Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Santa Claus and his reindeer have begun their journey around the globe, with billions of stops to make in less than 24 hours.
Father Christmas is currently steering his sleigh through the Pacific, having already delivered hundreds of millions of gifts.
Every Christmas Eve, Norad – the North American Aerospace Defense Command – provides real-time tracking of Santa’s sleigh as it navigates the skies.
The cherished tradition dates back to 1955 when a misprint in a department store advert led a young child to call a Colorado military command center asking to speak to Santa Claus.
Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, who picked up the call that night, played along and assured the child he was Santa. As more calls poured in, he assigned an officer to handle the queries, starting a festive custom that Norad continued after its creation in 1958.
For decades, Norad has swapped its usual airspace monitoring duties to answer children’s questions about Santa’s journey and his astonishing present-delivery operation. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the organisation to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online – in nine languages – as St Nick swoops along the earth’s meridians.
Stay tuned for updates as we follow Santa’s magical route across the world.
Taiwan down, billions to go
Santa has just make a quick stop at Taiwan on his was to the Philippines, taking him back to the equator.
Albert Toth24 December 2024 14:46
Santa travels across the Yellow Sea to Shanghai
Have you heard of the Yellow Sea? It’s located between China and the Korean region – and Santa just travelled over it to get to Shangai, the biggest city in China.
Albert Toth24 December 2024 14:42
Santa makes a stop at the Great Wall of China
Squeezing in a little sightseeing, Santa has just delivered presents to everyone who lives near the Great Wall of China. At 13,171 miles the ancient structure is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Next stop is China’s capital – Beijing!
Albert Toth24 December 2024 14:36
After South Korea, Santa heads to China
Santa has now completed his trip across South Korea and – after a trip to Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea – reaches China, the world’s second most populous country at 1.4 billion people.
He’s got his work cut out for him!
Albert Toth24 December 2024 14:30
Santa leaves Japan, heads to South Korea
From Tokyo to Okinawa, Santa has finished his work in Japan in just ten short minutes. His sleigh now heads to South Korea where his first stop is Jeju Island.
Albert Toth24 December 2024 14:23
Santa reaches Japan
After a short skip across the Pacific Ocean, Santa has now reached Sapporo, at the northern tip of Japan. He be now making his way south, being sure to visit all the islands that make up the East Asian nation.
Next stop is the capital city – Tokyo!
Albert Toth24 December 2024 14:11
More than one billion gifts now delivered
Santa Claus has already delivered more than one billion gifts to children around the globe.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 14:00
Santa leaves Australia and is now delivering gifts in East Timor before West Papua
Santa has left Australia and is now heading to East Timor to deliver gifts.
He has just stopped in Dili.
Next he will be in Sorong, West Papua.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 13:52
Father Christmas makes his way across Australia
Father Christmas is now making his way across Australia.
His last stop was Brisbane, his next is Sydney.
He and his reindeer have already delivered more than 900 million gifts.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 13:34
From Papua New Guinea to Australia where it is almost Christmas Day
Santa Claus is fast making his way to Australia after stopping in Papua New Guinea.
He was last seen in Daru and will next be delivering gifts in Cooktown, where it is almost midnight and so very soon will be Christmas Day.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 13:26
