SEC blocks Chicago Stock Exchange sale over Chinese investor participation

"The decision by federal regulators to reject a bid by a Chinese-led investor group to buy the Chicago Stock Exchange is a major blow to its international aspirations, but it may not derail the sale entirely, the exchange’s chief executive said Friday."

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Ex-OMB Official: The Military’s ‘Readiness’ Scam Worked Again

"Every military leader in history has wanted more resources at his or her disposal. U.S. secretaries of defense have been especially adamant since 2011, when the Budget Control Act first set limits on both defense and domestic spending."

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San Francisco confiscates private street from Taiwanese investor, out $90k

"The street's enhanced security and isolated location have attracted some of the wealthiest and most powerful politicians in California over the years, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Cheng says the outcome of the hearing shows that a different standard of government applies to the rich and politically connected in San Francisco."

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Lasers reveal lost Mayan civilization of ‘unimaginable scale’

"Researchers now believe the Maya had a population of 10 million, 'much higher' than previous estimates. The discoveries include urban centers with sidewalks, homes, terraces, ceremonial centers, irrigation canals and fortifications."

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Regulators who targeted anti-vaccine physician now owe him millions

"Rubin's order shows that board staff were tracking blogs and news articles chronicling Geier's downfall, mocking him and his son in emails and reveling in their humiliation. When they got a tip that Mark Geier may have still been prescribing medication, they vowed to look into it. Before holding an evidence hearing, board attorney Victoria Pepper drafted the cease-and-desist order."

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A potentially powerful new antibiotic is discovered in dirt

"A new class of antibiotic extracted from unknown microorganisms living in the soil, which they call malacidins, kills several superbugs — including the dreaded methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) — without engendering resistance."

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