Royal Dutch Shell should be slapped with a $5 billion fine for damages caused by an oil spill, Nigerian regulators told parliament. The oil spill, which occurred at the offshore Bonga field, is one of the worst in the history of Africa’s greatest energy industry.
Shell said on Tuesday there was no legal basis for the proposed fine.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) told a parliamentary committee on Monday that although last year’s spill, estimated at around 40,000 barrels, was contained offshore, there was a serious environmental threat.
NOSDRA said the spill was caused by a failure in Shell’s oil export hose.
“Direct social impact”
“The spilled barrels impacted approximately 950 square kilometres of water surface, affected a great number of sensitive environmental resources,” the NOSDRA presentation to the environment committee of the national assembly said.
“It has a direct social impact on the livelihood of people in the riverine areas whose primary occupation is fishing.”
Shell said last December’s spill happened while a tanker was loading oil, leading to the complete shutdown of the company’s 200,000 barrel per day (bpd) Bonga facility, about 120 kilometres off the coast of the West African nation.
“We do not believe there is any basis in law for such a fine. Neither do we believe that SNEPCo [Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Co] has committed any infraction of Nigerian law to warrant such a fine,” Shell said on Tuesday.
“SNEPCo responded to this incident with professionalism and acted with the consent of the necessary authorities at all times to prevent environmental impact as a result of the incident.”
Oil spills common
Bonga accounts for around 10 percent of monthly oil flows from OPEC member Nigeria, the continent’s largest exporter of crude oil. Production restarted in January.
Oil spills are common in the mangrove creeks onshore Nigeria. Many are caused by sabotage strikes or oil thieves tapping into easily accessible pipelines. Several communities have taken Shell to court over a failure to clean up spills.
A United National Environment Programme report last year said Shell was not doing enough to clean up spills and maintenance of infrastructure was inadequate.
ATHENS, Greece Migrants — Immigrants living in Greece have been targeted in at least 300 violent attacks in the last three months, local anti-racism campaigners said Thursday, calling for better police protection against a surge in hate crimes.
Greece, which is suffering a fifth year of recession, is the European Union’s busiest transit point for illegal immigration. In Athens, many immigrants live crammed in small apartments in squalid conditions in central neighborhoods that have seen a sharp rise in crime since the financial crisis began in late 2009.
Activists have linked the surge in attacks against immigrants to the political rise of the far-right Golden Dawn party, which uses aggressive rhetoric against immigrants and has been described by political opponents as neo-Nazi. Golden Dawn members are accused of being behind several of the attacks, though the party denies any role.
The anti-racism campaigners said five Indian and Pakistani immigrants were injured Tuesday when they were attacked by some 20 masked men in their homes in Menidi, 10 kilometers (six miles) north of Athens. One alleged victim, Indian immigrant Vije Kumar, had extensive cuts and bruises and said he was beaten with clubs and metal bars.
“It was 10 o’clock at night and I was sitting outside eating because it was really hot … Suddenly about 20 men appeared, maybe more. They were all wearing hoods. They started hitting us,” Kumar, a 40-year-old frame maker who has lived in Greece for 12 years, told the Associated Press.
“We didn’t realize what was happening in the beginning. They really beat us badly. It was like they were trying to kill us.”
Javied Aslam, who heads a Pakistani immigrant group in Greece, said the attackers forced their way into seven homes, assaulting occupants and smashing property.
“These are fascist gangs and someone has to stop them,” Aslam said. “They smashed everything – TV sets, refrigerators, doors and windows. Four of the homes were inhabited by Pakistanis and the other three by Indians.”
In a report issued last week, U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said it had documented recent gang attacks on dozens of immigrants living in Greece, including children and pregnant women, and also warned of a surge in xenophobic violence.
Greek police do not keep statistics on racially-motivated crimes, arguing that the motive for violent offenses is often unclear.
Aslam, whose organization is part of the Athens-based Campaign Against Racism, said anti-immigrant violence had surged before general elections were held on May 6 and June 17. The votes eventually led to the election of 18 members of parliament from Golden Dawn.
Since early April, and during the time the election campaigns were in full swing, Aslam said his and other groups had received 300 reports of assaults on immigrants.
“The number is probably higher,” he said, alleging that attackers often said they were from Golden Dawn.
While denying any role in such attacks, the party has argued that the violence is far less significant than a surge in crime caused by illegal immigrants.
The Campaign Against Racism’s Petros Constantinou said the new government should give priority to stopping violent street gangs who pick their targets by skin color. He also accused the police of often turning a blind eye to crimes against immigrants – an accusation the police have denied in the past.
New World Nigeria at Nigeria House kicks off with 30 Nigeria House project in collaboration with Theatre Royal Stratford East, and a series of public concerts featuring top Nigerian performers
Theatre Royal Stratford East in collaboration with New World Nigeria are delighted to announce the 30 artists selected to take part in 30 Nigeria House, a search for original creative work from young artists of Nigerian heritage. The project is part of the London 2012 Festival, the spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration running from 21 June until 9 September 2012 bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK.
Some of Nigeria’s most acclaimed musicians will be performing as Nigeria House opens this weekend including King Sunny Ade, Seun Kuti, Asa, Wande Cole, Tiwa Savage and Choc Boiz. The opening concert on Saturday 21 July features Wizboyy, Waje and Tuface.
This groundbreaking and exciting new project is one of the outcomes of Nigeria’s Hospitality House (Nigeria House) hosted by Theatre Royal Stratford East, during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Nigeria House is the platform for a sport and cultural exchange, an integral part of the New World Nigeria outreach programme, which aims to promote Nigerian investment, business and cultural dialogue with international counterparts. Key performances across a range of musical artists, theatrical plays, poetry and cultural development programmes are being showcased. For more information visit www.nigeriahouse2012.com.
30 Nigeria House is a legacy project and the 30 artists have been awarded up to £3,000 to develop their work, providing significant investment in emerging talents.
The winners reflect an eclectic mix of emerging and established artists including Holby City and Rev (BBC) television star Jimmy Akingbola; Nkechi Anenyeonu, a 35 year old dancer who has worked with Hugh Masakela and Femi Kuti (Son of the legendary Fela); O-T and Oladapo Fagbenle – two brothers known for directing music videos, acting and writing in the UK, Nigeria and the USA. . O-T is best known for starring in the BBC’s Material Girl and their family also includes a sister who is currently making a bid to represent the UK in basketball during London 2012; Martina Isibor who recently starred in the West End hit Thriller; Chioma Onyenwe is one to watch as an emerging film maker; Soji Ogunnaike, who has edited and technically directed several reality television shows in Nigeria including Big Brother and last year won Best Landscape Picture at the Nigeria Photography Awards. And Lizzy Dijeh, a former member of the Royal Court Youth Writer’s Programme, her play High Life debuted at Hampstead Theatre.
In the final selection there are 23 applicants from the UK and 7 from Nigeria with an age range of 18-35 and include: Africa Ukoh, Andy Amadi, Ann Akin, Annabel Sowemimo, Christina Adeola Oshunniyi, Damilola Fashola, Debo Amon, Elizabeth Adeola Ayoola, Femi Amogunla, Ijeoma Grace Agu, Irenosen Okajie, Jacklyn Adeniji-Williams, Joy Gharoro-Akpojutor, Nikky Norton, Nwando Ebizie, Ola Masha, Olorufemi Fagunwa, Olu Yomi Ososany, Stella Odunlami, Tosin Otudeko and Ubong Anyang. All the award-winning entries can be seen at www.stratfordeast.com/30-nigeria-house and a full souvenir programme will be available.
Artistic Director Kerry Michael says: ‘we have been excited by the incredibly high standard of talent we received from emerging artists across the UK and Nigeria and we are committed to supporting these artists in the long-term development of their work.’
The prestigious judges who were part of the selection process comprised Femi Elufowojo Jnr, Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts and founder of Tiata Fahodzi;Ifeoma Fafunwa, a highly-respected theatre director in the US and Nigeria (Engagement, Not My Affair and Vagina Monologues) and active in the developing young Nigerian female writers; Nike Jonah, Project Manager at Arts Council England for decibel, named as one of the top 50 female leaders by the Cultural Leadership Programme; Olu Jacobs, an acclaimed actor, writer, director and producer and an alumnus of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Tokunbo Chiedu, CEO of Compass Consulting, an organisation specialising in developing and managing public-private sector partnerships; Tosan Edremoda-Ugbeye an actress whose credits include Wetin Dey and Story Story for the BBC;and Award winning director, Kerry Michael, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East who created this initiative.
The judges looked across various art forms including theatre, dance, film animation, poetry, spoken word and music and focused on new, emerging and existing artists and their work.
This ground-breaking and exciting new project is one of the outcomes of Theatre Royal Stratford East hosting Nigeria’s Hospitality House (Nigeria House) during the London 2012 Olympic Games.30 Nigeria House also reflects Nigeria’s recognition of its talented people and aspirations to develop the Creative Industries in Nigeria, which are strongly emerging sectors. The Federal Government of Nigeria therefore, through one of its key development agencies, has developed an artistic collaboration with Theatre Royal Stratford East.
This new project aims to assist 30 artists in developing a new piece of work through an award of £3,000 each; an example of continued commitment to new writing and new artists by Theatre Royal Stratford East and Nigeria. The 30 artists will attend the launch of the Nigeria Hospitality House (Nigeria House) for the London 2012 Olympic Games and 8 of these artists will participate in an event to share their work as part of Nigeria House, which is located at the theatre in August.
Mr Waheed Olagunju, spokesman for New World Nigeria, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Theatre Royal Stratford East to realise our vision of bringing Nigerian culture to the world. Nigeria has a proud cultural history and we are thrilled to have found the next generation’s most promising artists.’
A Dutch specialist is calling for the introduction in the Netherlands of a pill that can dramatically lower the risk of infection with the HIV virus.
According to Michiel van Agtmael, a consultant in infectious diseases at Amsterdam’s VU hospital, the drug Truvada, is “a breakthrough in the fight against HIV”. The medicine is already available in the United States and can cut the risk of infection by up to 73 percent.
Van Agtmael believes the anti-HIV pill should be made available to high-risk groups such as prostitutes and HIV-negative gay men whose partners are infected with the virus. However, he warns that users of the drug need to be carefully monitored for side effects. Longterm use of Truvada can damage the kidneys and bone structure.
Speaking to the Dutch daily free newspaper Metro, Van Agtmael also warned of the danger that, “people could have a false sense of security. Just because the danger of infection is halved doesn’t mean you can make love without a condom.”
Another disadvantage is the price: Truvada costs around 20 euros per pill.
Take a look at these beautiful floral print styles. You’ll surely love them as all kinds of prints are in vogue at the moment. Whether it’s ankara African print, floral prints and other types of colourful ones, the print is enjoying a great love at the moment.
Take advantage of it and get some inspiration for a style that will look good on you and fits your own personal style. Whether you’ll looking to buy some floral prints styles by top designers, on the high street, or let your tailor make it for you – these styles will give you some great ideas.
The pieces in this post are the autumn/winter collection from from Giles.
Morgan Freeman, the Oscar-winning star, says black British actors often have to leave the country in order to find work.
Britain is often said to be a more racially harmonious country than America, but Morgan Freeman claims that black actors are denied chances in this country.
“I know at least three actors who left Britain for the States because opportunities for them here in the UK were limited,” the American actor tells Mandrake at the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises at the BFI Imax in London.
“The British film industry definitely has more work to do on that front. It needs to catch up with the times; it has much more progress to make.”
The Oscar-winning actor, whose roles have included American presidents and Nelson Mandela in Invictus, adds: “I think Hollywood is pulling it off quite well for young black actors. There’s a lot of opportunities over in the US.”
Freeman’s comments echo complaints by black British actors, including David Harewood, who starred in the hit American drama seriesHomeland. In February, Harewood said he was forced to go to America to win a starring role. “Unfortunately, there really aren’t that many roles for authoritative, strong, black characters in this country,” he said.
Patrick Robinson, who has appeared in television series such asCasualty, claimed that he was ostracised by one of the BBC’s executives for almost a decade after he spoke out about the lack of opportunities for black actors.
“Ask any lay person to name five British black actors and they wouldn’t be able to,” he said. “Idris Elba had to go to America to make it in The Wire before they asked him back here.
“There are some white actors who hardly ever seem to be out of work. Look at the guys from Life On Mars and Mad Dogs, like Philip Glenister, Marc Warren and John Simm – they never stop. But we just don’t get those chances.”
Rocking a new hair style of golden-brown braids and a colorful, graphic-print romper, Queen Beyonce cradled her bundle of joy, Baby Blue Ivy as she scanned the high-budget fashions on Wednesday afternoon.
The celebrity who known from shielding her daughter from the flashing cameras of paparazzis was captured with an uncovered baby Blue Ivy Carter. A customer was able to to a close face snap of baby Blue.
Another excited fan confirmed the in-store sighting, tweeting, “It’s cool. Just shopping next to Beyonce at Bergdorf, baby on her hip. No entourage. She winked at me, no s**t.”
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Hello, ladies, do you want to learn some tricks on how to look gorgeous and flawless this summer? Today, we present you with Bobbi Brown’s 10 steps of pretty powerful makeup lesson, from cleansing and moisturising through to foundation application, Blush, Eyeliner and much more. This video lesson will teach you some special makeup application tips and tricks that will enable you to have a better, natural and elegant look. You really don’t have to be a makeup artist to get that professional look.
Iroko Partners, an online distributor of African movies and music, has raised another $2 million in its latest round of funding from a Swedish venture capital group as it seeks to take the service to cable and satellite TV partners in the U.S. and Europe.
The Lagos, Nigeria-based company raised the funds from Sweden’s Kinnevik, an early investor in Groupon Inc. Iroko previously raised $8 million from U.S.-based hedge fund Tiger Global in April as investors in emerging markets seek to tap into one of the fastest growing movie businesses in the world.
Kinnevik investments head, Henrik Persson, said his firm, which has invested in African telecoms, sees tremendous opportunity in African media and online services. “It has very low penetration and we see a really strong growth trend. He added: “A part of our investment philosophy is that we think that the perceived risk is higher than the real risk in this market..what people see as a lack of opportunity is a lack of supply.”
Iroko has focused on forming partnerships with most of Nigeria’s leading filmmakers for distribution on its own platform as well as with major partners like Google Inc’s YouTube.
Though the majority of Iroko’s operations are based in Lagos, it also has set up offices in London and New York.
Founder Jason Njoku said the majority of the company’s revenues come from users across the African Diaspora in the United States, Britain and Canada and other countries outside the continent.
The Nigerian movie industry is now widely acknowledged as the third largest after Hollywood and India’s Bollywood in terms of the number of movies produced.
While so-called Nollywood movies are typically distributed within Nigeria and around the world on DVD or Video-CD discs, Njoku spotted a gap in the market to digitize the movies for online distribution. Most of the Web viewers have been in developed countries with fast-enough Internet traffic speeds to enable video streaming.
The company’s revenues are predominantly generated through advertising around the movies. But in July it launched a monthly subscription with the promise of earlier windows for fans to catch new films without advertising.
Since launching two weeks ago the subscription service Iroko TV has signed up just under 5,000 paying subscribers according to Njoku. It already had 560,000 registered users since the Iroko TV service launched in January.
“Our users have such an intense relationship with the content, they spend hours watching.”
Njoku said the new funding will focus primarily on helping expand operations outside Nigeria. He said the next stage for the company is to find ways of licensing its partners’ content to cable, satellite TV companies and international airlines.
“The Internet is one of the most poorly monetized platforms for content,” said Njoku. “Since we’re platform-agnostic it would be mad for us not to try and form relationships with TV.”
Iroko sees itself as a global business with pan-African roots so it is also looking to license more movies and other content from around Africa from countries like Ghana and Kenya among others.
Girl brain power: It’s official – multi-tasking women are more clever than mesmerised men. Women have overtaken men in IQ Test scores for the first time in a century after scoring as much as five points lower than men for the past 100 years.
The findings represent a dramatic twist in the battle of the sexes, as in the past 100 years of IQ testing, women have lagged behind men by as much as five points.
But now the gap has closed and females have stolen the lead.
The results have been published by James Flynn, a world-renowned expert in IQ testing, who believes the demands of the modern age are raising standards of intelligence.
He said: “In the last 100 years the IQ scores of both men and women have risen, but women’s have risen faster.
“This is a consequence of modernity. The complexity of the modern world is making our brains adapt and raising our IQ.”
One theory for the result is that the demands of juggling family life and building a career have made women more intelligent.
Another theory is those women have always had the potential for higher results, but are only now realising it.
Flynn, who will publish the findings in a new book, added: “The brains of modern people are growing differently and showing increased cognitive complexity which we measure as increases in IQ.
“This improvement is more marked for women than for men because they were disadvantaged in the past.”
But he said more data was needed to explain the trend.
Supporting the notion that women are more than capable of taking on the stereotypically-male hunter-gatherer role, is Helena Jamieson, 33, a consultant who studied English literature at Cambridge.
On her marriage to stay-at home father Luke, 37, she said: “We have done the role reversal. I’m definitely the more intellectual person in the relationship and I’m at work full time while he is raising our daughter.
“I think women probably always knew deep down that they were the more intelligent ones – but as the gentler sex we were quiet about it and let men continue to believe they ruled the world.”
