The discovery of a mutation of the pandemic H1N1 virus in Norway and some other countries is being assessed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its significance to public health significance.

WHO was informed by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health of the H1N1 virus mutation detected in two patients, one of who died, while the other is severely ill.

According to the UN agency, apart from Norway, countries like Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Ukraine and the United States also detected the mutation sometime in early April.

Norwegians researchers report, heart patients in their country who take folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements are more likely to die from cancer, as compared to those who do not, since foods in Norway unlike in many countries are not enriched with folic acid.

Their findings reveal, lung cancer rates were 25% higher amongst those taking supplements in comparison with the general population. Overall, deaths due to cancer, including from other causes were also higher in the supplement group.

Norwegian telecommunications group Telenor reported Thursday that its second quarter net profit halved from last year's levels, as it said the global financial downturn continued to impact business.

Net profit was 1.37 billion kroner (217 million dollars), compared to 3.5 billion kroner in the corresponding business period 2008.

Analyzing data from a Norwegian case-control (955 controls) study on 954-subjects with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), all current or ex-smokers, researchers reveal women are more susceptible to the lung damaging effects of smoking than men.

A federal report released Wednesday reports, the number of babies being born out of wedlock has risen sharply in the United States, driven primarily by significant jumps in the number of women in their 20s and 30s having children without getting married.

Norwegian telecommunications group Telenor first quarter earnings were "stable" year-on-year, the group said Tuesday, adding it was preparing to adjust to the global financial downturn.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were 9.26 billion kroner (1.41 billion dollars) including the Ukraine-based Kyivstar, compared to
9.23 billion kroner in the corresponding business period 2008.

Sales in the quarter were 27.1 billion kroner, compared to 26.29 billion kroner in first quarter 2008.

The United Nations special envoy to Afghanistan aired disappointment Thursday over the European Union's efforts to train more police officers in Afghanistan and improve Afghanistan's justice system.

"I had hoped the EU would have been more active at an earlier stage," UN envoy Kai Eide said in an interview Thursday with Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

"A year ago they said they would raise the number of police trainers from 200 to 400, but I believe they still have not reached 200," Eide added.

Norwegian energy giant Statoil Hydro's fourth-quarter net income has dropped 67 per cent on the previous year, the group said Tuesday, citing a drop in oil prices.

The stronger US dollar rate also impacted earnings, the state-controlled group said, reporting net income for the quarter of 2.0 billion kroner (291 million dollars) compared to 6.2 billion kroner for the corresponding quarter 2007.

Net operating income increased 22 per cent to 37.8 billion kroner, while turnover was up 3 per cent to 150 billion kroner.