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    Gibson Guitar acknowledges exotic wood violation

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a deal has been reached to drop the criminal case against Gibson Guitar Corp. after the instrument maker acknowledged its exotic wood imports violated environmental laws.

    Under the agreement announced Monday, Nashville-based Gibson is to pay a $300,000 penalty. The company also agreed to forfeit claims to about $262,000 worth of wood seized by federal agents and contribute $50,000 to promote conservation of protected tree species.

    The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Gibson's decision stands in contrast to a 2011 publicity campaign mounted after agents raided Gibson facilities in Memphis and Nashville.

    Republicans and tea party members rallied behind CEO Henry Juszkiewicz (JUS'-kuh-wits) when he denounced the raids as overzealous federal regulation that threatened American jobs.

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    • Cycling-Road-Giro d'Italia points classification after stage 17

      May 22 (Infostrada Sports) - Points Classification Giro d'Italia after Stage 17 on Wednesday 1. Mark Cavendish (Britain / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) 113 2. Cadel Evans (Australia / BMC Racing) 109 3. Mauro Santambrogio (Italy / Vini Fantini) 89 4. Giovanni Visconti (Italy / Movistar) 86 5. Carlos Betancur (Colombia / AG2R) 85 6. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Astana) 78 7. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Team Sky) 76 8. Elia Viviani (Italy / Cannondale) 72 9. Maxim Belkov (Russia / Katusha) 71 10. Ramunas Navardauskas (Lithuania / Garmin) 65

    • Restaurant reopens after bad reality TV experience

      A Scottsdale, Ariz. restaurant reopened for business Tuesday night to good reviews after it temporarily shut its doors following an embarrassing reality TV experience. Wife and husband Amy and Samy Bouzaglo ...

    • Jurors in Jodi Arias case say they're unable to reach decision; judge sends them back

      PHOENIX (AP) — Jurors in Jodi Arias case say they're unable to reach decision; judge sends them back.

    • The Gruesome Details of London's Horrifying Machete Attack

      An attack in broad daylight in London on Wednesday is drawing a swift response — and a possible terror link — from the highest authorities. Reports suggest two men chased down another man with their car before getting out, attacking him with a machete, and dragging him through the city streets. 

    • Fisker fields $20 million offer from Bob Lutz, Wanxiang: sources

      By Deepa Seetharaman and Norihiko Shirouzu DETROIT/TOKYO (Reuters) - A team including former General Motors Co executive Bob Lutz and China's largest parts maker is looking to buy Fisker Automotive for $20 million, a fraction of the "green" car company's estimated worth almost a year and a half ago. People familiar with the matter said on Wednesday that VL Automotive, a venture between Lutz and industrialist Gilbert Villarreal, and China's Wanxiang Group submitted the bid earlier this month to buy Fisker through a prepackaged bankruptcy deal. ...

    • Florida high school suspends teacher for touching girl on head with banana

      Is a cigar sometimes just a cigar? That debate will remain unresolved, but The Daily Caller can say with confidence that a banana is definitely not always just a banana at North Marion High School near Ocala, Fla.

    • Why We Can't Forget That Oklahoma's Senators Voted Against Sandy Relief

      Nearly four months ago, Oklahoma Senators Tom Coburn and James Inhofe both voted against H.R.152, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act that eventually sent $50.5 billion in relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. And in the flurry of last night's devastation in Moore, Oklahoma. it was impossible not to forget that fact, knowing the federal government would soon rally to the cause.

    • Can Obama End the 'Forever War'?

      In what is being billed as a major speech Thursday, President Obama is expected to lay out the "next phase" in America's nearly 12-year-old war against al-Qaida, possibly including a plan to clear out the Guantanamo Bay prison by trying or repatriating detainees there. What Obama is less likely to spell out is exactly how he's going to end what the State Department's former legal counsel, Harold Koh, recently called "the forever war."

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