Lunch with the FT: Valery Gergiev
The charismatic conductor made his name by reviving St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, Russia’s oldest opera and ballet ensemble, following communism’s collapse - 19:09
Principal content
US unemployment jumps to 5-year high
The US unemployment rate unexpectedly jumped to a five-year high of 6.1 per cent, according to Labor Department figures, suggesting a bleaker picture of the world’s largest economy - 00:16
Critics leave Google’s Android phone on hold
Unfavourable comparisons with Apple’s iPhone - 23:33
Obama attacks Republicans over convention
Accuses party of ignoring state of economy - 22:24
Trichet sees investor role in oil shock
First suggestion of possible market distortion - 23:44
Related content and features
Weekend
Out of the shadows
Last year George Osborne, the UK shadow chancellor, revived Tory fortunes with a pledge to ease inheritance tax. Has he since earned the authority to run the country’s economy? - 21:09
The paperclips are missing
An exhibition tracing developments in modern design by presenting London and six other cities leaves out gaps in history and omits the idiosyncratic - 19:09
That’s my little sister. And me
Staring at a painting done by her father years ago when she was suffering the pain of sudden bereavement leaves Susie Boyt feeling almost nostalgic for those difficult times - 19:09
I buy therefore I am
Three authors raise important questions about our relationship with the ephemera of consumer society and how consumption habits are shaped by our search for deeper meanings - 19:09
Larger than life
Sculptor Marc Quinn says the scale of his seven-tonne effigy of a naked infant is capable of transforming its meaning, writes Peter Aspden - 19:09
Video
Social spending will slow Chinese economy
After 30 years of fast growth, China must now focus on welfare, says Cheng Siwei of China’s Academy of Science
Republican Convention
Edward Luce, Washington DC Bureau Chief, reports from St Paul after John McCain’s speech
View from the Top: Google’s Eric Schmidt
The chief executive of Google discusses the launch of Chrome, China and Russia, and Barack Obama
Interactive
I get obsessive compulsive about my coworkers touching my stuff
Dear Lucy: A researcher obsessed with neatness is feeling distressed and victimised after being the butt of practical jokes
Counting down
Which Formula One track can truly claim to be the best in the world? James Allen runs down his personal top ten
Back to where we started from
Gideon Rachman’s blog: Despite the Palin effect, it appears Obama supporters are still more enthusiastic than Republicans
John McCain’s speech
Clive Crook’s blog: Even allowing for the fact that one does not expect soaring oratory from John McCain, his closing speech to the convention was disappointing. The speech concentrated mainly on his biography—again
Comment
The evolution of creationism
The battle over Darwin’s theory is a class conflict disguised as a religious or moral conflict, writes Christopher Caldwell
Why the sky may not be falling
A weak UK government is a risk. Any policies it introduces must avoid undermining confidence in the policy regime, writes Martin Wolf
No way out of the morass for Brown this autumn
Even loyal Labour MPs struggle to see a way out unless the Conservatives do something stupid or the economy turns round, writes George Parker
Following the crowd is not a novel idea
The few books that break out – the Harry Potters and Bridget Joneses – do so by appealing to people who do not normally like novels, says Simon Kuper
Lex
CEO obsolescence
The facts suggest that chief executives are more like fine wine than old fish – they improve with time - 23:09
Propping up the rouble
Russia’s choice of confrontation with the west has done it harm. But a month after Russia’s invasion of Georgia, it is time for a reality check - 13:09
FTSE rejects - 20:09
US unemployment figures - 19:09
Nokia leaves a message - 20:09
Editorial comment
A big bear grips unhappy markets
Falling share prices reflect the weakness of global economy. Further declines are not inconceivable, particularly in the light of history - 19:09
Republicans take their turn on stage
In making the election a referendum on Obama’s fitness to lead, McCain is failing to advance the fullest positive case of his own. Voters deserve better - 19:09
Les mots justes
The Anglo-Saxons have, at best, won a faux victory on culture. French is still the lingua franca where it counts. The French should shrug it all off - 19:09
