Santa Claus or Father Christmas? The origin of the Patron saint of Christmas is explored. Plus, the surprising popularity of a Tickle Me Elmo toy has caused prices to skyrocket.

A tribute to Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former leader of the UN General Assembly, whose peacekeeping skills were put to the test during the Rwandan Genocide.

Madeleine Albright becomes the first Secretary of State in America, and investigations reveal a possible chemical cause of Gulf War Syndrome.

Cults of California, tolerance in San Francisco, and the permissive parenting backlash are discussed by Alistair Cooke in this week's Letter From America.

From California, Alistair Cooke examines the un-politicised institution of Thanksgiving and the changing face of US politics.

After public revelations of cases of sexual violence in the US Army and Navy Alistair Cooke examines the scandal of the sexual harassment of women in America's armed forces.

US intervention in the Rwandan refugee crisis and the history of President Clinton's press conferences.

The results of the presidential elections and how technology is turning busy television studios into silent cathedrals, as discussed by Alistair Cooke.

The history Halloween, the origin of the vampire myth and the roaring business performed by pumpkin farmers during the month of October.

A season of disaster, forest fires, tornadoes, earthquakes and leads to a recollection of a vast storm in 1938 which descended on the Northern Atlantic coast.

The science of electoral prediction and the possible pitfalls of keeping one ear to the ground following the Dole and Clinton debates.