As the two sides the postal strike blame each other for the breakdown in talks, industrial correspondent Mark Milner says the dispute is a serious blow to the economy. Plus, we hear from a union official on the picket line.
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Also today, economics correspondent Ashley Seagar fills us in on the pre-budget report, to be delivered later by Chancellor Alastair Darling. Can Labour regain the political initiative on the economy from the Tories?
We have an exclusive report from Nicaragua, where fishing communities on the Mosquito coast are making a living by selling bundles of cocaine washed up on the shore after being jettisoned by Colombian drug gangs. Rory Carroll is there.
Plus, a Russian opera star who has become a household name in his home country begins a British tour tonight. Is he any good? Judge for yourself in today's show - presented by Andy Duckworth.