Today on The World: Thousands are feared dead after powerful earthquake hits southwestern China; a singing-shepherd in the Alps does his part to keep Yiddish music alive.

The World's Matthew Bell reports on the earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province today. Thousands are feared dead.

Anne Zuckerman is a teacher at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China. She was on campus when the powerful earthquake hit. Host Lisa Mullins speaks to Zuckerman about the earthquake -- and about having to evacuate her apartment.

Some international aid is starting to make its way to those in need in southern Burma. But it's more than a week since the cyclone struck the region. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Joe Lowry, spokesman for the Red Cross in Burma.

Ben Gilbert reports from Beirut on how the city's residents have reacted to the recent fighting between political factions -- and how new fighting has erupted elsewhere in Lebanon.

The World' Aaron Schachter follows up with a report on Lebanon's fragile political situation. The question for many is whether the Lebanese government and opposition will agree to share power, ending a political stalemate that has lasted months.

The World's Gerry Hadden reports that French President Sarkozy's popularity has plummeted in the year since he took office.

The World's Quil Lawrence reports on young Israeli couples who cross ethnic and racial lines to get married, highlighting divides in Israeli society.

Nurit and Genady Kuchuk

For today's Geo Quiz we're looking for the name of a small town on the Mura River in the Austrian state of Styria.

Host Lisa Mullins talks with The World's book critic, Chris Merrill, about two Chinese novels recently out in English translations. The books are "Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out" by Mo Yan, and "Wolf Totem by Jiang Rong.

Anchor Lisa Mullins has a remembrance of Irish writer Nuala O'Faolain, author of "Are You Somebody? The Accidental Memoir of a Dublin Woman." O'Faolain died from lung cancer last week

Listen to:

Lisa Mullins' 1998 interview with Irish writer Nuala O'Faolain (mp3)

For our Geo Quiz today we asked for the name of a small town on the Mura River in the Austrian state of Styria. The answer is Judenburg, Austria.

Matthew Brunwaser has the story of a shepherd-songwriter who's trying to keep Yiddish music alive in Austria as he travels with his flock.