The Indonesian mimic octopus has the extraordinary ability to pass itself off as many of the toxic fishes or sea snakes that share its habitat.

By flattening its head and arms, using a bold brown and white colour display and adopting an undulating swimming technique T. mimicus can fool predators that it is, in fact, a poisonous flatfish rather than a tasty meal.

Environmental and animal-welfare groups are urging the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to persuade the World Health Organization (WHO) to act over fears about eating whale meat.

The groups say whale meat is highly contaminated with mercury and should not be eaten.

Deepwater Horizon is spewing oil at about 40,000 barrels per day according to a new US government estimate - eight times the 5000-barrel figure that stood for most of May.

To deal with the extra flow, BP will begin to change the hoses that were previously used for the "top kill" effort into another riser system, bringing more oil to the surface.

The hoses could bring 10,000 barrels of oil up to a surface rig, but because the rig has no storage capacity, the oil will be burned off along with the natural gas.

The latest evidence suggests that while calorie restriction is indeed beneficial for humans, when it comes to lifespan extension, it may not be the whole story.

"There's a definite possibility that if you balance the diet correctly, a longer lifespan can be achieved without full food restriction," says Matthew Piper, a researcher into ageing at University College London.

While lifespan is reduced if calories are cut too drastically, it can be extended by cutting them moderately.

Needless to say, this lifestyle is not for everyone. Some people report struggling with hunger pangs, and the society warns on its website that side effects can include feeling cold, poor wound-healing and temporary infertility.

Ms Browner, talking on NBC's Meet The Press, said: "More oil is leaking in the Gulf of Mexico than at any other time in our history. It means there is more oil than the Exxon Valdez (in Alaska in 1989)."

She said she hoped the latest plan would work but admitted it would be a temporary measure and that a relief well currently being drilled might turn out to be the permanent solution.

Mr Suttles earlier admitted its "top kill" operation to blast waste material and heavy mud into the ruptured well had failed.