News in Brief

Pistorius community service call angers prosecutor
Bbc Online

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius should not go to jail over the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, his sentencing hearing has been told.
A probation officer appearing for the defence said Pistorius should serve house arrest and community service.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel described the suggestion as "shockingly inappropriate".
Pistorius was found guilty of the culpable homicide of Ms Steenkamp last month - but was cleared of murder.
The decision was criticised by the victim's family.
Pistorius faces up to 15 years in jail, although Judge Thokozile Masipa may suspend the sentence or impose a fine.
She said the athlete had acted "negligently" when he shot his girlfriend through a toilet door, but had genuinely thought her to be an intruder.

Taliban kills 22 police in Afghanistan
Afp, Mazar-i-sharif

Taliban militants killed 22 police officers and wounded eight after ambushing a police convoy in northern Afghanistan yesterday, officials said.
The early morning attack in Sari Pul province highlights Afghanistan's fragile security situation, with local forces facing a persistent Taliban insurgency as Nato winds down its military presence.
The police were attacked as they travelled to reinforce colleagues in another district in Sari Pul.

Madagascar's former president returns from exile
Afp, Antananarivo

Former Madagascar president Marc Ravalomanana, who has been living in exile in South Africa since his ouster in 2009, returned home yesterday.
"I am here to support peace and democracy, but more urgent is the fight against poverty," he told supporters at his home in the capital Antananarivo.
Madagascar has on several occasions blocked Ravalomanana's return to the Indian Ocean island since his rival Andry Rajoelina seized power.
In 2012, a plane carrying him was turned back in mid-flight when he tried to return home after nearly three years in exile.
Ravalomanana first fled to Swaziland after the coup and later moved to South Africa.
The former leader was in 2010 sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment with hard labour for the death of 30 opposition protesters killed by his presidential guard in February 2009.