The plants also must improve protection of safety equipment installed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and make sure they can handle damage to multiple reactors at the same time.

NPR: Nuclear Chief: US Plants Safer After Japan Crisis

In a key 2009 ruling, a district court in the Netherlands declared itself "competent" to handle claims for alleged damage caused by the oil company's activities in the Niger Delta, contrary to Shell's argument that the court did not have the jurisdiction to rule on its Nigerian subsidiary.

BBC: Shell in Nigeria: Dutch court to rule in pollution case

Rolled out in the late 1990s, many of these original satellites have suffered suspected radiation damage to their S-band transmitter equipment, which has limited their ability to handle two-way communications.

BBC: Soyuz back in service after failed launch

That hasn't stopped the league from charging into full damage control mode, with Commissioner David Stern muzzling team owners while he and his deputies handle public relations.

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