Usain Bolt of Jamaica wins the 100-meter final in 9.81 on Sunday, becoming the first man to ever win the race in three straight Olympics.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica wins the 100-meter final in 9.81 on Sunday, becoming the first man to ever win the race in three straight Olympics. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images hide caption

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The Torch

Rio Highlights: Usain Bolt Defends Crown; S. African Sets World 400 Record

The Jamaican seized the title of "world's fastest man" for the third time, an unprecedented feat. In the men's 400, S. African Wayde van Niekirk was not only a surprise winner, he set a world record.
Mourners carry the body of Palestinian Laith al-Khaldi during his funeral procession at the Jalazoun refugee camp, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Aug. 1, 2015. An Israeli soldier shot Khaldi after he had been throwing rocks at a military post. This was during a relatively calm period, although almost two dozen Palestinians were killed during the first half of the year.

Mourners carry the body of Palestinian Laith al-Khaldi during his funeral procession at the Jalazoun refugee camp, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Aug. 1, 2015. An Israeli soldier shot Khaldi after he had been throwing rocks at a military post. This was during a relatively calm period, although almost two dozen Palestinians were killed during the first half of the year. Nasser Nasser/AP hide caption

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Parallels - World News

In The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Even Calm Is Deadly

NPR examined more than a decade of data detailing Israeli and Palestinian fatalities. From February 2005 to September 2015, there were only four months with no deaths from conflict-related violence.
Lupe Dempsey, a retired federal agent, brings her Glock 9mm with her when she goes down to the Rio Grande. She believes the border is too wide open, evidenced by this unguarded metal walkway across the river in far West Texas.

Lupe Dempsey, a retired federal agent, brings her Glock 9mm with her when she goes down to the Rio Grande. She believes the border is too wide open, evidenced by this unguarded metal walkway across the river in far West Texas. John Burnett/NPR hide caption

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Politics

Borderland Trump Supporters Welcome A Wall In Their Own Backyard

Along the U.S.-Mexico border, most people favor Hillary Clinton for president and oppose building a wall. But a small group of Trump supporters demonstrates zeal.

Borderland Trump Supporters Welcome A Wall In Their Own Backyard

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Alexander Naddour, of the U.S. men's gymnastics team, bears the circular mark of cupping on his right arm as he prepares to compete on the pommel horse at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on August 6.

Alexander Naddour, of the U.S. men's gymnastics team, bears the circular mark of cupping on his right arm as he prepares to compete on the pommel horse at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on August 6. Alex Livesey/Getty Images hide caption

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Shots - Health News

How The Placebo Effect Could Boost An Olympic Performance

One athlete's "psych-up" ritual may psych out an opponent. And even treatments that lack hard evidence of benefit, scientists say, might provide a competitive edge if the athletes believe they work.
Proof the sport used to be pretty weird: a game of water polo, circa 1880. Although the barrels and mallets of the sport's early versions look quite unlike what's played today, note that even then there was one thing missing: actual horses.

Proof the sport used to be pretty weird: a game of water polo, circa 1880. Although the barrels and mallets of the sport's early versions look quite unlike what's played today, note that even then there was one thing missing: actual horses. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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The Torch

Dipping A Toe In Water Polo For The First Time? Here's A Handy Guide

Chances are, you only see this sport every leap year — but water polo is far more than an Olympic curiosity. With this layperson's guide, you may soon be dropping lingo like an expert.
Syrian Civil Defense Force rescuer Khaled Omar Harrah after pulling a baby from a destroyed home in Aleppo. The moment was caught on video and gained international attention.

Syrian Civil Defense Force rescuer Khaled Omar Harrah after pulling a baby from a destroyed home in Aleppo. The moment was caught on video and gained international attention. The White Helmets/Screen shot by NPR hide caption

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The Two-Way - News Blog

The Volunteer Who Rescued Syria's 'Miracle Baby' Is Killed In Aleppo

Khaled Omar Harrah, a volunteer rescuer who spent more than two years rushing to the scenes of airstrikes and barrel bombs to save lives, has been killed by an airstrike in the embattled city.
The Japanese Subaru Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii has the right attributes for searching for Planet Nine.

The Japanese Subaru Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii has the right attributes for searching for Planet Nine. National Astronomical Observatory of Japan hide caption

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Joe's Big Idea

Astronomers Are On A Celestial Treasure Hunt. The Prize? Planet Nine

Earlier this year, a pair of scientists predicted the existence of a ninth planet based on computer modeling of the solar system. This fall, the race is on to be the first to spot it in a telescope.

Astronomers Are On A Celestial Treasure Hunt. The Prize? Planet Nine

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Donald Trump, left, and Hillary Clinton, right, delivered competing economic speeches this week.

Donald Trump, left, and Hillary Clinton, right, delivered competing economic speeches this week. Mary Altaffer and Chuck Burton/AP hide caption

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Politics

How Did Trump's and Clinton's Economic Policy Speeches Compare?

While both candidates diverge vastly on many issues, they also have some surprising areas of agreement.

How Did Trump's and Clinton's Economic Policy Speeches Compare?

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At the 1936 Olympics, 18 black athletes went to Berlin as part of the U.S. team. Pictured here are (left to right rear) Dave Albritton, and Cornelius Johnson, high jumpers; Tidye Pickett, a hurdler; Ralph Metcalfe, a sprinter; Jim Clark, a boxer, and Mack Robinson, a sprinter. In front are John Terry, (left) a weight lifter and John Brooks, a long jumper.

At the 1936 Olympics, 18 black athletes went to Berlin as part of the U.S. team. Pictured here are (left to right rear) Dave Albritton, and Cornelius Johnson, high jumpers; Tidye Pickett, a hurdler; Ralph Metcalfe, a sprinter; Jim Clark, a boxer, and Mack Robinson, a sprinter. In front are John Terry, (left) a weight lifter and John Brooks, a long jumper. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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The Torch

Black U.S. Olympians Won In Nazi Germany Only To Be Overlooked At Home

Jesse Owens is still the most famous name from the 1936 Olympics in Nazi-controlled Berlin. But a new documentary highlights 17 other African-American athletes who also made their mark.

Black U.S. Olympians Won In Nazi Germany Only To Be Overlooked At Home

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A volunteer at the the Dar-ul-Islam mosque in Elizabeth, N.J., prepares for a party to welcome refugees. More than 50 newly arrived Syrian women and children were invited to the party.

A volunteer at the the Dar-ul-Islam mosque in Elizabeth, N.J., prepares for a party to welcome refugees. More than 50 newly arrived Syrian women and children were invited to the party. Deborah Amos/NPR hide caption

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Parallels - World News

At A New Jersey Mosque, People Of Different Faiths Welcome Syrians

At a party for Syrian refugees in a New Jersey mosque, Americans of Lebanese and Pakistani descent and a Jewish family offer help and stories of their own immigrant backgrounds.

At A New Jersey Mosque, People Of Different Faiths Welcome Syrians

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A couple checks flight schedules.
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Your Money

'The Travel Detective' Explains How Airlines Became A 'Mafia'

Airlines are making record profits, but more fees and flight cancellations haven't made air travel great recently. Travel journalist Peter Greenberg talks about the reasons why.

'The Travel Detective' Explains How Airlines Became A 'Mafia'

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A poll of psychiatrists about the mental fitness of Barry Goldwater, Republican nominee for president in 1964, led to the creation of a rule that discourages doctors from public diagnoses.

A poll of psychiatrists about the mental fitness of Barry Goldwater, Republican nominee for president in 1964, led to the creation of a rule that discourages doctors from public diagnoses. William Lovelace/Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Shots - Health News

Psychiatrists Reminded To Refrain From Armchair Analysis Of Public Figures

After a 1964 poll of psychiatrists found almost half considered Barry Goldwater psychologically unfit to be president, the doctors' professional society said they should stay mum on mental fitness.
Lead water pipes are still used in many U.S. homes.

Lead water pipes are still used in many U.S. homes. Seth Perlman/AP hide caption

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The Two-Way - News Blog

Lead Levels Below EPA Limits Can Still Impact Your Health

Even tiny amounts of lead in the water can cause IQ deficits in children or high blood pressure in adults.

Lead Levels Below EPA Limits Can Still Impact Your Health

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