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The Independent UK

Lifestyle

Lucy Leeson

From Turkey to the North Pole: The true story of Santa Claus

Santa Claus the North Pole Turkey James Lovell

Although widely thought to hail from the North Pole, Santa Claus originated from Turkey.

In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Santa historian James Lovell gives a fascinating insight into the origins of Father Christmas.

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Top stories on inkl right now

Founder of India’s ‘cockroach’ movement arrested over national flag protest

Founder of India’s ‘cockroach’ movement arrested over national flag protest

Abhijeet Dipke’s party says he and other senior figures ‘will go down in history as the first people after 1947 to be jailed for unfurling India’s national flag’

The Independent UK

With U.S. debt above $40 trillion, the IMF chief warns that economic growth alone won’t solve the problem

With U.S. debt above $40 trillion, the IMF chief warns that economic growth alone won’t solve the problem

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the U.S. can grow its way out of the debt.

Trump waives Russian sanctions as US-Ukraine relationship frays

Trump waives Russian sanctions as US-Ukraine relationship frays

The US president claimed the move was in America’s ‘national interests’.

Evening Standard

Selma Blair's representatives say she didn't intend to hurt anyone on flight that led to her arrest

Selma Blair's representatives say she didn't intend to hurt anyone on flight that led to her arrest

Selma Blair's representatives have stated she did not intend to harm anyone during a recent flight incident

The Independent UK

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Timothy Busfield’s child sexual abuse indictment dismissed by judge

Timothy Busfield’s child sexual abuse indictment dismissed by judge

Timothy Busfield’s child sexual abuse indictment has been dismissed by the judge, who ruled that the “prosecuting attorney failed to act in a fair and impartial manner”.

How a driver, a dad and a teacher tried to stop the Oregon school shooter

How a driver, a dad and a teacher tried to stop the Oregon school shooter

A driver, a dad and a teacher are among at least three people who tried to stop a 16-year-old gunman who attacked an Oregon elementary school this week

The Independent UK

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

Founder of India’s ‘cockroach’ movement arrested over national flag protest

Founder of India’s ‘cockroach’ movement arrested over national flag protest

Abhijeet Dipke’s party says he and other senior figures ‘will go down in history as the first people after 1947 to be jailed for unfurling India’s national flag’

The Independent UK

With U.S. debt above $40 trillion, the IMF chief warns that economic growth alone won’t solve the problem

With U.S. debt above $40 trillion, the IMF chief warns that economic growth alone won’t solve the problem

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the U.S. can grow its way out of the debt.

Trump waives Russian sanctions as US-Ukraine relationship frays

Trump waives Russian sanctions as US-Ukraine relationship frays

The US president claimed the move was in America’s ‘national interests’.

Evening Standard

Selma Blair's representatives say she didn't intend to hurt anyone on flight that led to her arrest

Selma Blair's representatives say she didn't intend to hurt anyone on flight that led to her arrest

Selma Blair's representatives have stated she did not intend to harm anyone during a recent flight incident

The Independent UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Timothy Busfield’s child sexual abuse indictment dismissed by judge

Timothy Busfield’s child sexual abuse indictment dismissed by judge

Timothy Busfield’s child sexual abuse indictment has been dismissed by the judge, who ruled that the “prosecuting attorney failed to act in a fair and impartial manner”.

How a driver, a dad and a teacher tried to stop the Oregon school shooter

How a driver, a dad and a teacher tried to stop the Oregon school shooter

A driver, a dad and a teacher are among at least three people who tried to stop a 16-year-old gunman who attacked an Oregon elementary school this week

The Independent UK

Our Picks

For centuries, bird migration was a mystery – a tech revolution is changing that, and could help save these amazing creatures

For more than 2,000 years, scientists have scratched their heads over one of the most basic mysteries of the natural world: Where do birds go?

The Conversation

The Elizabeth Holmes Documentary You Can See Everything Is an Act of Radical Empathy

The high-concept documentary from Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim offers surprising generosity to a Big Tech villain without fully excusing her crimes.

Women just want to work out in peace. Why all the thigh-rubbing lechery?

On Saturday Night Live last week, comedian Shane Gillis made a pathetic ‘joke’ about the clothes women wear to the gym. It was puerile – but also pernicious, writes Emma Beddington

The Guardian - UK

‘He’s terrified, panicked, can’t sleep’: the tragic, lonely death of Beatles manager Brian Epstein

Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp paid £10k at auction for Epstein’s address book. He then used it to co-author a thrilling account of the swinging 60s – and an intimate portrait of a tormented man whose life was unravelling

The Guardian - UK

Qianlong vase found in Cornish property brochure sells at Sotheby’s for £304,800

A large imperial porcelain vase, standing thirty-seven centimetres tall and made for the Qianlong emperor, passed down through a single English family before arriving at Sotheby's. Estimated at between £100,000 and £200,000, it sold in November 2025 for £304,800, comfortably above the top end of the estimate. Its story combines…

The Times of India

Scientists Asked Coffee Drinkers to Quit for 14 Days — Here’s What Changed

What would happen if you gave up your morning coffee for two weeks? Would you sleep better, feel less anxious, or spend your mornings battling...

Fourteen days free

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