BBC ON THIS DAY

1980: Afghan leader defends Soviet invasion

The new president of Afghanistan, Babrak Karmal, is making his first public appearance since the Soviet-backed coup last week.

President George Bush and his Russian counterpart Boris Yeltsin shake hands

1993: US and Russia halve nuclear warheads
US President George Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin sign the Start II arms reduction treaty in Moscow.

1991: Britain expels Iraqi diplomats
The Foreign Office is expelling eight Iraqi embassy officials from the UK following threats of attacks on Western targets.

1977: Jenkins quits Commons for Brussels
Former Home Secretary Roy Jenkins announces he is leaving Westminster politics to become Britain's first President of the European Commission.

2000: Art theft was 'professional' job
Police say the Cezanne painting taken from the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford on New Year's Eve was probably stolen to order.

Around this Day

31 December

Top Story1964: Campbell speeds to double record

1 January

Top Story1995: Serial killer West found hanged

2 January

Top Story1971: Sixty-six die in Scottish football disaster

4 January

Top Story1967: Campbell killed during record attempt

5 January

Top Story1985: Israel ends major Ethiopian rescue mission

6 January