Paratrooper survives after parachute fails to open

A British paratrooper whose parachute failed to open correctly during an exercise in California got away with only minor injuries after a 15,000ft fall saw him crash through the roof of a house. “It’s a miracle in my estimation, really. I mean, who lands like that without a parachute and lives?” said a neighbour. The Ministry of Defence said: “The soldier received minor injuries and is recovering well.”

Super Mario game sold for record sum

A sealed, mint condition copy of Super Mario 64 has sold at auction for more than $1.5m (£1.1m), making it the most expensive video game ever sold. US auction house Heritage Auctions said the video game cartridge, first released in 1996, was in high demand for its “historical significance, rarity and condition” as there are “fewer than five copies” in such good condition. The price tag was nearly double that of the previous record-breaker, an original The Legend of Zelda cartridge which had been sold two days before at $870,000 (£744,000).

Baron Cohen sues cannabis company

Sacha Baron Cohen is suing a cannabis dispensary for allegedly using his comedy character Borat on its advertising. The 49-year-old British actor has accused Solar Therapeutics of copyright infringement and false advertising. He is seeking damages of at least $9m (£6.5m), according to a lawsuit filed in the US state of Massachusetts. He alleges that the advert featured Baron Cohen as Borat, giving a thumbs up with the words “it’s nice!”