DNO International ASA: DNO International reports a working interest production of 23,478 bopd in June 2010

DNO’s working interest production increased from 11,431 bopd in May to 23,477 bopd in
June. On a quarterly basis, the working interest production increased from 12,442 bopd
in the first quarter to 15,748 in the second quarter.

The strong increase in June was related to short term sales arrangements for crude oil
deliveries to the local market in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (Kurdistan).

“The Company expects to maintain the June level of crude oil deliveries in Kurdistan
also for July, but the August production is likely to be lower due to Ramadan. As the
current production volumes in Kurdistan are based on short term delivery arrangements,
the local sales in Kurdistan may continue to show significant fluctuations going
forward”, says Helge Eide, Managing Director of DNO International ASA.

Complete production report is attached.

Oslo, 27 July 2010

DNO International ASA

Corporate Communications

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to ยง5-12 vphl (Norwegian
Securities Trading Act)

HUG#1434117

DNO International ASA – Production Report for June 2010

http://hugin.info/36/R/1434117/379789.pdf

NATO troops to launch offensive in Kandahar in June

London, Mar.30 (ANI): The NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan will launch a long-planned offensive in the southern city of Kandahar in June, military officials have said.

The Telegraph quoted a US military source as saying the goal was to rid the city of Taliban forces before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in August.

US troops are already leading a massive operation in Marjah, in the neighbouring province of Helmand.

Extra troops ordered by US President Barack Obama have begun arriving.

Some 6,000 of the 30,000 additional forces assigned to Afghanistan in December have already arrived, with the rest expected in the coming months.

The officials – who spoke on condition of anonymity – said some 10,000 troops would be involved in the main thrust of the operation.

They said US troops were already working on securing transit routes and persuading leaders of districts surrounding Kandahar to co-operate with coalition forces. (ANI)

Shia Muslims to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday

Lucknow, Sept 20 (ANI): A senior official of Shia Muslim community has said that Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated on Monday.

Kalbe Sadiq, Shia cleric and senior vice president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said here that the Ramadan moon would be sighted on Sunday.

“I can say without any doubt that in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and in India, the moon will be sighted on Sunday. Sunni, Shia and all other sects of Islam will celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday,” Sadiq said.

However, Sunni Muslims disagreed, saying they would wait for the sighting of moon before declaring Eid.

“If the moon is sighted on September 20, or if the sighting in reported form anywhere, then Eid will be celebrated on the 21st. And if it is not sighted on the 20th and there are no reports either, in that case it will be celebrated on the 22nd,” said Maulana Khalid Rasheed, head of Lucknow’s Firangi Mahal.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a daylong fast and open it in the evening.

At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called Eid-ul-Fitr.

Eid-ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month, which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy. (ANI)

Manmohan Singh hosts Iftar party

New Delhi, Sep 19 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted an Iftar party here on Friday.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, several foreign dignitaries and many political leaders were among those who attended the party.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, Shahid Malik, and several prominent Muslim religious leaders were also among the invitees.

During the holy month of Ramadan Muslims observe a daylong fast without water and open it in the evening.

The month-long dawn-to- dusk fast started on August 22, after the sighting of the new moon. (ANI)

Muslims in Lucknow offer ‘Alvida Namaz’ before Eid

Lucknow, Sep 18(ANI): Muslims gathered in huge numbers at several mosques of Lucknow on Friday to offer the ‘Alvida Namaz’ marking the last Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan.

“We prayed to the Lord to raise the financial status of Muslims and also eradicate all their problems. In India, Hindu and Muslims have been living together for several centuries and we want them to be like this in future,” said Moulvi Faizul Rehman, an Islamic cleric at a mosque in Lucknow.

Highlighting the significance of the ‘Alvida Namaz’, Mohammad Sayeed, a Namazi said that it is the reason why thousands of Muslim from across the city gather to offer prayers.

“During Ramadan if we participate in the ‘Alvida Namaz’ and offer our prayers, then we get a reward for it and it will usher prosperity to us,” Sayeed said.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijri lunar calendar, commemorates the revelation of Quran, Islam’s holy book, and has traditionally been a time of religious fervour, settling old disputes and behaving charitably towards neighbours.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Considered auspicious for prayers, Muslims observe the month-long fasting named ‘Roza’.

They believe this secures them a place in heaven and also brings them face to face with Allah, the Almighty, on the day of ‘Kayamat’.

The end of Ramadan heralds the festival of Eid-ul-fitr. (ANI)

Country’s largest Ramadan congregation held in Kerala

Malappuram (Kerala), Sep 17(ANI): Around six people from across the country attended the country’s largest Ramadan prayers congregation at Swalatha Nagar in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Thursday morning.

The Lailat Al Qadr (the Night of Power), which is held at the Ma’din campus on the 27th night of the holy month of Ramadan, is thought to be largest congregation outside Mecca and Medina.

This annual conclave has attracted attention from believers across the country and from abroad as well and the discipline with which people arrange themselves for prayers is another amazing aspect of the event.

The prayers, which started on Wednesday evening, lasted till 3 am on Thursday and many Muslim dignitaries gave special speech to the gathered congregation.

“Most of our sayings believe that on the 27th Lord Almighty gives blessings. So, we congregate here to take the blessings on this date. When you have one prayer it has only one value. When you pray in a congregation, then it is accumulated, it is accumulative and it is proponent and in large you get pure bonding. The whole night we pray and this is why we congregate here,” said Hajee K.M Mustafa Kamal, Programme convenor of Swalatha prayer conference.

“This started in a very small way and this itself shows that Allah has given so much of success to this. When every other movement has failed over the years but every year this congregation grows and today this year this has become the largest Muslim congregation after Mecca and Medina,” Mustafa Kamal added.

Apart from the main venue, people were accommodated in 10 other grounds, which were spread across 10 km on either sides of the NH-213. Of these, 5 were specially designed and prepared for women. (ANI)

Fish sales shoot up during Ramadan in Kashmir

Srinagar, Sept 16 (ANI): Sale of trout fish in Kashmir has been witnessing an upward trend, as Muslims prefer nutritious alterative to meat varieties during the holy month of Ramadan.

Normally people eat trout fish during whole year at different occasions. But in the month of Ramadan demand for trout fish automatically increases because of its health benefits.

Long queues of customers were seen outside the sales counter in Srinagar to take home their share.

“During Ramzan, people like to eat good food. Before Ramzan, the shop is open once a week but during Ramzan it opens twice a week. It has become preferred food,” said Kaiser Ahmad, a customer.

“I think trout fish is the best food available of all the food options available to us and that is why so many are buying it. There are no scales also. It has protein and vitamins,” said Mohammed Ashraf, another customer.

The state fisheries department is providing two kilograms per head at the rate of 150 rupees per kg.

“We have to order fish again later in the day as stock lasts only few hours. We try to supply fresh fish to our customers,” said Mohammed Hussain Wani, fisheries marketing officer.

Trout is a delicious and a very energetic food. It has a number of vitamins and doctors also advise people to use trout fish in large quantities in place of meat. By Afzal Butt(ANI)

Hurriyat leader Geelani placed under house arrest

Srinagar, Sep.11 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday placed leader of the hardline faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) under house arrest as a preventive measure.

The arrest was ordered to prevent protests against Indian rule during Friday prayers.

Geelani’s close aide Aiyaz Akbar told reporters here that the former had been told not to break through his security cordon.

The ailing Geelani, 79, was earlier set free by police on Wednesday after serving a three-month jail sentence for organising protests against the Shopian double rape and murder case.

The latest detention came hours after he led scores of Kashmiris in an anti-India demonstration in Srinagar.

Police and federal paramilitaries were monitoring Friday prayers during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

He had addressed a press conference at his residence Thursday afternoon and later led scores of his supporters who shouted anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. (ANI)

Ramadan sale cheers up Kashmir traders

Srinagar, Sep 10 (ANI): The sale of Islamic items such as rosaries, holy books, frankincense, kohl, skull cap and calligraphy has seen a sharp increase during the ongoing fasting month of Ramadan in Srinagar.

Shopkeepers are cashing in on the increased demand. Their sale has almost doubled as compared with normal days. They expect the business to rise even further by the end of the month.

“Calligraphy paintings are sold here throughout the year but the demand for them increases sharply during Ramadan. Skull caps, rosary, frankincense are also in big demand. The sale during Ramadan increases by 50 per cent as compared with normal days. If we normally sell things for Rupees 1,000 then during Ramadan the sale goes up to 15,000. The sale will be brisk towards the end of the month,” says Reyaz Ahmad, a seller.

“During the month of Ramadan our attention is diverted to such things, for example, you can see a cap on my head. The demand for caps, ‘miswak’ sticks (to clean teeth), kohl, frankincense, rosary and Islamic books goes high,” says Niyaz Allahi, a customer.

During Ramadan, Muslims try to abstain from carnal pleasures and addictions.

Muslims get up before dawn to eat Sahur (an early meal), and then stop eating and drinking known as Roza (fasting) until called for the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib, at sunset time. (ANI)

Fasting Muslims count on rosary meter

Varanasi, Sep 9 (ANI): Fasting during Ramadan, the devout Muslims have got Japanese digitised rosary meters to help them keep a count of Allah they chant during the fast in India’s northern Varanasi.

The gadget is the latest attraction among an assortment of things, which are being sold during the ongoing fasting month.

The hand-held tiny rosary meter is becoming popular among Muslims who pray and chant the name of Allah as it would help them remember the number they have counted.

“Earlier we used to use a rosary made of 100 plastic beads for chanting the name of Allah. If we would talk to someone while chanting, we would get confused and forget the last number we counted. But this rosary meter shows the last number we stopped at to talk to someone while chanting…So we would know which number to restart the chanting from,” said Mohammed Wasim, a shopkeeper.

Theses handy meters, available at Rs 250 each.

“This rosary meter is good. I had bought about three of them. When people saw these rosary meters they asked me to buy for them as well. So I have come here to buy these high-tech rosaries for them,” said Mohammed Israel, another shopkeeper.

The rosary machine is very light and comes with a digital meter. The faithful can chant the name of Allah 10,000,00 times without making an error in the number of counting. They can stop in between to do other chores and then pick up from the number they had left at. (ANI)

Sale of miniature Quran books up in Varanasi during Ramadan

Varanasi, Sep. 6 (ANI): The copies of a one-inch miniature Quran are selling like hot cakes in Varanasi during the holy month of Ramadan.

The miniature of the Quran, available in different colour covers, are being curiously lapped up by the customers.

They are in big demand not only in India but also overseas.

“The Holy Quran sells in a big way at our shop during Ramadan. This time one inch-Quran is in big demand. This is the Quran… It is exported to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. People wear it around their necks like lockets,” says Ramjan Ali, a shopkeeper.

People say these miniature copies have the same virtue and value of the Quran. Apart from its unique size, people say the miniature copies can be handy while traveling and have the same healing power and spiritual power of the Quran.

“If we are travelling and we don’t have the Quran then we can take the small one with us. If we get scared of any thing then the Quran protects us,” said Taqir Hussain, a buyer.

The scriptures written on the miniature book are hardly legible, but the book does make a nice souvenir to present and for the ‘faithful’ it acts a protective cover during a crisis. (ANI)

Malaysian Home Minister clears sentence of whip-for-beer-drinking model

Kuala Lumpur, Sep. 6 (ANI): Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has “cleared” the Prisons Department to cane part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, who is being sentenced for drinking beer.

Last week, department director-general Zulkifli Omar and a woman officer came to Home Minister’s office to demonstrate the caning sentence.

“She tapped the back of a chair with the cane. There was little force involved and it was not going to inflict pain, not even like the caning carried out in schools in those days.

“I am now satisfied that the caning can be carried out by the department if the court decides to proceed and enforce the sentence,” the Star Online quoted him, as saying.

Hishammuddin said that although he was now satisfied that the department was able to conduct the caning, he still felt it had no experience to do so.

“This is because the woman (Kartika) will be the first to be caned. Four men who have received caning sentences by the Syariah Court are appealing their sentences,” he said.

“That is not their purview. It is the judicial process which decides that. If the caning sentence is to be imposed, it is their duty to carry it out fairly,” he added.

Kartika, a 32-year-old mother-of-two, was fined 5,000 ringgits and ordered to be whipped six times for drinking beer in a hotel in Cherating last year.

Her sentence has been deferred until after Ramadan.

Several parties, such as the Bar Council, have called for the sentence to be annulled.

Kartika’s father, Shukarno Mutalib, when contacted, said the family was happy to hear that the department was able to handle the caning.

“Alhamdullillah. Kartika wants it over and done with,” he said. (ANI)

‘Foreigners only’ French restaurant draws flak in Islamabad

London, Sep.5 (ANI): A French restaurant in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has drawn severe flak after it put up a notice saying ‘foreigners only’.

Islamabad police said it has also received complaints regarding such notice being put at the front window of the Cordon Rouge restaurant, which is situated close to embassies and government buildings in the city’s heavily guarded diplomatic enclave.

However, the owner of the food joint, Jean-Luc Hue brushed aside the accusations, saying the notice has been ‘misunderstood’.

Hue admitted that he fumbled with the selection of words for the notice.

“This is just a misunderstanding. I only put the sign up for the month of Ramadan,” The BBC quoted Hue, as saying.

“Since it was not worth it for them to come after the fast breaks (at sunset), I decided to put up the sign, but some people didn’t appreciate it,” he added.

Hue also rejected allegations that his restaurant had something of an ‘anti-Pakistani’ entrance policy even before Ramadan.

“Yes, we were very selective with the people entering our place, but you have to be selective in the restaurant business,” he clarified.

He insisted that his policy has nothing to do with race or nationality, his main consideration is the way customers behave.

“We have respectable diplomats who come here and they have to be comfortable. Twice I had to ask some Pakistani young people to leave because they were trying to get a little bit too friendly with the female clientele,” he said.

“I’m a restaurant owner, and I want to have a business.Pakistanis are more than welcome. Why would I refuse Pakistanis when I need them for my business?” Hue stressed. (ANI)

London Mayor blasted for asking Brits to fast like Muslims during Ramadan

London, Sep 5 (ANI): The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has been criticized for asking Brits to fast for a day so they would know what it is like to be a Muslim.

Johnson said people should starve themselves from dawn until dusk during Ramadan and then end their fast during a visit to their local mosque.

Steve Uncles, South East chairman of the English Democrats, blasted Johnson’s comments.

He said: “The indigenous culture of this country is based on Christianity and Paganism. Of course, as an open and tolerant society, if people want to practise other religions then good luck to them. But the state should not be funding them because otherwise we will lose our culture.”

Johnson, 45, was visiting the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre when he made these comments, the Daily Star reported.

“Whether it’s in theatre, comedy, sports, music or politics, Muslims are challenging the traditional stereotypes and showing that they are, and want to be, a part of the mainstream community.

“That’s why I urge people, particularly during Ramadan, to find out more about Islam, increase your understanding and learning, even fast for a day with your Muslim neighbour and break your fast at the local mosque,” Johnson said.

He added: “There are valuable lessons that people of all backgrounds can learn from Islam, such as the importance of community spirit, family ties, compassion and helping those less fortunate, all of which lie at the heart of the teachings of Ramadan.” (ANI)

Sales of dates pick up during Ramadan in Aurangabad

Aurangabad, Sep 4 (ANI): Sales of dates picks up in Aurangabad during the holy month of Ramadan, as Muslims break their ‘Roza’, with this fruit.

Markets are flooded with different varieties of dates, imported from countries like Muscat, Oman, Iran, Iraq.

The prices of dates range from rupees 40 to 1,600 but that does not prevent the people from purchasing the fruit.

“Dates are imported from Iraq, Iran, Oman, Muscat, Dubai and are sold in the market for prices ranging from rupees 40 to 1,600. Dates are very beneficial. They help in increasing the hemoglobin level in the body. During Ramadan, people break Roza by eating dates,” said Rupali Dosi, a Shopkeeper.

Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims must abstain from all eatables including water from dawn to dusk — a discipline believed to better their souls. (ANI)

Kashmiri pickle sells like hot cake during Ramadan

Srinagar, Sep 2 (ANI): Pickle business picks up in Kashmir during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.

The markets in the valley are flooded with fresh fruits as well as dry fruits, dates and pickles during the entire month of the fasting.

Hundreds types of pickles are available in the market and people buy a new variety of pickle everyday.

The chicken pickle sell for Rupees 300 per kilogram, fish pickle for Rupees 250 per kilogram and other varieties of pickle for Rupees 100 per kilogram.

“The demand of the pickles increases manifold because this Kashmiri item is very old and it has been consumed for years and every one in Kashmir likes it,” said Mohammed Yaqoob, a customer. Gulam Qadir Sunoo, a pickle whole seller said that during the month Ramadan their business increased. We have all kinds of pickles with us like the one’s made out of fish, chicken and we have more than 100 kinds of pickles with us.”

Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims must abstain from all eatables including water from dawn to dusk — a discipline believed to better their souls. By Parvez Butt (ANI)

‘Whip-for-drinking-beer’ model’s father hopes she will be spared the cane

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 31 (ANI): The father of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, the former model booked for drinking beer in Malaysia, hopes that his daughter will be spared the cane if her case comes up for review.

Shukarno Mutalib said: “I’m looking forward to hearing good news and I have sought the counsel of Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, who assured me everything would be okay during this holy month.”

Shukarno said he and Kartika would accept any decision made by the authorities.

Kartika, 32, was fined RM5,000 and sentenced to six strokes of the rotan by the Syariah High Court in Kuantan on July 20 after pleading guilty to drinking beer at a hotel in Cherating in 2007.

It is understood that the religious authorities are considering reviewing her case, The NST Online reported.

Shukarno was touched by the support from those who sympathised with Kartika.

“Now that it’s Ramadan, it’s never lonely at home. People come with kind words for Kartika, as her child is also sick. There are those who bring food and come to break fast with us,” Shukarno said.

He also said that the media hype had brought members of many Muslim non-governmental organisations, such as Sisters In Islam, to his doorstep.

“This shows that not all Islam-based NGOs are lobbying for Kartika to be caned. Some want her to undergo religious classes and such as punishment.”

He asked reporters to stop harassing Kartika for comments on the phone or by staking out their family home as she was nursing her second child who was down with pneumonia.

Kartika was to have been detained at the prison last Monday so that the caning could be carried out. But minutes after she was picked up, she was released.

Pahang Religious Affairs Committee chairman Sahfri Abdul Razak said then that the sentence would be carried out after Ramadan. (ANI)

Egyptian traders turn Obama into a date!

London, Aug 22 (ANI): Egyptian grocers have named the finest variety of dates for the month of Ramadan after US President Barack Obama because of his popularity since his visit to the predominately Muslim nation last June.

Egyptian traders have the tradition of naming dates after politicians and celebrities to woo customers during Ramadan when the demand for dried fruits usually surges.

Muslims in the country usually break their dawn-to-dusk fasting with either dried dates or dates soaked in milk, reports The Scotsman.

Egyptians consume an estimated 500,000 tonnes of dates during Ramadan, but traders expect higher consumption this year. (ANI)

Two Pak students held in anti-terror raids fly back home, abandon deportation fight

London, Aug.22 (ANI): Two of the ten Pakistani students who were detained during counter-terrorism raids in Manchester and Liverpool earlier this year have flown back home, discontinuing their fight against deportation.

Abdul Wahab Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27 were among ten Pakistanis who were detained in April on national security grounds after officials claimed that they have foiled a major bombing plot by Al-Qaeda.

Amjad Malik, a solicitor of both the students, said both had decided to return to Pakistan after their bail applications were rejected last week.

Malik lambasted the British officials for the harsh treatment meted out to the students, saying they were treated like murderers or rapists in the Manchester prison.

“They have been in detention for 134 days. They are in category A conditions and are strip-searched. They realized that they were going to remain in custody when they haven’t committed any crime,” Malik said.

“Also, Ramadan is coming nearer and they are not happy with the facilities in place in prison, so they wish to spend their Eid with their families in Pakistan,” The Times quoted Malik, as saying.

All the Pakistani civilians had come to Britain on student visas.

After three weeks of intense interrogation all charges against the students were dropped in May due to lack of evidence.

However, they were kept in high-security prisons under immigration laws, and handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation. (ANI)

Former Malaysian model wants to be whipped in public

Kuala Lumpur, Aug.21 (ANI): Former Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor has expressed a wish to be whipped in public if possible.

Last week, a court had ordered that Shukarnor be whipped six times for consuming alcohol in a bar in defiance of Islamic rules, the Harian Metro reported.

She was quoted as saying that she wanted the punishment to be carried out in public to serve as a lesson to others who consume alcohol.

The 32-year-old said she also wanted her family to be allowed to see the whipping.

“I hope the media will be allowed to cover it as well. I’ve brought shame to my family despite having received religious teachings from my parents since young. I hope the punishment will bring me back to the right path,” she said.

She said she did not regret her decision not to appeal despite her husband’s persuasion, preferring to treat the entire episode as a challenge from God.

She was also quoted as saying she was mentally and physically prepared for the punishment.

However, her husband Muhammad Afandin Amir, 38, is worried for his wife’s health as the punishment would possibly be carried out during the month of Ramadan.

“However, I respect the court’s decision,” he said. (ANI)