to the world trade organization that china has not complied with trade rules since imposing the fees a year ago. the u.s. now has at least six cases against china at the wto. a former attorney with the securities and exchange commission could find himself on the wrong side of the law. the agency said david becker had a criminal conflict of interest when he handled legal matters surrounding the case against bernard madoff for the s.e.c. here's why-- he helped the s.e.c. decide if money should be taken back from madoff investors who withdrew more than they'd invested. but becker had received an inheritance from his mother that included madoff funds. becker may face charges with the justice department. media in 2011-- it's all about cutting out the middleman. harry lin explains. he's executive-in-residence at idea-lab, a technology incubator in pasadena, california. >> one of my favorite $10 words in the tech industry is "disintermediation." basica

united states trade representative ron kirk has expressed optimism that congress will pass america's pending free trade deals before the annual asia pacific economic cooperation summit in november. speaking to reporters on monday... kirk refused to comment on a detailed timetable... saying it will depend on how fast the white house and congress reach an agreement on a separate piece of legislation known as trade adjustment assistance,... which is meant to help workers who have lost their jobs due to increased imports. asked whether it would be embarassing if the long-pending deals with korea, panama and columbia were not approved before the november apec summit, kirk replied that the administration is "more optimistic than that." president barack obama also told reporters... that congress is highly likely to move forward on the deals soon. us president barack obama has urged congress to quickly pass his american jobs act. speaking in the white house rose garden monday,... obama challenged republicans to pass the plan he unveiled last week. white house officials say... the 447-billion