The Torch
12:27 pm
Sun July 29, 2012

Empty Seats Have Olympic Committee Playing Defense

Credit Carl Court / AFP/Getty Images
Empty seats and spectators are pictured during the dressage event of the eventing competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games in Greenwich Park, London on Sunday.

Today, London Olympic organizers find themselves beating back insults like serves in a gold medal table tennis match.

On Day 1, there were empty seats at wildly popular events like beach volleyball and gymnastics. And even at the Aquatics Center, where Ryan Lochte smoked everybody in the men's 400 individual medley.

Fans who would've gladly paid the exorbitant ticket prices were fuming. British politicians worried that the empty seats made the country look uninterested.

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The Torch
11:53 am
Sun July 29, 2012

Surprises: American Gymnast Weiber Fails To Qualify; Marathoner Radcliffe Injured

Credit Thomas Coex / AFP/Getty Images
U.S. gymnast Jordyn Wieber performs on the beam during the women's qualification of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on Sunday.

Originally published on Sun July 29, 2012 12:17 pm

Two big disappointments this morning: American gymnast and defending world champion Jordyn Wieber failed to qualify for the all-around finals.

The AP reports that it was nonetheless a great day for other Americans, who are favorites for gold:

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The Torch
11:12 am
Sun July 29, 2012

The Olympics' Salahi Moment: Mystery Woman Gatecrashes Opening Ceremony

Credit Gabriel Bouys / AFP/Getty Images
(FILES) A file picture taken on Friday shows a woman (2nd L), reportedly a student from Bangalore and an Olympic volunteer, walking next to India's flagbearer Sushil Kumar.

The Olympics have officially had a "Salahi moment." Remember, the White House gatecrashers? Well, on Friday during the opening ceremony, a young woman wearing a red jacket and turquoise pants was seen walking with the Indian delegation into Olympic stadium. Not only that, but she was walking alongside the flag bearer.

The only problem? No one knew who she was.

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The Torch
10:31 am
Sun July 29, 2012

Will U.S. Keep Its Grip On Olympic Basketball?

Credit Rob Carr / Getty Images
Kobe Bryant #10 of United States shoots the ball against Mickael Gelabale #15 of France during their Men's Basketball Game on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on Sunday.

Originally published on Sun July 29, 2012 11:37 am

Update at 11:28 a.m. An Easy Win:

With the help of a generous LeBron James, assisting more than he scored, the United States breezed through France 98 to 71.

It wasn't a flashy win, but it showed U.S. dominance.

During an interview after the game, Kevin Durant was asked how the team chooses which of the All Stars gets to a take a shot.

"We don't care who scores," he said.

Our Original Post Continues:

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The Torch
9:21 am
Sun July 29, 2012

Let's Catch Up: In Skeet, American Kimberly Rhode Wins Gold

Originally published on Sun July 29, 2012 9:41 am

Good morning! While you were sleeping, American Kimberly Rhode broke the Olympic record when she missed only one of 75 targets during the qualifying round of women's skeet shooting.

(UPDATE at 9:20 a.m. ET. Rhode has won the gold.)

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Business
7:38 am
Sun July 29, 2012

Jack Daniel's To Author: Cease And Desist

Originally published on Sun July 29, 2012 11:58 am

Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey is an American classic with a distinctive black-labeled bottle that kind of looks like the typeface on an old wanted poster. Patrick Wensink wrote a novel called Broken Piano for President with a cover that was clearly inspired, maybe a little too much, by Jack Daniel's.

Business
7:38 am
Sun July 29, 2012

Apple Vs. Samsung Showdown Heads To Trial

Originally published on Sun July 29, 2012 11:58 am

The late Apple chief Steve Jobs vowed before he died to destroy Android and that fight continues after his death. Apple is trying to keep Samsung's Android phones and tablets out of the U.S., charging that Samsung is violating Apple's patents. Apple has taken this fight global. Guest host David Greene talks to NPR's Laura Sydell about Monday's case.

Sports
7:38 am
Sun July 29, 2012

Is Swimming Superstar Passing The Torch?

Originally published on Sun July 29, 2012 11:58 am

Saturday, expectations were sky-high for Michael Phelps, who already has the biggest gold medal haul in Olympic history. There was a much-anticipated showdown with swimming teammate Ryan Lochte, which turned out to be no showdown at all. The expectations continue Sunday at the Olympic Aquatics Center, as NPR's Howard Berkes reports.

Politics
7:38 am
Sun July 29, 2012

Romney In Israel After Rocky Start To Foreign Tour

Originally published on Sun August 5, 2012 1:57 pm

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. Good morning, I'm David Greene.

Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, is in Israel today. He spent the morning meeting with Israeli and Palestinian officials, and he paid a visit to the historic Wailing Wall. Romney, just a few minutes ago, wrapped up a speech near the Old City in Jerusalem. And in it he talked of his commitment to stand side by side with the Israeli government on Iran.

(SOUNDBITE OF SPEECH)

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Sports
7:38 am
Sun July 29, 2012

Olympic Medal Feats Outside Of The Pool

Originally published on Sun July 29, 2012 11:58 am

The Olympics are officially underway, and NPR's Mike Pesca is reporting from London. Guest host David Greene talks with Pesca about developments so far.

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