Signatures rejected in Maui anti-GMO ballot effort

WAILUKU, Hawaii -- More than half of the signatures collected to get a measure opposing genetically modified foods on the Nov. 4 ballot in Maui County were rejected.

Organizers collected more than 9,700 signatures, but the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Friday that the Maui County Clerk deemed about 5,000 of them invalid.

The initiative seeks to ban genetically modified organisms in Maui County.

To get on the general election ballot, an initiative petition must have about 8,500 valid signatures, or 20 percent of the number of people who voted in the last mayoral election.

After duplicates and signatures with incorrect information were rejected, the petitioners were left with about 4,700 signatures. Maui County Clerk Danny Mateo said some of those that signed were not registered to vote in Maui County. The rejection rate was on par with past races, when about 45 percent of signatures were accepted.

Carol Reimann, Maui community and government affairs manager for biotechnology corporation Monsanto Co., told the Maui News the initiative is "misguided" and would "severely damage our local economy, jeopardize hundreds of jobs on Maui and Molokai, and create a painful ripple effect on other businesses and families in our county."

To get on the November ballot this year, the group advocating for the initiative, called the SHAKA Movement, has to submit the remaining valid signatures by Tuesday, said Josiah Nishita, deputy county Maui County clerk. Organizers said they plan to turn in more signatures.

"We have another 7,600 signatures counted last night and right now we're verifying them," organizer Mark Sheehan said.

Raising Cane's settles dispute over 'One Love'

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Bob Marley's estate and Raising Cane's have resolved their legal dispute over the fried chicken finger chain's use of the slogan "One Love," which also happens to be the title of one of the late Jamaican reggae star's biggest hits.

Todd Graves, founder of Cane's, tells The Advocate (http://bit.ly/SrrDCy ) that a "mutually beneficial agreement" was reached. An attorney for Fifty-Six Hope Road Music Ltd., said "mutually agreeable terms" led to a settlement.

Neither side would disclose the terms.

Fifty-Six Hope Road sued Cane's for alleged trademark infringement.

Cane's then filed a countersuit seeking a court judgment that it is not infringing on any of the estate's rights. Cane's has used the "One Love" trademark since 2001 and registered it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2005.

Bill would ban plastic microbeads in cosmetics

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The state Assembly on Friday passed a bill banning the use of plastic microbeads in soaps and cosmetics, following actions already being taken by manufacturers and other state legislatures to keep the products out of waterways.

Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble Co. and other manufacturers already are phasing out the exfoliating ingredients, which are considered harmful to the environment in part because they are not biodegradable.

AB1699 by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, heads to the Senate after passing on a 45-10 vote. He said the tiny exfoliating beads make their way past filters in municipal water treatment plants and are swallowed by fish.

"My bill ensures that there is a uniform mandate for the use of these harmful microbeads to level the playing field for all industry and help ... protect water for future generations," Bloom said.

Specifically, it would prohibit the sale of such products and establish a $2,500 a day fine for each violation.

The cosmetics industry opposes the bill and won a concession to push back the timeline of the phase-out to 2019. Bloom said other manufacturers have pledged to use natural, biodegradable exfoliating ingredients such as cocoa beans and apricot shells.

"The nation's personal care products companies have a longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and the safety of their products and are demonstrating leadership on this issue," the Personal Care Products Council said in a statement after the bill passed.

Bloom says he is close to a compromise to amend his bill to win manufacturer support.

Similar bills are moving through the legislatures in some other states, including Illinois and New York. Environmentalists have raised concerns about the beads entering the Great Lakes and other bodies of water.

Those bills would phase out the sale of microbead products sooner than AB1699.

Bitcoin ATM installed at downtown Vegas casino

LAS VEGAS -- The first Las Vegas casino to accept Bitcoin has now installed an ATM to help customers fill their virtual wallets.

The D Las Vegas Casino Hotel introduced its new Robocoin machine on Thursday. The kiosk allows customers to deposit cash into their Bitcoin wallets or exchange Bitcoin for dollars.

D co-owner Derek Stevens declined to say how many Bitcoin transactions the hotel does each day, but said the number of people who use it is much higher than he thought it would be when he started accepting the virtual currency in January.

Bitcoin is accepted at the D's front desk, restaurants and gift shop, but not on the casino floor.

Lyft defies New Mexico order to stop operating

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Lyft says it will defy New Mexico regulators by continuing to operate in Albuquerque, a move that a state official says could result in large fines for the ridesharing service.

The Public Regulation Commission Wednesday ordered San Francisco-based Lyft to stop operating in New Mexico at least until June 2, when Lyft must respond to commission allegations that it is operating an illegal taxi service.

Lyft spokeswoman Paige Thelen told the Albuquerque Journal (http://bit.ly/1m2v2jP ) Thursday that Lyft will continue to operate in Albuquerque because it doesn't believe it's breaking the law.

Public Regulation Commission Transportation Division Director Ryan Jerman said Lyft could face up daily fines of up to $10,000 for each of five different violations of state law. Jerman also said each trip by a driver may be a separate violation.

The entry into the transportation marketplace by companies like Uber and Lyft has left state legislators across the nation and local officials struggling to catch up with emerging technology that competes with traditional taxis and limos, but with less overhead.

State: UMass Medical bonuses improperly documented

BOSTON -- The state auditor is asking questions about $2 million in bonuses given to top University of Massachusetts Medical School officials that were not properly documented.

State Auditor Suzanne Bump's office says the bonuses were given over a three-year period and include $367,500 in payments to the Worcester school's chancellor, Michael Collins, whose salary last year was more than $800,000.

The audit released Thursday found that there was no written documentation concerning the payouts, "including an employment contract that established official criteria for such payments."

The bonuses are part of an incentive compensation plan.

UMass Medical said documentation was insufficient because of a learning curve that occurred after the first payments were made in 2010.

A spokeswoman says the school has "adjusted our practices" to make sure payouts are properly documented.

Scholarship is dream come true for Vegas girl

LAS VEGAS -- Not only is billionaire Bill Gates sending Erika Carrera to the college of her choice, but President Barack Obama will bid the Las Vegas teen good luck in a White House ceremony this summer, placing the medallion of U.S. Presidential Scholar around her neck, as every president has done for an elite 141 graduating high school students since 1964.

Carrera is about to graduate with a 4.75 weighted GPA and 3.95 unweighted GPA from the Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy. But a month ago, the daughter of Mexican immigrants was struggling to find a way into college without amassing a mountain of debt.

Accepted by Stanford, Fordham and Notre Dame, among others, she wanted to attend Arizona State University to study broadcast journalism but didn't know where she'd get the $25,000 to pay for tuition for her freshman year alone.

"Two months into school, I'll get a job. One month after that, I'll get another job," Carrera said of her plans.

Carrera is a first-generation college student who parents moved to Las Vegas from a small town in northern Mexico shortly before she was born. Her mother, Socorro Carrera, made it through ninth grade in Mexico, traveling two hours to the closest middle school in another town. School stopped at sixth grade for Erika's father, Jose Luis Carrera, as that was the most available in his town.

"I don't know how they made it," Erika Carrera said.

Her parents came to the United States for the American Dream, although they didn't know enough to name it that.

"A better future for our children," her mother calls it.

Carrera, the oldest of two daughters, found that better future and more landing the Gates Millennium scholarship, which pays not only for college through undergraduate school but also advanced degrees, if students pursue computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science.

On top of that, Carrera is a U.S. Presidential Scholar, a recognition awarded by invitation only.

The senior has always been full of surprises, though. Her parents wanted to enroll her with English-learning students in kindergarten, only to find out she'd taught herself English at home.

"Sesame Street," Carrera said. "I learned English on Sesame Street."

Her parents made education a priority, reading and writing with Carrera before she entered school. Why they did all this, Carrera realized from an early age. Her mother grew up loving to learn but could only go so far, she said.

"It's heartbreaking when you want something, and it's ripped away from you simply because it's not available," Carrera said.

Her mother recently earned her high school equivalency degree because she had promised to do so before Carrera graduated.

"It was to show my daughters that if I could do it, they could, too, and so much more," Carrera's mother said.

Carrera's father also will be earning his high school equivalency degree soon and asserts that "education opens the door to so much."

Carrera has racked her brain for why she's been singled out. What made her stand out among all the high-achieving seniors, netting her not only the Gates Millennium awarded annually to 1,000 high-achieving minority high school seniors but also being named a Presidential Scholar, chosen out of a starting group of 3,000 U.S. students with the highest SAT or ACT scores.

"I honestly don't know. I've tried to figure it out myself," said Carrera, who never gave any of her scholarship essays to her English teachers for review. In fact, she was "fed up" with all the scholarship essays at one point. She didn't write the nine essays for the Gates Millennium scholarship until the day before they were due.

With that came an unfiltered, honest voice, she thinks.

"I didn't proofread. I did spell check, though. Probably not a good thing, but..." said Carrera, shooting an apologetic glance to the school's counseling coordinator Lynn Ann Lescenski.

"She's a very strong writer," said Lescenski, praising Carrera because the 18-year-old seldom brags, shown when Carrera described her extracurricular activities.

"I do student council," Carrera said.

"She's the student body president," Lescenski clarified. "Erika didn't tell you that she's a Harvard Book Prize winner either, did she?"

The Harvard Prize Book is given to 1,900 high school juniors each year "who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and achievement in other nonacademic areas," chosen by Harvard University's Alumni Association.

Central California food processing plant evacuated

SANGER, Calif. -- Officials say employees have evacuated a Central California food processing plant complaining of sore throats and burning eyes.

Tim Williams of the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services says 14 employees were sent to four different area hospitals Friday. More than 100 workers at the Del Monte Fresh Produce Inc. plant were evacuated from the workplace. Williams says none of the illnesses appears serious.

The plant is located in Sanger, a farming community in Fresno County.

The initial call for help reported a possible ammonia leak, but Williams says emergency crews were not able to determine what cause the illnesses.

Nobody at the Del Monte plant could be reached immediately for comment.

Gulf LNG to begin pre-filing review with FERC

PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- Gulf LNG Liquefaction Co. has received permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to begin its pre-filing review process to add liquefaction and export capabilities to the $1 billion liquefied natural gas storage terminal in Pascagoula.

GLLC and Gulf LNG Energy are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Gulf LNG Holdings Group, which is held 50 percent by Southern Gulf LNG Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kinder Morgan.

If the company gets permission to export LNG to non-free trade agreement countries and the project is approved, Richard Wheatley, a Kinder Morgan spokesman, tells The Mississippi Press (http://bit.ly/1on5NLA ) it could bring an $8 billion investment to the Pascagoula facility.

He says the Pascagoula is now seventh on the Department of Energy's list of applications for LNG export to non-FTA countries.

Report: Iran court orders Instagram blocked

TEHRAN, Iran -- An Iranian court ordered that the photo-sharing app Instagram be blocked over privacy concerns, a semiofficial news agency reported Friday, the latest in a series of websites to be banned in the Islamic Republic.

The agency said a court order, stemming from a private lawsuit, had been given to Iran's Ministry of Telecommunications to ban the site. However, users in the capital, Tehran, still could access the application around noon Friday. Some previous reports in Iran of websites and Internet applications being blocked never materialized.

Officials with Instagram Inc. declined to comment Friday.

However, Instagram's owner Facebook is already banned in the country, along with other social websites like Twitter and YouTube. That's despite senior government leaders like Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif being active on Twitter. There are even Instagram accounts in the names of moderate President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

While top officials have unfettered access to social media, Iran's youth and technological-savvy citizens use proxy servers or other workarounds to bypass the controls.

Social media has offered a new way for Rouhani and his administration to reach out to the West as it negotiates with world powers over the country's contested nuclear program. Rouhani himself has opposed blocking social network sites before authorities create local alternatives.

"We should see the cyberworld as an opportunity," Rouhani said last week, according to the official IRNA news agency. "Why are we so shaky? Why don't we trust our youth?"

Hard-liners, meanwhile, accuse Rouhani of failing to stop the spread of what they deem as "decadent" Western culture in Iran. Earlier this week, police arrested and showed six young Iranian on state television over them posting online a video showing them dancing to the Pharrell Williams' song "Happy." Last week, hard-liners marched over women not being significantly veiled and dressing provocatively.

Online, that battle continues. Iran's police chief said last year that the Islamic Republic was developing new software to control social networking sites, though it is unclear whether it was ever put to use.

In 2012, Iran created the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, tasked with preventing harm to Iranians who go online. Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters, ordered the creation of the council in order to fight what he called a "culture invasion" aimed at undermining the Islamic Republic.

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Cairo contributed to this report.

Bill makes helmets optional for off-road vehicles

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Adults could be helmet-free when driving certain recreational off-highway vehicles under a bill that passed the Assembly on Friday despite opposition from public health groups and the industry trade association.

AB1835 by Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, heads to the Senate after narrowly passing on a 43-21 vote, just above the threshold for approval in the 80-member chamber.

She said existing state law treats recreational off-highway vehicles as if they were motorcycles. Instead, she said they are more like golf carts for outdoor enthusiasts.

Olsen said the existing law is an example of "unnecessary nanny government policies."

"People should be allowed to determine for themselves when a helmet is suitable for their driving style and conditions — not the State — especially when no data or studies have shown ROV drivers to be any less safe without a helmet," she said in a statement after the vote.

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, however, cites a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission statistics showing that failure to wear a helmet was thought to be a contributing factor in more than half of injuries and deaths involving such vehicles. The group opposes the bill. On its website, the association lists helmet use among its top safety rules.

Democratic Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal of Long Beach opposed the bill, saying helmets save lives.

A recreational off-highway vehicle is defined as one meant for non-paved roads with a steering wheel and non-straddle seating with a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour. Unlike dune buggies or all-terrain vehicles, they are closer to normal cars with a cabin contained with protective rails, seatbelts and room for multiple passengers.

The California Medical Association said rollover safety measures aren't enough to prevent passenger ejections, which happened in 70 percent of ROV crashes.

California requires helmets for all motorcycle riders and children riding bicycles. A bill to require helmets for children who ski and snowboard was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011.

US suspends $3.5M in military aid to Thailand

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. is suspending $3.5 million in military aid to Thailand, its first punitive step against the Asian country following a military coup, the State Department announced Friday.

Spokeswoman Marie Harf said the department is still reviewing a further $7 million in direct U.S. assistance to Thailand, and an undetermined amount of aid from other global and regional programs.

The department on Friday also recommended Americans reconsider any non-essential travel to Thailand, particularly Bangkok, due to political and social unrest and restrictions on movement, including a nighttime curfew.

Secretary of State John Kerry announced the review hours after Thursday's military takeover in Thailand, a U.S. treaty ally and close military partner. Kerry said Thursday there was no justification for the coup and urged the immediate restoration of civilian government and a return to democracy.

Harf said the suspended programs pay for weapons sales and training for military officers.

Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. Raymond Odierno spoke with his Thai counterpart, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, the coup leader, by phone late Thursday and held a "constructive conversation," said Pentagon press secretary, Rear Adm. John Kirby.

"The general made it clear that we certainly expect a return to democratic principles in Thailand just as soon as possible," Kirby said.

But the declaration of the coup has underscored the limited leverage the U.S. has with Thailand, despite their longstanding ties.

After the military declared martial law on Tuesday, Washington had urged an early return to democracy and free and fair elections, only for Prayuth to abruptly seize power.

The new junta consolidated its control Friday.

Ousted members of the former government surrendered and soldiers forcefully dispersed hundreds of anti-coup activists who defied a ban on large-scale gatherings to protest the army's action.

After Thailand's last military coup in 2006, the U.S. suspended programs for a year-and-a-half, totaling more than $29 million, according to the Congressional Research Service. Some programs deemed to be in the U.S. interest continued.

Regulatory change to lower home refinance costs

SANTA FE, N.M. -- A state regulator's decision can save New Mexico homeowners money when refinancing their homes.

Superintendent of Insurance John Franchini ordered Wednesday that government rules provide for larger title insurance discounts that are in a state law enacted in 2009 to foster more price competition in rates. Regulations had allowed for smaller discounts.

An independent think tank called Think New Mexico asked for the regulatory change because most homeowners weren't qualifying for the greater discounts when refinancing a mortgage.

Franchini's decision ensures all homeowners will get the larger discounts when they refinance starting this summer.

A person obtaining a new loan on a $200,000 house nine years after its purchase could save about $500 on title insurance, which is part of mortgage closing costs.

Putin Says He'll Respect Ukraine Vote But U.S. Is Skeptical

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hide captionRussia's President Vladimir Putin speaks during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2014 in St. Petersburg on Friday. He told the audience that he would respect Sunday's presidential vote in Ukraine.

Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters/Landov

Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2014 in St. Petersburg on Friday. He told the audience that he would respect Sunday's presidential vote in Ukraine.

Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters/Landov

The White House has expressed skepticism over Russian leader Vladimir Putin's pledge to respect the results of Sunday's presidential election in Ukraine, instead calling on the Kremlin to ensure that separatists don't disrupt the polling.

Putin, delivering a speech in St. Petersburg, said Moscow "will treat the choice of the Ukrainian people with respect."

But White House spokesman Jay Carney, speaking aboard Air Force One, said Washington would "have to see whether in fact Russia does recognize and then takes steps to engage with the Ukrainian government and the victor of the presidential election."

Carney added: "We further urge Russia to use its influence to persuade separatists in eastern Ukraine and elsewhere to vacate buildings they've occupied, to lay down their weapons, to cease the activities they've engaged in that have caused violence and instability ... and instead to participate in the democratic process in that country."

The remarks came amid heavy fighting in recent days between Russian-speaking separatists and Ukraine government forces in the country's east. On Thursday, as many as 500 separatists attacked a government convoy in a single clash near the village of Rubizhne that left 20 rebels dead, the Defense Ministry said.

Reuters writes:

"At the State Department, spokeswoman Marie Harf said there was evidence that pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine were trying to disrupt the vote.

"We've seen, particularly in a couple of places in the east, these separatists trying purposefully to disrupt the elections with violence, taking over of government buildings, taking ballot boxes, taking voter registration lists," she said.

"She also dismissed comments by a Russian deputy defense minister on Friday that Russia intended to pull back all forces deployed to regions near the Ukraine border 'within a few days.'"

Court Orders Conyers Back On Ballot

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hide captionRep. John Conyers, D-Mich., in November 2012. He's held his Detroit-area congressional seat for close to 50 years.

Carlos Osorio/AP

Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., in November 2012. He's held his Detroit-area congressional seat for close to 50 years.

Carlos Osorio/AP

A federal court threw Rep. John Conyers a lifeline Friday with a decision that stops Michigan election officials from throwing the veteran lawmaker off the primary ballot.

The possibility of the 25-term Democratic congressman — who would become the longest serving member in the House if he wins another term — fell into doubt when election officials said Conyers failed to secure enough legitimately collected signatures on his petitions for a spot on the ballot.

Several of his signature gatherers had failed to meet Michigan requirements and that left the 85-year-old congressman far short of the 1,000 signatures he needed to get on the ballot.

But Conyers' lawyers, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union, argued that the court should heed a 2008 appellate court precedent that struck down an Ohio requirement similar to Michigan's. The appeals court said it was unconstitutional for Ohio to place requirements on such signature gatherers.

If U.S. District Judge Matthew Leitman, an Obama appointee, had ruled against Conyers Friday, the congressman would have had to undertake a write-in campaign to win the Democratic primary.

He's not out of the woods yet. Michigan officials can appeal the judge's preliminary decision that orders them to put Conyers on the ballot.

If Conyers stays on the ballot and wins another term. he's poised to become the dean of the House since Rep. John Dingell, also of the Michigan delegation, has announced his retirement.

Conyers has been in Congress nearly 50 years, taking office in 1965.

During those years, Conyers has built a substantial legacy, much of it on civil rights issues. He helped win passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus.

He played a central role in the creation of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday and oversaw passage of major hate-crimes legislation in 2009 during his time as House Judiciary Committee chairman.

His advancing age has slowed him, however, and questions about his ability to perform his role as a congressman have multiplied.

Such doubts led to one of the most remarkable endorsements ever by a newspaper because of its backhandedness. In 2012, the Detroit Free Press wrote:

"John Conyers gets our endorsement, but it is mostly with the hope that he will soon retire from Congress and the district will produce a more viable alternative."

As a side note, Leitman, the federal court judge who issued the injunction, has been on the bench only since March. He was one of President Obama's judicial nominees confirmed after Senate Democrats changed their chamber's rules to require a simple majority vote instead of the supermajority — the controversial move dubbed the "nuclear option."

Barclays fined for handling of gold prices

LONDON -- Barclays Bank has been fined by British regulators for management failings that allowed an employee to make inappropriate trades in the gold market.

The Financial Conduct Authority imposed a 26 million pound ($43.7 million) fine on Friday.

The regulator cited actions taken on June 28, 2012 when an individual trader "exploited the weaknesses in Barclays' system" to influence the gold fixing prices and profit at a customer's expense.

Barclays Chief Executive Antony Jenkins said the bank regrets the situation that led to the fine. He said Barclays had strengthened its systems and controls to prevent a recurrence.

The trader involved has also been fine and banned from the industry.

Feds probe incident involving 2 Houston planes

HOUSTON -- Federal officials are investigating an incident in which two United Airlines planes may have flown too near to each other over Houston.

A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that the two jets came within less than a mile of each other and 400 feet apart in height on May 9. Both planes had just taken off from Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The FAA says an air traffic controller told the pilot of United Flight 601 to turn right after takeoff, then noticed that the plane was heading into airspace normally reserved for planes on another runway. United Flight 437 had just taken off from that second runway.

The FAA says the controller gave both pilots instructions to keep the planes apart.

United isn't commenting yet.

Speaker: Issuing subpoenas would be 'fruitless'

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island's House speaker is calling it "fruitless" to issue subpoenas to those who have declined to testify before the Oversight Committee on the 38 Studios debacle.

Nicholas Mattiello said Friday that everyone asked to appear voluntarily has declined through attorneys. He says it doesn't make sense to issue subpoenas because the same people will continue to decline.

38 Studios founder Curt Schilling and ex-Economic Development Corp. chief Keith Stokes are among those called to testify.

Mattiello called the House a legislative body, not an investigative one, and cited ongoing criminal investigations.

Oversight Chairwoman Karen MacBeth told WPRO-AM the speaker's position is a "hit" but said the committee would continue its work.

The speaker supports the release of depositions in the lawsuit over 38 Studios' collapse. The judge hasn't decided.

President Obama Promotes Local Jobs and Tourism While Protecting National Treasures

President Barack Obama signs a proclamation establishing the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in south-central New Mexico, at the Department of Interior in Washington, D.C., May 21, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Ed. note: This is cross-posted on the U.S. Department of the Interior blog. See the original post here.

Today, we joined the community of Las Cruces, New Mexico to celebrate the President’s designation of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, a breathtaking set of mountain ranges and lowlands in southern New Mexico.

This marks the 11th time the President has used his executive authority under the Antiquities Act to create national monuments, adding visibility and permanent protection to nearly 800,000 acres. Add that to the Wilderness areas and wildlife refuges he has protected during his Administration, and that’s more than 3 million acres of public lands preserved for future generations. And when the President signed the proclamation on Wednesday, he promised to do even more to protect our national landscapes and boost local tourism economies.

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10 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day in Your National Parks

Spring sunset on the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park. (by National Park Service)

Ed. note: This is cross-posted on the National Parks Foundation blog. See the original post here.

On the last Monday of May, our nation will come together to observe Memorial Day and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service of our country. Throughout the National Park System, many sites will hold events in memoriam of the greatest sacrifice made by these brave American veterans, while other sites stand as permanent tributes to fallen soldiers year-round.

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Weekly Wrap Up: POTUS Takes a Walk, Baseball in Cooperstown, and More

It was a busy week at the White House. This week, we got hyped up for next Tuesday's White House Science Fair; the Bidens traveled to Romania and Cyprus; the President took an unexpected walk over to the Department of the Interior; a new National Monument was designated; and the President talked baseball and tourism in Cooperstown. Check out what else you may have missed in this week's wrap up.

Robots Invade the White House

Robots, marshmallow cannons, and Bill Nye: These are just some of the things that we love about the White House Science Fair. Next Tuesday, students from across the country will head to the White House to put their projects on display. You're going to want to tune in.

Check out highlights from last year's White House Science Fair:

Watch on YouTube

Need more science? Check out all of the incredible videos, vines, and gifs from past White House Science Fairs.

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Barclays fined for handling of gold prices

LONDON -- Barclays Bank has been fined by British regulators for management failings that allowed an employee to make inappropriate trades in the gold market.

The Financial Conduct Authority imposed a 26 million pound ($43.7 million) fine on Friday.

The regulator cited actions taken on June 28, 2012 when an individual trader "exploited the weaknesses in Barclays' system" to influence the gold fixing prices and profit at a customer's expense.

Barclays Chief Executive Antony Jenkins said the bank regrets the situation that led to the fine. He said Barclays had strengthened its systems and controls to prevent a recurrence.

The trader involved has also been fine and banned from the industry.

Thai coup adds to challenges for economy

BANGKOK -- Thailand's economy was already struggling before the country's military seized power in a bloodless coup Thursday, saying it needed to restore order after six months of protests aimed at ousting the elected government. The military takeover, the second since 2006, could ensure stability in the short term. But analysts fear the army's intervention will result in Thailand's political divide becoming even sharper, holding back the economy and living standards in the longer run.

— BY THE NUMBERS

Among developing countries, Thailand is in the top tier for incomes and standard of living, a position that puts developed status within reach if growth isn't stymied by political upheaval. It is the sixth largest economy in Asia with GDP of about $366 billion and is significant to the world as a food exporter, tourism destination, and manufacturer of cars and computer hard drives.

Weighed down by political uncertainty, the economy contracted 2.1 percent in the first quarter from the previous quarter. Moody's Analytics was forecasting the economy to grow 0.2 percent this year but says it may now suffer a recession, which would be a woeful performance compared with 6.5 percent growth in 2012.

— TOURISM

Tourism employs millions and directly contributes about 6 percent of GDP. For January to March, foreign tourists dropped 6 percent to 6.6 million as headlines overseas about protests and violence in Bangkok muddied the welcome mat. In 2010, violent street battles and an army crackdown killed dozens.

"We are now offering discount prices to attract customers that may have a little worry about the situation there," says Chen Jiying, saleswoman at Beijing Youth Tourist Service. Still, the strong appeal of Thailand's pristine beaches, world famous food and vibrant culture along with savvy marketing has consistently lured visitors back in record numbers.

— FACTORIES

Much of heavy industry and manufacturing, particularly that with foreign involvement, is concentrated on the country's eastern seaboard in factory parks linked to Bangkok by good roads and other world class infrastructure. Foreign manufacturers have never been a target of protesters and usually take the unrest in their stride. South Korea's Posco said its plans to start construction of a steel sheet factory in Thailand next month were unchanged.

The coup is bringing some minor disruption. Toyota said it had canceled night shifts at its Thai car plant because of the curfew imposed by the army. Overall, however, the prolonged political instability has helped to make other countries in Southeast Asia such as Vietnam more attractive for new foreign investment. Consultants Frost & Sullivan says automakers may reconsider some big ticket factory expansion plans in the pipeline.

— MARKET REACTION

The currency wobbled and the stock market dropped a couple of percent. Foreign investors, remembering the shock of the 2006 coup and unnerved by the months of street protests, have already substantially cut their holdings of Thai stocks. Net selling of stocks by foreigners is about $640 million so far this year, according to stock exchange data. Average daily turnover on the market is about $1 billion.

— BUMBLING GENERALS

There's a question mark over whether generals will be effective managers of the economy. A hallmark of the 2006 coup was the inept 15-month rule of a civilian administration appointed by the junta. Its economic policies were unpopular abroad and with local businesses. Backflips on some of its decisions added to an aura of ineptitude.

— INSURGENCY FEARS

Thai politics is deeply polarized between the supporters and opponents of Thaksin Shinawatra, the telecommunications billionaire ousted as premier in the 2006 coup. He swept to power in 2001 elections with populist policies that appealed to the rural poor. Every election since then has been won by Thaksin or his allies. Some analysts say Thaksin's supporters are unlikely to accept the coup. In a worst case scenario an insurgency could develop in the north and northeast of the country where the ousted government's support is strongest. Others say there is a risk of attacks on businesses in Bangkok regarded as affiliated with opponents of Thaksin.

"It's now hard to see just how Thailand can successfully re-establish a democracy encompassing the voices of the rural majority," says Rabobank's Michael Every. "We expect that backdrop of potential instability and violence to weigh" on the economy and the Thai baht.

House Blocks Repeal Of Authorization To Use Military Force

Audio for this story from Morning Edition will be available at approximately 9:00 a.m. ET.

Steve Inskeep talks to Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff from California about efforts to end the nearly 13-year-old congressional authorization for the use of military force.

House Passes Measure Reining In Government Surveillance

Audio for this story from Morning Edition will be available at approximately 9:00 a.m. ET.

Lawmakers passed a bill ending the NSA's practice of collecting phone records of Americans. Instead, phone companies would hold the data and the NSA would face additional legal barriers to search it.

Obama Wants Guantanamo Closed But His Efforts Are Thwarted

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It's been a year since President Obama renewed his pledge to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But more than 150 prisoners are still housed there.

Former Chicago tax preparer gets 4 years in prison

CHICAGO -- A former Chicago tax preparer has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for filing false income tax returns that claimed millions of dollars in refunds for clients.

The U.S. Attorney's office announced Verlean Hollins of suburban South Holland was sentenced Thursday. She pleaded guilty in January to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false federal income tax returns.

She was also fined nearly $800,000.

Prosecutors say Hollins admitted filing nearly 3,200 individual tax returns from her office on Chicago's South Side. The returns falsely claimed education tax credits, resulting in claimed refunds totaling nearly $3.4 million.

U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan said it was "not a minor offense" and her crime "became a business lifestyle."

Thursday's Sports In Brief

SOCCER

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Landon Donovan, the most accomplished American player in the history of men's soccer, won't be going to his fourth World Cup.

The 32-year-old attacker, who set the national team record for goals and assists while winning five titles in Major League Soccer, was among seven players cut Thursday when coach Jurgen Klinsmann got down to the 23-man limit well before the June 2 deadline.

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PRO FOOTBALL:

DENVER (AP) — Police issued an arrest warrant for Broncos safety T.J. Ward on an assault charge stemming from a fight at a Denver strip club on May 9.

"We have been aware of this issue and will continue to review all of the facts," the Broncos said in a statement.

Court records show the disturbance happened at PT's All Nude.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Half the U.S. Senate urged NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to change the Washington Redskins' name, saying it is a racist slur and the time is ripe to replace it.

In one letter, 49 senators cited the NBA's quick action recently to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life after he was heard on an audio recording making offensive comments about blacks. They said Goodell should formally push to rename the Redskins.

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PRO BASKETBALL

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers kept Paul George out of contact drills because of a concussion.

It's uncertain whether he will be cleared to play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals Saturday in Miami. George was diagnosed with a concussion, less than 24 hours after he told reporters he had "blacked out" and had blurred vision following a collision with Miami's Dwyane Wade near the end of Game 2. The series is tied 1-1.

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Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban apologized to Trayvon Martin's family for his choice of words in a videotaped interview in which he addressed bigotry and prejudice.

Cuban even revealed some of his own prejudices in the interview with Inc. magazine, and said he believes everyone has "prejudices and bigotries" on some level. But after his words — which came with the NBA still dealing with the fallout over racist remarks made by now-banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling — created a stir in social media and other circles, Cuban took to Twitter to offer his apology.

"In hindsight I should have used different examples," Cuban wrote. "I didn't consider the Trayvon Martin family, and I apologize to them for that."

Martin was the black Florida teen who was shot and killed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in February 2012.

HONOLULU (AP) — The interim chief executive of the Los Angeles Clippers responded to a report questioning his playing experience by saying he played one season of freshman basketball at the University of Hawaii and wasn't very good.

In response to a Deadspin report questioning Parsons' playing experience, a spokesman for interim Clippers CEO Dick Parsons said the former chairman of Citigroup and Time Warner never claimed to play varsity.

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says the Cavaliers asked the Los Angeles Clippers for permission to interview assistant coach Alvin Gentry for their head coaching position.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Memphis coach Dave Joerger met with Minnesota president of basketball operations Flip Saunders about the team's coaching vacancy. A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that the next step in the process is to meet with team owner Glen Taylor.

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Carter-Williams was unanimously chosen to the NBA's all-rookie team.

Chosen 11th overall in the draft, the Philadelphia 76ers guard was the only unanimous selection to the first team, which also includes Orlando's Victor Oladipo, Utah's Trey Burke, Brooklyn's Mason Plumlee and New York's Tim Hardaway Jr.

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BASEBALL:

Prince Fielder is expected to have neck surgery next week and miss the rest of the season.

Fielder has been out with a herniated disk in his neck, and surgery was recommended after another scan and a follow-up exam with Dr. Drew Dossett.

General manager Jon Daniels said the team would get second opinion about surgery, but were "expecting that to be confirmed."

NEW YORK (AP) — Miguel Olivo was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers two days after biting off a piece of Triple-A Albuquerque teammate Alex Guerrero's left ear during a dugout brawl.

Olivo, a veteran catcher, and Guerrero, the highly paid Cuban second base prospect, fought during the Isotopes' game at Salt Lake City on Tuesday. The Dodgers had suspended Olivo while they conducted an investigation.

KODAK, Tenn. (AP) — Arizona farmhand Jon Griffin ran his homer streak to five at-bats, connecting leading off the second inning in the Mobile BayBears' 6-5 loss to the Tennessee Smokies.

On Wednesday night, the 6-foot-6 Griffin homered in his final four at-bats in the BayBears' 17-7 victory over the Smokies. In his second at-bat Thursday, he walked to end the streak.

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HORSE RACING

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A racehorse died at Churchill Downs after a freak fall that the trainer blamed on the sound of a starting gate bell blaring on the track's new sound system.

The 5-year-old mare Never Tell Lynda was walking toward the paddock on the track when she reared, twisted and fell, hitting her head, said her trainer, Kenneth Wirth. She died before the first race of the day at the track that's home to the Kentucky Derby.

A heartbroken Wirth later said the horse was startled by what Wirth thinks was the sound of a starting gate bell coming from a commercial on Churchill's massive new video board. The system includes 750 speakers.

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AUTO RACING

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Jimmie Johnson won the pole for the Coca-Cola 600.

Johnson turned a lap at 194.911 mph at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the third round of NASCAR's knockout qualifying format for his first pole of the Sprint Cup season.

Brad Keselowski will start alongside Johnson on the front row Sunday night in the longest Sprint Cup race of the year. It's the seventh time this season Keselowski will start on the front row.

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GOLF

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Dustin Johnson shot a bogey-free 5-under to lead by one stroke after the first round of the Colonial.

Hunter Mahan, playing in the group ahead of Johnson, led before a double-bogey 6 at the 433-yard 18th hole for a 66. He was tied for second with Harris English, Tim Wilkinson and Robert Streb.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Joe Durant birdied his final hole for a 6-under 65 and a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Senior PGA Championship.

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Denmark's Thomas Bjorn shot a course record 10-under 62 at Wentworth to take a two-shot lead after the first-round lead of the BMW PGA Championship.

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Catriona Matthew took the first-round lead in the Airbus LPGA Classic, holing a bunker shot for an eagle and finishing with an 8-under 64.

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut basketball coach Kevin Ollie agreed to a $15 million, five-year contract with the national champion Huskies.

The 41-year-old coach, who spent 13 years as an NBA journeyman before returning to his alma mater, had been linked to several NBA job openings, including with the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's Billy Donovan has spoken to a couple of NBA teams about coaching vacancies, but adds that "I fully plan on being back" next season.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Late Alabama linebacker Derrick Thomas was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, highlighting a class of 14 players that includes LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe and Tony Boselli.

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TENNIS

NICE, France (AP) — Top-seeded John Isner of the United States lost 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (6) to Federico Delbonis of Argentina in the Open de Nice quarterfinals as both players wasted match points.

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Former champion Andrea Petkovic of Germany lost 6-4, 6-4 to Monica Puig of Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals of the Strasbourg International.

NUREMBERG, Germany (AP) — Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic upset top-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany 7-6 (5), 6-4 to make the Nuremberg Cup semifinals.

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Ivo Karlovic of Croatia advanced to the Duesseldorf Open semifinals, hitting 19 aces in a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over defending champion Juan Monaco of Argentina.

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CYCLING

BAROLO, Italy (AP) — Rigoberto Uran took the overall lead of the Giro d'Italia by winning the 12th stage individual time trial.

The Colombian was 57 seconds behind Cadel Evans going into the stage, then won the 26-mile time trial from Barbaresco to Barolo in 57 minutes, 34 seconds. Evans finished 1 minute, 34 seconds behind in third.

Plastic Omnium to build facility next to VW plant

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Plastic Omnium Auto Exteriors is constructing a new facility to supply the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, creating 300 jobs over the next three years.

The French auto supplier is spending $65 million on the 27-acre facility to be located adjacent to the plant. It is expected to employ 184 new workers when it starts production.

Plastic Omnium has 110 plants in 30 countries, including 15 in North America. The company makes bumpers, fenders and plastic body panels for car manufacturers around the world.

Christian Koch, the president and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga, praised Plastic Omnium's decision to locate near the plant, calling it "great news for Chattanooga and great news for Volkswagen, as well."

Body of Syrian child found in an irrigation canal

BEIRUT: The body of a 4-year-old Syrian child was found Friday in an irrigation canal in Akkar, north Lebanon, security sources told The Daily Star.

Shehab Mahmoud Shehab went missing a couple of days ago when Lebanon witnessed unexpected heavy rainfall.

After a long search for the boy, his body was found in the 800-meter canal.

A Civil Defense unit recovered the corpse from the canal, the sources said.

Ex-jail supervisor in Va. guilty of fraud

RICHMOND, Va. -- A former Piedmont Regional Jail supervisor has been convicted in a tax return conspiracy.

The government says 49-year-old William A. Coles Jr. of Pamplin was convicted Thursday in Richmond on several federal counts involving his wife, Sybil Coles. Coles could be punished with up 48 years in prison at his sentencing in August.

Sybil Coles was sentenced to five years in prison earlier this month.

According to prosecutors, Coles told co-workers at the Farmville regional jail where he worked that his wife knew of secret law enforcement loopholes to get larger tax refunds. They then collected fees for his wife to prepare false tax returns.

They pocketed money from the scheme and spent it on personal living expenses.

William Coles was convicted by jurors on bank fraud and other counts.