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There were remarkable fluctuations on global markets in response to the Eurozone crisis. Metals were particularly unstable: silver dropped to a seven-month low before recovering slightly; gold plunged to its lowest level in two months, recovered and fell again. Copper and zinc were other metals affected.

Boeing finally delivered the first of its new 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Japan's All Nippon Airways. Delivery of the fuel-efficient wide-bodied plane had been delayed by more than four years but Boeing said it would now double production to catch-up with other orders for the Dreamliner.

China and the Dalai Lama clashed again over the latter's reincarnation and his suggestion that he might select his own successor; Beijing said that only the Chinese government could name the next Dalai Lama. Meanwhile an invitation to the Dalai Lama to attend the 80th birthday celebrations of Archbisop Desmond Tutu was being blocked by South African authorities, probably following representations by China.