On this day: December 9, 1978

A daily pick of news events that happened on this day in history from the pages of Gulf News dated December 9, 1978.

Click here to view a Gulf News page on December 9, 1978(pdf)

Muscat victory in sevens
Muscat A, with two tries in the first-half from man-of-the tournament Khumar Buell, right, stormed to victory in the prestigious Dubai rugby sevens tournament.

Playing with verve and considerable skill the Oman side beat the host Dubai A team by 10 pts to six in an exciting final.

Generally acknowledged to be the best side in the tournament Muscat were made to fight all the way for the Silver Khanjar Trophy which had been won by Bahrain for the last three year.

Indira slams probe as 'vindictive and biased'
In a cramped courtroom cordoned off by armed police and packed with supporters of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi told the presiding Judge that a central government inquiry probing her emergency rule is "vindictive and biased".

The four-hour hearing, during which the 61-year-old Mrs Gandhi read out a statement and answered the magistrate's questions, was inconclusive.

Carter warns Russia hands off
US President Jimmy Carter reaffirmed support for the embattled Shah of Iran and issued a veiled warning against Soviet intervention in the rebellion against his rule.

US officials meanwhile said they are afraid Moscow might be encouraged to intervene in the Iranian situation if American officials seem to signal a weakening of support for the Shah.

Army takes over town
The army was ordered to take over the administration of a north Indian town following bloody rioting between Hindus and Muslims which left at least 100 people injured.

The trouble in Rajouri, about 350 kilometers (330 miles) northwest of New Delhi, began when a large number of Muslims gathered to protest the burning of a college hostel. Curfew was clamped on the town and all schools and colleges closed indefinitely.