China: Trade with N. Korea up 87%

China: Trade with N. Korea up 87%

BEIJING

China’s trade with its close ally North Korea nearly doubled in the first seven months of the year compared with the same period in 2010, state media reported Sunday.

The 87 percent increase to $3.1 billion was announced at the start of a visit to the North by Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang that reaffirms strong ties between the communist neighbors.

No agenda for Li’s visit has been announced, although he’s likely to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and push again for Pyongyang to rejoin long-stalled six-nation nuclear- disarmament talks.

US gas prices up 5 cents in 2 weeks

CAMARILLO, Calif

A survey says the average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline has risen nearly 5 cents over the past two weeks.

The Lundberg Survey of fuel prices released Sunday puts the price of a gallon of regular at $3.47.

Costs have seen similar hikes in midgrade, now at an average of $3.62 a gallon, and premium at $3.74.

Diesel is up 4 cents to $3.89 a gallon.

Of the cities surveyed, Albuquerque, N.M., had the nation’s lowest average price at $3.15, and Los Angeles had the highest at $3.86.

Abu Dhabi company holds up project

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

The Abu Dhabi company building a branch of the Guggenheim museum in the Emirati capital said Sunday it temporarily has dropped plans to award a major construction contract, raising questions about the future of the high-profile project.

The state-run Tourism Development and Investment Co. said it recalled the tender for concrete work on the Frank Gehry-designed museum because it is reviewing its strategy for handing out jobs to contractors. It didn’t say when it would again seek bids.

The Guggenheim is one of the showcase museums TDIC is building on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, a planned cultural district overlooking the Persian Gulf. The island is also slated to contain a national museum, performing arts center and a branch of the Louvre.

Associated Press