What's happening around the world on Saturday:

-- TOP STORIES --

+ Fighting in east Ukraine ahead of referendum vote

+ Nigeria steps up search for missing schoolgirls

+ South Africa's ANC celebrates election victory

+ Thai "Red Shirts" rally to protect the government

+ Glamour and kitsch as Denmark hosts Eurovision contest

DONETSK, Ukraine: Pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine prepare for a Sunday vote on independence, as a military offensive against the rebels continues after fighting in the southeastern city of Mariupol. Video. Picture. Graphic. (UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS)

ABUJA: Nigeria, backed by US and British experts, ramp up the search for more than 200 schoolgirls held hostage by Boko Haram Islamists. Picture. Video. (NIGERIA-UNREST-KIDNAPPING)

JOHANNESBURG: South African elections commission announces final results as the African National Congress holds a victory party from 1600 GMT following its win in national elections. Picture. Video. (SAFRICA-VOTE)

THAILAND: Thai "Red Shirts" rally to protect the government and call for elections after Yingluck Shinawatra is deposed by a court, with opposition supporters renewing their attempts to topple the administration. 0300 GMT. Picture. Video (THAILAND-POLITICS-PROTEST)

COPENHAGEN: Eurovision Song Contest 2014 starts at 1900 GMT with entries from 26 countries, watched by 170 million people around the world. Picture. Video. (ENTERTAINMENT-DENMARK-EUROVISION-MUSIC)

-- OTHER AGENDA ITEMS --

ADDIS ABABA: South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar are to hold peace talks to end almost five-months of civil war, amid warnings of crimes against humanity and the risk of famine and genocide. (SSUDAN-UNREST)

NAIROBI: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang tours Kenya for the final leg of his four-nation Africa tour, where he has bolstered a booming economic relationship.(KENYA-CHINA-DIPLOMACY)

DAMASCUS/HOMS: Syrian troops move into Homs and resident trickle back to find neighbourhoods in ruin after the last rebels leave the Old City under a deal that hands the government a symbolic victory. Picture. Video. (SYRIA-CONFLICT)

BANGUI: International Criminal Court prosecutors are on a fact-finding mission to the Central African Republic to report on possible war crimes. Picture. Video. (CAFRICA-UNREST-RIGHTS-COURT)

STRALSUND: German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosts French President Francois Hollande for a second day in her Baltic coast electoral district for talks meant to strengthen their personal relationship. Brief press statements at 0920 GMT. Picture. Video. (GERMANY-FRANCE-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY)

AMSTERDAM: The Tibetans' spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, arrives in the Netherlands at the start of a three-day trip during which he will visit parliament but not meet with Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Press conference at 0930 GMT. Picture. Video. (NETHERLANDS-CHINA-TIBET-POLITICS-RELIGION)

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis receives a delegation of Italian bishops to discuss the future of Catholic schools in the country, followed by a rally for schools on St Peter's Square at 1430 GMT. Picture. (VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-EDUCATION)

INDIA: Last day of campaigning in India's mammoth election before the final round of voting on Monday. Opposition leader and election frontrunner Narendra Modi and his rival Rahul Gandhi of the ruling Congress party are both expected to address supporters in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring Bihar. (INDIA-ELECTION)

MALAYSIA: Coverage of the hunt for missing flight MH370 as authorities have warned the difficult search in the Indian Ocean far off western Australia could take months more (MALAYSIA-CHINA-AUSTRALIA-AVIATION)

ADEN: The army presses its offensive against Al-Qaeda militants in the country's south as official media says troops have killed two foreign jihadists and captured two others. Picture. Video. (YEMEN-UNREST-QAEDA)

MADRID: Semi-finals of the Madrid Masters and Madrid Open with Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova bidding to make the finals of a crucial French Open warm-up event. Matches start 0900 GMT (TENNIS-ATP-WTA-ESP)

BARCELONA: Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg look to extend their domination of the Formula One world championship in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. 1200 GMT (AUTO-PRIX-ESP)

NEW YORK: The three-day NFL Draft, where American football teams select the most prized talent from college players in hopes of improving their gridiron fortunes, wraps up. Picture. (AMFOOT-NFL-DRAFT)

LOS ANGELES: Bermane Stiverne of Canada and Chris Arreola of the United States face off for the vacant World Boxing Council heavyweight crown. (BOX-CAN-USA-HEAVY-STIVERNE-ARREOLA)

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida: The third round of the $10 million Players Championship PGA Tour event at Ponte Vedra Beach. (GOLF-USPGA)