"Victories over the Weather"

Cover story: A revolution in meteorology: very soon there could be forecasts for individual areas of a town or for the next summer. Engineers intend to destroy storms and declare war on lightning. Doctors are finding that sun and rain have a stronger effect on our health than was previously thought.

"Lost in Court"

Custody laws: Kidnapped children from binational marriages are protected by the Hague Convention - which German courts often disregard.

"Every Kind of Pressure Is Important"

Custody laws: Interview with Glenn Gebhard, who has not been allowed to see his twins since 1994, on injustices experienced by American fathers and mothers in German courts of law.

Opening of the Expo in Hannover

"The Threat Is Called China"

Interview with British military expert Jonathan Eyal, who sees only one motive behind Washington's planned missile defence system: fear of China. An arms race in mass destruction weapons has long started in Asia as a result, which could launch the entire planet into a nuclear war:

"It certainly is paradoxical that America is putting more money into arms today than at the height of East/West tensions. We are already well into the new arms race which many experts are only expecting as a result of NMD. … The effects of NMD are in fact already quite clearly visible: the Chinese are extremely worried - not only because their nuclear arms will be completely out-dated, but because the Americans have welcomed India's rise to become a nuclear power almost with secret delight."

"Longing for the 'Shuravi'"

Afghanistan: The civil war is entering its 23rd year, and both sides are still set on victory. The Taliban opponents under General Massud believe that there has been a shift in public opinion in the country. They are preparing for the next offensive using proceeds from the precious stones trade.

"Security for Pakistan"

Interview with the military chief of the Northern Alliance, Ahmed Shah Massud, on the prospects for a peaceful solution to the conflict:

"The war will begin again shortly. But the Taliban are running into problems: last year they attacked with 18,000 soldiers, this time they are 7,000 short. The willingness to fight is declining. … The USA do not have a clear policy towards Afghanistan."

"That Would Be Terrible for Us"

SPIEGEL interview with the Lord Mayor of Kaliningrad, Jurij Savenko, on the growing isolation of the Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea, the lack of understanding in Moscow and the hopes placed in Europe:

"We are among the most progressive regions in Russia, and therefore have the best opportunities for economic co-operation as well as the advantages of our geographical position. We should be making use of that … We are a totally unique case, there has never before been an example like this. But whatever we want, we are dependent on the developments around us. That's why we should become a testing bed for new forms of international and economic relations, a bridge between the EU and Russia."

"Lord of the Poisons"

Animals: From box jellyfish to cone shells: the world is inhabited by hundreds of poisonous animals. A Frankfurt toxicologist has dedicated himself to the lethal fauna. Now he is viewed by the roughly 500 scientist who study poisonous animals as a leading authority in the field.

"The Legend Will Remain"

SPIEGEL interview with military historian Philippe Castellano on his latest success in the search for the wreckage of the aircraft flown by author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:

"The bits of wreckage found so far constitute about 20 percent of the plane, and allow us to identify the type of aircraft with almost absolute certainty. It must be a P-38 "Lighting", built by Lockheed, with the specific technical features of the J series. … To obtain final official confirmation one would have to find a piece of wreckage with the Lightning's serial number. That calls for a systematic search of the sea floor which only the government authorities in charge can order. … The mystery may soon be solved, but the legend will remain. There is a plaque in the Paris Pantheon of the Republic to commemorate him. In France, every school child has read The Little Prince. You never forget the wonderful poetry of that story for as long as you live."

"Masks Tell the Truth"

SPIEGEL interview with British musician Peter Gabriel on his Millennium Dome spectacle "Ovo", flower costumes and his enthusiasm for a digital future:

"The Millennium Dome is the most unpopular project I have ever worked on … For twenty years I have been dreaming of building a park of experiences in collaboration with various artists and scientists. Because there are independent record companies and film companies, but no independent theme parks. I look upon the Millennium Dome show Ovo as a sort of practice for that. … I still have 130 unpublished songs tucked away in my drawers. Now I can put those on the Internet, like any other artist, for Gabriel fans to download. I would have been happy if there had been an offer like that for John Lennon's ideas. However society has got to decide at last whether everything on the Internet is in principle free of charge, or whether to levy a charge and then to be confronted by piracy."