UK - The Evening Standard

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1. Five London boroughs face larger council tax hikes than rest of country in funding shake-up

   Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Wandsworth, Westminster, and the City of London will face cuts

2. Waterloo train station closes for Christmas but will be reopen for New Year's Eve fireworks

   No trains in or out of UK’s second busiest station from December 25-28, then limited service until January 5

3. London's juiciest celebrity home moves and planning feuds of 2025

   The stars’ year in property — from Liam Gallagher’s shiny new pad to Eric Clapton’s swimming pool woes

4. What does M&S want for Christmas? A UK-EU food deal to undo the damage from Brexit

   The leading retailer said Britain quitting the EU had pushed up costs and impacted choice for customers

5. The season’s must-have accessory? A wine tote, for sheathing your alcohol stash

   You’ve heard of a bag of wine (bad), but have you heard of a wine bag (good)? Get yourself on the vino tote train, stat!

6. Horoscope today: Your daily guide for Thursday, December 18, 2025

   Read what the stars mean for you today, from Sagittarius to Gemini

7. Australia announces tougher hate speech laws in wake of Bondi terrorist attack

   Federal police also confirmed further searches would be carried out in the coming days.

8. Bank of England poised for Christmas interest rate cut after inflation slows

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9. Two arrested after shouting slogans involving calls for ‘intifada’ – Met Police

   The arrests mark a change in approach from both the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police.

10. Rob and Michele Reiner died of ‘multiple sharp force injuries’, records show

    Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of the famous filmmaker, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.