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Weekly Roundup: UK Councils’ Tax Hikes, US Strikes ISIS in Syria, Australia Nears Ashes Win, Student Reading Struggles, Christmas Travel & Gift Ideas, Murder Plot Case, Preparedness Notes, and “Prelude to World War” Part 2
Guido’s Most-Read Stories This Week
Guido reported 756,526 visitors making 780,425 visits and viewing 854,935 pages this week. The most-read and most-shared items, in order, were: “Starmer Humiliated as Trump Suspends ‘Tech Prosperity’ Deal,” “Labour ‘Minded’ to Cancel More Local Elections,” “POLL: Starmer Hits Lowest Popularity Level Since Becoming Labour Leader,” and “Starmer: We’re Trying to Prevent Me Approving Crony Appointments…”.
Five London councils among six allowed to raise council tax by more than 5% in 2026–27, though some will not
Six councils, including five in London, have been given permission to increase council tax by more than 5% in 2026–27. Several of the councils have indicated they do not plan to use the full increase.
US Strikes 70 Islamic State Targets in Syria After Fatal Attack on US Personnel
The United States carried out strikes on 70 Islamic State targets in Syria on Friday, retaliating for an ambush that killed two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter.
Lyon Leaves Australia Close to Winning the Ashes
Nathan Lyon broke England’s late resistance on day four of the third Test in Adelaide, putting Australia on the verge of a match win and pushing England to the brink of losing the Ashes series.
Lyon puts Australia close to an Ashes victory
England are close to losing the Ashes series after Australia’s Nathan Lyon ended their late resistance on day four of the third Test in Adelaide, leaving Australia on the verge of victory.
Stephen Moore: Why Many Students Struggle to Read
In “STEPHEN MOORE: Why Johnny Can’t Read,” Moore argues that U.S. reading and math performance is deteriorating, citing national data showing the share of 16–24-year-olds at the lowest literacy levels rising from 16% in 2017 to 25% in 2023. He blames what he calls a “low expectations” approach in public education, pointing to Washington, D.C.’s Alice Deal Middle School removing full-length novels from the eighth-grade English curriculum in favor of excerpts. Moore contends this “dumbs down” standards, widens inequality, and threatens future prosperity, while praising states he says have improved scores by returning to phonics and basics.
Original gift ideas to help you shop successfully for Christmas
With Christmas approaching, Euronews Culture offers a set of gift ideas for anyone who still needs to shop—or wants to improve what they’ve already bought—aimed at helping you choose more original presents and earn extra appreciation.
Woman conspired with an accomplice to murder her husband
Masked gunmen and poisoned gravy frame the allegation that Michelle Mills plotted to kill her husband, Christopher Mills, conspiring with Geraint Berry to carry out the murder.
Preparedness Notes for Saturday, December 20, 2025
highlights notable events tied to December 20, including the 1917 creation of the Cheka under Felix Dzerzhinsky by decree of Vladimir Lenin—an organization later succeeded by agencies culminating in today’s FSB—along with the first jury trial in Delaware in 1669 and other historical milestones.
Why Christmas travel is rising in Europe
More Europeans are traveling for Christmas, shifting from traditional family gatherings and big holiday meals at home to trips abroad, including beach getaways and dining out, as they create new traditions and explore new destinations.
Prelude to World War, Part 2 (by 3AD Scout)
“Prelude to World War – Part 2” continues with a focus on the 1950 Defense Production Act, arguing it’s a key law to understand because pre–Pearl Harbor isolationism in Congress made funding and supplying allies difficult. The piece says the act was designed to give the president broader authority to ramp up war preparations without needing Congress’s direct approval, including powers related to directing production for defense needs.
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