Survey asks how many Brits would accept a black or gay Santa
And other stories from the stranger side of life
A YouGov survey has found that 50% of Brits would be open to the idea of an ethnic minority Santa. There was less support, however, for a female or a gay Santa, with only 27% and 39% finding such a prospect palatable. An advert recently released by the Norwegian postal service showed Father Christmas kissing a man, 50 years after homosexuality was decriminalised in the country.
Longest running Santa school honoured
A US school dedicated to preparing people to portray Santa has been named the world’s longest-running institution of its kind by Guinness World Records. The Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, founded in October 1937, has been operating continuously for 84 years. Its Clausesque curriculum includes how to properly dress as Santa, how to sing and dance to Christmas music, how to make toys in a workshop and how to ride a sleigh.
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.
Space agencies ‘should join 62-mile high club’
Nasa has been encouraged to do more to encourage the study of sex in space with its astronauts. A new study has also called on the UK Space Agency to start exploring “space sexology”, which is defined as the scientific study of extraterrestrial intimacy. The Daily Star said boffins want to help saucy space travellers join the “62-mile high club”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
A Very Royal Scandal: more trouble for the royals?
Talking Point Amazon Prime's new Prince Andrew drama could be another headache for the royal family
By The Week UK Published
-
The Week contest: Coworker email
Puzzles and Quizzes A group of people hiking
By The Week US Published
-
Martin Blake's cod with mussel and chorizo broth
Recipe Succulent cod is paired with a rich, briny broth in this sumptuous bowlful
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Zelenskyy says 31,000 troops dead in 2 years of war
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a rare official military death toll
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published