Port Harcourt, Nigeria
A Nigerian court has ordered Shell Oil to pay $1.5 billion to the Ijaw tribe, in compensation for pollution on their land. The Ijaw have long contended that runoff from oil drilling has contaminated water supplies in Niger Delta villages and ruined the local fishing industry. The Nigerian Parliament demanded the payment last year, but Shell refused and Ijaw militants launched attacks on Shell facilities and kidnapped Shell workers. The company said it is not responsible for the pollution and has already spent tens of millions on community projects in the region. It plans to appeal the fine.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
June 28 editorial cartoonsCartoons Saturday's political cartoons include stupid wars, a critical media, and mask standards
-
Thai fish pie with crispy turmeric potatoes recipeThe Week Recommends Tasty twist on the Lancashire hot pot is given a golden glow
-
Palestine Action: protesters or terrorists?Talking Point Damaging RAF equipment at Brize Norton blurs line between activism and sabotage, but proscription is a drastic step
