Bah, humbug
The week's news at a glance.
Vienna
A religious group is urging Austrians to return to their Catholic roots this Christmas and eschew “American” symbols of the holiday. In the Austrian tradition, it isn’t Santa Claus who brings presents on Christmas Eve, it is the infant Jesus. (And he doesn’t come down the chimney, he slips into the house through an open window.) Yet in recent years, Santa decorations have been popping up in markets and malls all over Austria, and the Pro–Christ Child Society says it is appalled. “We’re not really against Santa Claus,” said Phillipp Tengg, the society’s founder. “We’re against the fact that Santa Claus has become an advertising symbol of almost boundless consumption.” The society is slapping “No Santa” stickers—a picture of the jolly old elf with a big red slash across him—all over Vienna.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
August 10 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include a global plastics problem, GOP enthusiasm over tariffs, and more
-
5 thin-skinned cartoons about shooting the messenger
Cartoons Artists take on unfavorable weather, a look in the mirror, and more
-
Is Trump's new peacemaking model working in DR Congo?
Talking Point Truce brokered by the US president in June is holding, but foundations of a long-term peace have let to be laid