Twenty die after monkey prank escalates
Artillery, mortar bombs and tanks used after man sets pet on schoolgirl - and other tall tales
Our pick of the strange stories from around the world.
Monkey prank leaves 20 dead
At least 20 people were killed and more than 50 injured after a man in Sabha, Libya, set his pet monkey on a schoolgirl as a joke. The monkey bit the girl and tore off her headscarf, sparking her tribal leaders to seek vengeance. Fighting escalated within hours until warring factions were using artillery, mortar bombs and tanks. The conflict continued for five days.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Phoney priest caught out for second time
A man has been jailed for a second time for pretending to be a Catholic priest. Erwin Mena, 60, of Los Angeles, was first caught in
February, after spending five months delivering sermons and officiating at baptisms in the St Ignatius of Loyola parish. He was rearrested after impersonating a priest again after his release and organising bogus trips to Rome to meet the Pope.
Pedestrian hit by flying deer
A pedestrian is recovering in hospital after being struck by a flying deer. Police in Tennessee say the animal ran on to the road and was hit by a van that launched it into the air towards the passerby, who is now being treated for several broken bones. Officer Natalie Hall said: "This is not a type of crash that happens often."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Zoos offer cockroach naming and hippo poo candles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
NHS tells Scots to walk like penguins
Tall Tales Walk like penguins in the snow, says NHS
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Experts discover why dogs wag their tails
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Peruvian 'aliens' aren't really aliens
Tall Tales And other stories from stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman accidentally puts nan in washing machine
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Tourist sparks bomb alert after accidentally ordering a 'grenade'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Couple sues after ‘farting dog’ ruins flight
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Experts suggest the real-life Dracula was vegan
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published