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As consumers cut back their spending in the worsening economy, the effects are being felt even in the wastepaper recycling and exporting industry. Decreased demand for products means a drop in the need for packaging — and the recycled materials that it's made from.

Automaker Toyota has announced its first operating loss since 1938. The company cited a severe drop in demand for its cars, especially in the U.S., which accounts for one-third of its vehicle sales. New York Times senior correspondent Micheline Maynard offers her insight.

The chief U.S. diplomat in Africa ratcheted up the language against Zimbabwe's longtime president Robert Mugabe on Sunday. Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer says the United States won't lift sanctions against that country until Mugabe is gone. NPR's Charlayne Hunter-Gault talks to host Andrea Seabrook about the developments.

Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday appointed a successor to fill the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. The move set off an avalanche of criticism from members of both political parties and set the stage for more political drama.

Huge explosions shook Gaza City as Israeli planes bombed three government buildings and the parliament on the sixth day of the Israeli offensive. On the diplomatic side, both Israel and Hamas are resisting international pressure to agree to a ceasefire. NPR's Mike Shuster talks with Steve Inskeep about the situation in Gaza.

The year comes to an explosive end in the Middle East. Israel is now in its fifth day of air attacks on Gaza, rejecting a recent ceasefire proposal. The conflict is among the deadliest in recent history. Radio hosts Ray Hanania and Thom Hartmann describe how the fighting has their listeners speaking out.

Israeli warplanes have made more airstrikes into Gaza as key world powers pressure Israel and Hamas to call a truce. Hamas, meanwhile, is keeping up its rocket barrages into southern Israel. Israeli officials have turned down a call for a two-day truce in Gaza so medical, food and relief supplies could get in.

What Palestinians on the West Bank say about the Israeli ground offensive and what needs to be done to reach a cease-fire. Are Palestinians blaming Hamas for the conflict?

Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom has begun shutting off natural gas supplies to Ukraine after a deadline passed for talks over a price dispute. There are fears that the cutoff could affect gas deliveries to parts of Europe at the height of the winter season. In 2006, Moscow cut off supplies to Ukraine and caused a brief disruption in gas supplies to Europe. NPR's Gregory Feifer talks with Steve Inskeep about Gazprom's decision.

Israel seeks a new situation on the ground, says Sallai Meridor, Israel's ambassador to the United States. He says in order for Israel to agree to a cease-fire, the rocket fire from Hamas must stop and Iran should not be allowed to build a terror base on Israel's border.