As Zimbabwe prepares to host the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on August 17, 2024, in Harare, human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are calling on authorities to halt their ongoing crackdown on opposition and civil society members. They demand the immediate and unconditional release of individuals arrested for exercising their rights. The groups emphasize the need for a thorough and effective investigation into allegations of torture and mistreatment of detainees, insisting that any suspected perpetrators be held accountable through fair legal proceedings. With the SADC leadership soon transitioning to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, there is a pressing need for the regional body to take a firm stand against these human rights violations. Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, highlighted the severity of the situation: “Since mid-June, Zimbabwean authorities have conducted a massive crackdown on dissent. Over 160 individuals have been arrested, including elected officials, opposition members, union leaders, students, and journalists.” He emphasized that authorities must cease these violations and release all detainees immediately. The crackdown began on June 16 when police raided the home of Jameson Timba, leader of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), during a private gathering, leading to the arrest of 78 individuals. Security forces employed tear gas and batons, resulting in serious injuries to attendees, one requiring surgery. The detained were charged with "gathering with intent to promote public violence and disorderly conduct," and held unlawfully for over two days without being brought …

Zimbabwe Must End Crackdown on Opposition Ahead of SADC Summit, Urge Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch

USA (Washington Insider Magazine) - ZerviZ has appointed Diana Forero as its Marketing Director, strengthening its commitment to female leadership and professional growth. As she leads ZerviZ's entry into the competitive US market, Forero adds a lot of experience to her new position and strengthens ZerviZ's position as a pioneer in technology solutions that improve customer experiences. Expertise and Experience According to Revistaeconomia, with a background in marketing strategy spanning both the B2C and B2B sectors, Forero is adept at leveraging data-driven insights to help business grow. Her track record includes leadership positions in marketing teams of pioneer national and multinational companies. Additionally, Forero plays an active role in the marketing landscape as a member of the DEC Chile Association, contributing to the strategic management of customer and employee experiences. Expansion into North America For Forero, the opportunity to lead ZerviZ's foray into the US market represents a significant milestone. She acknowledges the inherent challenges of entering such a competitive arena but expresses confidence in the capabilities of her team. Embracing the "Mind in Chile" ethos, Forero aims to showcase the innovative spirit emanating from Chile while replicating the success achieved in Latin America on an international scale. Strategic Vision In her new role, Forero is focused on implementing new strategies and fortifying the marketing infrastructure to support the company's rapid growth. Central to her mission is fostering internal synergy to drive both organizational development and market positioning. She emphasizes the importance of humanizing the ZerviZ brand, delivering personalized technological …

ZerviZ Welcomes Diana Forero as Marketing Director

Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has delivered one of his most sobering warnings yet: Ukraine has a “low chance to survive” Russia’s aggression without the continued support of the United States. Speaking in an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Zelenskyy underscored the vital role the US plays in Ukraine’s defense and future security. The statement comes amid a dramatic shift in American diplomacy, as President Donald Trump initiated separate phone calls with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin—the first such conversations since Trump took office. "Very Difficult" Without US Help “Probably it will be very, very, very difficult. And of course, in all the difficult situations, you have a chance. But we will have a low chance—a low chance to survive without support of the United States,” Zelenskyy told NBC. The excerpt, released ahead of the full Sunday broadcast, highlights Ukraine’s growing concern over a potential pivot in Washington’s stance, especially as Trump adopts a more assertive role in seeking a negotiated end to the war. Trump’s Diplomatic Debut: Separate Calls with Putin and Zelenskyy On Wednesday, President Trump spoke to both Putin and Zelenskyy in what he described as a major step toward ending the war in Ukraine. The call with Putin reportedly lasted around 90 minutes, while Zelenskyy’s team confirmed their discussion ran for about an hour. Trump later characterized both conversations as positive. However, his follow-up remarks stirred unease in Kyiv: Trump dismissed the practicality of Ukraine joining NATO and cast doubt on whether Ukraine …

Ukraine As the war in Ukraine grinds into its third year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning: Europe alone cannot guarantee Ukraine’s security without the United States. In a candid interview with The Guardian ahead of the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy outlined his concerns about US disengagement—particularly under Donald Trump—and unveiled a strategic pitch to keep American support alive. The American Pillar of Security “There are voices that say that Europe could offer security guarantees without the Americans, and I always say no,” Zelenskyy stated. “Security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees.” Zelenskyy’s message is clear: Europe cannot fill the gap if the US pulls back its military, economic, and political support. His comments come as the Biden era gives way to a new Trump presidency, which many in Kyiv fear may signal a drastic shift in foreign policy—potentially one more favorable to Russia. Appealing to Trump’s Business Mindset In an effort to bring Trump and his allies onside, Zelenskyy is offering lucrative incentives to US firms: contracts for post-war reconstruction and investment access to Ukraine’s rich natural resources, particularly rare earth minerals, uranium, and titanium. These proposals aim to present Ukraine not just as a security ally but also as a valuable economic partner. “Those who are helping us to save Ukraine will [have the chance to] renovate it, with their businesses together with Ukrainian businesses,” Zelenskyy explained, signaling that Ukraine is ready to open up sectors for American investment—especially in critical materials that …

WASHINGTON ― Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a last-minute trip to Washington on Tuesday to advocate for additional air defense support amid ongoing challenges in Congress. The fate of a $61 billion supplemental package, crucial for unlocking this assistance, remains uncertain as partisan gridlock continues. During a press conference, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of achieving air superiority against Russia, stating, “Who controls the skies controls the war’s duration.” He highlighted the need for advanced air defense systems to enhance Ukraine's ground offensive in 2024 and discussed strategies with U.S. defense industry leaders to expedite defense production. Zelenskyy's visit came as he returned from the inauguration of Argentinean President Javier Milei, aiming to sway increasingly skeptical Republican lawmakers regarding further aid for Ukraine. While he addressed the full Senate and engaged with House Democrats, his attempt to meet with the entire House was hindered by House Speaker Mike Johnson's scheduling decisions. Zelenskyy described his discussion with Johnson as “positive,” yet he acknowledged the need for concrete results. As the end of the year approaches, it appears increasingly unlikely that Congress will pass the Ukraine aid package. Johnson plans to recess the House for the holidays, despite Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s appeals to remain in session to expedite the defense spending request, which includes funds for Ukraine, Israel, and other priorities. Although bipartisan support for Ukraine aid exists, some House Republicans, previously in favor of military assistance, now express skepticism after the U.S. allocated over $113 billion last year. Johnson has …

Zelenskyy Urges U.S. Congress for Air Defense Support Amid Partisan Gridlock

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