The refusal to compromise, rapidly becoming a point of honour for both parties, is wreaking damage elsewhere, partially shutting down the Federal Aviation Administration (see article) and postponing trade bills.

ECONOMIST: America's economy

But at least it has now become as much a point of honour in Salzburg to show that one is not a stick-in-the-mud, as it used to be a mark of prestige to get hold of a first-night ticket at all.

ECONOMIST: What to wear for Salzburg

Former Labour minister Lord Bach said the government had failed to honour an earlier commitment by former Lord Chancellor Kenneth Clarke to allow support in "point of law" cases at the first-tier tribunal level - the first stage of the tribunal process.

BBC: Legal aid: Government defeated in Lords