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The Emir of Qatar is scheduled to become the first foreign leader to visit the Gaza Strip since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007. The Qatari leader is offering Gaza around $400 million in development aid to help Gazans rebuild after the destruction of the 2009 war with Israel.

Melissa Block talks with Thomas Jordan, director of the Southern California Earthquake Center. He was tapped by the Italian government to investigate the events surrounding the tragic 2009 earthquake in the city of L'Aquila, which left more than 300 people dead. The Italian government convicted seven prominent earthquake experts of manslaughter on Monday for not adequately warning the public about the quake ahead of time. The head of Italy's disaster body has resigned in protest against the prison sentences.

There were 67.2 million viewers for the candidates' Oct. 3 faceoff and 65.6 for the debate on Oct. 16. One reason for the decline on Monday: Major League Baseball and the National Football League were also on the air Monday night.

While supersized TV screens have a proud place in many American homes, our viewing habits are changing. Even as DVRs and online services alter the meaning of "TV," phones, tablets and game devices crowd pockets and coffee tables, offering new chances to watch video.

On a foot patrol in Kandahar, Nick Staback lost both of his legs after he stepped on a homemade bomb. Over the next year, his mother, Maria, became a tough coach as he learned to walk on two prosthetic legs, and together they adjusted to what she calls the "new normal" for their family.

A new report says that while girls still lag far behind boys in the juvenile courts, the justice system is failing to take into account their physical and emotional needs. Most girls are locked up for crimes such as running away, school absences or even violating curfew — things that aren't even offenses for adults.

Despite its status as a device that defines the modern age, the television has its roots in the 19th century, when radio pioneers suspected they could also transmit images. Even the word "television," combining Greek and Latin roots to mean "far-sight," stems from the 1900 world's fair.

Officially, U.S. and allied commanders say that Afghan forces are "in the lead" on security in their country. But with the transition to Afghan control looming, senior U.S. officers say that's just wishful thinking. The U.S. needs to stop coddling the Afghans, these officers say, and let them do their job.

Adele Geras' Troy has everything The Iliad doesn't: graphic details and some really bad writing. NPR intern Annalisa Quinn explains why that's exactly what she wanted. What is your favorite remake of a classic? Tell us in the comments.

Tom Wolfe's new novel is a sprawling portrait of Miami and its many ethnic groups, centering around a Cuban-American police officer and an immigration conflict. NPR editor Luis Clemens says the book nails the physical descriptions of Miami, but falls down badly in the portrayal of actual humans.