Great tennis legends used to use heavy wooden rackets. Graphite arrived about 25 years ago. Since then, the technology hasn't change much. That is until now. More and more pros are using polyester strings in their rackets.

Now that Moammar Gadhafi's regime has lost control of the Libyan capital Tripoli, some Africans have been left vulnerable to attack. Many rebels believe any dark man from sub-Saharan Africa is a Gadhafi mercenary. The Africans say they are in Libya either as laborers or waiting to get to Italy. The International Organization for Migration says their plight is a significant problem.

Many of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's family members have turned up in Algeria. It's not known if Gadhafi is with them. The Algerian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Gadhafi's wife Safia, his sons Hannibal and Mohammed, and his daughter Aisha entered the country across the land border.

Parts of upstate New York were hit hard by Tropical Storm Irene — high winds and a wall of heavy rain swept away homes and bridges. Dozens of major highways, including sections of interstates 87 and 90, were closed to traffic.

As the international community ratchets up criticism of Syria for its violent crackdown on anti-government protesters, the country is becoming more and more isolated. That means it's being forced to lean on allies like Russia and Iran. NPR's Kelly McEvers recently returned from a government-sponsored tour of Syria, mainly for reporters from countries that support regime.

Steve Inskeep has business news.

After taking the lead in efforts to drive Moammar Gadhafi from power in Libya, France appears set on playing a bigger role in shaping the new Middle East. President Nicolas Sarkozy is pressing for the U.N. Security Council to act against Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has brutally cracked down on his people. France will also try to extend its influence on the Middle East peace process.

David Greene has the Last Word in business.

Steve Inskeep talks to David Wessel of "The Wall Street Journal," about President Obama's choice of Alan Krueger as chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, and the president's jobs plan.