December 15, 2009: Lunchtime News Roundup

Today we are launching a new feature at Everyday Christian, giving our readers a quick sampling of faith, news, entertainment and sports stories for you you to peruse on your lunch break. As always, feedback is welcome.

Here are some top faith and news stories making midday headlines on Tuesday., Dec. 15^th:

Faith Focus

Pope Benedict XVI calls for action on climate change: http://www.everydaychristian.com/ap/story/5793/

Does councilman’s avowed atheism bar him from office?: http://www.everydaychristian.com/news/weblink/5786/

Focus on the Family demands merchants take a ‘stand for Christmas’:
http://newsok.com/focus-demands-merchants-take-a-stand-for-christmas/article/3424313

National News:

Illinois prison slated to take Guantanamo Bay detainees:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-tue-tab-thomson-15dec15,0,5054354.story

Post office is hot spot as busiest mail days arrive: http://www.kansas.com/news/story/1098671.html

Supreme Court takes texting case dealing with workplace privacy:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/nation/story/3C2ADEF4AC9CEED68625768D001CDF3A?OpenDocument

International News:

Residents flee as Philippines volcano threatens to erupt: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/15/philippines.volcano.mayon/

Eight killed in Kabul hotel blast:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,580234,00.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a4:g4:r3:c0.000000:b0:z5

China, U.S. hit strident impasse at climate talks: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/science/earth/15climate.html

Entertainment:

‘Up in the Air’ leads Globe contenders with six slots: http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/movieawards/goldenglobes/2009-12-15-gg-nominations-story_N.htm

American Film Institute tabs “The Hangover,” “Mad Men,” and “The Hurt Locker” as best of ’09: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20326972,00.html

Sports:

National League champion Phillies poised to land Toronto ace Roy Halladay:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/79286687.html

Arizona Cardinals commit seven turnovers in Monday night meltdown: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/10990/cardinals-can-afford-to-shrug-off-defeat