GOOD DAY FOR: Jolly unemployed Germans, after employment firm Jobcafe Munich reported a shortage of qualified Santa Clauses for German malls and holiday parties. Applicants need to be good with children, good organizers, decent actors, and have clean police records. “To be honest, not many people have what it takes to be a good Father Christmas,” said Jobcafe’s Jens Wittenberger. He said that Santas earn up to $75 an hour. (Reuters)
BAD DAY FOR: Mining for synergy, after mining giant BHP Billiton withdrew its $66 billion hostile takeover offer for rival Rio Tinto, citing the slumping global economy and resulting drop in commodity prices. The all-stock deal was worth almost $150 billion last year. BHP shares rose on the news, Rio Tinto’s dropped. (MarketWatch)
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