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Las Vegas is set to claim the title of city with the largest Ferris wheel, but not for long. New York City plans for a taller wheel, and rumors swirl that Dubai may top even that. Host Scott Simon talks to John Russick, director of Curatorial Affairs at the Chicago History Museum, about the first ever Ferris wheel, which debuted at the 1893 World Fair in Chicago.

More than a year after four Americans were killed during an attack on a diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, House Republicans continue to hold hearings dedicated to pushing their view of the episode. But Democrats also highlighted this week's hearing, believing it would help put the matter to rest.

Brooklyn emerged as the big winner in New York City's mayoral primary. Republican candidate Joe Lhota and Democratic candidate Bill de Blasio both live there. That means New York will have a mayor from Brooklyn for the first time since the 1970s, and many hope it will shift power away from Manhattan.

As Syria turns over its "initial declaration" of chemical weapons, President Bashar Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin have become partners with the U.S., argues Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic. Host Scott Simon talks to Goldberg about the foreign affairs strategy with Syria.

In Sadr City, a bombing attack has killed dozens of people, with the death toll continuing to rise Saturday. Multiple reports are citing at least 65 deaths in the attack, one of several in Iraq today.

The iconic Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood reopens to the public this weekend after a four-month renovation. The venue now holds one of the nation's largest IMAX screens. And it has a new name, after a purchase from Chinese TV maker TCL.

A prominent Russian lawmaker mocked the U.S. during the mass shooting in Washington this week. But statistics show that Russia has more killings each year than the U.S. despite a much smaller population.

West Hollywood's Sunset Strip used to be the home of the city's hottest music venues — places that launched the careers of everyone from The Doors to Jane's Addiction — but has lost a lot of its influence over the years. NPR's Arun Rath visits the Strip with L.A. Times writer August Brown.

In the 1980s, Stephen Crohn was exposed to HIV but never became infected. Throughout his lifetime, he helped scientists discover a genetic mutation that keeps HIV from infecting the immune system. Crohn died in August at age 66. A doctor who worked with him reflects on his contributions to science and the fight against AIDS.

At the beginning of his second term, President Obama invited Republicans to a series of fancy dinners, but he now seems to be giving up on his attempts to woo the GOP. Still, even if the White House had sustained its overtures, some question whether any amount of socializing could avert the latest budget crisis.