News 11:00

BULLETIN 24 December 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A Debt Rescue survey shows a decline in Christmas spending
# Disaster management teams are on alert as disruptive rains are expected across KwaZulu-Natal
# And former US president Bill Clinton is in hospital

# The latest Debt Rescue survey on financial distress has revealed that many South African households may not be able to enjoy the festive season. The year has been challenging for many consumers as they face massive affordability constraints. Debt Rescue CEO Neil Roets told SABC News that many are choosing to reduce their Christmas spending to avoid falling further into financial difficulty in the coming year:

# KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, assures residents across the province that disaster management teams are closely monitoring the inclement weather conditions. The department’s spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila, says the province is set to face disruptive rains until tomorrow as per the weather alert issued by the South African Weather Service:

# Former US president Bill Clinton is in hospital in Washington DC after developing a fever. The 78-year-old has been admitted to the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for testing and observation. The 42nd president’s deputy chief of staff, Angel Ureña, told NBC News he is in good spirits and grateful for the care he is receiving. Clinton was active on the Democrats’ campaign trail in support of vice president Kamala Harris this year. He has previously undergone two heart operations in New York – one in 2004, and another in 2010.

# Cricket: India suffered a blow when a medical team ruled out pacer Mohammed Shami’s participation in the final two Tests of the ongoing five-match series against hosts Australia. Shami has missed the first three Test which is locked at one-all. Both Indian fans and critics expected Shami to join pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the final two games. Bumrah has stood out for his match-turning performances in Australia, but critics have argued that he has lacked support in Shami’s absence.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-52-cents and the euro at 19-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-979-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-620-dollars-86-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A classical composer who has performed with rock star Paul McCartney, has been chosen to write a new carol for the world’s most famous Christmas service, broadcast to a global audience of 160-million on Christmas Eve. The service at King’s College in Cambridge has been held since 1918, but it’s only in recent times the chapel has commissioned a new carol each year. Bill Ives was one of the hugely successful King’s Singers choral group who sang backing vocals as the Frog Chorus on McCartney’s song We All Stand Together.

Stay tuned for more news………….