ubergine has bumped off sprouts as children's most hated vegetable, according to 2,300 kids polled by Heinz. Based on survey results, some 39 percent dislike the dark vegetable. Eggplant has replaced the once most hated vegetable, which is now in second place - brussel sprouts, disliked by 37 percent of the children. The third most hated veggie is celeriac at 32 per cent, followed by cabbage (16 percent) and mangetout (12 percent).

Louise O'Donnel, a nursery nurse at Busy Bee Center, shocked parents of her ward after offering them sex toys and bondage gear via e-mail. The nurse, who works for the nursery in Strathave, Lanakshire, e-mailed the parents an "Easter Special" of Ann Summers products which include lubricants, vibrators and other sex aids.

Could a mid-twentieth century plaything be the cure for a modern epidemic of obesity among the young? Researchers are testing pogosticks as the newest exercise tool. Physical therapy researchers at Dalhousie University are using an updated version of the pogostick with middle school-age students. Already popular in the U. S. researcher Nichelle Hubley is testing a pogo stick workout among 11 10 to 13-year-olds. The kids take part in the six-week study assisted by Flybar, a Calif. -based pogo stick maker.

A couple in Iowa are $100,000 richer after a mysterious man gave them a blank check in a café, telling them to write any amount they like. The couple, Alissa and Barry, said the man approached them at Dr. Salami's Cafe in Pella, Iowa and asked them if they had kids.

A local convenience store was hit by two robberies in the same night, with the same clerk on duty during both incidents. Tommy Gutierrez behind the counter, was victimized twice when separate robbers barged into the Shell Station on Monroe NW between 9:45 p. m. and midnight Sunday.