Seawater Desalination in Agadir: A Beacon of Hope for Morocco’s Water Crisis

Amidst global water scarcity and the challenges posed by climate change, Morocco is turning to innovative solutions to secure water supplies for its population. A prominent example is the coastal city of Agadir, which is breaking new ground with one of the world’s most advanced seawater desalination plants. While the high energy demands of desalination […]

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Billionaire Tax Proposal: Leading Nations Write History to End Hunger and Defy Injustice

For the first time, the world’s richest countries are taking steps to tax billionaires globally. Economist Gabriel Zucman has introduced a simple yet powerful idea: a 2% tax on billionaire wealth. This tax could raise $250 billion every year. To put it simply, just $23 billion of that money could end hunger worldwide. The G20 […]

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Billionaire Tax Proposal: Leading Nations Write History to End Hunger and Defy Injustice

For the first time, the world’s richest countries are taking steps to tax billionaires globally. Economist Gabriel Zucman has introduced a simple yet powerful idea: a 2% tax on billionaire wealth. This tax could raise $250 billion every year. To put it simply, just $23 billion of that money could end hunger worldwide. The G20 nations have now agreed to work together on this historic plan. It marks a major step toward creating a fairer global tax system.
Imagine a world without hunger. According to Oxfam, $23 billion (USD) a year would be enough to eliminate hunger and malnutrition. That’s less than 10% of what a global billionaire tax could raise annually.
But the potential goes far beyond feeding the hungry. The extra funds could transform education systems, build hospitals in underserved areas, and fund vital research on climate change. Some of the money could also support startups tackling social and environmental challenges.
How a Small Tax Could Change the World
The plan is straightforward. Around 3,000 billionaires worldwide would pay a minimum of 2% of their wealth in taxes each year. Those who already pay equivalent income taxes would not be affected.
Right now, billionaires often pay just 0.5% of their wealth in taxes. Under this new proposal, their contributions would finally reflect their immense resources. Experts estimate that this change could raise $250 billion annually.
To put it into perspective: Jeff Bezos, with a net worth of over $205 billion, and Mark Zuckerberg, worth $167 billion, would both contribute substantial amounts.
From Decades of Talks to Real Progress
After more than 10 years of discussions, G20 nations have finally begun to act. Last year, they reached a historic agreement on global corporate taxes. Now, they are turning their attention to taxing the world’s wealthiest individuals.
In June 2024, Zucman presented his plan to the G20 under Brazil’s leadership. His report (“A blueprint for a coordinated minimum effective taxation standard for ultra-high-net-worth individuals“) outlined how the tax could work on a global scale, ensuring fairness and effectiveness.
G20 Leaders Commit to Change
Countries like France, Spain, Colombia, and members of the African Union have expressed strong support for the plan. At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, finance ministers pledged to collaborate on taxing billionaires more effectively.
Brazil, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has made tackling inequality a top priority. This agreement is an important first step toward making the billionaire tax a reality.
Is the World Ready for a Billionaire Tax?
Many experts and activists see this as a turning point. NGOs have also welcomed this step by the G20. Martin Kaiser, Executive Director of Greenpeace Germany, stated:

“The G20 are not letting the world’s billionaires off the hook for their responsibility in climate destruction. The development of a billionaire tax will continue. That alone is good news for greater fairness. It cannot be that the excessive lifestyles of just a few thousand billionaires around the world are massively fueling the climate crisis, which threatens us all.”

However, not all countries are on board. Major economies like the U.S., India, and China have reservations. For now, each nation decides how to tax its billionaires.
Meanwhile, the UN has approved a new global tax agreement aimed at preventing tax evasion by the world’s ultra-rich. Advocacy groups have called this move the most significant tax policy shift in decades.
This work is licensed under the Creative Common License. It can be republished for free, either translated or in the original language. In both cases, please cite Kontrast / Jasmin Mahmoud as the original source/author and set a link to this article on TheBetter.news. https://thebetter.news/portugal-drug-policy/ The rights to the content remain with the original publisher. Läs mer…

Saving Lives, Changing Minds: How Portugal is Winning the War on Drugs

Portugal has taken a bold step in its way out of the drug crisis, addressing drug use by choosing to focus on health and support instead of punishment—and the results are remarkable. Since decriminalizing drug possession in 2001, drug-related deaths have dropped sharply, HIV infections have declined, and more people are accessing support services. Portugal’s […]

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Saving Lives, Changing Minds: How Portugal is Winning the War on Drugs

Portugal has taken a bold step in its way out of the drug crisis, addressing drug use by choosing to focus on health and support instead of punishment—and the results are remarkable. Since decriminalizing drug possession in 2001, drug-related deaths have dropped sharply, HIV infections have declined, and more people are accessing support services. Portugal’s approach is inspiring a global conversation about rethinking the war on drugs, shifting focus to prioritize public health over criminalization.
A New Approach: Help Instead of Punishment
Portugal’s drug policy shifts the focus from punishment to rehabilitation. Being caught with small amounts of drugs for personal use no longer leads to arrest or imprisonment. Instead, individuals are referred to “Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction.” These teams—composed of psychologists, social workers, and legal experts—assess the individual’s situation.
Their aim is to understand why the person uses drugs and what kind of support they need, whether that’s counseling, treatment, or social services. This innovative approach treats drug use as a health issue rather than a crime, breaking down barriers that often prevent people from seeking help.
Real Results: Fewer Deaths, Better Health
The impact of this shift has been profound. Drug-related deaths in Portugal are now among the lowest in Europe. Before decriminalization, the country faced a public health crisis, with hundreds of deaths and rising HIV rates among drug users.
Today, these numbers have dropped significantly. Portugal’s harm reduction programs, such as the distribution of clean needles and access to voluntary therapy, have played a key role in these improvements. These services reduce the risk of infections like HIV and hepatitis while encouraging people to seek help without fear of legal consequences.
Portugal’s way out of the drug crisis: Building Trust and Preventing Harm
Another critical component of Portugal’s strategy is the establishment of drug consumption rooms. These spaces allow individuals to use drugs under medical supervision, preventing overdoses and ensuring immediate medical assistance when needed. They also provide clean equipment to reduce the spread of infectious diseases and serve as entry points for people to connect with healthcare services. For many, these safe spaces are the first step toward recovery.
Problematic Drug Use and Social Factors
One of the most striking outcomes of Portugal’s policy is the decline in “problematic” drug use—defined as frequent and high-risk use. This has decreased significantly, particularly among young people. Experts attribute this to a combination of decriminalization, education, and accessible support services that are designed to tackle not just the symptoms of drug use but also the root causes.
Portugal’s strategy goes further by addressing the social and economic factors that contribute to addiction. Programs focus on reintegrating individuals into society, offering job training, housing assistance, and social support. By addressing these root causes of addiction, Portugal aims to break the cycle of addiction and improve overall well-being.
A Model for the World?
Portugal’s success is an example of how compassionate, health-focused policies can address drug issues more effectively than punishment. The combination of decriminalization, harm reduction services, and efforts to tackle underlying social issues provides a comprehensive model for sustainable change.
This approach has inspired discussions in countries worldwide. For instance, nations like Canada and Switzerland have implemented similar harm reduction measures, although on a smaller scale. Yet many countries remain hesitant, clinging to punitive measures despite mounting evidence that they are less effective.
This work is licensed under the Creative Common License. It can be republished for free, either translated or in the original language. In both cases, please cite Kontrast / Sophie Wenkel as the original source/author and set a link to this article on TheBetter.news. https://thebetter.news/portugal-drug-policy/

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Unbreakable: Duralex Glass Heritage Saved by Its Workforce

They complement every French bistro like a petit café after a meal: Glasses from Duralex have cult status in France and are very popular internationally. Nevertheless, after several difficult years, the French glass manufacturer was on the verge of collapse. High energy prices and declining sales pushed the company to the brink of insolvency. After […]

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Unbreakable: Duralex Glass Heritage Saved by Its Workforce

They complement every French bistro like a petit café after a meal: Glasses from Duralex have cult status in France and are very popular internationally. Nevertheless, after several difficult years, the French glass manufacturer was on the verge of collapse. High energy prices and declining sales pushed the company to the brink of insolvency. After multiple takeovers and bankruptcy proceedings, the workforce took charge of Duralex by founding a cooperative, preserving all jobs—and securing the company’s future.
Hailed by the New York Times as one of the best drinking glasses in the world, Duralex products are enjoying great popularity worldwide. Indiana Jones used them to drink his whiskey and James Bond managed to catch a scorpion with a Duralex glass after emptying it.
But the story of these iconic tumblers with the round belly begins much earlier in the heart of France. In 1945, Duralex was founded in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, a suburb of Orléans. Since then, glasses have been manufactured here using a special, patented process and sold all over the world.
Iconic Glasses Made in France
Few drinking glasses can claim to be as sturdy and iconic as this one. In France, there is hardly any person who has not drunk out of a Duralex glass at some point. Even in school, children learn about the properties of these glasses, which can be dropped and yet will not break. For many, Duralex glasses are not only functional, but also part of their collective memory. The number in the glass bottom, an indication of the production mold, became a game for generations of schoolchildren: whoever had the highest number had to fetch the water for the others.
Long-Standing Company Under Pressure
However, the resilience of its glasses cannot be deduced from the economic resilience of the company. Duralex is not the only long-standing company that has come under economic pressure in recent years. Increasing competition from low-wage countries and high energy costs made domestic manufacturing more and more difficult. In particular, the energy-intensive process of glass tempering, in which the glass is first heated to a high temperature and then cooled rapidly, became increasingly expensive. The company was only incurring losses.
Ultimately, the pandemic dealt Duralex the final blow. Insolvency seemed inevitable. After several changes of direction and insolvency proceedings, the company even suspended production for a short time.
Two companies submitted takeover offers. Both included plans for massive job cuts. The case was taken to court in Orléans.
Duralex Employees Set Up a Cooperative and Secure All Jobs
After tough negotiations, the court in Orleans ruled in July 2024 to accept the employees’ plan to found a cooperative. The workforce saved all jobs by uniting more than half of its members to take control over the future of the iconic glasses and invest in their own company. In a statement, the newly founded cooperative said:
‘We are taking our destiny into our own hands and are determined to advance our company, an icon of French industry, in an ambitious transformation project.’
There was support from politicians and authorities. The cooperative received around €10 million to purchase the production site and preserve jobs in the factory and at suppliers.
But more power brings greater responsibility. The employees are now involved in all decisions in a board of directors. They elected the former plant manager, François Marciano, as director. He is supposed to help them get the company back on track. The first step is to convince the rest of the workforce and then the whole world of the new business model.
Raising a Glass to Duralex’s Cooperative Future
The aim is to reduce the high production costs by investing in renewable energies and to make Duralex profitable again by developing new products. To do this, the company needs to modernise its machinery and structures. It wants to build up rather than down. Duralex plans to set up more departments to make sales and marketing more professional.
The renewed attention Duralex is receiving has already boosted demand for its iconic glasses. The cooperative aims to restore profitability within the next five years.
This work is licensed under the Creative Common License. It can be republished for free, either translated or in the original language. In both cases, please cite Kontrast / Justus Hartmann as the original source/author and set a link to this article on TheBetter.news. https://thebetter.news/duralex-cooperative/

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Breaking Barriers: A Landmark Decision for Transgender Rights in the EU

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has issued a historic EU transgender rights ruling. It requires all EU member states to recognize legal gender and name changes made in other EU countries. This is a major step forward for transgender rights in Europe. The ruling ensures fair treatment for individuals who have legally changed their […]

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