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A scene from the early days of the fighting in Iraq in the spring of 2003. In one incident, three members of an Iraqi family were killed. A U.S. Marine involved in the shooting recently tracked down the family to ask for forgiveness.

Iraq Vet Seeks Atonement For Early War Tragedy

In the early days of the Iraq War, during a firefight in Baghdad, Lu Lobello's Marine unit mistakenly opened fire on a family of civilians, killing three. Years later, and after enlisting the help of reporter Dexter Filkins, Lobello reached out to that family for forgiveness.

Qatari Emir First World Leader To Visit Gaza In Years

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.

Obama Hits Battleground States In Final Blitz

President Obama has begun a multi-state blitz in the last two weeks before the election.

Charisma wasn't an early requirement for presidents, since many decisions were made behind closed doors, says psychology professor Dean Simonton. His analysis of the charisma of these three commanders in chief: John Adams: "Average." Thomas Jefferson: "Average." Andrew Jackson: "Well above average."

Charming, Cold: Does Presidential Personality Matter?

Early on in American history, before radio and television, charisma wasn't particularly useful, one scholar says, since most decisions were made behind closed doors. Not so today. But how much difference do personality characteristics and charisma make?

The new iPad Mini is displayed after its unveiling at an Apple event in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday.

Hands On With The New iPad Mini: Lighter, Costlier Than Rivals

Apple unveils a smaller version of its popular iPad tablet. NPR's Laura Sydell gets a hand-on look and finds that the iPad mini is lighter and thinner than she expected. But starting at $329, is it too expensive to compete with other small tablets?

After Bad Day For Market, Facebook's Revenue Rise Boosts Stock

A larger-than-expected increase in revenue and a smaller-than-expected loss has buoyed investors. The news followed a tough day for other major stocks. The Dow Jones industrial average fell nearly 2 percent.

C.J. Watson of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles upcourt in a preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The New York City borough finally has a pro sports team to call its own, says Frank Deford.

Brooklyn Finally Nets A Team Of Its Own

In its long history, Brooklyn has been famous for two sports events: No. 1, having the Dodgers; No. 2, losing the Dodgers. But now Brooklyn has an NBA team, a fancy new arena — and even a floor that may set a new trend.

Artists Disturbed And Inspired By Syria's Violence

Three one-act plays recently performed in Beirut are based on the actual words of Syrians. The show was performed in a bunkerlike space to replicate the conditions artists making such work endure. The actress could not be named. A TV series also takes on Syrian politics — Top Goon is an ensemble of finger puppets who lampoon President Bashar Assad. The filmmakers are also anonymous. To be caught with one of these puppets might be worse than being caught with a stinger missile.

Afghan soldiers stand at attention during a ceremony transferring authority from NATO-led troops to Afghan security forces in Afghanistan's Kunar province. The transfer of responsibility for security from NATO-led ISAF forces to Afghan troops is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014.

U.S. Eager To Step Aside; Are Afghan Forces Ready?

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.

Nick Staback, who lost both of his legs to a bomb in Afghanistan, talks with his mother, Maria Staback, in Scranton, Pa. Maria Staback took a leave of absence from her job to move in with her son while he was recuperating at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington, D.C.

Vet Walks On New Legs, With A Little Help From Mom

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.

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