"The Hesse Lead"

Islamists: One of the suspects in connection with the terrorist attacks in Madrid was registered in Darmstadt. Has Germany once again been serving as a resting place for assassins?

"Sinister Scenario"

Security: The Federal public prosecutor’s office is trying to determine whether the German President Johannes Rau was indeed to be assassinated in Africa. The warning came from a reliable man in the intelligence service BND.

"I Hate Sharon"

SPIEGEL interview with the new Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Abd al-Asis Rantissi, 56, about the escalation in the battle against Israel:

"I will continue along the path taken by Sheikh Yassin, we will stick to our current approach. This means: we operate within Palestine, against the occupiers, and not beyond that scope. … The operations are the affair of the military arm. But they have a clear message: nothing is taboo, the gates are open for them. I personally hope that our reaction will be extremely forceful. … Sharon is a small animal, but a wild, bloodthirsty one. He himself is the greatest terrorist in the world."

"Another Powder Keg"

Foreign policy: Following the riots in Kosovo, Berlin has given up its last remaining illusions of a rapid end to the deployment of the German armed forces. The army must be prepared for overseas missions to continue for decades. Even the secret hopes of a reduction in the number of troops have evaporated.

"Dents in the Roof"

Vehicle construction: German researchers have demonstrated an effect which could revolutionise the designs of ships, aeroplanes and road vehicles. Their wind tunnel experiments show that small indentations in the surface of a body dramatically reduce its air resistance. Never before has a change in surface structure achieved such an improvement in streamlining. Trains, cars and aeroplanes could display significantly higher fuel economy or achieve higher speeds with the same fuel consumption – simply on account of the dimples in their bodywork. According to initial estimates, a car would require at least one litre less per hundred kilometres.