The World's Aaron Schachter reports on soaring tensions in the Middle East, following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by the Lebanese militant Islamic group, Hezbollah. Israeli troops responded by bombarding southern Lebanon in an effort to free the captives.

Host Marco Werman speaks with Amal Saad-Ghorayeb, a professor the American University of Beirut, about the reaction of Lebanese to the capture of two Israeli soldiers in their country.

The World's Jessie Graham reports on Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's surprise visit to Iraq today. He was talking with Iraq's Prime Minister about faltering security there.

President Bush will visit German Chancellor Angela Merkel on his way to this weekend's G8 meeting in St. Petersburg. Host Marco Werman talks to Constanze Stelzenmueller, Director of the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, about how the two leaders get along and how Germany is preparing for Bush's visit.

Germany's new Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has plunged into the cutting edge of communications with the launch of regular video podcasts. That move has unintentionally launched a new image for the leader. Correspondent Frank Hessenland explains.

Online extras:
Video-Podcast "Angela Merkel - die Kanzlerin direkt"
Angela Merkels
Hot Podcast
Show Opener von
Angela Merkel
Mrs. Merkel
Sack Race World Cup 06 in Germany
TERRORGRUPPE "ANGELA"

Correspondent Sheri Fink reports on how the Indian city of Mumbai is responding to yesterday's coordinated bomb attacks on its railway line.

Host Marco Werman speaks with Arun Bhagat, former head of Indian intelligence from 1996 until 1998, about what's known so far in the investigation into yesterday's bombings in the Indian city of Mumbai.

Where in the world will we go today?

French soccer star Zinedine Zidane spoke on French television tonight about his now world-famous head butt of an Italian player in the final game of the World Cup. Host Marco Werman gets the story from Xavier Rivoire, reporter for France Football Magazine.

The answer to today's Geo Quiz is Kuala Lumpur, where The World's International Literature critic Christopher Merrill is staying up late to tell host Marco Werman about the Malaysian city's bustling nightlife.

The Long Day Wanes: A Malayan Trilog by Anthony Burgess