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Jerry Greenfield Quits Ben & Jerry’s After 47 Years, Citing Unilever “Silencing” Over Gaza

  Unilever and Ben & Jerry's have clashed since 2021, when the ice cream maker said it would stop sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has resigned after nearly five decades at the iconic ice cream brand, deepening a long-running feud with parent company Unilever over its stance on the Gaza conflict. In an open letter shared by partner Ben Cohen, Greenfield said the company’s independence — enshrined in its 2000 merger agreement with Unilever — had eroded, leaving its social mission “silenced.” The rift traces back to 2021, when Ben & Jerry’s halted sales in Israeli-occupied West Bank settlements, a move Unilever opposed. The dispute escalated as the brand’s social mission board described Israel’s war on Gaza as “genocide,” a rare position for a major U.S. company. Unilever’s ice cream division, Magnum, thanked Greenfield for his contributions but rejected his claims, saying it sought constructive dialogue to preserve the...

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Greek Islands Grapple with Water Scarcity Amid Tourist Boom

 

As the sun-kissed Greek islands gear up for a record-breaking tourist season, they’re facing an unexpected challenge: a severe water crisis. Let’s dive into the details:

  1. Naxos Island’s Dry Reservoir: The largest reservoir on Naxos, a popular Aegean Sea island, has run dry. It’s now home only to turtles navigating its muddy shallows. Downstream, sea water has infiltrated empty irrigation wells, affecting the island’s prized potato crop.

  2. Karpathos and Thasos: On Karpathos, authorities have imposed restrictions on filling swimming pools. Meanwhile, officials in Thasos are seeking a desalination unit to make seawater drinkable. These measures highlight the strain on water supplies across the Greek islands.

  3. Climate Change Impact: Greece, known for its ancient sites and turquoise waters, relies heavily on tourism. However, climate change—manifested through higher temperatures, erratic rainfall, and wildfires—threatens this vital economic sector. Last month, heatwaves claimed the lives of at least six tourists.

  4. Drought and Future Concerns: Most of Greece has seen little or no rain for months. Experts warn that the worst may be yet to come. Andrea Toreti, from the European and global drought observatory, emphasizes the need for prevention and preparedness rather than emergency responses.

  5. Farmers’ Plight: Naxos, with its mountainous terrain and 20,000 residents, faces a stark water shortage. The island’s two reservoirs hold only a third of last year’s water levels. While portable desalination units will provide safe drinking water for houses and hotels, farmers continue to struggle with contaminated wells.

In summary, the Greek islands are caught between the allure of tourism and the harsh reality of water scarcity. Urgent action is needed to safeguard their future.








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