Octopus vs. Shark? Octopus Wins

But no deaths occurred in US: new report

(NEWSER) - Shark attack deaths saw a significant spike last year, reaching their highest number in almost 20 years. None of the deaths, however, occurred in the US, which has seen decreasing shark attack numbers in recent years. A new report tallies 75 shark attacks around the world in 2011, and notes that fatalities reached 16%. That's double the percentage of shark attack deaths in 2010; for the past decade, the fatalities have averaged less than 7%, LiveScience reports. More»

Employees awkwardly encourage you to apply for a job

(NEWSER) - Twitter wants YOU to "Join the Flock Today," the company says in a new—and intentionally awful—recruitment video. The video is a send-up of other, often cringe-inducing, help-wanted videos, and it features employees uttering awkward lines like, "Boy, I wish I didn't already work here so I could apply for a job!" Writes David Gianatasio at AdWeek , "This clip hits the bull's-eye, especially since the target is presumably in sync with the microblogging firm's corporate mindset and attuned to silly humor." More»

Clip parodies pair of self-satisfied yuppies

(NEWSER) - Love New York? Hate it? Either way, this viral video will resonate: Inspired by Shit Girls Say and its many YouTube imitators, a sibling duo reels off trademark New York yuppie phrases. Among the highlights: Eliot Glazer asks himself over and over where the train is; he informs a cab driver of a "law" that taxis must go to Brooklyn; he and his sister offer informed opinions of local restaurants and complain about tourists. They're excited when a local news anchor walks by—but very proud not to own a TV, the Daily News notes. Click here or here for more videos inspired by Shit Girls Say. More»

6th victim in 6 years in South African spot

(NEWSER) - Yet another swimmer has been killed by a shark on a South Africa beach considered the most dangerous in the world. The victim this time was a 25-year-old swimmer who was standing up to his waist in water at a beach in Port St. John's. The shark nearly severed an arm and slashed the swimmer's chest and stomach. The man was hauled to the shore by lifeguards but died on the scene, reports the Telegraph . He was the sixth fatality from a shark attack off the same beach in six years. More»

Just ask the dancing spider, the jawfish, and the octopus

(NEWSER) - If you're a fan of animal mimicry stories, today's just like your birthday:

• Spider dance: Biologists have discovered that a male wolf spider who sees another male doing a little spider dance to attract a mate will not only mimic the moves but try to improve upon them and outdance his rival, reports Wired . See the gallery for video of one spider watching another and getting his groove on with some serious leg-tapping.