Bin Sulayem wins title
1995 - Despite a brave fightback by Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum (right), after his succession of punctures during the early stages, Mohammad Bin Sulayem (centre) clinched his victory in the Dubai International Rally — the final round of the Middle East Rally Championship. Bin Sulayem, who had earned a two-minute lead, extended his advantage by 13 seconds on the first Al Khoor special stage of day two. Khalifa quickly disposed of Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Bakhashab, pacing himself towards the Middle East title, and began to gnaw away at Sulayem’s advantage. But the seven-time Middle East champion was too far ahead to be unduly concerned and returned to the Al Wafi finish in buoyant mood. Second place was enough, however, to give Khalid Malek the co-drivers’ title.
December 1
1821 - Dominican Republic declares independence from Spain.
1887 - Portugal secures the secession of Macao from China.
1913 - The first US drive-in automobile service station opens in Pittsburgh.
1918 - Iceland becomes a separate state under the Danish crown.
1925 - Through the Locarno Treaties Belgium, Britain, Italy, Germany and France agree to a mutual peace in Europe.
1934 - Sergei Kirov, a trusted aide of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, is assassinated.
1935 - Chiang Kai-Shek is elected president of Kuomintang, China’s ruling party.
1948 - Arab conference at Jericho proclaims Abdullah of Transjordan King of Palestine.
1954 - US signs security pact with Nationalist China, now Taiwan.
1962 - India rejects Chinese proposals for ceasefire and negotiations over disputed border territory.
1965 - An airlift of refugees from Cuba to US begins. Thousands of Cubans are allowed to leave their homeland.
1981 - A chartered Yugoslav DC-9 jetliner slams into a Corsican mountain as it approaches Ajaccio Airport, killing all 174 people aboard.
1988 - Benazir Bhutto is named Pakistan’s prime minister, becoming the first woman to lead a modern-day Muslim nation.
1990 - Chad’s President Hissene Habre flees the country after Libyan-armed guerrillas march into the capital
1991 - Ukrainians vote 9-1 in favour of independence from Soviet Union.
1997 - The Armed Forces Officers Club is inaugurated in Abu Dhabi.
1999 - Burj Al Arab hotel, standing 321 metres high, opens to the public in Dubai.
