Concerns about whether debt-laden Greece will be forced to pull out of the eurozone, and what that would mean for a weakened European economy is the first topic on Saturday's agenda at the Group of Eight summit hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama, a senior administration official said.

Spain's government calls for calm a day after rating agency Moody's downgraded 16 Spanish banks in the latest sign of distress in Europe.

Chen Guangcheng, the Chinese activist who ignited a diplomatic frenzy when he escaped house arrest, flies to the U.S. to begin a new chapter in his life as a student.

The future is on hold, at least for a couple of days.

The Olympic torch began its 70-day, 8,000-mile journey around Britain Saturday from Land's End in Cornwall, with three-time Olympic gold medal winner Ben Ainslie the first to carry the torch.

A car explosion rattled the city of Deir Ezzor on Saturday, opposition activists and the Syrian regime said.