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

Bhutto hanged

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's execution could unleash a violent reaction throughout Pakistan. He still has a strong following in his Pakistan People's Party (PPP). Bhutto, who ruled Pakistan from 1971 to 1977, was hanged before daybreak and later buried quietly near his ancestral home, in Sind Province. President Zia Ul-Haq, the army chief who overthrew Bhutto on July 5, 1977, rejected all appeals for clemency in Bhutto's murder case. Bhutto was convicted and sentenced to hang on March 18, 1978, for ordering a political murder.

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Cambodia in Viet hands

Vietnamese and Phnom Penh forces captured the last town in Cambodia known to have been in the hands of the toppled regime, Thai military sources said. The troops of the Peng Samu government and Vietnam attacked and seized Pailin, a gem-mining town in rugged country near the Thai frontier 300 kilometres northwest of Phnom Penh.

Thatcher is favourite

Opposition leader Margaret Thatcher is entering Britain's general election campaign on a tide of rising popularity, according to the latest opinion polls. For years Mrs Thatcher has trailed behind Prime Minister James Callaghan in terms of public esteem. The poll, in the Daily Express, reported she was now more popular than ever.