July 31: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.229 %
Standard deviation	0.822
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	8
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)	27	142	61	28
Avg. % change	0.41%	0.129%	0.34%	0.326%
Standard deviation % change	2.165	1.507	1.528	1.407
No. of times price has gone up	9	12	12	4
No. of times price has gone down	12	10	7	2

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

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Yahoo European Business
European stocks end week with mixed fortunes, London gains 0.23 percent (AFP)
London Share Prices Close Higher (AP)
European stocks poised for move higher (FT.com)
European stocks higher on solid earnings (Reuters)
China trade surplus seen at $90 bln-media (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
Peugeot Posts 21 Percent Profit Slide (AP)
British economy grows at slowest annual pace for 12 years (AFP)
World Bank: Eastern Europe suffering post-EU entry hangover (AFP)
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)
EU Relaunches Its Jobs and Growth Plan (AP)

On this day
1925 The Unemployment Insurance Act was passed in England.

BBC - On This Day
1991: Superpowers to cut nuclear warheads
The US and the Soviet Union sign the Start treaty to reduce stockpiles of nuclear warheads by about a third.
1998: UK imposes total ban on landmines
The British Government announces a total ban on landmines, a month before the first anniversary of the death of Princess Diana.
1962: Violence flares at right-wing rally
Former fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley is assaulted at a rally in London's east end.
1973: Chaotic meeting of Belfast Assembly
Loyalists disrupt the new Northern Ireland Assembly, the first elected body since the British imposed direct rule in March.
1987: Newspaper caught in Spycatcher row
The Government sues the Sunday Telegraph over secret service memoirs.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 31

July 30: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.198 %
Standard deviation	0.706
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)	265	185	332	178
Avg. % change	-0.114%	0.019%	-0.37%	-0.015%
Standard deviation % change	1.218	1.559	1.278	1.327
No. of times price has gone up	11	7	10	2
No. of times price has gone down	9	16	9	4

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

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Yahoo European Business
European stocks end week with mixed fortunes, London gains 0.23 percent (AFP)
London Share Prices Close Higher (AP)
European stocks poised for move higher (FT.com)
European stocks higher on solid earnings (Reuters)
China trade surplus seen at $90 bln-media (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
Peugeot Posts 21 Percent Profit Slide (AP)
British economy grows at slowest annual pace for 12 years (AFP)
World Bank: Eastern Europe suffering post-EU entry hangover (AFP)
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)
EU Relaunches Its Jobs and Growth Plan (AP)

On this day
1928 George Eastman demonstrated the first colour movie.

BBC - On This Day
1966: Football glory for England
England win football's World Cup for the first time since the tournament began in 1930.
1973: Final deal for thalidomide victims
An 11-year legal battle ends with more than �20 million compensation for victims of thalidomide.
1974: Peace deal for Cyprus
Greek, Turkish and UK foreign ministers sign a peace agreement for Cyprus.
1986: Parents appeal for missing agent
The parents of missing London estate agent Suzy Lamplugh make an emotional appeal for her safe return.
1991: Pavarotti sings in the British rain
Italian tenor Pavorotti celebrates 30 years in opera with a huge, free concert in Hyde Park.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 30

July 29: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.627 %
Standard deviation	1.507
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	3
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	12

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	144	144	301	246
Avg. % change	0.1%	0.12%	-0.238%	-0.109%
Standard deviation % change	0.884	1.884	1.377	0.444
No. of times price has gone up	7	10	9	1
No. of times price has gone down	11	12	10	3

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

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Yahoo European Business
European stocks poised for move higher (FT.com)
European stocks higher on solid earnings (Reuters)
Telecoms boost European stocks (FT.com)
China trade surplus seen at $90 bln-media (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
Peugeot Posts 21 Percent Profit Slide (AP)
British economy grows at slowest annual pace for 12years (AFP)
World Bank: Eastern Europe suffering post-EU entry hangover (AFP)
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)
EU Relaunches Its Jobs and Growth Plan (AP)
Wanted: Strong leaders to aid euro zone (Reuters)

On this day
1952 The first non-stop transpacific flight by a jet.

BBC - On This Day
1981: Charles and Diana marry
Thousands line the streets of London to glimpse Prince Charles and Lady Diana on their wedding day.
1993: Israeli court sets Demjanjuk free
A court in Israel says retired Ohio car worker John Demjanjuk may not after all have been notorious Nazi death camp guard Ivan the Terrible.
1968: Pope renews birth control ban
Pope Paul VI has confirmed a ban on the use of contraceptives by Roman Catholics in spite of a Church commission's recommendation for change.
1993: Lawrence murder suspects freed
Charges are dropped against two youths accused of murdering black teenager Stephen Lawrence.
1976: Fire engulfs Southend Pier
Fire has destroyed the famous pierhead at the end of the world's longest pier, in Southend on the UK's south-east coast.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 29

July 28: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.429 %
Standard deviation	0.403
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	2
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	12

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	22	265	306	54
Avg. % change	0.451%	-0.178%	-0.247%	0.223%
Standard deviation % change	1.731	1.359	1.519	0.758
No. of times price has gone up	10	11	9	4
No. of times price has gone down	11	11	9	1

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

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Yahoo European Business
European stocks higher on solid earnings (Reuters)
Telecoms boost European stocks (FT.com)
China trade surplus seen at $90 bln-media (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
Peugeot Posts 21 Percent Profit Slide (AP)
Autos put brakes on European stocks (FT.com)
European stocks set to open lower (FT.com)
EU moves to cut off terror finances (FT.com)
British economy grows at slowest annual pace for 12 years (AFP)
World Bank: Eastern Europe suffering post-EU entry hangover (AFP)
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)

On this day
1586 Sir Thomas Harriot introduced potatoes to Europe.

BBC - On This Day
1976: Chinese earthquake kills hundreds of thousands
More than 200,000 people are feared dead after an 8.3 magnitude earthquake hits China.
2000: Last prisoners leave the Maze
Nearly 80 men imprisoned for terrorist offences are freed from the Maze prison in Northern Ireland.
1965: US orders 50,000 troops to Vietnam
President Johnson commits a further 50,000 US troops to the conflict in Vietnam.
1972: National dock strike begins
Thousands of British dockers begin an official strike to safeguard jobs.
1988: Ashdown to lead Britain's third party
The MP for Yeovil, Paddy Ashdown, is elected the first leader of the new Social and Liberal Democrat Party.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 28

July 27: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.139 %
Standard deviation	1.023
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	7
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	7

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	296	210	252	288
Avg. % change	-0.178%	-0.052%	-0.099%	-0.203%
Standard deviation % change	0.545	1.321	1.074	0.735
No. of times price has gone up	6	12	7	0
No. of times price has gone down	13	10	12	4

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

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Yahoo European Business
European shares up on robust results (Reuters)
China trade surplus seen at $90 bln-media (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
Peugeot Posts 21 Percent Profit Slide (AP)
Autos put brakes on European stocks (FT.com)
European stocks set to open lower (FT.com)
EU moves to cut off terror finances (FT.com)
European stocks heading for opening gains (FT.com)
British economy grows at slowest annual pace for 12 years (AFP)
World Bank: Eastern Europe suffering post-EU entry hangover (AFP)
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)

On this day
1987 first trading day of the newly privatised BAA

BBC - On This Day
1996: Bomb rocks Atlanta Olympics
A bomb explodes in Atlanta, Georgia, the city hosting this year's Olympic Games leaving two people dead and many more injured.
1965: Heath is new Tory leader
Shadow Chancellor Edward Heath beats off his rivals in the Conservative leadership contest.
1982: Seychelles coup leader guilty of hijack
Mercenary leader Colonel 'Mad Mike' Hoare is found guilty of hijacking a plane to escape from a failed coup in the Seychelles.
2003: Comic legend Bob Hope dies
American icon and legendary comedian Bob Hope dies just two months after celebrating his 100th birthday.
2000: Labour publishes plans to revolutionise NHS
The Labour Government announces the most radical re-organisation of the NHS since it was founded in 1948.
1978: Transatlantic balloonists in trouble
Two British balloonists battling to be the first to cross the Atlantic are in difficulties half way across the ocean.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 27

July 26: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.161 %
Standard deviation	0.677
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	7
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)	272	180	254	177
Avg. % change	-0.128%	0.034%	-0.103%	-0.015%
Standard deviation % change	0.901	2.139	1.027	0.507
No. of times price has gone up	9	11	9	2
No. of times price has gone down	9	11	10	2

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

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Yahoo European Business
European shares dip on results (Reuters)
Autos put brakes on European stocks (FT.com)
European stocks set to open lower (FT.com)
EU moves to cut off terror finances (FT.com)
European stocks heading for opening gains (FT.com)
British economy grows at slowest annual pace for 12 years (AFP)
World Bank: Eastern Europe suffering post-EU entry hangover (AFP)
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)
EU Relaunches Its Jobs and Growth Plan (AP)
Wanted: Strong leaders to aid euro zone (Reuters)
London shares end lower (AFP)

On this day
1956 President Nasser of Egypt announced the nationalisation of the Suez Canal Company and the seizure of its assets.

BBC - On This Day
1945: Churchill loses general election
Clement Attlee is Britain's new prime minister after Labour win a sweeping victory over the Conservatives.
1956: Egypt seizes Suez Canal
Egypt's president, Colonel Nasser, announces the nationalisation of the Suez Canal Company to provide funding for the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
1963: Thousands killed in Yugoslav earthquake
Thousands of people are feared dead as a massive earthquake rocks the Yugoslavian city of Skopje.
1994: Israel's London embassy bombed
A car bomb explodes outside the Israeli embassy in London injuring 14 people.
1952: Eva Peron is dead
Senora Eva Peron wife of the president of the Argentine Republic, dies from cancer, aged 33.
1983: Mother loses contraception test case
A mother of 10 fails to prevent doctors prescribing contraception to under-16s without parental consent.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 26

July 25: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.224 %
Standard deviation	1.355
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	8
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	7

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	172	165	168	57
Avg. % change	0.052%	0.077%	0.072%	0.215%
Standard deviation % change	0.904	1.335	0.87	0.685
No. of times price has gone up	13	11	9	3
No. of times price has gone down	8	12	9	1

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

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Yahoo European Business
European stocks higher, Vodafone strong (Reuters)
European stocks heading for opening gains (FT.com)
British economy grows at slowest annual pace for 12 years (AFP)
World Bank: Eastern Europe suffering post-EU entry hangover (AFP)
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)
EU Relaunches Its Jobs and Growth Plan (AP)
Wanted: Strong leaders to aid euro zone (Reuters)
London shares end lower (AFP)
Avon stock hits 17-month low (Reuters)
German Economic Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
Top German court blocks EU arrest warrant (Reuters)

On this day
2002 Boots, the UK health and beauty retailer, agreed to sell for �427m its Halfords chain to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners.

BBC - On This Day
2000: Concorde crash kills 113
Concorde crashes minutes after take-off from Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris killing 113 people.
1978: First 'test tube baby' born
The birth of the world's first "test tube baby"is announced in Manchester, England.
1943: Italian dictator Mussolini quits
The Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini, steps down as head of the armed forces and the government.
1993: Failed Bosnian ceasefire threatens peace
The latest UN ceasefire in Bosnia is broken with shelling from both sides in Sarajevo.
1992: World unites at Barcelona Olympics
The Olympic Games opens in Barcelona with all countries present for the first time in modern history.
1969: Kennedy pleads guilty over car crash
Senator Edward Kennedy's political career is in doubt after he pleads guilty to leaving the scene of a crime following the Chappaquiddick car crash.
1989: Diana opens Landmark Aids Centre
The Princess of Wales opens a new Aids centre in south-east London.
1978: Motability gets moving in the UK
A new scheme providing cars for disabled people is launched in Earl's Court, London.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 25

July 24: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.457 %
Standard deviation	0.936
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	9
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	7

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	141	97	169	236
Avg. % change	0.113%	0.274%	0.072%	-0.094%
Standard deviation % change	0.9	2.178	0.92	1.398
No. of times price has gone up	11	9	10	2
No. of times price has gone down	10	15	10	3

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

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Yahoo European Business
British economy grows at slowest annual pace for 12 years (AFP)
European shares dip on new London alert (Reuters)
European bourses little changed at open (FT.com)
World Bank: Eastern Europe suffering post-EU entry hangover (AFP)
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)
EU Relaunches Its Jobs and Growth Plan (AP)
Wanted: Strong leaders toaid euro zone (Reuters)
London shares end lower (AFP)
Avon stock hits 17-month low (Reuters)
German Economic Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
Top German court blocks EU arrest warrant (Reuters)

On this day
2000 BP reverted to its old name (after two years as BP Amoco) and unveiled a new ""green"" brand image, in an attempt to win over environmentally aware consumers.

BBC - On This Day
1974: Nixon 'must hand over Watergate tapes'
The US Supreme Court orders President Nixon to surrender tape recordings of White House conversations about the Watergate affair.
2000: Loyalist killer Michael Stone freed from Maze
Loyalist paramilitary hitman Michael Stone is released from the Maze prison in Northern Ireland.
1987: Archer wins record damages
Former deputy chair of the Conservative Party Jeffrey Archer is awarded record libel damages at the High Court.
1959: Khrushchev and Nixon have war of words
Russia's prime minister and America's vice-president fight a battle of words at an American exhibition in Moscow.
1969: Briton freed from Soviet prison
British lecturer Gerald Brooke is returned to London after four years in a Soviet jail.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 24

July 23: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.142 %
Standard deviation	0.947
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)	79	46	137	262
Avg. % change	0.227%	0.471%	0.139%	-0.136%
Standard deviation % change	1.25	1.56	1.503	1.072
No. of times price has gone up	8	14	11	1
No. of times price has gone down	10	8	9	4

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

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Yahoo European Business
British economy grows at slowest annual pace for 12 years (AFP)
European shares dip on new London alert (Reuters)
European bourses little changed at open (FT.com)
World Bank: Eastern Europe suffering post-EU entry hangover (AFP)
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)
EU Relaunches Its Jobs and Growth Plan (AP)
Wanted: Strong leaders to aid euro zone (Reuters)
London shares end lower (AFP)
Avon stock hits 17-month low (Reuters)
German Economic Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
Top German court blocks EU arrest warrant (Reuters)

On this day
1998 Shares in ICI fell 13% from 911p after a profits warning. This was the start of the big slide for ICI - 5 years later the shares traded below 100p.

BBC - On This Day
1974: Greek military rule gives in to democracy
The military government in Greece collapses and the former prime minister Constantine Karamanlis is invited to return.
1986: Prince Andrew weds Sarah Ferguson
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson marry at Westminster Abbey.
1984: Sellafield 'not linked' to cancer cluster
A government report finds a cancer cluster near the controversial nuclear plant at Sellafield in Cumbria - but says it may not be linked to the plant.
1995: British forces sent to Sarajevo
Britain sends 1,200 troops to relieve the besieged Bosnian capital, Sarajevo.
1957: Bus dispute turns violent
There have been violent scenes around Britain as the strike by busmen in the English regions enters its fourth day.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 23

July 22: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.803 %
Standard deviation	1.485
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)	314	2	238	294
Avg. % change	-0.225%	2.031%	-0.077%	-0.22%
Standard deviation % change	0.808	8.434	0.859	1.296
No. of times price has gone up	7	14	8	2
No. of times price has gone down	10	8	11	3

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

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Yahoo European Business
European bourses little changed at open (FT.com)
World Bank: Eastern Europe suffering post-EU entry hangover (AFP)
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)
EU Relaunches Its Jobs and Growth Plan (AP)
European stocks pare losses (Reuters)
Wanted: Strong leaders to aid euro zone (Reuters)
London shares end lower (AFP)
Avon stock hits 17-month low (Reuters)
German Economic Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
Top German court blocks EU arrest warrant (Reuters)
European stocks steady in early afternoon deals (AFP)

On this day
1944 The Bretton Woods conference, where the dollar became the standard currency for international transactions.

BBC - On This Day
1977: Deng Xiaoping back in power
The disgraced deputy Prime Minister of China, Deng Xiaoping, returns to Chinese Government.
2003: Saddam's sons killed in gun battle
The United States says Uday and Qusay Hussein, the infamous sons of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, have been killed in a gun battle in northern Iraq.
1987: Cartoonist shot in London street
A famous Palestinian cartoonist is shot in the face and critically wounded in London.
1965: Sir Alec steps down from top of Tory tree
The leader of the Opposition, Alec Douglas-Home, surprises colleagues by resigning from his post.
1991: Citizen's charter promises better services
British Prime Minister John Major launches a citizen's charter to improve public services.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 22

July 21: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.417 %
Standard deviation	0.756
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)	186	37	162	4
Avg. % change	0.027%	0.535%	0.085%	0.687%
Standard deviation % change	2.76	2.447	1.424	2.21
No. of times price has gone up	11	14	9	4
No. of times price has gone down	10	8	9	1

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

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Yahoo European Business
EU unveils reform plans for crisis-hit bloc (AFP)
EU Relaunches Its Jobs and Growth Plan (AP)
European stocks pare losses (Reuters)
Wanted: Strong leaders to aid euro zone (Reuters)
London shares end lower (AFP)
Avon stock hits 17-month low (Reuters)
German Economic Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
European stocks seen rising as oil prices ease (FT.com)
Top German court blocks EU arrest warrant (Reuters)
European stocks steady in early afternoon deals (AFP)
EU Expects Disappointing Euro-Zone Growth (AP)

On this day
1976 Government approved �30 million as first tranche of �100 million investment funds to British Leyland.
2002 After disclosing that it had hidden $3.8 billion in operating expenses, WorldCom finally succumbed to chapter 11 bankruptcy on this day in 2002.

BBC - On This Day
1969: America lands man on the Moon
American Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the Moon.
1954: Peace deal ends Indo-China war
Eight years of war come to an end as the French cede control of northern Vietnam to the Communist Viet Minh after signing the Geneva Accord.
1994: Labour chooses Blair
The MP for Sedgefield, Tony Blair, is confirmed as the new leader of the Labour Party.
1974: Cyprus conflict spills into London
Thousands of Greek-Cypriots in London protest about the disputed government of Cyprus.
1982: Homecoming for HMS Hermes
The flagship of the British taskforce to the Falklands, HMS Hermes, arrives back in Portsmouth.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 21

July 20: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.194 %
Standard deviation	0.777
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)	210	244	226	289
Avg. % change	-0.021%	-0.145%	-0.05%	-0.206%
Standard deviation % change	0.889	2.637	1.2	1.309
No. of times price has gone up	10	8	9	2
No. of times price has gone down	9	13	10	2

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

---

Yahoo European Business
Wanted: Strong leaders to aid euro zone (Reuters)
London shares end lower (AFP)
Avon stock hits 17-month low (Reuters)
German Economic Confidence Up for 2nd Month (AP)
European stocks seen rising as oil prices ease (FT.com)
Top German court blocks EU arrest warrant (Reuters)
European stocks steady in early afternoon deals (AFP)
EU Expects Disappointing Euro-Zone Growth (AP)
European stocks poised for higher open (FT.com)
Italy Government Slashes Growth Forecast (AP)
EU Chief: Political Reforms to Spur Growth (AP)

On this day
2000 AOL announced its first $1bn profit achieved during a single financial year, and that it had 25m subscribers.
1999 Gold traded at its lowest price of $252.85 since the 1970s.

BBC - On This Day
1974: Turkey invades Cyprus
Thousands of Turkish troops invade northern Cyprus after last-minute talks in the Greek capital, Athens, fail to reach a solution.
1944: Hitler survives assassination attempt
Adolf Hitler escapes death after a third attempt on his life when a bomb explodes in Rastenberg
1982: IRA bombs cause carnage in London
Eight soldiers on ceremonial duty are killed in two IRA bomb blasts in Hyde Park and Regent's Park.
1960: Ceylon elects world's first woman PM
Sirimavo Bandaranaike makes history when she is elected the first-ever female head of government.
1990: IRA bombs Stock Exchange
An IRA bomb blows a 10-foot hole in the London Stock Exchange.
1952: Dynamic Zatopek wins gold at Helsinki
Emil Zatopek of Czechoslovakia sets the pace at the start of the Olympic Games in Finland by breaking the 10,000 metres record.
2003: BBC admits Kelly was 'main source'
The BBC confirms weapons expert Dr David Kelly, found dead two days ago, was the source for reports that the government "sexed up"an Iraq dossier.
1957: Britons 'have never had it so good'
British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan tells a Conservative rally in Bedford "we have never had it so good"but calls on pay restraint to combat inflation.
1976: Pictures of Mars from Viking ship
America's Viking I space-craft lands on Mars and beams back to Earth the first photographs of its surface.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 20

July 19: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.376 %
Standard deviation	1.271
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	8
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	7

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	87	365	279	155
Avg. % change	0.2%	-1.196%	-0.15%	0.006%
Standard deviation % change	0.686	6.027	1.02	0.204
No. of times price has gone up	12	11	10	2
No. of times price has gone down	6	12	9	1

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

---

Yahoo European Business
European stocks seen rising as oil prices ease (FT.com)
Top German court blocks EU arrest warrant (Reuters)
European stocks steady in early afternoon deals (AFP)
EU Expects Disappointing Euro-Zone Growth (AP)
European stocks poised for higher open (FT.com)
Italy Government Slashes Growth Forecast (AP)
EU Chief: Political Reforms to Spur Growth (AP)
EU Commission Rebukes Britain on Cuts (AP)
EU Posts 1Q Growth of 0.5 Percent (AP)
European Union not ready to grant China market economy status (Canadian Press)
Russian Budget Surplus Exceeds 2004 Already (AP)

On this day
1961 The first in-flight movie was shown, on a TWA flight.

BBC - On This Day
1997: IRA declares ceasefire
The IRA makes a surprise announcement of a ceasefire in Northern Ireland - the second in three years.
1996: 'War criminal' Karadzic resigns
Bosnian Serb President and wanted war criminal Radovan Karadzic is forced out of office.
1983: Flesh-eating dinosaur resurrected
A gigantic new dinosaur skeleton is unveiled to the media at the Natural History Museum in London.
1976: Fight for fishing rights in Europe
British fishermen are urging the Foreign Secretary, Anthony Crosland, to secure a 50-mile fishing zone around the UK.
1965: S Korea's first president dies in exile
The former leader of the Republic of South Korea, Syngman Rhee, has died in exile in the US state of Hawaii at the age of 90.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 19

July 18: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.167 %
Standard deviation	0.991
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)	264	105	296	241
Avg. % change	-0.112%	0.259%	-0.22%	-0.105%
Standard deviation % change	0.845	1.444	1.294	1.006
No. of times price has gone up	12	14	11	2
No. of times price has gone down	8	9	8	3

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

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Yahoo European Business
Top German court rules EU arrest warrant invalid (Reuters)
European stocks poised for higher open (FT.com)
Italy Government Slashes Growth Forecast (AP)
EU Chief: Political Reforms to Spur Growth (AP)
European stocks rise in early deals after strong Wall Street showing (AFP)
EU Commission Rebukes Britain on Cuts (AP)
EU Posts 1Q Growth of 0.5 Percent (AP)
European Union not ready to grant China market economy status (Canadian Press)
Russian Budget Surplus Exceeds 2004 Already (AP)
Brown pushes controversial EU reform agenda (AFP)
Italy Given Until 2007 to Adjust Deficit (AP)

On this day
1974 Abolition in the UK of the Pay Board and end of statutory incomes policy.

BBC - On This Day
2000: Sarah Payne's body found
Police confirm the body they found in a West Sussex field yesterday is that of missing eight-year old Sarah Payne.
1966: Nurses murder suspect charged
US police have charged a seaman with the murder of eight student nurses in their hostel in Chicago.
2003: Missing Iraq expert - body found
A body believed to be that of government scientist Dr David Kelly is found in Oxfordshire - an inquiry will be held into his death.
1981: Violence erupts at Irish hunger strike protest
Nearly 200 people are in hospital in Dublin after a hunger strike demonstration turned violent.
1990: English teenagers held in Thailand over drugs
Two teenage girls from the Midlands are arrested for drug smuggling in Thailand.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 18

July 17: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.222 %
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	11

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	207	118	208	76
Avg. % change	-0.018%	0.22%	-0.013%	0.147%
Standard deviation % change	0.963	3.426	1.113	1.415
No. of times price has gone up	9	11	10	3
No. of times price has gone down	9	13	10	3

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

---

Yahoo European Business
Italy Government Slashes Growth Forecast (AP)
EU Chief: Political Reforms to Spur Growth (AP)
European stocks rise in early deals after strong Wall Street showing (AFP)
European stocks seen opening little changed (FT.com)
EU Commission Rebukes Britain on Cuts (AP)
EU Posts 1Q Growth of 0.5 Percent (AP)
European Union not ready to grant China market economy status (Canadian Press)
Russian Budget Surplus Exceeds 2004 Already (AP)
Brown pushes controversial EU reform agenda (AFP)
Italy Given Until 2007 to Adjust Deficit (AP)
Brown says EU committed to blocking terror financing (AFP)

On this day
1955 Disneyland in California opened.

BBC - On This Day
1976: African countries boycott Olympics
The opening ceremony of the 21st Olympic games in Montreal is marred by the withdrawal of 25 African countries.
1979: Sandinista rebels take Nicaraguan capital
The left-wing Sandinistas take control of the Nicaragua after 46 years of dictatorial rule by the Somoza family.
1974: Bomb blast at the Tower of London
An explosion in the Tower of London leaves one person dead and 41 injured.
1955: Moss claims first Grand Prix victory
Stirling Moss wins the British Grand Prix at the Aintree track near Liverpool - the first time an Englishman has triumphed in the race.
1987: Ex-Guinness boss owes millions
Former Guinness director Thomas Ward is ordered to repay �5.2m to the brewing giants.
2000: Tesco bows to imperial pressure
British supermarket Tesco is to revive imperial measures in its stores.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 17

July 16: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.192 %
Standard deviation	0.768
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)	82	38	104	22
Avg. % change	0.218%	0.535%	0.209%	0.372%
Standard deviation % change	0.667	1.564	1.316	2.086
No. of times price has gone up	12	15	13	3
No. of times price has gone down	8	7	7	3

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

---

Yahoo European Business
Italy Government Slashes Growth Forecast (AP)
EU Chief: Political Reforms to Spur Growth (AP)
European stocks rise in early deals after strong Wall Street showing (AFP)
European stocks seen opening little changed (FT.com)
EU Commission Rebukes Britain on Cuts (AP)
EU Posts 1Q Growth of 0.5 Percent (AP)
European stocks higher as oil prices slide (FT.com)
European stocks seen opening modestly higher (FT.com)
European Union not ready to grant China market economy status (Canadian Press)
Russian Budget Surplus Exceeds 2004 Already (AP)
Brown pushes controversial EU reform agenda (AFP)

On this day
1987 British Caledonian (BCal) and British Airways (BA) announced they would merge to compete against the US airlines.

BBC - On This Day
1945: Allied leaders gather at Potsdam
Winston Churchill, Harry S Truman, Josef Stalin discuss the fate of a defeated Germany.
1969: Apollo 11 takes off for the Moon
The Apollo 11 space rocket takes off from Cape Kennedy at the start of the first attempt to land a man on the Moon.
1970: State of emergency called over dock strike
Home Secretary Reginald Maudling declares a state of emergency to deal with strikes at UK ports.
1987: Great British airline ready for take off
The two biggest airlines in the UK are to merge and create a carrier to compete with America's giant air corporations.
1993: Secret Service goes public
Britain's internal security service, MI5, holds the first photocall in its 84-year history.
2001: Rebel MPs defeat the government
The Labour Government is defeated in the House of Commons for the first time since it came to power in 1997.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 16

July 15: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.047 %
Standard deviation	1.617
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	7
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)	159	324	164	156
Avg. % change	0.071%	-0.433%	0.081%	0.005%
Standard deviation % change	1.143	1.488	1.393	0.545
No. of times price has gone up	11	12	13	3
No. of times price has gone down	9	11	7	2

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

---

Yahoo European Business
EU Commission Rebukes Britain on Cuts (AP)
EU Posts 1Q Growth of 0.5 Percent (AP)
European stocks build on US, Asian gains (AFP)
European stocks higher as oil prices slide (FT.com)
European stocks seen opening modestly higher (FT.com)
European Union not ready to grant China market economy status (Canadian Press)
Russian Budget Surplus Exceeds 2004 Already (AP)
Brown pushes controversial EU reform agenda (AFP)
Italy Given Until 2007 to Adjust Deficit (AP)
Brown says EU committed to blocking terror financing (AFP)
High Oil Prices on Ministers'Agenda (AP)

On this day
1869 Margarine is patented in Paris, for use by the French Navy.

BBC - On This Day
1995: Serbs force Muslims out of Srebrenica
Thousands of Muslim refugees flee the captured "safe area"of Srebrenica - forced out by the Bosnian Serbs.
1997: Versace murdered on his doorstep
Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace is shot dead on the steps of his Miami mansion.
1966: Euston staff 'colour bar' ended
A West Indian refused a job at Euston Station will now be employed there after managers overturn a ban on black workers.
1971: Seals shot by government decree
The British Government endorses a cull of baby seals in the Wash.
2000: Police camera action violates human rights
Two men caught on camera for dangerous driving escape prosecution in a landmark case.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 15

July 14: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.449 %
Standard deviation	1.017
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	4
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	9

---

Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	328	82	235	74
Avg. % change	-0.275%	0.32%	-0.07%	0.155%
Standard deviation % change	1.077	2.041	1.325	0.524
No. of times price has gone up	10	12	9	3
No. of times price has gone down	10	11	9	1

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

---

Yahoo European Business
European stocks higher as oil prices slide (FT.com)
European stocks seen opening modestly higher (FT.com)
European Union not ready to grant China market economy status (Canadian Press)
Russian Budget Surplus Exceeds 2004 Already (AP)
Brown pushes controversial EU reform agenda (AFP)
European stocks ease in early afternoon deals (AFP)
Italy Given Until 2007 to Adjust Deficit (AP)
Brown says EU committed to blocking terror financing (AFP)
High Oil Prices on Ministers'Agenda (AP)
British economy set to shake off adverse effects of fatal bombings (AFP)
Hot currencies cool bargain travel in 'new Europe'(AFP)

On this day
1868 A tape measure enclosed in a circular case was patented by AJ Fellows.

BBC - On This Day
1958: Coup in Iraq sparks jitters in Middle East
A military revolt in Iraq overthrows the monarchy and prompts King Hussein of Jordan to call for British and US military help to avert a similar rebellion in his country.
1991: UK forces withdraw from Kurdish haven
British troops protecting the Kurdish population in Iraq have begun to pull out of the region.
1971: Suicide note reveals murder confession
Police in Cheshire call off the hunt for the murderer of three French tourists after another body is found.
1989: Paris in 200-year-old revolutionary fervour
About 500 people are involved in scuffles as Parisians celebrate the bicentenary of the French Revolution.
2001: NI agreement stalls in Staffordshire
Six days of crisis talks to save the Northern Ireland peace process end in deadlock.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 14

July 13: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.143 %
Standard deviation	0.7
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	5
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	9

---

Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	116	310	214	200
Avg. % change	0.159%	-0.364%	-0.029%	-0.032%
Standard deviation % change	0.927	1.482	0.88	0.288
No. of times price has gone up	10	6	10	2
No. of times price has gone down	9	14	10	2

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

---

Yahoo European Business
Russian Budget Surplus Exceeds 2004 Already (AP)
Brown pushes controversial EU reform agenda (AFP)
European stocks ease in early afternoon deals (AFP)
Italy Given Until 2007 to Adjust Deficit (AP)
Brown says EU committed to blocking terror financing (AFP)
High Oil Prices on Ministers'Agenda (AP)
British economy set to shake off adverse effects of fatal bombings (AFP)
Hot currencies cool bargain travel in 'new Europe'(AFP)
Economists: Britain Can Absorb Attack (AP)
Prosecutors name 7 in Citigroup probe (Reuters)
European stocks recover one day after deadly London blasts (AFP)

On this day
1898 Guglielmo Marconi patented the radio.

BBC - On This Day
1985: Live Aid makes millions for Africa
The Live Aid concert for the starving in Africa has raised triple the �10m expected.
1955: Ruth Ellis hanged for killing lover
Convicted murderer Ruth Ellis is hanged at Holloway Prison, London.
1971: Death for Moroccan rebel leaders
Ten army officers involved in an aborted coup in Morocco have been executed.
2001: Family demand inquiry into police shooting
The family of a mentally ill man shot dead by police in Liverpool last night demands a public inquiry.
1993: Green light for Manchester Olympics
Officials in Manchester bidding to hold the 2000 Olympic Games have been told their chances are "very, very high".

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 13

July 12: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.217 %
Standard deviation	0.682
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	11
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)	126	23	146	148
Avg. % change	0.139%	0.692%	0.127%	0.013%
Standard deviation % change	1.028	1.737	1.677	0.06
No. of times price has gone up	11	16	11	1
No. of times price has gone down	8	6	9	0

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

---

Yahoo European Business
High Oil Prices on Ministers'Agenda (AP)
British economy set to shake off adverse effects of fatal bombings (AFP)
Hot currencies cool bargain travel in 'new Europe'(AFP)
Economists: Britain Can Absorb Attack (AP)
Prosecutors name 7 in Citigroup probe (Reuters)
European stocks recover one day after deadly London blasts (AFP)
Europe Markets Open Higher After Bombings (AP)
Stocks rebound after London blasts (Reuters)
German Corporate Bankruptcies Decline (AP)
World leaders pledge united front against terror after London blasts (AFP)
Europe Stocks Sag, Pound at 19-Month Low (AP)

On this day
1996 first trading day of the newly privatised British Energy
1987 The FTSE100 Index fell to its all-time lowest level of 978.7.

BBC - On This Day
1998: Children die in Drumcree protests
Three young brothers are murdered in a loyalist arson attack as the stand-off between Orangemen and police at Drumcree continues.
1986: Orange Parade sparks riots in Northern Ireland
Dozens are injured in the second consecutive night of violence in Portadown, County Armagh.
1990: Yeltsin resignation splits Soviet Communists
Boris Yeltsin resigns from the Soviet Communist Party, bringing the radical-conservative split into the open.
1974: Shankly quits Liverpool
The manager of Liverpool football club, Bill Shankly, is retiring from his post.
2000: British-backed dam threatens ancient lifestyle
The British Foreign Office is severely criticised over plans to back a new dam in Turkey.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for July 12