A specially-built giant concrete-and-steel box designed to siphon oil away was being brought into use today as a short-term solution to bottling up the disastrous oil spill threatening sea life and livelihoods along the Gulf Coast of America.

BP’s chairman defended his company’s safety record today, and said “a failed piece of equipment” was to blame for a massive oil spill along the Gulf Coast of America.

Bono’s iconic Armani shades, a Jimi Hendrix guitar and a saxophone signed by former US President Bill Clinton are just some of the 200 pieces of music memorabilia being auctioned off for charity this month.