Obama administration The Obama Administration released a Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime
Canadian Opposition Leader Canada's Leader of the Opposition Jack Layton announces that he will take a medical leave of absence and an interim leader of the New Democratic Party will be appointed.
2011 US debt ceiling crisis Republican Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner puts forward a plan based on spending cuts.
President Obama gives a televised address to the United States warning of "incalculable damage" if the debt limit is not raised.
South Korea and the People's Republic of China will hold inaugural defense strategic meetings this week.
Famine 2011 Horn of Africa famine: The World Bank promises $500 million in aid to drought victims in East Africa as a United Nations agency hosts an emergency meeting aimed at fighting famine.
Moody's Moody's cuts Greece's credit rating further to Ca on the grounds that a proposed debt swap is equivalent to a default.
Greek-Cypriot Greek-Cypriot filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis who was nominated for five Academy Awards for his films including "Zorba the Greek" dies in Athens aged 89.
2011 Bahraini uprising 2011 Bahraini uprising: A panel begins work an inquiry into the crackdown on protests.
2011 Syrian uprising 2011 Syrian uprising: State media announce a new law permitting the formation of political parties.