[BBC News with] Iain Purdon

There's been a roller-coaster day of trading in shares in the social networking site Facebook after one of the world's biggest ever business floatations. Facebook shares jumped by more than 10% within minutes of making their (stock market) debut on New York's Nasdaq exchange, but they later dropped back to close just 23 cents above their initial offering price. Mark Gregory reports from New York.

Widespread predictions that Facebook shares would (soar) in value on the first day's trading turned out to be wrong. The shares rose just 23 cents - a gain of about 0.5% - after a (volatile session). It's early days yet, but this won't be seen as a good start. It could suggest investors don't believe that Facebook is really worth the $104bn its opening valuation set.

World leaders are gathering for talks in the United States expected to be dominated by the crisis in the eurozone. President Obama, the host of the G8 (summit) at Camp David, has already said he wants to focus on measures to promote growth. That policy is shared by the new French President Francois Hollande, who's had his first meeting with Mr Obama. Paul Adams reports from Washington.

This was President Obama's first opportunity to take the measure of the new French leader. He said he was looking forward to discussing what he called a responsible (approach) to fiscal consolidation coupled with a strong growth agenda. For his part, Mr Hollande said as he has before that growth must be a priority. But if the two leaders sounded similar notes on the global economy, the subject of Afghanistan revealed differences. Mr Hollande repeated his election pledge to withdraw combat troops by the end of this year. Mr Obama said it was important that the allies maintained their efforts to build security in Afghanistan.

Syrian activists have posted videos online showing, they say, unprecedented protests in the city of Aleppo. There have been (demonstrations) across Syria in support of students at Aleppo University, where security forces have carried out violent raids. Jonathan Head reports.

Aleppo is Syria's largest city, its main commercial centre. There have been protests there since last year but not on the scale seen elsewhere in Syria, and President Assad's authority has seemed secure. But the demonstrations this week have been much bigger. Activists say today's were the largest they've ever seen in Aleppo involving people from many different backgrounds. It is possible a threshold has been crossed in Aleppo and that President Assad will face mounting opposition from its (inhabitants). That would be a blow to his prestige and perhaps to his hold on power.

Thousands of Bahrainis have held a rally outside the capital Manama against a plan for union between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. They held banners saying "Bahrain is not for sale". They are angry at what they see as an attempt by Saudi Arabia to exert more control on Bahrain.

World News from the BBC