From the pages of Gulf News dated September 20-26, 1979

September 22

Bloodless takeover in overnight coup
EMPEROR Jean Bedel Bokassa was deposed in an overnight coup in the Central African Empire, sparking wild celebrations there at the fall of a hated tyrant accused of killing children. Within hours of the bloodless takeover by President David Dacko and the proclamation of a republic, two companies of French troops flew to the capital, Bangui.

September 23

Dubai's biggest hotel opens
THE BIGGEST hotel in Dubai, the Dubai International, was formally opened by His Highness Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The 400-room Dubai International is Shaikh Rashid's gift to the people of Dubai. It is located opposite Dubai International Airport.

Assassins strike in three Syrian cities
THREE more members of the minority Muslim Alawite sect, to which Syrian President Hafez Al Assad belongs, are killed in an anti-Alawite campaign, alarming the Syrian leadership.

September 24

Ghana gives up military rule

GHANA returns to parliamentary democracy after nearly eight years of military misrule and economic mismanagement, reducing the once prosperous country to bankruptcy. Daunting problems face the incoming administration of President Hilla Limann, an economist and retired diplomat.

Another school for Dubai
YET another new school began functioning in Dubai. The Gulf Indian School has already enrolled about 250 students. The school is conducting classes from Lower Kindergarten to Standard 4. The Gulf Indian School is located on Khalid Bin Waleed Street in Bur Dubai.

September 25

Oman's claim to protect Hormuz
THE PROTECTION of the Hormuz Strait is the sole responsibility of Oman, said Malallah Habeb, the Director of Political Administration in the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He added that Oman had approached the Gulf states, the US, Japan and other European states benefiting from the strait to finance the protection of the strait.

Trade Centre construction complete
The last key to Dubai's prestigious International Trade Centre was officially handed over. It marked the official completion of construction of the complex - just five years after its conception. Ralph Carver, managing director of Trade Centre Management Company, the on-site professional management team founded to operate the Trade Centre, accepted the key.

September 26

Eight killed in first Pakistan poll
Eight people were killed in Pakistan during voting in the first elections to be held since the armed forces came to power in July 1977. Clashes between supporters of rival candidates were reported in Sind and Punjab provinces, the country's most populous and politically volatile areas.

Judge who jailed mafia killers shot dead
A Sicilian judge, who dedicated his life to putting mafia killers behind bars, was shot dead by his bodyguard. Judge Cesaro Tcrranova, 58, and his police sergeant bodyguard Lenin Mancuso, 57, were shot outside the judge's residence by two suspected mafia killers.