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A luxury residential complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, designed by HHCP Design International Inc. is moving ahead with the recent selection of a general contractor. Dubai-based Nakheel, master developer of the Palm Jumeirah, appointed Shimizu Corp., a leading international general contractor with offices in Dubai. .
The housing market slowdown has prompted builders to seek price cuts from contractors in a bid to make new homes more affordable. By asking favorite contractors to charge less, or seeking bids from an expanded pool of contractors, builders hope to reduce costs by more than 10 percent. Contractors are playing ball because the alternative for them may mean no work. Builders are specifically trying to take advantage of a drop in lumber prices, which have fallen 6 percent in the last 12 months because of a slowdown in new-home construction, said Ken Simonson, a chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America. With new-home closings falling four of the last five months in the valley, builders have cut back dramatically on home construction.
A Navy corpsman from Wisconsin testified at his court-martial today that he watched as Marines shot an Iraqi civilian in the head after taking him from his home in the town of Hamdania. Petty Officer Melson Bacos of Franklin says he watched two Marines fire at least ten rounds, striking the 52-year-old man, after throwing him into a hole. Bacos was on patrol with the Marines and asked them to let the man go. But, he says a Marine corporal told him he was being weak and should stop protesting. The seven Marines are accused of murdering the man April 26th as they were searching for an insurgent. Earlier today, Bacos pleaded guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy as part of a plea agreement. In return for his testimony, other counts of murder, kidnapping and conspiracy against him were dropped.
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