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Evan George

@evanlgeorge.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.3K following 1.1K posts

Writer, editor, strategist on climate policy & environmental law. Communications Director at the UCLA Emmett Institute. I write The Drain column, a weekly roundup of climate and environmental news.

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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 1h
I’m glad to have just finished this fantastic whodunnit by @amywestervelt.bsky.social about our polluted information ecosystem — and how to restore it! — days before the Supreme Court hears Suncor & Exxon’s attempt to short-circuit state court cases about the public harms of Big Oil’s false claims.
A copy of the book “Brought to You By” held by a window in front of houseplants.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
If you're catching up on what to expect at the Supreme Court on Monday, in terms of the arguments, the players and background legal context, there's no better guide than this. legal-planet.org/2026/09/08/l...
legal-planet.org
The Legal Planet Guide to Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County - Legal Planet
UCLA Law experts explain everything you need to know about Suncor v. Boulder as the climate case heads to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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UCLA Emmett Institute @uclalawemmett.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
After a suspenseful few weeks, we’re excited to see that Gov. Newsom signed into law two key bills (SB 1359 and AB 2313) that will help reduce costly gas bills and help households transition to a cleaner energy future. legal-planet.org/2026/10/01/t...
legal-planet.org
Three Cheers for Two Clean Energy Victories for California - Legal Planet
After a suspenseful few weeks, we’re excited to see that yesterday, Governor Newsom signed into law two key bills that will help reduce costly gas bills and help households transition to a cleaner ene...
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I’ve been thinking about climate action all week thanks to a powerful presentation by @katharinehayhoe.com at UCLA about how facts and fear are not enough to mobilize. Time to talk climate - and to hit the phones w/ @environmentalvoter.bsky.social. legal-planet.org/2026/10/01/g...
legal-planet.org
Get Out the (Green) Vote - Legal Planet
Paying people for their vote in the midterms was one of those bizarre ideas that Trump floated and even some Republicans dismissed. But there is actually an incentivized Get Out the Vote effort happen...
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CalMatters @calmatters.org · 01/10/2026
Californians watching Wednesday night’s gubernatorial debate would be forgiven for thinking the candidates for governor are President Donald Trump and the Democratic Party. cal.news/3TiZRfY 📸 Grace Widyatmadja
From left, gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton, during CNN’s California Gubernatorial Debate at CNN’s studio in Burbank on Sept. 30, 2026. The debate was moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Photo by Grace Widyatmadja, CNN
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are about to face off in their ONLY scheduled debate before Californians vote. Why just one? And why on CNN?
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Danny Cullenward @ghgpolicy.org · 01/10/2026
Can anyone explain to me why a national permitting deal is best negotiated now, mere weeks from an election that is likely to reshape federal power? Let’s stipulate that a deal of some kind is necessary and good; my question is what about the situation makes now more desirable than, say, Q1 2027?
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
BAAJA Fresh!
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UCLA Emmett Institute @uclalawemmett.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
UCLA’s STOP Methane Project publishes reports and user-friendly rankings of top methane emitters in various sectors thanks to the satellite data of Carbon Mapper. Our ability to do this work is about to get a rocket boost. Literally. 🚀🛰️ stopmethane.substack.com/p/new-era-of...
stopmethane.substack.com
New Era of Methane Data Launches This Week
Here’s how to watch the scheduled Oct. 1 launch of the Tanager-2 satellite, which will provide “double the data.”
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Good example of lousy journalism. Like anyone else covered by such a rule, these board members would have no reason to replace their old water heater until it breaks, which is when the rule would eventually kick in. I understand the instinct for accountability reporting but this ain’t it.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Who cares about affordability and gas prices? Not Trump's Department of Transportation. Ann Carlson on the new CAFE standards...
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I appreciate LA Mayor candidate @nithyaforthecity.bsky.social taking part in an informal Q&A for Westside voters concerned with climate, environment, EJ and parks equity ahead of the Nov. 3 election. She didn’t duck questions or make a fundraising pitch, just good discussion about Day 1 priorities.
Three people, including a candidate for LA mayor, sitting on stools with books and a guitar behind them, in a house gathering to talk about the mayor’s race.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Well, humans still outnumber dogs in our home, but they’re gaining on us! We just adopted this sweet potato named Pepper. She’s a 4-yr-old Staffy who barks like a seal (when she barks at all) and has already become the peacemaker in our family of 5, including these two very good dogs.
Two very good dogs sitting on a sidewalk with leashes onOne very good dog resting on the couch
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Oh no biggie, just the second largest electric transit bus purchase in the nation! Wow earthjustice.org/press/2026/l...
earthjustice.org
LA Metro Approves Purchase of 220 Non-Polluting Electric Buses
Landmark investment is second largest electric transit bus purchase in the nation
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Thank you everyone who shared news from NYCW. I stayed home and read books including “The Carbon Wave” by @leahstokes.bsky.social, which is a fantastic page-turner, insider tell-all, legislative history, memoir and blueprint for climate policymakers next time around! legal-planet.org/2026/09/24/i...
legal-planet.org
I Skipped NY Climate Week and Read These Books Instead - Legal Planet
Go read "The Carbon Wave" by Leah Stokes. The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
#7 on our recent Top 10 list of super-emitters was a mystery. Our process for spatial matching failed to ID a specific well or pipeline, so went hunting. This story shows why it can be hard to ID operators - and the potential value of added transparency. stopmethane.substack.com/p/mystery-so...
stopmethane.substack.com
“Mystery Solved!” How Satellite Data Helped Identify a Methane Gas Leak in Kentucky
We have an update to our “Methane Made in America” report that involves an intrepid professor, a public records act request, and a delay waiting for an off-road vehicle.
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UCLA Emmett Institute @uclalawemmett.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
WATCH: Our Prof. Alejandro Camacho @alejandrocamacho.bsky.social joined @emdashsanders.bsky.social @coveringclimatenow.org and @pointsourcenews.org for this helpful briefing on the climate case Suncor v. Boulder heading to SCOTUS in a couple weeks. coveringclimatenow.org/event/suncor...
coveringclimatenow.org
Suncor v. Boulder: The Climate Showdown at the Supreme Court — Covering Climate Now
 The first case the US Supreme Court will hear this fall term is a blockbuster climate lawsuit — one of dozens brought by state and local governments that argue oil companies deceived the public abou...
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UCLA Emmett Institute @uclalawemmett.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Young women and girls in the Ecuadorian Amazon have fought for years to stop harmful gas flaring in Ecuador. Two law clinics from UCLA just filed a brief in their case, known as the Mecheros case. law.ucla.edu/news/ucla-la... ⬇️
Students, faculty, and plaintiffs stand together in front of a fence where oil and gas operations sit.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Finished this. Great read! Inspiring, infuriating, a little sad, super interesting behind-the-scenes of a most important ongoing policy project. But I switched the soundtrack to John Denver and S.O.B by Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I cleared today to walk the dogs and read “The Carbon Wave” by @leahstokes.bsky.social with Talk Talk’s Spirit of Eden on repeat.
Picture of a colorful book jacket with a sleeping dog in the background
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Legal Planet @legal-planet.org · 17/09/2026
A challenge has already been filed opposing EPA's repeal of rules that limit planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. legal-planet.org/2026/09/17/t...
legal-planet.org
The EPA Power Plant Rule Repeal Don’t Make No Sense  - Legal Planet
The hair-on-fire news this week was from the Environmental Protection Agency. The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
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Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Who could have guessed? The biggest super-emitter of #methane in the US, Energy Transfer, is run by major donor to Trump, who has gutted regulation @uclalawemmett.bsky.social Story by @olliemilman.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
US ‘super-emitters’ of planet heating methane identified by satellite analysis
Energy Transfer, whose CEO is a major Trump donor, named as biggest single methane producer in new rankings
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UCLA Emmett Institute @uclalawemmett.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Some U.S. gas exports come with a BIG methane footprint, which is increasingly clear thanks to satellite data – as are opportunities for mitigation. A new report by UCLA’s STOP Methane Project spotlights 15 of the highest-emitting #methane sources in key oil & gas basins law.ucla.edu/news/methane...
law.ucla.edu
Methane Made in America
The U.S. supply system for liquefied natural gas keeps growing, and so does the ability to observe America’s methane emissions from satellites. This report spotlights fifteen of the highest-emitting m...
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
To quote the Linda Lindas’ great new song “Nothing Left” All you tech and oil men Profit at our lives' expense How much will your money mean? When you got no air to breathe?
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Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Scoop: The EPA is expected to formally rescind carbon pollution standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants as soon as Monday, according to people familiar with the matter. Tag team with @bloomberg.com’s Ari Natter and Jen Dlouhy. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
EPA Poised to Repeal Carbon Standards for Coal, Gas Power Plants
The US Environmental Protection Agency is expected to formally rescind carbon pollution standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants as soon as Monday, according to people familiar with the matter.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Two important affordability bills that frankly haven't gotten much attention now await the gov’s signature. AB 2313 and SB 1359 would build on a growing collection of states’ policies reducing wasteful spending on unnecessary utility infrastructure, write my @uclalawemmett.bsky.social colleagues.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This week on The Drain: Bad news from the UN but good news about methane leaks in Turkmenistan - and great news about environmental media expansions at @canarymedia.com (a @jeffstjohn.bsky.social newsletter!) the Washington Sun, and @grist.org's local news initiative legal-planet.org/2026/09/10/g...
legal-planet.org
Good News from Turkmenistan! Bad News from the UN - Legal Planet
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times — this week, like most weeks. The UN Environment Programme’s new report, “Limiting Overshoot: Navigating exceedance of 1.5°C and pathways toward ret...
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
HUMEWAVE
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I grew up outside D.C. where summer was hot, muggy, and often rainy in the afternoon. I've lived in LA for 26 years this week (!) and every September has been this hot, some humid, but I've never ever felt East Coast humidity like this year, thanks to climate change. www.latimes.com/california/s...
latimes.com
Oppressive humidity strangles Southern California, brings health dangers
Sweltering heat and higher-than-normal humidity is causing dangerous conditions for Southern Californians on Wednesday.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Wondering what the Supreme Court could do on climate liability when it hears Suncor v. Boulder? Here are the 5 most likely outcomes and an assessment of the legal arguments from @alejandrocamacho.bsky.social and Cara Horowitz @legal-planet.org. legal-planet.org/2026/09/08/l...
legal-planet.org
The Legal Planet Guide to Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County - Legal Planet
UCLA Law experts explain everything you need to know about Suncor v. Boulder as the climate case heads to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
It's not often you can pinpoint real, positive change a journalist has caused. But as Turkmeni sources state, @dpcarrington.bsky.social's persistent and probing coverage of this issue has been critical to a change of policy, with massive implications. Big congrats www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
‘Breakthrough’ as Turkmenistan starts fixing ‘mindboggling’ methane mega-leaks
Secretive state begins repairs on ageing facilities after being revealed as worst country for leaks of potent greenhouse gas
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UCLA Emmett Institute @uclalawemmett.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Good news from Turkmenistan! When we released a Top 25 list of super-emitting methane plumes for 2025, the majority of the list consisted of oil and gas sites in Turkmenistan. Now, there's evidence that Turkmenistan has started plugging several leaks. law.ucla.edu/news/spotlig...
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Happy National Park Week — celebrated in true Trump fashion!
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UCLA Emmett Institute @uclalawemmett.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
This bill just passed the Legislature and is headed to Gov. Newsom’s desk.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Good news from Sacramento on electrification, decarbonization and affordability!
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Alejandro Camacho @alejandrocamacho.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This case should be a slam dunk for a local government to just be able to go to court to seek compensation from fossil fuel companies for harm they have caused. Can we trust the Supreme Court to get it right?
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The Trump administration is attacking coastal states’ long-recognized ability to protect their own coastline from the dangers of industrial uses. It's not hyperbole to say that California now finds itself in uncharted waters. What happens next is anyone’s guess. legal-planet.org/2026/08/26/t...
legal-planet.org
The Attack on California’s Coast Puts Us in Uncharted Waters - Legal Planet
California is staring down a rare convergence of threats. The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
RIP to a real one, Dolly Parton. If you haven’t heard Dolly's cover of “After the Gold Rush” with Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris, let it rip. It's one of 500+ songs on my Climate Playlist. open.spotify.com/playlist/4XW...
open.spotify.com
Climate Playlist from The Drain
Playlist · 1265021132 · 519 items · 51 saves
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
My 10-year-old came home from his LAUSD school having spent an hour with no AC and 100-degree temps in his classroom. It got fixed. But as @leahstokes.bsky.social notes, CA’s school electrification program could be on the chopping block during this record heat wave electricnotes.news/p/california...
electricnotes.news
California’s kids deserve better.
Our school electrification program could be on the chopping block during another record heat wave.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Are we learning any lessons from the Eaton and Palisades fires? My colleague Julia Stein writes that the demise of AB 2385 (Petrie-Norris) this month is the latest frustration in the long saga to rebuild more resiliently from the January 2025 LA fires.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
This local news story describes in great detail the problems, losses, and risks of climate change without mentioning climate change. I blame the editor, not the reporter. It's easy & quick to say why Chicago faces more mosquito days, greater health risks from humid heat, and hotter summers.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
It's hot and we're paying more to stay cool in almost all places. In CA, would Xavier Becerra's "power hour" help w/ electric bills? If the idea sounds familiar, that's b/c Clean Power Alliance is already working on a “Power EIGHT Hours” program. It launches in Oct. legal-planet.org/2026/08/18/p...
legal-planet.org
Paying More to Stay Cool, Super El Niño, Solar Politics - Legal Planet
Energy affordability and data center opposition are among the most potent political messages in 2026. The Drain is a roundup of climate news.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Don't Mess with Solar. Renewable energy execs spent $2 M to help unseat conservative Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee over Trump’s vocal support. Ogles is the 3rd Republican this year to lose a race after being targeted by the super PAC. What's it mean for November? legal-planet.org/2026/08/14/d...
legal-planet.org
Don't Mess With Solar - Legal Planet
Congressmember Andy Ogles of Tennessee is a zit on the face of American politics: a white nationalist and Islamophobe who started out as a flunkie for the Koch Brothers and lied about his credentials ...
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UCLA Emmett Institute @uclalawemmett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
A California bill aimed at making progress on clean energy goals is moving forward: AB 2313 has cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee and now heads to the Senate floor. Here's why that's important. ⬇️
A California flag flying above the Sacramento State Capitol
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Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
By popular demand: I just scheduled another livestream for tomorrow (Wed, Aug 12, 2pm PT) to offer an update on what has now become the worst wildfire season on record in some parts of the U.S. West. Also: a weather update re: potential for dry lightning.
youtube.com
A Western U.S. wildfire update amid worst season on record in some places; More dry lightning ahead? - YouTube
The latest in a recurring series of live, virtual, & interactive #weather and #climate-focused "office hours" hosted by Dr. Daniel Swain. 08/12/2026 topic: I...
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
It’s not every year that climate looms large at the Supreme Court, but it will this coming term. Much more on the Suncor case at The Drain. Plus: good news on electrification from Illinois to Colorado; bad news about NOAA’s Arctic Report Card; great media news. legal-planet.org/2026/08/11/c...
legal-planet.org
Climate at SCOTUS, Electrification Victories, Media Moves - Legal Planet
The Supreme Court's first oral argument is a big climate case. The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
News you can use
static.klipy.com
Cigarrillo y cenicero lleno
ALT: Cigarrillo y cenicero lleno
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
There's long been lots of playlists for rainy weather, but unfortunately, we now have them for orange smoke days too. If you're looking for music that will inspire, depress, console and reflect, I've now got 480+ songs on the Drain climate playlist. Here's the ones inspired by wildfires. 🔥🧵
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Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Yes, talking about climate change is a political winner. And @leahstokes.bsky.social has a new newsletter about it called Electric Era, on building an electrified, abundant clean energy future. electricnotes.news/p/yes-democr...
electricnotes.news
Yes, Democrats Should Talk About Climate.
Talking about Climate Change is a Political Winner.
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Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
"Aramco is a supervillain": I wrote about the Saudi Aramco ads plastering the World Cup, and how they're part of Mohammed bin Salman's master plan to make you love Saudi Arabia and stay hooked on its oil — with help from FIFA and Trump: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/world-cup-...
climatecoloredgoggles.com
'Aramco is a supervillain': How the Saudis weaponized soccer
Mohammed bin Salman has a master plan to make you love Saudi Arabia. Trump and FIFA are helping.
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