A.M. Links: Extinct Lizard Named After Obama, Mali Prime Minister Forced to Resign, NASA Gives Money to Private Companies, Californian Schools Owe Billions, HSBC to Pay Record Fine, Thousands of Kids in Michigan Missing School
- An extinct lizard has been named after the president. Obamadon gracilis was one of many species to go extinct after an asteroid hit Earth 65 million years ago.
- Mali's prime minister was forced to resign after being arrested by soldiers under the command of the army captain who led the military coup in March.
- Three private companies have received about $10 million each from NASA. Boeing, SpaceX, and Sierra Nevada Corp. will use the money to ensure their spaceflight systems meet NASA's requirements for ferrying astronauts.
- Californian schools owe billions in bond interest. Capital appreciation bonds come with a lot of interest, a $2.5 million loan taken out in 2010 will now cost $34 million to repay.
- HSBC have settled with the U.S. Department of Justice and will pay a $1.92 billion fine after failing to clamp down on money laundering.
- At least 26,000 kids are missing school in Michigan today because their teachers plan to take the day off to protest right-to-work legislation.
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