UAE | Media
From the pages of Gulf News dated December 2 to 7, 1978
From the pages of Gulf News dated December 2 to 7, 1978
- Compiled by Abdul Rahim Abdul Kareem, Head of Archives
- Published: 00:10 December 7, 2007
December 2
Police chase mystery UFO
A mystery unidentified flying object (UFO) was chased by police for nearly an hour in Dubai. The UFO, described as being a bright oval shaped object with hazy edges rather like a cloud, was first spotted by a police patrol over Hamriya. Other police patrols, including an offshore police patrol boat joined the chase and shortly afterwards it was seen on Dubai side. There were no reports, however, of it having landed, and eventually it vanished as mysteriously and as quickly as it had first appeared.
December 3
140 die after refugee boat is turned away
More than 140 Vietnamese refugees were feared drowned after their boat, which had been refused permission to land in Malaysia, was pounded to bits by heavy seas. There were 147 survivors. A police spokesman said the boat, which was believed to have left Vietnam, had been carrying 87 men, 47 women and 156 children. He said 143 people, including many children, were feared dead.
December 4
South Yemen rejects Russian base claim
South Yemen President Ali Nasser Mohammad dismissed claims that the Soviet Union had a marine base in the Port of Aden. "We have not put a marine base or any military base at the disposal of the Soviet Union or handed one over to them," President Nasser Mohammad said. "A simple reason is: the Soviet Union has not asked us for one. It has no interest in such a military base," he said.
December 5
French warn Khomeini
The French government officially warned Iran's opposition leader Ayatollah Khomeini for the third time to stop preaching violent revolution in his country as long as he remains on French territory. Khomeini has ignored two previous similar warnings, calling on his followers to revolt against the Shah, while urging Iranian workers to strike and soldiers to mutiny.
Oil exporters call for control of production
The Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting countries (Opec) called for the world's major oil exporters to control the quantity of the product available as well as its price. Opec said oil prices were likely to be pushed down if consumers were allowed to determine the level of oil production. Opec said with increasing supplies of non-Opec oil and the rapid build-up of stockpiles, the importing states would be able to bring about severe seasonal fluctuations in Opec production.
December 6
New Sharjah oil depot is opened
His Highness Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has officially opened a new BP oil storage depot at Sharjah port. Constructed on a nine-acre plot of reclaimed land as part of the Mina Khalid project, the depot contains six storage tanks for aviation kerosene, diesel and fuel oil.
Now Egypt pulls out of Bulgaria
Egypt severed diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. A Foreign Ministry statement said. Egypt made the decision after the Bulgarian government expelled Egypt's diplomats in Sofia. "Egypt has been keen to contain the incident within its normal limits but the government of Bulgaria chose to expel the Egyptian Embassy staff from Sofia and accordingly Egypt has decided to sever relations with Bulgaria," the statement said.
December 7
Dubai Dry Dock contract awarded
The long-awaited management contract for Dubai's Dry Dock has finally been let to a consortium of two British companies. In a statement from the Ruler's office, the Dubai Government said that a preliminary agreement had been reached with C.H. Bailey Limited and the Bristol Channel Ship Repairers Limited. A formal agreement, which is also expected to include the setting up of a new company in Dubai, will be signed next year.
Community Reports
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Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
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Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
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Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
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Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
