The Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico may have unleashed a chain of events that could extend economically far beyond the region, threatening one of the world's most lucrative fishing species -- the bluefin tuna. The main culprit: the dispersants used to dissolve the oil.
Seven companies involved in the oil and gas industries will pay the U.S. government a total of $236.5 million to settle corruption charges. An investigation by the SEC and the Justice Department alleges that the companies bribed overseas officials to lower customs duties, extend drilling contacts and streamline the permit process for oil drilling.
No one died in the second major Gulf of Mexico oil rig mishap this year, and the fire aboard the Mariner Energy platform didn't lead to a spill. But that doesn't make it a win for America: More like a wake-up call that safety is still being given short shrift by the oil industry.
The grilling of BP's CEO before a House committee on Thursday is sure to be "very unpleasant," says Michigan's John Dingell. Hayward will express empathy for the victims, but no amount of "I feel your pain" rhetoric can shield him from lawmakers' wrath.