News 13:00

BULLETIN 8 February 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government reacts to the USA’s Executive Order
# Ramaphosa attends the SADC-EAC Summit on DRC security
# And Greece declares a state of emergency on Santorini after earthquakes

# The government of South Africa has reacted to the latest executive order issued by American president Donald Trump. The spokesperson for the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Chrispin Phiri, says it is of great concern that the foundational premise of this order lacks factual accuracy and fails to recognise South Africa’s profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid:

Earlier the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA warned that president Donald Trump’s funding pause over the Expropriation Act could strain trade ties, including AGOA benefits. Speaking to eNCA, SACCUSA president Niel Diamond highlighted that South Africa exported goods worth 123-billion-rand to the US in 2024, supporting key industries and jobs. He urges resilience and stable relations as South Africa hosts the G20:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, this morning for the SADC-East Africa Community heads of State Summit on the Democratic Republic of Congo conflict. Leaders are addressing security and humanitarian issues following extraordinary summits last month. The Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the summit focuses on ceasefire efforts, dialogue, and coordinated peace processes like the Luanda Process. Ramaphosa is joined by Ministers Ronald Lamola, Angie Motshekga, and senior officials to strengthen regional cooperation for stability in Eastern DRC.

# Greece’s authorities have declared a state of emergency on Santorini after a series of earthquakes shook the popular tourist destination. More than ten-thousand residents and workers fled the island this week as near-constant tremors and undersea earthquakes have been recorded between Santorini and the islands of Amorgos, Anafi and Ios. Authorities warned of a high landslide risk, and have shut schools, dispatched rescuers, and advised residents to avoid ports and indoor gatherings. The state of emergency is set to be in place until 3 March.

# And tennis: Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz hurtled into the Rotterdam Open semifinals on Friday with a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win over compatriot Pedro Martinez. The world number three, bidding to become the first Spaniard to triumph in Rotterdam, will next face Hubert Hurkacz from Poland. Earlier Friday, Stefanos Tsitsipas became the latest victim of an extraordinary run by Mattia Bellucci, as the Italian qualifier marched into the semifinals with a 6-4, 6-2 upset. Awaiting Bellucci in the semifinal is last year’s runner-up, the Australian Alex de Minaur.

Stay tuned for more news………….