Statoil caught in own ‘nightmare’

Norwegian state oil company Statoil, like international companies all over the world, took a calculated risk when it decided to do business far from the stormy but politically stable Norwegian continental shelf. This week, with Statoil deeply involved in a hostage crisis in Algeria, its chief executive Helge Lund has been caught in the company’s own worst nightmare linked to global expansion... 
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Statoil gas plant hit by terrorists

Employees of Norwegian state oil company Statoil and two oil industry partners were the targets Wednesday of an attack on a gas production plant in Algeria, where Statoil is among the operators. Two Norwegian employees at the plant were wounded in the attack and the attackers were still holding hostages late Wednesday afternoon. The In Amenas gas production plant, attacked by terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda... 
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Norwegian companies doing more business in Africa

Investment in Africa by Norwegian companies has increased six-fold during the past 10 years, according to state statistics bureau SSB. It remains small compared to investment on other continents, but business activity has taken off in recent years. Attendance at a recent African-Norwegian business conference in Oslo was high, and newspaper Aftenposten reported that representatives from companies in... 
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Police braced for demonstrations

UPDATED: Police in Oslo took up positions around the US  and French embassies, the French school and the central square, Youngstorget, on Friday as various Muslim organizations protested what they consider to be insulting characterizations of their prophet Mohammed. US officials had warned US citizens to stay away from the area around their embassy on Friday afternoon. The US Embassy was to be under... 
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Muslim groups plan demonstrations

Several demonstrations to protest the controversial film “Innocence of Muslims” were being planned in Oslo this week, with one of them due to take place in front of the US Embassy on Friday. Oslo police said they intended to approve the application for the embassy demonstration, but would also be on hand themselves. The film, made by a California-based man now under arrest, has offended... 
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Afghan president drops Oslo visit

The president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, has postponed his planned visit to Norway on Friday following this week’s attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The attack killed the US ambassador to Libya and several American diplomats. Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (left) with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at a NATO meeting in Chicago last spring. In the background, Norwegian... 
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Statoil pursues life after Shtokman

Norwegian oil firm Statoil is pursuing its many investment opportunities after handing back a 24 percent stake in Russia’s giant Shtokman gas field and writing down around NOK 2 billion (USD 338m) from the project. But talks continue, along with debate over whether Statoil will pull out for good. Statoil CEO Helge Lund (second from left) signed the Shtokman deal in 2007. Five years later, he's... 
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Investigation confirms ‘unacceptable’ payments at Yara

Norwegian industrial firm Yara, which has been under both internal and criminal investigation for suspected bribery the past year, has been found to have made “unacceptable” payments in both India and Libya by the external lawyer hired to probe corruption suspicions by Yara itself.  Most of the alleged bribery at Yara, best known for its fertilizer products, occurred under previous management. The... 
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Former Yara CEO also faces charges

UPDATED: The former chief executive of industrial concern Yara has also been charged in an expanding corruption case against the state-controlled company. Thorleif Enger was arrested along with two other top Yara executives, who since have been demoted while an investigation continues into their role in bribery charges. All three men were released by police after questioning, but continue to face personal... 
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Norway may compensate civilian casualties in Libya

Norwegian fighter jets were among the most active during last year’s NATO strike on Libya, and NATO is under rising pressure to recognize and offer compensation for civilian casualties. Norway may go along with any demands posed by Libyan authorities. Norway's F16 fighter jets were active over Libya last year. PHOTO: Forsvaret/Lars Magne Hovtun “There’s no obligation to pay compensation... 
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Combined ‘holiday’ stirs more critics

The Akershus Fortress and Castle in Oslo was once again the focal point for Norway’s observance on Tuesday of its newly combined Liberation Day and Veterans’ Day holiday on May 8th. Canons roared and flags flew, but May 8th still isn’t a legal day off from school or work, and rumbling continued among those who think politicians are grabbing the glory instead the veterans themselves. The... 
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Terror trial resumes with shorter days in court, to relieve mental stress

The trial of Norway’s home-grown terrorist resumed on Thursday after a five-day break, and shorter days in court are now part of the plan for proceedings. As testimony turns to the autopsy reports of 69 more victims, attorneys agreed that shorter days were necessary in order to relieve the mental stress of the subject matter involved. “There’s a mental limit to how many victims we... 
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Hercules plane missing, five on board

Five experienced Norwegian Air Force officers remained missing Friday after a Hercules military transport plane disappeared Thursday afternoon while participating in the international military exercises called “Cold Response” in northern Norway and Sweden. Massive search efforts involving helicopters and 23 snowmobiles was underway. Norway's Hercules aircraft were used in last year's... 
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British royals bound for Scandinavia

Norway will be among the stops when Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, head off on royal tour of Scandinavia next month. The tour is part of a string of official visits tied to overseas celebrations of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, won't have time for skiing while in Norway next month, but at least posed in classic attire... 
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Probe demanded of Libya bombings

Jan Egeland, the former Norwegian diplomat who now heads Human Rights Watch in Europe, is calling for an investigation into Norway’s and NATO’s bombing of Libya last year. Egeland fears the bombing killed too many of the civilians that the UN-backed mission was supposed to protect. Norwegian fighter jets were active over Libya last year, and a top human rights official wants civilian casualties... 
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