King's Cross, Zeebrugge, Piper Alpha - more than a thousand people died in the big disasters of the late 80s. Yet after most disasters and deaths at work, company managements escape unpunished.

The Prime Minister praised the NHS for the treatment his parents received when they were ill in their old age. But many health authorities are now cutting back or even abandoning long-stay beds, moving the elderly to private nursing homes.

The collapse of Soviet Union has left thousands of nuclear warheads, vast amounts of plutonium and entire cities full of scientists who know how to make nuclear weapons: what happens to them now?

As the General Election approaches, opinion polls suggest an increasing likelihood of the result being a hung Parliament. If so, the balance of power may be held by Paddy Ashdown , the leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Next week George Bush sets out on the long electoral road to a 2nd term in the White House. But America is ill disposed to reward the President for his foreign policy successes. The campaign spotlight has focused on the ailing US economy.

As the opinion polls indicate that-half the Scottish electorate now favours independence, David Dimbleby chairs a debate from Edinburgh on the future of Scotland's government.

Three men are serving life sentences for gruesome murder of a Cardiff prostitute. Tom Mangold investigates some of methods used by police in a case led to longest murder trial in British history.

Since the miners' strike 7 yrs ago, productivity in Britain's mines has soared and efficiency improved beyond expectations. But there have been pit closures and redundancies as the coal industry has felt the chill blast of market forces.

Now that it is officially admitted that Britain's current economic recession is the longest since the Second World War, a bitter debate has broken out about its origins.

David Dimbleby chairs a debate on one of the issues crucial to the outcome of the imminent General Election.

David Dimbleby face-to-face with party leaders. Tonight: Paddy Ashdown, Leader of Liberal Democrats.

David Dimbleby face-to-face in live interviews with party leaders. Tonight: Neil Kinnock, Leader of Labour Party.

The Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party, John Major, is interviewed live by David Dimbleby. Can the Conservatives win the election despite the longest economic recession since the war?

What are the implications of the election result for the nation and for its political parties? David Dimbleby and the Panorama team assess last Thursday's poll.

Summer has not yet arrived but already large areas of southern Britain are subject to hosepipe bans and other restrictions on use of water.

Are golden days over for British home owners? Reporter John Plender looks at whether in future owning a house will still be a sure way of doubling your money or whether.

The Citizen's Charter, which John Major launched as Tories' "big idea" for 90s, is rapidly breeding mini-charters setting new standards for most public services.

At Earth Summit in Rio this week, tax payers in rich countries like Britain will be asked to pay billions of pounds to save world from environmental disaster.

Are police now calling a truce in war on drugs? Fewer users are being prosecuted, but does this mean there is a move towards a decriminalisation of drugs use?.

As Israel prepares to go to the polls, the Middle East peace process hangs in the balance. Jane Corbin reports on how the Israeli voters will affect the prospect for peace.

In wake of Maxwell scandal, there are fears that pension funds are vulnerable to theft and sharp practice by people who run them.

In a few days' time, Britain's last governor will arrive in Hong Kong - in preparation for handing the colony over to China. Can Chris Patten save the way of life of its people, or will it fall prey to the regime in Peking?

Almost a year after abortive coup against Gorbachev, ghost of communism still haunts former Soviet Union.

New fears about an Aids epidemic in the heterosexual community have been raised by recent highly publicised cases. Tom Mangold looks at new evidence on how Aids spreads among heterosexuals, and whether current health policies are effective

Is free dental care in danger of becoming a thing of past? As dentists threaten to withdraw from NHS over Government's attempts to regulate their fees, Steve Bradshaw reports on widening gap between private and NHS dentistry.

Supporters of death penalty in America used to claim it was a deterrent to violent crime.

Britain is poised to become a major player in an international trade in deadly plutonium.

Forced to remain in harbour against their will and obliged to throw almost half their catch back into sea, British fishermen are angrier than at any time since "cod war" of early 1970s.

Despite the recession, the pay of Britain's company directors is rising faster than ever. How do they justify double-figure increases? Michael Crick finds out who sets the boss's pay and whether there is a better way.

Horse racing in Britain is in crisis. Is it because it's not run in a business-like way or because bookies aren't paying their fair share?

New payments to farmers to produce less food will result in an area of farmland bigger than Devon being released. Will this lead to widespread dereliction? Should the land be used for housing and industry or returned to nature?

Recent events have shaken the foundations of the EC. As the 12 gather for a summit in Britain this week, Martha Kearney looks at the view from France and Germany and asks whether these nations will create a premier league in Europe.

This year, hundreds of thousands of people will be smuggled into the west from the former communist states of eastern Europe. Nisha Pillai reports on this crime which is fast becoming a European growth industry.

Bill Clinton has suffered the most sustained attacks on a candidate's character in recent American history, over sex, drugs and the draft. Yet he goes into next week's election with the best prospects a Democrat has had in 16 years.

The future of some popular BBC tv shows, from Eldorado to the Generation Game, is under scrutiny. Why should viewers pay a licence for the kind of programmes that may be widely available on rival channels in the 90s?

Animal sacrifice, child sexual abuse, cannibalism and murder: crimes committed, claim some, in the name of Satan. According to one estimate, satanic ritual abuse is rife in every town in Britain, but is this myth or reality?

Crack cocaine is most dangerous illegal drugs ever to reach Britain. The intense pleasure it gives soon leads to addiction, and a deadly spiral of depression and destructiveness.

Under Mrs Thatcher, ministers said they meant to privatise British Rail, but left it in public ownership. Now John Major's government intends to show how radical it is, by de-nationalising the industry.