The worst-hit stock market in Europe was Greece, down more than 6% on Monday to its lowest point for 14 years. Greece's debt problems were seen as the trigger for the whole eurozone crisis. In London, the FTSE index lost another 3.5% on top of the 10% fall it suffered last week. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones opened lower as the market gave its verdict on the downgrading of America's AAA debt rating. Investors long to see a consistent credible plan of action to tackle the debt problems. Instead, they have been offered numerous schemes that try to patch over parts of the problem.
Syrian state television says army units have begun to withdraw from the central city of Hama. It said that they had completed their mission and that life was gradually returning to normal in the city. Security forces attacked Hama more than a week ago, escalating the violent suppression of mass demonstrations in the city. Dozens of Syrians were killed in the assault. Elsewhere in Syria, reports suggest the army is pressing ahead with an assault on the eastern city of Deir al-Zour for a second day. Meanwhile, President Bashar al-Assad appointed a new defence minister.
World News from the BBC
The African Union peacekeeping force in the Somali capital Mogadishu says only small pockets of the militant Islamist group al-Shabab remain in the city. But a spokesman said more troops were needed in order to secure the entire capital. Earlier, the United Nations said its first airlift for five years had landed in Mogadishu.