Irish voters are heading to the polls on Friday to vote in a landmark referendum on whether the country should liberalise some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe.

Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein is expected to turn himself in to New York police on Friday to face sex crime charges, nearly eight months after his career collapsed in a blaze of assault accusations.

The European Union's new data protection laws came into effect on Friday, with Brussels saying the changes will protect consumers from being like "people naked in an aquarium".

A federal judge granted a restraining order Thursday forcing prison guards in Alaska to stop giving Muslim inmates pork as they break their fasts during Ramadan, rights campaigners said.

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta's decision to join Japan's Vissel Kobe could make the J-League a serious option for the world's top footballers, former Shimizu S-Pulse manager Steve Perryman said.

A Catholic priest has been quarantined after being infected with the Ebola virus in the town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of Congo, medical sources said Thursday.

A federal court jury on Thursday ordered Samsung to pay Apple $533 million for copying iPhone design features in a patent case dating back seven years.

The Brazilian government and transport unions struck a deal late Thursday to halt for 15 days a nationwide truckers' strike that has caused severe shortages of fuel and food in some areas.

North Korea said Friday it was still willing to talk to the United States after President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a summit between the two countries, a decision that has thrown the Korean peninsula once more into uncertainty.

A thrilling run inspired by Mohamed Salah has taken Liverpool to Saturday's Champions League final in Kiev against Real Madrid, where now Jurgen Klopp's side must stop the Spanish giants from winning the trophy for the third year running.

"Star Wars" fan favorite Boba Fett is to get his own spin-off movie in Lucasfilm's epic space franchise, US entertainment media reported on Thursday.

US intelligence agencies offered no evidence to back President Donald Trump's claim that the FBI planted a "spy" in his campaign, congressional Democrats said Thursday after a closed-door briefing.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) will launch fact-checking sites in English, Spanish and Portuguese with financial support from Facebook, the international news agency announced on Thursday.

At least two people were killed and 50 wounded as clashes flared in Nicaragua after peace talks between the government and opposition collapsed, the Red Cross and victims' relatives said Thursday.

North Korea on Friday said it was still willing to talk to the United States after President Donald Trump cancelled a summit between the two countries, a decision Pyongyang described as "extremely regrettable".

Dozens of actress, models and ex-employees have come out to accuse veteran producer Harvey Weinstein, 66, of harassment, abuse and rape dating as far back as the 1990s.

Obese hospital patients are more likely to survive an infectious disease than people of normal weight, according to research that pointed Friday to seemingly paradoxical benefits of a condition loaded with health risks.

Octogenarian Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman apologized Thursday after a report of multiple sexual harassment accusations, making the actor the latest high-profile figure to face allegations of misconduct in the #MeToo era.

Activists made a final push for votes Thursday on the eve of a historic referendum on Ireland's constitutional ban on abortion, which has divided the staunchly Catholic nation.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed "direct and frank" talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after the pair discussed Syria, Ukraine and the Iran nuclear deal outside Saint Petersburg on Thursday.

Twitter on Thursday announced new guidelines to clearly mark political ads on its platform as Facebook said it began implementing a policy requiring labeling and verification of identities of those paying for political messages.

Investigators probing the 2014 downing of flight MH17 said Thursday for the first time that the missile which brought down the plane over eastern Ukraine originated from a Russian military brigade.

Facebook said Thursday it began implementing a new policy requiring labeling of political ads and verification of identities of those paying for the messages.

Italy's prime ministerial nominee Giuseppe Conte on Thursday was locked in consultations to form a cabinet after being endorsed to lead a populist coalition government.

Real Madrid fans have returned 1,000 tickets for Saturday's Champions League final against Liverpool as spiralling accommodation and travel costs deter supporters from travelling to Kiev.

Havana expressed regret Thursday that a former CIA agent who led a bloody campaign against Fidel Castro had died without ever being brought to justice for "terrorist" crimes against Cuba.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Europeans Thursday of having done nothing to counter Iran's program to develop ballistic missiles.

Asian nations are clamping down on the number of Twenty20 leagues players can compete in as global cricket chiefs struggle to regulate the format's phenomenal rise.

Otago Highlanders' wing Tevita Nabura received a six-week suspension Friday for his mid-air karate kick to the face of NSW Waratahs' Cam Clark.

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta's decision to join Japan's Vissel Kobe could make the J-League a serious option for the world's top footballers, former Shimizu S-Pulse manager Steve Perryman said.

A thrilling run inspired by Mohamed Salah has taken Liverpool to Saturday's Champions League final in Kiev against Real Madrid, where now Jurgen Klopp's side must stop the Spanish giants from winning the trophy for the third year running.

Real Madrid will be targeting their fourth Champions League success in five years on Saturday as they go up against Liverpool in the final in Kiev.

"We've won it five times," Liverpool supporters sing to celebrate their five European Cup final victories, but Jurgen Klopp, manager of the English giants, is attempting to end a very different run of results in Saturday's Champions League final.

Rory McIlroy looked to have shrugged off his recent indifferent form as he shot a 67 at the PGA Championship on Thursday to sit two shots behind leader Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark.

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar forward LeBron James was named to his league-record 12th All-NBA First Team on Thursday, joining Houston Rockets guard James Harden as a unanimous selection.

Three-time champion Serena Williams could face longtime rival Maria Sharapova in the French Open last-16 after Thursday's draw which also handed Rafael Nadal a dream route to an 11th title.

A stunning burst of goals in extra time allowed Lyon to come from behind and beat Wolfsburg 4-1 as the French side made history by winning a third straight women's Champions League title on Thursday.

Giro d'Italia leader Simon Yates buckled then rallied as his rivals took turns to attack him on the final steep climb to a summit finish on stage 18, which was won by Germany's Max Schachmann after a long breakaway.

Pakistan were 50 for one in reply to England's first innings 184, a deficit of 134 runs, at stumps on the first day of the first Test at Lord's on Thursday.

Three-time champion Serena Williams will face Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic in the French Open first round after the draw was made on Thursday with a potential clash against bitter rival Maria Sharapova in the last 16.

Northern Irish golf star Rory McIlroy believes the five-under par 67 he shot in the first round of the PGA Championship at Wentworth on Thursday can be a springboard to a successful summer.

China's star shuttlers will be tested by Thailand's dark-horse women's team and Indonesia's men in the last four of the Uber and Thomas Cups, with Japan also grabbing spots in both semi-finals after a dramatic knockout stage on Thursday.

French world rally championship team Citroen said Thursday they had sacked British racer Kris Meeke for reckless driving following a spate of crashes.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner claimed Thursday that Lewis Hamilton's contract talks with bitter rivals Mercedes were being held up because of "grotesque sums of money".

Record-breaking Daniel Ricciardo made it a 'double top' for Red Bull on Thursday when he and team-mate Max Verstappen dominated second practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Real Madrid fans have returned 1,000 tickets for Saturday's Champions League final against Liverpool as spiralling accommodation and travel costs deter supporters from travelling to Kiev.

Scotland centre Alex Dunbar has been ruled out of the summer tour to Canada and the United States with a hamstring injury and will be replaced in the squad by Mark Bennett.

Xavi Hernandez could play on until the age of 40 after it was announced on Thursday he has signed a two-year extension to his contract with Qatari club Al Sadd.

Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium will host the 2020 Champions League final, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin confirmed in Kiev on Thursday.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova rejoiced Thursday after a man who allegedly attacked her with a knife in 2016 was taken into custody but her spokesman said the case was not yet over.

Former Argentina captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe will mark the final game of his rugby career by skippering the Barbarians against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new five-year contract, ending speculation over his future at the Premier League club.

Mohammad Amir captured the prise wicket of Alastair Cook after the England opener led a fightback on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday.

Record-breaking Daniel Ricciardo made it a "double top" for Red Bull on Thursday when he and team-mate Max Verstappen dominated second practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein is expected to turn himself in to New York police on Friday to face sex crime charges, nearly eight months after his career collapsed in a blaze of assault accusations.

"Star Wars" fan favorite Boba Fett is to get his own spin-off movie in Lucasfilm's epic space franchise, US entertainment media reported on Thursday.

Dozens of actress, models and ex-employees have come out to accuse veteran producer Harvey Weinstein, 66, of harassment, abuse and rape dating as far back as the 1990s.

For decades he was the Hollywood kingmaker capable of building or breaking careers. Meryl Streep famously called him "God" but now Harvey Weinstein, his name mud and his career over, faces arrest for sexual assault.

Octogenarian Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman apologized Thursday after a report of multiple sexual harassment accusations, making the actor the latest high-profile figure to face allegations of misconduct in the #MeToo era.

Disgraced former Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein is expected to surrender to authorities in New York on Friday following a months-long investigation into allegations that he sexually assaulted women, US media reported.

Hollywood movie star Morgan Freeman apologized Thursday over reports that multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.

Graffiti or street artists in Belgrade are playing out a football rivalry on the city's walls in a development far from the image of ultranationalism and violent Balkan fans.

Moses Farrow, the adopted son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, released a lengthy personal essay Wednesday, disputing allegations that his father molested his sister and accusing his mother of abuse.

Stormy Daniels was granted the keys to the Californian city of West Hollywood on Wednesday to celebrate her court battle with President Donald Trump over a sexual encounter she claims they had more than a decade ago.

Warner Bros is set to produce an animated film based on an early book by the author of the "Game of Thrones" saga, a source familiar with the matter told AFP Wednesday.

The death of Philip Roth has reopened a decades-old debate about the extent to which the American literary master was a misogynist and whether his work should be re-examined in the #MeToo era.

A full-fledged bidding war for key assets of Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox erupted Wednesday as media and cable giant Comcast announced it plans an all-cash bid that would top an existing offer from Walt Disney Co.

Michael Jackson's estate has slammed an upcoming television special about the late King of Pop, describing it Wednesday as a "crass and unauthorized" effort to exploit the singer's name.

If Philip Roth is credited with a damning premonition of the Trump presidency in his 2004 novel "The Plot Against America," the late novelist was profoundly shocked by the reality of 21st century US politics.

Tributes poured in Wednesday honoring the late US literary giant Philip Roth, whose prolific career as a novelist, essayist and critic chronicled the American experience in the 20th century.

Four-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has welcomed back the "beautiful" grid girls at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, saying their return is "a lovely thing".

Philip Roth, a giant of US literature whose work explored what it meant to be American, male and Jewish, was a towering figure among 20th century novelists whose five-decade career won him legions of awards around the world.

The death of America's prolific novelist Philip Roth aged 85 has led to his admirers scorning the Nobel Literature Prize that eluded his work, which often portrayed male sexuality and relations with women.

CBS filed a new complaint Wednesday seeking to wrest control of the media group from controlling shareholder Shari Redstone, accusing her of trying "reap private benefits" at the expense of other stockholders.

A guitar that played a key role in Bob Dylan's artistic evolution from folk music to rock fetched a half million at auction on Saturday.

US media and cable giant Comcast said Wednesday it preparing an all-cash offer for the key television and entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox that would top an offer on the table from Walt Disney Co.

"Rain Man" director Barry Levinson will be honoured at the Czech Republic's Karlovy Vary film festival in July, organisers said on Wednesday.

China surpassed North America to become the world's largest movie market during the first quarter of 2018, fuelled in part by big-grossing domestic films, according to US and Chinese box-office figures.

"Point Break" has its surfers robbing banks when they aren't on the water, while in "Blue Crush" they clean hotel rooms. In "Breath," they swim in the choppier waters of erotic asphyxiation.

Swedish superstar DJ Avicii, who died last month aged 28, is to be buried "privately" with only his closest relatives and friends present, his family said on Tuesday.

Feathers are flying in the free speech-friendly Netherlands after Israel's embassy Tuesday complained about a Dutch parody of Netta Barzilai's winning Eurovision song, calling the home-grown version "in bad taste" and "disgraceful".

She fought through a male-dominated world to become perhaps Iran's first female manufacturing boss, and was on the cusp of major success with the help of a European investor.

They roam Morocco's southern desert, braving the searing heat to scour the undulating sands for bounty fallen from the sky.

A US oversight agency said Thursday that a flooded Arkema chemical plant in Texas, where organic compounds ignited during last year's Hurricane Harvey, was inadequately prepared for a catastrophic flood.

After the most expensive hurricane season on record last year, US officials said Thursday to expect a more normal Atlantic season in 2018 with five to nine hurricanes in total.

After the most expensive hurricane season on record last year, US officials said Thursday to expect a more average Atlantic season with five to nine hurricanes in total.

Vladimir Putin on Thursday appointed a firebrand nationalist politician, who oversaw Russia's once proud space industry, to manage its space agency in a move analysts said spells more trouble for the embattled sector.

Seventeen people were missing and hundreds of others evacuated from their homes Thursday after a cyclone hit Socotra, with Yemen's government declaring the island a "disaster province".

Ten families and a group of reindeer-herding youngsters have filed suit against the European Union, seeking stronger measures against the global warming they say is already harming their livelihoods.

Ten families from Europe, Kenya, and Fiji have filed suit against the European Union, seeking to limit global warming's threats to their homes and livelihoods, their lawyers said Thursday.

People around the world beset by drought, heatwaves, rising seas and storm surges made worse by global warming are calling for "climate justice," and many are pleading their case in court.

The French government is preparing a plan to deal with a new invasion of stinky seaweed that is covering the beaches of some its islands in the Caribbean, causing health problems for residents and threatening key fishing and tourism industries.

NASA's new administrator, a former lawmaker nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the US space agency, admitted Wednesday he has changed his mind about climate change and now believes that humans are the main driver of greenhouse gas emissions.

Failing to cap global warming at two degrees Celsius or less could cost the world economy tens of trillions of dollars over the next 80 years, researchers warned Wednesday.

A toxic weedkiller linked to Parkinson's disease and banned in more than 30 countries will not be outlawed in Thailand, after authorities announced Wednesday they would instead restrict its use.

As carbon dioxide rises due to the burning of fossil fuels, rice will lose some of its protein and vitamin content, putting millions of people at risk of malnutrition, scientists warned on Wednesday.

Hostility towards ethnic minorities is contagious and the acceptability of destructive behaviour towards them can easily change depending on how others behave, according to a new study by a Czech-Slovak team.

The human brain is disproportionately large. And while abundant grey matter confers certain intellectual advantages, sustaining a big brain is costly -- consuming a fifth of energy in the human body.

The German government approved a draft law Wednesday that paves the way for energy giants RWE and Vattenfall to receive hundreds of millions of euros in compensation for the country's decision to phase out nuclear power.

Rwanda has become the official tourism partner of English football club Arsenal FC, whose players will sport a "Visit Rwanda" logo on their sleeves, the club announced Wednesday.

Authorities in Hamburg said Wednesday they would ban some diesel vehicles from two major arteries to improve air quality, making the German port city the first to take the long-feared step.

A shipbuilding hub since the days of the British empire, the Scottish city of Glasgow is now reaching for the stars with a growing space satellite industry.

Mount Everest's Hillary Step -- a rocky outcrop just below the summit -- is now a slope, say climbers who recently returned from the mountain.

A slow-moving lava flow is starting to close in on a power plant near Kilauea volcano, which has authorities scrambling to keep it from becoming part of the drama.

From ivory baubles and leopard coats to rare turtles and live bears, the online market for protected wildlife is booming, according to an International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) investigation released Wednesday.

Why did birds lose their teeth? Was it so they would be lighter in the air? Or are pointy beaks better for worm-eating than the jagged jaws of dinosaur ancestors?

In 27 years from now, almost a quarter of the global population will be obese, researchers said Wednesday, warning of the mounting medical bill.

A SpaceX rocket Tuesday blasted off a duo of sports car-sized satellites built by the US and Germany to reveal changes in sea level rise, ice melt and drought on Earth.