Obama and congressional Republicans battle over payroll tax legislation

With Gingrich on his heels, Romney focuses on Obama

HHS chief Sebelius overrules FDA: "Plan B" restrictions to remain

• Former Vice President Dan Quayle endorsed Mitt Romney for President at a campaign event in Paradise Valley, Ariz. Video is here.
• Read Emily Belz's WORLDmag.com Web Extra on the "Plan B" restrictions.

The lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree

A "Holiday Tree" in Rhode Island

Tulsa, Okla., residents mount new "Christmas" parade after a traditional parade drops "Christmas" from name

• Some audio used in this segment is courtesy of WPRI Eyewitness News in Providence, R.I. Other audio is courtesy of NewsOn6 in Tulsa, Okla.
• Dr. Everett Piper, grand marshal of Tulsa Christmas Parade, is president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

The Gospel According to Peanuts

• Columnist and media producer Lee Habeeb is vice president for content development on the Salem Radio Network. His article about the history of A Charlie Brown Christmas appeared at National Review Online.

Legal-affairs correspondent Mary Reichard reports on Monday's Supreme Court refusal to review a lower-court decision allowing public schools to refuse to rent space to churches

Study finds broadly unfavorable reaction to name "Southern Baptist"

• WORLDmag.com reported on the Supreme Court's refusal to hear a decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Read more about the Lifeway Research study of how the public perceives certain denominations and faith groups.

Andrée Seu commentary: Christmas and your boss

• Commentator Andrée Seu is a senior writer for WORLD Magazine. (Her books We Shall Have Spring Again and Normal Kingdom Business make great Christmas gifts!)

Britain balks, but other European Union nations reach an agreement

Former MF Global chief Corzine can't explain where the money went

Sex-selection abortion in the United States

• The New York Times reported on the new European agreement that will provide regional oversight of the financial affairs of national governments.
• WORLD News Group reporter Edward Lee Pitts writes here about a House hearing on The Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act of 2011. Read the text of the bill.

"Notable Speeches Past & Present": President Franklin D. Roosevelt

• Learn more about President Roosevelt's Dec. 8, 1941, "Day of Infamy" speech to a Joint Session of Congress.

TW&E series "Favorite Songs of Christmas"

• During December, TW&E listeners are telling us about their favorite Christmas music.
• This week, we hear from Steve Moore, co-host of Moneywise, a daily radio program produced by Compass-Finances God's Way.
• "Candelight Carol" is by English composer John Rutter. Ray Charles' album, The Spirit of Christmas, was originally released in 1985.

Tell us about your favorite Christmas song and favorite Christmas recording! Email feedback@worldandeverything.com

Religious Freedom Commission in peril

Obama administration adds homosexual rights to international human-rights agenda

• Because of an action by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom may be forced to shut down on Dec. 16.
• WORLD News Group news editor Jamie Dean reported on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's speech to UN delegates meeting in Geneva.

The TW&E History Book

• Dec. 12, 1870 - Republican Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina becomes the first black member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Dec. 10, 1948 - The United Nations General Assembly adopts its Universal Declaration on Human Rights.
• Dec. 10, 2001 - The Fellowship of the Ring, the first director Peter Jackson's three-film adaption of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, premieres in London. (The New York opening came three days later). The film was a box office smash and went on to win four Academy Awards.