BBC news with Fiona McDonald.

Zimbabwean's governing party ZANU–PF is putting increasing pressure on president Robert Mugabe, the man who has kept in power for nearly 40 years. All of the provincial branches say he must step down after Wednesday's military takeover. Both ZANU–PF and military have declared their support for anti-Mugabe protests planned for Saturday.

The former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri has left Saudi Arabia for France, where he will meet president Macron. Using Twitter, Mr.Hariri said it was a lie to say that he has been held by the Saudi authorities against his will. Saudi Arabia is calling its ambassador to Germany, objecting to comments by Berlin on the Hariri crisis.

The Argentine navy is still searching for one of its submarines that have been out of contact since Wednesday. A naval spokesman said he was unable to confirm earlier reports that the San Juan has been found. The submarine is 44 crew onboard.

Russia has again used its veto at the UN security council to back the Syrian government, this time blocking an attempt by Japan to secure a one-month extension for an inquiry into chemical weapon's use. The mission has already found the Syrian government used the banned Nerve Agent Sarin in an attack that killed dozens. Its mandate has now expired.

The African union has urged the libyan authorities to investigate slave auctions in the country. The demand comes after an CNN footage showed the seal of black use to north African buyers. Abuses in Libya appears to be prompting more and more migrants to avoid travelling through it.

And a top U.S. judge has boasted on Facebook that he has been sexually intimate with about 50 women. Bill O'Neill, an Ohio judge who is the democratic candidate for state governor, said his revelation was a response to what he called the national feeding frenzy about sexual indiscretions. Ohio democrats have condemned the comments.

BBC news.