CURRENT ISSUE

January 2006

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Features

Flu pandemic

The Flu Hunter

For years, Robert Webster has been warning of a global influenza outbreak. Now governments worldwide are finally listening to him

Venezuela Steers a New Course

As oil profits fund a socialist revolution, President Hugo Chávez picks a fight with his country's biggest customer the United States

hippo populations

Hippo Haven

An idealistic married couple defy poachers and police in strife-torn Zimbabwe to protect a threatened herd of placid pachyderms

The Overture to Tannhäuser: The Artist's Mother and Sister, 1868, Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

Cézanne

The man who changed the landscape of art

Full Speed Ahead

A railroad, finally, crosses Australia's vast interior—linking not only the continent's south with its north, but also its past to its future

Departments

Indelible Images

Grab a Drink With Hollywood's Stars

To photographer Slim Aarons, the biggest stars were auld acquaintances

The Object at Hand

American Idol

Once upon a time, Miss America reigned supreme

Points of Interest

Last Race on Earth

In a quest for the ultimate challenge, marathoners go the distance in Antarctica

Editor's Note

Time Traveler

Smithsonian gets a new publisher

From the Secretary

Dressed-Down Democracy

Franklin's 300th birthday this month reminds us of common ideals and artifacts that reflect them—from a simple suit to an iconic lunch counter

Letters

January Letters

Readers respond to the November issue

This Month in History

January Anniversaries

Momentous or merely memorable

The Last Page

Royal @

In a web-based monarchy, there are no bans on fox-hunting