IT'S A MAD MAD WORLD

US teen accused of using banana in robbery attempt WINSTON-SALEM (North Carolina): Police say a North Carolina teen who was thwarted as he tried to  rob a store with a banana ate it  before they could arrive.  Winston-Salem authorities say 17-year-old  John Szwalla held the  banana under his shirt when he  entered the store on Thursday, saying  he had a gun and demanded money,  the Winston-Salem Journal reported.  Owner Bobby Ray Mabe says he and  a customer jumped Szwalla, holding him  until deputies arrived. While they waited,  Mabe says the teen ate the banana.  Mabe says deputies took pictures of the banana peel. Forsyth County Sheriff's  office spokesman Maj. Brad Stanley says deputies joked about charging Szwalla  with destroying evidence.  Szwalla faces a charge of attempted armed robbery. Jail Bangladesh cops cross-dress to nab thieves 19 May 2009, 1441 hrs IST, AFP DHAKA: Police officers across the  Bangladeshi capital are donning  wigs  and wearingwomen's clothing to  catch criminals targeting females on the  city's streets, a senior official said on Tuesday.  "We took this unusual move because of rising crime in the city and it is working," said deputy police commissioner Imtiaz Hossain.  "In the past four days we have arrested some 60 wanted muggers who have been targeting our officers thinking they are women civilians."  The specially formed teams across Dhaka, nicknamed "burka squads" after the Muslim female garment, are helping to catch muggers, bag snatchers and pickpockets, which are on the increase in the city.  Some male officers wear full burkas, while others opt for wigs to disguise themselves  as women at busy intersections and crowded places where most of the crimes occur, Hossain said.  Authorities said the special patrol teams  would continue to work on the streets in disguise until the law and order situation improved in the Muslim-majority country. UK's oldest Twitter user is a 103- yr-old woman 15 May 2009, 2056 hrs IST, ANI LONDON: While most ladies her age prefer  to sit quietly, 103-year-old English lady Ivy Bean loves to Twitter, something that has made her the oldest  user of the social  networking site.  Bean, a great  grandmother, decided to join  Twitter after  she got bored of using  Facebook, where  she had made  4,800 friends.  "I'm enjoying Twitter  and having my photo  taken - and I'm looking  forward to Deal Or No Deal, " the Sun quoted her as telling her web readers.  The ex-mill worker got a helping hand to smooth her switch to Twitter by calling in IT experts The Geek Squad.  "It's brilliant to help someone as inspirational as Ivy to get started and teach her about Twitter," boss Martin Dix said.  "She's already signed up to Facebook with 4,800 friends. She shows others that you shouldn't be frightened of technology," he stated.  Bean's enthusiasm is spreading among her friends at Hillside Manor care home in Bradford, West Yorks.  "All the residents are taking a leaf out of her book. Four signed up for computercollege," manager Pat Wright said.  "Others have joined Facebook or surf the net and enjoy themselves with ten-pin bowling on the games console," he added.  Twitter membership figures are soaring, thanks to its popularity with celebrities like US President Barack Obama, singer Britney Spears and TV star Stephen Fry.