Police are trying to unravel the mystery of a 'Midnight Knitter' who keeps covering tree branches and lamp posts with little jumpers. Using the cover of darkness, the culprit has struck repeatedly in West Cape May, New Jersey, reports The Press of Atlantic City. Town mayor Pam Kaithern said police were looking into the guerrilla needlework, which technically is against the law because it is being done on public property without permission. But not everyone is keen to stop the mysterious knitter - and the mayor and many residents admit they have been enthralled by the rainbow of colours. Susan Longacre takes a walk each morning in Wilbraham Park, where several tree branches have been covered in the handiwork of the Midnight Knitter. "I think it's wonderful" she told the newspaper. But other residents were critical. Mark Lukas, who owns a weekend home in the town, said the knitted tree cozies were interfering with the Victorian charm of the town. "I don't think it's appropriate," he said. "It's a public space and people should not be able to go in and do what they want to do."
A group of masked women caused controversy in China by dancing in the street in their underwear in a bid to find husbands. The eight young women said they were coming under intense pressure from their families to settle down before "it was too late". They braved the weather to strip down to their bras and pants outside a subway station in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, and danced for passers-by. The girls handed out sheets of paper with their personal details and the kind of men they hoped to marry, reports Guangzhou Daily. And they held boards with slogans such as: 'Brother, marry me!', 'My mom is pushing me for marriage!', and 'Time flies, let's date!'. Calling themselves the 'Crazy Beauties', the women said they had deliberately timed the event to coincide with International Women's Day. Organiser Xing Zi said: "We planned this to stand as a declaration. This is to prove we have enough confidence and determination." One participant, Xiao Xuan, explained: "We think we are beauties, but we can't find our Mr Rights. Our age is close to 30, so we have to do something." Another dancer, with the nickname Ali Nerd, said her mother was driving her crazy: "She calls me all day long, nagging me to get married," she said. The show attracted hundreds of people with many onlookers applauding the women and taking their pictures with mobile phones.
A Vallejo teenager allegedly shot himself in the testicles Thursday afternoon, police said. Police said the 17-year-old, whose name is being withheld because he's a minor, walked into Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center at about 5:45 p.m. with a gunshot wound. The gun is still outstanding, police said, and the teen has not been cooperative.
Police have issued a warning about an escaped giant Burmese python which is loose on a housing estate in Northampton. The green snake, believed to be "several feet long", was seen by a passer-by in the undergrowth in Lingswood, reports the Daily Telegraph. Police have advised that while it is not known to be a dangerous species, the beast should not be approached and witnesses should call 999 or the RSPCA. It was last seen in a wooded area next to a large housing estate and has so far evaded capture. A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: "Police were called at approximately 9.30am to a reported sighting of what is believed to be a large snake in the undergrowth. "It is believed the snake may be a green Burmese Python." The Burmese python is the largest subspecies of the Indian python and one of the six largest snakes in the world, native to areas of Southern and Southeast Asia. They can be found near water and in trees. Wild individuals grow to an average of 12ft long but can grow to 19ft in some cases.
