UAE
Abu Dhabi seeks bidders for planned Louvre branch
DUBAI | The developer of a branch of the Louvre in Abu Dhabi has begun a search for a contractor to build the museum following a series of delays.
The state-owned Tourism Development and Investment Company placed an ad in local newspapers Sunday seeking bidders to carry out the main construction work on the arm of the French art institution.
The Louvre is the first of several high-profile projects, including a branch of the Guggenheim, planned for the Emirati capital’s multibillion-dollar Saadiyat Island development. Its future was called into question when TDIC scrapped a major construction contract in October.
The company said in January it now aims to open the Louvre branch in 2015, years later than previously planned.
CALIFORNIA
Indictment unsealed in Coliseum contracts probe
LOS ANGELES | A felony indictment unsealed Friday accused former executives and concert promoters of a scheme to embezzle millions of dollars from the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as the once venerable site of Olympics, Super Bowls and political events was reduced to hosting rave concerts.
The 29-count, grand jury indictment released by Los Angeles County prosecutors alleges bribery, embezzlement, conspiracy and conflict of interest. It names two former Coliseum executives, two rave promoters and two other Coliseum contractors.
It claims that millions of dollars were stolen from the operations of the stadium that has been a landmark since the 1920s.
IRAQ
Oil exports, revenues decline in February
BAGHDAD | Iraq’s oil ministry says oil exports in January have declined by nearly 4.5 percent compared with the previous month.
Sunday’s statement said last month’s oil exports averaged 2.0137 million barrels per day, down from an average of 2.107 million barrels per day in January.
The sales grossed $6.595 billion based on an average price of $112.928 per barrel. January’s sales were based on an average price of $109.081 per barrel and yielded $7.061 billion.
The oil was sold to 27 international oil companies.
Iraq relies on oil exports for 95 percent of its revenues, and the uncertainty in the market stemming from the conflict between the West and Iran over its controversial nuclear program has helped support global crude prices.
WASHINGTON
Father upset after dead child’s voice mails erased
SEATTLE | A man in Washington state is blaming T-Mobile for losing voice mails his daughter left him before she died of cancer at the age of 14.
Faron Butler said the voice mails were erased after he joined a new messaging service in February, and he doesn’t believe T-Mobile officials when they say the company can’t retrieve them.
T-Mobile spokeswoman Cara Walker said the company regrets not telling Mr. Butler that the new service would mean the voice mails could be erased. T-Mobile plans to approach the family to discuss compensation.
Mr. Butler’s attorney said T-Mobile is trying to avoid the expense of retrieving the messages. He plans to draft a lawsuit.
Mr. Butler’s daughter, Rhema, was diagnosed with cancer when she was 12, and died two years later in June 2011.
• From wire dispatches and staff reports
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