Three journalists detained by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi, including two employees of Agence France-Presse news agency (AFP), have been released.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai warned Friday that Zimbabwe could slide back to “dark days” of violence unless regional leaders help save the power-sharing deal with President Robert Mugabe.

Moamer Kadhafi threatened to turn into “hell” the lives of anyone who attacks Libya in line with a UN Security Council resolution passed overnight.

The government of Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo on Friday denied blame for an attack in which the United Nations said between 25 and 30 people were killed, denouncing the accusations as a conspiracy.

Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Friday said “we will overcome this tragedy and recover” from the earthquake and tsunami and pledged that “we will once more rebuild Japan”.

Japanese police say another 1,000 bodies have been found in quake-hit coastal areas.

Japan says the death toll in a massive earthquake has risen to five. The quake unleashed a 13-foot (4-meter) tsunami that swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland.

Ivory Coast’s internationally recognised president Alassane Ouattara will head to Nigeria Friday for talks with President Goodluck Jonathan after attending an African Union meeting here, one of his aides said.

The long-awaited corruption trial of former Malawian president Bakili Muluzi kicked off Tuesday, making him one of the few African leaders ever to stand trial for corruption.

A 15-year-old Australian boy is suing the government after allegedly being left illiterate and innumerate despite being taught at a state-run school, officials confirmed Tuesday.