PRESS DIGEST - British business press - July 5

Saturday, 5 July 2008

The Times

EU BEGINS FULL COMPETITION INVESTIGATION INTO BHP BID FOR RIO TINTO

The European Union has started a full investigation into BHP Billiton's (BLT.L) proposed 170 million dollar takeover of Rio Tinto (RIO.L). The EU's competition watchdog says that there are sufficient concerns about the integration of the world's largest and second-largest miners for further examination of the deal to be needed. Rio has welcomed the decision, having rejected BHP's approach, claiming it undervalued the company. BHP received regulatory clearance this week from the United States Department of Justice to go ahead with the deal.

LINKLATERS REVEALS RECORD PROFITS ON BACK OF EMERGING MARKETS.