BP says its latest attempt to plug the leaking oil well in the Gulf of Mexico has failed

BP says it will proceed with another technique designed to siphon off the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, after attempts to stop the leak have failed. The so-called "Top Kill" operation entailed pumping drilling mud into the leak at high pressure until it overcomes the gas and oil. With this option exhausted unsuccessfully, BP says it will now try another technique to pump off most of the oil. The operation is expected to take four to seven days.