Sir Mike Rake, the chairman of BT, is to become president of the employers' organisation the CBI, taking over from Sir Roger Carr.

TV pick of the week: Mary and Martha

Sony has launched a patent that could see the ads of the future turned into interactive videogames. But some of us already loathe pop-ups...

My father and I shared a love of film His mother was an usherette in a cinema, and he'd watch every movie twice a week for free. I discovered the afternoon black-and-white films on TV, such as [1948 crime drama] Key Largo, at a young age. It was a very formative experience as [these films] absorb into your consciousness.

Wednesday

Mother

Fast Girls (89 mins, 12A)

"Tone?  A little cheesy-pineapple one?": yes, it's that bag again.  This time, she comes in the slim-line, lime-green-gowned form of Jill Halfpenny in Lindsay Posner's vibrant, splendidly cast revival of Abigail's Party.

The renaissance in home-grown films is down to daring directors, says Ben Walsh

The renaissance in British film-making is down to daring directors

After joining a rambling tour of New York, Johann Hari sees the city in a new light

Brenda Blethyn, everybody's favourite on-screen mother, hits the TV detective beat next month. But first, she's got one or two surprising confessions of her own.

First steps for a skilful satirist