The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has agreed a settlement with Japan Airlines over its part in an international air cargo cartel.

FTC Commissioner William Kovacic says the days of the Washington-Brussels merger control duopoly are numbered as more jurisdictions play a vital role in determining case outcomes. David Vascott in Brussels

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has blocked soft drinks manufacturer Asahi’s A$364 million (€264 million) purchase of P&N Beverages.

Plaintiffs suing Amcor and Visy for alleged price fixing have reached a settlement with the Australian cardboard box companies, the day the trial was set to begin.

Australia’s Federal Court has fined two foreign paper manufacturers a combined A$4.2 million (€3 million) for fixing the price of photocopy paper.

West Australian Newspapers Holdings is buying Seven Media Group for A$4.1 billion (£2.5 billion), the companies announced yesterday.

In the five years since antitrust agencies around the world conducted raids in the air cargo sector, the still-active cartel investigation has resulted in vigorous antitrust prosecutions – and some controversy in Europe. Ron Knox in Vancouver

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) yesterday rejected grocery company Metcash Trading’s proposed acquisition of supermarket Franklins, claiming the tie-up could lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” in the wholesale grocery supply market.

Australia’s major banks are set to face a government inquiry into the state of competition in the banking sector, after the country’s upper house senate voted in favour of the probe yesterday.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has extended its review of the proposed merger between pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare Holdings and rival Sigma Pharmaceuticals.