Lightning strike nearly sparks war in Israel

Israeli officials have determined that a lightning strike was to blame for the accidental launch of two Hamas rockets from the Gaza Strip, one of which struck a house and almost caused a major escalation of violence. “It would not have been right to go to war over the weather,” an unnamed minister told local media.

Robbers arrested after being asked to come back later

A gang of robbers in Belgium have been arrested, after a quick-thinking shop owner told them to come back later in the day, when he would have more money for them. Police were sceptical, but when the gang arrived at the shop at closing time, they were promptly rounded up by officers.

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Canadian rapper dies in wing plane stunt

A Canadian rapper has died after falling from the wing of a small aircraft during a stunt gone wrong. Jon James McMurray, 34, died when his weight caused the plane to go into an uncontrolled spin. McMurray let go of the wing too close to the ground to deploy his parachute. The pilot and plane landed safely.