Feb. 7 (Bloomberg) — Colombia’s Agriculture Minister Andres Arias resigned his post to run for president in the 2010 election, according to a statement from his office. More: continued here

SAN DIEGO: San Diego City Councilwoman Marti Emerald and the San Diego Food Bank are launching a program aimed at raising the number of people who receive food stamps. More: continued here

New York Times The ‘W’ Word, Re-EngagedNew York Times, United States –25 minutes agoBy JASON DePARLE Ronald Reagan brooked no doubt that food stamps equaled welfare. Running for president in 1976 he told what became a defining tale about … More: continued here

Thousands of Royal Mail workers in Northern Ireland are facing an uncertain future after it emerged the group is to undergo a massive modernising programme which could lead to job losses. More: continued here

The Mirror can today expose the Royal Mail’s lies over its plans to axe 16,000 jobs. More: continued here

A New Plan B for Tough TimesNew York Times, United States –25 minutes agoIt is not part of the economy’s visible damage, like boarded-up stores or those recession-inspired eBay listings that start with “Hate to let these go! … More: continued here

VARIOUS LOCATIONS—Huge deficits could force the post office to reduce their mail delivery days by one day. On Wednesday the postmaster general asked Congress to consider lifting the requirement that the post office is to deliver mail six days a week. More: continued here

Royal Mail apologises for delaysSwindon Advertiser, UK –5 hours agoMike Dalton, spokesperson for Royal Mail, said the postal service was doing its best, but had seen several days of disruption. …REDBRIDGE: Residents slam Royal Mail for post distruptionEpping Forest GuardianRoyal Mail apologises for disruption to deliveries in AylesburyAylesbury Todayall 3 news articles …

A FedEx airplane has landed safely at Denver International Airport after its cockpit filled with smoke. The Denver Department of Aviation says only a pilot and co-pilot were on board. The two used emergency chutes to exit the plane, but neither was hurt. More: continued here

Royal Mail has sought to play down the prospect of heavy job losses after a leak revealed it was planning to cut budgets by 10%, invoking a furious reaction by unions. More: continued here