Darth Vader Strikes Bank

Puns and wisecracks aside, this one most people (especially, the sci-fi fans) would love to hear about. A man dressed as Darth Vader robbed a New York bank recently. According to a New York Daily News story, bank customers thought the dark Jedi-costumed robber was joking. The Force-challenged suspect, however, promptly showed them he was serious.

Instead of a light saber, however, the sci-fi-inspired criminal was packing a pistol.

India's 35-dollar slate PC

Seeking to enhance Indian college students' education and IT skills, which the Indian government believes will boost the country's economic development, India has developed a dirt-cheap slate computer. The 35-dollar touchscreen tablet PC is set for release in 2011 and is seen as reinforcing India's IT leadership.

Developed by the Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science, the gadget is part of the Indian government's efforts to improve the country's education system. With a literacy rate of about 60%, India lags other Third-World countries, such as China, which has 94%.