theweekuk--2020-05-18--Why everyone’s talking about Donald Trump’s ‘deep state’ sacking

US Democrats have launched an official investigation into Donald Trump ’ s sacking of the State Department ’ s chief watchdog .
Inspector general Steve Linick had been investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , a key ally of the president , for alleged abuse of office .
Linick was appointed inspector general in 2013 by then-president Barack Obama , to oversee spending and detect mismanagement at the State Department , reports the BBC .
Last November , Linick published a report that accused the Trump administration of making choices on diplomats ’ postings based on politics rather than merit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prior to being fired , the watchdog had been investigating allegations that Pompeo had used government-funded staffers to run errands for him and his wife .
Announcing the sacking on Friday , Trump claimed he “ no longer ” had the “ fullest confidence ” in Linick .
Pompeo is said to have recommended Linick ’ s dismissal , with the president confirming the decision , reports the Financial Times .
The move is “ the latest in a series of dismissals of independent government watchdogs ” by Trump , says CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general , Michael Atkinson , who got the axe in early April after allowing the whistle-blower complaint to Congress that kicked off Trump ’ s impeachment .
Days later , Glenn Fine was fired as inspector general of defence , after being identified by the president as another “ holdover ” from Obama ’ s administration , CNN reports .
And in early May came the sacking of Christi Grimm , the health watchdog who revealed “ severe shortages ” of coronavirus testing kits in US hospitals , says The Washington Post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacking ?
In a television interview on Sunday , White House adviser Peter Navarro linked Linick to the “ deep state ” and said that those who were not loyal to the Trump administration had to go , reports The Independent .
But top Democrats on the House and Senate foreign relations committees immediately questioned the sacking and announced they would be launching an investigation .
“ We unalterably oppose the politically-motivated firing of inspectors general and the president ’ s gutting of these critical positions , ” Congressman Eliot Engel and Senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Linick had “ opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself ” , and his firing was “ transparently designed to protect Secretary Pompeo from personal accountability ” , they added .
Engel and Menendez have asked the White House and State Department to hand over all records related to Linick ’ s dismissal by this Friday , the BBC reports .
The late-night , weekend firing of State Department IG Steve Linick is an acceleration of the President % u2019s dangerous pattern of retaliation against the patriotic public servants charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
https : //t.co/VavmuJpX25 Some Republicans have joined Democrats in condemning the series of seemingly politically motivated dismissals .
Utah Senator Mitt Romney tweeted that Trump ’ s firings of multiple inspectors-general were “ unprecedented ” and “ doing so without good cause chills the independence essential to their purpose ” .
“ It is a threat to accountable democracy and a fissure in the constitutional balance of power , ” he added .
Chuck Grassley , the Republican chair of the Senate Finance Committee , said that inspectors-general were “ crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountability that the American people deserve ” .
“ As I ’ ve said before , Congress requires written reasons justifying an IG ’ s removal , ” he added .
“ A general lack of confidence simply is not sufficient detail to satisfy Congress.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What will happen next ?
Linick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 days unless members of Congress intervene to pressure or convince Trump to reverse course - which is unlikely , given that the US leader has been on the inspector-general sacking warpath for months now .
Confirming Linick ’ s dismissal , a State Department spokesperson said that Stephen Akard , an ally of Vice President Mike Pence , will take over in the role .
Akard ’ s appointment will need to be ratified by Congress .

US Democrats have launched an official investigation into Donald Trump’s sacking of the State Department’s chief watchdog.
Inspector general Steve Linick had been investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a key ally of the president, for alleged abuse of office.
Who is Steve Linick?
Linick was appointed inspector general in 2013 by then-president Barack Obama, to oversee spending and detect mismanagement at the State Department, reports the BBC.
Last November, Linick published a report that accused the Trump administration of making choices on diplomats’ postings based on politics rather than merit, as Politico reported at the time.
Prior to being fired, the watchdog had been investigating allegations that Pompeo had used government-funded staffers to run errands for him and his wife.
Announcing the sacking on Friday, Trump claimed he “no longer” had the “fullest confidence” in Linick.
Pompeo is said to have recommended Linick’s dismissal, with the president confirming the decision, reports the Financial Times.
The move is “the latest in a series of dismissals of independent government watchdogs” by Trump, says CNN. First was the intelligence community inspector general, Michael Atkinson, who got the axe in early April after allowing the whistle-blower complaint to Congress that kicked off Trump’s impeachment.
Days later, Glenn Fine was fired as inspector general of defence, after being identified by the president as another “holdover” from Obama’s administration, CNN reports.
And in early May came the sacking of Christi Grimm, the health watchdog who revealed “severe shortages” of coronavirus testing kits in US hospitals, says The Washington Post.
And the reaction to Linick’s sacking?
In a television interview on Sunday, White House adviser Peter Navarro linked Linick to the “deep state” and said that those who were not loyal to the Trump administration had to go, reports The Independent.
But top Democrats on the House and Senate foreign relations committees immediately questioned the sacking and announced they would be launching an investigation.
“We unalterably oppose the politically-motivated firing of inspectors general and the president’s gutting of these critical positions,” Congressman Eliot Engel and Senator Bob Menendez said in a statement.
Linick had “opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself”, and his firing was “transparently designed to protect Secretary Pompeo from personal accountability”, they added.
Engel and Menendez have asked the White House and State Department to hand over all records related to Linick’s dismissal by this Friday, the BBC reports.
The late-night, weekend firing of State Department IG Steve Linick is an acceleration of the President’s dangerous pattern of retaliation against the patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people. https://t.co/VavmuJpX25 — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) May 16, 2020
Some Republicans have joined Democrats in condemning the series of seemingly politically motivated dismissals.
Utah Senator Mitt Romney tweeted that Trump’s firings of multiple inspectors-general were “unprecedented” and “doing so without good cause chills the independence essential to their purpose”.
“It is a threat to accountable democracy and a fissure in the constitutional balance of power,” he added.
Chuck Grassley, the Republican chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said that inspectors-general were “crucial in correcting government failures and promoting the accountability that the American people deserve”.
“As I’ve said before, Congress requires written reasons justifying an IG’s removal,” he added. “A general lack of confidence simply is not sufficient detail to satisfy Congress.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What will happen next?
Linick’s firing will take effect in 30 days unless members of Congress intervene to pressure or convince Trump to reverse course - which is unlikely, given that the US leader has been on the inspector-general sacking warpath for months now.
Confirming Linick’s dismissal, a State Department spokesperson said that Stephen Akard, an ally of Vice President Mike Pence, will take over in the role.
Akard’s appointment will need to be ratified by Congress.


theweekuk--2020-05-18--Mini heatwave to hit UK - what can you do under lockdown?

Britain is set for a “ mini heatwave ” that will see temperatures hit the mid-20s in the coming days , according to forecasters .
The mercury is expected to rise from 20C up to a peak of 27C in London by the middle of the week , the Met Office says .
Indeed , Wednesday is set to be the hottest day of the year so far , with parts of the UK “ warmer than holiday destinations in Europe including Ibiza and Marbella ” , The Independent reports .
The fine weather offers a “ good excuse for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise and sunbathing opportunities ” , says The Sun , while The Independent adds that it will also test “ the country ’ s resolve as people are asked to maintain two-metre social distancing and avoid crowded outdoor spaces ” .
Although lockdown restrictions have been eased to allow more time outdoors “ for leisure purposes ” , and “ unlimited ” outdoor exercise , people are still only allowed to meet with one person at a time outside their household .
However , retail opportunities are increasing , with businesses including some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning to reopen , ITV News reports .
And garden centres have been permitted to welcome back customers since last Wednesday .
But fines for flouting the remaining lockdown rules were increased last week too , rising from £60 to £100 in England .
The BBC reports that between 27 March and 11 May , police in England and Wales issued more than 14,000 fines for alleged breaches of lockdown laws .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Britain is set for a “mini heatwave” that will see temperatures hit the mid-20s in the coming days, according to forecasters.
The mercury is expected to rise from 20C up to a peak of 27C in London by the middle of the week, the Met Office says.
Indeed, Wednesday is set to be the hottest day of the year so far, with parts of the UK “warmer than holiday destinations in Europe including Ibiza and Marbella”, The Independent reports.
The fine weather offers a “good excuse for Brits to make the most of unlimited exercise and sunbathing opportunities”, says The Sun, while The Independent adds that it will also test “the country’s resolve as people are asked to maintain two-metre social distancing and avoid crowded outdoor spaces”.
Although lockdown restrictions have been eased to allow more time outdoors “for leisure purposes”, and “unlimited” outdoor exercise, people are still only allowed to meet with one person at a time outside their household.
However, retail opportunities are increasing, with businesses including some John Lewis, Homebase and Greggs outlets beginning to reopen, ITV News reports. And garden centres have been permitted to welcome back customers since last Wednesday.
But fines for flouting the remaining lockdown rules were increased last week too, rising from £60 to £100 in England.
The BBC reports that between 27 March and 11 May, police in England and Wales issued more than 14,000 fines for alleged breaches of lockdown laws.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-05-18--No lockdown, little testing, few deaths: why Japan is a coronavirus outlier

With a cluster of early cases , an ageing population and a laissez-faire approach by the authorities , Japan appeared to be on course for a severe coronavirus outbreak .
Yet new excess mortality data appears to confirm official claims that Covid-19 has not run rampant in the East Asian nation .
“ Tokyo has not seen an increase in overall deaths during the coronavirus outbreak , ” reports The Japan Times .
Indeed , the number of fatalities in the capital in the three months to March was slightly below the average for the time of year , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with severe outbreaks , including the UK , excess mortality figures have revealed large numbers of deaths that have not been included in official coronavirus figures - but fears that the Japanese death toll might also be an underestimate seem to be unfounded .
As “ one of the first countries besides China to have been affected by Covid-19 , and with the highest percentage of elderly people in the world ” , Japan might have been expected to take swift and decisive action , said The Diplomat in March .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been rife ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Japan “ appears to be doing everything wrong ” , agrees Foreign Policy .
“ It has tested just 0.185 % of its population ” , compared with 2.9 % in the UK , and “ its social distancing has been half-hearted ” .
In April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large gatherings , but did not introduce a compulsory lockdown .
“ Though the streets are noticeably quieter than normal , subways and buses are still jammed with commuters , ” said The Washington Post shortly after the measures were introduced .
“ Many bars , restaurants and cafes are abuzz.
” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week lifted the restrictions everywhere except Tokyo , Osaka and Hokkaido , where they are expected to remain until the end of May .
Despite criticism of the government ’ s response , the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have recorded “ a sharp fall in new infections ” , says the BBC , and in a country of 126 million people , the daily death toll has remained below 20 for most of the past week .
No one knows why Japan has escaped the worst of the pandemic , but the low infection rate has been “ credited by some to Japanese societal norms ” , says Professor Craig Mark of Tokyo 's Kyoritsu Women 's University in an article on The Conversation .
“ Bowing instead of handshakes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu season and generally high standards of personal hygiene ” may all have helped , Mark suggests .
Another possible explanation is that Japan may be dealing with a slightly different variant of the virus .
Researchers in the US have suggested that mutations circulating in Asia , Europe and North America may have different levels of virulence .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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theweekuk--2020-05-18--Instant Opinion: ‘women the stronger sex’ in coronavirus crisis

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on how the pandemic is showing men to be second best Women are the stronger sex in this crisis “ In this most peculiar of conflicts there is no doubt that the ‘ weaker ’ sex carries a Y-chromosome .
Worldwide , men are twice as likely to die having contracted the virus .
If it becomes endemic the male of the species will need to be protected in much the same way the elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for being on the front line , there is little question about who is more exposed to enemy fire — 77 per cent of NHS staff are female .
Among those working in social care , the death rate is running at 23.4 per 100,000 among men compared and 9.6 among women .
But perhaps the greatest change will be wrought in our perception of the wartime leader .
When we look back on this period we will probably note that the most decisive and effective leaders were Germany ’ s Angela Merkel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One is a 60-something conservative and chemist ; the other a youthful socialist spin doctor , but both are having a good war .
Two weeks ago New Zealand became one of the first nations to report a day without new deaths .
Germany reports a death toll one-third of that in its less populous neighbour France and there is speculation about whether Mrs Merkel may be persuaded not to step down at the end of this year.
” on the battle for change in the post-coronavirus world There is revolution in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the old order will fight back “ The rupturing effects of the lockdown appear to be laying the foundations for our new world .
‘ Nature is healing ’ is now a meme .
The air is cleaning itself .
As we clap each Thursday , the old hierarchies that defined ‘ skilled ’ and ‘ unskilled ’ seem to be dissolving .
Some hold out for further changes , anticipating the introduction of low-carbon jobs to replace those lost , or a universal basic income , or rethinking the value of labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring about transformation .
There is a naivety in the hope that once ideas are discussed and made popular , they will permeate policymaking and bring about change .
History shows us that , during a period of economic upheaval , this is unlikely .
The 2008 financial crisis is the clearest cautionary tale .
In reality , the first thing that happens in a recession tends not to be radical reengineering of the economy .
The first impulse is to make a quick calculation : who should be saved and who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go ahead - pandemic or no pandemic The last thing we need right now is a post-Brexit transition extension “ The outbreak has taught us that we were largely prepared .
Planning under Operation Yellowhammer crystallised new medical supply chains while supermarkets had a network of alternatives to impeded imports .
Former employees from the defunct Department for Exiting the European Union were deployed to manage the emergent public health crisis .
Now that the handling of Covid-19 stabilises while strangely mirroring Brexit strategy , there is no reason the UK can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the year ... For those who think Covid-19 has changed the landscape of these talks , they are right , but not in a way that warrants the extension of transition .
To the contrary , the crisis has exposed dependency on international supply chains beyond the bloc ’ s protectionism and has left an injured single currency in intensive care alongside wider schisms in straining EU solidarity.
” 4 .
Anna Sauerbrey in The New York Times on the scars being left by lockdown measures “ Right now , demons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets .
Just a few weeks ago , Germans sniffed at gun-waving Americans protesting the lockdown .
But the schadenfreude was short lived .
On May 8 , thousands of protesters - a wild mix of extremists , conspiracy theorists and ordinary citizens , supported in large part by the far-right populist Alternative for Germany Party - flocked to the streets of major cities like Berlin , Munich and Stuttgart , claiming their rights were under threat and touting conspiracy theories .
On Saturday , they turned out again : 5,000 gathered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
The protesters speak for very few : A clear majority of the population backs the restrictions .
But it ’ s a bitter irony that in the country ’ s brief moment of vindication , all the old conflicts are re-emerging .
It makes the early togetherness look shallow , a product of our instincts for survival rather than of humanitarian insight .
So instead of solidarity , we have strife .
In place of unity , division .
It looks like this is Germany ’ s new normal , too.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– on a potentially left-field addition to the key worker ranks It ’ s time to admit it : Drug dealers should be considered essential workers “ Over the past few weeks , we ’ ve heard stories about how the pandemic has disrupted the global narcotics trade .
In Mexico , it ’ s messing up business for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in from China = no ingredients for fentanyl or crystal meth .
A tiny microscopic virus did what a billion dollars of DEA funding could not .
We ’ ve also heard stories of how dealers are getting around quarantine , sometimes dressing up as nurses or delivery drivers to give their clients their fix .
Like coronavirus , the drugs issue is a public health crisis .
Since the pandemic is making us reconsider a lot of things , from our lifestyles to government spending , I ’ d like to propose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my friends , a wine merchant , is still doing the rounds dropping off booze as he ’ s considered an essential worker .
So , I would argue , are dope dealers .
I ’ ve long thought my old occupation wasn ’ t that different from my friend ’ s – we both sold an addictive , intoxicating , highly-diluted substance .
And I was basically a pharmacist running a drug store .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Trevor Phillips in The Times
on how the pandemic is showing men to be second best
Women are the stronger sex in this crisis
“In this most peculiar of conflicts there is no doubt that the ‘weaker’ sex carries a Y-chromosome. Worldwide, men are twice as likely to die having contracted the virus. If it becomes endemic the male of the species will need to be protected in much the same way the elderly are shielded against seasonal flu. As for being on the front line, there is little question about who is more exposed to enemy fire — 77 per cent of NHS staff are female. Among those working in social care, the death rate is running at 23.4 per 100,000 among men compared and 9.6 among women. But perhaps the greatest change will be wrought in our perception of the wartime leader. When we look back on this period we will probably note that the most decisive and effective leaders were Germany’s Angela Merkel and New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern. One is a 60-something conservative and chemist; the other a youthful socialist spin doctor, but both are having a good war. Two weeks ago New Zealand became one of the first nations to report a day without new deaths. Germany reports a death toll one-third of that in its less populous neighbour France and there is speculation about whether Mrs Merkel may be persuaded not to step down at the end of this year.”
2. Nesrine Malik in The Guardian
on the battle for change in the post-coronavirus world
There is revolution in the air now, but history shows the old order will fight back
“The rupturing effects of the lockdown appear to be laying the foundations for our new world. ‘Nature is healing’ is now a meme. The air is cleaning itself. As we clap each Thursday, the old hierarchies that defined ‘skilled’ and ‘unskilled’ seem to be dissolving. Some hold out for further changes, anticipating the introduction of low-carbon jobs to replace those lost, or a universal basic income, or rethinking the value of labour altogether. But observation alone does not bring about transformation. There is a naivety in the hope that once ideas are discussed and made popular, they will permeate policymaking and bring about change. History shows us that, during a period of economic upheaval, this is unlikely. The 2008 financial crisis is the clearest cautionary tale. In reality, the first thing that happens in a recession tends not to be radical reengineering of the economy. The first impulse is to make a quick calculation: who should be saved and who is dispensable.”
3. Alexandra Phillips in The Daily Telegraph
on the need for Brexit to go ahead - pandemic or no pandemic
The last thing we need right now is a post-Brexit transition extension
“The outbreak has taught us that we were largely prepared. Planning under Operation Yellowhammer crystallised new medical supply chains while supermarkets had a network of alternatives to impeded imports. Former employees from the defunct Department for Exiting the European Union were deployed to manage the emergent public health crisis. Now that the handling of Covid-19 stabilises while strangely mirroring Brexit strategy, there is no reason the UK cannot exit the European Union by the end of the year... For those who think Covid-19 has changed the landscape of these talks, they are right, but not in a way that warrants the extension of transition. To the contrary, the crisis has exposed dependency on international supply chains beyond the bloc’s protectionism and has left an injured single currency in intensive care alongside wider schisms in straining EU solidarity.”
4. Anna Sauerbrey in The New York Times
on the scars being left by lockdown measures
Germany Is Reopening. And Learning a Tough Lesson
“Right now, demons old and new are out on the streets. Just a few weeks ago, Germans sniffed at gun-waving Americans protesting the lockdown. But the schadenfreude was short lived. On May 8, thousands of protesters - a wild mix of extremists, conspiracy theorists and ordinary citizens, supported in large part by the far-right populist Alternative for Germany Party - flocked to the streets of major cities like Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart, claiming their rights were under threat and touting conspiracy theories. On Saturday, they turned out again: 5,000 gathered in Stuttgart, and smaller demonstrations dotted the country. The protesters speak for very few: A clear majority of the population backs the restrictions. But it’s a bitter irony that in the country’s brief moment of vindication, all the old conflicts are re-emerging. It makes the early togetherness look shallow, a product of our instincts for survival rather than of humanitarian insight. So instead of solidarity, we have strife. In place of unity, division. It looks like this is Germany’s new normal, too.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
5. Niko Vorobyov in The Independent
on a potentially left-field addition to the key worker ranks
It’s time to admit it: Drug dealers should be considered essential workers
“Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard stories about how the pandemic has disrupted the global narcotics trade. In Mexico, it’s messing up business for the Sinaloa cartel. No chemicals coming in from China = no ingredients for fentanyl or crystal meth. A tiny microscopic virus did what a billion dollars of DEA funding could not. We’ve also heard stories of how dealers are getting around quarantine, sometimes dressing up as nurses or delivery drivers to give their clients their fix. Like coronavirus, the drugs issue is a public health crisis. Since the pandemic is making us reconsider a lot of things, from our lifestyles to government spending, I’d like to propose we reconsider our drug policy. One of my friends, a wine merchant, is still doing the rounds dropping off booze as he’s considered an essential worker. So, I would argue, are dope dealers. I’ve long thought my old occupation wasn’t that different from my friend’s – we both sold an addictive, intoxicating, highly-diluted substance. And I was basically a pharmacist running a drug store.”


theweekuk--2020-05-18--DIY meal kits tried and tested

DIY meal kits tried and tested

Missing the hustle and bustle of eating out is inevitable and although it looks like we ’ ll have to hunker down in our kitchens for the foreseeable , there is a way to have restaurant-grade grub at home without ordering a takeaway .
We touched base with DesignMyNight for their pick of the best DIY kits to try at home , from award-winning burgers to an Instagrammable , vegan hot chocolate .
Jimmy ’ s summer pop-up along the Thames might be out of action this year but the team behind it has found another way to keep you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A little bit different to other options out there , this DIY experience actually sees you using a rented fondue kit or pizza oven to make your own meal at home , both choices coming with all ingredients needed for a full on feast .
Feel like some wine would help your cooking experience ?
There ’ s an option to add bottles at the checkout .
Burger & Beyond ’ s intimate Shoreditch restaurant is temporarily closed , but you can cook up their exceptional burgers for yourself thanks to their DIY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pop , it ’ s more than worth the splurge with enough ingredients to make four of their epic bacon butter burgers .
Each kit has everything you need , from their signature 35-day-aged mince beef right down to the pancetta bacon and pickled onions .
Chin Chin is an Instagrammable dessert parlour that can be found down one of Camden ’ s cobbled streets and it has proven itself to be a hit with people from all over the world .
Its outrageous desserts use everything from liquid nitrogen to vegan ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve more than likely come across it on one of your swiping sprees .
During lockdown you can experiment with the restaurant ’ s most-loved concoctions by purchasing starter kits , but we highly recommend kicking things off with their DIY hot chocolate .
If you live near Shoreditch or Canary Wharf and love The Vurger Co. , you are in luck .
The vegan burger aficionados are encouraging you to get creative in the kitchen thanks to their new takeout box for two ( or four if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patties , brioche buns , gluten-free cheese slices and everything else you need to make their signature burger ( including a bottle of burger sauce and skin-on-fries ) , the packages will let you make their favourite dish in the comfort of your own home .
Pizza Pilgrims are taking away the hard part of making pizza at home with their frying pan pizza kits .
Allowing you to ditch the scales and shove the yeast back in the cupboard , their letterbox-friendly kits contain 48-hour-proved dough balls and enough marinara sauce , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fresh basil and parmesan for two pizzas .
Feel free to throw whatever else you fancy ( or whatever you have in your fridge ) on for a restaurant-grade slice at home .
Patty & Bun know what makes a good burger so there ’ s no need to go messing with spices in your kitchen thanks to their deliverable DIY kits .
In exchange for £25 , you ’ ll open a box containing all the ingredients needed to build four of their masterpieces , and thanks to their nationwide delivery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouthful of the action .
That ’ s not all though , with the option to choose from either meat or their vegan patty , there really is something for everyone .
Mac & Wild have won the hearts of many with their venimoo burger and with good reason .
Their under-the-wraps recipe still remains a secret but we can let go of that for now thanks to their nationwide delivery service that will see you using the best of the best ingredients-wise to replicate four of their beastly burgers at home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the Scottish restaurant has other bundles to sink your teeth into .
We ’ re huge fans of the breakfast and BBQ packs .
Believe it or not , but there ’ s a subtle art to making the perfect grilled sandwich , and if you haven ’ t yet achieved that , now ’ s your chance .
Northern Soul are the crème de la crème when it comes to making two slices of bread into something special and they ’ re passing on everything you need to make one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each kit is packed with jalapenos , onion chutney and gooey mac and cheese , alongside a voucher for a free grilled cheese sandwich when the Manchester restaurant reopens .
For more info on restaurants in London and across the UK , visit DesignMyNight.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ; @ DesignMyNight .

Sometimes you don’t want the faff and fiddle of intricate food that has been broken down into its constituent parts and put into a box to be reassembled, with some difficulty, at your end. Sometimes all you really want is a good steak, some chips, a crisp salad and an artery-clogging dessert. That is what Spanish chef José Pizarro has done with this dinner box, which on one level is very simple, but offers a solid interpretation of the national cuisine it represents.
Spanish food often thrives due to the quality of its ingredients: a seafood paella is at its best when the prawns are juicy and fresh; the best jamon comes from pigs that have been painstakingly reared. The same is true of this meal box which has in it the elements listed above, though the steak isn’t just any steak, it is a 30-day dry-aged “Txuleton” cut, and the chips are triple-cooked. And that rich dessert – well that is a chocolate ganache, served with olive oil and shortbread.
For some people this may feel as though the price is unwarranted, but what you are paying for is Pizarro’s eye for good ingredients. And it is hard to beat an easy-to-prepare meal that tastes great.


theweekuk--2020-05-18--Coronavirus: is it safe to reopen schools?

Downing Street is drawing up plans for the reopening of schools in England from next month following the coronavirus shutdown .
Schools across the country have been closed since 20 March , but will begin a phased reopening from 1 June under the government ’ s lockdown exit strategy .
Reception , Year One and Year Six students who will be first to head back - but despite the implementation of social distancing measures including smaller classes , fears for children ’ s safety remain .
Is it safe to reopen schools ?
Researchers are split over the risk posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Guardian reports that “ only a handful of studies have been carried out across the world , and scientists are divided over their interpretation ” .
Advocates of the imminent reopening of UK schools include Dr Alasdair Munro , a paediatric infectious disease expert at University Hospital Southampton , who points to a study conducted in the northern Italian town of Vo , at the heart of the country ’ s coronavirus outbreak .
Researchers from the University of Padua and the Red Cross tested more than 80 % of the town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who did not have symptoms - and found that while 2.8 % tested positive , no children under the age of ten had caught the virus .
“ Yet quite a number of children were living in households with infected people , ” Munro notes .
Studies in Norway , South Korea and Iceland have resulted in similar findings , with “ very low rates of infected children in communities ” , The Guardian adds .
However , Bloomberg reports that research at the Institute of Virology at Berlin ’ s Charite hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as adults , triggered fresh warnings against reopening schools too swiftly .
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Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What can be learned from countries that have already restarted classes ?
Denmark reopened its schools last month , with safety measures in place that are now “ the go-to model for Boris Johnson ’ s government as it seeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to work ” , The Observer says .
Students in the Nordic country are encouraged to keep two metres apart at all times , with some classes held in the open air , and schools have introduced strict hand-sanitising regimes .
The Danish reopening “ has , so far , been smooth ” , the newspaper continues , but “ does that mean it is necessarily the right one for Britain ?
” Dorte Lange , vice-president of the Danish Union of Teachers , points out that “ the situation in society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the two countries , with Danish schools having closed a week before those in the UK , and different approaches to lockdown by the two governments .
Indeed , the measures put in place by the various countries that are starting to reopen schools are nothing less than a “ giant experiment ” , says The New York Times .
In China , students now enter school through thermal scanners and eat lunch at tables outfitted with plastic dividers .
Meanwhile in the Australian city of Sydney , schools are reopening to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attending one day per week alongside a quarter of their peers .
Hong Kong and Japan are experimenting with a similar approach .
But with so many questions still unanswered , “ experts say mass testing is the only way to avoid the reopening of schools becoming a gamble ” , The New York Times says .
In an opinion piece for The Guardian , Dr Lee Hudson , a consultant paediatrician and chief of mental health services at Great Ormond Street , says that ultimately , no one knows exactly when will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to school .
“ When is it safe to go back , and what are the risks ?
It ’ s likely no one is going to be able to give a firm answer for some time , so it is about balancing knowns and unknowns , ” he concludes .


theweekuk--2020-05-18--Will UK see a post-coronavirus surge in preventable deaths?

Up to 20 % of hospital patients with Covid-19 caught the disease after being admitted for treatment for other conditions , according to NHS England bosses .
The data was revealed to senior doctors and nurses at a national briefing on infection control as a growing number of people put off seeking medical help for other illnesses for fear of contracting the new coronavirus , reports The Guardian .
A senior consultant , who did not want to be named , told the newspaper : “ We know from the significant fall in hospital A & E attendances and admissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many people are worried about coming into hospital and catching the virus .
“ This shows they are right to be worried - there is real risk.
” How great is the danger ?
An investigation by the Daily Mail “ examined the role of the NHS in this pandemic and uncovered the real probability that our hospitals have helped spread the deadly virus on their wards ” .
Although Covid-19 patients are now housed in segregated wards , “ several weeks ago the situation was different ” , says the newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the infection control briefing , held by telephone conference in late April , that the rate of hospital-acquired Covid-19 infections was running at 10 % to 20 % .
However , healthcare sources told The Guardian that those figures were skewed because one trust was known to have poor infection control procedures in place , and that the true rate nationally is currently between 5 % and 7 % .
Have people stopped going to hospital ?
“ I ’ m really worried there is a very real risk that some children with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even sepsis are not being brought to see healthcare professionals as quickly as they would be normally , ” Sanjay Patel , a consultant in paediatric infectious diseases at Southampton Children ’ s Hospital , told ITV News .
The warning came as official figures from around 50 hospitals show the number of A & E visits fell from 104,251 visits in the first week of March to 58,447 in the final week of that month - a drop of 43 % , reports Metro .
And only 917,000 A & E attendances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 57 % from 2.1 million in the same month last year , adds Sky News .
In a bid to reverse the decline in people seeking help , the government is planning a major public awareness campaign to stress that the NHS is still there for those who need it .
Welcoming the move , Simon Ray , president of the British Cardiovascular Society , said : “ The biggest concern is that it seems there has been a uniform reduction in hospital attendances for heart attacks that has been noted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The magnitude looks the same everywhere : it ’ s around 40 % down in terms of callouts for emergency treatment for heart attacks.
” Will there be a backlog post-coronavirus ?
Doctors have warned of a “ ticking timebomb ” of untreated illness amid low hospital attendances while the coronavirus continues to circulate , reports The Guardian ’ s health policy editor Denis Campbell .
“ The sustained drop in A & E attendances is a significant concern given that many of those who have put off coming to hospitals as long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave will be seeking treatment and could potentially be in worse conditions , ” Nick Scriven , former president of the Society for Acute Medicine , told Campbell .
An NHS sourced added that “ the fall in emergency admissions means there are loads and loads of people that are staying away from A & E who really ought to come in .
That ’ s a real worry.
” “ They are likely to be people with strokes , heart attacks , sepsis , delirium , severe asthma attacks , broken bones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” These people will be among a backlog of patients needing routine treatments and operations that have been delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak .
The number of people waiting for hospital care in England alone could double to more than eight million within a few months , according to Nigel Edwards , chief executive of the Nuffield Trust think tank .
What are the other risks ?
Illnesses that are most treatable when caught early , such as many cancers , may go undiagnosed as a result of people missing GP and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
Cancer experts have said that as a direct result of the coronavirus disruption , an extra 6,270 people in England who are newly diagnosed with cancer could die from the disease over the next 12 months , according to research published in the British Medical Journal .
And this number could rise to an estimated 17,915 additional deaths when people already living with cancer are included .
“ There may be people who would have been referred to specialists for assessment of potentially serious conditions , where there is now a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may simply have been cancelled , ” Tom Dening , professor of dementia research at the University of Nottingham , told Science Focus .


theweekuk--2020-05-18--Premier League clubs ‘fear rivals may lie’ over coronavirus testing

Premier League clubs are being warned they may face heavy sanctions if found to have breached new Covid-19 rules aimed at restarting Britain ’ s football season .
The league ’ s 20 clubs are today expected to agree to the first of a three-stage process for getting the top flight back in action , “ even if opinions differ sharply about the length of the road ahead ” , says The Guardian .
In the first stage of the plan , players will be allowed to work in small groups at training grounds while maintaining social distancing , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week for the new coronavirus by Hong Kong-based biotechnology firm Prenetics .
However , The Times ’ chief sports correspondent Matt Lawton reports that while the names of players who test positive will be sent to their clubs , “ the Premier League will be told only the number of positive tests , not their identities ” .
“ That has led officials at some clubs to fear the system ... could be abused by a club if a key player tests positive ahead of a big game but does not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given the value of Premier League survival is about £200m , the fear is that a manager would be tempted to pick that key player regardless of the test result.
” An unnamed Premier League executive told Lawton that some players have been asymptomatic despite testing positive , creating concerns about “ how a club might respond to that situation if the stakes are particularly high ” .
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Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– If found to have breached the new protocols , clubs could face sanctions including possible points deductions .
Today ’ s vote on the first phase of protocols comes as Manchester City and England winger Raheem Sterling warns that players will “ need a full four to five weeks ” of training to regain fitness after being sidelined since early March .
The Daily Mail says Sterling ’ s comments “ cast further doubt over Project Restart ” , amid concerns that “ ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries if they are rushed back ” .

Premier League clubs are being warned they may face heavy sanctions if found to have breached new Covid-19 rules aimed at restarting Britain’s football season.
The league’s 20 clubs are today expected to agree to the first of a three-stage process for getting the top flight back in action, “even if opinions differ sharply about the length of the road ahead”, says The Guardian.
In the first stage of the plan, players will be allowed to work in small groups at training grounds while maintaining social distancing, with all club staff to be tested twice a week for the new coronavirus by Hong Kong-based biotechnology firm Prenetics.
However, The Times’ chief sports correspondent Matt Lawton reports that while the names of players who test positive will be sent to their clubs, “the Premier League will be told only the number of positive tests, not their identities”.
“That has led officials at some clubs to fear the system... could be abused by a club if a key player tests positive ahead of a big game but does not have symptoms,” he writes.
“Given the value of Premier League survival is about £200m, the fear is that a manager would be tempted to pick that key player regardless of the test result.”
An unnamed Premier League executive told Lawton that some players have been asymptomatic despite testing positive, creating concerns about “how a club might respond to that situation if the stakes are particularly high”.
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If found to have breached the new protocols, clubs could face sanctions including possible points deductions.
Today’s vote on the first phase of protocols comes as Manchester City and England winger Raheem Sterling warns that players will “need a full four to five weeks” of training to regain fitness after being sidelined since early March.
The Daily Mail says Sterling’s comments “cast further doubt over Project Restart”, amid concerns that “‘high risk’ players will pick up injuries if they are rushed back”.


theweekuk--2020-05-18--Reaction: Conservative immigration bill would ‘bar low-skilled workers’

MPs are debating the Conservative ’ s flagship immigration bill today as the UK moves a step closer to a new points-based system .
The bill repeals EU freedom of movement and introduces a new framework under which people applying to live in Britain will need to meet strict skills criteria .
Home Secretary Priti Patel has said that the new system promotes a “ high skill ” economy , adding : “ We will no longer have the routes for cheap , low-skilled labour that obviously has dominated immigration and our labour market for far too long in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds has accused the government of “ rank hypocrisy ” for applauding NHS workers for their sacrifices during the coronavirus pandemic while telling EU nationals in the health service that “ they are not welcome in the UK ” .
The Guardian reports that Thomas-Symonds has written a “ strongly worded letter ” to Patel urging her to “ think again ” about the new policy , which he describes as a “ threat to the national interest ” and “ an insult to our incredible NHS staff and care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the plan , with a Tory majority of 80 in the Commons , “ the bill should pass easily ” , says the newspaper .
As the i news site notes , the legislation will “ make it effectively impossible for anyone paid less than £20,000 to get a visa to work in the UK ” .
Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine said : “ It is hard to believe that in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic , the Conservatives are still pressing ahead with their destructive plans .
“ Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrating the enormous contributions that workers from all over the world make to our NHS , social care and across our society.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Home Secretary Patel insists that the “ historic piece of legislation… lays the foundations to build a fairer , firmer , skills-led points-based immigration system ” .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that the ongoing pandemic “ has shown us how important it can be to attract the best and brightest to our country ” and that that the new immigration system will allow Britain to introduce a “ new fast-track NHS visa ” to ensure the health service can “ continue to access highly skilled medical professionals from across the world ” .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden echoed Patel ’ s vision , telling the BBC that the bill would give the UK “ the opportunity to set our own rules to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need ” .
The government is facing growing “ pressure for the immigration rules to support those described as ‘ key workers ’ ” , reports the London Evening Standard .
A YouGov poll for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants ( JCWI ) suggests that 54 % of Britons would support loosening immigration restrictions for workers defined as essential during the crisis .
The i site adds that some Conservative MPs have also called for “ a more liberal approach to migration in the light of the pandemic ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social care workers could be introduced .
Satbir Singh , chief executive of the JCWI , said : “ The fight against Covid-19 has shown us all just how much our survival and well-being depends on our key workers.
” These workers are the “ backbone of our country ” and “ they deserve the security of knowing that this place can be their home too ” , Singh argues .

MPs are debating the Conservative’s flagship immigration bill today as the UK moves a step closer to a new points-based system.
The bill repeals EU freedom of movement and introduces a new framework under which people applying to live in Britain will need to meet strict skills criteria.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has said that the new system promotes a “high skill” economy, adding: “We will no longer have the routes for cheap, low-skilled labour that obviously has dominated immigration and our labour market for far too long in this country.”
But Labour’s shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds has accused the government of “rank hypocrisy” for applauding NHS workers for their sacrifices during the coronavirus pandemic while telling EU nationals in the health service that “they are not welcome in the UK”.
The Guardian reports that Thomas-Symonds has written a “strongly worded letter” to Patel urging her to “think again” about the new policy, which he describes as a “threat to the national interest” and “an insult to our incredible NHS staff and care workers”.
Yet despite widespread criticism of the plan, with a Tory majority of 80 in the Commons, “the bill should pass easily”, says the newspaper.
As the i news site notes, the legislation will “make it effectively impossible for anyone paid less than £20,000 to get a visa to work in the UK”.
Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine said: “It is hard to believe that in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the Conservatives are still pressing ahead with their destructive plans.
“Now more than ever, we should be celebrating the enormous contributions that workers from all over the world make to our NHS, social care and across our society.”
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Home Secretary Patel insists that the “historic piece of legislation… lays the foundations to build a fairer, firmer, skills-led points-based immigration system”.
In an article in the Daily Express, she says that the ongoing pandemic “has shown us how important it can be to attract the best and brightest to our country” and that that the new immigration system will allow Britain to introduce a “new fast-track NHS visa” to ensure the health service can “continue to access highly skilled medical professionals from across the world”.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden echoed Patel’s vision, telling the BBC that the bill would give the UK “the opportunity to set our own rules to ensure that we get the people that we need”.
The government is facing growing “pressure for the immigration rules to support those described as ‘key workers’”, reports the London Evening Standard.
A YouGov poll for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) suggests that 54% of Britons would support loosening immigration restrictions for workers defined as essential during the crisis.
The i site adds that some Conservative MPs have also called for “a more liberal approach to migration in the light of the pandemic”, including suggestions that a special visa for social care workers could be introduced.
Satbir Singh, chief executive of the JCWI, said: “The fight against Covid-19 has shown us all just how much our survival and well-being depends on our key workers.”
These workers are the “backbone of our country” and “they deserve the security of knowing that this place can be their home too”, Singh argues.


theweekuk--2020-05-18--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 18 May 2020

British Transport Police say officers have interviewed a 57-year-old man in connection with the Covid-19 death of a rail worker @ @ @ @ @ by someone claiming to be infected with the coronavirus .
Belly Mujinga was on the @ @ @ @ @ Victoria Station when a man spat at and coughed over her .
A police spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ not looking to identify anyone further in relation to the incident .
”

Police interview man in coronavirus spitting death case
British Transport Police say officers have interviewed a 57-year-old man in connection with the Covid-19 death of a rail worker who had been spat at by someone claiming to be infected with the coronavirus. Belly Mujinga was on the concourse of London’s Victoria Station when a man spat at and coughed over her. A police spokesperson said: “Detectives are not looking to identify anyone further in relation to the incident.”


theweekuk--2020-05-18--Michael Jordan shoes smash auction world record

A pair of Michael Jordan 's signed , match-worn shoes from 1985 broke the world auction record for trainers , according to Sotheby 's .
The online auction for the Nike Air Jordan 1 shoes closed at $ 560,000 .
The sale coincided with the popular Jordan documentary , The Last Dance .
A South Korean football team has accidentally used sex dolls as pretend supporters for a behind-closed-doors match .
FC Seoul wanted to use plastic fans in the seats for their clash against Gwangju FC on Sunday but viewers pointed out that the stand-ins looked more like sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted it did not order an “ adult product ” .
An ice cream shop in Hong Kong is selling “ tear-gas ” flavour ice cream .
The shop owner says he introduced the curious flavour to remind locals about the pro-democracy protests and show support for the political movement .
A customer said : “ It tastes like tear gas .
It feels difficult to breathe at first , and it ’ s really pungent and irritating.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A pair of Michael Jordan's signed, match-worn shoes from 1985 broke the world auction record for trainers, according to Sotheby's. The online auction for the Nike Air Jordan 1 shoes closed at $560,000. The sale coincided with the popular Jordan documentary, The Last Dance.
South Korean football club uses sex toys as pretend fans
A South Korean football team has accidentally used sex dolls as pretend supporters for a behind-closed-doors match. FC Seoul wanted to use plastic fans in the seats for their clash against Gwangju FC on Sunday but viewers pointed out that the stand-ins looked more like sex dolls. The club has apologised and insisted it did not order an “adult product”.
Hong Kong store launches tear-gas ice cream
An ice cream shop in Hong Kong is selling “tear-gas” flavour ice cream. The shop owner says he introduced the curious flavour to remind locals about the pro-democracy protests and show support for the political movement. A customer said: “It tastes like tear gas. It feels difficult to breathe at first, and it’s really pungent and irritating.”
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theweekuk--2020-05-19--Ronan Farrow: Is Harvey Weinstein’s arch-enemy ‘too good to be true’?

US journalist Ronan Farrow has racked up a string of awards and a huge following with his exposes about powerful men who abuse their position to harass and assault women .
But The New York Times media columnist Ben Smith has taken a deeper look at some of The New Yorker reporter ’ s work and , as The Guardian puts it , “ found him wanting ” .
In an article headlined “ Is Ronan Farrow Too Good To Be True ?
” , Smith suggests that his subject - the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and at times conspiratorial , but “ omits the complicating facts and inconvenient details that may make them less dramatic ” .
Farrow “ does not make things up ” , but “ his reporting can be misleading ” , Smith claims .
The Times notes that Smith ’ s attack on Farrow “ focused on a handful of possible errors ” .
Delivering his verdict on Farrow ’ s 2017 story exposing the now-infamous abuses by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein - for which Farrow was awarded a Pulitzer Prize - Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contradictions in witness testimonies to make “ a narrative virtue of a reporting liability ” .
The allegations have been dismissed by Michael Luo , editor of NewYorker.com .
In a series of tweets , Luo said that the magazine , which is famous for its rigorous fact-checking , would make a correction if anything in Farrow ’ s reporting was proven to be untrue , but added : “ Ben has not done that here.
” Meanwhile , Farrow tweeted that he “ stand [ s ] by my reporting ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Smith ’ s points .
1/ THREAD : In his column on @ ronanfarrow , @ benyt , whom I have respect for , does the same thing he accuses Ronan of % u2013 % u2013sanding the inconvenient edges off of facts in order to suit the narrative he wants to deliver .
The wider reaction to the claims has been mixed , with The Week US national correspondent Ryan Cooper tweeting that Smith was “ nitpicking ” .
However , other commentators agreed with Smith ’ s analysis of Farrow ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s media critic Erik Wemple describing the article as “ muscular debunking work ” .
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US journalist Ronan Farrow has racked up a string of awards and a huge following with his exposes about powerful men who abuse their position to harass and assault women.
But The New York Times media columnist Ben Smith has taken a deeper look at some of The New Yorker reporter’s work and, as The Guardian puts it, “found him wanting”.
In an article headlined “Is Ronan Farrow Too Good To Be True?”, Smith suggests that his subject - the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen - “delivers narratives that are irresistibly cinematic” and at times conspiratorial, but “omits the complicating facts and inconvenient details that may make them less dramatic”.
Farrow “does not make things up”, but “his reporting can be misleading”, Smith claims.
The Times notes that Smith’s attack on Farrow “focused on a handful of possible errors”. Delivering his verdict on Farrow’s 2017 story exposing the now-infamous abuses by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein - for which Farrow was awarded a Pulitzer Prize - Smith says that the reporter smoothed over possible contradictions in witness testimonies to make “a narrative virtue of a reporting liability”.
The allegations have been dismissed by Michael Luo, editor of NewYorker.com. In a series of tweets, Luo said that the magazine, which is famous for its rigorous fact-checking, would make a correction if anything in Farrow’s reporting was proven to be untrue, but added: “Ben has not done that here.”
Meanwhile, Farrow tweeted that he “stand[s] by my reporting”, while also taking issue with a number of Smith’s points.
1/ THREAD: In his column on @ronanfarrow, @benyt, whom I have respect for, does the same thing he accuses Ronan of––sanding the inconvenient edges off of facts in order to suit the narrative he wants to deliver. — Michael Luo (@michaelluo) May 18, 2020
The wider reaction to the claims has been mixed, with The Week US national correspondent Ryan Cooper tweeting that Smith was “nitpicking”.
However, other commentators agreed with Smith’s analysis of Farrow’s work, with The Washington Post’s media critic Erik Wemple describing the article as “muscular debunking work”.
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theweekuk--2020-05-19--Last normal photograph: Twitter users share images of pre-pandemic life

A Twitter thread asking users to share their “ last normal photo ” from before the coronavirus outbreak has gone viral , with celebrities among the thousands of people getting in on the action .
Leeds-based journalist Robyn Vinter was bombarded with replies within hours of posting a tweet on Saturday requesting “ to see the last normal pic on your phone ” .
“ I spotted Jon Ronson had replied , and a couple more fairly high-profile people and then I noticed Monica Lewinsky had , ” Vinter told The Guardian .
“ I thought : that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little tweet out of nowhere ?
Then I saw there were thousands of replies.
” was sent the most beautiful flowers ... % uD83E % uDD70 https : //t.co/FNex4407TN pic.twitter.com/tQCo3WsVSn Other photos posted feature families celebrating birthdays , friends sharing drinks in bars , and “ concert-goers jostling against each other .
Crowds without a mask in sight and no thought of physical distancing , ” says Canada ’ s CTV News .
LOOK HOW CLOSE THEY ARE TO EACH OTHER pic.twitter.com/jOEdIxzA4G Vinter ’ s call-out was inspired by a BBC article showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to terms with lockdowns and social distancing ” .
One of the photos tagged online with the hashtag # lastnormalphoto in response to a request from the broadcaster shows the wedding of a British couple in the Austrian Alps .
“ On the Friday night as our guests arrived , Austria announced they would be shutting down from Sunday .
On Saturday 14 March we married , and on the Sunday we were escorted from the resort back to the airport , ” groom Tom Archer told the broadcaster .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still in a Munich car park , ” he added .
Labour MP Jess Phillips has shared her final pre-pandemic photo too , while freelance journalist Jack Needham tweeted an image that will resonate with many .

A Twitter thread asking users to share their “last normal photo” from before the coronavirus outbreak has gone viral, with celebrities among the thousands of people getting in on the action.
Leeds-based journalist Robyn Vinter was bombarded with replies within hours of posting a tweet on Saturday requesting “to see the last normal pic on your phone”.
Inspired by this BBC piece, I would like to see the last normal pic on your phone https://t.co/F5rIv9GBe4 — Robyn Vinter (@RobynVinter) May 16, 2020
“I spotted Jon Ronson had replied, and a couple more fairly high-profile people and then I noticed Monica Lewinsky had,” Vinter told The Guardian. “I thought: that’s weird, how did she find my little tweet out of nowhere? Then I saw there were thousands of replies.”
Other photos posted feature families celebrating birthdays, friends sharing drinks in bars, and “concert-goers jostling against each other. Crowds without a mask in sight and no thought of physical distancing,” says Canada’s CTV News.
LOOK HOW CLOSE THEY ARE TO EACH OTHER pic.twitter.com/jOEdIxzA4G — notgavin (@notgavin) May 16, 2020
A lovely Sunday spent with friends at a bar in Exmouth market. Urgh. pic.twitter.com/fMpMY2HGY3 — Charlotte Maher (@CharMaher) May 16, 2020
Vinter’s call-out was inspired by a BBC article showing “pictures from before we had to come to terms with lockdowns and social distancing”.
One of the photos tagged online with the hashtag #lastnormalphoto in response to a request from the broadcaster shows the wedding of a British couple in the Austrian Alps.
“On the Friday night as our guests arrived, Austria announced they would be shutting down from Sunday. On Saturday 14 March we married, and on the Sunday we were escorted from the resort back to the airport,” groom Tom Archer told the broadcaster.
“The campervan with the wedding cake inside is still in a Munich car park,” he added.
Labour MP Jess Phillips has shared her final pre-pandemic photo too, while freelance journalist Jack Needham tweeted an image that will resonate with many.


theweekuk--2020-05-19--Why did UK take so long to introduce quarantining - and does it work?

The UK is set to join the growing number of countries that have introduced quarantine rules for people arriving from abroad - but critics are asking why Boris Johnson ’ s government waited so long .
Brussels-based news site EUobserver reported in March that nine European Union states had closed their borders entirely , and Germany - which has been lauded for its coronavirus response - has had quarantine measures in place since early April .
The UK quarantine is due to kick in next month and will extend “ to all arrivals into the UK with a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research scientists ” , according to The Guardian .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is also backing proposals for so-called “ air bridges ” exempting travellers returning from countries with low coronavirus infection rates .
For everyone else , however , quarantining is about to become the new normal .
Quarantines are widely regarded as an effective tool in the fight against infectious diseases such as the new coronavirus .
They work by keeping people who might become infected , or who might infect others , away from one another .
Isolation is related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation serves the same purpose as quarantine , it ’ s reserved for those who are already sick .
It keeps infected people away from healthy people to prevent the sickness from spreading , ” explains the website of the Ohio-based Cleveland Clinic research centre .
Government mandate quarantines are when countries or federal states put legal restrictions on movement , forcing people to stay in one place .
The UK plans to introduce a compulsory two-week quarantine period for new arrivals to the country from early June .
Downing Street is waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ R value ” - the average number of people that one infected person will go on to infect - before it introduces the mandatory quarantine for new visitors .
Why does the R value matter ?
“ The reason we ’ re interested is because it not only gives you an idea of how many people the virus is likely to infect , but also an idea about how effective your interventions need to be to end the outbreak , ” Jonathan Ball , professor of molecular virology at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The unchecked R value of the new coronavirus is around 3 , but the UK has currently surpressed this infection rate to between 0.7 and 1 .
“ If the reproduction number is higher than 1 then the number of cases increases exponentially - it snowballs like debt on an unpaid credit card , ” explains the BBC ’ s science correspondent James Gallagher .
“ But if the number is lower , the disease will eventually peter out , as not enough new people are being infected to sustain the outbreak.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What has the UK waited to act ?
“ To prevent reinfection from abroad , I am serving notice that it will soon be the time – with transmission significantly lower – to impose quarantine on people coming into this country by air , ” the prime minister announced during a televised address on 10 May .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now to do so remains unclear .
Speaking anonymously to The Guardian , a senior government adviser said : “ There was really no scientific advice to inform the latest announcement .
It also doesn ’ t really make sense for countries which have lower per capita current Covid case numbers than us - for example , most of the EU .
“ That sort of policy only reduces risk in the situation where we have very low case numbers and origin countries have much higher numbers.
” Up until 13 March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers from specific countries with a high number of infections , including Italy , Iran and parts of China , should self-isolate .
But this guidance was dropped – “ inexplicably ” , according to Labour MP Yvette Cooper , chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee .
Professor Gary McLean , a professor in molecular immunology at London Metropolitan University , told The Guardian that the plans for new border measures “ don ’ t make logical sense ” , adding : “ In all reality , they should ’ ve done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A spokesperson for the PM said the government ’ s approach “ is , and always has been , driven by the latest scientific and medical advice ” .
But Downing Street has not published the scientific advice behind its decision to first leave borders open and now start controlling them .
A letter signed by the chief executives of easyJet , Heathrow and Gatwick that was sent to the government last week voiced “ collective and serious concern and frustration ” over the planned new measures , adding : “ An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date , will make an already critical situation for UK aviation , and all the businesses we support , even worse.
” Seemingly the only light at the end of the tunnel for airlines in the new air bridges proposal , “ which would see agreements sought with countries with low R numbers ... to let passengers travel between them without going into quarantine ” , says Sky News .

The UK is set to join the growing number of countries that have introduced quarantine rules for people arriving from abroad - but critics are asking why Boris Johnson’s government waited so long.
Brussels-based news site EUobserver reported in March that nine European Union states had closed their borders entirely, and Germany - which has been lauded for its coronavirus response - has had quarantine measures in place since early April.
The UK quarantine is due to kick in next month and will extend “to all arrivals into the UK with a number of exemptions, reportedly including hauliers and Covid-19 research scientists”, according to The Guardian.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is also backing proposals for so-called “air bridges” exempting travellers returning from countries with low coronavirus infection rates. For everyone else, however, quarantining is about to become the new normal.
How does quarantining work?
Quarantines are widely regarded as an effective tool in the fight against infectious diseases such as the new coronavirus. They work by keeping people who might become infected, or who might infect others, away from one another.
Isolation is related but is slightly different. “While isolation serves the same purpose as quarantine, it’s reserved for those who are already sick. It keeps infected people away from healthy people to prevent the sickness from spreading,” explains the website of the Ohio-based Cleveland Clinic research centre.
Government mandate quarantines are when countries or federal states put legal restrictions on movement, forcing people to stay in one place.
The UK plans to introduce a compulsory two-week quarantine period for new arrivals to the country from early June.
Downing Street is waiting for a sustained drop in the UK’s “R value” - the average number of people that one infected person will go on to infect - before it introduces the mandatory quarantine for new visitors.
Why does the R value matter?
“The reason we’re interested is because it not only gives you an idea of how many people the virus is likely to infect, but also an idea about how effective your interventions need to be to end the outbreak,” Jonathan Ball, professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, told The Telegraph.


theweekuk--2020-05-19--Reaction: ‘air bridges’ give Brits hope of holidays abroad

Would-be holidaymakers ’ hopes of trips abroad this year have been boosted by proposals to exempt Britons who travel to countries with low coronavirus infection rates from strict new quarantine rules .
The plan to form so-called “ air bridges ” between the UK and lower-risk countries was floated by senior Tory MP Huw Merriman and has won the backing of Transport Secretary Grant Shapps .
The proposal comes a week after Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that it was “ unlikely that big , lavish international holidays are going to be possible for this summer ” , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine for arrivals to the UK that is due to be introduced from next month .
However , Shapps has now signalled that “ those returning from countries where air bridge agreements have been secured may avoid ” the new rules , Sky News says .
“ It is the case we should consider further improvements - for example , things like air bridges enabling people from other countries who have themselves achieved lower levels of coronavirus infection to come to the country , ” Shapps told the House of Commons on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that overseas travel , including summer holidays , may still be a possibility this year ” , says The Times , which reports that “ the strict quarantine could be relaxed by the end of next month at the earliest ” .
So far , only Greece has put itself forward as a country that would be willing to form an air bridge with the UK .
Greece ’ s Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis told the BBC that if the UK waived isolation for Greeks when they arrive in Britain , his country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
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The proposed air bridges - a term “ usually used to refer to military flights over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mail - have been welcomed by airlines , amid fears that “ people would be put off flying ” if they have to self-isolate afterwards , says the BBC .
Ministers are reportedly considering five-figure fines for people caught breaking the quarantine rules .
A spokesperson for trade body Airlines UK said : “ Airlines are not going to operate if people are effectively told not to travel.
” The UK tourism industry has warned that the regulations will send out a “ hugely concerning ” message that Britain is “ not open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
Kate Nicholls , head of UKHospitality , told the newspaper that the quarantine rules would put a “ question mark ” over the sustainability of British tourism businesses .
Meanwhile , Ryanair boss Michael O ’ Leary has described the quarantine plan as “ idiotic ” , adding that it had “ no credibility ” and would be gone by June .
“ It ’ s un-implementable .
You don ’ t have enough police in the UK , ” he told BBC ’ s Today programme this week .


theweekuk--2020-05-19--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 19 May 2020

Donald Trump says he is taking hydroxychloroquine to ward off the Covid-19 coronavirus , despite warnings from doctors that the @ @ @ @ @ unsafe .
The US president told White House reporters : “ I ’ m taking @ @ @ @ @ and a half now and I ’ m still here , I ’ m still @ @ @ @ @ evidence that hydroxychloroquine can fight off coronavirus , and regulators say it may cause heart @ @

Trump taking unproven drug to repel coronavirus
Donald Trump says he is taking hydroxychloroquine to ward off the Covid-19 coronavirus, despite warnings from doctors that the controversial anti-malaria drug may be unsafe. The US president told White House reporters: “I’m taking it for about a week and a half now and I’m still here, I’m still here.” There is no evidence that hydroxychloroquine can fight off coronavirus, and regulators say it may cause heart problems.


theweekuk--2020-05-19--Which UK towns have sold most sex toys during lockdown?

Sales of sex toys have soared across the UK during the coronavirus lockdown - with one city leading the way .
In the first two weeks of lockdown alone , orders for adult toys increased by 25 % nationwide , the Daily Mirror reports .
The frisky citizens of Worcester in the West Midlands made the most purchases , followed closely behind by buyers in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and the Dorset resort of Bournemouth .
A US man has set a new world record during a Guinness World Records weekly challenge by putting on ten T-shirts in only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idaho , has broken more than 100 Guinness records to promote STEM education .
He said he had sweated a lot during training for the # GWRchallenge on social media , in which people are invited to film themselves donning T-shirts at record speeds .
The coronavirus pandemic has triggered a surge in interest in a mythical monster from Japanese folklore that is said to repel plagues .
Amabie - “ a beak-nosed , long-locked mythical mermaid monster , ” according to news agency AFP - has become a trending Twitter hashtag and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from face masks and hand sanitisers to cakes .
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Sales of sex toys have soared across the UK during the coronavirus lockdown - with one city leading the way. In the first two weeks of lockdown alone, orders for adult toys increased by 25% nationwide, the Daily Mirror reports. The frisky citizens of Worcester in the West Midlands made the most purchases, followed closely behind by buyers in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and the Dorset resort of Bournemouth.
Serial record breaker wins T-shirt challenge
A US man has set a new world record during a Guinness World Records weekly challenge by putting on ten T-shirts in only 15.61 seconds. David Rush, from Idaho, has broken more than 100 Guinness records to promote STEM education. He said he had sweated a lot during training for the #GWRchallenge on social media, in which people are invited to film themselves donning T-shirts at record speeds.
Japanese monster Amabie reappears during pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has triggered a surge in interest in a mythical monster from Japanese folklore that is said to repel plagues. Amabie - “a beak-nosed, long-locked mythical mermaid monster,” according to news agency AFP - has become a trending Twitter hashtag and is featuring on products in Japan ranging from face masks and hand sanitisers to cakes.
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theweekuk--2020-05-19--Could a ‘federal Britain’ have beaten coronavirus?

The UK ’ s over-centralised system of government has hamstrung the country ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic and will hold back recovery , according to supporters of a more federal approach .
“ If we want to learn from the pandemic we need to decentralise the state , ” says The Telegraph columnist Nick Timothy , former chief of staff to Theresa May .
“ We need a new and carefully structured constitutional settlement.
” “ Haphazard ” devolution has left the British state “ dysfunctional and our constitution a mess ” , Timothy argues .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the division of responsibilities between federal and state governments ” .
Empowered local governments might indeed have been more effective , according to The Times .
“ German experts say the federal system has allowed its states - called lander - to act decisively to control the outbreak , ” the newspaper reports .
Now , each state can tailor its recovery to the local infection rate - an approach that finds favour with Scotland ’ s leader Nicola Sturgeon [ pictured top with Boris Johnson ] .
“ If you look across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are doing things at different speeds , ” she says .
“ Different parts of Italy have different restrictions lifted at different times .
This is not unusual and it is really important that we recognise that.
” While Johnson has sought a UK-wide approach , English mayors have sided with Sturgeon .
“ The response has been very , very nationally driven but the recovery has got to be much more locally driven , ” Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told The Guardian .
“ Local leaders should have much more control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Rotherham agrees .
“ Mayors , councils , and the local NHS are all closer to the situation on the ground than Whitehall and we know the needs of our communities better , ” he says .
And a newly published report from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change lends weight to their demands .
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Start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be wise to take a more regional approach and to be more targeted , ” the institute ’ s chief economist Ian Mulheirn told The Telegraph .
“ There are some areas where things are fine and lockdown is jeopardising people 's jobs and livelihoods.
” In London , the West Midlands and parts of southwest England , there is “ headroom ” to lift restrictions , says the report , while infections are still increasing in York , north Somerset and the Isle of Wight .
Yet regional differences have led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany ’ s multispeed approach has led to “ some cross-border tensions ” , with the most cautious states criticising neighbours which have imposed fewer restrictions , says The Times .
Chancellor Angela Merkel “ has been involved in a long-running dispute with Armin Laschet , the bullish leader of North Rhine-Westphalia , which has opened schools and will soon reopen cinemas ” , the paper reports .
Over in Spain , Basque and Catalan separatists striving to preserve the unity of their regions are “ unhappy with government plans to phase out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger scale ” , says the Financial Times .
In the UK , too , not everyone is convinced by the case for federalism .
Some argue the Covid-19 crisis “ illustrates the need for more centrally planned command and control systems ” , says Computer Weekly .
The magazine cites South Korea as an example of a highly centralised country that has deployed a successful , nationwide response based on technology and scientific advice .
By contrast , the US “ federal government can only issue guidelines to the states ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the response to cities and counties - many much smaller than UK local government units ” .
All that devolution helps to explain why a “ meaningful collective response is so difficult ” .

The UK’s over-centralised system of government has hamstrung the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and will hold back recovery, according to supporters of a more federal approach.
“If we want to learn from the pandemic we need to decentralise the state,” says The Telegraph columnist Nick Timothy, former chief of staff to Theresa May. “We need a new and carefully structured constitutional settlement.”
“Haphazard” devolution has left the British state “dysfunctional and our constitution a mess”, Timothy argues. Instead, we should inject German-style “clarity about the division of responsibilities between federal and state governments”.
Empowered local governments might indeed have been more effective, according to The Times. “German experts say the federal system has allowed its states - called lander - to act decisively to control the outbreak,” the newspaper reports.
Now, each state can tailor its recovery to the local infection rate - an approach that finds favour with Scotland’s leader Nicola Sturgeon [pictured top with Boris Johnson].
“If you look across Europe, the different lander in Germany are doing things at different speeds,” she says. “Different parts of Italy have different restrictions lifted at different times. This is not unusual and it is really important that we recognise that.”
While Johnson has sought a UK-wide approach, English mayors have sided with Sturgeon.
“The response has been very, very nationally driven but the recovery has got to be much more locally driven,” Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told The Guardian. “Local leaders should have much more control of issues like testing.”
Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotherham agrees. “Mayors, councils, and the local NHS are all closer to the situation on the ground than Whitehall and we know the needs of our communities better,” he says.
And a newly published report from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change lends weight to their demands.
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“It might be wise to take a more regional approach and to be more targeted,” the institute’s chief economist Ian Mulheirn told The Telegraph. “There are some areas where things are fine and lockdown is jeopardising people's jobs and livelihoods.”
In London, the West Midlands and parts of southwest England, there is “headroom” to lift restrictions, says the report, while infections are still increasing in York, north Somerset and the Isle of Wight.
Yet regional differences have led to complaints in less centralised countries.
Germany’s multispeed approach has led to “some cross-border tensions”, with the most cautious states criticising neighbours which have imposed fewer restrictions, says The Times.
Chancellor Angela Merkel “has been involved in a long-running dispute with Armin Laschet, the bullish leader of North Rhine-Westphalia, which has opened schools and will soon reopen cinemas”, the paper reports.
Over in Spain, Basque and Catalan separatists striving to preserve the unity of their regions are “unhappy with government plans to phase out the lockdown province-by-province rather than on a larger scale”, says the Financial Times.
In the UK, too, not everyone is convinced by the case for federalism. Some argue the Covid-19 crisis “illustrates the need for more centrally planned command and control systems”, says Computer Weekly.
The magazine cites South Korea as an example of a highly centralised country that has deployed a successful, nationwide response based on technology and scientific advice.
By contrast, the US “federal government can only issue guidelines to the states”, and many state governments “are leaving the response to cities and counties - many much smaller than UK local government units”.
All that devolution helps to explain why a “meaningful collective response is so difficult”.


theweekuk--2020-05-19--McDonald’s accused of worldwide ‘systematic sexual harassment’ of employees

An international coalition of trade unions has filed a complaint against McDonald ’ s that accuses the fast-food chain of failing to tackle “ rampant ” sexual harassment of its employees .
The complaint lists numerous incidents of harassment and abuse at McDonald ’ s restaurants across the globe , including attempted rape and indecent exposure in the US , a promotion in exchange for sexual acts in Brazil , and a hidden camera in a women ’ s changing room in France , reports The Guardian .
“ There ’ s a rotten culture from the top , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Union of Foodworkers , told a press conference in Rio de Janeiro .
The company has “ failed dismally to take meaningful action ” against the abuse , she said .
According to the complaint , victims as young as 16 claimed “ they were ignored , mocked , or punished when they reported it .
Some had their hours cut back and others were fired ” , reports the Bangkok Post .
The labour unions filed the complaint with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD ) in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s guidelines require “ corporate due diligence to ensure respect for workers ’ human rights ” , says New York-based news site Barron ’ s .
Yet “ gender-based violence and harassment is part of McDonald ’ s culture ” , the complaint alleges .
The complaint will be examined by the Dutch government , which has up to three months to decide whether to launch a process of mediation with the fast-food giant .
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An international coalition of trade unions has filed a complaint against McDonald’s that accuses the fast-food chain of failing to tackle “rampant” sexual harassment of its employees.
The complaint lists numerous incidents of harassment and abuse at McDonald’s restaurants across the globe, including attempted rape and indecent exposure in the US, a promotion in exchange for sexual acts in Brazil, and a hidden camera in a women’s changing room in France, reports The Guardian.
“There’s a rotten culture from the top,” Sue Longley, general secretary of the International Union of Foodworkers, told a press conference in Rio de Janeiro. The company has “failed dismally to take meaningful action” against the abuse, she said.
According to the complaint, victims as young as 16 claimed “they were ignored, mocked, or punished when they reported it. Some had their hours cut back and others were fired”, reports the Bangkok Post.
The labour unions filed the complaint with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the Netherlands, noting that the watchdog’s guidelines require “corporate due diligence to ensure respect for workers’ human rights”, says New York-based news site Barron’s.
Yet “gender-based violence and harassment is part of McDonald’s culture”, the complaint alleges.
The complaint will be examined by the Dutch government, which has up to three months to decide whether to launch a process of mediation with the fast-food giant.
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