Tories propose to reduce the UK's energy efficiency standards for new buildings.

Why would they do this? To serve business, or course — but which and how? I suppose builders would spend less and profit more, but I am surprised that the increased profit would pay for the sort of lobbying needed to win this.

Poland enters a constitutional crisis as the Supreme Court rejects the legislature's attempt to punish judges at will.

New York City now requires retail businesses to accept cash.

It is true that rejecting cash discriminates against poor people who don’t have a bank account or a credit card. If you are not poor, that problem may not affect you — but your privacy is not safe.

Egypt's vicious military rulers jail people for the slightest criticism, and try to silence exiles by taking their relatives hostage.

That regime has the full support of the US government.

I would not feel safe visiting Egypt; I urge everyone to stay away.

*Millionaires like me should pay more taxes. Giving to charity is a fig leaf.*