Twenty die after monkey prank escalates

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.

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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."