Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir rejected for Malawi's Banda

Malawi's new President Joyce Banda has said she does not want Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, accused of war crimes, to attend a summit in July.

She says she fears the "economic implications" if Mr Bashir attends the African Union meeting in Malawi.

Her predecessor, Bingu wa Mutharika, who died last month, last year defied calls to apprehend Mr Bashir.

Who is Joyce Banda?

• 1950: Born
• 2009: Elected vice-president
• 2011: Fell out with President Bingu wa Mutharika but he failed to have her removed from her post
• 2012: Sworn in as president after Mr Mutharika's death
• Southern Africa's first female head of state
• Has large charity to help educate and empower women
• Her father was a well-known musician; her sister was hired to work in pop star Madonna's school

Malawi's new president sacks police chief Mukhito

Malawi's new President Joyce Banda has sacked the country's police chief Peter Mukhito, state media have reported.

Ms Banda was sworn into office on Saturday following the death last week of President Bingu wa Mutharika.

She had been vice-president since 2009, but had fallen out with Mr Mutharika and left his ruling party.

No reason was given for Mr Mukhito's removal, but a BBC reporter says he had been accused of mishandling anti-government riots last year.

Mr Mutharika, 78, went into cardiac arrest on Thursday, although his death was not confirmed until Saturday.

He governed Malawi for eight years, but was recently accused of mismanaging the economy and becoming increasingly autocratic.

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