January 31: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.37 %
Standard deviation	0.804
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	4
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	10

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	-0.049%	0.408%	0.345%	-4.359%
Standard deviation % change	1.882	1.589	1.433	19.955
No. of times price has gone up	9	15	9	0
No. of times price has gone down	11	9	10	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
European Stocks Eye Fresh 30-Mth Peak (Reuters)
EU Urged to Shun Cuba Pending Reforms (AP)
German unemployment at 'moment of truth', minister says (AFP)
China, EU Tell Different Economic Tales (AP)
EU Tells Ukraine to Walk Before It Runs (Reuters)
EU countries reluctant to agree to UN appeal to take in more refugees (Canadian Press)
How to Vanquish Euro-Sclerosis (BusinessWeek Online)
EU Seeks to Improve Trade Among Nations (AP)
EU chief seeks renewal for flagging bloc (AFP)
British Economy Grows 3.1 Percent in 2004 (AP)
London shares close higher on upbeat US earnings (AFP)

On this day
2003 Charles Schwab, the US stock and discount brokerage, announced it would sell its UK operations to Barclays bank.

BBC - On This Day
2000: Life for serial killer Shipman
Family GP Dr Harold Shipman is jailed for life for murdering 15 of his patients, making him Britain's most prolific convicted serial killer.
1953: 130 die in ferry disaster
A car ferry sinks in the Irish Sea in one of the worst gales of the winter, claiming the lives of up to 130 passengers and crew.
1996: Fifty dead in Sri Lanka suicide bombing
A lorry carrying heavy explosives has crashed into the central bank killing more than 50 people.
1968: Americans alarmed by 'Tet Offensive'
The American command in Vietnam reports over 5,000 people dead after two days' intensive fighting.
1983: British drivers ordered to belt up
Drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seatbelts under a new law designed to reduce road deaths.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 31

January 30: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.602 %
Standard deviation	1.071
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	4
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	11

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	-0.085%	-0.377%	0.022%	-4.256%
Standard deviation % change	1.298	1.477	1.406	19.589
No. of times price has gone up	10	10	7	2
No. of times price has gone down	11	13	11	4

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
China, EU Tell Different Economic Tales (AP)
EU Tells Ukraine to Walk Before It Runs (Reuters)
EU countries reluctant to agree to UN appeal to take in more refugees (Canadian Press)
How to Vanquish Euro-Sclerosis (BusinessWeek Online)
Europe Shares Steady (Reuters)
EU Seeks to Improve Trade Among Nations (AP)
EU chief seeks renewal for flagging bloc (AFP)
British Economy Grows 3.1 Percent in 2004 (AP)
London shares close higher on upbeat US earnings (AFP)
Britain misses official growth target for 2004 (AFP)
European stocks steady despite US lead, positive market news (AFP)

On this day
1934 In the US the Gold Reserve Act was passed, which pegged the value of the dollar to gold.
1998 Reuters shares plunged as allegations emerged that it had been stealing data from Bloomberg.

BBC - On This Day
1972: Army kills 13 in civil rights protest
British troops open fire on a crowd of demonstrators in the Bogside district of Londonderry in the worst day of the current crisis so far.
1965: Last farewell to Churchill
Thousands of people pay their last respects to Britain's greatest wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill who is buried today after a full state funeral.
2003: 'Shoe bomber' jailed for life
British-born Richard Reid is sentenced to life in jail for trying to bomb an American Airlines flight carrying 197 people.
1991: US Marines killed at Al Khafji
Iraqi troops seize control of a town inside the Saudi Arabian border after a fierce battle in which both sides suffered casualties.
1952: Korea truce talks hit stalemate
Truce talks aimed at ending fighting in the Korean War are deadlocked.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 30

January 29: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.26 %
Standard deviation	0.702
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	10
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	5

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	0.051%	0.333%	-0.296%	-3.769%
Standard deviation % change	1.875	1.738	1.698	19.253
No. of times price has gone up	10	13	9	2
No. of times price has gone down	9	10	11	2

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
How to Vanquish Euro-Sclerosis (BusinessWeek Online)
Europe Shares Steady (Reuters)
EU Seeks to Improve Trade Among Nations (AP)
EU chief seeks renewal for flagging bloc (AFP)
British Economy Grows 3.1 Percent in 2004 (AP)
London shares close higher on upbeat US earnings (AFP)
Britain misses official growth target for 2004 (AFP)
European stocks steady despite US lead, positive market news (AFP)
Germany Reduces Growth Forecast for 2005 (AP)
EU resumes aid to Sudan after end to long-running war (AFP)
Global Markets: European Shares Edge Up (Reuters)

On this day
1989 Global Motors, the American company that imported the Yugo (the car you could ""punch holes in the body with a wooden pencil""), filed for bankruptcy.

BBC - On This Day
1976: Explosions rock London's West End
A series of bombs explode in the West End of London during the night - one person, believed to be a taxi driver, has been hurt.
2003: Solicitor cleared of killing sons
Solicitor Sally Clark is cleared by the Court of Appeal of murdering her two sons after serving more than three years of a life sentence.
1987: Aquino suppresses rebel uprising
The president of the Phillippines has put down a rebellion against her government in Manila.
1959: Fog brings transport chaos
Dense fog - the worst for seven years - brings road, rail and air transport in many parts of England and Wales to a virtual standstill.
1985: Thatcher snubbed by Oxford dons
Oxford University delivers a stunning snub to the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher by refusing her an honorary degree.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 29

January 28: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.243 %
Standard deviation	0.807
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	5
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	10

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	-0.162%	-0.042%	-0.214%	0.37%
Standard deviation % change	1.329	2.134	2.141	1.167
No. of times price has gone up	7	16	8	5
No. of times price has gone down	15	9	13	2

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
Europe Shares Steady (Reuters)
EU Seeks to Improve Trade Among Nations (AP)
How to Vanquish Euro-Sclerosis (BusinessWeek Online)
EU chief seeks renewal for flagging bloc (AFP)
British Economy Grows 3.1 Percent in 2004 (AP)
London shares close higher on upbeat US earnings (AFP)
Britain misses official growth target for 2004 (AFP)
European stocks steady despite US lead, positive market news (AFP)
Germany Reduces Growth Forecast for 2005 (AP)
EU resumes aid to Sudan after end to long-running war (AFP)
Global Markets: European Shares Edge Up (Reuters)

On this day
2002 The French government announced it was to privatise their largest motorway company - the Autoroutes du Sud de la France - the largest and most profitable in the French network.

BBC - On This Day
1986: Seven dead in space shuttle disaster
The American space shuttle, Challenger, explodes killing all seven astronauts on board.
1953: Derek Bentley hanged for murder
Teenager Derek Bentley is executed at Wandsworth Prison in London for his part in the murder of Pc Sidney Miles.
1982: US general rescued from Red Brigade
Italian police rescue US Brigadier General James Dozier who has been held hostage by the Red Brigade for 42 days.
1990: Romanians call for government change
Thousands of demonstrators take to the streets to protest against the interim government of Ion Iliescu.
1968: Radiation alert following B-52 crash
A recovery team searches for wreckage from an American Air Force B-52 bomber armed with four hydrogen bombs.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 28

January 27: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.382 %
Standard deviation	1.34
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	6
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	8

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	-0.329%	0.37%	0.29%	-0.199%
Standard deviation % change	2.231	1.266	1.595	1.004
No. of times price has gone up	11	13	13	3
No. of times price has gone down	9	9	7	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
European Stocks Flat Amid Earnings Flow (Reuters)
EU chief seeks renewal for flagging bloc (AFP)
British Economy Grows 3.1 Percent in 2004 (AP)
London shares close higher on upbeat US earnings (AFP)
EU Official Wants to Reinvigorate Economy (AP)
Britain misses official growth target for 2004 (AFP)
European stocks steady despite US lead, positive market news (AFP)
Germany Reduces Growth Forecast for 2005 (AP)
EU resumes aid to Sudan after end to long-running war (AFP)
Global Markets: European Shares Edge Up (Reuters)
EU's Gray Future (Investor's Business Daily)

On this day
1985 Coca Cola announced plans to sell drinks in the Soviet Union - twelve years after Pepsico had done the same thing.

BBC - On This Day
1945: Auschwitz death camp liberated
The Red Army liberates the Nazi's biggest concentration camp at Auschwitz in southern Poland.
1967: Three astronauts die in Apollo 1 tragedy
Three American astronauts die when fire sweeps the Saturn rocket on its launch pad at Cape Kennedy.
1944: Leningrad siege ends after 900 days
A successful Soviet offensive drives German troops away from the Leningrad which has been besieged since September 1941.
1980: Exiled Mugabe returns to Rhodesia
Rhodesia opposition leader Robert Mugabe makes a triumphant return to his home country after five years in exile.
1984: Michael Jackson burned in Pepsi ad
Michael Jackson has been rushed to hospital with burn injuries to his head after a stunt for a Pepsi commercial went wrong.
1969: Rebel students take over LSE
Students protesting against the closure of the London School of Economics seize control of another university building.
1995: Cantona banned over attack on fan
Manchester United's Eric Cantona is fined £20,000 and banned from playing football over his kung fu-style attack on a fan.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 27

January 26: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.589 %
Standard deviation	0.821
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	3
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	10

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	0.165%	-0.122%	0.056%	-4.119%
Standard deviation % change	1.182	1.53	1.969	19.604
No. of times price has gone up	10	13	13	2
No. of times price has gone down	10	10	7	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
Vodafone Supports European Stocks (Reuters)
EU resumes aid to Sudan after end to long-running war (AFP)
Global Markets: European Shares Edge Up (Reuters)
European stocks slide in early trading (AFP)
EU's Gray Future (Investor's Business Daily)
Shares close in the black on upbeat US earnings (AFP)
Dollar falls on weak US consumer confidence (AFP)
Germany world's largest exporter for second year in row, figures show (Canadian Press)
Luxembourg Confident of Euro Pact (AP)
EU at odds over reform to euro rules (AFP)
European Union signals new effort to change business and worker attitudes (Canadian Press)

BBC - On This Day
1950: India shakes off British rule
The independent republic of India is born as the new president replaces the Queen as head of state and a new constitution is adopted.
1952: Britons killed in Cairo riots
Reports from Egypt say at least 20 people have been killed and hundreds injured in anti-British riots in Cairo.
1998: Clinton denies affair with intern
President Clinton denies allegations he had an affair with 24-year-old intern Monica Lewinsky and rejects accusations he asked her to lie on oath.
1969: Prague riots over student martyr
Police wielding truncheons and firing tear gas from pressure canisters break up a march by hundreds of demonstrators in central Prague.
1982: UK unemployment tops three million
The number of people out of work in Britain rises above three million for the first time since the 1930s.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 26

January 25: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.218 %
Standard deviation	0.684
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	8
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	5

---

Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	-0.042%	-0.233%	0.306%	-4.081%
Standard deviation % change	1.327	2.194	1.111	20.012
No. of times price has gone up	11	11	12	2
No. of times price has gone down	8	12	6	2

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
European Shares Open Steady (Reuters)
Global Markets: Oil Rally Unnerves Shares (Reuters)
European stocks slide in early trading (AFP)
EU's Gray Future (Investor's Business Daily)
Shares close in the black on upbeat US earnings (AFP)
Dollar falls on weak US consumer confidence (AFP)
Germany world's largest exporter for second year in row, figures show (Canadian Press)
Luxembourg Confident of Euro Pact (AP)
EU at odds over reform to euro rules (AFP)
European Union signals new effort to change business and worker attitudes (Canadian Press)
EU Translation Costs to Surpass $1B Mark (AP)

On this day
1960 In response to the Payola Scandal, the US National Association of Broadcasters proposed that disc jockeys accepting payment from record labels for broadcasting particular songs would be charged a $500 fine and spend a year in prison.
2000 Goldman Sachs filed a $58m IPO of 18-month-old Noosh Inc., a zero-revenue company whose key business strategy would be to ""exploit our first-mover advantage."" (The deal was withdrawn 22 May).

BBC - On This Day
1999: Colombia quake leaves hundreds dead
At least 300 people are killed and 1,000 are injured in an earthquake in Colombia, South America - the worst for 16 years.
1971: Idi Amin ousts Uganda president
General Idi Amin seizes power while President Milton Obote is away on a foreign visit - troops seal off Entebbe airport.
1990: Children killed in devastating storm
At least 39 people, some of them children, die in the worst weather to hit England and Wales since the 1987 hurricane.
1998: Pope calls for reform in Cuba
During a historic visit to Cuba Pope John Paul II demands the release of political prisoners while condemning US attempts to isolate the country.
1999: Olympic officials face bribery charges
Six members of the International Olympic Committee face expulsion following an inquiry into a corruption scandal.
1981: Dissident Labour MPs plan new party
Four former Labour cabinet ministers signal their intention to breakaway from the opposition and set up their own political party.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 25

January 24: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.236 %
Standard deviation	0.62
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	6
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	8

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	0.042%	0.047%	-0.149%	-4.13%
Standard deviation % change	1.083	2.569	1.514	20.009
No. of times price has gone up	10	13	7	3
No. of times price has gone down	10	10	11	2

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
EU's Gray Future (Investor's Business Daily)
Shares close in the black on upbeat US earnings (AFP)
Dollar falls on weak US consumer confidence (AFP)
European Shares Down (Reuters)
European stocks steady after Wall Street tumble (AFP)
Germany world's largest exporter for second year in row, figures show (Canadian Press)
Luxembourg Confident of Euro Pact(AP)
EU at odds over reform to euro rules (AFP)
European Union signals new effort to change business and worker attitudes (Canadian Press)
EU Translation Costs to Surpass $1B Mark (AP)
Shares close higher as ITV, GUS rallies help offet weak Wall St. (AFP)

On this day
1916 The US Supreme Court ruled that a federal income tax was legal, despite the fact that the US Constitution explicitly forbade the direct taxation of citizens.

BBC - On This Day
1965: Winston Churchill dies
Sir Winston Churchill has died at the age of 90 with his wife Lady Clementine Churchill and other members of the family at his bedside.
1986: Leon Brittan quits over Westland
Trade and Industry Secretary Leon Brittan becomes the second cabinet minister to resign over the Westland affair.
1966: 117 die in Air India tragedy
Over 100 passengers have been kiiled after an Air India Boeing-707 plane crashed into Mont Blanc.
1969: LSE closes over student clashes
Students protesting at the installation of steel security gates at the London School of Economics go on the rampage, with crowbars, pickaxes and sledgehammers.
1956: Plans unveiled for homes in Barbican
Plans to build a "new town"in the Barbican area of London left devastated by the war are being considered at a public inquiry.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 24

January 23: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.393 %
Standard deviation	0.785
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	10
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	4

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	0.34%	0.082%	-0.338%	-4.035%
Standard deviation % change	2.059	2.677	2.065	19.618
No. of times price has gone up	10	14	8	2
No. of times price has gone down	10	10	11	4

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
EU's Gray Future (Investor's Business Daily)
Shares close in the black on upbeat US earnings (AFP)
Dollar falls on weak US consumer confidence (AFP)
European Shares Down (Reuters)
European stocks steady after Wall Street tumble (AFP)
Eurozone's trade deficit with China soars (FT.com)
Germany world's largest exporter for second year in row, figures show (Canadian Press)
Luxembourg Confident of Euro Pact (AP)
EU at odds over reform to euro rules (AFP)
European Union signals new effort to change business and worker attitudes (Canadian Press)
EU Translation Costs to Surpass $1B Mark (AP)

On this day
2002 Vodafone announced it had arrived at a key milestone target slightly ahead of expectations when its customer base topped 100 million consumers.

BBC - On This Day
1973: Nixon announces Vietnam peace deal
The US president, Richard Nixon, has appeared on national television to announce "peace with honour"in Vietnam.
1989: Many killed in Tajik earthquake
Hundreds of people are feared dead after a powerful earthquake strikes the Soviet Central Asian republic of Tajikistan.
1955: Express train crashes killing 14
Fourteen people die and dozens are injured when an express train travelling from York to Bristol derails at Sutton Coldfield station.
1971: Commonwealth talks end with compromise
The Commonwealth Conference in Singapore ends with a compromise over the wording of the declaration.
2002: Elderly patient sparks Commons row
The treatment of a 94-year old woman sets off a bitter political row between the prime minister and the leader of the Opposition.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 23

January 22: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.064 %
Standard deviation	1.189
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	7
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	9

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	-1.018%	-0.212%	-0.046%	-3.572%
Standard deviation % change	3.634	3.218	1.315	19.327
No. of times price has gone up	8	12	7	3
No. of times price has gone down	13	12	11	4

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
EU's Gray Future (Investor's Business Daily)
Shares close in the black on upbeat US earnings (AFP)
Dollar falls on weak US consumer confidence (AFP)
European Shares Down (Reuters)
European stocks steady after Wall Street tumble (AFP)
Eurozone's trade deficit with China soars (FT.com)
British ministers hire PR firm to praise EU (FT.com)
Germany world's largest exporter for second year in row, figures show (Canadian Press)
Luxembourg Confident of Euro Pact (AP)
EU at odds over reform to euro rules (AFP)
European Union signals new effort to change business and worker attitudes (Canadian Press)

On this day
2002 Amazon.com exceeded expectations by announcing its first net profit since launching in 1995.

BBC - On This Day
1990: Gorbachev explains crackdown in Azerbaijan
President Mikhail Gorbachev announces Red Army troops have been sent into the Soviet republic of Azerbaijan.
1962: 'A6 murder' trial begins
James Hanratty, accused of murdering a physicist in a lay-by on the A6, enters a plea of "not guilty".
1980: Soviet dissident Sakharov banished
One of the Soviet Union's most outspoken critics, nuclear physicist Dr Andrei Sakharov, is sent into internal exile for his outspoken views.
1970: Heathrow welcomes first 'jumbo jet'
The first jumbo jet carrying fare-paying passengers arrives at Heathrow airport from New York.
1979: Public sector strike paralyses country
Tens of thousands of public sector workers take part in a day of action - the biggest mass stoppage since 1926 - in support of a claim for more pay.
2001: MMR triple vaccine declared safe
The government launches a £3m campaign to convince parents the controversial MMR triple vaccine is safe.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 22

January 21: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.179 %
Standard deviation	0.613
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	9
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	6

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	-0.244%	-0.168%	-0.089%	0.304%
Standard deviation % change	1.403	1.071	1.527	1.22
No. of times price has gone up	11	11	10	5
No. of times price has gone down	11	14	10	2

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
European Stocks Track NY Losses (Reuters)
Eurozone's trade deficit with China soars (FT.com)
FTSE 100 hit by weak tobacco, insurance stocks (AFP)
British ministers hire PR firm to praise EU (FT.com)
Germany world's largest exporter for second year in row, figures show (Canadian Press)
Luxembourg Confident of Euro Pact (AP)
EU at odds over reform to euro rules (AFP)
Stocks drop amid profit-taking, rising oil prices (AFP)
European Union signals new effort to change business and worker attitudes (Canadian Press)
EU Translation Costs to Surpass $1B Mark (AP)
Shares close higher as ITV, GUS rallies help offet weak Wall St. (AFP)

BBC - On This Day
1981: Tehran frees US hostages after 444 days
The 52 American hostages held at the US embassy in Tehran for more than 14 months arrive in West Germany on their way home to the United States.
1992: UN threatens Libya with sanctions
Libya has been served with a resolution to hand over intelligence agents accused of two airliner bombings.
1950: Acclaimed author George Orwell dies
The writer, George Orwell, has died after a three-year battle against tuberculosis.
1997: Carers accused in child abuse inquiry
More than 80 people are named as child abusers in statements to the North Wales inquiry.
1966: Future of Monte Carlo rally in doubt
The Monte Carlo rally ends in uproar over the disqualification of the British cars expected to fill the first four places.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 21

January 20: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.301 %
Standard deviation	0.76
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	8
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	6

---

Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	-0.153%	-0.671%	-0.157%	0.176%
Standard deviation % change	0.536	1.819	0.778	0.628
No. of times price has gone up	8	9	6	3
No. of times price has gone down	12	15	12	1

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
British ministers hire PR firm to praise EU (FT.com)
European Stocks Edge Up After U.S. Rally (Reuters)
Germany world's largest exporter for second year in row, figures show (Canadian Press)
Luxembourg Confident of Euro Pact (AP)
EU at odds over reform to euro rules (AFP)
Stocks drop amid profit-taking, rising oil prices (AFP)
EU ministers spurn call to ease fiscal rules (FT.com)
European Union signals new effort to change business and worker attitudes (Canadian Press)
EU Translation Costs to Surpass $1B Mark (AP)
Shares close higher as ITV, GUS rallies help offet weak Wall St. (AFP)
Dollar Cheered by Trichet Remarks on Asia (Reuters)

On this day
1972 The UK Government had a majority of 21 in Commons on signing of Treaty of Accession to EEC.

BBC - On This Day
1961: John F Kennedy sworn in as US president
The Democrat John F Kennedy is sworn in as the youngest ever elected president of the United States.
2002: Camp X-Ray pictures spark outrage
Photographs showing al-Qaeda and Taleban suspects shackled and masked are published by the United States military.
1958: Explorers meet at South Pole
Members of the team attempting the first surface crossing of the Antarctic have joined up at the South Pole.
1972: UK unemployment tops one million
The number of people out of work and claiming benefit rises above one million, causing uproar in the House of Commons.
1987: Police crack down on soccer hooligans
Police carry out a series of dawn raids and make 26 arrests in their biggest operation so far against violence in and around football stadiums.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 20

January 19: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.248 %
Standard deviation	0.816
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	9
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	4

---

Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	0.328%	0.404%	0.523%	-3.998%
Standard deviation % change	0.747	1.232	1.077	19.602
No. of times price has gone up	13	11	14	2
No. of times price has gone down	7	11	7	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
European Stocks Edge Up After U.S. Rally (Reuters)
Germany world's largest exporter for second year in row, figures show (Canadian Press)
Luxembourg Confident of Euro Pact (AP)
EU at odds over reform to euro rules (AFP)
Stocks drop amid profit-taking, rising oil prices (AFP)
EU ministers spurn call to ease fiscal rules (FT.com)
European Union signals new effort to change business and worker attitudes (Canadian Press)
EU Translation Costs to Surpass $1B Mark (AP)
Shares close higher as ITV, GUS rallies help offet weak Wall St. (AFP)
Dollar Cheered by Trichet Remarks on Asia (Reuters)
Bank of England freezes interest rates as economy stumbles (AFP)

On this day
1915 The neon tube sign was patented by George Claude.

BBC - On This Day
1966: Indira Gandhi takes charge in India
The only daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, becomes the first woman prime minister of India.
1973: Super tug to defend fishing fleet
A super tug is sent to protect British trawlers from Icelandic patrol boats as the dispute over cod fishing rights intensifies.
1990: Rebel cricketers face storm of protest
Police in Johannesburg armed with batons and dogs break up a demonstration against the rebel cricketers who are defying a ban on playing in segregated South Africa.
2001: 'Internet twins' taken into care
The American twin girls at the centre of an internet adoption scandal are seized from a hotel in north Wales and taken into care.
1988: Disabled author wins Whitbread
Writer Christopher Nolan, who cannot move or speak because of an accident at birth, wins the Whitbread Book of the Year prize.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 19

January 18: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.255 %
Standard deviation	1.3
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	5
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	8

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	0.342%	0.458%	0.219%	-4.21%
Standard deviation % change	2.072	2.983	1.475	19.978
No. of times price has gone up	10	14	13	1
No. of times price has gone down	7	9	7	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
European Shares Edge Lower (Reuters)
EU thrashes out painful reform of budget rules (AFP)
EU ministers spurn call to ease fiscal rules (FT.com)
European Union signals new effort to change business and worker attitudes (Canadian Press)
European stocks enjoy solid start to week (AFP)
EU Translation Costs to Surpass $1B Mark (AP)
German Borrowing Is Lower Than Expected (AP)
Shares close higher as ITV, GUS rallies help offet weak Wall St. (AFP)
Dollar Cheered by Trichet Remarks on Asia (Reuters)
Bank of England freezes interest rates as economy stumbles (AFP)
Germany will help rebuild Sri Lanka: Fischer (AFP)

On this day
1980 The silver price peaked at $49.48, following its accumulation by the Hunt Brothers. (3 months later the price had fallen below $15.)
1980 The price of gold hit $835 - its historic high.

BBC - On This Day
1967: 'Boston Strangler' sentenced to life
Albert DeSalvo, who says he murdered 13 women, is given a life sentence for assault and armed robbery.
1981: Nine die in Deptford house fire
Nine people are killed and 20 injured in a blaze which engulfed a house early this morning in south London.
1963: Labour leader Hugh Gaitskell dies
Labour leader Hugh Gaitskell dies after a sudden deterioration in his heart condition.
1972: Rhodesia's former leader arrested
Garfield Todd and his daughter, Judith, are seized after violence erupts over Anglo-Rhodesian plans for independence.
1996: Green groups join by-pass battle
Six major environmental organisations add their support to the growing anti-bypass campaign in Newbury, Berkshire.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 18

January 17: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.299 %
Standard deviation	0.972
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	5
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	9

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	-0.02%	0.251%	0.198%	-3.915%
Standard deviation % change	1.725	2.738	1.352	20.051
No. of times price has gone up	13	16	14	3
No. of times price has gone down	8	8	6	1

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
European Shares Open Firmer (Reuters)
EU Translation Costs to Surpass $1B Mark (AP)
German Borrowing Is Lower Than Expected (AP)
European stocks nudge higher despite Wall Street losses (AFP)
Shares close higher as ITV, GUS rallies help offet weak Wall St. (AFP)
Dollar Cheered by Trichet Remarks on Asia (Reuters)
Bank of England freezes interest rates as economy stumbles (AFP)
Germany will help rebuild Sri Lanka: Fischer (AFP)
Dollar heads for seven week highs against euro (AFP)
CORRECTED: Dollar Firm, European Shares Ease (Reuters)
European stocks mixed in early deals: FTSE 100 up 0.03 percent (AFP)

On this day
1969 After a rash of ""wildcat"" strikes, Barbara Castle published her white paper, ""In Place of Strife"" in an attempt to introduce trade union legislation. The resulting arguments split the Labour Party and almost brought down the Wilson government.

BBC - On This Day
1991: Bush orders Allies to begin bombing Baghdad
The Gulf War Allies send hundreds of planes on bombing raids into Iraq, at the start of Operation Desert Storm.
1995: Earthquake devastates Kobe
A massive quake destroys whole areas of Japan's industrial heartland, leaving many hundreds of people dead.
1994: Massive earthquake hits Los Angeles
An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale devastates Los Angeles in the USA, killing more than 20 people.
1977: Gilmore executed by firing squad
Gary Gilmore, the convicted murderer, is executed by firing squad in the Utah state prison, Salt Lake City.
1983: BBC wakes up to morning TV
People have been switching on their televisions a little earlier than usual to catch Britain's first breakfast news programme.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 17

January 16: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.306 %
Standard deviation	0.928
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	6
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	9

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	0.661%	0.832%	0.116%	-4.12%
Standard deviation % change	2.257	3.177	1.359	19.574
No. of times price has gone up	12	15	10	0
No. of times price has gone down	8	9	11	4

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
EU Translation Costs to Surpass $1B Mark (AP)
German Borrowing Is Lower Than Expected (AP)
European stocks nudge higher despite Wall Street losses (AFP)
FTSE suffers from falling financial stocks (FT.com)
European Stocks Slip on Crude Gains (Reuters)
Shares close higher as ITV, GUS rallies help offet weak Wall St. (AFP)
Dollar Cheered by Trichet Remarks on Asia (Reuters)
Bank of England freezes interest rates as economy stumbles (AFP)
Germany will help rebuild Sri Lanka: Fischer (AFP)
Dollar heads for seven week highs against euro (AFP)
CORRECTED: Dollar Firm, European Shares Ease (Reuters)

BBC - On This Day
1979: Shah of Iran flees into exile
The Shah of Iran flees the country following months of increasingly violent protests against his regime.
1981: Gunmen shoot civil rights campaigner
The Northern Ireland civil rights campaigner and former Westminster MP, Bernadette McAliskey, is shot by gunmen at her home in County Tyrone.
2001: Oil tanker endangers eco-paradise
A fuel supply tanker to the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific runs aground off the island of San Cristobal.
1970: Gaddafi takes over as Libya's premier
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi assumes the role of prime minister four months after leading a successful coup against the monarchy.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 16

January 15: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.547 %
Standard deviation	1.008
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	5
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	11

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	0.128%	0.181%	0.468%	-4.012%
Standard deviation % change	1.222	2.255	2.086	19.23
No. of times price has gone up	10	11	9	3
No. of times price has gone down	10	11	12	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
EU Translation Costs to Surpass $1B Mark (AP)
German Borrowing Is Lower Than Expected (AP)
European stocks nudge higher despite Wall Street losses (AFP)
FTSE suffers from falling financial stocks (FT.com)
European Stocks Slip on Crude Gains (Reuters)
Shares close higher as ITV, GUS rallies help offet weak Wall St. (AFP)
Dollar Cheered by Trichet Remarks on Asia (Reuters)
Bank of England freezes interest rates as economy stumbles (AFP)
Germany will help rebuild Sri Lanka: Fischer (AFP)
Dollar heads for seven week highs against euro (AFP)
CORRECTED: Dollar Firm, European Shares Ease (Reuters)

On this day
1861 Steam elevator patented by Elisha Otis.

BBC - On This Day
1973: Nixon orders ceasefire in Vietnam
President Nixon orders a halt to American bombing in North Vietnam - following peace talks in Paris.
1953: East German purge begins
The East German authorities begin a purge of senior officials, accused of plotting against the state and spying for imperialistic powers.
1987: Officer cleared in Groce shooting case
A police officer who mistakenly shot and paralysed an innocent woman is cleared of all criminal charges.
1982: Mark Thatcher found safe and well
The prime minister's son, Mark Thatcher, is on his way home after being missing in the Sahara for six days.
1997: Princess Diana sparks landmines row
The Princess of Wales angers government ministers after calling for an international ban on landmines.
1984: Benn back on road to Westminster
The leftwing rebel, Tony Benn, beats off the competition to win Labour's nomination for the Chesterfield by-election.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 15

January 14: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.091 %
Standard deviation	1.121
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	6
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	9

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	0.022%	0.161%	0.108%	-0.188%
Standard deviation % change	1.63	2.219	1.962	2.491
No. of times price has gone up	9	11	10	2
No. of times price has gone down	13	14	11	5

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
FTSE suffers from falling financial stocks (FT.com)
European Stocks Slip on Crude Gains (Reuters)
German GDP grows in 2004 by 1.7 per cent, strongest growth in four years (Canadian Press)
Shares close higher as ITV, GUS rallies help offet weak Wall St. (AFP)
Dollar Cheered by Trichet Remarks on Asia (Reuters)
Bank of England freezes interest rates as economy stumbles (AFP)
European stocks buoyed by positive company news (AFP)
Germany will help rebuild Sri Lanka: Fischer (AFP)
Dollar heads for seven week highs against euro (AFP)
CORRECTED: Dollar Firm, European Shares Ease (Reuters)
European stocks mixed in early deals: FTSE 100 up 0.03 percent (AFP)

On this day
1875 The US passed the Specie Resumption Act, which tried to replace paper currency (""greenbacks"") introduced during the civil war, with gold. The attempt was a failure, as people held on to their greenbacks.
2000 DJIA hit its all-time closing high of 11,722.98.

BBC - On This Day
2002: UK declared free of foot-and-mouth
With no reported cases of foot-and-mouth for three months the UK's farming community can now look to the future.
1975: Heiress Lesley Whittle kidnapped
A 17-year-old heiress is kidnapped from her home in Shropshire while her mother sleeps.
1983: Man shot by police hunting David Martin
A man is critically injured in West London during a police ambush aimed at capturing escaped prisoner David Martin.
1969: Matt Busby retires from Man United
"It's time to make way for a younger man"- Football legend Sir Matt Busby announces he will step down as manager of Manchester United.
1994: Duchess of Kent joins Catholic church
The Duchess of Kent becomes the first member of the Royal Family to convert to Catholicism for more than 300 years.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 14

January 13: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.155 %
Standard deviation	0.966
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	8
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	6

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)
Avg. % change	0.056%	-0.165%	-0.064%	0.267%
Standard deviation % change	0.662	1.379	1.17	1.322
No. of times price has gone up	11	10	7	4
No. of times price has gone down	9	14	13	2

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
European Shares Up on Earnings Cheer (Reuters)
European stocks weaker in early deals (AFP)
Christmas Sales Help German Confidence (AP)
Germany will help rebuild Sri Lanka: Fischer (AFP)
Dollar heads for seven week highs against euro (AFP)
CORRECTED: Dollar Firm, European Shares Ease (Reuters)
European stocks mixed in early deals: FTSE 100 up 0.03 percent (AFP)
EU urged to heed 'wake up call'after Asian disaster (AFP)
Slovakia Evolves Into European Auto Hub (AP)
London shares close higher as BA soars and insurers extend gains (AFP)
U.S. Dollar Makes Gains Against Euro (AP)

On this day
1928 RCA and General Electric installed experimental televisions in three homes in New York. The sets displayed a 1.5 inch picture.
1976 UK applied for a £1 billion loan from the IMF.

BBC - On This Day
1964: Riots in Calcutta leave more than 100 dead
Hindu-Muslim rioting breaks out in the Indian city of Calcutta resulting in the deaths of more than 100 people.
2001: Earthquake devastates Salvador
More than 1,000 people are feared dead after an earthquake strikes the Central American city of San Salvador.
1993: Allies bomb Iraq
American, British and French fighter jets carry out a series of bombing raids over southern Iraq.
2004: Serial killer Shipman found hanged
Harold Shipman, who is believed to have killed more than 200 patients, is found hanged in his prison cell.
1991: Soviet army moves into Lithuania
Around 13 people are killed and at least 140 injured in violent clashes in the capital of Lithuania.
1972: Ghana PM ousted in bloodless coup
An army commander seizes control of Ghana while the prime minister is in London for medical treatment.
1997: Shots heard at besieged embassy in Peru
Peruvian left-wing guerrillas holding 72 hostages open fire on police outside the Japanese Embassy in Lima.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for January 13