WEIRD STUFF

Bear goes shopping

Shoppers in Arizona, in the United States of America, got the shock of their lives when a young bear stormed through the aisles of Fry's grocery store early Monday morning.

The Oro Valley Police Department confirmed the unexpected visitor, spotted around 6:30 a.m. Wildlife photographer Charlie Alolkoy, fresh from an uneventful trip to Catalina State Park, couldn't believe his luck when he stumbled onto the scene.

"I thought someone was joking when they said there was a bear inside," he told KOLD-TV. "Then I saw the biggest wildlife I've ever come across - right between the snack displays!"

Charlie captured video of the bear sprinting down the aisles before it bolted out of the store and was later seen wandering near a Starbucks coffee shop.

By the time police and Arizona Game and Fish officials arrived, the animal had vanished. Authorities stressed the bear wasn't aggressive and no one was harmed.

Experts believe dry weather is forcing hungry bears into populated areas. "When food sources run low in the wild, they head into town," said Mark Freiberg of Arizona Game and Fish.

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Lower IQ linked to higher alcohol problems

New research suggests that teenagers with lower IQ scores face a greater lifetime risk of alcohol problems.

In a massive study published in JAMA Psychiatry, Swedish scientists tracked nearly 600,000 boys born between 1950 and 1962, following them over six decades.

They found that 18-year-olds who performed poorly on cognitive tests were 64 per cent more likely to develop alcohol use disorder. Even after adjusting for family history, the risk remained 43 per cent higher.

By contrast, those with higher IQs were 40 per cent less likely to suffer from alcohol issues. Interestingly, even within families, siblings with lower IQ scores were still more vulnerable.

"This suggests the link isn't just about poverty or social background," researchers wrote.

Experts say the findings highlight the need to factor in cognitive traits alongside lifestyle choices when tackling alcohol abuse.

Globally, alcohol claims around three million lives every year, according to the World Health Organization. The NHS advises adults not to exceed 14 units a week - the equivalent of six pints of beer or six glasses of wine.

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Tomato soup dethroned

After decades of tomato reigning supreme, a new poll by Crosse and Blackwell has found that cream of chicken is the UK's top pick, with 45 per cent of Brits choosing it over the traditional cream of tomato (39 per cent).

Beef and vegetable took third place (32 per cent), followed by roast chicken and vegetable (31 per cent), and winter vegetable (27 per cent).

"With almost half of the popular vote, cream of chicken is now the UK's favourite comfort food," said a Crosse and Blackwell spokesperson.

The survey also revealed quirky eating habits, with 91 per cent insisting it must be served in a bowl. A healthy 48 per cent of respondents demand bread and butter, while 37 per cent pair it with a cheese toastie.