DeWayne Wells, president of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, looks out on the bank’s garden in Detroit. Wells said demand is up by 25 percent from a year ago in the region’s food banks as auto-industry layoffs multiply. “Many people are first-timers — they have no idea how …

A statement on the company Web site cites “unprecedented economic waters” as the reason FedEx is opting not buy a spot More: continued here

Political bias pervades issuance of commemorative postage stampsThe News International, Pakistan –1 minute agoBy By Azeem Samar With the likely issuance of a commemorative postage stamp on the first death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on … More: continued here

Roseville woman charged with 3 tax crimesMinneapolis Star Tribune, MN –6 hours agoThe stamps are required by law. The cigarettes were confiscated, as were 75 bottles of non-American liquor, which Liang said she bought from a liquor outlet … More: continued here

Rashaan Hicks, a Waldorf resident who has been with FedEx Corp. for eight years, is used to working right up until Christmas Eve until the last package is delivered. More: continued here

Murray-Calloway County post offices in Almo, Dexter, Hazel, Kirksey, and New Concord will be open Christmas Eve until noon to enable retail employees to spend more time with their families. Regular mail delivery for Dec. 24 will be unaffected by the change. More: continued here

A trio of flute players — Katie Pierce, Casey Harris and Heather Onnen — will play holiday carols starting at noon today in the Main Post Office lobby at 424 S. Kansas Ave. More: continued here

People in need may be eligible for food stamps and utility discounts David Esparza sat quietly in the church office, a computer and instruction sheets color-coded by need nearby, as he counseled victims of the economic hardship now gripping much of the Chicago area. More: continued here

A single mother of two young children, Hadassah Sylvester works per diem at a nursing home as she studies at Roxbury Community College to become a registered nurse. More: continued here

Labour committed to a “wholly publicly owned” Royal Mail at its party conference barely three months ago, rebels pointed out on Sunday, amid an escalating row over Lord Mandelson’s decision to part-privatise the postal operator. More: continued here