It's Israel's 60th Independence Day today. Sirens sounded across the country to mark the occasion. The World's Quil Lawrence stopped at an intersection in Jerusalem to reflect on the significance of the moment.

Prime Minister David Ben Gurion reading out Israel's declaration of independence

In today's Geo Quiz -- we asked for the name of the sea that lies between the Korean peninsula and the islands of Japan. The answer depends on whom you ask. The Sea of Japan is the internationally recognized name, but Koreans prefer the East Sea or the East Sea of Korea. Any of those serve as the answer to our quiz.

Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Naomi Duguid and Jeffrey Alford about their latest book, "Beyond The Great Wall -- Recipes and Travels in the Other China."

Today on The World: Tensions rise dramatically in Beirut, Lebanon; Burma is under pressure to let more foreign aid in to help cyclone survivors; and a Chinese pop singer is proud to represent her country -- even in the face of criticism over Tibet.

The World's Aaron Schachter reports from Beirut that tensions rose dramatically today between Lebanon's two main rival political blocks. Parts of Beirut were shut down by barricades and gun battles.

Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Lebanon policy expert Oussama Safa about concerns that the escalating tensions in Lebanon could lead to another civil war.

Israeli students are celebrating the 60th birthday of their nation. Young Palestinians are also marking the anniversary - as the "catastrophe" that turned many Palestinians into refugees. The World's Quil Lawrence tells about these two versions of Middle East history.

Aid is trickling into Burma, as the scale of the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis becomes apparent. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with a BBC reporter in the disaster area. (He cannot be identified as foreign journalists are not officially allowed into Burma).

Five days after a devastating cyclone struck the South East Asian nation of Burma, the first UN aid flight has landed in the country. But Burma's military authority is still resisting the majority of foreign aid that's being offered - including that from the United States. The World's Katy Clark looks at why that might be.

Factories on the Mexican side of the US border employ tens of thousands of workers. But as The World's Lorne Matelon reports. efforts to control illegal trafficking of migrants and drugs are making it harder for Mexican made factory goods to reach the United States.