Israel is 60 years and we wish happy birthday to all Israelis and hope that a peace settlement will be found.
NBC journalist Martin Fletcher said:
"For most people Independence Day on Thursday will proceed as usual – children spraying each other with string foam and hitting each other on the head with squeaky plastic hammers, a violent custom that apparently goes back to the days of pre-plastic Persia; barbeques on every square foot of public space; and car drivers flying the Israeli flag. It's a raucous annual celebration of what Israelis see as one of the great achievements of the twentieth century: After 2,000 years, the return of the Jews to the land of Zion."
Mexican violence scaring off touristsAt least 18,000 people have been killed in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon dispatched the army to fight the drug cartels in December of 2006 and the chilling effect on tourism is clear in Tijuana.