German armed forces: Report on the future of compulsory military service and future overseas operations.

"Computer Search above the Clouds"

Security: Everyone travelling to the United States is to be checked by the US authorities even as they book their flights - a state-operated surveillance programme of hitherto unparalleled dimensions. In the interest of the war against terrorism, US authorities will in future receive virtually all the information about Europeans travelling to America that is collected when they book their flight at the travel agent's.

"The Eternal Lure of Gold"

Finance: The idea of sponsoring education by selling off gold is about to fall through: Minister of Finance Hans Eichel doesn't want to hear about it, nor do most of those on the board of directors at the Federal bank. In fact, however, the European currency reserves, in particular the economically largely useless gold reserves, are considered to be far too lavish. The Federal Bank of Germany holds 3446 tonnes, the Bank de France 3025 tonnes, the Banca d'Italia 2454 tonnes, hundreds of which could safely be sold, even according to economists, who otherwise tend to be more on the side of traditionally-minded central bankers.

Lawsuits: Following the legal proceedings against Mannesmann, new spectacular lawsuits are to be held against leading managers.

"The Godfathers of the East"

Crime: Whether it is heroin trafficking, money laundering or sex via mobile phone, Asia's secret societies control businesses that turn over billions. The syndicates, which are firmly embedded in society, often have excellent contacts in political circles - and more and more often, their bosses wear pin-stripes. The same applies in China and Japan, as in Siberia or tropical Southeast Asia: wherever a regulative vacuum occurs, wherever profitable niches open up or borders are found to be porous, the godfathers go into action - be it the fishing business in the Sea of Okhotsk or the roulette tables of Macao. Within its own sphere of influence, the mafia introduces its own system of justice. It protects and punishes and, particularly in Japan, this does not necessarily mean heading for a confrontation with the authorities.

"I Was Caught on a Hook"

Interview with the nun Isa Vermehren about her career as a cabaret star, her internment in a concentration camp and a society without God:

"I have never prayed as much as I did then, and that gave me strength. Also, the inmates who were interned for the crimes of family members were privileged: I had a cell of my own in the prison wing. From there I was able to watch the horrors of the camp. ... I think, Auschwitz is the world that people build for themselves, who no longer know or want to know about God."

"The Little God Abdicates"

Music industry: Manager Tim Renner, who lost his job with the Universal Group last week, is a symbol - unlike his colleague Thomas M. Stein who was booted out by Bertelsmann. Renner's departure marks the end of many German pop hopes.

"The End of an Illusion"

Marketing: The European Union is considering abolishing the expression "Made in Germany" - and is reaping outraged protests. But what once used to be viewed as a quality seal has long ceased to fulfil its own promise. Almost the entire range of previously German - and hence, by inference, sound - top-of-the-range products are nowadays manufactured in the Far East or Eastern Europe, which has in some cases led to the disappearance of entire brands. And those that still exist owe this in part to their overseas production sites. Thus almost 60 percent of German companies with a workforce of under 5000 - the classic medium-sized enterprise - have meanwhile set up sites outside the European Union.