First it was civil servants, then teachers, and now doctors. The list of public sector professions taking industrial action grows only longer. Given the parlous state of government finances, and the sharp squeeze on private sector workers, such widespread obstinacy over still-generous pension arrangements is misguided. From the doctors, it is inexcusable.

Doctors are to take industrial action for the first time in almost 40 years in protest at the Government's controversial pension reforms.

The Government is facing the threat of co-ordinated strikes by the two biggest teachers' unions in the autumn after being accused of plunging education into a state of “crisis.”

An oil refinery which went bust is to close after administrators failed to find a buyer or the cash needed to keep it going, putting around 850 jobs at risk.

More than 20,000 railway jobs could be axed under government reforms of the industry, unions have warned.

When the curtains open tonight for the start of the Eurovision Song Contest final, the host nation will be hoping that the world's gaze stays firmly fixed on the stage.

Can I commend to you an adjective I'd never encountered before? It's "skulduggerous" and the OED citation would run something like this: "2012 Roger Barton The Fish Market: Inside Billingsgate – 'I've never dealt with such a skulduggerous bunch in all my life and I've dealt with some real villains'."

A planned strike targeting the BBC's coverage of the Olympic torch relay in Wales tomorrow has been called off.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has claimed a controversial report by a Downing Street adviser which called for changes to make it easier for businesses to sack people showed the "nasty party" was back.

Passengers were advised to check in as normal at Stansted Airport today despite the first of a wave of strikes by ground staff in a row over rosters.

The Olympic flame is on its way. Visitors and loaded, devoted Royalists, sports fans and politicos are so excited. I come to spoil the party. It feels impolitic, uncivil ... callous too. Buried evidence of destitution and hopelessness crawls out from official assurances (and excuses) and spin. Phone calls to Mind, the mental-health charity are up by 100 per cent. Research by the Church Urban Fund finds that in parts of Manchester and Liverpool, average life expectancy is 70 and 65 per cent of children live in poverty, while in parts of Surrey and Berkshire, life expectancy is 85 and 1 per cent of children live in poor households. As shocking as the statistics is the indifference of all of us who can, in hard times, still have very good times.

Today is a momentous one for the British national press. It is the official end of the "newspaper" industry and the beginning of a whole new economic sector: the "newsbrands" business.

Catholics and Protestants report intimidation from colleagues at work in trade union survey

Once the basket case of British industry, car-makers are now the star performers in the effort to re-balance the economy and fulfil the promise of export-led growth.