The price tag for containing that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has reached three-quarters of a billion dollars for BP. The company is taking another shot at capping the deepwater blowout by injecting heavy fluids and cement into the seabed well to block the flow of oil that began when the offshore rig exploded five weeks ago. Heavy oil is washing into fragile marshlands and wildlife refuges in Louisiana and threatening fishing and tourism. Source Link
Defense Secretary Robert Gates will back new legislation that would allow gays to serve openly in the military. The measure is expected to be part of this year's defense spending bill and is supported by the White House, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and House and Senate Democrats. Republican leaders are pledging to oppose the move to replace the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" rule that has been in effect since 1993. Source Link
A group of scientists is asking the Food and Drug Administration to have a heart and let used pacemakers be recycled for needy patients in Third World countries. In the United States, working pacemakers are removed and thrown away after a person dies. Companies that make pacemakers claim they may not be safe for re-use, but advocates say the recycled devices could save thousands of lives each year. Source Link
