LONDON (AP) – Voters in Ireland are going to the polls Friday to elect one of two women as their new president for the next seven years, a largely ceremonial role in the European Union member country. Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent lawmaker is widely seen as the leading candidate to become the head of state.

BRUSSELS (AP) – European Union leaders are seeking a more active role in Gaza and the occupied West Bank after being sidelined from the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. At a summit Thursday, EU heads of state are expected to discuss the shaky ceasefire in Gaza and potential EU support for stability in the war-torn coastal enclave.

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) – Russian military planes briefly violated Lithuania’s airspace Thursday evening, the Lithuanian president said, condemning what he called a blatant breach of the territorial integrity of his European Union and NATO-member country.