From Reagan to ray guns 20.02.19 THE STARSHIP era comes a step closer to reality as the US air force launches the 'Death Ray', the world's first space-based laser   Bamboo curtain-raiser 12.03.19 CHINA HAS stunned political analysts with the appointment of a young and liberal leader Parents make classy move 30.08.19 THE PARENTS' Coalition (PC) in Worcestershire have acquired a prime school site in its efforts to return education to the state Terror worms way onto Net 20.09.19 A DEVASTATING computer virus that crippled the Internet for almost 24 hours finally appears to be under control   Taylor-made for president 05.11.19 ORSON TAYLOR launched his mayoral campaign with a simple motto - 'Your ballot or your life' Rich List - 2019 The list is made up of 397 men, 103 women Map of the Future 2019 - A better world THE WORLD is moving closer to global democracy and international human rights legislation has had significant effect

Britain has voted to scrap the pound and join the euro-dollar. A snap referendum produced a 2:1 majority for the move, widely regarded as inevitable since the euro and the dollar merged four years ago. The government promised 'an end to the boom-bust cycle which has held us back for the past 20 years'. Gordon Brown, who as British chancellor in 1999 had produced a national changeover plan for Britain to join the euro, said the move was a belated recognition that his strategy was right. DS The signing of the Greek-Turkish Cypriot agreement in Nicosia has been hailed as a great peace-building initiative. Cyprus will be reunited under federal rule, with a high degree of autonomy for the Turkish north and Greek south. This follows last year's decision by Greek and Turkish Cypriots not to be bound by Athens and Ankara. The reunification comes 45 years after the 1974 partition of the island. PR This year saw the first new Elvis Presley record since his death in 1977. Taking samples from many of the 1,000 or more songs that Presley recorded, the west London record label 21 digitally deconstructed his voice so that it could be laid over tracks devised by a computer program. The resulting album, Past, Present & Future, which is expected to reach the top 10, has the blessing of the Presley estate, run by his daughter, Lisa Marie. DJ