Myanmar's military government told the UN Secretary General today it would allow all foreign aid workers into the country to help the victims of the cyclone. But observers note Myanmar's leaders haven't always kept their promises to the UN. Anchor Marco Werman gets more from the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.

Lots of podcast exclusive material this week. First, The World's Alex Gallafent is back from the Amazon with tales to tell us. Then, off to Helsinki to hear about the Finnish capital's high-tech transit system. And finally, we look ahead to an exciting weekend on the Red Planet, as NASA's Phoenix mission gets set to touch down on Mars.

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Today on The World: Myanmar's government says it will let in all foreign aid workers to help the cyclone victims; The Palestinian stock market continues to sizzle; And what's behind the anti-immigrant violence in South Africa.

We were looking for the name of the sea off Australia's northeast coast. It's where conservationists are studying sharks that swim in and around the Great Barrier Reef. The answer is the Coral Sea. Anchor Marco Werman explains why sharks in the Coral Sea are at risk of extinction.

Zoe Corneli introduces us to Rupa, a San Francisco doctor who is also a musician. Rupa not only reflects musical styles from all over the world in her work, she also infuses it with her comments on global politics.

The South African government today sent soldiers into the streets to stem violence against immigrants in the country. Attacks on foreigners have killed at least 42 people in recent days. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with journalist Stephanie Nolen about the violence.

Where in the world will we go today?

Ben Gilbert reports that residents of Beirut are hopeful that the city's businesses and tourist areas will return to normal after the peace agreement announced yesterday. During the 18th month stalemate between the western-backed government and Hezbollah opposition, the cities downtown streets had been awash with tents, barbed wire and checkpoints.

Members of Congress this week heard the first ever testimony given by a former Guantanamo detainee. But the event got little media attention. The World's Katy Clark reports on what happened, and whether it's likely to have any impact on the future of the controversial U.S. Military prison.

The Amazon rain forest is a crucial player in the global climate system. For one thing it's a massive store of carbon. The World's Alex Gallafent climbs a scientific tower in the Brazilian Amazon to explore another function: rainmaking.