Exxon Scores Huge Profits as Gas Prices Rise
Gas prices are up, and so are Big Oil's profit margins. Oil giant ExxonMobil posted a $10.65 billion first-quarter profit margin today, according to The Hill. Exxon's profit margin is 69 percent higher than in the first quarter last year. Other oil companies like Shell have seen higher profits due to high gas prices and higher refining margins. The high profit margins did not go unnoticed by President Obama, who made public statements urging the industry to invest in sustainable energy.
Media Will See Manning's New Cell
The Army will allow the media to tour the military prison in Kansas where Pfc. Bradley Manning was transferred last week amidst allegations that he was being mistreated at Quantico, according to The Advocate. Manning is accused of leaking classified military documents to WikiLeaks and is facing nearly two dozen charges. An army spokesperson said the media would be able to view the conditions Manning will be living in. The conditions of Manning's prior solitary confinement outraged his family, supporters and human rights activists.
Half of Americans Breathing Polluted Air
About half of the American population lives in areas where the air is so polluted with smog and particles that it is sometimes dangerous to breathe, according to the Environment News Service. In its annual report on air pollution and human health, the American Lung Association admitted that the United States had made some progress in reducing air pollution, but 154.5 million Americans are still inhaling dangerous amounts of pollution. The society issued a warning aimed at legislators seeking to weaken the Clean Air Act.
FEMA Deploys in South; Severe Weather Still a Threat
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is deploying in Alabama and other southern states and is working closely with state and local officials to provide relief to areas hit by tornadoes and severe storms, according to a White House press release. FEMA is urging residents of Alabama and other southern states to stay tuned to weather radio and follow instructions issued by officials as severe weather could continue in the region.
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
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In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
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