Malawi's former president Bakili Muluzi was arrested on Thursday on fraud and corruption charges amid questions about millions of dollars in donor funds that allegedly ended up in his personal account. A team from the state Anti-Corruption Bureau took Muluzi to their office in the commercial capital, Blantyre, for over an hour of questioning before releasing him, his lawyers said.

In a land dispute pitting Madonna against Malawian villagers, the government has sided with the pop star, saying it had planned to develop the plot.

Wealthy, famous, fabulous at 50 -- but not a mother of four. Pop star extraordinaire Madonna lost a bid on Friday to adopt a second child from Malawi.

The village headman of Mphandula, Malawi, has never heard of Madonna, the pop star. But he knows Madonna the philanthropist. Madonna has announced plans to raise at least $3-million for programmes to support the nearly one million children in Malawi who have lost parents to Aids.

Malawi's President Joyce Banda has been angered by Madonna's claims during her tour to the country last week that she built 10 schools there.

Britain's envoy to Malawi has been asked to leave the country after he was quoted in a newspaper expressing concern about the president's intolerance.

A critic of President Bingu wa Mutharika, who says thugs were sent to petrol bomb his office, has been arrested on charges of kidnapping and torture.

Malawi's former president Bakili Muluzi was arrested on Thursday on fraud and corruption charges amid questions about millions of dollars in donor funds that allegedly ended up in his personal account. A team from the state Anti-Corruption Bureau took Muluzi to their office in the commercial capital, Blantyre, for over an hour of questioning before releasing him, his lawyers said.