» Australia's Competition and Consumer Commission granted anti-trust approval to Chinalco's investment in Rio Tinto, clearing the first hurdle to the US$19.5 billion deal.

 » The Commission said the deal was unlikely to lessen competition and would be unlikely to enable the companies to manipulate iron ore prices.

  » The deal is still subject to approval by Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board, which last week extended its review of the deal by 90 days.