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Unemployment numbers for November are out and they paint a bleak picture. Employers cut 533,000 jobs, putting the unemployment rate at a 15-year high. What does this mean for people who are out of jobs and the rest of the economy?

President-elect Barack Obama has named a decorated Vietnam veteran as his choice to head the Department of Veterans Affairs. Retired Gen. Eric Shinseki is a former Army chief of staff who was known for criticizing the Bush administration's plans to invade Iraq with too few troops.

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.

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.

Protests are being held in the Arab world as the violence around Gaza continues for a fourth day. Israel on Tuesday rejected any truce with Hamas. The Arab League will meet Wednesday in Egypt to discuss the crisis. More than 360 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli offensive started Saturday. Rockets from Gaza have killed five Israelis.

Crumpet the Elf is back for another Morning Edition Christmas. Crumpet is the not-so-secret identity of humorist David Sedaris, who was once a department store elf at Macy's. He wrote about the experience in his memoir The Santaland Diaries.

While many people lost money with disgraced investor Bernard Madoff, some actually made money. Will they have to give any of it back, as defrauded investors line up to sue?

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.

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.

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.