BBC News Barclays misses bank bounceguardian.co.uk, UK –8 hours agoRoyal Bank of Scotland, hit hard on concerns that it could end up being fully nationalised, recovered 2.2p to 12.5p. However, it must be pointed out the …FTSE edges closer to 4000 markThe Press AssociationSterling is pounded yet again amid growing fears Government …

The Australians have done it again — not content with laying claim to pavlova, Phar Lap and the Finn Brothers — they have made New Zealand-born actor Russell Crowe one of four “Australian Legends” to feature on postage stamps to celebrate Australia Day. More: continued here

Scottish Business Briefing – Thursday January 22, 2009Scotsman, United Kingdom –28 minutes agoALL of Royal Mail's businesses are in profit for the first time in 20 years, the postal group announced yesterday (Scotsman). Despite the economic downturn … More: continued here

Applications for food stamps, often the first stop for families falling into the government’s safety net, rose 42 percent in November statewide. More: continued here

Pinching postieDudley News, UK –2 minutes agoHaney was further ordered to pay £18.54 compensation to Royal Mail – the cost of redirecting the dumped letters – together with £250 towards the costs of … More: continued here

Call to residents to save post officeDumfries and Galloway Standard, UK –4 minutes agoSIR – Last year, following consultation with the residents of Ecclefechan and the surrounding area, the Post Office decided to close the post office in our … More: continued here

Times Online A Bush Legacy Bounce?Washington Post, United States –9 hours agoRonald Reagan stood at 64 percent in the final Post poll and averaged 57 percent for his eight years in office. (A BIG thank you to Post polling director …Video: Bush: It Is Good to Be HomeAssociatedPressBush enters post-presidential life by …

The decision by Australia Post to include Russell Crowe in a special series of stamps to mark Australia Day has rubbed New Zealanders the wrong way. More: continued here

Shotgun robber flees Para Hills post office with no lootNEWS.com.au, Australia –1 hour agoA MAN armed with a shotgun left empty-handed after threatening staff in a foiled robbery at a Para Hills post office this afternoon. … More: continued here

TopNews Asia stocks rise but slowdown fears widespreadWashington Post, United States –35 minutes agoThe global spending slowdown has hurt eBay's ability to attract buyers to its auction sites and the stronger US dollar also crimped profit from its overseas …Asian Shares Up As Banks Bounce; Nikkei +1.9%MarketWatchAsian Shares Mostly Up As Banks …