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Barbara Plett reports for the BBC that Bashar al-Assad officially becomes president of Syria today. Al-Assad takes the oath before parliament as president of Syria after winning an overwhelming vote in a nationwide referendum to take over the post held by his late father Hafez for 30 years.

Eight days of intense track and field competition wrapped up on Sunday night in Sacramento. Coaches and athletes consider these US Olympic trials as one of the greatest track meets in the world. The high levels of competition mean many world class athletes don't make the US Olympic team. KPBS reporter Nancy Greenleese has the story.

Scott Horsley of member station KPBS reports that San Diego is trying a new campaign to encourage more courteous use of cell phones. Cell phone maker Nokia and the San Diego city government are teaming up to post signs asking cell phone users to turn off their ringers, or their phones, in public places such as churches, libraries and movie theaters.

NPR's John Ydstie reports that once again the economy has outperformed expectations. The nation's gross domestic product increased five-point-two-percent in the second quarter, a much faster pace than most economists expected and a bit faster than growth in the first quarter. But even as overall growth sped up, inflation cooled off.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports that US Secretary of State Albright met with her North Korean counterpart today in the highest level talks between the US and North Korea since the end of the Korean War half a century ago. The meeting, which took place in Bangkok, comes after a series of moves by North Korea to end its long isolation.

The dancers of the Martha Graham Company sent out a letter today to the international dance community. It asked dancers and companies worldwide not to perform the works of the legendary choreographer who died in 1991. This letter is the latest in a series of recent events in the history of the Martha Graham Company that closed it's doors in May because of lack of funds. Jean Battey Lewis has a report.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports on the Russian launch today of a component for the International Space Station. The service module contributed by the Russians has been delayed by financial problems, which concerned some of the other countries working on the project -- including the United States.

Host Bob Edwards talks to reporter Maryann MaGuire who is in Belfast about political tensions in Northern Ireland. Protestants in the British ruled province today celebrate Orange Day, which commemorates the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over his Catholic foe in the 17th century.

NPR's John Burnett reports on the case of Cesar Fierro, a Mexican national who is on death row for killing an El Paso taxi driver. Fierro confessed to the crime - but now, even the prosecutor in the case admits that the confession was coerced. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that the error was harmless, and Fierro's chances at a new trial are remote.

Josh Levs reports from Nuremberg, Germany, that the city notorious for Nazi party rallies and war crimes trials is trying to re-make its image, hoping to attract tourists and foreign investors. City officials have taken great pains to educate the public about the horrors of the Nazi past. They are trying to paint a new picture of their city as a liberal, forward looking community.