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A daily pick of news events that happened on this day in history from the pages of Gulf News dated October 19, 1978.
Port chaos
A ten per cent increase in traffic and a high rate of worker absenteeism have caused costly delays of a month or more to UAE ships at Bombay port, India's largest. The shipping industry estimates losses related to the port congestion at DH 159 million for the financial year ending March 31,1978. Conditions have improved little in the past six months.
Click here to view Gulf News page on October 19, 1978(pdf)
"The congestion is due to increased traffic, an increase in the number of bulk carriers with imports of fertilizer, cement and edible oil calling at the port, and labour problems," said Chand Ram, Indian Minister for Shipping and Transport.
Karachi papers in censorship row
The editors and publishers of six dailies and two weekly newspapers have suspended publication of their journals for three days in protest at the government's orders for imposing censorship on them.
In a joint statement to the press, the editors of the affected newspapers appealed to the federal government "to withdraw pre-censorship orders," or they might have to continue suspension of their respective publications indefinitely.
The eight papers are generally described as supporting former Prime Minister Zulflkar Aii Bhutto, who was sentenced to die after conviction for the slaying of a political opponent during his rule.
Police warn crazy drivers
As insurance companies began counting up the cost of what was probably one of the UAE's most expensive road accidents, police gave a stern warning to "fog-mad" motorists.
Appalled by the 90 car pile up on the Dubai-Sharjah road early yesterday morning, they have issued an ultimatum: "Take more care on the road or we will take you off the road". The accidents happened within minutes of each other with cars shunting one another as they ploughed into stationary vehicles in front of them or slewed across the central reservation into cars on the other carriageway.
World Cup star signs for top Dubai club
One of Dubai's leading soccer clubs, Al Ahli have paid nearly Dh 120,000 for the transfer of Iranian World Cup star, Hassan Rowshan.
Rowshan, who tormented Scotland in their 1-1 World Cup draw in Argentina, will play for Al Ahli for one year before returning to Iran. Rowshan is expected to play his first game for his new club next week.
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