Stories for December 3rd 2007

Monday, December 3rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Punta Arenas methanol plant diversifies gas supply

Canada's Methanex Corporation the world's largest producer of methanol announced it agreed to finance Chilean natural gas explorations by GeoPark holdings in exchange for a share of the gas it finds in the Magallanes basin.
Monday, December 3rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil to propose South American Defence Board

Brazil will propose the creation of a South American Defence Board which would enable the region “to think in the common future, of a very rich region that must be well defended”, said Brazilian Foreign Secretary Celso Amorim.
Monday, December 3rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuela said NO to Chavez's Referendum new powers

Venezuelan voters narrowly rejected a constitutional referendum that would have bolstered President Hugo Chavez's embrace of socialism and granted an indefinite extension of his eligibility to serve as president, the National Electoral Council reported early Monday.
Monday, December 3rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Fidel Castro readies to play the role of elder statesman

Cuban leader Fidel Castro who is recovering from a long illness was nominated Sunday for a seat in the National Assembly opening the way for him to resume governing.
Monday, December 3rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC
OPEC meeting in Abu Dhabi divided over pumping more oil

Oil prices rebounded Monday as speculation grew that OPEC may decide to leave output unchanged at a meeting this week in Abu Dhabi. New York's light sweet crude for January delivery, closed at 89.31 dollars per barrel and in London Brent North Sea crude jumped 1.54 dollars to settle at 89.80 dollars.
Monday, December 3rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Mercosur summit host Uruguay, sends critical message

Uruguay is disenchanted with Mercosur because national interests and market segmentations prevail over the original idea and the block “has not functioned as it was supposed to” admitted Carlos Amorin, head of Uruguay's Foreign Office Integration and Mercosur Desk.
Monday, December 3rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Billiton insists in building the world's largest mining group

Mining group Rio Tinto said the takeover approach of about 130 billion US dollars from BHP Billiton is “a couple of ballparks away” from its true value.
Monday, December 3rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC
US Treasury Secretary optimistic about aid plan for homeowners

United States mortgage lenders and regulators are close to finalizing an aid plan for homeowners hit by the credit crunch, US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said on Monday during a housing conference in Washington.