Alligator breaks into garage and drinks Diet Cokes

An alligator broke into a Florida family’s garage and set about necking their Diet Cokes, according to Newsweek. Laryn and Jamie Dobson were at home when they heard a “wicked” crash in their garage. When they opened the garage door they were greeted by the alligator, who had already made quite a mess. “There was Diet Coke spewing everywhere, because the gator was interested, tore open the box, had a few cans,” said Karyn. “Probably thought it was beer, maybe.” The gator has been safely relocated.

Bribing kids to eat their vegetables works

Bribing toddlers to eat their greens is an effective strategy, reported The Times. A study presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Maastricht found that children offered stickers or small toys were more likely to try vegetables. A researcher said that “rewarding toddlers for tasting vegetables appears to increase their willingness to try different vegetables,” adding that the type of reward is “very important – it should be fun but not food”.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Man walks on wing of taxiing plane

A United Airlines passenger was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport after opening an aircraft door and walking out onto the wing of the plane while it was taxiing, reported CNN. The Chicago Police Department said that “a male subject was onboard a plane that was approaching the gate when he pulled the emergency exit and walked out onto the wing of the plane”. Police added that “the subject then slid down the wing and onto the airfield”.