The BBC’s self-parodying show goes too far – in the direction of complacency, complicity and all-round smugness. But comedy can be a remarkable force for exposing the flaws of the society from which it springs  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A brush with institutional hauteur in Nice makes the FT’s arts writer long for the determinedly inclusive museums and galleries of the UK  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As St Paul’s Cathedral prepares to unveil a Bill Viola installation, the FT’s arts writer considers the potentially enriching relationship between sacred settings and contemporary art  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a despatch from Hong Kong, the FT’s arts writer reflects on the city’s ‘Tate bricks’ moment, and what it tells us about the fast-changing status of contemporary art in China  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Though shortlisted for the prestigious photography award, Nigeria’s Abraham Oghobase has been refused a visa by the UK government. That’s a sorry state of affairs for a country that professes to be in the vanguard of cultural openness, says the FT’s arts writer. This week’s column is read by Alexander Gilmour.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Sotheby’s prepares for a selling exhibition of the street artist’s work the FT’s arts writer reflects on shock culture – and the art market’s appetite for it.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The UK’s culture secretary is a ‘Star Trek’ fan who wants the arts to be ‘accessible to everyone’ - while the filmmakers of the defiantly highbrow ‘Life May Be’ remind us that there are merits in other ambitions.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The FT’s arts writer meets one of street art’s biggest names and reflects on what is lost when underground culture becomes part of the commercial mainstream  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On holiday in Greece, the FT’s arts writer travels to some out-of-the-way ancient sites and wonders whether they still hold lessons for 21st-century visitors – or are just another aspect of vacation kitsch  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The singer’s New York sculpture show confirms that contemporary art has replaced music as the go-to means of expression for young people with attitude, says the FT’s arts writer  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The received wisdom is that contemporary art is just what a regenerating city needs, a stimulant for minds and economies alike. But are the wilfully puzzling tropes of the avant-garde really what the public wants?  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The FT’s arts writer enjoys the troupe’s dance extravaganza at the Barbican – and explains why the fusion of hip-hop and martial arts might just conquer the world  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Art may be essentially egalitarian as it illuminates the human condition – but that hasn't stopped members of the Porsche Travel Club getting special access to the Sistine Chapel. Should we worry if the wealthy corner the finest cultural experiences?  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How a legal dispute over the use of a John Lennon song in a sneaker advert paved the way for today’s cultural mash-ups – and put paid to the notion of artists “selling out”  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Here today, washed-up tomorrow: that’s supposed to be the career trajectory for musicians in the pop age. But, as two recent projects show, great artists will always find ways to keep their signature work fresh and relevant  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In lending one of its Parthenon sculptures to Russia, the British Museum has provoked Greece and exposed the hollowness of so-called ‘cultural diplomacy’  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The London venue’s exhibition of Presley memorabilia is curious mix of the banal and the resplendent – and none the worse for that, says the FT’s arts writer  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Politicians love to keep things simple, at least in their public pronouncements. Artists, by contrast, embrace complication, nuance and imagination – so who better to tackle slippery questions of national identity as the UK prepares for a general election?  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Could your stock picking skills beat the market this year? In this week's FT Money Show podcast presenter Claer Barrett talks to FT Markets reporter Robert Smith about the results of our 2019 contest between readers and FT journalists. Plus we give you details of how to enter this year's competition. Next up, January's nearly over but you still have another 11 months to make good on your New Year's resolutions. If you had resolved to get a pay rise or sort out your pension this year, keep listening as help is at hand. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ‘Mick Jagger of microbes’ on a life of fighting disease — and the severity of the current crisis

A fascinatingly detailed history one of the world’s great scholarly projects

You can enjoy flowers online that are past their best in the real world

Essential retailer says coronavirus uncertainty means it will not give guidance for year ahead

Amid charges of greenwashing from activists, the private company is investing in football, cycling and other ventures

“I didn’t know what the term ‘freight forwarder’ meant until a year into starting the business.” Considering his shipping logistics startup Flexport was last valued at $3.2 billion, that quote from my first interview with CEO and founder Ryan Petersen back in 2016 seems even more surprising now. But it also hints at why he’s […]

In the April Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), EIA forecasts that the United States will again become a net importer of crude oil and petroleum products in the third quarter of 2020 and remain a net importer in most months through the end of 2021. Fewer barrels are available for export as U.S. crude oil production continues to decline. In addition, net exports of petroleum products will be lowest in the third quarter of 2020, when U.S. refinery runs decline in response to lower demand for refined products.

In the April Short-Term Energy Outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that the United States will again become a net importer of crude oil and petroleum products in the third quarter of 2020 and remain a net importer in most months through 2021. More net imports of crude oil and less net exports of petroleum products drove this change. EIA expects net crude oil imports to increase because as U.S. crude oil production declines, fewer barrels will be available for export. Net exports of petroleum products will be lowest in the third quarter of 2020, when U.S. refinery runs will decline significantly because of lower demand for refined products. In September 2019, the United States exported more crude oil and petroleum products than it imported for the first month since records began in 1973. EIA previously expected the United States to continue as a net exporter in most months through 2021. However, as a result of recent significant changes in global oil market dynamics, EIA now expects U.S. imports and exports will be even in 2020. It is important to note that the April outlook is subject to heightened levels of uncertainty because the impacts of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease on energy markets are evolving.

Puppet, the Portland-based infrastructure automation company, today announced that it has named former Cloud Foundry Foundation executive director Abby Kearns as its new CTO. Current Puppet CTO Deepak Giridharagopal will remain in his role and focus on R&D and leading new projects, while Kearns will focus on expanding the company’s product portfolio and communicating with […]

Some of you may recall the South Korean app Zepeto that went viral among Gen Z users a year and a half ago. The app, which renders selfies into animated avatars and lets people adorn their computer-generated manifestations with virtual items, appears to have sustained its relevance. It has amassed 150 million registered users, the […]

Uber Eats is pulling out of a clutch of markets — shuttering its on-demand food offering in the Czech Republic, Egypt, Honduras, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Ukraine. It’s also transferring its Uber Eats business operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Careem, its wholly owned ride-hailing subsidiary that’s mostly focused on the Middle […]

Strategies for staying ahead amid a dizzying e-commerce landscape.

The actor, 71, cut a dapper figure as he posed with wife Imelda Staunton, 63, at the Downton Abbey movie premiere at Cineworld in Leicester Square, London on Monday.

This week, it was the turn of Laura Carmichael, who plays the dowdy Lady Edith in Downton Abbey, to ditch her usually safe pastels for a darkly dramatic evening gown, slashed to the thigh.

The actress, 37, led the glamour in a stunning patterned sheer maxi dress with a black camisole underneath.

The actor, 34, who plays Gemma Winter's brother Paul Foreman, cut a casual figure as he headed to the star-studded ceremony, which will take place at the O2 Arena.

Maura Higgins and her boyfriend Curtis Pritchard were among the first to hit the red carpet for the National Television Awards at London's 02 Arena on Tuesday.

Joey Essex, 29, has now taken his relationship with Mexican model Lorena Medina, 27, to the next level as the pair looked loved up during the arrivals for the National Television Awards.

Billie and Sam Faiers pulled out all the stops for The National Television Awards on Tuesday.

Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury, both 20, turned up the glamour as they walked the red carpet hand in hand at London's 02 Arena.

Megan McKenna, 27, took centre stage as she commanded the red carpet at the National Television Awards , arriving at London 's O2 Arena on Tuesday night in an edgy slip dress.

Olivia Buckland and husband Alex Bowen are still as loved up as ever, cosying up together at the National Television Awards 2020 in London on Tuesday night.

The former Saturdays singer, 31, cut a glamorous figure as she attended the National Television Awards at London's O2 Arena on Tuesday.

Megan McKenna and Pete Wicks sparked romance reunion rumours after attending the National Television Awards afterparty on Tuesday night.

Being a contestant on reality TV comes with its perks, but also makes you a target for social media trolls.

They took home $250,000 after winning this year's season of House Rules. 

He's the former Adelaide Crows player who made his reality TV debut on House Rules in 2018. 

Former Barcelona midfielder Emmanuel Petit has launched an extraordinary attack on Neymar, accusing him of not having any respect for Paris Saint-Germain.

The Magic Mike actor, 29, popped the question on Christmas Eve, marking the third time he has been engaged, with the happy couple announcing the news on New Year's Eve.

Abbey Clancy and husband Peter Crouch had a very low key New Year's Eve party at home, with board games, gold-encrusted crisps and a nurse's uniform. 

Decorted Olympian Pete Reed has revealed the heartbreaking news this week that he has been left paralysed from the chest down, after suffering a very rare spinal stroke.