On the 40th anniversary of the United Nations

The closure of the East River Drive ahead of the meeting of the UN in New York.

• 15 mins

1985 Mexico City Earthquake

The alleged corruption stalling the recovery of Mexico City after a ruinous earthquake.

• 15 mins

Hurricane Gloria

Be thankful for today's weather forecasting when it's hurricane season.

• 14 mins

Achille Lauro hijack

Israel strikes back after cruise ship hijacking and murder.

• 14 mins

Cholesterol discovery wins Nobel prize

American discoveries about cholesterol could lead to new drug treatments.

• 14 mins

Limousine envy, 1985

UN's birthday party creates a limousine jam in New York.

• 14 mins

US labour unions

The Welsh miner who changed the face of US labour unions.

• 14 mins

Tennessee jails crisis

Overcrowded jails in Tennessee lead judge to refuse prison sentences.

• 14 mins

Old hatreds

How long does it take before old foes can become friends?

• 14 mins

California's sea otters

Return of California's hunted sea otters.

• 14 mins

The computer age, 1985

Entering the age of the computer, from MRI scans to word processors.

• 14 mins

Making assumptions

We think we know what's true - but surveys often prove otherwise.

• 14 mins

Some stories don't date

Is there any such thing as 'today's news'?

• 14 mins

Paul Castellano shot dead

Leader of Mafia family shot dead on New York street.

• 14 mins

Reagan's Russian broadcast

US and Soviet leaders in dual New Year greetings broadcasts.

• 14 mins

Sanctions against Libya

US imposes sanctions against Libya for its support of airport attackers.

• 14 mins

Martin Luther King day

National holiday to honour Martin Luther King observed for the first time.

• 14 mins

Loans warning on economy, January 1986

Top economist warns that loans could prompt financial crash.

• 14 mins

Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger disaster, 1986

The death of space shuttle Challenger astronaut and school teacher Christa McAuliffe.

• 15 mins

The US budget

Who controls the spending budget in the US - the president or Congress?

• 15 mins

Philippines election queried

US troubleshooter Habib holding post-mortem on Philippines snap election.

• 14 mins

Reagan blunders over Marcos election

President's 'enormous' blunder over Marcos election result shocks American press.

• 14 mins

Marcos overthrown by people power

Philippines president ousted from office after election scandal.

• 14 mins

Floods in California

Northern California flooded after a year's rain falls in just over a week.

• 14 mins

International airlines in trouble

Cut-throat competition sees airlines facing bankruptcy or buyouts.

• 14 mins

Loving Los Angeles

Learning to love the city of the angels.

• 14 mins

US-Libya missile battle

Gulf of Sidra missile battle between US and Libya during navy manoeuvres.

• 14 mins

Americans stay at home

Terrorism fears trigger fall-off in US travel abroad.

• 14 mins

TV violence

Does watching violent television or film lead to real acts of violence?

• 15 mins

US attack on Libya

American air forces bomb Libyan leader Gaddafi's terrorist headquarters.

• 14 mins