Aisha Abdelhamid is a journalist based in Columbia, SC, USA and Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt.

Sign Spain's Petition: Don't Tax the Sun!

02 Jul 2015  |  PlanetSave  |  English  |  Public Petition

Over 188,000 citizens have signed an online petition against Spain's proposed solar tax, which penalizes grid-connected solar installations using battery storage systems. The tax would significantly increase the payback time for solar-plus-storage owners and impose hefty penalties for infringements. The petition, launched on Avaaz.org, calls for the removal of the tax and the ouster of Minister José Manuel Soria. The petition has gained significant traction, crashing the government internet server multiple times due to the high number of signatures and comments.

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Avaaz.org Ministry of Industry Union Espanola Foltovoltaico (UNEF) Anti-Corruption Prosecutor

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I am a hard working and result-oriented multilingual journalist with six years of experience in European news coverage. Enthusiastic about telling human stories behind politics. Covering the activities of the EU institutions and beyond with a marked focus on migration, climate change, women’s ...

Europe’s ivory laws are broken, say campaigners

10 Jul 2018  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Illegal Trade

Demonstrators in Brussels called for an end to the ivory trade, highlighting a study showing illegal sales in the EU despite a ban. The study, sponsored by a campaign group, found that a significant portion of ivory pieces sold in the EU were obtained after 1947 without proper certification. Campaigners, including Bert Wander from Avaaz, urged for closing legal loopholes and banning the ivory trade to protect elephants. The European Commission is focusing on poaching and ivory trafficking as part of a wildlife action plan, while the European Parliament recently called for a complete ban on domestic ivory trading.

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Avaaz European Commission European Parliament

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Journalist, reporter working for radio, TV, digital media and print magazines. 
Between France, the UK and Africa.
Writer and podcast producer.

Currently with RFI English.

Since 2006, I've worked with France24, AFP, BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, Reuters, Think Africa Press, TV5, Le ...

Young people take European nations to court over climate failures

27 Sept 2023  |  melissa-on-the-road.blogspot.com  |  English  |  Legal Action

Six young Europeans are taking 32 countries to the European Court of Human Rights over climate inaction, marking the largest climate legal action to date. Supported by Youth 4 Climate Justice, Avaaz, and represented by GLAN lawyers, the claimants argue that EU member states' greenhouse gas emissions have severely impacted their lives. The case, driven by experiences of devastating wildfires and heatwaves, seeks a binding ruling to force rapid emissions reductions. A successful outcome would be a historic milestone in climate litigation, compelling countries to address both domestic and overseas contributions to climate change.

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Avaaz European Court of Human Rights Youth 4 Climate Justice Global Legal Action Network (GLAN)

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Clothilde Goujard is a journalist based in Amman, Jordan. 

She was previously a senior tech policy reporter with POLITICO in Brussels, Belgium. 

She has also freelanced in Canada as a video journalist for Agence France-Presse (AFP) and CBC. Her work on Canadian politics, migration and the ...

Critics hit out at social media platforms’ disinformation reports

16 Feb 2023  |  www.politico.eu  |  English  |  European Union

Social media platforms, including Meta, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok, released reports on their efforts to combat disinformation in the EU, as part of the Code of Practice on Disinformation. While the reports mark a step towards transparency, they have been criticized for lacking independent verification and comprehensive data. The European Commission and NGOs have expressed concerns over the platforms' commitment to tackling disinformation, with Twitter facing particular criticism for incomplete reporting. The next set of reports is expected in July, with potential fines under the Digital Services Act for non-compliance.

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Avaaz European Commission Maldita.es Pagella Politica

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I am a multimedia journalist whose work has appeared in The Economist, Foreign Policy, The Atlantic and elsewhere.  Since 2000, I have divided my time between the U.S. and the West Bank, covering a range of political, economic and cultural issues for print, TV and radio.

Before moving back to ...

A Prison Break Liberates the Palestinian Political Imagination

21 Sept 2021  |  Jewish Currents  |  English  |  Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The escape of six Palestinian detainees from Gilboa prison in Israel sparked widespread euphoria and symbolic victory among Palestinians, highlighting the harsh conditions and systemic violence faced by Palestinian prisoners. The recapture of four escapees led to a somber mood and calls for protests. The incident underscored the deep political and social divisions, with rumors of betrayal by Palestinian citizens of Israel. The prison break has galvanized Palestinian political imagination, despite the subsequent crackdown by Israeli authorities, which included solitary confinement and increased security measures. The Palestinian Authority's response has been criticized for its collaboration with Israeli forces, contrasting with the prisoners' resistance.

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Avaaz Israel Prison Service Hamas Islamic Jihad Palestinian Authority Red Cross Addameer Palestinian Liberation Organization

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Samir Jeraj is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom. He works as a Special Projects Writer for the New Statesman and has worked on freelance assignments for the Guardian, BBC News, Channel 4 News, The Metro, Inside Housing and the British Medical Journal. He co-authored The Rent Trap, a ...

Five Muslim eco-activists to follow this Earth Day

21 Apr 2023  |  Hyphen  |  English  |  Environmental Activism

Muslim environmentalists are leading efforts to address the climate crisis, with five notable UK activists making significant contributions. Fatima-Zahra Ibrahim co-founded Green New Deal UK and has been involved in major environmental campaigns. Magid Magid, a former MEP and Lord Mayor of Sheffield, founded the Union of Justice and authored 'The Art of Disruption.' Asad Rehman, director of War on Want, co-founded the COP26 Coalition and Demand Climate Justice. Mya-Rose Craig, known as Bird Girl, founded Black2Nature and authored 'Birdgirl.' Diana Hysenaj, a campaigner and UN Women delegate, has been active in various environmental and social justice campaigns.

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Avaaz Green New Deal UK WeMove.eu People’s Climate March Union of Justice War on Want COP26 Coalition Demand Climate Justice Friends of the Earth Black2Nature UN Women 2 Billion Strong Fair Energy Campaign Warm This Winter ONE UK

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Lindsey Johnstone is a freelance journalist based in Lyon, France.

I am an NCTJ-qualified journalist with 12 years' experience as a news and feature writer and production journalist/sub-editor, in print and online, for national newspapers, websites and magazines – including The Scotsman and ...

European election 2019: What happened this week?

22 May 2019  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Fake News

As the EU heads to the polls, the final days of campaigning have seen significant activity. Fake news promoting far-right views has been rampant, with NGO Avaaz reporting extensive false content on social media. Turnout concerns from previous elections were discussed at the Democracy Alive festival, with candidates highlighting various reasons for voter apathy. Major European cities witnessed protests against nationalist agendas, while a nationalist rally took place in Milan. The article also provides a glimpse into the workings of the European Parliament and a reminder of the voting schedule across different countries.

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Avaaz European Parliament Facebook

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Anthony Langat is a journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya.He specializes in reporting on human rights issues, governance, security and climate change

Tanzania's Masai fight eviction from UNESCO World Heritage Site

05 Oct 2023  |  Devex  |  English  |  Conservation

The Masai people in Tanzania are facing eviction from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to make way for a tourism project led by the UAE-based Otterlo Business Corporation. The eviction, supported by the Tanzanian Parliament, has been met with resistance from the Masai, who consider the land their ancestral home. The Oakland Institute and Avaaz are advocating for the Masai, criticizing UNESCO and wealthy nations for their role in the eviction. The Masai have previously won an injunction against eviction but are now considering taking their case to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

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Avaaz UNESCO Oakland Institute Tanzanian Parliament East Africa Court of Justice African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

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I am a freelance writer based in Bangkok, Thailand.  I specialise in stories about Sustainability, Education, Conservation and the Environment in the region.  Having lived in Thailand for 14 years, I have access to a growing network of people involved in environmental work and sustainable ...

COP26: How to use event to reduce pupil climate anxiety

21 Oct 2021  |  www.tes.com  |  English  |  Mental Health

Ewen Mcleish, a teacher and environmental sustainability coordinator, discusses the importance of educating children about climate change without causing climate anxiety. He highlights the increase in weather-related disasters over the past 50 years and the role of human influence in climate change, as reported by the World Meteorological Organization and the IPCC. Mcleish emphasizes the educator's responsibility to provide a hopeful narrative around climate change, detailing how he and his colleague Susan Whalley planned online lessons for key stage 2 students centered around the COP26 climate conference. The lessons aimed to empower students to understand the science of climate change, the significance of COP26, and how they can make their voices heard through a video message competition. The initiative seeks to foster hope and encourage young people to demand action from adults.

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Avaaz World Meteorological Organization Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) University of Bath BBC's Newsround Trust for Sustainable Living Conservation Without Borders

Olga Mecking is a writer, journalist, and translator. Originally from Poland, Olga lived in Germany and is now based in The Netherlands. Olga's interests include:

#DontCallMeMurzyn: Black Women in Poland Are Powering the Campaign Against a Racial Slur

30 Jul 2020  |  TIME Stamped  |  English  |  Activism

In Poland, a movement led by Black women is challenging the use of the racial slur 'Murzyn' through the #DontCallMeMurzyn campaign. This initiative, inspired by global anti-racism movements, seeks to address racial discrimination in a predominantly white country. Activists, including Arinze Nwolisa and his wife Lidia, emphasize the offensive nature of the term and advocate for its removal from common usage. The campaign has gained traction through social media and petitions, despite the challenges posed by Poland's right-wing government. The movement underscores the need for solidarity and understanding in a nation with a history of suffering and resilience.

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AVAAZ Porta Foundation PWN (Polish Scientific Publishers)

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Natalia is a Bolivian journalist based in Lyon, France. She has worked in countries such as Bolivia, El Salvador and France and reported for international media outlets such as Euronews.

Spain's election and the battle for control of social media

26 Apr 2019  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Politics

Social media has become a crucial tool for political parties in Spain's general election campaign, with platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger playing significant roles. The far-right Vox party has the largest following on Instagram, while the left-wing Podemos is most influential on Facebook and Twitter. Social media strategies vary, with Podemos leveraging early adoption and Vox focusing on visual content to engage younger audiences. Despite social media popularity, polls indicate the PSOE is likely to secure a majority. Facebook recently removed far-right networks spreading disinformation, highlighting the platform's role in maintaining election integrity.

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Avaaz Vox Podemos Ciudadanos PSOE People's Party (PP) Facebook

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I am a full time Senior Reporter with The Star newspaper in Nairobi-Kenya, on part-time serving International News Service as a correspondent covering Somalia based in Nairobi. At INS cover speciality business-to-business publications covering sectors – such as the automotive, extractive industry ...

2,000 in Kenya sign petition on justice for killed lion Mohawk

31 Mar 2016  |  The Star  |  English  |  Public Outcry

Mohawk, a dominant male lion from Nairobi National Park, was killed by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers after straying into the Isinya plains and injuring a man. The incident has sparked outrage among Kenyans and international wildlife advocates, leading to a petition on Avaaz demanding accountability from KWS. The petition criticizes the KWS for not using tranquilizers and highlights the threats to conservation areas from government-sanctioned development projects. Wildlife photographer Paras Chandaria and others have expressed grief and frustration over the handling of the situation. KWS defended the shooting as necessary to prevent further injuries, but this has been contested by conservationists. Mohawk's death is seen as a significant loss to the park's lion population and breeding trends.

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Avaaz Born Free Foundation Kenya Wildlife Conservation and Management Department Kenya Forest Service

Alice Rowsome is a BAFTA-nominated filmmaker and journalist. 

Her work has been commissioned by National Geographic, The Guardian, Broadly, VICE Impact, The Independent, Refugees Deeply and other publications. Focusing on forced migration, climate change and women's rights, she has reported from ...

As Jailed Activists Go on Trial in Turkey, Here’s How One Group is Fighting Back

05 Oct 2023  |  www.vice.com  |  English  |  Political Repression

Avaaz campaigner Özlem Dalkıran and nine other human rights defenders were detained during a workshop in Istanbul and are facing up to 15 years in prison on charges of aiding a terrorist organization. The indictment by the Turkish Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is criticized as unclear and legally weak. Avaaz, along with Amnesty and other organizations, is leading a global campaign to secure their release, emphasizing the negative impact of Turkey's policies on its citizens and international relations. Avaaz encourages global support through petitions and diplomatic pressure.

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Avaaz Turkish Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Amnesty

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Anchal Vohra is a Beirut-based TV and Print journalist. She is a freelance Correspondent for AJ English and a writer on the Middle east for Foreign Policy. She also contributes to the Times, the Atlantic, the Telegraph, the New Statesman, and Berlin Policy Journal. Ms Vohra has been Deutsche Welle ...

Israel’s Hostage Deal Means Truce, Not Cease-Fire

22 Nov 2023  |  Foreign Policy  |  English  |  International Relations

The deal between Israel and Hamas involves a four-day pause in fighting to release 50 hostages in exchange for over 150 Palestinian prisoners. The agreement, brokered with Qatar's help, allows for potential extensions if more hostages are released. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's office confirmed Red Cross access to remaining hostages, but uncertainty persists about their fate and Gaza's future. Domestic and international pressures are mounting for a cease-fire, but Israel remains focused on eliminating Hamas. Public opinion in Israel is divided, with significant support for continued military action. The EU and other Western powers have not consistently pushed for a cease-fire, emphasizing humanitarian pauses instead.

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Avaaz Israeli Government Hamas Islamic Jihad Red Cross Qatar’s Foreign Ministry Israel Defense Forces Israel Democracy Institute Scottish Parliament European Union

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