Read the latest news covering USPS hot topics. http://www.MelissaData.com/ en-us http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm It took 2 days for senators to voice their opinions, and their votes on proposed Postal Reform 2012. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Statements from the Postal Service Board of Governors and the Postmaster General on Today’s Senate Action. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm A file listing the Competitive Post Office Box service locations that allow an optional street address format for their Post Office boxes has been posted on RIBBS® by the USPS. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm USPS communicates results of Area Mail Processing (AMP) facility studies… which ones stay open, which ones consolidate, which ones close. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm USPS to cut next-day delivery for First-Class Mail® http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Alliance, DMA, PostCom, and MPG Urge USPS to Stop Exigent Increase Request. Read their letter to PMG Donahoe. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Statement of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers on the Introduction of Postal Reform Legislation in the US Senate http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Postmaster General Pat Donahoe assures mailers that the Postal Service will not go out of business or be privatized. We Are Here To Stay. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm USPS Announces Postal Rate Increases for January 2012. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm President Obama endorses reducing U.S. Postal Service's delivery to five days http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm The U.S. Postal Service will not seek an "exigent" (higher-than-inflation) rate increase this year http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm USPS Exploring Additional Legislative Proposals http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm USPS initiated a filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) about the Reply Rides Free Program http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm What Will the U.S. Postal Service Look Like in 10 Years? http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm PRC sets schedule for consideration of USPS’s post office closing plans http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Save the Post Office Retail Access Optimization Initiative Map http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm You might be tempted to pay for expedited shipping rather than wait longer for online orders. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Head of US Postal Service says delivery could be scaled back to 3 days a week http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Postal Service outperforms green goals: Read the Annual Sustainability Report here. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Postal Service Statement: Publication of Final Rule on Retail Discontinuance Actions http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm U.S.P.S. now selling gift cards to provide customer convenience and revenue opportunities http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Canada Post and Air Canada on strike http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Postal Service Faces Financial Shortfall Unless Congress Addresses Mandates http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Donahoe says USPS will launch campaign to strengthen the mail http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm U.S. Postal Service to Help Save Vanishing Species http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm U.S. Postal Service Loss Widens in Second Quarter http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Connecting the Dots: Using QR Codes, Direct Mail, and Video to Ramp up Local Marketing http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm UPU to develop global postal security standards http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Postal Service Relaxes Upcoming Requirements for Automation Prices and implementation of Intelligent Mail Barcodes http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm News and Views from the MFSA on current issues with the USPS, including the PRC’s opinion on the “Six-to-Five” delivery change, proposed constraints on USPS by Sen. McCain, and new products and services from the Postal Service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Headline: Breaking News- CA Supreme Court Says ZIP Code is personally identifiable http://www.melissadata.com/postal/international-postal-links.htm Canada Post Corporation has named Deepak Chopra as its new CEO http://www.melissadata.com/postal/international-postal-links.htm Cuba has indefinitely halted all mail to the United States http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Consumers who do not wish to receive mail with a simplified address- as in Saturation or Delivery Route mailings- must make the request through the mailer, not their carrier. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm The U.S. Postal Service plans to save up to $500 million in the next two years as it works to close or consolidate about 2,000 mostly small, rural and rarely visited retail locations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm The U.S. Postal Service plans to save up to $500 million in the next two years as it works to close or consolidate about 2,000 mostly small, rural and rarely visited retail locations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Read how the Lean Green Teams helped the Postal Service reduce energy, water, solid waste to landfills and petroleum fuel use, saving the agency more than $5 million in 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm The United States Postal Service notified the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) that they will change prices for their Mailing Services products, which include First-Class Mail®, Standard Mail®, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services. New prices take effect April 17, 2011 http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm The new postage rates can be viewed online on Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com. Click on the link in the left blue navigation frame under “*New* April 17, 2011 Pricing Information.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm The U.S. Postal Service has some tips to help your cards and gifts get to their destination swiftly, safely, and in one piece. And “proper addressing and packaging will help us give every gift the service it deserves.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Incoming Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe told a U.S. Senate subcommittee that one of his highest priorities would be to improve the customer experience, making the Postal Service “leaner, faster and smarter” in the years ahead. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/international-postal-links.htm Letter post, parcel and express mail traffic and revenues are showing the signs of a healthy recovery according to research just revealed by the Universal Postal Union. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/30/10—The over 150-year-old Indian postal system is set for a major technological advancement to improve its customer service, deliver new services, and improve operational efficiencies. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/30/10—Between now and Christmas Eve, the Postal Service™ will deliver 15.8 billion cards, letters, and packages across the country, and around the world. The busiest mailing day is set for Monday, Dec. 20. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/29/10—Canada Post launches a free application for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch that will provide customers with convenient and easy access to two of the most popular Web tools at CanadaPost.ca. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/29/10— The White House has issued the following “fact sheet” announcing a proposal to freeze the wages of “all civilian federal employees, including those in various alternative pay plans” for two years. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/24/10—Japan Post Holdings Co. has agreed with China Post to cooperate in delivering goods ordered online by Chinese consumers through Japanese Internet mail-order companies. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/24/10—The postal service’s Inspector General recently reviewed how satisfied customers are with the USPS’s Full Service Intelligent Mail® product— here’s the IG’s summary. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/23/10—An Post’s Mail Media Unit is targeting small to medium size enterprises with the perfect Direct Mail tool which is designed to reach customers, increase loyalty, and generate sales. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/23/10—The National Association of Letter Carriers responds to the press release the US Postal Service® released on Sunday, calling it “full of spin and distortions aimed at influencing public opinion.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/22/10—Deutsche Post DHL and international, not-for-profit network, Teach For All, will work together on a global basis to expand existing Teach For All organizations in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and India. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/22/10—Contract negotiations with the APWU and the NRLCA expired at midnight Nov. 20. While negotiations with the NRLCA resulted in an impasse, both parties agreed to extend the negotiation deadline until Nov. 23 at noon ET. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/19/10—Johnny Thijs, CEO for Belgian Post, said this week that he was confident the company was ready for liberalization of the Belgian postal market on January 1, 2011. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/19/10—The USPS® has filed a motion to prevent organizations representing some of its customers from intervening in its appeal against the PRC’s denial of the exigent rate increase the USPS requested earlier this year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/18/10—Slovenian Post introduces a new service which allows customers in Slovenia to return packages—postage free—to foreign countries. Currently, the agreement only applies to packages coming from Germany. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/18/10—Last week the PRC announced on its website that it has funded six studies examining the social value of mail. The summary of the studies are as follows: http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/17/10—The first nine months of the 2010 financial year developed very satisfactorily for Austrian Post. It also succeeded in counteracting the downward trend on the basis of efficiency-enhancing measures. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/17/10—The head of HR activities for the nation’s second largest employer with well over half a million employees has been selected as the first public sector executive to receive the nation’s top honor in the field of human resources. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/16/10—Japan Post Holdings Co will promote 8,438 non-regular group workers to regular employees on Dec 1. Some 34,000 who met certain conditions, such as working hours, took written examinations and interviews. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/16/10—Postmaster General John E. Potter could earn about $5.5 million in deferred compensation, retirement benefits, and accrued annual leave for the rest of his life when he leaves the U.S. Postal® Service next month. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/15/10—Eye tracking research released by the Royal Mail has provided a unique insight into how consumers interact with door drops and a blueprint for the perfect unaddressed mail campaign. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/15/10—Has buying postage stamps over the Internet finally caught on with consumers and businesses? Stamps.com’s earnings have beat analysts’ estimates, as the company has boosted its subscriber base among large businesses. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/12/10—Starting Jan. 2011, Israel Postal Company Ltd. will be required to send all incoming parcels to Customs, and will charge the addressees a $10 release fee. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/12/10—From the U.S. Postal Service® Board of Governors meeting: USPS® announces a $8.5 billion loss for FY2010. A full year report will be available on Monday, November 15. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/11/10—TNT Express announced today it is taking a series of additional measures to protect its customers and their consignments as well as its employees and networks from the threat of bomb-parcels. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/11/10—An upcoming change in the December 6 update of the Domestic Mail Manual will allow attachments on letter-size mail when postage is paid at automation letter prices. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/10/10—Royal Mail today announced an out-of-the-box e-commerce fulfillment tool, specifically designed to help small to medium-sized retailers save time on order management processes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/10/10—Ruth Goldway, chairman of the PRC, speaks with Direct Marketing News' news editor Frank Washkuch, about how the USPS® can improve its financial situation and consumers' response to possible five-day delivery. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/9/10—Lithuanian Post said last week that in order to avoid running at a loss in 2011, it would be increasing the processing costs of press periodicals. The distribution fee increases could be as much as 40 percent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/9/10—Embracing electronic technology to promote the use of direct mail, the Postal Service™ has revamped the companion website to Deliver® magazine, its publication for marketers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/8/10—Australia Post is supporting Planet Ark's National Recycling Week (Nov. 8-14) by making it easy for Australians to recycle their e-waste through the 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' and MobileMuster programs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/8/10—The DC Circuit Court of Appeals has granted the USPS® request for expedited consideration of its appeal against the PRC’s ruling in the exigency rate case. The PRC’s response is due on Jan. 14. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/5/10—Data gathered by the UPU from 20 of the world’s largest Posts and Express Carriers suggests that business is picking up after hitting its lowest slump since the Great Depression, mid-way through 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/5/10—USPS® Senior VP Steve Kearney speaks out and vehemently denies accusations that the USPS® is looking at “penalties” as a new revenue stream. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/4/10—An Post has put the ‘i’ back into mail with a newly launched App which brings post and post offices to your fingertips. It lets users track and trace letters or parcels, find the nearest PO, and calculate postage. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/4/10— The U.S. Postal Service® is ready to help international shippers get a head start on the holidays. It recommends the following deadlines for international delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/3/10—Australia Post has been selected as the Australian distribution partner for the global launch of American Express's new prepaid, reloadable foreign currency card. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/3/10—The U.S. Postal Service® announces the new shipping prices for 2011. Prices for Priority Mail®, Express Mail®, and other shipping services will change Jan. 2, 2011. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/2/10—The Royal Mail today blamed falling mail volume for a loss-making situation in its letters business. The number of letters delivered each day has fallen from 84 million to 68 million. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/2/10—Postal employees are being asked to identify and hold any mail that appears to have originated in Yemen. These precautionary measures are being taken to protect USPS® employees, customers, and the mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/1/10—Mail delivery was delayed throughout Finland on Friday due to illegal strikes by Itella's sorting and delivery staff. Itella announced that the strikes were illegal, as no advance notice of the action was given. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/1/10— The U.S. Postal Service® has temporarily suspended acceptance of inbound international mail originating in Yemen effective October 30, 2010, in response to the potential threat posed by suspicious packages. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/29/10—FedEx Corp. today launched the next evolution of its ambitious global advertising effort, “FedEx Delivers to a Changing World.” It’s a digital Web experience that puts global business trends and insights at visitors’ fingertips. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/29/10—Counterfeiters are inundating the U.S. Postal Service® with fake postage stamps and inspectors can't even say how bad the problem really is. The easiest way to tell fakes from the real thing is the price. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/28/10—Canada Post introduced Canada Post Comparison Shopper, a one-stop shopping website that helps Canadians instantly find, compare, and purchase products online. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/28/10—In a 2010 survey conducted by marketing research firm NewMediaMetrics, consumers say the USPS® is 15th-ranked among brands they find the most attractive. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/27/10—Deutsche Post will be introducing price changes for a number of international postal products on January 1, 2011, meaning that on the whole, customers will benefit from price reductions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/27/10—John E. Potter writes a farewell letter to all postal employees. “It’s been a pleasure to work with you.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/26/10—Financial transactions company Itella Information has signed a deal with Norway Post about acquiring full ownership of Itella Information AS in Norway. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/26/10—After nearly 10 years as U.S. Postmaster General and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service®, John E. Potter announced that he will retire on Dec. 3, after 32 years of service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/25/10—Unite, the union which represents thousands of Royal Mail managers, is to ballot its members for possible strike action after the announcement that Royal Mail is to shed 1,500 jobs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/25/10— The USPS® has decided to appeal the Sept. 30 ruling of the PRC denying the Postal Service® exigent price request. Their position is the PRC misread the statute and applied an incorrect standard in evaluating the request. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/22/10—TNT Post has written to the unions saying that it is prepared to reduce the number of involuntary redundancies (4500) by 1400. It will also offer 200 people work temporarily, until the end of 2012. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/22/10—The U.S. Postal Service® starts delivering the 2010 holiday season today with four, new Forever Stamps™ and a single stamp featuring a musical angel at the American Stamp Dealers Association Mega Stamp Show in NYC. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/21/10—Royal Mail this week launched an improved and extended range of tracked services to smaller retailers to help them improve the delivery experience for their customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/21/10—UPS today announced adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.93 for the third quarter of 2010, a 69 percent improvement over the prior-year period. Global revenue saw a 62 percent increase. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/20/10—DHL launched a new range of premium express international delivery services into and out of the United States this week, backed by a major publicity campaign called “Time Definitive” express (TDX). http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/20/10—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service® with five alleged willful violations at its Columbus processing center. They face $210,000 in fines. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/19/10—Canada Post will continue to provide free delivery of letters and parcels from family and friends to Canadian troops deployed in Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas during the upcoming holiday season. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/19/10—The big question from postal employees at or near retirement age is: Will there be another USPS® early retirement incentive this year? The last three early retirement offers have failed to get the needed numbers of employees to retire. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/15/10—Austrian Post and Swiss Post are planning to consolidate their international activities in the field of addressed promotional mailings in a joint venture. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/15/10—OSHA has cited the U.S. Postal Service® for exposing workers to potential electrical hazards at its mail processing facility in Huntington, W.Va. Proposed penalties? $212,500. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/14/10— The UK coalition government has announced it is to push ahead with privatization and present the Postal Services Bill before Parliament. Up to 90 percent of the Royal Mail could be owned by private buyers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/14/10—In an attempt to hold down next year’s increase in postage rates, an alliance of mailers have challenged a “nonsensical” informal ruling issued by a PRC lawyer. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/13/10—The China post office launched “Letters to the Future” on Sunday in Beijing. The public can get the envelopes through local post offices or designated partners and deliver their letters in any postal boxes in China. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/13/10—Postage rates are likely to increase about 1.7 percent in January, as a result of a letter that the PRC's chief lawyer issued today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/12/10—The cabinet approved a bill last Friday morning to reorganize Japan Post. The only change is that the reorganization will be implemented in Apr. 2012, rather than Oct. 2011, as stipulated in the ditched bill. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/12/10—According to Target Marketing, many companies continue to use mail to promote and retain customers. Each year, they publish a list of the top 50 mailers. Here's the top four: http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/11/10—Last Saturday marked 'World Post Day,' the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the beginning of the free flow of global mail. In the UK, the origins of the postal service date back to 1516. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/11/10—Election 2010: With the Nov. 2 general election rapidly approaching, official election mail and campaign mailings are hitting the mailstream—and, more are on the way. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/8/10—The need to embrace new technologies to improve service and implement a strategy of diversifying the business are the messages from the 2010 Universal Postal Union Strategy Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/8/10—The Postal Service® marked yesterday National Energy Awareness Month, with postal officials highlighting savings and encouraging employees, suppliers, and mail industry partners to conserve even more energy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/7/10—Norway postal employees will pay dearly if the postal market is liberalized. In some countries, wages have fallen by almost 50 percent. The report by Copenhagen Economics is the latest in a series of reports. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/7/10—In a letter to the PRC, the Postal Service® asks for clarification regarding the total increase in rates under the cap. Mailers should clearly understand that rates will be rising in calendar year 2011. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/6/10—Premium Indian postal services, such as business mails, logistic post and speed post, will get expensive as the Indian government looks for ways to bring down the deficit of the postal department. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/6/10—Zumbox announced today it will showcase the latest version of its Zumbox digital postal platform at Post-Expo 2010 in Copenhagen. The company’s CEO, John Payne, will also speak at the World Postal Business Forum. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/5/10—Starting as early as November, Canada Post will anchor a new direct-marketing network that will connect advertisers and consumers at a local level. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/5/10—The decline in mail volumes, particularly single-piece First Class Mail®, could see the USPS® turn into a one-way communications system. That’s the claim published by the USPS® Office of the Inspector General. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/4/10—Swiss Post acknowledges the decisions made by the National Council on the new postal legislation. This will create important conditions for Swiss Post to hold its own as a competitive service provider. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/4/10—The PRC’s denial of the U.S. Postal Service’s request for an exigent rate increase could force both the USPS® and Congress to make some fundamental changes about how the service is financed. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/1/10—CEO of Norway Post, Dag Mejdell, recently held an oral intervention at the UPU Strategy Conference in Nairobi. He spoke about the importance of acting together as a united postal industry. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/1/10—Postmaster General John E. Potter responds to the PRC ruling with a public statement detailing his disappointment with the ruling and vows to “carefully manage every dollar we spend in the upcoming fiscal year.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/30/10—The state-run postal service provider Korea Post is stepping up its efforts to help local information technology firms enter central Asian markets. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/30/10—Breaking postal news! The PRC, in a unanimous decision, has denied the US Postal Service® the emergency rate increase it requested earlier this year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/29/10—UPS is planning to set up a domestic Postal Service™ in China and will submit a license application to the Chinese postal regulator as early as this week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/29/10—Security researchers from Vietnamese security vendor Bkis, warn of a new wave of spam emails distributing the Oficla trojan, which pose as package delivery failure notifications from the USPS®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/28/10—Brazil's postal service ECT plans to equip its couriers with 1,800 smartphones. The devices will include a Java application developed internally by the company to alert them at the moment of delivery of parcels sent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/28/10—The 2010 holiday shipping dates for APOs/FPOs/DPOs are now available. Go to pe.usps.com and click Postal Bulletins in the blue navigation bar. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/27/10—The Israel Postal Company announces the NIS 50 million purchase of automatic mail sorting equipment from Italian firm Elsag Datamat. The new equipment will enable 70 percent of mail to be sorted automatically. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/27/10—The US Postal Service® quietly submitted its August financial estimates to the PRC late Friday afternoon. The service reported a loss of $1.6 billion in August, bringing its fiscal year to date losses to $7.7 billion. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/24/10—Royal Mail workers will be offered at least 10 percent of the business's shares if it is privatized. If taken up, the workers' share would be the biggest of any privatized UK company for 25 years. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/24/10—Postmaster General Hails Carper Legislation “Roadmap to Recovery” for Postal Service™. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/23/10—More than 550 delegates from 116 countries representing the worldwide postal sector are meeting at UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, today and tomorrow to ponder the sector’s present and future. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/23/10—Sen. Tom Carper will unveil a bill today designed to give the Postal Service™ more flexibility on major operational and financial decisions without congressional approval. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/22/10—imail, the leading desktop-to-doorstep hybrid mail solution from UK Mail, has launched an innovative canvassing solution to enable companies to undertake targeted, fast, and cost-effective direct marketing campaigns. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/22/10—The Federal Register proposes rule to change the timeframe for providing address correction without charge for First-Class Mail®, Standard Mail®, and BPM pieces that are eligible for Full-Service Intelligent Mail® prices. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/21/10—The need for fresh thinking in the postal sector has never been greater, especially in driving innovation to meet the evolving demands of consumer and business customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/21/10—Reducing delivery to 5 days a week may not be enough. There has been some discussion of whether the viable model for the U.S. Postal Service® of the future will incorporate 3-day delivery. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/20/10—The Western Union Company and DHL Express today announced their intention to expand their cooperation to introduce international business payment services to DHL customers throughout Europe. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/20/10—Two Federal Register notices were published last week, one on the Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode, and the other on Express Mail® Open and Distribute and Priority Mail® Open and Distribute. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/17/10—Paper statements are as important as UK-based call centers and local bank branches to customers, according to a study that reveals removing key transactional communications can damage relationships. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/17/10—USPS® is conducting a test with a marketing and advertising program for PO Boxes in four markets. The campaign has direct mail, radio, print, Internet, and point-of-purchase retail elements. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/16/10—On Sept. 22-24, the UPU's Strategy Conference in Kenya will explore the future of the worldwide postal sector. The Conference is the most important event of the year for the international postal sector. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/16/10—In his annual state of the business address to the mailing industry, Postmaster General John E. Potter stressed that long-term sustainability for the Postal Service™ will be achieved through fundamental change. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/15/10—The CWU is laying the groundwork for a battle with the coalition government by bringing out the big guns—calling on the support of other trade unions to help it shoot down plans for a privatized Royal Mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/15/10—UPS has launched a communications program to demonstrate how it has vaulted past competitors to offer the broadest range of logistics services in the industry. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/14/10—Alternative parcel delivery service, myHermes.co.uk, has introduced a hot new pricing band to increase its offering for customers sending parcels in the UK. The new price band is valid until October 25. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/14/10—The U.S. Postal Service® has begun contract negotiations with the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA). The current contract expires at midnight, Nov. 20. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/13/10—ONEPOST, the UK’s leading provider of independent postal advice and management, is to launch a new postal service, ONEPOST Connect, at this year’s ECMOD exhibition at Earls Court Oct. 6-7. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/13/10—The U.S. Postal Service’s sustainability goals and plans are now available on the White House’s new website. The website presents federal government goals for clean energy, reducing waste, and greenhouse gas reduction. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/10/10—Hold up liberalization of Europe’s postal services. That was the call of demonstrators representing more than 150 trade unions from across Europe. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/10/10—A total of 638 employees, or about 4 percent, of the 18,000 workers on Capitol Hill owe money to the IRS. That's higher than the 3 percent of overall total of federal workers across government who owe back taxes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/9/10—Swiss Post International UK has launched an innovative returns solution for distance retailers with an international customer base. Mail order and online shoppers can return small goods free-of-charge from 18 European countries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/9/10—What do consumers find in their mailboxes these days? According to this year's Top 50 Mailer list, it's more offers from nonprofits and publishers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/8/10—The Royal Mail has launched what it claims is the world's first "intelligent" stamp. Royal Mail says intelligent stamps "mark the next step in the evolution of our stamps, bringing them firmly into the 21st Century." http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/8/10—The PRC will meet in CLOSED session at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 9, to begin deliberations on the USPS® postal rate hike. It will hold an OPEN meeting at 2:30 p.m. on Friday to adopt its Fiscal Year 2012 budget. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/3/10—The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that Deutsche Post, Germany's national postal operator, does not have to repay $572 million in state aid to the German government. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/3/10—Video of the APWU/USPS contract negotiations opening statements. The U.S. Postal Service® opened contract talks with its largest union Wednesday seeking cost cuts that could reshape the nation's mail-delivery system. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/2/10—Swiss Post described its half-year profit as 'pleasing'. In the first half of 2010, Swiss Post generated Group profit of 484 million Swiss francs—an increase of 35 percent on the same period last year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/2/10—The U.S. Postal Service® will seek to cut costs by paring the size of its full-time workforce in contract talks with its largest labor union. Talks with the 113,000-member National Rural Letter Carriers Association start in two weeks. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/1/10—TNT Post announced today new rates for sending mail within the Netherlands and destinations within Europe will begin January 1, 2011. The basic domestic-mail rate for the Netherlands will increase by two euro-cents. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/1/10—Last week, the Postal Service™ reached an important milestone in its initiative to reach out to employees using technology. Now, all rural carrier postings, bids, and awards are available online. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/31/10—Third Sector reported the results of a TNT Post of a survey it conducted in Great Britain on the effectiveness of mail for gaining contributions by mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/31/10—How you can help save Saturday delivery: Please write to the PRC and submit a comment in support of Saturday delivery, as the PRC’s support of Saturday delivery will be key in getting congressional support to maintain it. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/30/10—Letter carriers in B.C. have filed a stack of grievances to protest Canada Post's refusal to backfill them when they take time off work, according to their union. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/30/10—Traditional forms of communications like word of mouth, direct mail, and newspapers enjoy higher levels of trust among US consumers than social media and other online services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/27/10—Itella will test newspaper reading with the electronic iPad reading device at the end of the year. In the test, the electronic version of the newspaper will be delivered to NetPosti, an electronic mailbox provided by Itella. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/27/10—Newly released memos of extensive interviews conducted earlier this year by the USPS's office of inspector general with PMG Potter provide a rare look into the operations in the top reaches of the Postal Service™. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/26/10—Swiss Post will offer positions for 751 apprentices in 2011. The number of apprentices at Swiss Post has been increasing annually since 2004. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/26/10—The US Postal Service® lost $764 million in July as First-Class Mail® volume continued to decline, although at a slower rate than in previous months. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/25/10—While Express Mail® represents efficiency and speed, and is prevalent in China, there is another type of mail emerging as a new business: "Future mail." http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/25/10—The Federal Register has published the final rule permitting the mailing of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to APO/FPO/DPO destination addresses when using Priority Mail® with Delivery Confirmation™ Service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/24/10—The Government has been urged to drop Royal Mail privatization plans after a new survey showed that most people wanted the Postal Service™ to remain publicly-owned. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/24/10—An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service® is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation of 146 million homes and businesses. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/23/10—Four hundred Postal Corporation of Kenya employees are up for voluntary retirement as the company seeks to restructure itself and improve efficiency. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/23/10—The PRC will begin consideration of the US Postal Service’s request for an “exigent” rate increase on Thursday, September 9. The latest possible meeting date would be Friday, October 1. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/20/10—TNT Post has launched a new service, adMail, to help increase the ROI for marketers of promotional direct mail. AdMail is a reduced cost service that has been specifically designed for promotional direct mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/20/10—The Affordable Mail Alliance has filed more comments with the PRC, opposing the USPS® request for an “exigent” rate increase. Among them: USPS position that it’s unable to do more to cut costs without action by the PRC or Congress. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/19/10—The U.K. government has appointed investment bank UBS AG (UBS) to advise it on options for the future ownership of Royal Mail, Britain's state-run postal delivery service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/19/10—With more than 10,000 locations across the country, nearly 50 percent more than last year, it’s even easier to be green by recycling Post Office Box mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/18/10—FedEx plans to strengthen the company’s international and domestic services across India by launching a new flight from Bengaluru, and establishing direct connections to Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/18/10—The Department of Labor is seeking to consolidate complaints regarding the Postal Service’s ongoing and systemic violations of safe electrical work practices. They’ve invited APWU to participate in settlement discussions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/17/10—21 Grams has won the coveted 2010 Customer Service World Mail Award for it's C/O (Care Of) administration service that provides end to end postage cost control—for mailers to better manage their postage/costs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/17/10—The Postal Service® filed a request with the PRC to transfer commercial Standard Mail® Fulfillment Parcels from the market-dominant product list to the competitive product list. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/16/10—Russian Post vows to provide a free parcels service for humanitarian aid to areas of Russia affected by forest fires. At least 50 people are thought to have perished in the fires. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/16/10—The US Postal Service® needs to play in the digital world, major postal customers told the organization's executives last week at the USPS' Innovation Symposium. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/12/10—The European Commission has established the European Regulators Group for Postal Services (ERGP). It will facilitate consultation, coordination, and cooperation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/12/10—Congressman Stephen Lynch, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service™, and the District of Columbia, opposes the USPS’s plan to eliminate Saturday mail delivery. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/11/10—The UPU’s Global Monitoring System is now up and running. The GMS is a truly global system using affordable RFID technology that is accessible to every Post, from industrialized countries and developing ones. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/11/10—A recap of today’s PRC case hearing. The focus of the testimony was on Stephen J. Masse, V.P. Finance and Planning, of the USPS®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/10/10—UPS has expanded a partnership with an Indonesian company that will market, pick up, and deliver UPS packages throughout the country. UPS has done business in Indonesia since 1988. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/10/10—USPS® CFO Joseph Corbett has testified before the PRC, that even if the Postal Service™ receives the billions in relief it’s seeking from Congress, it still needs a greater-than-inflation postal rate increase to survive. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/9/10—Dutch postal regulator OPTA remains at loggerheads with TNT over pricing levels for the universal service. The regulator said it had been seeking to establish actual costs of individual services since June 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/9/10—The Postal Regulatory will hear from three USPS® finance executives this week as it considers the postal service’s request for an ‘exigent’ rate increase. All hearings will be broadcast live on the Web at 9:30am. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/6/10—Estonian Post's E-invoicing service (digital invoicing) is proving popular with Estonia's public sector. E-invoicing delivers a more convenient Web-based electronic invoice approval process. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/6/10—The PRC says it has received over 12,000 comments from the public on the postal service’s proposal to eliminate Saturday mail delivery. Chairman Ruth Y. Goldway thanked the public on the PRC’s website for their input. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/5/10—Swiss Post International UK has formed a partnership with Direct Entry Services. As a “Premium Partner,” DES can sell Swiss Post International products and services under the “Swiss Post” brand. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/5/10—The U.S. Postal Service® ended the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 (April 1 – June 30) with a net loss of $3.5 billion, compared with a net loss of $2.4 billion for the same quarter last year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/4/10—Australia Post has partnered with OfficeMax to launch an online office products store. OfficeMax's 10,000 products are now available on the Australia Post website at www.auspost.com/stationery. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/4/10—Saying the Affordable Mail Alliance made “manifestly misleading comparisons,” the U.S. Postal Service® has asked the PRC to deny an alliance request to dismiss the Postal Service’s current pricing request. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/3/10—TNT came a step closer to a break-up of its postal and express delivery businesses yesterday, after it decided on a full separation of the two divisions as it reported a slump in profit. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/3/10—The U.S. Postal Service® declined The White House’s suggestion that it conduct a pilot test of five-day delivery, according to a document made public this week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/2/10—TNT N.V. announces that it has appointed Bernard Bot as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). TNT will notify his appointment as member of the Board of Management to the shareholders in the upcoming AGM in April 2011. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/2/10—For a consumer occasionally shipping packages, especially small ones, the U.S. Postal Service® is often your best choice for price and convenience, experts said. But, that advice comes with many exceptions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/30/10—Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva removed the director of the country's postal service yesterday. Radio and television reports indicated that Lula was dissatisfied with the postal service's performance. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/30/10—The National League of Postmasters sent a letter from the USPS® headquarters announcing all hiring, promotions, and placement of non-bargaining employees at Headquarters, Areas, and Districts are suspended. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/29/10—Poste Italiane is introducing a new, more responsive delivery service in order to meet the increasing demand by domestic customers and small business for later and more flexible deliveries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/29/10—A congressional panel voted yesterday to make sure Americans keep getting mail six days a week. But, senators on the panel that oversees postal operations opposed the idea. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/28/10—Russia Post gets fined for late deliveries after a check on express delivery was performed by a state watchdog. Supervisors sent express letters to different regions in Russia and four out of the 10 letters arrived late. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/28/10—PMG Jack Potter has named Guy Cottrell the 38th chief inspector of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. He begins his new assignment Aug. 1 and will also serve as chairman of the UPU’s Postal Security Group. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/27/10—The Union of Postal Workers of Paraguay informed UNI Americas Post and Logistics, that Law 4016 creating the National Direction of Post in Paraguay was enacted, and is full force since July 14th, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/27/10—The DMA and the DMANF asked the PRC to dismiss the USPS’s request to increase postal rates by ten times the rate permissible by law. The petition was filed by the Affordable Mail Alliance. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/26/10—As part of a number of changes announced by New Zealand Post today, postage for a Standard Post medium letter will increase by 10 cents to 60 cents starting October 1, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/26/10—The Economic Policy Institute has created a 9-page brief holding congressional mandates responsible for most of the postal service’s recent losses. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/23/10—DMrocket, a direct mail division of SingPost, has produced a direct mail pack branded as “Things Box,” with the tagline “surprises for grabs,” to make direct mail more attractive. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/23/10—One year after officially opening its first green roof in midtown Manhattan, the Postal Service™ continues to exceed its energy savings targets. It’s more than two thirds of the way to achieving its goal to reduce energy use by 30 percent by 2015. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/22/10—Experts cited serious security risks yesterday in Germany’s new De-Mail system, which is set to let users send official letters and documents over the internet starting next year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/22/10—The U.S. Postal Service® and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) have agreed to jointly provide fulfillment, information management services, and customer maintenance to federal agencies. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/21/10— FedEx Express has won the Institute of Transport Management’s “Best Global Cargo Hub” award for its Memphis World Hub. The Memphis World Hub connects customers to more than 220 countries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/21/10—Today, the House Federal Workforce, Postal Service™, and District of Columbia Subcommittee of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, will hold a mark-up of H.R. 5746. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/20/10—Romanian Post has launched an initiative to encourage more children to read, and has gathered over 15,000 books in 350 urban post offices. The scheme has been called "A book opens a new world." http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/20/10—The U.S. Postal Service® is reaching out to e-tailers, with a campaign showcasing the power of catalogs with the potential to double online transactions and achieve revenue lift of over 100 percent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/19/10—Iceland Post recently started to sell and distribute a message in a bottle. The bottle contains a sheet of paper for the sender to write on. The sheet is then inserted into the bottle, and the bottle is sealed and mailed. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/19/10—OSHA has a new website specifically dedicated to its whistleblower protection program at www.whistleblowers.gov. The site is designed to provide workers, employers and the public with easily accessible information. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/16/10—The Norwegian mail service Posten Norge has been fined NOK 102 million (EUR 12.9 mill) by the European Free Trade Association's watchdog ESA for breach of EEA competition rules. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/16/10—What a difference a month makes! More than 92 percent of the comments submitted to the PRC in June regarding the number of mail delivery days favored six-day delivery. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/15/10—Canada Post Corporation announces the completion today of its successful inaugural public debt issue. Net proceeds of the offering will be used primarily to finance the company’s modernization program. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/15/10—A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49 percent of adults believe the cost of stamps is already too high, even as the USPS® hopes for a two-cent hike in the cost of a First-Class™ stamp in January. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/14/10—The Local Major German email providers are readying for the new De-Mail system that will let users send letters and documents over the Web that are as legally binding as printed material delivered by post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/14/10—From July 14 through July 27, the PRC will conduct and audio broadcast five hearings on five day delivery, and three technical conferences on the exigent rate case. Links to the audio will be posted at prc.gov. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/13/10—Swiss Post’s electronic letterbox is ready for the holidays. Swiss Post Box, which enables users to receive and process their mail electronically, regardless of place and time, is now available to the public. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/13/10—Officials with the USPS® and U.S. Department of Commerce are leveraging their strategic partnership to launch a business plan aimed at empowering American businesses interested in exporting as a pathway to growth. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/12/10—Itella will acquire the parcel business of SmartPOST OÜ, based in Estonia. SmartPOST OÜ has established parcel sending and delivery based on self-servicing parcel terminals and doing business online. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/12/10—If Congress waives the Postal Service’s annual $5.5 billion payment for retiree health benefits before its scheduled Sept. 30 adjournment, withdrawing the exigent rate case “might be something to consider.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/9/10—Six months after the earthquake, Haiti Post picks up pace as its new mail processing centre opens in the capital. The new postal installation was built as part of an emergency aid project managed by the UPU. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/9/10—The launch of a business partnership agreement between the U.S. Postal Service® and the U.S. Department of Commerce is to occur on July 12. The business partnership will support the National Export Initiative. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/8/10—TNT is increasing rates within Europe for its Express services by an average of 3.5 percent as part of a global yield improvement program. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/8/10—Volume discounts and free additional weight are included in the proposed price changes the USPS® filed with the PRC this week. Price changes for the majority of products and services fall between 4 percent and 6 percent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/7/10—The Letter Post Compendium is now online. It enables postal retail employees to more easily consult the range of letter-post products offered by Posts around the world and better serve their customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/7/10—Yesterday the Postal Service™ proposed a major change in its rate structure through an exigent rate case. The proposal represents a fairly bold rethinking of regulatory pricing and past economic thinking. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/6/10—Marc Courtois, Chairman of the Board of Canada Post, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stewart Bacon as interim President and CEO of Canada Post. His appointment is effective July 15. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/6/10—The USPS® has announced a new rate hike proposal. The PRC must approve the recommended price changes. The increases would not go into effect until Jan. 2, 2011. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/2/10—Finland has become the first country in the world to force its ISPs to treat broadband like postal services and telephone connections. Every citizen now has access to a reasonably-priced connection with a minimum speed of 1Mbps. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/2/10—The U.S. Postal Service® overfunded its pension accounts by $50 billion, because of the way in which its obligations have been calculated, according to a new audit. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/1/10—Korea Post, the state-run postal service agency, will expand financial services to mid- and low-income customers, as part of efforts to support the underprivileged and maintain its status as profit-seeking public firm. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/1/10—An independent review says the USPS® is owed at least $50 billion for CSRS overpayment. See the full report to the PRC here. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/30/10—Canada Post has been chosen as one of Canada’s Best 50 Corporate Citizens for the second year in a row by Corporate Knights magazine, who recognized the corporation’s dedication to social programs, environmental initiatives, and community involvement. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/30/10—When it comes to safeguarding personal information, Americans continue to trust the U.S. Postal Service® above all other government agencies. For the sixth consecutive year, the Postal Service™ has been named the “Most Trusted Government Agency” by the premier privacy trust study in America. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/29/10—New Zealand Post has just been named New Zealand's most trusted retail brand for the fourth time in five years in the Readers Digest Most Trusted Brand survey. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/29/10—Ruth Goldway, chairman of the PRC, swears in the first panel during yesterday's hearing in Buffalo, NY, on the halting of Saturday mail delivery. This was the seventh and final public hearing for the commission. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/28/10—Dutch express and postal group TNT is rumored to be in talks with Luxembourg-based private equity firm CVC Capital Partners about selling a stake in its mail unit. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/28/10—The U.S. Postal Service® posted a net loss of $642 million in May, including $458 million in funds allocated to a Congressionally mandated “trust fund.” That brings the year to date net loss for the USPS® to $2.9 billion. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/25/10—Swiss Post is continuing to develop its IncaMail service for the secure and verifiable dispatch of e-mails. The new version, IncaMail 3.0, is based on a new architecture and includes additional functions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/25/10—Postal Service™ employees are asking Congress to cut the Postal Service's mandatory retiree health benefit prepayments, instead of Saturday mail service, as an area to save money for the troubled agency. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/24/10—Beginning in November 2010, Canadians will be able to reset or change their personal identification number (PIN) at no charge on select chip-enabled credit cards at most post offices across the country. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/24/10—The U.S. Postal Service® will face opposition from consumers and its employees if it eliminates Saturday delivery, panelists told lawmakers on Wednesday, June 23. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/23/10—As Romania introduces austerity measures, Romanian Post (which employs around 35,000 people) has announced that it is to lay off a proportion of staff as part of a restructuring and modernization strategy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/23/10— "Having Their Say: Customer and Employee Views on the Future of the Postal Service" is the name of today's hearing, which will bring together the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/22/10—An online service allowing marketers to take a more intelligent approach to unaddressed mail campaigns was unveiled today by Royal Mail, reinforcing the business’s commitment to improved targeting, relevance, and effectiveness. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/22/10— When companies say they are reducing their reliance on promotions, vendors should see this as the beginning of a conversation about mail, not the end of one. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/18/10—The Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) has had to consider making at least 2,000 employees redundant to remain profitable. It’s weighed down by a US $25 million debt to pensioners and other creditors. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/18/10—The Postal Service® has decided to liberalize the “ride-along” rules that have prevented product samples and certain other advertising gimmicks from running in U.S. magazines. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/17/10—The winners of the prestigious 11th World Mail Awards were announced at an Awards ceremony in Copenhagen. The World Mail Awards took place on the eve of the World Mail and Express Europe Conference. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/17/10—To comply with legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products will be subject to new mailing regulations effective June 29, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/16/10—Wireless phones and services may be offered by Canada Post at its 6,500 retail locations nationwide in the future. This would be an expansion of Canada Post’s existing phone-related products. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/16/10—With the Postal Service® facing another challenging year, employees must continue to focus on reducing work hours and operating expenses. One of the primary goals is to cut 93 million work hours. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/15/10—PosTech, the industry leading postal technology conference, is heading to India this year, taking place in New Delhi December 5-7. Triangle Management Services is the event organizer. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/15/10—The National Newspaper Association (NNA) today filed its formal opposition to the USPS’s proposal to end Saturday mail delivery. The NNA is a community newspaper organization of over 2,000 members. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/14/10—Switch Media, an established ISP, has reduced its mail overheads by 36 percent by using leading desktop to doormat delivery solution, imail, to send physical letters direct from a computer to business addresses. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/14/10—USPS® Board will meet in a closed session in Louisville, KY June 21 and 22 to discuss strategic issues; financial matters; pricing; personnel matters; and compensation issues. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/11/10—New Zealand Post is considering cutting mail deliveries to save money. Saturday-morning mail deliveries are under review, but the favored option is to cut deliveries to every two days. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/11/10—The National Envelope Company, the largest envelope manufacturer in the US, filed for bankruptcy today. The company is family owned. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/10/10—An Post has launched postfone, Ireland’s new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), with leading pre-pay ‘any network, any time’ rates, a range of easy-to-use mobile phones, and accessible mobile services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/10/10—The Postal Service® expects the USPS® Summer Sale to generate up to 1 billion new mailpieces during the sale period of July 1 to Sept. 30. Applicants in 2009 numbered 1,200. This year, 1,478 mailers applied. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/9/10—The Russian Postal Service™ is to install satellite tracking equipment in Post Office™ vehicles. In a joint project, 10,000 postal vehicles will be equipped with on-board satellite GPS. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/9/10—A majority of the people who contacted the Postal Regulatory Commission in April and May about ending Saturday mail delivery favor the proposed change, the commission revealed today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/8/10—About 10 percent of retail customers´ and small companies are using Estonia Post's new Web environment kuller.post.ee, which opened last month as a very user-friendly, online solution. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/8/10—Stamps.com announces its new USPS® shipping integration with Zen Cart, the popular open source e-commerce shopping cart software. Users can import customer order data and print shipping labels for all mail classes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/7/10—Canada Post Corporation achieved a major milestone today in its multi-year program to modernize the Canadian postal system as it formally opened its new state-of-the-art mail processing plant in Winnipeg. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/7/10—Despite the United States Postal Service’s recent reports that general mail volumes being down, direct mail is on the rise, according to direct marketing intelligence firm Mintel Comperemedia. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/4/10—Japan's Lower House of Parliament passed legislation this week to reverse the privatization of the nation's sprawling postal services, likely intensifying tensions with U.S. and European officials. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/4/10—MailPro May/June issue is available for viewing at USPS.com. The newsletter is published bimonthly at no charge for mailing professionals. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/3/10—Australia Post welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announcement that they have no objection to increasing the basic postage rate by five cents, effective on June 28. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/3/10—Postmaster General John E. Potter announced Susan Plonkey, VP of Sales, as Acting President of Mailing and Shipping Services. Plonkey brings a strong customer-oriented and operational background to the position. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/2/10— Moya Greene, currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Post Corporation, is to become the new Chief Executive at Royal Mail. She becomes the first woman to hold the post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/2/10—Listen to a new interview with Jim Cochrane, USPS® vice president for product visibility and operational performance, on FederalNewsRadio.com. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/1/10—New Zealand Post Group's corporate responsibility achievements have been recognized with an award presented in Canberra last night. The Group received the Best Progress, Silver Category. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/1/10—The U.S. Postal Service® entered into an international tri-lateral agreement in Shanghai, China with eBay Greater China and Southeast Asia (eBay GC) and China Post Express and Logistics Corporation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/27/10—Czech Post has introduced tighter checks on individuals collecting, storing, or sending money through its systems. The measures are to help pinpoint potential money laundering and terrorist financing. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/27/10—Small- and medium-sized business exporters are confident about their companies' futures, especially when it comes to international sales, according to this year's Business Monitor US survey commissioned by UPS. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/26/10—FedEx Trade Networks has opened three additional offices in its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. This is the latest step in the company's ongoing global expansion plan. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/26/10—Direct mail volumes in the banking and investment industries grew markedly during the first quarter of this year, suggesting such sectors are looking to boost their marketing outreach as the economy recovers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/25/10—After five months of negotiations, the Israel Postal Company has been accepted as a non-full member in Visa Europe, and has been authorized by Visa Europe to issue Visa cards. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/25/10—In a strategic organizational shift designed to achieve long-term business objectives, PMG Potter announced last week realignments within two groups representing key areas of revenue growth for the U.S. Postal Service®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/24/10—Italy and Egypt begin work on a Postal Service™ upgrade. The agreement marks the first phase of the reorganization of Egypt's postal service. The initial phase of the project will last seven and a half months. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/24/10—Looking for signs that the economy is heading in the right direction? Recent financial results from the major players in the global shipping market indicate things are picking up a bit. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/14/10—IPC has developed a Web-based tool for exchanges and approval of Terminal Dues accounting information. The Web-based tool, iPep, is used for exchanging and approving letter mail accounting information. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/14/10—On May 17, the Postal Service® will issue a monarch butterfly stamp, the first butterfly stamp design that will be issued for use on large-size greeting cards. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/13/10—UPS and P and T Express have established UPS Vietnam as a joint stock company to expand UPS's footprint and better serve customers in Vietnam. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/13/10—Postage discounts for major mailers are illegal and “self-defeating,” APWU President William Burrus told lawmakers yesterday. They “deprive the USPS® of revenue that is essential to maintain the nation’s mail network.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/12/10—Sri Lanka Minister of Posts Jeewan Kumaratunga says that all the post offices in the country will be networked and equipped with modern facilities in order to provide a better service to the people. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/12/10—The U.S. Postal Service® released its 2009 annual report on sustainability performance in which Postmaster General John E. Potter credited postal employees for the agency’s environmental achievements. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/11/10—Portugese postal operator CTT has revealed its new green strategy and investment plans ahead of full liberalization of the Portugese postal market in seven months time. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/11/10—Commission members will gather information at the seven meetings, then present their findings to Congress in October. The commission isn’t taking a position on how to solve the Postal Service’s budget problems. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/10/10—Zumbox, Inc. announces the availability of its Zumbox paperless postal platform, as a locally deployable, carrier grade white label software offering for license by postal authorities and commercial entities internationally. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/10/10—The way Postmaster General John E. Potter sees it, he has less than six months to convince Congress and the nation of the urgent need to retool the U.S. Postal Service® for the 21st century. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/7/10—FedEx and Chunghwa Post, Taiwan's official postal service, announced their commercial alliance yesterday on FedEx International Priority service, which will extend to 1,000 Chunghwa Post outlets starting July. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/7/10—Signs of the Times national small business survey reports that small business owners are eager to lead the charge out of the country's protracted recession. This is a marked improvement over the survey's findings last year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/6/10—Hybrid mail service Blue Mail Central saw a 35 percent increase in business when European flights ceased to operate as a result of the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/6/10—The U.S. Postal Service®, which has said it may lose $7 billion this year, narrowed its fiscal second quarter loss to $1.6 billion. Mail volume dropped 6.3 percent in the past six months. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/5/10—Haiti is partially resuming international mail services for the first time since the January earthquake ravaged much of the country’s national institutions, with support from the United Nations postal union. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/5/10—PRC Chair Ruth Goldway told attendees of the IDEAlliance Print Distribution conference that the Postal Service’s proclamation that it will lose $238 billion is an “unsubstantiated figure with no connection to reality.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/4/10—With a SuisseID from Swiss Post, customers can present electronic proof of identity and make legally binding signatures on documents such as contracts and licenses, just as with a traditional signature. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/4/10—The nation’s largest annual food drive to Stamp Out Hunger will be conducted Sat, May 8. On that day, U.S. Postal Service® letter carriers will collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their routes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/3/10—TNT sees a modest improvement in the economy for 2010. Express volumes, revenues, and results are expected to be well above 2009 levels. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/3/10—If FedEx and UPS are so much more efficient than the U.S. Postal Service®, how did the USPS® manage to beat its private rivals for an exclusive deal with the nation’s toughest customer? http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/30/10—Canada Post Corporation tabled its 2009 annual report in Parliament, reporting a profit for the 15th consecutive year. The Corporation met or exceeded Delivery Service Performance targets. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/30/10—The PRC is inviting public comments on a Postal Service™ proposal to end carrier street address delivery, collection at blue collection boxes, and incoming mail processing on Saturdays in the United States. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/29/10—Swiss Post is taking over MCM Direct Limited, a local mailing services provider. This move will make it a direct provider of cross-border letter mail and press dispatch services from and to the United Kingdom. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/29/10—With the reopening of international airports across Europe, full service for international mail has resumed, and the temporary restriction imposed by the U.S. Postal Service® since April 21 has been lifted. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/28/10—Royal Mail warmly welcomed the vote by members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in favor of the recent agreement with the union leadership, Business Transformation 2010 and Beyond. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/28/10—Thirteen companies were recognized by the U.S. Postal Service® for superior supply chain performance and delivering best-value solutions that reduce costs, enhance performance, maintain high levels of service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/27/10—The Portugese population had been largely unaffected by strike action after postal workers began what is expected to be five days of industrial action in protest against a reduction in their salaries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/27/10—The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service® will meet in open session May 6 at Postal Service™ headquarters. The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/26/10—Czech Post reports that since it introduced an electronic mail system (the 'Data Box') in Czechoslovakia less than six months ago, users have already sent some 10 million data messages. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/26/10—Sen. Tom Corburn (R-OK), a frequent critic of the US Postal Service®, emerged as an unlikely champion of the agency's 10-year plan to revise its business model at an April 22 Senate subcommittee hearing. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/23/10—UK direct mail service company 'PostForce' is offering free mailing on large letters. The offer is open to anyone sending 500 or more large letters at a time. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/23/10—PMG John E. Potter told a Senate subcommittee yesterday that legislative change is still needed to put the Postal Service® back on the path to financial stability. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/22/10—The Postal Service® is using all available airlift, rerouting mail through alternate airports, and booking available ground transportation to move international mail in response to the ongoing closure of airports throughout Europe. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/22/10—On the eve of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the U.S. Postal Service® unveiled its green newsroom, a one-stop shop for all its environmental information. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/21/10—Japan's government has unveiled details of its plan to reform the nation's postal system, by choosing the radical option of expanding its offering of financial services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/21/10—The Federal Register final rule on the upcoming 2010 Standard Mail® Incentive Program (aka 2010 Summer Sale) is now on Postal Explorer®. Invitation letters will automatically be sent to eligible customers by May 1, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/20/10—Itella's mail delivery trial to test alternative future mail delivery methods started last week. The objective is for the trial to be in full swing within two weeks and end at the close of 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/20/10—What is the most important service factor for the Postal Service® to maintain? If you have an opinion, cast your vote here! http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/19/10—The Universial Postal Union (UPU) has a new website! Read the latest news and surf through the new website. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/19/10—Hallmark announces the company’s first postage-paid product, Postage-Paid Postcards. The postcards were developed with the USPS® and use a new barcode technology that eliminates the need for consumers to apply a stamp. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/16/10—Deutsche Post mail customers continue to enjoy a significant savings compared to other countries. This was again the case in the most recent annual edition of European letter price comparisons. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/16/10—As Postmaster General John E. Potter met with lawmakers Thursday to discuss his plans for restructuring the U.S. Postal Service®, he acknowledged that the mail agency could further reduce its workforce. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/15/10—As the World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasts a global trade growth of 9.5 percent in 2010, DHL Express announces a further expansion of its import services on a worldwide basis. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/15/10—Speaking this week at National Postal Forum in Nashville, Vice President of Expedited Shipping Gary Reblin told mailers the Postal Service® is in the shipping business and that shipping is key to its future. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/14/10—Australia Post has lodged a formal submission with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to increase the basic postage rate by five cents starting June 28, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/14/10—Attendees at the National Postal Forum learned firsthand about the effectiveness of the Postal Service's Intelligent Mail® Barcode system this week, as it was being promoted as a great way to communicate with customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/13/10—Postal deliveries in Australia could be scrapped and residents forced to collect mail from automated community post boxes under a new system. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/13/10—Postmaster General John E. Potter gives a keynote address at the 2010 National Postal Forum in Nashville, TN. The NPF runs through tomorrow, April 14. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/12/10—Norway Post is implementing a new organizational structure to ensure realization of operational synergies and positioning for Nordic growth. The new structure will be fully operational before the summer. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/12/10—The Postal Service’s new business model, five day delivery, and other hot issues facing the mailing industry (along with the experts to address them) await attendees at this year’s National Postal Forum live today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/9/10—TNT, the Dutch mail and express delivery company, says it will spin off its mail operations in preparation for a possible partnership or listing of the business. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/9/10—Veterans will be able to safely dispose of expired and unused prescriptions and help the environment at the same time under a program offered by the U.S. Postal Service® and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/8/10—UK Mail Group’s fourth quarter saw solid progress, with Group revenues for the period increasing by some 2% year on year, leading to Group revenues for the full financial year being in line with the previous year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/8/10—DMA continues to be your advocate and is addressing issues that touch your business every day. This week, two issues are of extreme importance: Colorado House Bill 1193 and PRC Approves Summer Sale. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/7/10—A union representing 2,000 Canada Post employees says it will fight the Crown corporation's plan to privatize parts of its operations. The plan would eliminate more than 300 jobs across the country. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/7/10—Officials with the U.S. Postal Service® are asking members of the public how they would feel if Saturday mail was canceled. Members of the public are invited to share their views on the commission website at www.prc.gov. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/6/10—Door-to-door postal services on the nation's urban fringe face extinction as Australia Post prepares to roll out fully-automated community mail centers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/6/10—May will be a good month: There will be no First-Class postage increase this year! A once-ounce letter will still cost 44 cents, with additional ounces costing 17 cents. Postal cards are still priced at 28 cents. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/5/10—The final selection for a successor for Adam Crozier, chief executive at Royal Mail, is underway. Royal Mail is about to step up its plans for survival with its new, unnamed, successor. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/5/10—In this C-SPAN video, Ruth Goldway talks about how the U.S. Postal Service® is adjusting to the modern era of communication and shrinking volume of letters... and its proposal to pare mail service to five days a week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/2/10—Canada Post is planning to outsource call center jobs in a move that will impact about 300 employees across the country. The cuts are expected to begin by the first quarter of 2011. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/2/10— Read about all the key elements of the USPS’s five-day delivery request filed with the PRC earlier this week. The site is separated into sections for business mailers and households, and features answers to FAQs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/1/10—Itella, formerly Finland Post, will begin an entirely new postal service experiment, which involves opening the customers’ letters. The letters will then be scanned and emailed to the receiver. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/1/10—As the U.S. Postal Service® proposes to trim its weekly mail service to five days, the deputy postmaster general addresses employee morale. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/31/10— Czech Post has already doubled its investment in new technology and instigated a massive restructuring in its post office network in order to be ready for full liberalization in 2013. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/31/10— The PRC today established Docket N2010-1 to thoroughly review whether the U.S. Postal Service® plan to eliminate Saturday delivery should be implemented. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/30/10—Today Conservation International (CI) announced a major investment by FedEx Corp. to support environmental projects in China. FedEx will donate US $600,000 to CI to run 10 community conservation projects. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/30/10—Cutting Saturday mail deliveries would save the U.S. Postal Service® $3.3 billion in its first year and about $5.1 billion annually by 2020, officials said Monday as they prepared to file their plans with postal regulators. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/29/10—Postcomm’s latest research reveals the majority of people in the UK—ranging from the ordinary householder, to a small business, and all the way to a large corporation—are happy with their postal services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/29/10—If you do business locally or want to enter a new market area quickly, you don’t want to overlook the value of a saturation mailing within a radius of your business or across a specific ZIP Code™. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/26/10—The Japanese government will begin the process of privatizing Japan Post. The decision leaves the USPS® alone as having a business model with many characteristics of a government department. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/26/10—Five-day delivery is one of the Postal Service’s best options to significantly reduce its costs to partially offset its unprecedented mail volume and revenue declines, with Saturday being the best day to eliminate carrier delivery. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/25/10—Russia's Post Service has proposed changing the country's International Post customs to round-the-clock operations to expedite postal deliveries to Russia, following delay complaints by global postal operators. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/25/10—The U.S. Postal Service® recently launched a new measurement system designed to better understand customers’ total experience doing business with USPS® at every level of the organization. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/24/10—A strike Tuesday in France is expected to disrupt trains, transport, postal services and schools, as unions aim a new blow at President Nicolas Sarkozy following his party's drubbing in regional elections. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/24/10—The U.S. Postal Service® Board of Governors today approved management’s request to move forward with its five-day delivery proposal and to file a request for an advisory opinion with the PRC on March 30. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/23/10—Greek postal regulator EETT is to hold a Workshop on "Future of the Postal Market: Regulatory Challenges and Tools for Development" on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 9:30 at the Hotel Divani Caravel. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/23/10—The financial data unveiled along with the FedEx earnings report revealed how closely tied the fortunes of FedEx and UPS are tied to the Postal Service®. FedEx is one of the Postal Service's largest suppliers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/22/10—Following the establishment of an agreement between the CWU and Royal Mail, CWU leaders are touring the country explaining what the new deal will mean and why workers should vote in favor of the agreement. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/22/10—The end of Saturday mail delivery gets closer to reality in the next 10 days, as Postmaster General John E. Potter plans to formally present his proposals to his board of directors and postal regulators. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/19/10—The Universal Postal Union (UPU), the International Post Corporation (IPC) and PostEurop, a UPU restricted union, have finalized the greenhouse gas emission inventory standard for the postal sector. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/19/10—The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service® will meet in open session March 24 at Postal Service™ headquarters, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW. The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/18/10—Quality of letter mail service in Europe continues to far exceed both the European Union’s speed objective of 85 percent of intra-EU mail delivery within three days, and its reliability objective of 97 percent within five days. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/18/10—According to verifications performed by the U.S. Postal Service® since January 2009, 95 percent of mailings with the Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb) are quality, readable barcodes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/17/10—Technopost Africa, opening today in Tunis, will focus on the role of modern technology in building more modern, prosperous Posts for Africa. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/17/10—The PRC is seeking actuarial expertise to evaluate the postal service’s liability for some of its employee’s civil service pensions. The USPS® is seeking the PRC’s opinion under the postal reform act passed in 2006. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/16/10—Of the 15 most important countries compared, Swiss Post ranks fifth in terms of counter prices for letters. It is the second least expensive parcel service provider in Europe. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/16/10—The U.S. Postal Service® is searching for a business model that will stop a downward spiral in revenue as Americans move their mail and bill-paying to the Internet. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/15/10—Postal experts from Canada, France, Senegal, and the United States will travel to Port-au-Prince in early April to help Haiti jumpstart its postal services, paralyzed since the January earthquake. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/15/10—The USPS® filed a request with the PRC last Friday to change the designation of some Post Office™ Boxes from monopoly to competitive designation—a move to allow greater flexibility to meet the needs of customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/12/10—State-owned Hungarian postal company Magyar Posta plans to begin offering some of its services in other central and eastern European countries by January 1, 2013. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/12/10—The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and the American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA) have come to an understanding of their common goals in protecting the catalog segment from legislative and regulatory threats. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/11/10—TNT Express announces the worldwide launch of its new Express Import system which gives customers complete control over their import shipments. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/11/10—With more than 7 billion pieces of mail processed and $2 billion in revenue generated for the U.S. Postal Service®, the Intelligent Mail® Full Service program has been a success story for business mailers, too. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/10/10—The CWU has reached a deal with Royal Mail which brings a pay rise in excess of 6.9 percent over the next three years, reduces the working week, and brings greater job security to postal workers while delivering business transformation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/10/10—Here are seven misconceptions about the Postal Service’s long-range action plan gleaned from news accounts, conversations, and the Postal Service’s own presentation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/9/10—Royal Mail today welcomed the agreement reached with the Communication Workers Union on business transformation which paves the way for a strong and successful future for Royal Mail and its people. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/9/10—PMG John Potter announces the appointment of Janet Klug to serve on the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC). Klug will join the committee in April. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/8/10—Businesses can now send physical mail direct from their computer to addresses across the UK for less than the cost of a second class stamp following the launch of an economy service from imail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/8/10—Today, the USPS® and the USPIS® join with federal, state, and local government agencies and consumer protection organizations to announce the 12th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 7-13. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/5/10—The U.S. Postal Service® is expanding its date-certain, guaranteed Express Mail® International (EMI) to France through Le Groupe La Poste, and Singapore through Singapore Post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/5/10—The U.S. Postal Service® did something for the first time last year, and it was so successful, they’re planning to do it again: launch a summer sale. The 2010 Summer Sale is scheduled to run July 1 through Sept. 30. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/4/10—Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) has signed a joint declaration with Egyptian National Postal Organization (ENPO), officially establishing the bilateral partnership in the field of postal services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/4/10—Instead of agreeing to a cut in Saturday service, Congress and the PRC are more likely to free the agency from a government-mandated requirement—a significant cost-cutting measure. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/3/10—DHL, UPS, FedEx, and TNT, the largest express deliverers around the globe, will be able to enjoy a mechanism for regular communications with the Chinese government. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/3/10—The U.S. Postal Service® is at a tipping point due to the combined effects of the economic recession, increased use of electronic communications, and its obligations to prepay Retiree Health Benefits. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/2/10—French postal operator La Poste, officially became a limited liability company on March 1. The change of status was approved by the French parliament in January - despite opposition by French unions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/2/10—Postmaster General John E. Potter today outlined an aggressive plan of cost cutting, increased productivity, and an array of legislative and regulatory changes necessary to maintain a viable USPS®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/1/10—Royal Mail’s First Class quality of service performance fell below target in the autumn of 2009-2010, a period marked by repeated national industrial action. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/1/10—USPS® finances marked steady improvement on a month-by-month basis in its first fiscal quarter. These improvements allowed it to earn a small operating profit in Dec. and a smaller-than-forecast loss for the quarter. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/26/10—New Zealand Post Group has recorded a net profit after a difficult half year that ended Dec. 31, 2009. The current period's net profit was an acceptable result given the significant impacts of the global economic downturn and increasing competition. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/26/10—The U.S. Postal Service® is installing Flats Sequencing System machines at a rapid pace, but is still overhauling the schedule for future installations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/25/10—Post Danmark reported an operating profit of DKK 136 million in 2009, down from DKK 817 million the year before. The lower profit is due to general economic decline and a decline in volume of letters and parcels. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/25/10—The U.S. Postal Service® is expanding its partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce to support the newly established National Export Initiative (NEI). http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/24/10—Bhutan Post has developed numerous postcodes with help from the universal postal union (UPU) after finally settling on a five digit numeric postcode, based on the country’s administrative division. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/24/10—Postmaster General Potter will host a conference to address the future of the U.S. Postal Service® and to announce new business model on March 2, from 9am-12pm in Washington D.C. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/23/10—Swiss Post says it will eliminate 100 jobs around the country before the end of the year. The cuts will come in the express and courier divisions where 260 people are currently employed in eight cantons. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/23/10—The Jan./Feb. MailPro is now available. You’ll find informative articles on the transition of bulk mail centers (BMC), to network distribution centers (NDC), return addressing, streamlined postage statements, and more. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/22/10—According to Austrian Post, four strategic cornerstones provide a clear orientation for further development of Austrian Post. Austrian Post also wants to exploit future growth opportunities. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/22/10—The Postal Service® released final “droop” regulations this week that give small newspapers a break, but are otherwise full of problems for mailers of catalogs, magazines, and other flat mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/19/10—Despite a fall in revenue as a result of the financial crisis and economic slump, Norway Post significantly increased its earnings in 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/19/10—Under its revised plan to cut mail delivery to five days a week, the US Postal Service® would eliminate delivery to street addresses and some processing on Saturday, but it would not close post offices. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/18/10—UPS Freight has stretched its two-day delivery network from Montreal and Toronto as far south as Atlanta and St. Louis. This continues a 2009 initiative that reduced nearly 1,000 transit times between Canadian points and the US. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/18/10—The U.S. Postal Service® says local mail delivery is 90 percent back to normal after this month's back-to-back snowstorms in the Washington D.C. area. The twin storms made many area streets inaccessible. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/17/10—The Pan African Postal Union has successfully wrapped up its 30th anniversary celebrations, attracting a record number of postal-sector ministers and top policy-makers from international and regional organizations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/17/10—If you have not yet attended a Plant Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) webinar, the DMM Advisory is offering the chance to take part in one this Friday, Feb. 19, beginning at 12:30 p.m. (EST). http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/16/10—The government of Japan is making final arrangements to abolish the 10 million yen limit on the amount of postal savings that can be held by each depositor through a postal reform bill. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/16/10—The Public Representative performed a service for postal stakeholders in their estimates of the required rate increases to return the Postal Service to break even by 2011. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/15/10— A new global initiative has been created to connect representatives of the postal and express shipping organizations with experts in the field of automatic identification from around the world. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/15/10— The ailing U.S. Postal Service® will experience a net loss in fiscal 2011 similar to that of 2010, according to agency estimates in President Obama's budget. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/12/10—For the first time in Brazil, post offices will join efforts to prevent new HIV infections. The local take on the global campaign “Post Offices Fighting Against AIDS”, was launched earlier this week in Brasilia. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/12/10—Valassis, one of the nation’s leading media and marketing services companies and a partner with USPS® in the “Have You Seen Me” program to recover missing children, says shoppers saved nearly $3.5 billion with coupons last year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/11/10—Despite an unfavorable economic climate, Croatian Post saw the end of a long period of operating with a financial loss, finally seeing in 2009, an operating profit of 169 million HRK from its core business. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/11/10—The U.S. Postal Service® says it will resume service to most of the D.C. area today. Ten percent of people in the D.C. area haven't received mail since the weekend. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/10/10—The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has appointed Royal Mail to develop an integrated Dialogue Mail campaign to promote the use of the Government’s electronic services for renewing car tax. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/10/10—The U.S. Postal Service® ended the first quarter of this fiscal year (Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2009) with a net loss of $297 million, while posting continued high scores in quarterly delivery performance. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/9/10—Portuguese postal company CTT-Correios de Portugal is due to start operating in Mozambique before the end of the first half of this year. CTT plans to invest some 2 million euros in its internationalization. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/9/10—The public meeting of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service® scheduled for Feb. 9, 2010 has been canceled, due to transportation issues related to severe winter weather in the Washington, DC, area. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/8/10—TNT is expanding its e-commerce activities with the acquisition of e-fulfillment specialist TopPak, effect today. With this acquisition TNT is strengthening its position as market leader through its Parcel Service business. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/8/10—This April, more than 4,000 mailing industry professionals will attend the National Postal Forum (NPF) and gain cutting-edge strategies and techniques for helping their organizations thrive in today’s marketplace. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/5/10—DHL has announced its new joint venture in Bangladesh and that it will invest $10 million over the next few years to enhance its logistics capabilities in the country. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/5/10— President Obama’s fiscal 2011 budget proposal requires the continuation of six-day delivery by the Postal Service®. The administration will work with postal unions to keep the Postal Service strong for years to come http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/4/10—The Swiss Post International Group unit is acquiring two long-term sales partners based in Madrid. This latest acquisition demonstrates Swiss Post International's commitment to pursuing its growth strategy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/4/10—The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service® will meet Feb. 9 at Postal Service headquarters. The public is welcome to observe the Board’s open session, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/3/10—Royal Mail revealed that mailings delivered under its Sustainable Mail™ service have reached the 100 million mark nine months after its launch. To qualify for the Sustainable Mail product, mailers must meet certain specification criteria. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/3/10—The Postal Service’s Initial Management Inquiry Process (IMIP) is a six-step process that helps managers resolve harassment problems and ensure employees have a harassment-free work environment. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/2/10—The United States is urging Japan not to discriminate against U.S. competitors in areas of insurance, banking, and express delivery services, as Tokyo re-examines the future of its giant postal system. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/2/10—When UPS partnered with the Postal Service® to offer Parcel Return Service (PRS), it recognized the strength of the USPS® network and the efficient service it provides to every address, every day. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/1/10—The CEO of Lithuania Post has presented a plan to provide a 10 percent increase in pay for its postal workers. The pay increase is effective July 1, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/1/10—The U.S. Postal Service® has filed an update with the PRC indicating that 162 offices remain under review for possible consolidation under the station and branch consolidation initiative. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/29/10—After two years time and three court proceedings, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig, Germany, has ruled that the ordinance on the postal minimum wage of EUR 9.80 is null and void. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/29/10—More than six months ago, published reports warned about a problem with Intelligent Mail® barcodes. Today, the Postal Service® is addressing and correcting the problem. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/28/10—Austrian Post has presented the Post.Partner Concept 2010, the first cornerstone of its drive to improve customer service. Austrian Post is offering all municipalities the chance to establish a postal service point. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/28/10—Because a viable postal sector is critical to any nation’s economic stability, U.S. Postal Inspectors are being sent to Haiti to help prepare for the restoration of mail service to the earthquake-ravaged country. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/27/10—The European Commission has closed its investigation into a special government guarantee to France's postal company, La Poste, because a new law will put an end to it. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/27/10—The Postal Service® is proposing to revise Mailing Standards of the USPS® Domestic Mail Manual to reflect changes in the processing of hard-copy postage statements. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/26/10—Royal Mail announces the creation of a new Strategic Mailing Partnership™ to drive developments and shape the future of the mailing house industry. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/26/10—A report showing the USPS® overpaid its CSRS obligation by $75 billion has been released. If the federal government righted this payment, these funds could potentially save the Postal Service® from fiscal insolvency. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/25/10—An agreement concerning the future organization of postal deliveries in Belgium was concluded within the Joint consultative committee last week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/25/10— The Chinese Post Office currently has 20 executives touring the US, trying to figure out how to grow direct mail industry here. They are interested in the US direct mail industry, because it is one of the most vibrant industries in the world. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/22/10— The UPU International Bureau has set up a task force to bring together postal experts from across the globe to coordinate efforts directed at helping the Post of Haiti, severely crippled by last week’s earthquake. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/22/10—Parcel Magazine releases rate analysis for the top three shipping companies: U.S. Postal Service®, USS, Fed Ex. No matter which carrier you are using, you’ll need clear visibility into your package distribution pattern. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/21/10—TNT has signed an agreement to sell, with immediate effect, its German unaddressed mail business to its current management team. TNT Post Germany will continue to focus on the addressed letter business. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/21/10—This report provides an overview of the U.S. Postal Service’s financial condition, recent legislation to alleviate the USPS’s financial challenges, and possible issues for the 111th Congress. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/20/10—A recent LinkedIn poll conducted on behalf of ONEPOST, reveals 65 percent of companies will increase their use of direct mail this year, particularly as part of an integrated marketing strategy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/20/10—A study just released by the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) shows that the current system of funding the Postal Service’s Civil Service Retirement System pension responsibility is inequitable. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/19/10—For the past year, customers of Swiss Post have had the opportunity to send their letters, parcels and goods consignments with the "pro clima" surcharge, to be invested in a climate protection project. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/19/10—The U.S. Postal Service® salutes the Lunar New Year with a commemorative 12-stamp souvenir sheet. All 40 million 44-cent first-class stamps are available nationwide or online at www.usps.com/store. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/18/10—Germany's national postal service Deutsche Post has finalized the details of its new “hybrid mail” service. The combination of e-mail with traditional "snail mail" will be €0.09 cheaper per letter. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/18/10—The U.S. Postal Service® has placed a temporary hold on all mail destined to the nation of Haiti. Mail addressed to Haiti is continuing to be accepted, and will be held until transportation arrangements become available. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/15/10—The PRC has ordered the Postal Service® to terminate two non-postal services and issued guidelines for the sale of licensed CDs and DVDs by the Postal Service®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/15/10—The move to turn French postal operator La Poste into a limited liability company was approved by the French parliament this week, despite opposition by French unions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/14/10—Canada Post’s new rate for domestic basic Lettermail™ took effect Jan. 11. The new stamp rates were outlined in the rate plan publicly proposed last June. The Government of Canada approved the plan in Oct. 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/14/10—It took seven months to hit the 1 billion mark, but only four more weeks to hit 3 billion. That’s the number of Intelligent Mail® Full Service mail pieces processed by the USPS® since the program’s implementation last May. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/13/10—Royal Mail announces Alan Cook, Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, will retire in May after more than four years at the helm of the company. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/13/10—USPS® consolidation is coming in several forms. Besides the operational changes at the processing plants, retail stations and branches are being examined. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/12/10—Japan’s top logistics provider, Yamato Transport, has arrived on Singapore's doorstep and could pose a challenge to market leader SingPost for half of the domestic-delivery pie. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/12/10— If it had implemented a five-day-per-week delivery schedule years ago, the U.S. Postal Service® would have saved more than $2 billion during the its 2008 fiscal year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/11/10—Norway’s post offices are to be modernized so that they meet customer needs now and in the future. The transition to electronic mail and banking services is the main reason for the change. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/11/10—The Postal Service® proposes to revise Mailing Standards of the USPS®, DMM® to clarify that a proposed new standard to allow for the mailing of replica or inert explosive devices be sent by Registered Mail™ only. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/8/10—Postal deliveries in Northern England and Scotland are being disrupted due to the weather. Much of the South has yet to see further snow, but many roads remain icy and treacherous. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/8/10—UPS plans to cut 1,800 jobs, saying profits exceeded their forecast. The cuts underscore UPS’s efforts to defend market share which generates about two-thirds of revenue and has posted declining volume for seven straight quarters. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/7/10—De Post-La Poste, Belgium's national postal operator acquired a majority stake in MSI Worldwide Mail, a U.S.-based mail and parcel delivery company. The company will continue to operate as MSI Worldwide Mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/7/10—The US Postal Service® ended the calendar year with 599,655 career employees, a drop of 57,118, or 8.7% from the same period last year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/6/10—Britain's Home Delivery Network said it would buy DHL's UK parcel delivery operations, DHL Domestic, from Deutsche Post DHL, growing its market share in a sector profiting from a boom in online shopping. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/6/10—The PRC has asked the Postal Service® and others parties to comment on whether the Annual Compliance Report shows that postal rates and fees comply with the pricing requirements and objectives. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/5/10—State-owned Hungarian postal company Magyar Posta has increased its prices by an average 4.9pc. Magyar Posta's guaranteed delivery services will keep their prices, but packages will be sent for a higher price. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/5/10—Apple® Computer’s App Store℠ online store now offers a new free U.S. Postal Service® application for iPhone® and iPod touch® mobile digital devices. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/4/10—A government draft of new plans to convert the Japan Post group into a three-company system and boost the government's involvement in Japan's postal system has been unveiled. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/4/10—New prices for Priority Mail®; Express Mail®; Global Express Guaranteed; Express Mail International; Priority Mail® International; Parcel Select® and Parcel Return Service, are effective today, Jan. 4, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/30/09—Nearly all Dutch send their New Years’ greeting by post cards, according to a poll by TNT Post released on Tuesday. The poll shows that 96 percent of the Dutch send their New Year’s wishes by post, rather than online. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/30/09—Move Update assessment charges for automation and presort First-Class Mail® and all Standard Mail® mailings effective January 4, 2010. Here is a background summary and descriptions of the changes and procedures. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/29/09—Pakistan Post is committed to make secure and timely delivery of mail, money, and material at the doorsteps of the customers at affordable cost. Letter mail is the basic, traditional service of the Pakistan Post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/29/09—The US Postal Service® posted a net loss of $255 million for the month of November, bringing the fiscal year to date loss to $476 million after the first two months of FY 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/28/09—Swiss Post processed around 15 million packages in the pre-Christmas period. Swiss Post will still be forwarding parcels for those in need to the Swiss Red Cross free of charge until January 9, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/28/09—Although we often take it for granted, the Post Office™ is a government agency that works. For 44 cents, you can send a letter anywhere in the continental U.S. within three business days. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/23/09—Canada Post letter carriers at a downtown station say they've been Scrooged out of their Christmas cheer. Decorations in the workplace are being deemed a health and safety hazard. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/23/09—The U.S. Postal Service® says it will lose more than $3 billion this year and $8 billion next year. Can anything be done to save it? Bill Radke gets the views of LA Times business columnist David Lazarus. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/22/09—The "London 2010: Festival of Stamps" kicks off in January 2010, and is a year long festival of exhibitions and events celebrating stamps, their design, and postal heritage. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/22/09—The demise of direct mail has been predicted for a decade now. But as individual sectors of the economy are beginning to emerge from recession, advertising trends show that direct mail is far from obsolete. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/21/09—Swiss Post and the trade unions Kommunikation, Transfair, and Comedia, have agreed on a collective employment contract (CEC) for the early delivery of newspapers. The CEC will begin on March 1 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/21/09—The U.S. Postal Service® would become the guinea pig for testing 20,000 electric vehicles under House legislation introduced Dec. 17. If approved, the bill would help the Postal Service green its large mail delivery fleet. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/18/09—Fair Work Australia has ruled in favor of Australia Post and ordered planned strike action by the postal union to be stopped. Mail and parcel delivery is returning to normal. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/18/09—Customers searching for reliable overnight delivery of holiday gifts can look to Express Mail® from the USPS® to get it under the tree in time. The last recommended day for mailing holiday gifts by Express Mail® is Dec. 23. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/17/09—The European Commission has endorsed a Polish scheme intended to compensate the Polish Post for net losses incurred in discharging its public service obligations between 2006 and 2011. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/17/09—President Barack Obama has appointed Postal Service™ Board of Governors member Alan C. Kessler of Philadelphia to a second term that will expire Dec. 8, 2015. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/16/09—The Board of Directors of Swiss Post have appointed Jürg Bucher as the new Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Post with immediate effect. He succeeds Michel Kunz, who is leaving Swiss Post by mutual consent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/16/09—Post Offices will be open on Christmas Eve, December 24, and New Year’s Eve, December 31; however, many will shorten retail lobby hours and close at 12:00 noon. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/15/09—Despite numerous promises to the contrary, the CEPU is still holding strike action over the heads of the Australian public in the lead up to Christmas. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/15/09—Purolator USA, a Canada Post subsidiary, is slowly expanding its domestic United States business as a complement to its cross-border business. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/14/09—The UPU is the first United Nations agency to obtain a piece of real-estate space on the Internet for the global industry it represents. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/14/09—Today marks the Postal Service’s busiest mailing day of the year with more than 830 million pieces of mail entering the system. This represents an increase of more than 40 percent in the average daily volume of 583 million pieces of mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/11/09—The postal industry today became the first services sector to set a global emissions target for the industry. 20 postal operators will work together to collectively reduce their carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2020, based on 2008 levels http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/11/09—One hundred and nine commercial mailers can’t be wrong. That’s the number of mostly high-volume mailers who helped the U.S. Postal Service® deliver one billion pieces of mail using Full Service Intelligent Mail®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/10/09—The CEPU must declare what impact industrial action will have on the public's Christmas mail after serving industrial notices on Australia Post declaring a Christmas strike. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/10/09—Arriving just in time for the holidays, the U.S. Postal Service® has added a special Priority Mail Flat Rate Gift Envelope to its lineup of flat-rate mailing products. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/9/09—The former banker ousted as head of Japan's postal-services group is striking back at the new government, blasting plans to halt privatization of the agency, which doubles as the world's largest savings bank. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/9/09— Calling it “absolutely the wrong way” to pay for healthcare reform, APWU President William Burrus was among leaders of federal and postal unions objecting to the Senate bill’s proposed excise tax on many insurance plans. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/8/09—The annual earning of Pakistan Postal Service (PPS) has shown an unprecedented rise of around 25 percent in its yearly revenue earning for 2008-09, swelling total income to Rs 7.7 billion. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/8/09—FedEx Corp. said its fiscal second- quarter profit exceeded its forecast as international and ground shipments rose, bolstering economists’ assessments that a global recovery is under way. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/7/09—Japan passed a law Friday to halt the privatization of the country's postal service, holder of $3.446 trillion in Japanese investments and household wealth. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/7/09—This holiday season the U.S. Postal Service® is reminding customers to take the hustle and bustle out of holiday shipping by using the online Post Office™. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/4/09—The head of the UN agency urges the worldwide postal sector to act to reduce emissions and grow the business at the same time. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/4/09—FedEx Corp. will raise shipping rates for its Ground and Home Delivery units by an average of 4.9 percent in 2010 — 1 percent lower than the hike this year. All of the rate increases will go into effect on Jan. 4. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/3/09—The UK Government is promoting new financial products and services that could be offered via the Post Office, ranging from a business account to children's savings. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/3/09—The Postal Service® has a goal to cut petroleum usage by 2 percent annually through 2015, compared with a 2005 baseline. Yet petroleum consumption increased 4 percent between 2005 and 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/2/09—The International Post Corporation has released its 2009 report on the state of the global postal industry. The IPC Global Postal Industry Report is the most comprehensive report of its kind. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/2/09—What do the U.S. Postal Service®, the Muppets, and Santa Claus have in common? Neither rain nor snow nor heat nor gloom of night will keep them from delivering dreams this holiday season. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/1/09—On World AIDS Day, the HIV-prevention campaigns launched so far in the Post Offices of six countries continue to raise awareness of the deadly virus. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/1/09—The following Postal Service® report, “Assessment of the U.S. Postal Service® Future Business Model,” represents just one aspect of that consultation process, and serves as a starting point for an ongoing discussion. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/30/09—The CWU may call for more strikes before Christmas, despite an interim agreement to establish a period of calm. Postal workers are concerned further strikes will alienate them from the general public. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/30/09—USPS® aims to protect privacy of needy Letters to Santa writers, after an incident last year in which a registered sex offender obtained the address of a child. Charities scramble to adjust. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/25/09—The Swiss are very satisfied with Swiss Post's letter delivery service, according to a survey of 15,000 customers carried out by Swiss Post. Scoring 92 out of a possible 100, the overall delivery performed very well. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/25/09—Ruth Goldway, PRC Chairman, talks about the future of the U.S. Postal Service® in this C-Span video, as it considers cutting service days. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/24/09—Russia's state postal operator Pochta Rossii plans to cut 33,000 personnel down in 2010 as part of a campaign aimed at streamlining company management. The postal operator currently employs 415,000 people. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/24/09— Every year, some tax-refund checks mailed out by the government are returned by the U.S. Postal Service® due to what the IRS refers to as "mailing address errors." http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/23/09—Ceska Posta, the Czech Republic postal service, has just launched a new international parcel service. EPG is a new express service offering a favorably priced solution to Czech customers needing to mail parcels abroad. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/23/09—UPS has issued its 2010 rate change information. Visit the UPS Web site starting December 18, 2009 to download the 2010 UPS Rate and Service Guide. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/20/09—Prices for letters and postcards delivered by Deutsche Post within Germany will remain the same next year. The Federal Network Agency has accepted the respective pricing proposal of Deutsche Post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/20/09—The U.S. Postal Service® today updated the list of retail stations and branches that remain under review for possible consolidation, with only 241 offices still under review. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/19/09—UK Mail (Business Post) has reported an 11 percent fall in revenue from its parcel delivery service - from £9.6m to £80m. The company blamed the fall on the impact of the recession. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/19/09—In its first-ever sustainability report, the USPS® showed a decrease in total energy use of 9 percent from 2005 to 2008. The agency is also increasing opportunities for the public to recycle junk mail and other paper. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/18/09— Twelve years after setting up its base for international air cargo operations in India, FedEx Corp. has begun domestic express service for the Indian market. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/18/09—PMG John Potter used the open session of the Nov. 13 USPS® Board of Governors meeting to press again for structural reform of the agency, by reducing the number of delivery days from six to five per week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/17/09—Some CWU representatives are claiming that Royal Mail is already breaking the spirit of the peace agreement, leading to speculation that strikes could resume in the coming weeks. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/17/09—The USPS® today filed its 2009 fiscal year-end financial results, showing a net loss of $3.8 billion for the year — despite cost-cutting efforts resulting in $6 billion in cost savings and a $4 billion reduction. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/16/09—The UPU Council of Administration (CA) ended its 2009 session on Friday. The CA approved a proposal to formalize the relationship between the UPU and the International Organization for Migration. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/16/09—Do you pass the droop test? The droop test measures the flexibility of catalogs. The USPS® extended the deadline for the deflections standard implementation from September 8, 2009 to January 4, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/12/09—French Post deliveries could be hit by disruption later this month when five unions walkout on November 24 in a one day protest about a new law that would turn the post office into a company with shareholders. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/12/09—The USPS® has announced its 2010 parcel rate shipping prices to take effect Jan. 4, coinciding with rate changes made by FedEx and UPS. The overall average price increase will be 3.3% for Priority Mail®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/11/09—A recent report commissioned by TNT Post UK highlights some of the myths surrounding doordrop activity, which has led to a negative perception of the industry in comparison to other media. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/11/09—How would you make over the U.S. Postal Service®? With bankruptcy looming, the USPS® needs a major fix. Inc. 500 CEOs describe how they would approach the problem. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/10/09—Bulgarian Posts will be restructured and stabilized financially by being split into five subsidiaries in which the state will keep 51 percent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/10/09—The USPS® refurbished existing mail-processing equipment to perform new tasks for only $60,000 per unit, thereby saving them (and the American postal customer) close to $70 million. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/9/09—About 150 postal experts are at UPU head-quarters today and tomorrow to look at how the postal network can help the world’s poor gain access to financial services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/9/09—Submitting Postage Statements between Nov. 15 and Nov. 29, 2009: On Nov. 15, the Postal Service® will deploy software to support Full-Service prices. These new prices will apply starting Nov. 29. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/6/09—The International Labour Organization and the UPU both held ceremonies in Geneva and Berne this week for the winner of the 2009 international letter-writing competition for young people. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/6/09—The union’s challenge to PMG Potter to set the wages of mail-processing employees, at an amount that is less than the worksharing discounts major mailers enjoy ,has generated some interesting responses. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/5/09—UPU Director General Edouard Dayan urged United Nations organizations and agencies on Friday to join a UPU campaign to develop efficient addressing systems world-wide. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/5/09—The Postal Service® has announced the 2010 Shipping Services prices will take effect January 4, 2010. A complete listing of 2010 prices is available at http://pe.usps.com under the “Jan. 4, 2010 Price Change” button. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/4/09—Thousands of people in the UK have started to use telegrams – one of the earliest forms of long distance communication - for their urgent messages as the national postal strike deepens. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/4/09—Resident officers met with DPG Pat Donahoe on Oct. 28, along with representatives from NAPUS and the LEAGUE of Postmasters, concerning several issues that had been raised in prior meetings with the Postal Service®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/3/09—State-run Hellenic Post (ELTA) is to go through major restructuring ahead of the liberalization of the postal services market in 2013. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/3/09—InformationWeek interviews CIO and senior VP Ross Philo, as he explains how IT is being applied within the Postal Service® to manage costs, improve operations, and deliver new services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/30/09—Norway Post's revenues are declining as a result of the economic slump and electronic substitution, but extensive efficiency measures are leading to greater profitability at the end of the first three quarters of 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/30/09—Facing declining mail volume, workforce cuts through employee buyouts, and the possible closure of hundreds of Post Offices™, the U.S. Postal Service® has a new "get well" remedy: greeting cards. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/29/09—Royal Mail today condemned the CWU’s decision to walk away as peace talks were making significant progress and the union’s failure to call off this week’s industrial action. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/29/09—To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages to domestic destinations by Dec 25, it is suggested to mail no later than Dec. 21 for First Class Mail® and Priority Mail®, and Dec. 23 for Express Mail®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/28/09—The global postal sector is one step closer to obtaining its own top-level domain name on the Internet, to be known as .post (dot-post). The UPU is the first United Nations agency to negotiate such a contract with ICANN. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/28/09—Despite the U.S. Postal Service's persistent financial distress, Congress appears unlikely this year to approve the postmaster general's cost-cutting proposal to eliminate Saturday mail delivery. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/27/09—New Zealand Post is ensuring its nationwide letter delivery service remains fair for all New Zealanders through proposed changes to its access framework for other postal operators. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/27/09—The USPS® is working out details for a Winter Sale, similar to the Summer Sale incentive that was implemented earlier this year. The likelihood that the incentive will be approved is at 75 percent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/26/09—Royal Mail and the CWU are to resume talks today aimed at bringing an end to a series of national postal strikes. The talks are to be assisted by the head of the Trades Union Congess, Brendan Barber. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/26/09—The Mailers Council, the nation’s largest coalition of mailers and mailing associations, has published a new white paper that warns of USPS® insolvency without significant new legislative reform. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/23/09—Nationwide postal strikes have begun today after last-minute talks between Royal Mail and the CWU collapsed. 120,000 mail center staff and postal drivers are striking today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/23/09—The Postal Service® will assess a penalty of 7 cent a piece for every piece in a Standard Mail® mailing that is not compliant with the Move Update requirements beginning on January 4, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/22/09—ICANN and the UPU have reached an agreement in principle for the UPU sponsorship of the .POST Top-Level Domain. Final approval of the agreement is subject to ICANN's public comment process. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/22/09—The stop-gap legislation signed on Sept. 30 reduced the U.S. Postal Service’s $5.4 billion health-care retiree payment for fiscal 2009 to $1.4 billion. That’s a big help, but the USPS® needs permanent change. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/21/09—The president of state-owned Japan Post, Yoshifumi Nishikawa, will resign, as the government prepares to revise a privatization scheme once applauded as a symbol of bold, pro-market reforms. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/21/09—About 18,000 U.S. Postal Service® employees are expected to take $15,000 buyouts to leave their jobs this year—far less than the 30,000 originally projected by the agency. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/20/09—The CWU reacted angrily to Royal Mail’s plans to hire 30,000 temporary staff to help deal with any strike backlog – threatening to take legal action against "inflammatory" strike-breaking plans. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/20/09—The USPS® plans to consolidate and close 65 Stamp Distribution Offices (SDO’s) and the five Accountable Paper Depositories (APD’s). The network will now consolidate into six Stamp Distribution Centers (SDC’s). http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/19/09—The Royal Mail is to recruit twice as many seasonal workers in the run up to Christmas as the war of words surrounding the postal strike continues. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/19/09—Postmaster General Jack Potter tried to restore mailers' confidence in the U.S. Postal Service® by announcing a price freeze for most postal rates in 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/16/09—Despite tough economic conditions, Australia Post's revenue grew by $26.1 million in 2008/09 to $5.0 billion, with growth in all three core business areas. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/16/09—The DMM Advisory says the Postal Service® will not increase prices for market dominant products in calendar year 2010. This includes First-Class Mail®, Standard Mail®, periodicals, single-piece Parcel Post®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/15/09—Czech Post has launched a new express service called Business Package Abroad (EPG) which has a guaranteed time of delivery to 21 countries in Europe. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/15/09—Next Thursday, the president for the Association of Postal Commerce will tell the business people in the audience that it’s time they tell Congress what they need and what they’ll pay for from the Postal Service®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/14/09—Royal Mail today condemned the CWU’s threat of a national strike as a blatant and deplorable attack on customers and on the future of the UK postal service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/14/09—League of Postmasters President Charley Mapa writes a letter to his members asking that they refuse to participate in the US Postal Service’s Voice of the Employee survey. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/13/09—A number of German postal companies are joining forces to take on market leader Deutsche Post. The companies want to build up a nationwide delivery network under the name of Mail Alliance. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/13/09— FedEx Express has unveiled the industry's first onboard automatic fire-suppression system (FSS), elevating the level of safety during international, over-water flights. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/12/09—Posts worldwide drew attention to the importance and value of their services in keeping people and businesses connected on October 9, World Post Day. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/12/09—The U.S. Postal Service® announces 371 retail stations and branches remain under consideration for possible consolidation. They focus on facilities in relatively close proximity to one another. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/9/09—The New Zealand Post Group is getting behind an initiative to help employers encourage entrepreneurship in their business. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/9/09—Postmaster General Jack Potter has been telling mailers’ groups in recent days that he does not plan to raise postal rates next year. Potter is telling mailers that any increase in 2010 would be “very small.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/8/09—Amazon, one of the worlds largest online retailers, may be about to ditch the Royal Mail ahead of what could soon be national strike action by UK postal workers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/8/09—The U.S. Postal Service® today launched its annual conservation campaign, with postal officials calling on the mailing industry to “go green” at an event recognizing October as National Energy Awareness Month. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/7/09—More than 90 percent of the two million people who took part in an unofficial citizens' poll this week in France voted against privatizing the postal service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/7/09—FedEx is opening up its SmartPost delivery deal with the U.S. Postal Service® to smaller retailers. Previously, the program was only open to high-volume retailers that shipped several hundred packages a day. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/6/09—Finland's postal service, now known as Itella, has announced plans to cut 360 jobs by the end of next year. Itella hopes that the majority of the jobs can be reduced through normal staff attrition. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/6/09—Mailer groups doubt that last week’s decision to give the U.S. Postal Service® $4 billion worth of temporary fiscal relief was enough to solve its massive financial problems. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/5/09—Muted rumblings of progress from the CWU last week, gave little away in terms of bringing the present dispute at Royal Mail to an end—not that anyone else cared too much. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/5/09—Approximately 5,000 full-time Postal Service™ employees eligible for retirement ended their Postal careers last week, accepting $15,000 buyout offers as part of a cost-cutting move. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/2/09—Effective October 1, 2009, Georg Pölzl assumes office as the Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer of Austrian Post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/2/09— In an emotional closing to his speech at the union’s All-Craft Conference Sept. 30, APWU President William Burrus announced that he would not seek re-election in November 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/1/09—The Universal Postal Union offered new insights into the impact of the crisis on the global postal sector during the opening session of its World Postal Business Forum in Hannover, Germany. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/1/09—The Postal Service® has published unaudited financial results for the month of August showing a net loss of $721 million for the month, resulting in a fiscal year to date loss of $6.3 billion with one month left to report. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/30/09—Latvian Post is offering new, more affordable prices for direct mail delivery in Latvia, starting with a single tariff in Riga and surrounding regions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/30/09—UPS is piloting a first-to-market service called UPS Direct to Door, delivering premium offers and samples from some of the nation's most sought-after brands and retailers to recipients of UPS residential shipments. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/29/09—Australia Post’s first stand-alone corporate responsibility (CR) report has been praised for its high quality and robust approach to reporting. The report will be released in October. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/29/09—There’ll be no more Saturday delivery of mail, come 2011 or so. The USPS® is serious about cutting back to a Monday to Friday schedule; a plan that can save the cash-strapped agency at least $3 billion a year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/28/09—CEO Deutsche Post DHL recounts the secret of DHL's success as the world's leading express and logistics provider marks its 40th anniversary. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/28/09—A House-Senate panel included the provisions of H.R. 22 in a stopgap funding bill that would keep the federal government afloat for a month after the new fiscal year starts, which is this week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/25/09—The industrial action at Royal Mail is proving to be an opportunity for alternative delivery businesses that have created services to circumnavigate “snail mail.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/25/09—A House-Senate panel has approved legislation to keep the government from closing down when the new budget year starts next week. A $4 billion bookkeeping maneuver has been employed to keep the Postal Service® afloat. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/24/09—New Zealand Post has delivered a net profit of $71.8 million in a year of mixed results across its diversified group of companies. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/24/09—Beginning on Monday, U.P.S. will experiment in five major markets with a service it calls Direct to Door, giving advertisers and retailers a chance to provide offers and product samples to U.P.S. customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/23/09—Postal workers are striking across France over plans to open up La Poste – a move which unions fear will lead to privatization. Although five unions have called the strike, it is not clear how effective it will be. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/23/09—Post Master General John Potter will speak at a National Press Club luncheon on October 8, 2009 to discuss the Postal Service's future, including its environmental footprint. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/22/09—Japan’s new government may act this year to freeze the breakup and privatization of Japan Post, the state-run service that’s also the world’s largest bank by deposits. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/22/09—FedEx Corp. will increase shipping rates for FedEx Express by an average of 5.9 percent for U.S. domestic and U.S. export services, effective January 4, 2010. Additional changes will be announced later this year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/21/09—Cuba expressed its satisfaction with the result of the first round of talks with the United States to normalize the postal mail between both countries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/21/09—The PRC has completed its review of the First-Class Mail® Incentive Program. The incentive program starts October 1, 2009 and runs through December 31, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/18/09—The United States and Cuba will discuss today the possible resumption of long-suspended direct postal service in another small step toward seeking better relations after 50 years of hostilities. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/18/09—Is there light at the end of the tunnel? There is now growing evidence that we have passed the bottom in two of the Postal Service's key businesses: delivering advertising and parcels. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/17/09—Royal Mail today attacked the CWU’s strike ballot as totally unjustified, damaging to customers, and a clear attempt to undermine the essential modernization of Royal Mail which is needed to survive. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/17/09—In his annual state of the business address to the mailing industry, Postmaster General John E. Potter outlined a roadmap for recovery and reaffirmed the Postal Service’s focus on adapting to changing customer needs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/16/09—German publisher Georg von Holtzbrinck has teamed up with private logistics companies to create a 'hybrid mail' service using the Internet for quicker delivery at a lower cost. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/16/09—By a 388-32 vote this afternoon, the House of Representatives approved a substitute version of HR 22, the “United States Postal Service® Financial Relief Act of 2009.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/15/09—Canada Post is pleased to confirm Moya Greene’s reappointment as President and Chief Executive Officer until May 2012. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/15/09—The union has updated a document that offers explanations of the Aug. 24, 2009, Memorandum of Understanding offering incentives to USPS® employees who retire or separate in the coming months. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/14/09— With a difficult recession and only months away from Christmas, postal workers are receiving mounting criticism of plans to begin a national postal strike at Royal Mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/14/09—The House of Representatives is expected to vote soon, as early as Tuesday, Sept. 15, on legislation that would provide the USPS® with short-term relief from severe financial difficulties. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/11/09—Indians working abroad may soon be able to send cash directly to their relatives at their doorsteps through the widespread postal network. The department of posts is set to enter into an agreement with Eurogiro. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/11/09—FedEx will begin to leverage Parcel Return Service (PRS) by allowing its customers to return items, originally shipped by FedEx, to participating retailers using the Postal Service for drop off, pickup, and sortation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/10/09—The Communication Workers Union has warned that mail backlogs are likely to increase unless the Royal Mail engages in 'meaningful negotiations' on changes agreed in 2007. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/10/09—The USPS® fiscal year closes Sept. 30, which is when a $5.4 billion health-care retiree payment comes due. If the pending legislation is not passed, USPS probably can’t make this payment. What happens then? http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/9/09—The government has delayed the Oct. 1 integration of the parcel delivery operations of Japan Post Service Co. saying preparations were inadequate for the Oct. 1 launch and customers would be inconvenienced. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/9/09—The U.S. Postal Service® has provided lots of information about the Flats Sequencing System, but has not answered some basic questions that have been kicking around for a couple of years. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/8/09—New Zealand Post is launching the KiwiStamp™, which for the first time does not carry a face value. The KiwiStamp holds its value even if postage increases. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/8/09—The DMM Advisory has posted their September update. Changes have been made to the Intelligent Mail® Barcode Requirements for Qualified Business Reply Mail and Permit Reply Mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/4/09—In the coming year, Swiss Post is offering 750 new apprentices training positions. That’s 30 more than in the previous year. The number of apprentices at Swiss Post has increased steadily since 2004. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/4/09— The Postal Service™ has updated the Guides and Specifications in preparation for PostalOne!® release 22 on November 15 to support the Intelligent Mail® Full-Service pricing incentives effective on November 29. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/3/09—TNT Post is celebrating five years of success since it launched its services in the UK in August 2004. It has experienced incredible growth from delivering 300 million items in its first year to over 2.5 billion today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/3/09—The Postal Service® has narrowed the number of offices facing possible closure to 413. Currently the post office has about 37,000 retail outlets across the country and PMG Potter wants to keep as many open as possible. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/2/09—Australia Post announced today it will enter the insurance sector by offering competitively-priced car insurance online and via the phone. Travel, home, and contents insurance will be offered in the coming months. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/2/09—Unaudited financial statements files with the PRC report the U.S. Postal Service® lost an additional $865 million in July. That’s better than the $1.3 billion loss reported in June, but brings the total net loss to $5.6 billion. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/1/09—The CWU says further disruption to mail services will begin next week as thousands of postal workers take strike action over "panic-driven cuts by increasingly aggressive managers at Royal Mail." http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/1/09—The Mailers Technical Advisory Committee and the U.S. Postal Service® are asking direct mailers to take an online survey expressing their opinion about the USPS’ plan to move to five-day delivery and processing. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/31/09—Royal Mail today called on the Communication Workers Union to end its series of local strikes and to resume its involvement with change and modernization throughout the company. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/31/09—Qualifying customers for the First-Class Mailing Incentive Program can receive a 20 percent credit on presorted and automation First-Class Mail® cards, letters, and/or flats volume exceeding their established threshold. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/28/09—Australia Postal Corp. will invest $580 million the next three years to expand fast-growing revenue sources, such as identity verification and logistics services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/28/09—FedEx Express and the U.S. Postal Service® have announced a new agreement for domestic air transportation of mail through 2013. About $8 billion dollars in revenue is expected over the life of the seven-year contract. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/27/09—Newly formed Postal Action Committee for Anti-Privatization of the employees of Pakistan Post has vowed to launch a comprehensive campaign to oppose the privatization of Pakistan Post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/27/09—The U.S. Postal Service® took a small step toward intelligent downsizing yesterday with a buy-out package for up to 30,000 employees, but it needs to do two more things -- quickly: http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/26/09—India’s department of posts (DoP) is set to spend up to $1 billion on its IT-led business revamp over the next five years with top tech firms like IBM, TCS, Infosys and Wipro. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/26/09— The Postal Service® is offering $15,000 buyouts to employees in an effort to cut costs at a time when the Post Office™ is being buffeted by the recession and the popularity of e-mail and electronic bill payment. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/25/09—As many as 14,000 postal workers in South Africa were set to walk off the job to protest against an "apartheid" wage gap. The strike started on August 20th and will last until an agreement is reached. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/25/09—Effective September 8th, 2009, the USPS® is set to update the requirements for booklet tabbing. If you mail out these types of mailers, it’s crucial you know what these changes are. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/24/09—Global Forwarding has launched a China - Vietnam cross-border trucking service, connecting major origins in China with destinations in Vietnam. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/24/09—To cope with declining volumes of catalogs and periodicals, the U.S. Postal Service® is adding nearly 300 ZIP codes to the list of areas that will be served by the Flats Sequencing System. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/21/09—UPS has announced that its suite of integrated shipping tools now is available on DHgate.com, a leading China-based wholesale marketplace that enables global online transactions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/21/09—The July/August MailPro is now available. You’ll find informative articles on environmental leadership, new standards for letter-size booklets, U.S. Census Bureau requirements, and Click-N-Ship’s new Bill Me Later option. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/20/09—The U.S. Postal Service® and FedEx Express have renewed their alliance for Global Express Guaranteed, the Postal Service's date-certain international delivery service to more than 190 countries and territories. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/20/09—APWU President says closing and consolidating post offices based on recession-level volume is short-sighted, and will leave the Postal Service® with long-term damage. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/19/09—Thailand Post statistics show the number of letters being posted annually has risen from 1.05 billion in 2005 to 1.13 in 2006 and further to 1.3 billion in 2008. Most are business and direct-sales letters. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/19/09—In his latest video, Field Updates, DPMG and COO Pat Donahoe concludes his three-part series on the possibility of moving to a five-day delivery week, which he says is “absolutely necessary.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/18/09—Helge Israelsen has decided to resign from his position of CEO of Post Danmark A/S which he has held for 21 years. K. B. Pedersen, the current deputy CEO, has been appointed the new CEO of Post Danmark A/S. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/18/09—Effective January 2010, a Move Update postage assessment will be calculated at acceptance if more than 30 percent of the addresses that should have been updated were not updated. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/17/09—Industrial action at Royal Mail continues this week at various locations across the UK. The CWU said the action is in direct response to the terms of the 2007 pay and modernization agreement. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/17/09— The new Move Update advisement policy for First-Class Mail® and Standard Mail® has been posted to the RIBBS Web site. The new Move Update policy is effective January 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/14/09—Despite talks between Royal Mail and the CWU, union leaders say a fundamental disagreement over ongoing plans to modernize the service has left it no choice but to continue with industrial action. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/14/09—The Direct Marketing Association originally predicted that direct mail volume would only fall 1 percent this year, but the organization has revised that to as much as 10 percent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/13/09—The tendencies shown in the first half of the 2009 financial year confirm the expectation that the international economic crisis will also pose a major challenge to Austrian Post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/13/09—Better communication, not additional incentives, is all the Postal Service® needs to entice more employees to retire early, a union leader says. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/12/09—The UPU’s Global Monitoring System (GMS) is now live, beginning with 21 member countries deploying RFID to measure mail-service quality between participating nations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/12/09—The U.S. Postal Service® will offer customers a 20 percent discount off of presort First-Class Mail®. The discounted prices are effective October 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/11/09— Royal Mail’s national First Class quality of service was well above target in July, despite localized industrial action by the CWU. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/11/09—The PRC public forum on workshare methodologies will be broadcast live here at 1pm today. Links will be posted approximately 10 minutes before the broadcast. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/10/09—Thailand Post Co Ltd is offering a 5 percent discount on shipment services to the small and medium-sized enterprises on the list of the Office for Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP). http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/10/09—It is clear now that there will be legislation within the next year that will change the business model within which the Postal Service® now operates. This raises two critical questions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/7/09—Latvian Post will introduce extensive cost saving measures in an attempt to put the service on a stronger financial footing, as well as increasing operational efficiency. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/7/09—The U.S. Postal Service® is seeking permission from Congress to enter new lines of business, hoping to boost revenue at a time when traditional mail volumes are posting double-digit losses. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/6/09—Thomas Kipp will assume the role of the new CEO of DHL Global Mail with immediate effect. He will now oversee Deutsche Post DHL's international mail business. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/6/09—The U.S. Postal Service® in Crisis: Senate subcommittee hearing at 10am today. Watch the hearing here live! http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/5/09—Twenty-one Posts started using the UPU's new Global Monitoring System (GMS) this week to evaluate the quality of their letter-post service using state-of-the-art RFID technology. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/5/09—The U.S. Postal Service® lost $2.4 billion during its third quarter and forecasts a $7 billion year-end loss according to figures released today. Mail volume has dropped 12.6 percent so far this year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/4/09—FedEx Express announces the arrival in Paris of three state-of-the-art hybrid vehicles. The vehicles will be part of the FedEx Express fleet that manages pick-up and deliveries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/4/09—Many experts argue that true reform requires the Postal Service® to privatize, which would include opening up the First-Class Mail® business to competition. Privatization has worked in many other countries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/3/09—Paul Murray has been appointed a non-executive director of Royal Mail Holdings as announced today. Mr. Murray, who will chair the Audit and Risk Committee, takes up his role this month. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/3/09—If your mailbox is empty more often these days, you’re not alone: Last year saw the biggest decline in U.S. mail since the Depression. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/31/09—The French cabinet took the first step toward a possible privatization of the country's postal service, as it approved a bill that will turn La Poste into a joint-stock company on Jan. 1. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/31/09—The DMM Advisory has extended the requirement date for CASS/MASS Cycle M Certification from July 31, 2009 to September 30, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/30/09—The future of French postal operator, La Poste, still hangs in the balance after unions promised to fight any move to privatize the company. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/30/09—Lawmakers on Thursday will consider various proposals to restructure the U.S. Postal Service®, just days after government auditors warned that it must quickly address its financial viability. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/29/09—PostFinance posted strong growth again in the first half of 2009. It acquired 65,000 new customers and opened 136,000 new accounts. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/29/09— NALC is aggressively working to support passage of S. 1507, a bill that will provide short-term relief to the Postal Service® by restructuring its payments for future retiree health benefits. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/28/09—Royal Mail plans to reduce MailSort 3 and sustainable rates by around 3 percent by October 26th. This has far reaching implications for Royal Mail’s rivals, who will find that their rates no longer undercut MS3. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/28/09—Quick action is expected on a Senate bill that would provide the Postal Service® emergency, short-term financial relief, and the APWU President is urging union members to ask their Senators to support the legislation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/27/09—Australia Post has lodged a draft notification with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) proposing to increase the basic postage rate by five cents, effective early 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/27/09—Legislation to provide emergency financial relief to the Postal Service® was introduced in the Senate on Thursday and is expected to be cleared by a Senate panel within days. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/24/09—Canada Post has announced the finalists for the 2009 Canada Post Community Literacy Awards. Included on the list of 50 finalists are stories of perseverance, overcoming great odds and the value of community support for literacy programs and their students. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/24/09—Postal officials are spreading the word that they may seek emergency rate increases next year. Various scenarios have been bandied about, including one that would raise the price of the 44-cent First Class Mail® stamp to 50 cents and other rates by similar amounts. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/23/09—TNT is taking aim at Deutsche Post's domination of the German distribution market by teaming up with regional press groups to combine forces against Deutsche Post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/23/09—UPS today reported an operating profit of $895 million on a 16.7% revenue decline for the second quarter ending June 30. The quarter's results were adversely affected by continuing weakness in global economic activity. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/22/09—Postal Services Group – a business within New Zealand Post Group – will further enhance productivity by moving to Google Apps, Postal Services chief executive officer Peter Fenton says. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/22/09—The US Postal Service® has announced a public forum on August 11 at 1 PM to discuss work share discount methodologies in First-Class Mail® and Standard Mail®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/21/09—First-of-its-kind, DHL SCCE is supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board; aims to develop the nation's status as the world's leading logistics hub. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/21/09—The PRC will hold a pre-hearing conference on July 30 at 9:30am to hear public views on the US Postal Service's recent proposal to close some of its retail stations and branches. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/20/09—The CWU will step up strike action next week in an effort to force Royal Mail to renegotiate its modernization plan. Three days of action are planned for July 25th, 27th and 28th. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/20/09—Postal workers say a congressional plan to fix the budget shortfalls at the USPS® is short sighted and have asked the White House to broker a better solution. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/17/09—POSTA Uganda has announced it is going to extend its services to be able to reach the majority of households in Uganda. The initiative will be completed in five years time. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/17/09—The major postal unions have requested a meeting with the White House to discuss the Postal Service’s “deepening crisis.” They want the White House to intervene with Congress or they will run out of money this year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/16/09—At a time of an unprecedented mail volume decline and challenging trading conditions, there have been 237 redundancies throughout the New Zealand Post Group in the first half of this year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/16/09—Eligible mailings for the Saturation Mail Volume Incentive Program will now include mailings paid for by pre-canceled stamps, meter imprints, or permit imprints. The deadline for enrollment is August 1, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/15/09—Australia Post will soon stop supplying plastic bags to customers in its retail outlets to help reduce their impact on the environment. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/15/09—In response to the staggering decline in mail volume, the Postal Service® has implemented significant changes to the postal network, with more to come. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/14/09—The Communication Workers Union has confirmed that strike action will take place on July 17 in London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Darlington, Stoke, Plymouth, Leamington Spa, Norfolk and Essex. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/14/09—A House committee has thrown the U.S. Postal Service® a lifeline, but it won't be substantial enough to allow the agency to fully escape the financial quicksand pulling it under. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/13/09—The U.S. and Poste Italiene jointly establish a cyber-crime force aimed at preventing identity theft, computer hacking, and other computer-based crime. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/13/09—USPS® has informed NALC that it is conducting a study of the impact of switching to five-day delivery and developing an implementation plan. The study was to be completed in 60 days. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/10/09—Postal workers began three days of strike action in London starting Wednesday beginning with delivery workers, distribution and logistics on Thursday, and mail centers on Friday. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/10/09—Who doesn’t love a bargain? Shoppers in the know are heading to their local Post Office™ to enjoy a 75 percent discount on select U.S. Postal Service® merchandise, including matted and framed artwork. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/8/09—Swiss Post is deploying 110 new gas-powered vehicles to ensure environmentally friendly parcel delivery. Swiss Post has the largest gas-powered fleet in the country. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/8/09—Lawmakers from both parties are resisting the Postal Service’s attempts to end Saturday deliveries and close branches in order to make up its budget shortfall. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/7/09—Steve Lawson, editor for Hellmail Postal News, has backed calls for a concentrated effort to make Post Office™ branches a key focal point for banking services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/7/09—Fewer than 2 percent of U.S. Postal Service® employees who were offered a chance at early retirement last month accepted the offer—far less than postal management expected. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/6/09—Canada Post has submitted a regulatory proposal to set the domestic basic letter rate (BLR) for letters weighing 30g or less for a five-year period starting January 11, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/6/09—The laws of economics say the U.S. Postal Service® needs to reduce the number of Post Offices. But the laws of the United States may say otherwise. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/29/09—Canada Post has submitted a regulatory proposal to set the domestic basic letter rate (BLR) for letters weighing 30g or less for a five-year period starting January 11, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/29/09—A house panel, by unanimous voice vote, approved a version of the H.R. 22 bill that would permit the USPS® to borrow funds for the next three years from its Retiree Health Benefits Fund to pay current retiree health premiums. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/26/09—Happy 200th birthday Australia Post! Two hundred years ago today, Australia’s first Postmaster collected 36 letters which had just arrived from England. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/26/09—The House unanimously approved a bill that could increase the pensions for hundreds of thousands of federal employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/25/09—The owners of Post Danmark A/S and Posten AB have completed the work to prepare the establishment of a joint group with 50,000 staff members and revenues of SEK 45 billion. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/25/09—The US Postal Service® processed 2.8 billion fewer pieces of mail in the month of May than it did in the same time period a year ago. The steepest decline was in advertising mail, down 24 percent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/24/09—Internal affairs minister Tsutomu Sato may review the four-way split of Japan Post services, saying it needs to be managed based on the current situation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/24/09—The U.S. Postal Service® is preparing some price breaks for the money-losing Periodicals class, possibly a revamping of the “ride-along” pricing and regulations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/23/09—Beginning next week, it will be even easier and cheaper to mail your letters with Swiss Post thanks to the reduced number of weight classes. All letter prices will include VAT. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/23/09— The PRC has adopted final rules on the treatment of non-public materials provided to the Commission by the USPS® and other parties. The final rules meet statutory standards. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/22/09—The CWU’s strike action in parts of London today is completely at odds with its repeated claim to support modernization and "to introduce new ways of working throughout the business." http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/22/09—The U.S. Postal Service® is projecting a loss exceeding $6 billion for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, which puts retiree health benefit contributions in jeopardy unless a bill is passed by the U.S. Congress. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/19/09—Royal Mail today emphasized an urgent need to continue making changes to its business in a "calm, measured, and structured way" and invited continuous involvement and dialogue with its unions and employees. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/19/09—FedEx, the nation's second largest package shipper, lost more money in the last quarter, as consumers and businesses downsized shipments and the company took over $1 billion in one-time charges. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/18/09—Canada Post issued its annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report. The Report presents Canada Post’s CSR objectives, strategies, and performance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/18/09—The White House honored the U.S. Postal Service® for environmental stewardship with a 2009 Closing the Circle Award for its national Green Purchasing Program. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/17/09—TNT Express starts international road freight and parcel delivery service to four eastern and central European countries. The new routes allow for a significant upgrade to the company’s Economy Express service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/17/09—The DMA launches the iDirect Leadership Committee to provide thought leadership to the industry regarding data-enriched multichannel marketing. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/16/09—Japan's internal affairs minister resigned last Friday in a dispute with the Prime Minister over the management of Japan Post, ahead of a looming election. Many in the ruling party insisted Nishikawa should stay. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/16/09—Amid a dramatic loss of business to email and a severe economic downturn, the U.S. Postal Service® is reviewing 3,100 outlets nationwide to identify candidates for closure, with 300 closures likely. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/15/09—The Supervisory Board of Austrian Post named Georg Pölzl, 52, as the new Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer of Austrian Post, effective October 1, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/15/09—Are you prepared for the biggest postal change in years? Beginning in late November 2009, mailers will be required to switch to full-service Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMB) to qualify for greater U.S. Postal Service® discounts. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/12/09—Ten thousand postal workers will take strike action on Friday, June 19, as Royal Mail refuses to negotiate change and pushes ahead with arbitrary cuts which will damage services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/12/09— The May/June MailPro is now available. You’ll find informative articles on the new Summer Sale and Saturation Mail incentives, a recap of the mailing services price change, and highlights from the National Postal Forum. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/11/09—DPD in Russia became the winner in the nomination ‘Logistics Express Operator.’ For the second year running, DPD was also awarded the title ‘Leader of Russia’s Logistics Services Market. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/11/09—Several of this summer’s new stamps provide customers a variety of options—from celebrating good news, to mailing unusual-sized greeting cards and letters to Mexico, and other international locations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/10/09—Some 200 Egyptian postal workers called for the formation of an independent union at a recent press conference, followed by a protest on the steps of the Journalists’ Syndicate. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/10/09—NAPS (National Association of Postal Supervisors) sues the USPS® over the right to represent supervisors and other managerial employees of the Postal Service®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/9/09—Actions speak louder than words is the Universal Postal Union’s message on World Environment Day. The UPU has partnered with PostEurop and IPC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/9/09—FedEx Corp. today ranked number one in customer satisfaction in Express Delivery industry and also first among 81 companies. FedEx has ranked number one in the Express Delivery industry for 12 consecutive years. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/8/09—Australia Post can help save Australia’s small and medium sized businesses an average of almost 50 percent on published rates for international deliveries, opening up new business opportunities. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/8/09—The Postal Service® issued a new 44-cent U.S. Flag stamp at the NAPEX Stamp Show in McLean, VA last Friday. All 600 million stamps, issued in booklets of 10, are now available nationwide. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/5/09—The International Post Corporation (IPC) will publish its results for 2008 carbon emissions for 21 of the world’s leading postal operators in the first ever postal sector sustainability report this December. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/5/09—The PRC has approved the Summer Sale. Beginning July 1, the sale offers 30 percent off postage for qualifying Standard Mail® letters and flats volumes. Sale expires September 30. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/4/09—UPS has acquired a unit of Intereuropa Globalni Logisticni Servis that has been acting as its agent for small package delivery in Slovenia since 1991. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/4/09—Before Congress can decide what kind of relief the Postal Service® needs, it needs to ask some hard questions: How much of the current decline in mail volume is due to the economic crisis that will eventually end? http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/3/09—The government is considering abandoning controversial plans to sell a minority stake in Royal Mail after first-round offers fell well short of expectations. The government plans to press on with the Postal Services® bill. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/3/09—The U.S. Postal Service® has honored eight suppliers for superior supply chain performance in 2008. This year’s awards program honors suppliers in five categories. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/2/09—Private equity group CVC Partners has offered to pay just under 2 billion pounds for a 30 percent stake in state-owned postal group Royal Mail. The bid is higher than a rival offer from Dutch logistics group TNT. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/2/09—Diplomats from the U.S. and Cuba met in Washington yesterday to resume talks on legal and illegal migration from Cuba to the U.S. and discuss the resumption of direct mail service, which hasn’t existed for decades. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/1/09—Royal Mail workers in London have voted to go on strike over what they describe as "arbitrary cuts." Difficulties between Royal Mail and Communication Workers Union members have been raging for some time. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/1/09—The U.S. Postal Service® salutes Bob Hope, AKA 'G.I. Bob' with his image on a First-Class™ stamp on what would have been the entertainer's 106th birthday, May 29. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/29/09—New figures from Royal Mail's annual customer quality of service report reveal that it met mail targets for the 2009-09 financial year, in addition to achieving target-beating performance. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/29/09—The US Postal Service® lost an additional $381 million in April, bringing the year to date deficit to $2.7 billion. At this point last fiscal year, the service’s net loss was just $22 million. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/28/09—Flydubai, the state-owned low cost airline in Dubai, has announced that the Emirates Post Office, which has more than 100 offices all over the United Arab Emirates, will act as the airline's selling agent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/28/09—UPS Freight has again enhanced its national network, reducing transit times and offering more direct routing to and from northeast Kansas to more than 70 cities from California to Virginia. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/27/09—Royal Mail today announced Lands’ End as the first catalogue company to sign up to Sustainable MailTM, its new bulk mail service offering a lower price tariff for organizations that meets environmental standards. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/27/09—The Postal Service’s decision to suspend a convention leave benefit for the remainder of the current Postmaster pay agreement is tantamount to a breach of faith, if not contract, with the nation’s approximately 27,000 Postmasters. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/26/09—New Zealand Post is increasing the price of sending mail overseas starting July 7, 2009, after seven years of holding the price despite increasing costs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/26/09—As part of the New Deal, artists were hired to create paintings and sculptures for about 900 mail centers around the country, thus putting Americans back to work and goosing the economy http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/22/09—Swiss Post views the draft legislation approved today by the Federal Council as an appropriate basis for developing the postal market. Swiss Post will continue to assert itself as a contemporary, competitive company. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/22/09—The House postal oversight subcommittee has postponed approval action on HR 22, the emergency legislation to provide financial relief to the Postal Service®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/21/09—The UPU and the ITU will publish a book about how the postal sector’s use of ICTs will reduce the digital gap and bring improvements to service. The book will launch in Sept 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/21/09—Here we go again. At a congressional hearing yesterday the Postal Service® again made a plea for legislation that would allow it to cut mail delivery from six days a week to five. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/20/09—The Communication Workers Union has renewed its offensive against the government over its plans to sell at least 30% of the state-owned Royal Mail to another operator. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/20/09—The DMA is asking all direct marketers affected by the USPS® and mail to contact the PRC and encourage the expeditious endorsement of the proposed USPS “Summer Sale.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/19/09—The Communication Workers Union yesterday lent it's support to some UK postal workers who had refused to deliver election material produced by the British National Party. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/19/09—The U.S. Postal Service® has cut 25,000 jobs this year and mail volume will continue to drop into 2010 as it struggles to break even and return to profitability, Postmaster General John E. Potter warned today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/15/09—Austria's state-controlled mail operator, Osterreichische Post, says it plans to outsource its letter delivery over the next years as it prepares for the end of its letter monopoly in 2011. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/15/09—An advance copy of the Federal Register notice of the new mailing standards to support the upcoming Summer Sale is now available. The sale will provide a 30 percent reduction in postage. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/14/09—Despite falling mail volume, Royal Mail saw its profits double last year to £321 million. This is likely to fuel further claims by the CWU that the group remains profitable. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/14/09—Using the very same tactics it recommends to marketers, the U.S. Postal Service® has launched a direct-mail promotional and educational campaign touting the advantages of direct mail in a down economy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/13/09—The row over the partial privatization of Royal Mail has been a political tennis match for some weeks, but the government in now at the 'match point' stage. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/13/09—Beginning May 19, nationwide print ads featuring Priority Mail® brand awareness will appear in USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, along with television and internet advertising that will continue through September. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/12/09—The UPU is holding a conference on e-commerce in Hong Kong from May 21-23, 2009. Hosted by Hongkong Post, the event will bring together industry professionals from UPU member countries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/12/09—The U. S. Postal Service® has quietly launched a major new initiative to collect more postage from mail that already has been paid for and delivered. The primary targets of the initiative are business mailers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/11/09—21 Grams is pleased to announce a new and exciting relationship between 21 Grams AB, a postal management company, and Sword Apak, a provider of Mail sortation and address cleansing applications. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/11/09—The price of a First-Class stamp for mailing a letter — or paying a bill — climbed to 44 cents Monday, though those who planned ahead and stocked up on Forever Stamps™ will still be paying the lower rate. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/8/09—Consumer Focus, which took over from Postwatch and Energywatch last year, said this week that the debate over a private stake in Royal Mail threatens to drown out the voice of consumers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/8/09—Shareowners of UPS have elected a Board of Directors for a one-year term and ratified the appointment of Deloitte and Touche LLP as the company's independent registered public accountants. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/7/09—All items on the agenda were approved at today’s Annual General Meeting of Austrian Post, which was attended by some 400 guests. Details and voting results are available at www.post.at/ir. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/7/09—Postmaster General Potter writes select members of Congress to inform them of the unprecedented decline in mail volume. The resulting loss of revenue is critically affecting the USPS’s ability to maintain mail service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/6/09—Canada Post asks all pet owners to be responsible and keep their pets away from delivery areas. On average, there are 500 dog-related incidents involving Canada Post employees per year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/6/09—The U.S. Postal Service® ended its second quarter (Jan 1 – March 31) with a net loss of $1.9 billion, as the economic recession and longer-term financial pressures continued to reduce mail volume and revenue. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/5/09—Ministers today rejected a compromise plan for Royal Mail to be turned into a not-for-profit company that has been floated by Labor activists eager to avert a rebellion over the company's part-privatization proposition bill. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/5/09—UPS ranked No. 3 in the Reputation Institute's Reputation Pulse 2009 study of the most reputable companies in the U.S. The company has been recognized every year since the study began in 2006. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/4/09—Australia Post will launch a national Workplace Giving Program on July 1, 2009. The program is a demonstration of the way Australians invest in the community. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/4/09— The USPS® Summer Sale will run from July 1 through September 30, 2009. The Summer Sale offer is subject to review by the PRC for up to 45 days following May 1. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/1/09—Sparked by a company pay freeze and changes to working conditions, Royal Mail workers in Scotland are to stage a one-day strike. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/1/09—Citing $1.4 billion spent last year on sick leave, the USPS® of Inspector General (OIG) is soliciting comments on what it can do to reduce the number of unscheduled absences among postal employees. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/30/09—The Communication Workers Union has accused the UK government of 'misusing' public funds to pay for specialist advice in the run-up to a partial sale of state-owned postal operator, the Royal Mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/30/09— USPS’s CFO has reported that news on the economy is not all bad, including the outlook for mail. As of April, FY 2009's volume should end at about 180 billion mail pieces and the USPS® is on target for that. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/29/09—German mail customers are benefiting more than almost any other country from the stable price of a standard letter. This is the result of Deutsche Post's latest European letter price survey for 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/29/09—Soon Chicago will be the only city in the nation with full 24-hour Postal Service™. New York's main post office plans on closing its overnight windows on May 9. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/28/09—TNT announces the signing of an agreement to acquire Expresso Araçatuba Transportes e Logística S.A. TNT will acquire 100% control of the company with effect from the closing date of the transaction. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/28/09—With the Intelligent Mail® Barcode (IMB) program veering off the tracks, prominent mailers called for the U.S. Postal Service® to hit the brakes today on the much-delayed program http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/27/09—TNT has signed an agreement with Singapore Post and Royal Mail on the exit of Singapore Post from the joint venture Spring Global Mail. Singapore Post will acquire the Asia-Pacific business of Spring Global Mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/27/09—The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service® will meet in Washington, DC, at Postal Service Headquarters on May 4-6. The public is welcome to observe the Board’s open session. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/24/09—Foreign companies will continue to be barred from delivering express letters in China's domestic market based on a new law approved Friday. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/24/09—Deputy Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, who is also the USPS® chief operating officer, said a reduction in leased and postal-owned vehicles this year will save approximately $54 million. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/23/09—TNT Post and the DMA have signed a letter of understanding pledging commitment to working together to promote environmental best practice within the direct mail sector. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/23/09—Although the Postal Service® Summer Sale has not yet been approved by the Board of Governors, USPS® is informing mailers of what they currently envision as the outline of the plan. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/22/09—Austrian Post AG is considering an unusual option as part of its current cost-cutting measures: making churches post offices. The Post is currently negotiating with the Catholic Church in Styria. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/22/09—The Postal Service’s year-end goal is to remove 10,000 vehicles from the existing fleet of 220,000, to reduce its inventory of leased and postal-owned vehicles. This will eliminate some $54 million. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/21/09—Deutsche Post DHL, the world's largest logistics provider, saw volume declines increase across all products and divisions in the first quarter compared with the fourth quarter of 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/21/09—Postmaster General John Potter launches a year-long campaign to increase awareness and create results for energy conservation at a “Turning Over a Green Leaf” event. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/20/09—DHL Global Forwarding, the world's leading air and ocean freight company, has chosen Sri Lanka as its Asia Pacific launch pad for two of its latest innovations for ocean freight shipping. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/20/09—Negotiations have ended between UPS and European rival DHL over an air cargo contract valued at $1 billion. The deal would have allowed UPS to handle air cargo for the German post office-owned DHL. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/17/09—UK postal regulator, Postcomm, has announced it is to make no changes to existing Royal Mail price control arrangements. The decision follows discussion with interested parties. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/17/09—San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera sent a formal letter of demand to the U.S. Attorney’s office outlining his intent to file suit against the U.S. Postal Service® for discrimination. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/16/09—Interbrand released its Best Australian Brands 2009 report, which ranks brands based on their brand value. Australia Post was valued at $900 million and ranked 11th of Australia’s top 20 brands. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/16/09—Some direct mailers worry that they won’t be able to react quickly enough to take advantage of the USPS’s offer of a discount for increases in Standard Mail volumes. Discounts are expected to be between 20% and 30%. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/15/09—Itella Group will begin statutory labor negotiations next week in Finland. The negotiations will affect both administrative and production functions and concern around 2,200 people. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/15/09—Even with the number of procrastinating tax filers declining, the U.S. Postal Service® gets a thumbs down for not staying open late tonight to accommodate the remaining stragglers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/14/09—Starting June 1, Hermes Austria has decided to use also the parcel logistics services of Austrian Post. Over the last 18 months, Austrian Post has substantially modernized its parcel logistics operations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/14/09—The DMM Advisory has posted an updated version of Notice 123 Price List on usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm to reflect the final prices effective on May 11. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/13/09—Canada Post has issued two domestic rate stamps (54-cent) as part of an international postal awareness campaign on the effects of global warming. The theme is “Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/13/09—The Postal Service® has informed mailers that it will be announcing shortly a summer sale on postage for any increased Standard Mail® volume for many Standard mailers. DMA has long advocated seasonal pricing. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/10/09—Hellmail is about to run a series of information-based features on the choice of courier and mail operators now available to businesses. The idea is to provide informative articles about 'choice' in the mail business. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/10/09—The USPS® has added to its list of more than 70 environmental awards by accepting a Climate Action Champion Award. It is one of only two organizations recognized for leadership in advancing climate policy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/9/09—Business Post Group plc today issues the following pre-close trading update for the year ended March 31. Group revenues for the financial year increased 7 percent on the previous year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/9/09— The Postal Service® has implemented a new program to develop and incentivize saturation mailers who increase their mail volume. This program is new and unprecedented. See the application requirements here. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/8/09—UPS Freight announced it would offer door-to-door service to and from Mexico, complete with UPS customs brokerage capabilities and single invoicing for all services between the US, Canada, and Mexico. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/8/09—The DMM Advisory will publish a final rule this week revising the mailing standards for letter-size booklets mailed at machinable and automation prices. Implementation will be September 8, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/7/09—Bids for the sale of a 30 percent stake in Royal Mail are due in April, signaling the government is pushing ahead with the controversial sale. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/7/09—The DMM Advisory has updated their mailing standards with the following changes: Delivery Addresses on Commercial Flat-Size Mail; New Open and Distribute Tray Boxes; Labeling Lists and more. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/6/09—U.S. PMG John E. Potter and other postal agency CEOs from around the world agree that the industry is facing tough challenges in today‘s economy. But they are also highlighting the positive effects. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/6/09—Deutsche Post, Europe's biggest mail company, is bidding for a stake in the Royal Mail along with Dutch TNT and private equity firm CVC. They have just begun the last round of bidding. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/3/09—Royal Mail has today launched a new comprehensive data solution to help businesses deliver more relevant and targeted marketing communications and increase sales. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/3/09—In a filing submitted to the PRC, the USPS® said it will kick off a market test on May 6 to provide service that will resemble a less-than-truckload (LTL) network. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/2/09—TNT and Con-way Freight start partnership to provide cost-efficient express freight services to/from the USA. The agreement establishes Con-way Freight as TNT’s primary road transportation partner. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/2/09—The Mail Moves America coalition today expressed disappointment in the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ vote of recommendation yesterday for a resolution calling for the creation of a Do Not Mail program. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/1/09—FedEx SmartPost announced today that it has expanded its service into Canada for U.S. shippers by using the residential delivery capabilities of the Canada Post Corporation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/1/09—Postmaster General John E. Potter took the stage at the NAPS 2009 Legislative Training Seminar yesterday to speak directly to the delegates about the state of the Postal Service®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/31/09—The Direct Mail Advisory Board of the UPU has launched a new guide to help Posts in developing and least developed countries to better understand and promote direct mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/31/09—Whether taking the leap to sign up for Intelligent Mail® services in May, or planning for the future, business mailers are sure to find “A Resource Map to Intelligent Mail Documents” a good place to start. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/30/09—The UK Postal Union says that Royal Mail remains profitable and that a strategic partnership is unnecessary and would lead to a worse quality of service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/30/09—DMM Advisory has filed an amended notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission to postpone the Move Update noncompliance charge for Standard Mail® and to adjust their prices for Confirm service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/27/09—CEOs of the world’s largest postal companies, as well as major postal users, will gather at UPU headquarters April 2 in Switzerland, to talk about the impact of the financial and economic crisis on their sector. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/27/09—Video is now available of Wednesday's House Oversight and Reform sub-committee hearing on USPS® finances, where PMG Potter said the USPS will run out of money this year without help from Congress. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/26/09—Postcomm is beginning an investigation into the way Royal Mail prices access and retail packets services for business users. This issue was highlighted to Postcomm through two complaints. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/26/09—The Postal Service® is in dreadful shape and needs quick help from Congress to continue delivering the mail. That was the message repeated over and over by a parade of witnesses yesterday before the House subcommittee. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/25/09—Swiss Post is adjusting its prices for various letters as of July 1, 2009. The main measures involve making all letters subject to VAT and thus introducing a comprehensive price reduction for most business customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/25/09—The latest take on the financial health of the Postal Service® will occur today in Washington, on what to do about the nationwide economic downturn. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/24/09—ComReg, the National Regulatory Authority for the postal industry in Ireland, has published the results of its sixth independent annual report on the Quality of Service performance of An Post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/24/09— With the U.S. Postal Service® headed for its third year with a multibillion-dollar deficit, PMG John Potter will face tough questioning on Capitol Hill Wednesday to explain the red ink as well as his compensation package. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/23/09—Postal and sizable express delivery companies in China reaped business revenue of CNY 8.06 billion in 2008, rising 17.2 percent from a year earlier. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/23/09—The US Postal Service® has announced it will be closing six of its 80 district offices, eliminating positions across the country and offering another early retirement opportunity. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/20/09—The UK Government may have come up against a brick wall on its plans to part-privatize the Royal Mail. Part-privatization could see up to 49% of Royal Mail sold for a knock-down price. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/20/09—The USPS® is seeking parties interested in engaging in a long-term relationship as Supplier and/or alliance partner with the USPS to effectively manage its change-of-address (COA) program. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/19/09—In a year when the wrong holiday decision could cost UK tourists money they can ill afford, a new poll for Post Office® Travel Services has revealed that consumers are caught in a fog of eurozone confusion. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/19/09—The APWU has initiated one dispute and appealed another to national arbitration, over whether a contract postal unit may exist in a facility when the Postal Service® has use of the property. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/18/09—TNT expands the coverage of its Economy Express service to and from Malta to an additional 75 countries worldwide. The expansion is effective as of this week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/18/09—Economic woes are forcing the Post Office™ to delay the release of several new postage stamps scheduled for this year. The Postal Service lost $2.8 billion last year and is facing even larger losses this year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/17/09—Britain may postpone a planned partial privatization of the Royal Mail until the private bidders can find more capital to buy up to 49 percent of the publicly owned mail service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/17/09—The PRC yesterday approved the Postal Service’s market dominant product price adjustments scheduled to take effect next month. The approval came despite concern about workshare discounts. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/16/09—Swiss Post and the price watchdog are looking for an amicable solution regarding Swiss Post's letter and parcel prices. Swiss Post is postponing its new pricing activities scheduled for April 1. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/16/09—New standards for commercial flat-size mail go into effect on March 29, 2009. All mailers must place delivery addresses in the top half of all Periodicals, Standard Mail®, and Package Services flats. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/13/09—A strong increase in volume in the Logistics segment and high level of activity in the ICT segment helped Norway Post to increase its revenue by seven percent in 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/13/09—Sen. Jim Webb introduced the bipartisan “Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act,” which would direct the U.S. Postal Service® to issue the Purple Heart stamp on a permanent basis as a Forever Stamp™. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/12/09—Business diversification strategies have helped the New Zealand Post Group achieve a net profit of $52.8 million in a challenging half year ending December 31, 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/12/09—Meeting critical dates this month will determine whether business mailers will be ready for Intelligent Mail® Full Service by November 2009. Business Mailers should be PostalOne!® compliant by March 31, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/11/09—Australia Post is celebrating its 200th birthday this year by highlighting the important role postal services have played in the country’s development with planned events. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/11/09—The USPS® invites commercial companies, entrepreneurs, and creative people to tell them about the innovative concepts or business initiatives they believe will help the USPS succeed now and in the future. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/10/09—The Communication Workers Union said this week that plans by Lord Mandelson to part-privatize the Royal Mail conflict with the British constitution. The CWU's stance is backed by hundreds of Labor MPs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/10/09—In its continuing drive to improve service, UPS Freight announces accelerated transit times for large sections of Wisconsin and Michigan. Transit times have been reduced on some 15,500 lanes over the last 21 months. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/9/09—As companies shed jobs, and in some cases go altogether, the impact on Royal Mail this year is likely to follow the trend being felt in the U.S. and elsewhere, where mail volume has dipped markedly. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/9/09—USPS® sales team has created the 90/90 Blitz sales campaign where they will spend the next 90 days and 90% of its time with customers to generate as much revenue over the next three months as possible. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/6/09—The CEO of Poste Italiane and the General Director of Posta Shqiptare signed a cooperation agreement in Tirana today for the development of the Albanian national Postal Service™. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/6/09—The U.S. Postal Service® said it has gained market share in the weakening domestic package shipping market after being allowed to offer competitive pricing for the first time. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/5/09—The search is on for Killer Ideas in the highly competitive Direct Marketing Sector as the An Post Direct Marketing Awards take place in May with a final call for entries by April 8. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/5/09—The DMM Advisory has updated their mailing standards with the following changes: Express Mail® and Priority Mail® Reshipment Service, Intelligent Mail® Pallet Placards, Detached Address Labels, Labeling Lists. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/4/09—Austria's Postal Service® will outsource about 20% of its Post Offices™ this year to prepare the company for the liberalization of European Union letter services in 2011. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/4/09—The Postal Service® yesterday confirmed that the decline in mail volumes and revenue accelerated in January. Total mail volume was down 16.3% for the month, compared with an 11.0% drop for the fiscal year to date. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/3/09—U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said his government will spend $2.7 billion on Royal Mail’s Post Office™ network, to maintain the “universal service” obligation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/3/09—Images from the U.S. Postal Service® “Greetings From America” stamp series now provide a colorful enhancement to the site’s My Passport feature. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/2/09—Thousands of Belgian postal workers have started a three-day strike to protest working conditions and the threat of job losses. The Belgian Postal Service™ employs some 30,000 people. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/2/09—For the second time in three years, the U.S. Postal Service® will study the consolidation of its mail-processing operation in Binghamton with a facility in Syracuse. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/27/09—Deutsche Post World Net reported full-year of earnings before interest and tax excluding non-recurring effects of 2.41 billion euros, fully meeting its latest target. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/27/09—The DMM Advisory is offering a new series of webinars to answer customers’ questions about Intelligent Mail® services. The webinars will occur every other Friday, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST. The first webinar is March 6. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/26/09—Royal Mail will fund a new free-of-charge industry body focusing on direct mail providing news, research, and case studies for an audience consisting of the UK’s top 3,000 advertisers and 500 key agencies. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/26/09—Postal Service® officials will host an awareness event to celebrate National Consumer Protection Week beginning next Sunday. Officials will offer tips to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/25/09—Canada Post new postal rates went into effect on February 23 for Lettermail weighing more than 30 grams and Oversize Lettermail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/25/09—The USPS® new standards for letter-size booklets and folded self-mailers will include only recommendations for folded self-mailers, rather than requirements. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/24/09—The postal workers' union will ballot to sever links with Labor in the next few weeks unless plans to sell a stake in Royal Mail are scrapped. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/24/09—With a May 11 deadline looming to improve their bulk mailing lists or face fines, mailers now can receive reports on how well their mail is performing through the US Postal Service®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/23/09—The Royal Mail is to celebrate Wales with a Miniature Sheet on February 26, the fourth in a series which depicts the four main regions of the United Kingdom. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/23/09—The sacrifices of 12 civil rights pioneers were immortalized on postage stamps this past weekend during the NAACP’s annual meeting in New York City. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/20/09—The acting Postmaster General Mr. Y F Chan has announced a new e-commerce collaboration between Hong Kong Post and Korea Post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/20/09— Mailers may use plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS) during the May 11 price change for new and current prices. See a full price list here. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/19/09—The UK Government is to push ahead with plans to part-privatize the Royal Mail in the face of an overwhelming rejection by the Communication Workers Union and over 100 Labor MPs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/19/09—The Postal Service® is soliciting medical releases for employees required to partake in the 2nd and 3rd opinion process. Employees are required to release their “specified information” to the USPS® Law Dept. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/18/09—TNT posts their 2008 Q4 development results and dividends, including their indications for what lies ahead in 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/18/09—The U.S. Postal Service® commemorated Miami University’s bicentennial by issuing a First-Class 27-cent postal card with the stamped image depicting MacCracken Hall. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/17/09—Royal Mail announces the launch of Mailshots Online, a new web tool that enables small businesses to create their own personalized mail campaigns in less than 30 minutes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/17/09—USPS® just launched its “new and improved” Postal History website, featuring more than 100 papers on postal history, historic images, photos and resources, tracking the development of the postal system over 230 years. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/16/09—TNT announces the acquisition of LIT Cargo, a leading express delivery company in Chile. The acquisition gives TNT a strong nationwide road network in Chile. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/16/09—New address standards for commercial flat-size mail are effective on March 29, 2009. Additional standards relate to address characteristics and apply to all commercial flat-size pieces, including First-Class Mail®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/13/09—FedEx Express announced today it is increasing its footprint in Mexico to improve the company's service capabilities both domestically and internationally. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/13/09— APWU President William Burrus has denounced the new postage increase declaring, “The planned rate structure would continue the failed strategies that have brought the Postal Service to the brink of disaster.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/12/09—The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will start two-way postal remittance services for the first time in 60 years. The two-way services are expected to begin mid-February. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/12/09—NAPS members have been urging their House lawmakers to cosponsor HR 22, which provides eight years of pre-funding relief to the Postal Service® between now and 2016. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/11/09—The UPU's statistical database is now available online. It provides a dynamic overview of postal development in each country and contains data from over 200 countries or territories. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/11/09—The USPS® announced Feb. 10 that price increases for Standard Mail® Flats—the category affecting most catalogers—would stay below the Consumer Price Index (CPI). http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm BREAKING POSTAL NEWS!!! US 2/10/09—The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service® have approved new prices for mailing services, including a 2-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail® stamp. The new prices will go into effect Monday, May 11, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/10/09—Australia Post will donate $1 million to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund and collect donations in more than 4,000 Post Offices™ across the country. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/10/09—The U.S. Postal Service® commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln who became a prominent lawyer, politician, and ultimately President of the United States. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/9/09—The proposed privatization of Royal Mail has intensified with the union threatening to withdraw it's funding of the Labor Party if the government sells off part of the company to an investor. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/9/09—The Federal Register has published a revised mailing standards proposal to support the May 2009 Mailing Services price change. Customers can review and comment before March 6, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/6/09—The Royal Mail is to hold a two-day summit with union leaders next month to discuss modernizing the business in a move expected to lead to job cuts. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/6/09—Speaking yesterday to the Board of Governors, PMG Jack Potter outlined actions to ensure long-term viability of the US Postal Service® while cautioning there is no stabilization for the institution in the near future. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/5/09—Postal deliveries across the UK continued to be disrupted after more snow fell overnight. Some of the areas hardest hit in England are the East Midlands, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/5/09—The Postal Service® ended its first quarter with a net loss of $384 million as the economic recession contributed to a 5.2 billion piece mail volume decline compared to the same period last year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/4/09—For the first time in more than six years, Swiss Post intends to adjust its prices for shipping domestic parcels effective April 1, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/4/09—The US Postal Service® has approved the first two-way postage indicia for mailers using reusable envelopes. EcoEnvelopes, a designer of reusable envelopes, was authorized by the USPS® to make the envelopes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/2/09—A historical merger between The Swedish Ministry of Enterprise and the Danish Ministry of Transport has been made. The two companies have signed the final shareholders' agreement. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/2/09—DHL pulled the plug on its domestic package delivery business last Friday, leaving its hub at the Wilmington Air Park with only international operations remaining. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/30/09—Hundreds of thousands of French workers mounted nationwide strikes and protests yesterday to demand President Nicolas Sarkozy do far more to fight the economic crisis. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/30/09— With the combined energy needs to operate nearly 1 million post offices and mail processing centers worldwide, plus the fuel for hundreds of thousands of mail delivery vehicles, energy is a critical issue for postal agencies in every nation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/28/09—Royal Mail Group welcomes new chairman Donald Brydon. Brydon has a strong track record across a range of business sectors and the skills needed for Royal Mail to take the next crucial stage of its development. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/28/09—The Board of Governors of the USPS® will meet Feb. 3 and 4 in Washington, DC. The public is welcome to observe the Board’s open session, scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/27/09—DHL Express strengthens regional leadership in the International Americas with expansion of infrastructure and operating capacity in Mexico. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/27/09—Postmaster General Jack Potter will appear before a Senate postal oversight panel tomorrow to testify on the deteriorating financial health of the Postal Service® and what can be done to stabilize the ship. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/26/09—Canada Post reaches out to the public to help reduce slips and falls during icy winter weather. The objective is to reduce the number of accidents and injuries to those outdoors—including Post Office™ employees. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/26/09—The U.S. Postal Service® is using leading-edge technologies to support energy conservation, recycling and waste reduction. These initiatives saved more than $2.25 million in cost avoidance last fiscal year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/23/09—The British Government will not introduce laws that impose environmental constraints on the DM industry if the sector gets behind the new BSI standard for green direct marketing. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/23/09—An advance copy of the Federal Register notice proposing new mailing standards to support the upcoming May 2009 Mailing Services price change is available on Postal Explorer. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/22/09—Royal Mail revenue rose nearly 3 percent during the first nine months of the 2008-2009 financial year. This is despite the economic downturn and increase of email and other electronic communication uses. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/22/09—U.S. postal organizations petition Congress in support of postal reform. “We believe that Congress must act, and swiftly. We urge an expeditious consideration of it as soon as possible.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/21/09—Effective immediately, customers of DHL Freight can take advantage of the newly established connection between DHL's high performance road transport services in Europe and the Middle East. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/21/09—The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has been updated. The current calculation uses CPI data through December and mailing services price adjustments in May will likely reflect CPI data through December. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/20/09—Palestine came one step closer last week to being able to participate in direct mail exchanges with all UPU member countries. They hope to make future progress at the April 2009 meeting. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/20/09—The PRC has determined today a 3.8 percent increase cap on the average postal class after new economic data was released last Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/19/09—Deutsche Post World Net, the world's largest express and logistics provider, reported today that it has met its 2008 profit target, thanks to strict cost management and cash conservation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/19/09—The following shipping services have been adjusted: Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International, M-bags. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/16/09—Russia's postal system is set for a major shake-up after it’s CEO steps down and banker Andrey Kazmin is set to take his place. Big changes are expected under Kazmin. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/16/09—Today the Federal Register published new mailing standards requiring detached address labels (DALs) to be automation-compatible. The new standards are effective March 2. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/15/09—Royal Mail's VAT-free status has been backed by an advocate-general at the European Court of Justice. Royal Mail remains, for the moment, the country's only "universal service provider." http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/15/09—The UPS Store® and Mail Boxes Etc.® network has expanded to 6,000 locations worldwide, making it the world's largest and fastest-growing shipping and business services outlet. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/14/09—China's postal industry received $20.5 billion in revenue in 2008, up 15.9 percent. Revenues of postal services rose 14 percent to 96 billion yuan. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/14/09—A new service, FedEx Freight A.M, is offering delivery by 10:30 a.m. backed by a money-back guarantee. The service is easy to use, economical, and provides customers with streamlined pricing. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/13/09—Today sees the launch of a new set of 'British Design Classic' stamps from Royal Mail, celebrating a mixed bag of iconic objects and flights of fancy of British design. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/13/09—If you're looking for a job with the Postal Service™, you might find a website that offers a bunch of them, for a price. Save your money and find the same information on the USPS® website for free. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/12/09—Canada Post announces today the domestic Letter mail rate will increase by from 52 to 54 cents. Other rate increases that apply to non-regulated mail also take effect today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/12/09— The USPS® is launching a new, smaller Priority Mail Flat Rate Box, giving customers another choice in packaging to ship anywhere in the US for one price, regardless of weight or destination. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/9/09—The European Commission reports EU reforms are on track but more progress is needed in some Member States. The creation of an Internal Postal Market is a crucial element of the EU's single market policy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/9/09—The USPS® will adjust prices for the following shipping services on January 18: Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International, M-bags. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/8/09—Although both DHL and UPS had hoped to reach a deal before the new year, both parties still expect to reach an agreement. DHL will exit the U.S. domestic shipping market on Jan. 30. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/8/09—UPS is now offering domestic express pickup and delivery services inside 16 additional countries across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/7/09—Deutsche Post World Net CFO John Allan will resign from Board of Management in June 2009. Allan joined the company in December 2005. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/7/09—What if you sent a gift card to someone this holiday and it didn’t make it? The Post Office™ says it happened to a number of people and you have 30 days to identify and claim yours before it gets destroyed. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/6/09—Royal Mail is refusing to introduce an all-Ireland postal tariff. Differences in cost between the two jurisdictions have been blamed. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/6/09—The spirit of Alaska and its colorful past were celebrated this past weekend when the U.S. Postal Service® issued the 50th Anniversary Alaska Statehood commemorative stamp in Anchorage, AK. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 1/5/09—Civilian Marilyn Baldwin is urging the government to change the Postal Services Act in order to put an end to bogus mail coming into the UK by stopping it further up the chain. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 1/5/09—Across metro Detroit and the nation, the U.S. Postal Service® plans this month and in February to shift thousands of carriers and delivery times as a cost-saving measure. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/30/08—Royal Mail is set to launch a campaign to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the postcode. It will stress the importance of using the letters and numbers that make up postcodes on mailed items. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/30/08—What do Lassie, The Tonight Show, Abe Lincoln, Gary Cooper, and Wedding Cakes have in common? They’re some of the 2009 stamp subjects the U.S. Postal Service® is providing a sneak peek at. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/29/08—Royal Mail‘s Post Office® launches a new Internet Buddy Guide. The new guide helps Web users get a friend or relative online in a way both parties can enjoy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/29/08—The public is being asked to comment on the new mailing standards for letter-size booklets and folded self-mailers by January 28, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/24/08—Royal Mail announces the price of First and Second Class stamps for standard letters weighing up to 100g would rise by 3p, to 39p and 30p respectively, starting April 6, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/24/08—Early bird registration is now open for National Postal Forum, the mailing industry’s premier trade show and event taking place this May. More than 6,000 industry professionals are expected to attend. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/19/08—Customers across the country will be breathing a sigh of relief after postal workers canceled strike action at sorting offices in Coventry, Crewe, Bolton, Stockport and Oxford. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/19/08—All Post Offices™ nationwide will be open Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, but most will shorten retail lobby hours and close at noon. Regular mail delivery for Dec. 24 will be unaffected by the change. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/18/08—According to the Parcel Post Index conducted by the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, Swiss Post boasts the second-lowest prices for parcel post in Europe. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/18/08—E-retailers are continuing to experience problems using online shipping tools from the U.S. Postal Service®, which is reporting “intermittent system interruptions” as the cause for the unavailability of services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/17/08—An independent review of Britain's state-owned postal service is expected to call for the company to be partly privatized and could result in the sale of stakes in the business to foreign companies. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/17/08—U.S. Postal Service® beefs up their RIBBS Web site to create a resource for business mailers by offering addressing solutions from A to Z. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/16/08—With the USO under threat, the government backs the TNT Royal Mail partnership. The choices faced were either a downgrading of the universal service or acting now to secure the future of Royal Mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/16/08—Normally the busiest time of the year, the U.S. Postal Service® says the pace is down. In addition to citing the economy, volume has also been hurt by Internet shopping and online outlets that ship directly. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/15/08—Canada Post and the Union of Postal Communication Employees (UPCE) have reached a new tentative agreement. Picket activity may continue until the results of the vote are known. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/15/08—Postal veterans introduce legislation to provide much-needed temporary relief to the U.S. Postal Service®. The legislation would stabilize the financial condition of the USPS® during the current recession. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/12/08—Management joined forces with employee representatives on new postal market regulations, as the Supervisory Board of Austrian Post approved the 2009 budget by a majority vote. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/12/08—Online services available on usps.com have been restored. Trouble was first reported at 6 a.m. on Monday, disrupting holiday shipping for businesses and consumers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/11/08—Indian postal employees will go on an indefinite strike across the country on December 17 in protest against the "non-acceptance" of their just and legitimate demands by the Central government. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/11/08—Postmaster General John Potter has appointed Jean Picker Firstenberg chairman of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC), beginning in January 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/9/08—A B.C. court has granted Canada Post an injunction to stop striking workers from disrupting mail service in the province. About 2,100 workers across Canada went on strike in November. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/9/08—DM News consults experts in the direct mail field on four ways to tackle the tough economy using direct mail. The most important message? Don’t stop communicating with your customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/8/08— British Airways has awarded DHL Exel Supply Chain a 10-year, multi million dollar annual contract to handle in-flight services. The contract begins April 2010. International 12/8/08— British Airways has awarded DHL Exel Supply Chain a 10-year, multi million dollar annual contract to handle in-flight services. The contract begins April 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/8/08—The government takes a firm stance on postal employees stealing mail with a zero tolerance policy. Postal employees stealing or throwing out mail is a felony. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/5/08—Canada Post workers are unilaterally leaving the picket lines and returning to their jobs across the country. PSAC members walked out Nov. 17 over workers’ contractual rights to claim and bank sick leave. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/5/08—An APWU lawsuit against President George W. Bush and Postmaster General John E. Potter has been dismissed. The lawsuit sought to compel the appointment of a Postal Advisory Council. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/4/08—Taiwan's top financial regulator proposed allowing the government-owned postal bank to put some of its deposits in private banks, in order to spur more lending options. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/4/08—The U.S. Postal Service® is taking its closer business focus modeled on the basics of private industry into the international arena. It could save the USPS® up to $50 million. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/3/08—Latvia is increasing its postal prices by as much as 29% to reflect rising operating costs, salary increases, and a Latvian currency crisis which has held back its plans to adopt the Euro this year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/3/08—Newspaper ad revenue fell almost $2 billion in the third quarter for a record 18.1% decline, according to new statistics from the Newspaper Association of America. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/2/08—Royal Mail has taken on more than 3,800 "address detectives" as it prepares to handle more than 300 million poorly addressed and written Christmas card and letters during the busy holiday season. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/2/08—The US Postal Service's long-awaited Move Update requirements officially took effect last week; however, mailers will have about six months to become compliant with the new requirements before facing any fines. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 12/1/08—Royal Mail’s postmen and women delivered First and Second Class Mail® at target-beating performances this summer, according to the latest independent research on Royal Mail’s quality of service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 12/1/08—FedEx Corp. is offering solutions to help its customers save time and money as they prepare to ship millions of precious holiday packages this holiday season. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/26/08—Royal Mail is planning to launch a direct advertising package called 'Responsible Mail'. The new initiative is aimed at improving the public perception of direct mail as environmentally friendly. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/26/08—As people across the country celebrated the 11th annual America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, Earth911.com and the U.S. Postal Service® partnered to share an important message: Don’t take a holiday from recycling. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/25/08—The Liberal Democratic Party is once again being rocked by feuding over postal privatization. Many believe it will prove difficult to resolve intraparty differences over the matter. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/25/08— Businesses, unions, and industry associations asking Congress to grant the U.S. Postal Service® relief from government-mandated retiree health-insurance payments, to help the agency weather the global financial crisis. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/24/08—Slovakia is preparing to appeal against a decision made by Brussels, which declared its intention to re-monopolize part of its Postal Service™ illegally last month. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/24/08—The U.S. Postal Service is vying to fill the void left by the exit of DHL from the U.S. overnight-delivery market, by running ads in major newspapers. Officials want to capture about $300 million of the market. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/21/08—UK Mail is now promoting hybrid mail in addition to its regular business mail services by introducing “imail,” the only national alternative to the First-Class® Postal Service™. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/21/08—The APWU has asked Congress to help the agency during the current nationwide financial difficulties by giving legislative relief to its retiree health-insurance liability. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/20/08—The new UPU Postal Operations Council (POC) and Council of Administration (CA) have just completed their first session and laid solid groundwork for the coming four years. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/20/08—Postmaster Potter announces celebrated entertainer Bob Hope will be immortalized on a First-Class™ commemorative stamp next spring. The stamp image preview will be on Nov. 24 in New York City. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/19/08—New Zealand Post launches a new online service to help household customers redirect mail. The online service ensures customer’s mail follows them when their postal address changes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/19/08—FedEx Corp. said it will increase standard list rates for FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery by an average of 5.9% starting Jan. 5, not the 6.9% announced in September. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/18/08—Royal Mail today unveiled a package of Christmas initiatives, including evening and Sunday deliveries, as it prepares to deliver an estimated 140 million items ordered online this Christmas. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/18/08—New standards for letter-size catalogs, aka “slim-jims,” could be released by the end of the year, says U.S. Postal Service® spokesperson David Partenheimer. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/17/08—DHL customers can now prepare their parcels for global dispatch from their home PC. The program is easily accessible and provides direct assistance on how to enter data. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/17/08—Postal officials are hinting of another delay in implementing the Intelligent Mail® Barcode, just three months after insisting the key initiative was on schedule. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/14/08—Canada Post reassures customers that mail delivery will continue, despite the fact that talks between Canada Post and the UPCE have broken off and the union has filed a 72-hour notice of strike action. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/14/08— The U.S. Postal Service® concluded the 2008 fiscal year with a net loss of $2.8 billion, as the national economic slowdown lowered mail volume and the Postal Service bore additional costs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/13/08—The Post Office™ card account is to stay with Post Office Ltd. The news will be welcome by thousands of post offices across the country in fear of their businesses drying up if the POCA account had been lost. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/13/08—A news story currently in wide circulation is reporting that the Postal Service® will soon layoff 40,000 employees. This story is not accurate and the Postal Service is not laying off employees. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/12/08—TNT initiative aims to change driving behavior, reduce costs, and encourage more fuel efficient and safer driving, through the “Drive Me Challenge.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/12/08—FedEx welcomes the opportunity to provide services to DHL customers, as DHL exits the U.S. Ground and Express service markets. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/11/08—Hundreds of postal workers and their families are to join businesses, politicians, and members of the public in a march this Saturday. The march is against the closure of the MK mail center. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/11/08—UPS today announced an order of 12 electric vehicles from Modec, the manufacturer of the world's first purpose-built zero-emission van. Six vehicles will be introduced into UPS's UK fleet in February 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/10/08—Minister for Postal Services™ Mir Israrullah Zehri confirms Pakistan Post will be modernized and upgraded throughout the country and brought at par with the international standards. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/10/08—Deutsche Post AG is poised to announce thousands of job cuts at its DHL Express operations in the United States, as early as today. The cutbacks could affect between 12,000 and 13,000 jobs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/7/08—NIPOST Regulatory Commission is seeking a bill for the creation of a new body to regulate the activities of postal and courier services. The bill would be sent to the National Assembly before December. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/7/08—The UPS Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share on all outstanding Class A and Class B shares. The dividend is payable Dec. 3, 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/6/08—Finland launches world’s first transparent stamp. Designed by Nina Rintala, and called "The Frosty Night Stamp," it has been printed on special film. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/6/08—The DMM Advisory has made the following updates for the month of November: First-Class Mail® Parcel Definition; Optional Container Preparation for First-Class Mail; Express Mail® Manifesting; and more. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/5/08—China and Taiwan will establish direct flights across the Taiwan Strait and agreed on shipping and postal links, following the highest-level talks between the two sides on the island in almost 60 years. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/5/08—The American DMA is linking up with the China DMA to promote global business development using direct mail. They will share information, statistics, and trend forecasts on direct mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/4/08—Parcelforce Worldwide announces the launch of two new delivery services, improving choice and convenience for businesses and their customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/4/08—Moving the mail service to a five-day week instead of a six-day week and closing small post offices would yield billions of dollars worth of savings for the U.S. Postal Service®. So why won’t we do it? http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 11/3/08—The new Postal Operations Council (POC) has formally adopted a structure focused on product lines and designated the countries that will chair the various groups within four broad committees. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 11/3/08—The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service® will meet in Washington, DC, at Postal Service Headquarters on Nov. 12-13, 2008. The open session is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/31/08—Iran’s government is forming a government-run postal organization, which will take over some of the services offered by the existing state-controlled Iran Postal Service™ Company. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/31/08—U.S. Postal Service® delivers on Consumer Reports next-day mail challenge, beating out competitors FedEx and UPS by offering cheaper next-day mail rates. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/29/08—At a time when every penny counts, millions of people in the UK are over-paying for protection they may not need, according to the latest protection study from the Post Office™. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/29/08—“Read, Respond, Recycle” is the banner under which the Postal Service® will reach out to postal customers with a convenient, environmentally responsible alternative to bringing home or discarding their mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/28/08—Post-Switch, an impartial postal analysts and advisory service, says that Royal Mail has failed to react to the commercial world, describing it as one of the most inefficient operators in Europe. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/28/08—To increase the commercial availability and use of alternative fuel vehicles, UPS has purchased the hydraulic hybrid vehicle—promising dramatic fuel savings and environmental benefits. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/27/08—The Belgian Postal Service®, La Poste, has announced that it is being forced to increase postage prices starting January 1, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/27/08—Amid declining mail volumes and a slow economy, the US Postal Service® is eliminating between 220 and 250 jobs at its headquarters. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/24/08—Royal Mail doubles its interim operating profit as its branch network division bounced back into the black. There is still an urgent need to for Royal Mail to step up the pace of modernization. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/24/08—UPS says their third-quarter profit fell 9.9 percent and “significant slowing'' in the economy will keep 2008 earnings at the low end of its forecast. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/23/08—The UK direct mail industry supports the move of the partial privatization of the Royal Mail, expecting it to be a positive move for the industry. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/23/08—A cutback in postal employees’ hours is impacting mail flow to local business owners. Higher gas prices have been blamed as the biggest factor for the delay in mail deliveries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/22/08—Canada Post workers gave their bargaining team the strongest strike mandate in their union's history. Almost 90% voted in favor of the strike. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/22/08—Express Mail® packages can be held at Post Offices™ for pickup, giving customers both the peace of mind of secure delivery and the convenience of picking up their packages when it best fits their schedules. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/20/08—Private postal companies are rapidly gaining ground on Royal Mail in Scotland, with one firm tripling its business since the start of the year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/20/08—UPS today released new list rates for 2009, including an average increase of 5.9 percent for UPS Ground packages and an average net increase of 4.9 percent on all air express and U.S. origin International shipments. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/17/08—Postal Services™ of small rural communities are disappearing, as increasing numbers of shopkeepers decide that doubling as a Post Office™ is not worth the bother. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/17/08—FedEx is ranked as a top 50 company in the Corporate Social Responsibility Index. The study is based on a survey of consumer opinions from more than 200 companies. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/16/08—Taiwan and mainland China are poised to set up a direct postal link, which will halve the delivery time and postage cost. The postal link will cover parcels and express-delivery packages. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/16/08—The U.S. Postal Service® said yesterday it wants to keep providing universal Postal Service™ and to hold onto its monopoly on mail delivery. The PRC must submit a report in December. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/15/08—On Oct. 9, Romanian Post National Company (CNPR) officially opened six Post Offices™ in five cities in Spain, where there are large Romanian communities. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/15/08—The UPS Foundation has announced five grants totaling more than $1 million to support a variety of environmental programs and organizations worldwide. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/14/08—Postal Corporation of Kenya is opening opportunities for investors as it seeks individuals to run some of its branches on a franchise basis. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/14/08—FedEx Freight has significantly improved its service by offering next-business-day coverage between key Canadian gateway cities and several regions across the U.S. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/13/08—The prices charged by Deutsche Post for letters and postcards sent within Germany will remain unchanged next year. This is the seventh year Germany remains stable at 55 cents. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/13/08—Will there be layoffs at the U.S. Postal Service®? That’s the buzz among the agency’s 670,000 workers as signs grow that the agency is sliding further into financial trouble. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/10/08—Deutsche Post World Net has announced the appointment of Joe Phelan to the position of Chief Executive Officer of DHL Global Mail, effective October 1, 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/10/08—DMM Advisory has updated their mailing standards with the following changes: Intelligent Mail® tray labels and container placards; Priority Mail® commercial base pricing; Express Mail® corporate accounts; Parcel Select® markings labeling lists. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/9/08—The number of badly addressed letters and packets handled by the Royal Mail is set to reach 25 million since the start of the year. Around 600,000 items of mail every week cannot be delivered. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/9/08—US postal workers are being encouraged to give the US Postal Services® marketing department new leads to business in a cooperative effort to try and boost postal revenues. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/8/08—FedEx Express has started operations for FedEx Express Nacional, a domestic overnight service in Mexico, and the opening of the Toluca Hub Multiplex, its new center of operations for domestic shipments. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/8/08—UPS today announced its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders program. UPS is the first shipping company to join the program. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/7/08—Canada Post has again been chosen as one of Canada’s Top 100 employers by Mediacorp, which selected the 100 out of 16,000 companies invited to participate. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/7/08—For anyone with an interest in mail, “Informing the Dialogue: Facts About Mail and the Environment” is structured around commonly asked questions about the mail and its impact on the environment. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/6/08—Royal Mail today launched a new service that gives its wholesale customers a discounted price for direct mail campaigns that meet criteria designed to reduce their environmental impact. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/6/08—America’s love affair with fast and flashy automobiles takes center stage on U.S. postage stamps with the issuance of the America on the Move: 50s Fins and Chrome stamps. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/3/08—During today’s Post-Expo 2008 World Postal Business Forum in London, postal operators were encouraged to focus on innovation to remain competitive. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/3/08—Never before has the U.S. Postal Service® laid off workers. However, with postage increases not able to cover the massive USPS® deficit of 2008, it’s the next step for a solution. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/2/08—A national strike vote is underway for some Canada Post workers, but the Crown corporation says delivery of services isn't threatened. Voting continues until Oct. 17. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/2/08—The U.S. Postal Service® has released Vision 2013, its new five-year strategic plan that balances near-term priorities with long-term needs to adapt to changing customer needs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 10/1/08—Itella has signed an agreement with SmartPost to use their automated parcel terminal network of 20 machines in Estonia as drop-off points to consumer parcels. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 10/1/08—The U.S. Postal Service® “unplugs,” as Postmaster Potter kicks off a year-long conservation campaign within the USPS® intended to increase awareness and create results for energy conservation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/30/08—Swiss Post has published the best annual report in Switzerland, ahead of Georg Fischer and Holcim. This is the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind in Switzerland. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/30/08—Filling in the Gaps: What the FSO Didn’t Tell Us. Alan Robinson follows up on public information that was left behind at the conclusion of the Board of Governor’s meeting last week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/29/08—Effective Sept. 30, the U.S. Census Bureau is requiring mandatory filing of export information through the Automated Export System (AES) or through AESDirect for all international shipments. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/29/08—FedEx is raising express shipping rates, effective January 5, 2009. Also, effective March 2 of next year, FedEx First Overnight service will be available from Hawaii and Alaska. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/25/08—TNT will set up eight new branches in China’s economic hotspots this year. They will enable TNT to better capture the business opportunities in China and bring them closer to high-tech industries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/25/08—The USPS® Board of Governors reports in its press release that it expects to end the current fiscal year with a volume decline of nine billion pieces. The end-of-year financial results will be released in November. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/24/08—Deutsche Post is to lose its VAT advantage from 2010. Competitors such as TNT Post say that Royal Mail's VAT advantage puts rivals at a disadvantage. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/24/08— The USPS® will announce a $2.5 billion dollar yearly loss tomorrow, ABCNews.com has learned. However, no further increase in the cost of First Class® stamps will be considered until May 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/23/08—Tens of thousands of French postal workers went on strike on today, in protest of plans to open the country's mail network to private investment. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/23/08—PMG Potter tells employee organizations that the USPS® financial condition is poor and action by Congress needed. Specific plans were not discussed at the meeting. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/22/08—The government has begun a search for a successor to Allan Leighton, the chairman of the Royal Mail, who will step down from his post after seven years when his term expires next March. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/22/08—With more than 31 million ballots expected to be mailed this fall, the U.S. Postal Service® is encouraging voters to “mail early” this election season. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/19/08—FedEx Corp. reports earnings of $1.23 per diluted share for the first quarter ending August 31, compared to $1.58 per diluted share a year ago. Challenging global economic conditions are listed as the reason for the decline. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/19/08—New marking requirements for Parcel Select® packages will begin on Oct. 9. An advanced copy of appropriate shipping marking requirements are available at the Federal Register now. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/18/08—A commission will look at the future of the French Post Office™ La Poste, which is aiming for partial privatization in 2010. Unions are opposed of the sale and plan to strike in protest on Sept. 23. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/18/08—Postmaster General John E. Potter has challenged the mailing industry, cautioning mailers about the severity of the current economic climate and urging them to create new growth opportunities. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/17/08—Two logistics centers of Itella Logistics have attained the highest security certification of the TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association). The certified facilities are in Vantaa and Kotka, Finland. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/17/08—The U.S. Postal Service® reported a net loss of about $960 million in August. That brings the year to date deficit to $2.3 billion with one month left in the fiscal year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/16/08—German logistics company Deutsche Post AG says it is not considering a complete pull out from its U.S. operations, denying a weekend press report. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/16/08—The U.S. Postal Service® has redesigned its Web site to make it simpler and easier to navigate. The new site, designed to improve customers' ease of use, was launched today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/15/08—German mail and logistics group Deutsche Post AG could pull out of its DHL Express business in the United States, where it is continuing to suffer heavy losses. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/15/08—Postmaster General Jack Potter has announced the appointment of Jim Cochrane as Vice President of Ground Shipping and Mitzi Betman as Vice President of Corporate Communications. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/12/08—The UPU is looking to enhance access to Universal Postal Service™ in the electronic world by establishing a top-level domain on the Internet – .post. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/12/08—FedEx has been named as a finalist for a Corporate Citizenship Award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center, in the category of International Community Service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/11/08—UPS Capital offers small businesses new global trade finance solution. UPS Capital Cargo Finance is designed for U.S. companies with annual revenues up to $50 million. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/11/08—UPS says its plan to take over U.S. air shipments for Plantation-based DHL Express will preserve competition and 40,000 U.S. jobs. UPS is trying to blunt criticism from Ohio lawmakers and labor-union leaders. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/10/08—French postal workers plan to strike on Sept. 23. The national one-day strike and demonstration is to oppose the planned privatization of the Postal Service®. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/10/08—The DMA will be hosting a virtual seminar on the November 23 Move Update and Standard Mail tomorrow, Sept. 11 at 2pm EST. Register today for a briefing on these standards and the opportunity to ask questions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/9/08—The Post Office® has extended its savings range by launching a cash ISA paying a leading rate of 6.25 percent, available immediately. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/9/08—Two animated characters are now ready to head back to school with postal employees to help teachers spread the word that injuries and death can result when children get too close to delivery vehicles. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/8/08—Itella Information is expanding its operations to Russia and Central Europe. During early autumn 2008, Itella Information starts operations in Moscow and Bratislava. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/8/08—New proposed changes to the US Postal Service's Move Update program would require businesses to update their bulk-mailing lists every 95 days, instead of the current 185 days. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/5/08—Itella Information is expanding its operations to Russia and Central Europe in early autumn. At the end of the year, Itella Information will also start in Hungary, Czech Republic, and Austria. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/5/08—UPS decides to boost customer demand by loaning money to small businesses. Cargo Finance will be unveiled on Sept. 9, aimed at helping small business customers that need funds to keep their product orders flowing. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/4/08—Logistics and mailing company Deutsche Post AG denies a report of a delay in its North American restructuring program and still plans to cooperate with United Parcel Service Inc. in 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/4/08—Check out the new Flats Sequencing Strategy Web page. You’ll find all the presentations, resources, and FAQs related to the flats vision and the new Flats Sequencing System (FSS). http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/3/08—FedEx Express has upgraded its next-business-day delivery service FedEx International Priority® from Europe to major U.S. East Coast cities. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/3/08—Effective September 11, postage payment for all BPM mailings — carrier route, presorted, and non-presorted (single-piece) flats and parcels, regardless of volume — will be limited to permit imprint. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 9/2/08—It looks likely that Royal Mail could be split up and areas of the business sold to private investors in an attempt to secure the future of the UK's universal service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 9/2/08—The Postal Service™ offer of "Free ACS" to users of Full Service IMB has the potential to be the most important initiative in the long standing USPS® efforts to reduce the UAA volumes in the system. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/29/08—The PhilPost and the USPS® are working towards the establishment of a fast, secure, and low-cost remittance project. It will benefit the 4.4 million Filipinos in the US and their millions of relatives in the Philippines. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/29/08—OPM approves early outs for letter carriers! NALC President William H. Young said details of an early retirement agreement are being worked out and will be released once finalized. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/28/08—FedEx Express Nacional Extends Portfolio of Services and Introduces World Class Express Shipping across Mexico. Operations begin on Oct. 6. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/28/08—The U.S. Department of Transportation has rejected Ohio's request that the department block DHL's plan to hire United Parcel Service to handle DHL's domestic air cargo sorting and flying. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/27/08—South Africans will soon be able to access a wider variety of government services including payment of traffic fines and driver’s license renewals at Post Office™ outlets. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/27/08—Today the Federal Register published their proposal for detached address labels (DALs) accompanying saturation mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail® flats. Comments welcome before September 26. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/26/08—Royal Mail and China Post are going for gold in an historic joint issue of a special set of stamps to mark the handover of the Olympic Flag from Beijing to London. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/26/08—The PRC has proposed reworking the way the U.S. Postal Service® reports financial information to Congress. The Commission will accept comments on these proposals until Oct. 16 and reply comments until Nov. 15. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/25/08—UPS has officially opened its newest flight training facility, a 27,000-square-foot center that will reduce the time spent away from home for training by Anchorage-based pilots. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/25/08—A Q&A interview with USPS® Sustainability VP Sam Pulcrano, on the challenge of sustainable postal operations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/22/08—The chief executive of DHL, parent Deutsche Post AG, has defended the company's controversial U.S. restructuring measures in a letter to U.S. Senator John McCain. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/22/08—The USPS® has published its final rules for Implementation of New Standards for Intelligent Mail® barcodes in the Federal Register. The final rule is effective May 11, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/21/08—Despite a weakening economy, sales advance for the newly merged Posten and Post Danmark, according to the January-June 2008 interim report. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/21/08—The U.S. Postal Service® loses $216 million for the month of July. As a result, effective immediately, all field non-bargaining position postings are frozen. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/20/08—FedEx Express and the world’s largest express transportation company, have enhanced their Web-based shipping tool. FedEx customers will enjoy faster service across the Asia-Pacific region. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/20/08—Airline travelers might consider shipping extra luggage via the USPS® instead of paying high prices now being charged by the airlines for checked bags. Ship items using Click-N-Ship at usps.com. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/19/08—The Spanish Post Office™ will invest in PDAs for delivery workers in Spain. It plans to buy an additional 7,000 in line with technical improvements to Spain's postal network. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/19/08—The Federal Register has published new standards, effective Oct. 1, making Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit a new method of payment for Express Mail® Corporate Account customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/18/08—TNT and Postal Corporation have signed a parcel delivery agreement that will allow the companies to extend their services and value-additions to customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/18/08— The US Postal Service® has published an advanced copy of its new mailing standards for Intelligent Mail® barcodes (IMBs) in the Federal Register. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/15/08—South Africa Post Office™ has added 5.7-million postal addresses since March 2008. The project aimed to provide formal addresses to thousands of South Africans who previously did not have them. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/15/08—The planned $10 billion outsourcing deal between UPS and DHL Worldwide Express Inc. will face congressional scrutiny at a hearing on Sept. 16. Two U.S. senators asked federal regulators to examine the proposed agreement. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/14/08—Postwatch will soon to be absorbed into a larger multi-consumer watchdog known as the “National Consumer Council” on Sept. 30th. Adjustments to its paperwork are being made. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/14/08—FedEx Ground recognized three small business owners Saturday with the “Ground Entrepreneur of the Year,” the company's highest honors for independent contractors, established in 2007. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/13/08—Deutsche Post World Net chief executive Frank Appel defends planned job cuts at the company's U.S. DHL business, insisting that the reductions are needed to turn the division around. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/13/08—The Direct Marketing Association has announced its 2008 Hall of Fame inductees. They will be inducted during the DMA08 show in Las Vegas at an October 14 luncheon. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/11/08—UPS is making an informal approach to buy TNT NV for $15 billion and the companies have held initial talks about a takeover. UPS may plan to sell TNT's postal division to a private-equity buyer. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/11/08—In response to concerns from the mailing community, the U.S. Postal Service® will support an additional price incentive for mailers who adopt the full service Intelligent Mail® barcode option. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/8/08—Qatar will host the 25th Universal Postal Congress (UPC) in 2012. This was decided by a vote held at the 24th UPC, currently in session. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/8/08—The U.S. Postal Service® will be ready for mail bearing Intelligent Mail® barcodes next May as planned. There are no pricing decisions at this time. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/7/08—Israeli and Palestinian postal authorities have pledged to start facilitating direct exchanges between the Palestinian Authority and the UPU member countries. Mail will transit via Amman, Jordan. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/7/08—The U.S. Postal Service® ended its third fiscal year quarter with a greater-than-expected net loss of $1.1 billion. The fiscal 2008 year-to-date net loss totals $1.13 billion. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/6/08—The UPU will focus its efforts on finalizing a new global monitoring system for the quality of service, which is expected to become operational in 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/6/08—The July/August MailPro is available in HTML and PDF. You’ll find informative articles on election mail, greening the mail, the new Flats Sequencing System, Move Update, and National PCC Day. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/5/08—TNT N.V. will issue a benchmark Eurobond. The bonds will only be offered to institutional investors outside the U.S. and proceeds of the transaction will be used for general business purposes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/5/08—The House of Representatives has passed legislation enabling Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employees to credit their unused sick leave towards retirement. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 8/4/08—For the 10th year running, New Zealand Post is making free postage-paid envelopes available for community organizations across New Zealand, through its annual Community Post program. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 8/4/08—Cost-cutting efforts cannot happen fast enough to counter the decline in revenue for the USPS®, after third quarter results predict bleak outlook for the organization. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/31/08—Australia Post will raise their stamp prices 5 cents, effective September 15. It will need approval from the federal government before implementing the increase. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/31/08—The USPS® wants to exempt its competitive products from the universal service obligation. Doing so would allow it to cut back on offerings in sparsely populated areas where business is thin. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/30/08—China's private delivery companies are among the hardest-hit sectors reporting declining profit margins, due to the increase in fuel costs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/30/08— The PRC may rule in August on the dispute between Capital One Services Inc. and the U.S. Postal Service®, regarding the issu¬ance of a contract between the USPS® and the mailer. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/29/08—DMA vice president Charles Prescott presents the UPU Consultative Committee Chairman's Report to Congress regarding CC activities. The 24th Universal Postal Congress will end on August 12. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/29/08—A Q&A with newly appointed PRC Commissioner, Nanci Langley. Langley discusses her challenges and goals for the upcoming year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/28/08—France is looking for new funding mechanisms to ensure citizens in its remotest areas continue to receive an affordable, six-days-a-week service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/28/08—PostCom reports the U.S. Postal Service® intends to delay the mandatory implementation of its IMB until Nov. 2009. This is six months later than originally intended. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/25/08—The SwissPostCertificate is now available at a more attractive introductory rate. The form of digital ID, it can be likened to a passport or ID card for the digital world. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/25/08—The U.S. Postal Service® explores options for a ‘Green’ delivery fleet. Fuel costs for 2007 were $1.7 billion and are expected to increase this year by $600 million. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/24/08—France's parliament has passed a law which effectively ends the country's compulsory 35-hour working week. The new law should come into effect in August. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/24/08—U.S. Postal Service® delivers a record-breaking performance for the delivery of First-Class Mail® during the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/2308—A new global strategy aimed at improving and harmonizing the world’s postal services is the focus of a three-week congress in Geneva led by the United Nations UPU today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/2308 UPS, the world's largest package-delivery company, said second-quarter profit fell 21%, as fuel costs rose and the cooling economy slowed domestic shipments. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/22/08—Postal Services position themselves as necessary allies in Intl. trade at the 24th Universal Postal Congress tomorrow. More than 2,200 postal sector stakeholders will participate. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/22/08—The Postal Service® and the District of Columbia will hold a hearing on July 24, entitled, “The Three R’s of the Postal Network Plan: Realignment, Right-Sizing, and Responsiveness.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/21/08—Within a three-year period, Nigeria has received $1.2 million from the Universal Postal Union, as grant to improve their Postal Services™. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/21/08—Postmaster Potter names Pritha Mehra vice president of Business Mail Entry and Payment Technologies, and Maura Robinson vice president of Pricing. Both women are veteran Postal Service® executives. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/18/08—TNT and trade unions ABVAKABO FNV, BVPP, CNV Publieke Zaak and VPP have signed the new collective labor agreement for TNT. The agreement will expire April 1, 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/18/08— USPS® releases details of voluntary early retirement offer. Employees in clerk, mail handler, supervisor of distribution operations, and supervisor of customer services positions, are all eligible. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/17/08—New image for Indian Post: It has partnered with Ogilvy and Mather to help design a new logo and new uniforms to keep up with its new image. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/17/08—The USPS® has selected NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) as the exclusive provider of retail point-of-service (POS) hardware for thousands of postal counters across the United States. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/16/08—Spending on direct mail fell by 9% in 2007, according to “The Top 100 Direct Mail Spenders Report,” published by Marketing Direct today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/16/08—The U.S. Postal Service® issues the Vintage Black Cinema stamps today. The stamps highlight various facets of the African-American cultural experience as represented in early films. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/15/08—TNT has dismissed speculation that FedEx Corp could buy out Dutch-owned TNT. The buy-out could increase FedEx's European parcel-delivery sales by as much as 144%. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/15/08—Spending on direct mail fell by 9% in 2007, according to “The Top 100 Direct Mail Spenders Report,” published by Marketing Direct today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/14/08—India Post's tariff is 70% cheaper for domestic destinations and 30% cheaper for international destinations. They are the only country that have not increased their tariffs to match the increased full costs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/14/08—After years of managing volume, the U.S. Postal Service® wants to instead manage mail quality. The outcome may be a smaller amount of relevant delivered mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/11/08—Hongkong Post launches new "iMailR service." The July 14 launch will facilitate customs pre-declaration, while providing customers with a fast, reliable and simplified way to make bulk postings. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/11/08—The Federal Register announces the July DMM revisions and displays an advance copy of the "waiver of signature" proposal. Updates can be viewed on the Postal Explorer Web site. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/10/08—DHL launches EasyShip®, a convenient, downloadable installation, that permits customers to access shipping functions to U.S. and international destinations via an easy-to-use PC-based application. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/10/08— APWU meets with the USPS® to discuss USPS’s plans to offer early-retirement opportunities to 40,000 employees. Federal agencies must receive approval from OPM to offer VER opportunities to their employees. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/9/08—Swiss Post has acquired Global Business Services Plus, which specializes in digital document management and has offices in France, Germany and Slovakia. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/9/08—Photo messaging has risen 60% in the U.S. over the last year, as the camera phone for many vacationers replaces the postcard once sent to friends and family. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/8/08—TNT starts the only scheduled road services between China and Southeast Asia. Asia Road is up to 30% cheaper than air and three times faster than sea Intra-Asia road services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/8/08—The U.S. Postal Service® has requested the authority to offer early retirement to 40,000 postal employees from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Specifics will be available after full discussions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/3/08—ICT and logistics experts are in Cairo, Rome to plan and develop new services, starting with the development of Egypt’s national postal system. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/3/08—The U.S. Postal Service® announces major organizational changes designed to make the agency more competitive and responsive to its customers' needs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/2/08— Deutsche Post overturns decision by the European Union that it used state aid to cover losses on its parcel delivery service. Deutsche Post is expected to see the return of 1 billion Euros, plus interest. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/2/08— Robert F. Bernstock has been named the president of a newly integrated product-focused Postal Service division, Shipping and Mailing Services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 7/1/08—New Zealand Post has formed Express Couriers Australia Pty Limited (ECA), a 50:50 joint venture with Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), for the ownership and operation of express courier businesses in Australia. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 7/1/08—In a dramatic realignment of several of its core functions, the Postal Service® is set to capitalize on new competitive opportunities and significantly enhance the vision of its customer outreach. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/30/08—DHL and Abu Dhabi Customs jointly launch a new customs clearing service called the "Gold Card" Program. Customers can now receive customs clearance confirmation within a few hours instead of a day. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/30/08—Steven Hatfill accepts a settlement offer of $5.82 million upon his claim that the Justice Department and the FBI invaded his privacy and ruined his career. The former Army scientist was the prime suspect in the deadly 2001 anthrax mailings. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/27/08—In response to rising cost pressures, Canada Post is proposing an amendment to the Letter Mail Regulations to establish the rates of postage for domestic Lettermail for the next three years. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/27/08—The U.S. Postal Service® has submitted to Congress its Network Plan which describes planned changes to the mail processing, transportation, and retail network. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/26/08—TNT Post has eased the pressure on the funding shortfall faced by the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) by agreeing to support the organization which funds the scheme. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/26/08—FedEx Trade Networks Inc. opens New West Coast Gateways to support ocean-ground distribution service. The alternative shipping method enables customers to move cargo from Asia to multiple U.S. destinations in one seamless process. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/25/08—FedEx celebrates its domestic service one-year anniversary in China, where it now offers an earlier next-morning delivery to nine major cities in the country. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/25/08—The Postal Service® issues a 30-second PSA cartoon to warn young children to stay away from postal delivery vehicles. The safety campaign targets pre-kindergarten through second-grade school children. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/24/08—Attention New Zealanders! Starting July 1, high volume mailers need to include correct postcodes on their mail to ensure timely delivery and maximize their discounts. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/24/08—The U.S. Postal Service® has submitted its network plan, which outlines the agency's initiatives to produce better and more efficient operations and customer service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/23/08—New Post Office® trial of ATMs offers convenient, commission-free euros and dollars at selected branches. Customers will insert their debit cards and select one euros or US dollars. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/23/08—USPS® has launched new, legal-sized Express Mail® and Priority Mail® envelopes, available to customers free of charge. Attorneys, financial professionals, real estate agents and other mailers will be benefiting. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/20/08—Royal Mail and British Forces Post Office (BFPO) have released statistics showing the volume of mail sent to Afghanistan has nearly doubled over the past 12 months. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/20/08— The USPS® submits a network plan to Congress. Key points include continuation of AMC closures, more plant consolidations, outsourcing BMC network, alternative retail options. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/19/08—Post Danmark signs new, two-year agreement with SAS Air Mail on international mail transportation. Their integrated partnership focuses on constant quality improvements for export mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/19/08—The U.S. Postal Service® is the title sponsor of eBay Live! 2008. Through a series of workshops, labs and presentations, attendees discover new strategies, share business solutions, and network with other online sellers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/18/08—Every Post Office™ in India will be inter-connected within a year's time. Money deposits or withdrawals will be accessible from any Post Office in the country at that time. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/18/08—The USPS® will issue the Olympic Games commemorative stamp on June 19 during the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Gymnastics. The stamp is being issued to coincide with the games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/17/08—A conference on European postal market reform headed: "The EU Internal Market for Postal Services – creating it together" begins on June 24th in Brussels. It marks the final phase of postal reform in the European Union. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/17/08—Nanci Langley is sworn in as commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) today. She will serve the remainder of a six-year term, which will expire on November 22, 2012. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/16/08—The postal communication of Armenia will open an affiliated company called “Haypost International” for international postal operations. It will be set up in the Netherlands. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/16/08—Do-it-yourself Post Office™ proves popular in Fishers, Indiana. The self-service facility is the first of its kind in the state, and one of a few in the United States. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/13/08—Vietnam’s postal sector may see tough times ahead, as the Government considers cutting loss compensations in the sector to heal the ailing industry by 2013. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/13/08—The U.S. Postal Service® has published revised mailing standards in the Federal Register, requiring mailers to place presort bundles on pallets with the addresses facing up. The revised standards go into effect on September 11. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/12/08—Dutch minister sees no post liberalization until fair competition in Germany, UK. The minister will update parliament on the situation by October 1. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/12/08—The U.S. Postal Service® will mark the annual observance of Flag Day tomorrow, with the launch of a three-year multi-stamp series honoring the state’s standards called “Flags of Our Nation.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/11/08—Deutsche Post World Net and Deutsche Post Selekt Mail Nederland C.V. have filed a joint complaint with the European Commission to protest the renewed delay of the opening of the mail market in the Netherlands. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/11/08—The Approved Shipper Program enables the U.S. Postal Service® to compete in the retail package market, while providing customers with alternate access to postal products and services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/10/08—The Greek postal operator Hellenic Post (ELTA) is to be sold. The Greek government is trying to get a grip on public debt by selling off ELTA through shares or privatization. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/10/08—The Environmental Protection Agency is planning the next frontier, by putting energy reduction efforts all together under one umbrella, to create a greenhouse gas management strategy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/9/08—Deutsche Post is ready to sell Postbank and is expected to begin a formal sales process within days. The move will herald a summer of deal-making in Germany's banking sector. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/9/08—DHL deals with the fallout of it’s proposed plan to no longer use air carriers ABX and ASTAR. The two air carriers stand to lose as many as 8,200 jobs, angering the APWU and other lawmakers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/6/08—There’s nothing like trying to buy up the entire language if it gives you a competitive edge. Deutsche Post has absurdly been seeking to stop competitors from using the word 'Post' in their business names. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/6/08—The U.S. Postal Service’s international mail facility in Chicago has earned its second consecutive Certificate of Excellence award from an international organization dedicated to improving global postal services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/5/08—Poczta Polska, the Polish Postal Service™, has ground to a standstill after postal workers began strike action on Tuesday. 20,000 distribution workers are thought to be involved in the strike. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/5/08—UPS has expanded their On-Time Performance Reliability Guarantee at no additional cost, to shipments moving in both directions across the Canada-U.S. border. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/4/08—The IPC launches an environmental measurement and monitoring system, providing a common carbon measurement and reporting framework for the global postal industry. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/4/08—FedEx Corp., the largest air-cargo shipper, will record a cost of $696 million to rename the Kinko's unit as FedEx Office to win more large business customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/3/08—Belgium is considering its postal service becoming part of the new joint Danish-Swedish mail group. Sweden and Denmark agreed in April to merge the two countries' post offices. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/3/08—The PRC has recommended approval of a proposal allowing Life Line Screening service providers to earn discounts for Standard Mail® letter volumes that exceed specific volume thresholds. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 6/2/08—India Post plans to induct four freighter aircrafts by year-end to compete with private courier services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 6/2/08— The U.S. Postal Service® is offering greener choices, and an easy, online resource for consumers to make environmentally friendly decisions about their mail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/30/08—The Department of Post (DoP) is in talks with Deutsche Postbank to enter into the housing loan business. It would initially be available through selected post offices. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/30/08—UPS will work with DHL Express U.S. to provide transportation in its air network for all of DHL's express, deferred, and international package volume within the United States. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/29/08—International decision-makers will participate in a high-level debate on July 25, 2008 focusing on the theme “The postal sector, an essential component of the global economy.” http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/29/08—The U.S. Postal Service® announces international delivery company DHL will provide exclusive delivery services to the Postal Service™ for “last-mile” in certain locations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/28/08—DHL has signed a major ground and air freight agreement with the U. S. Postal Service® and its principal air express operator, FedEx. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/28/08—DHL U.S. Express will redesign their network to better match capacity with customer requirements and partner with UPS for airlift capacity on domestic and international Express products in North America. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/27/08—The Australia Post expects to raise about $155 million a year from increased postal charges, in what the Opposition claims is a tax grab. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/27/08—Heart to Heart International and FedEx Express join forces to deliver relief supplies to Sichuan Province, hit by a major earthquake on May 12. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/23/08—82.7 percent of ver.di members at Deutsche Post voted in favor of accepting the settlement negotiated on April 30. The contractually agreed provisions can now go into effect. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/23/08—The US Postal Service® plans to redesign its direct mail Web site to make it more relevant to small business owners. The site will be organized to help small businesses with their direct mail campaigns. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/22/08—UPS is moving its intra-Asia air hub from the Philippines to Shenzhen. The move is intended to improve customer service, by reducing transit times across Asia. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/22/08—The U.S. Postal Service® reinforces their commitment to a greener future by naming the first vice president of sustainability, at National Postal Forum. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/20/08—Japan Post Bank, the country's largest bank, plans to invest at least 1.0 trillion yen in overseas assets in the financial year to next March. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/20/08—Postmaster General John Potter told more than 3,000 people attending the National Postal Forum today, to look beyond the current economic downturn and continue to transition mail into the 21st Century. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/19/08—Royal Mail partners with dialogue marketing specialists Vialuna, to launch “Dialogue Mail” to help businesses develop deeper customer relationships. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/19/08—The U.S. Postal Service® celebrated the 150th birthday of Minnesota’s statehood on May 17, with the issuance of the Minnesota Statehood Stamp. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/16/08—DHL Express UAE assists African children in need through the shipping of essential supplies, donated by UAE residents, to help the impoverished children of Sierra Leone, Africa. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/16/08—The U.S. Postal Service® will release three new love and wedding-themed stamps on June 10. The stamps will be available in denominations of 42 and 59 cents. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/15/08—Royal Mail says funding from a private sector will help deliver a universal service to customers. They claim their current business model is unsustainable and set for further decline without radical changes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/15/08—The U.S. Postal Service® launches National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 18-24. Dog owners are being asked to keep their dogs inside rooms of their house, when accepting mail from their letter carriers at their door. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/14/08—Itella Corporation is granted exclusive rights to use IVANAhelsinki designs in selected Post products and services, such as postcards, packaging materials, and supplies. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/13/08—Canada Post issued its first annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report (CSR) today. The Report reflects the corporation's economic, social and environmental objectives, strategies, and performance. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/13/08—UPS® freight accelerates shipping for customers in 11 states. The latest enhancements follow the 8,000+ lanes that were improved nationwide by the company in 2007. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/12/08—Business customers are deserting Royal Mail, after a British study finds most firms find the postal group an inefficient organization to work with. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/12/08—As postage rates rise to 42 cents today, bulk mailers enjoy an increase in business, as more and more companies pay to have their mail prepared for them. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/9/08—Royal Mail launches an internet based “Delivery Promise Tool,” to help online retailers offer consumers the best possible experience and reduce shopping basket abandonment. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/8/08—Swiss Post wants entrepreneurial freedom to determine for itself which markets it will operate. It wants to develop and thus prove itself capable of providing an efficient basic service in an open market. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/7/08—The Dutch government plans to brief Parliament on the possibility of opening up the domestic postal market to full competition on July 1, as previously envisioned. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/7/08— Despite cost-cutting measures, the U.S. Postal Service® ended the second quarter with a net loss of $707 million, driven by a continued decline in mail volume, resulting from the current national economic climate. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/6/08—The UNEP and the UPU vow make the postal sector more environmentally sound. The initiative is part of the United Nations’ commitment to make climate change one of its top priorities. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/6/08— The UPS is selected to ship priceless artifacts from Shanghai to California. The artifacts will tour museums in cities across the US over the next two years. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/5/08—Concerns arise over the security of Britain’s mail, after statistics released under the Freedom of Information act report that 1,321 Royal Mail employees have been caught stealing mail since 2004. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/5/08— Beginning May 12, the U.S. Postal Service® will launch new prices for its expedited mail products: Express Mail and Priority Mail. Customers will save an average of 3.25 percent in shipping costs. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/2/08— Swiss Post International, one of the fastest postal organizations in Europe, has grouped with Mail Order Solution to enter the Indian market. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/2/08—Five U.S. Postal Service® environmental initiatives win White House environmental awards. The awards will be presented at a White House ceremony this summer. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 5/1/08—After months of contract negotiations and a threatened strike, Deutsche Post and Ver.di trade union have reached an agreement on job security, pay raise, and additional working time. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 5/1/08—The U.S. Postal Service® salutes the world’s oldest military decoration by re-issuing the Purple Heart stamp. This is the fourth re-issuance, which has received overwhelming public support. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/30/08—Israel Post CEO warns of company collapse if the competitive structure of the postal market doesn’t change. The company's operating license also needs to be amended. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/30/08—The 2008 National Postal Forum uses “extreme performance,” as the theme for this year’s workshops. Four in-depth symposiums will be held May 18-21 at the Anaheim, CA, Convention Center. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/29/08— On April 1, the majority shareholders in Posten and Post Danmark signed a historical letter of intent to merge. The merger will create a more competitive group in the Nordic market. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/28/08—UN Secretary-General pays tribute to the economic value of postal services, as the UPU marks its 60th anniversary as a specialized agency in the United Nations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/28/08—Demand for Forever Stamps have increased at a rate of about 30 million per day, bringing the amount sold to more than 6 billion since their April 2007 debut. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/25/08— Ver.di rejects Deutsche Post’s offer of 39 months of dismissals protection and a reasonable salary increase. Deutsche Post says it’s now up to Ver.di to find an amicable solution to the wage conflict. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/25/08— USPS releases final rule for Addressing Flats and Proposal for IM barcodes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/24/08—Canada Post issues 3.5 million copies of its first ever Braille stamp. The stamp features guide dogs to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Canada's oldest association for the blind. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/24/08—The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service® will meet in Washington, DC, on May 6-7, 2008. The Board’s open to the public session is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. on May 7. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/23/08—Canada Post Corporation and FedEx Express Canada have combined forces to develop Priority™ Worldwide, a new international express service available in the fall of 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/23/08—Falling shipments at United Parcel Service Inc. and FedEx Corp. show the economy is in a recession and unlikely to rebound this year. The companies deliver 80 percent of packages in the U.S. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/22/08—DHL launches international initiative "Discover Logistics" on the inaugural nationwide "Logistics Day." The initiative aims to inform young people of career prospects within the logistics industry. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/22/08—The PRC invites public comment on universal Postal Service™ and the postal monopoly in the United States. All comments will be available for review on the Commission’s website. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/21/08—The Ver.di labor union will vote on open-ended strikes from April 25-29. The labor union turned down Deutsche Post’s wage increase and job security offer last week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/18/08—China Post Logistics Co. Ltd. and Hongkong Post partner for logistics service provision in the Greater China Region. The center meets a growing market demand for cross border logistic services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/18/08—The U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Flags 24/7 stamps today at 42 cents. The four first-class stamps feature a painting of an American flag flying at sunrise, noon, sunset, and night. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/17/08—CTT Correios de Portugal exceeds goals established with shareholder in management agreement. Quality of service also exceeded the objectives set by the regulator. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/16/08—TNT Post calls on trade unions to continue discussions today in Amsterdam. The trade unions are demanding a one-year collective labor agreement with a salary increase of 3.5 percent. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/16/08—The DMA announces Charles A. Prescott will stand for re-election to a four-year term as chairman of the Consultative Committee of the Universal Postal Union. Prescott joined the DMA in 1999 as international vice president. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/15/08—New Zealand Post launches “Mail Hold,” a new online service for household customers who want their mail held while they’re away from home for an extended period http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/15/08—Talks between Deutsche Post and FedEx on a strategic partnership in the U.S. express market have collapsed. The German mail services company was hoping to boost its sales in the U.S. through the partnership. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/14/08—La Poste—France’s state-owned mail monopoly—has purchased BTB Mailflight, a Bedford-based distribution and mail fulfillment business. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/11/08—TNT Post offers a structural wage increase of 3 percent to trade unions, after a one year contract negotiation. The trade unions have nonetheless rejected the offer and have announced actions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/10/08—The price of posting Standard First and Second Class letters in the UK has risen. Royal Mail says that stamped mail continues to run at a loss, despite the increases. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/10/08—United Airlines and FedEx fund an aircraft to deliver sight-saving expertise, blindness prevention, and treatment to developing nations for years to come. The $2 million donation is being funded equally by United and FedEx. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/9/08—German union Verdi expects Deutsche Post to make a negotiable offer today on conditions for workers or threatens unlimited strikes. The warning strikes are over working conditions and job guarantees. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/9/08—The U.S. Postal Service® grants scholarship awards for postal history undertakings. The awards are intended for scholarship on any topic on the history of the U.S. postal system, from the colonial period, to the present. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/8/08—Deutsche Post World Net, the No.1 global logistics company, is the first major company in its industry to set a quantifiable climate protection target. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/7/08—Swiss Post Subsidiary MailSource UK Ltd acquires UK-based Graphic Data Ltd. The acquisition allows MailSource UK to expand the physical part of its document flows with digital processes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/7/08—The premier privacy trust study in America has named the U.S. Postal Service® the “Most Trusted Government Agency” for the fourth year in a row. The survey polled 9,000 Americans selected at random. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/4/08—Postal Corporation of Kenya has signed an agreement to sell airtime for leading mobile service provider, Safaricom. The agreement is critical for the survival of Postal Corporation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/3/08—European marketers who consistently ignore the wishes of consumers who do not wish to be contacted for marketing purposes will face prison time. The DMA fully supports the new legislation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/2/08—The Israel Postal Company has reported net profits for 2007 of NIS 40 million. Previously, as a state authority, it lost hundreds of million of shekels annually, forcing the government to make up the difference. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 4/2/08—The Postal Board of Governors have approved funding to purchase technology to postmark and sort letters faster. The new machines will replace existing sorters operating on 1980’s technology. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 4/1/08—Sweden Post and Denmark Post merge into the Swedish-Danish postal group to obtain greater competition and consolidation in the Nordic postal and logistics sector. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/31/08—German postal workers will strike tomorrow, April 1, following a breakdown in talks with Deutsche Post. The strike is the result of a pay dispute and rejection for extended working hours. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/28/08—Significant growth in parcels, due to online trading, has sparked new parcel services for the New Zealand Post. The new Parcel Post® range requirements are effective today. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/28/08—UPS announces the deployment of 167 Compressed Natural Gas delivery vehicles in Texas, Georgia, and California. The CNG vehicles are part of UPS’s global alternative fleet. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/27/08—Postcomm submits claim to Review Panel that fundamental reforms are essential if Royal Mail is to have a long-term sustainable future. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/27/08—A recent report warns the use of direct mail may diminish as a result of rising postage costs and declining response rates, unless the medium is made more efficient. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/26/08—DHL has entered into a strategic partnership with Dubai Industrial City. A new transPARK model will provide access to a full range of end-to-end logistic services to the companies at Dubai Industrial City. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/26/08—The USPS moves to improve address quality for the mailing industry. A new data file will identify “vacant” addresses when used in combination with address matching software. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/25/08—TNT Express division introduces a new packaging line. Customers can now choose larger, easier-to-handle, damage resistant, and earth-friendly packaging items. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/25/08—PRC has recorded serious questions regarding the Postal Service’s methods of collecting data. The data is used as a basis for determining workshare discounts. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/24/08—Royal Mail is selling off post office premises worth $20 million, as part of its closure program. A total of 40 post offices are up for sale. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/21/08—State-run postal service ‘Pakistan Post’ has increased their rates to meet expenses, after a hike in oil and power tariff. The new rates affect 20 million customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/21/08—The USPS® donates postal equipment to Liberia, scheduled to arrive March 25. The donation is to help the nation rebuild after its devastating civil war. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/20/08—With Group profit of 909 million Swiss francs, Swiss Post exceeds their previous year’s profit by 72 million francs. This makes them eligible to make a first-time dividend payment to the Confederation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/20/08—The USPS® urges customers to take advantage of Express Mail® the only shipping service that delivers seven days a week. Easter gifts sent on Saturday, March 22, will arrive on Easter day. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/18/08—French postal service La Poste is considering a takeover of German postal firm PIN Group. La Poste will make a decision by the end of March. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/17/08— An agreement promising foreign exchange services to the public was signed today in India, between the Department of Posts and Centurion Bank of Punjab. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/17/08—The USPS® uses St. Patrick’s Day to debut their “Mail Back” program, asking consumers to recycle small electronics and inkjet cartridges by mailing them for free. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/14/08— Itella Logistics becomes the first in Estonia to test an automated parcel terminal, which offers a new way for consumers to pick up their parcels. Itella operates in eight countries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/14/08—Through March 31, the USPS® is offering free cards to customers—postage included—to mail to a friend for free. The publicity stunt is to encourage letter writing. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/13/08— German postal workers are prepared to go on strike April 1, if Deutsche Post does not grant concessions over working hours and give more protection over dismissals. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/13/08—UPS has agreed to acquire Romanian Trans Courier Service SRL, and will take 100% ownership of the company. The transaction is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/12/08—TNT Post—the leading competitor of Royal Mail—has found that competition in the postal industry has created 3,300 new jobs in the past four years, raising the UK economy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/12/08— Beginning May 12, shippers using Express Mail®, Priority Mail® and certain parcel services through the USPS® will be able to get discounts for large and medium volume contracts. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/11/08—The 24th Universal Postal Congress will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, July 23-August 12, 2008. More than 1,500 delegates from the UPU’s 191 member countries will attend. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/11/08—The USPS® will announce major shipping news today, at 2pm EST. The live broadcast will share new pricing strategies to compete in the shipping business. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/10/08—The Berlin Administrative Court has ruled that TNT Post is not obligated to pay the postal minimum wage because it violates the German constitution. The German State has filed an appeal. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/10/08—The U.S. Postal Service® hosts “USPS.com Week” through March 14. The products and service highlighted will show customers that anything done in the Post Office™ can also be done online. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/4/08—Korea Post beats private logistics companies by large margins to be named as the best package delivery service in Korea for the fourth consecutive year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/4/08— USPS® feels the impact of the economic recession as mail volume declines by 3%, resulting in $523 million less in revenue than anticipated. Operating costs will be trimmed by $1 billion to address the issue. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 3/3/08—Itella becomes the first in Finland to test a three month automated parcel terminal, which increases the number of ways consumers can receive their parcels. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 3/3/08— The U.S. Postal Service® announced it will delay the date of implementation for the Intelligent Mail® barcode from January 2008 to May 2009. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/29/08—CTT Correios de Portugal achieved a global performance in 2007 that exceeded all quality targets defined by the Portuguese regulator, Anacom. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/29/08—The U.S. Postal Service® will host an awareness event on ID theft on Monday, March 3 in Washington D.C. The event kicks off National Consumer Protection Week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/27/08—Canada Post has launched Customized Postal Indicia, in response to consumer demand. The service allows businesses to design a stamp-like postage indicia and an image of their choice printed onto envelopes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/27/08—Ross Philo has been named executive vice president and chief information officer of the U. S. Postal Service®. Philo is an international leader recognized for enabling business transformation through innovative IT solutions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/26/08—The UK’s Post Office® has further reduced their three-year fixed mortgage rate, taking it to 5.34 percent. The new rate cut is the best deal of its kind on the high street. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/26/08—The U.S. Postal Service® undercharged such countries as China, India and Canada by millions of dollars, due to errors in processing mail at John F. Kennedy Intl. Airport in New York. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 2/25/08—UPS accelerates ground shipments for customers in eight states, with deliveries guaranteed in two business days instead of four. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/22/08—China’s postal services, including package delivery and Express Mail® service is back to normal nationwide, after a snow disaster hit last month. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm The Postal Service® now offers customers three different boxes for larger shipments, all with a flat-rate price of $12.95 to any U.S. address beginning March 3. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/21/08— The Vietnam Post Corporation and the La Poste Group of France will jointly launch a cost-effective Direct Mail service in Vietnam in April. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/21/08— The U.S. Postal Service® approves the first reusable envelope, created by ecoEnvelopes. Reusable envelopes could save energy, water and forest resources, as well as cut carbon emissions. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/20/08— New Zealand Post will begin pricing domestic letters and parcels in direct proportion to its size and weight. The change will go into effect on March 28, 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/20/08— The U.S. Postal Service® collaborates with HBO to promote letter writing in a last ditch effort to stem the decline in First-Class Mail®. The advertising campaign is receiving mixed reviews from experts. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/19/08—169 Post Office™ branches will close in the London area this week. More than seven million residents will see either no change or will remain within one mile of an alternative branch. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/19/08— Every household in America will receive a letter in the mail this week from the U.S. Postal Service® advising on how to prevent identity theft, one of America’s fastest growing crimes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/18/08—The U.S. Postal Service® will have five billion “Forever” stamps in stock to meet increased demand before the May 12 price change. The Forever Stamp™ was created in April 2007 to lock in the price of a First-Class™ stamp. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/15/08-FedEx announces its partnership with French postal service firm La Poste, to cut parcel delivery time across Europe. The partnership will also connect Paris with other European locations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/15/08-The U.S. Postal Service® is offering discounts to the National Postal Forum in Anaheim, CA, this May. Early birds who register before Feb. 29 will save $900. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/14/08-Postcomm rejects Royal Mail’s application to charge large mailers different prices depending on where in the UK their mail is delivered. Discrimination is listed as one of the key reasons for the rejection. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/14/08-The U.S. Postal Service® held two public seminars on identity theft, after an increase in phony money orders and fake checks. The seminars provided plenty of reading material and tips on how to prevent identity theft. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 2/13/08-The DMA will host a virtual seminar on February 29 from 1-2:30pm (EST), to brief its members on the effects of the May 2008 postal increases. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/12/08-The UPU has moved its four-yearly Congress gathering from to Geneva to Kenya, due to violence in the country. The three-week long gathering, will take place from mid-July to early August. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Late Breaking News! 2/8/08-The U.S. Postal Service® has announced that it will implement new rates effective May 12, as was anticipated in last week’s issue of Postal Points. Read the full article for price increase details. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/11/08-DHL and ICA come to an agreement allowing individual retailers to offer their customers the facility to post and collect DHL parcels. DHL expects to have 1,500 outlets of their SERVICEPOINTS facilities by the end of the year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/8/08-French postal giant La Poste faced opposition from the postal department, as they tried to tap the Indian market through a joint venture with Continental Air Express. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/8/08- U.S. Postal Service® offers a new, flat-rate box at a discounted price for military members serving abroad. The offer will go into effect on March 3, but customers can start placing orders as early as Feb 20th. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 2/7/08-Valentine’s Day is one week from today! For those who wait until the last minute to mail gifts—you’re in luck! Express Mail® service provided by the USPS® is the only overnight delivery with no hidden surcharges. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/6/08-Royal Mail loses its appeal against the £9.62 million financial penalty imposed by Postcomm. The Court of Appeal upheld the August 24, 2006 ruling on Royal Mail for failing to adequately protect the mail in its care. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm US 2/6/08-The U.S. Postal Service® achieves positive net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, despite a total volume drop of 3 percent. Economic downturn is the main factor being blamed for the volume decline http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 2/5/08-DHL signs a 5-year, $80 million agreement with Avendra, the hospitality industry’s leading procurement services company. The agreement will provide reliable, cost effective shipping solutions for Avendra’s customers. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 2/4/08-Maryland proposes a statewide consumer protection bill against free papers. The proposed House Bill 357 comes after publishers failed to comply with consumer complaints to stop receiving deliveries. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm International 2/1/08-The European Parliament adopts the new Postal Directive, giving its final political approval to EU postal reform. This opens the EU postal markets to full competition http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 2/1/08-Philadelphia attorney Alan Kessler is elected chairman of the Postal Service® Board of Governors http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 2/1/08-Charles W. Chesnutt is immortalized as part of the Black Heritage commemorative stamp series. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/31/08-The U.S. Postal Service announces mail volume down 3.0 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Declining mail volume is attributed to “disturbing trends” in the overall U.S. economy. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/30/08-Korea’s state-run post office will invest 175.4 billion won (US $185.5 million) in 2008 to improve its mailing system. The majority of the money will go toward system maintenance. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/29/08-The Postal Service® announces Premium Forwarding Service (PFS) is now a permanent offering. For residents constantly on the move, mail is reshipped to them once a week for a fee. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/28/08-The U.S. Postal Service® reports a $5.1 billion loss for the fiscal year of 2007. The loss is largely attributed to the impact of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) of 2006. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/25/08—2007 was the fastest growing year of China’s postal industry, with revenue up 16 percent. China hopes to have every village in the country with access to postal services by the end of 2008. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/24/08- Swiss Post International (SPI) has acquired the Swedish letters processing company IMS Europe AB. The takeover positions SPI as a key provider in the Swedish postal market, as they continue to expand. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/23/08- PostNet partners with the Canada Post by offering a complete selection of shipping services in their stores. No other business center in the country offers the new all-in-one service. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/21/08-The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service® will meet in Washington, DC, Jan.29-30, to discuss a variety of items. The meeting is open to the public. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/18/08-The USPS® announces two new shipping initiatives to grow its shipping business and revenue. This is the first postal action taken under the new pricing regulations. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/17/08-The FTC reveals that legal constraints put the USPS® at a economic disadvantage, according to a report mandated by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/16/08-Effective January 14, the USPS® now charges the First-Class Mail® International rate to recover the cost of handling undeliverable-as-addressed items posted from abroad with a US return address. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/10/08-UPS plans to borrow $10 billion dollars to buy back stock to help fund expansion. The Atlanta-based company is currently $3 billion dollars in debt. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/9/08-the DMA has updated its online DMAChoice service. Taking effect immediately, changes include elimination of the $1 verification fee and opting out of mailing lists by brand. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/8/08-In observance of the Chinese New Year, the U.S. Postal Service® will debut a new stamp series for the 12 different animals in the Chinese calendar. The series will continue through 2019. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 1/7/08-The DMA is now accepting nominations for its 2009 board of directors. The deadline for nominations is February 22. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm PRC seeks feedback on USPS® annual compliance report for the fiscal year 2007. Comments are due by January 30, while reply comments are due on February 13. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm DMA updates its Mailing Preference Service (MPS) to better help consumers choose how and when they receive direct mail. The MPS revision is the DMA’s first step in 2008 to fight against the do-not-mail legislation. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/27/07- USPS® will seek feedback next month on the proposed rules related to Intelligent Mail® barcodes. Comments will be accepted for 45 days through the Federal Register. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/26/07- President George W. Bush signs four-year extension of the Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp. Semipostal stamps raise funds for designated causes. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/20/07- December 22nd is the deadline for packages sent by Express Mail® to arrive on Christmas day. Express Mail is the only overnight service that delivers 365 days a year. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm The Senate passes Do-Not-Call Registry bill December 17. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill last week. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/17/07- Today marks the busiest mailing day of the year for the Postal Service™, with nearly 1 billion pieces of mail entering the system. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/14/07- PRC seeks public feedback on the USPS’ proposed service standards. Comments are due by Jan. 7, 2008 and will be posted to the PRC’s Web site. Replies to comments will be accepted until Jan. 21st. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/13/07- The US House of Representatives passes vote to make Do-Not-Call Registry permanent. The measure still needs approval from Senate, but is widely supported by the DMA. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/12/07- The USPS® has hired 13,000 extra staff members to prepare for their busiest time of year. The busiest mailing day is expected to be December 17, with deliveries set to peak on December 19. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/11/07- President Bush’s announcement to freeze mortgage rates on some sub-prime loans catch mortgage direct mailers off guard. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/10/07- Shop.org offers free shipping! The deadlines to place orders for ground shipping with delivery by Christmas is on or before December 18. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/7/07- USPS® and NRLCA reach a contract agreement, bringing the 2006 labor negotiation process to an end. This contract will expire on Nov. 20, 2010. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/5/07- PRC announces commissioner Mark Acton as their new vice chairman. The commission will be complete when the last Democratic seat has been filled. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 12/3/07- U.S. Postal Service® to file next rate increase under new pricing system. The decision is a key step in modernizing U.S. mail service in the age of the Internet. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 11/30/07- The Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) goes into effect January 2009. Mailers must follow the required specs to receive the deepest discounts. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 11/29/07- FTC reaches settlement with Adteractive Inc.; company must pay $650,000 for its alleged use of “deceptive” spam emails and online advertising. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 11/28/07- New rate increase decision will be discussed on December 10-11th. The new regulations will allow the Postal Service™ to offer volume discounts and contract pricing.. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 11/26/07- USPS® is putting the “free” in stress-free holidays by giving a special gift to customers—more time and free services. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 11/13/07- FTC collects $7.7 million dollars from violators of the Do Not Call list. They will also keep numbers registered on the DNC permanently, forgoing the five-year renewal requirement. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 11/12/07- UPS announces new list rates for 2008, including a 4.9 percent increase on air express and international shipments. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm 11/8/07- PRC’s new ratemaking regulations will change pricing for mailers. The DMA will hold a briefing on November 14th to discuss the regulations in detail. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Nine privacy organizations are asking the FTC to implement a do-not-track list to protect consumers who don’t want their online activities tracked. Find out what changes they want online advertisers to offer. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm Canada Post set to launch in “Second Life,” a virtual city where online shoppers can now send and receive mail in addition to shopping for real gifts and merchandise. http://www.melissadata.com/postal/postal-links.htm PRC releases final ratemaking regulations eight months ahead of scheduled deadline. Learn what products will be most affected.