The European Commission has approved Randstad’s acquisition of Monster Worldwide, Inc. Approval of the acquisition from the European Commission was the last regulatory approval required with respect to Randstad's previously announced tender offer for any and all outstanding shares of common stock of Monster.

Separately, MediaNews Group Inc. announced that it commenced its own tender offer for a further 10% stake in Monster as part of its bid to prevent the Randstad acquisition. However, Monster Worldwide rejected Wednesday offer from MediaNews Group Inc. to buy the 10% of its outstanding shares. Monster said MediaNews made the partial tender offer of $3.70 a share in the hope of obtaining control of the company and derailing the transaction with Randstad.

Now that the last regulatory approval has been acquired, Randstad expects the transaction to be completed within a few business days after a majority of Monster's shares are tendered. The tender offer is scheduled to expire tomorrow at 12:00 midnight, (EDT), unless further extended.Randstad has confirmed that its offer will not be increased and the offer price of $3.40 is full and final.

MediaNews, which publishes dozens of newspapers, currently holds a 11.6% stake in Monster. When MediaNews disclosed its stake in August, it urged fellow shareholders to oppose the Randstad deal and pushed for Monster to explore an auction, a review of business operations or a restructuring.

Upon completion of the deal, Monster will delist from the New York Stock Exchange, and operate as a separate entity under Randstad. It will retain the Monster brand.