Court backs Chávez in row with oil giant

President Hugo Chávez scored a significant victory over Exxon Mobil yesterday when a British court lifted a $12bn (£6bn) freeze on Venezuelan assets and sided with his administration against the oil giant. The ruling backed Venezuela's government in a row with the US multinational over an oil field in the Orinoco, a decision which could embolden other governments to get tougher with oil companies.