Jockstrip: The world as we know it

WOMAN PLUNGES FROM 10TH FLOOR

A woman detained by security guards for a burglary escaped via a 10th-floor window of a Times Square building in New York City and survived.

New York City police have not disclosed the name of the 19-year-old woman, who sneaked into the offices of an apparel company that sells hip-hop clothing endorsed by rappers Jay-Z and Ermine, according to Nesi Apparel's Jackie Brennan.

"She was looking through people's clothing. I guess she was trying to steal people's wallets," Brennan said.

The woman escaped through a window, fell or jumped from the ledge down eight stories onto a second-floor scaffolding, the New York Post reports.

Listed in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital, the woman has two broken legs, a broken arm and a broken hand.

KNITTING CALMS STUDENTS

Nearly half of Seth Boyden Elementary's 535 students knit, as does the principal and the school's head custodian.

An instructional aide, Judith Symonds, started teaching the children to knit as an alterative activity during recess when it was too wet or muddy to play outside, the New York Times reports.

Simons was named Knitter of the Year by Knitter's Magazine and received $500 in cash and $500 worth of supplies, which she contributed to the program.

Many find knitting calming. "I'm usually very jittery, but when I knit, I calm down," says one child.

THREE-INCH HEELS CAN BE HEALTHY

Women have been told for decades that high heels contribute to leg and foot pain but fears that stilettos could lead to knee arthritis are unfounded.

Three-inch heels actually reduce the risks of joint problems, according to researchers at Warwick University, in England, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The study finds high heels did not cause knee problems but being overweight before age 40, doing demanding physical work and previous knee injuries did, says study author Margaret Thorogood, of the Warwick University Medical School.

In fact, there's a link between regular dancing in 3-inch heels and a reduced risk of knee problems.

DICK GREGORY FASTS FOR JACKSON

Against doctors orders, author, activist, nutritionist and comedian Dick Gregory began a fast 40 days ago and completed the entire period without consuming any solid foods.

He says he was fasting and asking others around the world to join him in a prayer vigil every day at noon "so that the truth comes out about Michael Jackson's case."

In 1999 Gregory was diagnosed with the cancer lymphoma, but says that as of tests taken Dec. 9, 2003, his cancer was in remission.

"He's (Jackson) a good man, and I feel that he's been the target of a conspiracy to destroy his career," Gregory says. "In my opinion, there are people who have a financial interest in bringing Michael down."