When is a desk not a desk? When it’s a status symbol | Gareth Rubin

The employers of the estate agent who sued them for unfair constructive dismissal would do well to read Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli had an important piece of advice about office politics: “If an injury has to be done to a man,” he writes in The Prince, “it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.” Most of us can relate to that.
It’s likely that whoever accidentally insulted Nicholas Walker, the take-no-prisoners manager of the Rickmansworth branch of Robsons Estate Agents, by giving him a second-rate desk, hadn’t read Machiavelli’s 1532 tract. Because Walker, no doubt thinking of Machiavelli’s subsequent invocation – “it is safer to be feared than loved because … fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails” – immediately dragged his ashen-faced employers to an employment tribunal where he successfully sued them for unfair constructive dismissal. They probably really regret giving him that desk.
Holmes and Moriarty, the new authorised Sherlock Holmes novel by Gareth Rubin, is out now
Continue reading...-
‘Anchors, Under Your Desks!’: Tornado Hits Orlando TV Station
Crews at the Fox 35 station were on the air sharing updates about tornado warnings for Seminole and Volusia counties when one struck their news studio on Monday morning.The New York Times - 5d -
The two big questions looming over the shutdown fight: From the Politics Desk
Two big questions are looming over the shutdown fight as Republican lawmakers try to pass a stopgap bill to fund the government.NBC News - 5d -
House funding vote puts Senate Democrats in a bind: From the Politics Desk
Senate Democrats are in a politically precarious position after the House passed a stopgap bill to avoid a government shutdown.NBC News - 4d -
Senate Democrats make their move in the shutdown fight: From the Politics Desk
The House’s passage of a Republican stopgap funding bill has put Senate Democrats in a bind: Either back a measure they disapprove of and give up some of the only leverage they will have on major ...NBC News - 3d -
Dark economic clouds loom over Trump and the GOP: From the Politics Desk
President Donald Trump’s economic approach is putting members of his administration and Republicans in Congress on the defensive as the stock market continues to struggleNBC News - 2d -
Shutdown showdown leaves Democrats deeply divided: From the Politics Desk
The fight over a looming government shutdown as left the Democratic Party deeply divided as they try to find their footing in the second Trump administration.NBC News - 1d -
When a Couple’s Drinking Habits Diverge
When one partner wants to cut back, or stops drinking altogether, the changes can reverberate throughout a relationship.The New York Times - 3d -
Kieran Culkin Asked for More Kids at the Oscars. When Is an In-Joke Worth the Risk?
Some personal stories can make the jump to crowd-pleasing anecdote without a hitch. But taking a private joke to prime time has its risks.The New York Times - Mar. 7 -
CoD: Warzone - Here's Exactly When The OG Verdansk Map Returns
Call of Duty: Warzone recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with a nostalgic trailer and an announcement that the battle royale is bringing back the original Verdansk map on April 3. Thanks ...GameSpot - 4d -
When Is Daylight Saving Time?
The twice-yearly ritual has roots in cost-cutting strategies of the late 19th century. A recent effort to end it has stalled in Congress.The New York Times - Mar. 3 -
When could Liverpool seal Premier League title?
Liverpool's march to the Premier League title seems inevitable now after they increase their lead at the top of the table to 15 points. When could they be confirmed as champions?Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Elon Musk’s DOGE Calls in U.S. Marshals When a Small Agency Refuses to Share Data
The U.S. African Development Foundation refused to let DOGE members into its offices. DOGE returned with law enforcement.Inc. - Mar. 7 -
When you should get a home equity loan from a different lender
Should you use a new lender to get your home equity loan? Here's when it may be worth doing.CBS News - 5d -
When will the Department of Education be dissolved? Secretary McMahon doesn't know
Linda McMahon said Friday that President Donald Trump "intends" to sign an executive order to dissolve the Department of Education -- but it's still unclear when.ABC News - Mar. 7 -
13 hurt when school bus crashes, overturns in New Jersey
A child was critically injured when a school bus with 31 people on board crashed on a New Jersey highway and overturned Monday night, officials said.NBC News - 5d -
When do credit card companies sue for non-payment?
If you skip your credit card payments for long enough, you could end up being sued. Here's when it could happen.CBS News - 2d -
When is the First Four for Women's March Madness? Dates, location for play-in tournament
When is the First Four for the 2025 Women's March Madness Tournament? Here's what to know about the NCAA play-in games, including dates and history:Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Swollen eyeballs, baby-like skin, and the overview effect: how astronauts feel when they return to earth
As Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams prepare to come home after their unexpected nine-month ISS stay, here is what they may experience. Gravity may seem like a drag, but spending long periods of time ...The Guardian - 2d -
Reunited in LA! When Paul Pogba surprised Olivier Giroud 😎
There is no news yet on where Paul Pogba might end up playing following the conclusion of his ban. But the former Manchester United and Juventus man didn't seem overly concerned when he surprised ...Yahoo Sports - 1h -
8 injured when man rams SUV into California car dealership
Eight people were injured when a man rammed his SUV into a car dealership, apparently after a dispute over how much his vehicle was worth. He drove off, but later turned himself in to police. ...CBS News - 6d -
Rand Paul: ‘When the markets tumble like this in response to tariffs, it pays to listen’
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has long been considered one of the Senate’s budget hawks, recently gave advice that when the stock market tumbles, “it pays to listen.” “The stock market is comprised ...The Hill - 4d -
Are Genetically Modified Pigs The Future of Organ Transplantation?
How have the first patients fared after receiving organ transplants from genetically modified pigs? Roni Caryn Rabin, a health reporter on the Science desk of The New York Times, looks at the ...The New York Times - 6d -
Democrat wins special election for Minnesota state House seat
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate David Gottfried is projected to win a special election for a seat in the Minnesota House, according to Decision Desk HQ. Gottfried, a pro bono ...The Hill - 4d -
Senate passes short-term funding bill, averting a government shutdown
The Senate has passed a short-term funding bill in a 54-46 vote, avoiding a government shutdown. The legislation already passed in the House and now heads to President Trump's desk. CBS News ...CBS News - 1d -
Starbucks Just Gave Its Employees a Very Blunt Message, and Taught a Key Leadership Lesson
The biggest takeaway: When you’re a leader, you have to lead.Inc. - Mar. 9 -
WATCH: Tempers flare when Michigan players disrupt Michigan State tradition of seniors kissing Spartans logo
Things got chippy when the Wolverines tried to keep MSU players from their traditional smooch of the Spartans logoCBS Sports - 6d -
What’s Lost When the Human Drivers Are Gone?
This week on Uncanny Valley, we look ahead into a future where driverless cars are mainstream.Wired - 2d -
March Madness is here. When is Selection Sunday?
March Madness will kick into full gear with this weekend's Selection Sunday event, where the 68-team NCAA tournament field will be announced.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Book Review: ‘When the Going Was Good,’ by Graydon Carter
The former Vanity Fair editor reflects on an era’s power moves and expense-account adventures in a new memoir.The New York Times - 1d -
When Brands Need a Wild Shoe, They Hire This Man
Shoes with teeth. Shoes with soles at right angles. Shoes made from two shoes. Shintaro Yamamoto is the footwear Dr. Frankenstein behind them all.The New York Times - 4h -
Education Department Fires 1,300 Workers, Gutting Its Staff
The layoffs mean that the department will now have a work force of about half the size it did when President Trump took office.The New York Times - 3d -
WATCH: Cop delivers pizza when delivery driver sees 8-foot gator hiding
The incident occurred on Sunday in Bradenton, Florida, when police were responding to a report of an 8-foot alligator wandering through the neighborhood, according to the Bradenton Police Department.ABC News - 2d -
Alan Kennedy interview: When I left Newcastle for Liverpool it made the 10 o’clock news
When Alan Kennedy left Newcastle United it was with a heavy heart, but he got everything he wished for at Liverpool, eight years filled with joy and laden with silverware.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
When is First Four for March Madness? Schedule, dates, location for men's play-in games
When is the First Four for the 2025 March Madness bracket? What to know about NCAA Tournament play-in games, including times, dates and history.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
When do March Madness brackets open? When do they close? Everything to know
It's almost time for one of America's favorite pastimes: filling out your March Madness bracket.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Does cricket risk apathy if status quo continues?
The Champions Trophy had its moments but familiar issues leave apathy as the biggest threat to international cricket's future, writes BBC Sport's Matthew Henry.BBC News - 6d -
Woman accused in death of Telemundo reporter should not have been free when he died, AG says
Other men have accused the Louisiana woman linked to the death of a Super Bowl reporter of drugging and robbing them — and she shouldn’t have been on probation when the reporter was found dead last ...NBC News - 4d -
How Yelp reviewed competing LLMs for correctness, relevance and tone to develop its user-friendly AI assistant
Yelp found that when it first launched a GPT-4o-powered AI chatbot, usage rates dropped. But training it to sound like a human changed that.VentureBeat - Mar. 7 -
When should you eat? Before, after — or even while — exercising?
If you’re about to go to the gym, should you eat something beforehandABC News - Mar. 8
More from The Guardian
-
At least 50 killed and more than 100 injured in nightclub fire in Kočani, North Macedonia – Europe live
Blaze reportedly broke out in the early hours at Pulse club in town 60 miles from Skopje. Videos circulating on social media show chaotic scenes inside the Pulse nightclub, with young people ...The Guardian - 24m -
Trump orders airstrikes on Yemen in warning to Houthis over shipping route
At least 31 people killed in strikes on Sana’a and Sa’ada on Saturday, says Houthi-run health ministry. Donald Trump said he ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, on Saturday, ...The Guardian - 3h -
Judge blocks Trump from using 18th-century wartime act for deportations
Trump had invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport five Venezuelans, but order halted by judge. Alien Enemies Act: what is it and can Trump use it to deport gang members? Donald Trump ...The Guardian - 13h -
Peruvian fisher rescued after three months stranded at sea
Maximo Napa says he survived by eating cockroaches, birds and a turtle – and thinking about his mother. A Peruvian fisher was found alive after drifting at sea for 94 days, a navy official said on ...The Guardian - 24m -
SpaceX capsule docks with ISS to bring back stranded Nasa astronauts
The arrival of four astronauts will allow Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return to Earth after nine months on the International Space Station. A SpaceX capsule delivered four astronauts to the ...The Guardian - 5h
More in World
-
Lando Norris begins season with Australian F1 GP victory ahead of Max Verstappen
Verstappen second, Russell third as Piastri finishes ninth Lewis Hamilton 10th in Melbourne on Ferrari debut If he is to make a tilt at this season’s Formula One world championship, Lando ...The Guardian - 18m -
‘The Palestinian exception’: Trump limits campus free speech with the complicity of Zionist Jews | Jeff Melnick and Jessie Lee Rubin
The promotion of Israel’s national narrative remains exempt from Trump’s wholesale attack on DEI. On 7 March, the Trump administration announced that it had cancelled $400m in federal grants and ...The Guardian - 21m -
Mahmoud Khalil’s case is setting up an epic first amendment battle with Trump
Trump administration’s interpretation of immigration law paves way for high-stakes legal clash after activist’s arrest. The Trump administration is relying on an obscure provision of immigration ...The Guardian - 21m -
At least 50 killed and more than 100 injured in nightclub fire in Kočani, North Macedonia – Europe live
Blaze reportedly broke out in the early hours at Pulse club in town 60 miles from Skopje. Videos circulating on social media show chaotic scenes inside the Pulse nightclub, with young people ...The Guardian - 24m -
Peruvian fisher rescued after three months stranded at sea
Maximo Napa says he survived by eating cockroaches, birds and a turtle – and thinking about his mother. A Peruvian fisher was found alive after drifting at sea for 94 days, a navy official said on ...The Guardian - 24m