Category: 3. Business

There will be some disruptions to general business waste collections that are due to take place in the following areas on Saturday 20 and Monday 22 December. 

• Barnsley town centre (George Street, Pitt Street, Racecommon Road, Shaw Lane)
• Dodworth (Dodworth Road, Moorland Avenue, Woodland Drive)
• Dunford Bridge
• Gilroyd
• Green Moor
• Hazelhead
• Hood Green
• Hoylandswaine
• Ingbirchworth
• Langsett
• Millhouse Green
• Oxspring
• Penistone
• Silkstone
• Silkstone Common
• Springvale
• Thurgoland
• Thurlstone
• Wortley

If your business waste bins are due for collection on these dates, we’ll now collect them on your usual collection day, either Tuesday or Wednesday.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience the delays may cause.

The Provincial Government is committed to supporting the well-being of seniors in Newfoundland and Labrador. Today, the Honourable Craig Pardy, Minister of Seniors, announced that applications for the 2025-26 Aging Well at Home Grant will open on January 5, 2026.

The Aging Well at Home Grant provides financial assistance to lower-income seniors aged 65 years and older to help them remain in their homes. Eligible individuals will receive $400 annually for household and health-related services such as snow clearing, grocery or prescription delivery and home cleaning.

To qualify, applicants must:

• be 65 years or older as of March 31, 2026
• be a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador
• have an annual household net income of $32,700 or less for single applicants
• have an annual household net income of $50,000 or less for couples
• own or rent a home

The deadline to apply is March 31, 2026.

For more information on the Aging Well at Home Grant:

Quotes
“Many seniors are struggling to meet their basic needs and that is not acceptable. Our new government is making seniors in Newfoundland and Labrador a priority. We are committed to providing services and expanding programs to help seniors age well in the right place.”
Honourable Craig Pardy
Minister of Seniors

“It is important that people who want to live in their homes as seniors are able to do that. This grant helps seniors in Newfoundland and Labrador with the cost of health care services such as eye exams, dental work, and audiology. The new government is helping seniors cover these expenses, so they can get the health care they need without the financial burden.”
Honourable Lela Evans
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Senior-friendly funding, such as the Aging Well at Home Grant, supports Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services’ vision of Health and Well-Being. Every Person. Every Community. Investments like this make it easier for older adults to remain safely and independently in their homes, contributing to better physical and mental health and an enhanced quality of life as they age.”
Craig Davis
Vice President – Provincial Long-Term Care/Community & Chief Operating Officer – Central Zone (A)
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services

-30-

2025 12 19
12:10 pm

The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to cut interest rates by 0.25% to 3.75%, bringing the base rate to its lowest level since February 2023.

The move was widely expected, not least after recent figures showing inflation unexpectedly fell from 3.6% to 3.2% in November, while the economy shrank 0.1% in October.

Despite this, the vote by the BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee was not a foregone conclusion, ending in a 5-4 split in favour of the cut.  

This move will be welcomed by homeowners looking to remortgage in the near future, and those on tracker mortgages, who will see their rate fall. Mortgage rates have already begun to ease, with lenders competing for business. Further rate cuts are also expected in 2026, which could further reduce mortgage costs.

However, the announcement will be less welcome for many savers, who are likely to see the rate of interest paid on accounts fall sharply too.

Andrew Bailey, BoE Governor, said: “We think that Bank Rate is likely to fall gradually further in future, but that will depend on whether variables like pay growth and services inflation continue to ease.”

Commenting on the rate cut, SJP’s chief economist Hetal Mehta said: “Markets had already been pricing in today’s cut thanks to the weakening economy and slowing inflation, so I don’t think many will have been surprised by the news.

“What is still very much up for debate is what happens now. Core inflation is still north of 3%. Wage growth is above 4%. Taken together, this creates some ambiguity on the future. So even if the direction of travel for interest rates is broadly agreed upon, the speed and magnitude remain very much up for debate.” 

WASHINGTON (December 19, 2025) – Existing-home sales increased by 0.5% in November, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales Report. The Report provides the real estate ecosystem, including agents and homebuyers and sellers, with data on the level of home sales, price, and inventory.

Month-over-month sales increased in the Northeast and South, showed no change in the West, and fell in the Midwest. Year-over-year sales showed no change in the Northeast and South, and decreased in the Midwest and West.

“Existing-home sales increased for the third straight month due to lower mortgage rates this autumn,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “However, inventory growth is beginning to stall. With distressed property sales at historic lows and housing wealth at an all-time high, homeowners are in no rush to list their properties during the winter months.”

“Wage growth is outpacing home price gains, which improves housing affordability. Still, future affordability could be hampered if housing supply fails to keep pace with demand,” Yun added. “As has been the case throughout the year, single-family home sales outperformed condominium sales in November. The typical price of a sold condo was 13.5% lower than the typical price of a single-family home. However, the purchase price does not include the condominium association fees, which are rising and making these purchases more expensive.”

National Snapshot

Total Existing-Home Sales for November

• 0.5% increase in existing-home sales¹ month over month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million.
• 1.0% decrease in sales year over year.

Inventory in November

• 1.43 million units: Total housing inventory², down 5.9% from October and up 7.5% from November 2024 (1.33 million).
• 4.2-month supply of unsold inventory, down from 4.4 months in October and up from 3.8 months in November 2024.

Median Sales Price in November

• $409,200: Median existing-home price³ for all housing types, up 1.2% from one year ago ($404,400) – the 29th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

Single-Family and Condo/Co-op Sales

Single-Family Homes in November

• 0.8% increase in sales month over month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.75 million, down 0.8% from November 2024.
• $414,300: Median home price in November, up 1.2% from last year.

Condominiums and Co-ops in November

• 2.6% decrease in sales month over month and year over year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 380,000.
• $358,600: Median price, up 0.1% from November 2024.

Regional Snapshot for Existing-Home Sales in November

Northeast

• 4.1% increase in sales month over month to an annual rate of 510,000, unchanged year over year.
• $480,800: Median price, up 1.1% from November 2024.

Midwest

• 2.0% decrease in sales month over month to an annual rate of 970,000, down 3.0% year over year.
• $319,400: Median price, up 5.8% from November 2024.

South

• 1.1% increase in sales month over month to an annual rate of 1.89 million, unchanged year over year.
• $361,000: Median price, up 0.8% from November 2024.

West

• No change in sales month over month for an annual rate of 760,000, down 1.3% year over year.
• $618,900: Median price, down 0.9% from November 2024.

• 36 days: Median time on market for properties, up from 34 days last month and 32 days in November 2024.
• 30% of sales were first-time homebuyers, unchanged from November 2024 and down from 32% last month.
• 27% of transactions were cash sales, down from 29% a month ago and up from 25% in November 2024.
• 18% of transactions were individual investors or second-home buyers, up from 16% last month and from 13% in November 2024.
• 2% of sales were distressed sales⁴ (foreclosures and short sales), unchanged from a month ago and November 2024.

Mortgage Rates

• 6.24%: The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in November, according to Freddie Mac, down from 6.25% in October and 6.81% one year ago.

About the National Association of REALTORS®

The National Association of REALTORS® is involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes – from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation – visit facts.realtor.

# # #

For local information, please contact the local association of REALTORS® for data from local multiple listing services (MLS). Local MLS data is the most accurate source of sales and price information in specific areas, although there may be differences in reporting methodology.

NOTE: NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index for November will be released December 29, and Existing-Home Sales for December will be released January 14. Release times are 10 a.m. Eastern. See NAR’s statistical news release schedule.

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¹ Existing-home sales, which include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, are based on transaction closings from Multiple Listing Services. Changes in sales trends outside of MLSs are not captured in the monthly series. NAR benchmarks home sales periodically using other sources to assess overall home sales trends, including sales not reported by MLSs.

Existing-home sales, based on closings, differ from the U.S. Census Bureau’s series on new single-family home sales, which are based on contracts or the acceptance of a deposit. Because of these differences, it is not uncommon for each series to move in different directions in the same month. In addition, existing-home sales, which account for more than 90% of total home sales, are based on a much larger data sample – about 40% of multiple listing service data each month – and typically are not subject to large prior-month revisions.

The annual rate for a particular month represents what the total number of actual sales for a year would be if the relative pace for that month were maintained for 12 consecutive months. Seasonally adjusted annual rates are used in reporting monthly data to factor out seasonal variations in resale activity. For example, home sales volume is normally higher in the summer than in the winter, primarily because of differences in the weather and family buying patterns. However, seasonal factors cannot compensate for abnormal weather patterns.

Single-family data collection began monthly in 1968, while condo data collection began quarterly in 1981; the series were combined in 1999 when monthly collection of condo data began. Prior to this period, single-family homes accounted for more than nine out of 10 purchases. Historic comparisons for total home sales prior to 1999 are based on monthly single-family sales, combined with the corresponding quarterly sales rate for condos.

² Total inventory and month’s supply data are available back through 1999, while single-family inventory and month’s supply are available back to 1982 (prior to 1999, single-family sales accounted for more than 90% of transactions and condos were measured only on a quarterly basis).

³ The median price is where half sold for more and half sold for less; medians are more typical of market conditions than average prices, which are skewed higher by a relatively small share of upper-end transactions. The only valid comparisons for median prices are with the same period a year earlier due to seasonality in buying patterns. Month-to-month comparisons do not compensate for seasonal changes, especially for the timing of family buying patterns. Changes in the composition of sales can distort median price data. Year-ago median and mean prices sometimes are revised in an automated process if additional data is received.

The national median condo/co-op price often is higher than the median single-family home price because condos are concentrated in higher-cost housing markets. However, in a given area, single-family homes typically sell for more than condos as seen in NAR’s quarterly metro area price reports.

⁴ Distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales), days on market, first-time buyers, all-cash transactions and investors are from a monthly survey for the NAR’s REALTORS® Confidence Index, posted at nar.realtor.

Every time someone gets dressed, washes their clothes or simply takes a breath indoors, they are exposed to—and often surrounded by—plastic fibres. In the European Union, synthetic fibres, including polyester, acrylic and nylon, make up about 60% of clothing and 70% of household textiles, making textiles the fourth‑largest source of microplastic pollution after paints, tyres and industrial pellets. Yet EU policymakers continue to largely overlook microplastic pollution from textiles.

How synthetic fibres pollute—and why that matters

When most people hear about plastic pollution, they probably picture visible waste, such as litter covering beaches or clogging rivers. But as science is increasingly showing, plastic microfibre shedding is a large and pressing source of pollution for nature and people.

These particles are released at every stage of a garment’s life cycle—shedding constantly from production to everyday wear to disposal. Nearly half of total microfibre emissions occurs during textile production, with the rest released through washing, drying and wearing. A single load of laundry can release hundreds of thousands of microplastic fibres, and, collectively, washing machines worldwide shed billions of fibres each day; tumble dryers contribute millions more.

Regardless of when they are shed, these microscopic fibres drift into the air we breathe, contaminate water and flow into rivers and oceans, and are spread across farmlands through wastewater sludge—and often end up in food. Once in the environment, they can be ingested by and harm animals, insects and other organisms. Further, microplastic fibres and fragments have been found in numerous food and drink items—including the tissues of dairy and beef cattle, edible plants, seafood,
beer, tap water and bottled water. Microplastics from textiles also pose a risk to human health, with adults estimated to ingest or inhale tens of thousands of particles each year. Evidence shows that microplastics have been detected in human organs such as the lungs, in circulating blood and placental tissue, and in other body tissues, including those of the stomach and reproductive system. Occupational studies of textile and flock workers have linked chronic, high levels of
microfibre inhalation to respiratory disease.

How EU policy can address the problem

The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which entered into force in 2024, establishes a framework applying to nearly all physical goods placed on the EU market. Rather than setting product-specific requirements directly, the ESPR empowers the European Commission to adopt “delegated acts” with requirements for priority product groups. The regulation identifies textiles as one such group, and an ESPR delegated act for textiles is under development, with adoption expected by 2027.

Once adopted, this measure could be used to address environmental impacts associated with textile products, including microplastic fibre shedding across the product life cycle.By requiring shedding thresholds, aligned testing standards, improved product design, pre-market washing with filtration and advanced effluent treatment in manufacturing, the ESPR could help reduce microplastic pollution from textiles.

The good news is that solutions already exist to stem microplastic pollution from textiles. The most effective interventions start during design and manufacturing. Fabrics made with tighter yarns or denser fabric constructions can significantly reduce fibre loss, and industrial pre-washing with filters can capture most of the fibres that would otherwise be released when a garment is first washed. Once clothes are in consumer hands, measures such as washing-machine filters, gentler laundry cycles and improved dryer technology can further reduce emissions.

A call for ambitious action

To make these solutions widespread, EU policymakers should harmonise standards and adopt a comprehensive framework that targets and reduces microfibre pollution along the full life cycle of textiles, including production. This should include ensuring manufacturers use fabrics that last longer and shed far less microfibres. No single policy will solve the problem.

The ESPR offers a unique opportunity to cut microplastic emissions at the source, safeguard ecosystems and protect human health. Over the coming months, the European Commission will consult with stakeholders to shape the ESPR’s textile measure.

The Pew Charitable Trusts will engage constructively in this process, including by offering policy recommendations based on the best available science and collaborating with partners to help ensure that forthcoming measures are ambitious, enforceable and capable of delivering measurable reductions in microplastic pollution.

Selene Álvarez Peña is a principal associate and Natacha Tullis is a senior officer with The Pew Charitable Trusts’ preventing plastic pollution project.

Friday, 19 December 2025: The national power system remains stable, consistently meeting demand as Eskom’s generation performance continues to improve. The success of the Generation Recovery Plan, combined with the intensified planned maintenance implemented last year, has strengthened the fleet and enhanced operational resilience. These achievements position Eskom to reliably meet peak festive season demand, support economic activity and reinforce energy security for South Africa.

The Energy Availability Factor (EAF), which measures the percentage of time the generation fleet is available to produce electricity, stands at 66.12% for the month-to-date in December 2025. This represents a significant improvement of 8.43% compared to 57.69% recorded during the same period last year.

Year-to-date, EAF has increased to 63.85%, with the fleet achieving or exceeding the 70% benchmark on 39 occasions. These results demonstrate both recovery and sustained improvement in generation performance, reinforcing energy security and grid stability.

The improvement in EAF is largely attributable to a continued reduction in unplanned outages, alongside a moderate decline in planned maintenance levels.

For the period from 12 to 18 December 2025, the average Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which measures capacity lost due to unplanned outages, stands at 22.46%. This reflects an improvement of 2.96% compared to 25.42% recorded during the same period last year.

From 12 to 18 December 2025, Eskom’s average unplanned outages decreased to 10 701MW, down from 11 965MW during the same period last year. This year-on-year reduction of 1 264MW in breakdowns reflects the impact of the Generation Recovery Plan and the intensive maintenance undertaken in the previous year, which has strengthened the reliability and resilience of the generation fleet.

During the same period, the average Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF) stood at 11.84%, compared to 17.49% recorded last year. The lower level of planned maintenance follows Eskom’s intensive maintenance programme implemented in the previous year—above historical norms over the past three years—to restore fleet reliability. The effectiveness of this approach is reflected in the sustained decline in unplanned outages.

Planned maintenance continues to align with Eskom’s maintenance schedule and forms part of ongoing efforts to improve plant reliability, operational consistency, and long-term fleet performance.

The continued improvement in EAF has significantly reduced Eskom’s reliance on costly diesel generation, allowing the company to focus more on cost-effective primary energy sources. Additionally, 6 858MW is currently on cold reserve due to excess capacity.

Over the past week, diesel expenditure was R40.8 million, due to commissioning tests following a major outage on Gourikwa Unit 22, with minimal usage for the system. This low consumption reflects both the cost savings and operational improvements achieved through Eskom’s turnaround efforts.

Year-to-date, diesel expenditure remains consistently below budget.

South Africa has now experienced 217 consecutive days without an interrupted supply, with only 26 hours of loadshedding recorded in April and May during this financial year.

To maintain a stable electricity supply, Eskom will bring 4 670MW of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 22 December 2025. Today’s evening peak demand is forecast at 22 207MW, supported by 25 902MW of available capacity, giving the system a healthy margin above current demand.

Eskom published the Summer Outlook on 5 September 2025, covering the period 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026, which projects no loadshedding due to sustained improvements in plant performance from the Generation Recovery Plan.

Key Performance Highlights

• Year-to-date, the UCLF further reduced to 24.25%, reflecting a week-on-week improvement of approximately 0.05% and remaining below last year’s 24.99%.

• Year to date, planned maintenance was at an average of 5 385MW, accounting for 11.46% of total generation capacity, similar to last week’s 11.45% but slightly lower than the 11.97% over the same period last year.

• Between 1 April and 18 December 2025, Eskom generated 1 049.38GWh from OCGT plants, incurring diesel costs of R6.232 billion. This is lower than the 1 299.19GWh produced during the same period last year at a cost of R8.127 billion. Notably, diesel consumption has been declining steadily month-on-month since May 2025, and the load factor for December month-to-date is 0.44%.

• The year-to-date OCGT load factor has decreased to 4.89%, reflecting a 0.10% improvement from the previous week. This is lower than the 6.05% recorded during the same period last year and remains below the set target.

Progress in ending load reduction: 84 366 customers no longer affected during peak periods

Although the power system remains stable and generation capacity continues to exceed demand, illegal connections and meter tampering persist, causing infrastructure damage and posing serious safety risks. In response, Eskom continues to implement load reduction as a temporary measure in high-risk areas to protect both communities and the electricity network.

To address these challenges sustainably, Eskom has launched a phased programme to eliminate load reduction by 2027. The programme targets 971 feeders and will benefit approximately 1.69 million customers across all provinces, out of Eskom’s total customer base of 7.2 million. Key interventions include the rollout of smart meters, the integration of Distributed Energy Resources, and the expansion of Free Basic Electricity support.

Progress on key interventions

Eskom has installed and uploaded 68,240 smart meters for feeders affected by load reduction, with over 90% of these installations in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal. The programme aims to install a total of 577,347 meters by March 2026, with full completion expected in 2027. Current progress represents approximately 11.8% of the target, and installations are continuing to ensure the goal is met.

• Feeders removed from load reduction:

A total of 52 feeders has been removed from load reduction to date. This includes 11 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, achieving about 30% of the provincial target of 37; about 37 feeders in Gauteng, representing approximately 29% of the target of 126; and 4 feeders in the Eastern and Western Cape, equating to around 27% of the target of 15.

Nationally, the 52 feeders removed from load reduction represent about 19% of the overall target of 271 feeders to be removed from load reduction by March 2026.

Efforts continue to accelerate feeder removals to meet both provincial and national targets.

The removal of these feeders has benefited approximately 84,366 customers: 27,855 in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 48,876 in Gauteng, and 7,635 in the Eastern and Western Cape. This progress reduces the number of customers still targeted for load reduction removal to 91,769 in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 96,606 in Gauteng, and 17,867 in the Eastern and Western Cape by financial year-end. Nationally, 492,981 customers (85.39% of the target) remain to be cleared by the end of the financial year (March 2026).

• Free Basic Electricity (FBE):

Nationally, registrations have increased from 485,000 to 579,360 customers, a growth of 19.5%, representing 27.6% of the 2.1 million eligible customers. There has been no change compared to the previous week.

Eskom is harnessing technology, upgrading infrastructure, and partnering with communities to ensure a safer, smarter, and more reliable power network for South Africa.

Eskom calls on communities to report illegal connections, use electricity responsibly, and protect infrastructure. Any illegal activity affecting Eskom’s infrastructure can be reported to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.

Eskom will provide its next update on Friday, 26 December 2025, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.

ENDS

“For five decades, CCM has not only advanced research but also trained generations of engineers who now lead in industry, government and academia,” added Suresh Advani, the Unidel Pierre S. du Pont Chair of Engineering and former associate director of CCM. “That combination of research excellence and workforce development sets us apart.”

CCM’s reputation for excellence is built on decades of discoveries that have improved how composites are designed and manufactured.

Improving processes

Composites are typically made by placing strong fibers into a mold and adding resin, which quickly gels and hardens to lock everything into shape. But if the fibers are not fully coated with resin, the material develops weak spots and cannot be used.

CCM researchers developed a computer simulation that maps where resin travels inside a closed mold containing dry fibers, helping manufacturers avoid dry spots and voids. Airbus and Boeing have applied the technology to make composite aircraft parts, and it can be adapted for many other uses.

Promoting sustainability

Many composites rely on nonrenewable resources, such as petroleum-based resins, and energy-intensive manufacturing processes. CCM has long pursued greener alternatives.

In the 1990s, the late Richard Wool, former CCM Director, partnered with John Deere to produce a composite hay bailer door using a resin based on soybean oil, proving that it is possible to make durable, high-performance composites using plant oils. Wool went on to become a leader in developing strong, high-performance materials from renewable ingredients like vegetable oils, flax and chicken feathers, for which he was honored with a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in 2013. Producing these materials requires less water and energy and yields less hazardous waste than petroleum-based processes.

That commitment to sustainable materials continues today. Pilla was honored with the 2021 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for developing the first nonisocyanate polyurethane foam, an innovation he achieved prior to joining UD. This foam replaces potentially cancer-causing diisocyanates with lignin, a natural polymer from pulp and paper waste, creating a recyclable, safer alternative.

More recently, CCM collaborated with Clemson University and Honda to design and create a lightweight door for the Acura MDX. With funding from the Department of Energy (DOE), the researchers created a door from thermoplastic composites, which are light and environmentally friendly. Because they could not change the door’s size or shape, they combined the inner panel and trim into a single piece. The result was a door 45% lighter than steel and fully recyclable. It exceeded expectations in crash tests, though it is still years away from hitting the market. 

Recall of a batch of The Galway Kitchen Classic Houmous due to an incorrect use-by date

Friday, 19 December 2025

Alert Summary
Category 1:	For Action
Alert Notification:	2025.72
Product Identification:	The Galway Kitchen Classic Houmous; pack size: 200g
Batch Code	Use-by 19/01/2026
Country Of Origin:	Ireland

Message:
The above batch of The Galway Kitchen Classic Houmous is being recalled due to an incorrect use-by date. If consumed after the 24th of December 2025, this may pose a microbiological risk which may make the batch unsafe to eat. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale. 

Action Required:

Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:
Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batch from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.

Consumers:
Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch after the 24th December 2025.