still nothing

If I hadn't had interesting work I would have refreshed my email every 30 seconds all day. At 2 I checked in, at 3:30 I learned there was no news today, not including the wonderful and exciting news I mention below.

All around the world governments subsidize the cost of energy, sending warped market signals that encourage more consumption than there would otherwise be. Even in the US we subsidize fossil fuel. I once wrote a column about the state of Pennsylvania subsidizing coal to the tune of $3 billion a year through tax breaks at the same time that not every district could pay teachers to teach five days a week, and they shortened the education week to four days. 

It is difficult to get rid of the subsidies. People often riot. One of the strategies recommended to Nigeria for oil subsidies was to wait until prices were low and eliminate subsidies then, when it wouldn't be such a burden to the poor. Early in the pandemic there was a massive reduction in demand and the price of oil plummeted. Nigeria eliminated the subsidy! This is hugely important because it saves government resources for other, more important purposes, like education.  

I knew it! We're watching Broadchurch. I knew "Jocelyn" (Charlotte Rampling) and "Maggie" (Carolyn PIckles) had a thing! (I don't think this is a major plot development, I don't think I've ruined anything for you.)

Deb Haaland has been confirmed as Secretary of the Interior. This is enormous. A Native American will run the branch of government that has done so much to hurt Native Americans for so long. She'll end drilling on government property. She's long defended endangered species. 

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"piss me about" - British, to behave in a stupid way or to treat someone badly
"piss off" - go away
"piss me off" - American, make me angry