Science, crime, archaeology or intergalactic drama - here are the most fascinating news stories currently making headlines. From an absurd lawsuit to an animal that devours Christmas trees - here are stories you won't find anywhere else! Read on and see which are taking the spotlight!
This article is part of a weekly series highlighting what are currently considered noteworthy news items.
No words can do justice to how awful Sunderland were in their 8-0 defeat of Southampton on Saturday, but among many low points of that match none can rival Santiago Vergini's early strike as an incredible own goal.
A defender was trying to clear away a bouncing ball behind his own goal when instead managed to volley it past Vito Mannone for an own goal that has made headlines all season long. It may even go down in Premier League history as one of its most remarkable.
Sunderland defender Mouhamadou-Naby Sarr's pass to goalkeeper Dillon Phillips appeared to be on target; but instead the ball skidded through Phillips and into his own net for an own goal that left nearly the entire stadium speechless and stunned. That goal put Sunderland into an immediate hole, leading them to lose two consecutive matches to stay at the bottom of the league table.
Paul Kerouac of Florida filed suit on Wednesday against Dunkin' Donuts over an exploding toilet at their Winter Park location outside Orlando in January 2022 and claims the commode exploded, covering him in urine and feces. When Kerouac left to seek assistance from employees outside, they informed him they knew there had been problems with it in the past and would provide it a replacement.
The lawsuit accuses the company of negligence by failing to inspect or maintain the toilet, warn customers about its dangers and take necessary measures. According to Kerouac's complaint, she experienced "severe and long-term injuries," necessitating mental health care and counseling as a result. In total she seeks $50,000 in damages. However, due to its policy on litigation related to franchisees not responding, PEOPLE reached out for more details regarding this situation.
Berlin Zoo's elephants and other tenants can look forward to some post-Christmas cheer: They get to nibble on any Christmas trees that did not find homes.
From a nine-year-old boy's accidental discovery of a human ancestor to the largest male specimen of the world's most venomous spider boasting fangs strong enough to pierce a fingernail, these stories offer something worth reading right now that may not dominate your social feed. From science, crime, medicine, archaeology and nature - they could change your life! Read them now.
*Photo credit: Dunkin' Donuts.
Hercules is an Australian Reptile Park funnel-web spider renowned for having fangs that could penetrate human fingernails. Her venom contains 40 toxic proteins which will contribute to their antivenom program - vital in saving lives when someone gets bitten by one. Safely captured spiders brought by members of the public are milked to extract poison and ultimately used as lifesaving antivenom.
"Receiving such an enormous male funnel-web spider was like winning the jackpot!" exclaimed Emma Teni, spider keeper at Somersby Interactive Zoo. Teni also noted that recent rainy and humid conditions along Australia's east coast has rendered its venom particularly lethal this year; female funnel-web spiders usually range between one centimeter to five centimeters while male funnel-webs can often be found near forested areas and suburban gardens in Sydney up through Newcastle in the north and the Blue Mountains to its west.