Leprosy cases on the rise in urban India

New Delhi: India has achieved a huge milestone in eradicating polio but when it comes to leprosy, the chilling fact is that cases are on the rise. In fact, India accounts for 55 per cent of the world's leprosy cases.

India officially eliminated leprosy six years ago, but reports now suggest that the cases of leprosy are going up, especially in urban areas.

Women are better at parking than men

London: It's a research which is likely to reignite the cliched battle of the sexes -- women are much better at parking a car than men.

The research, which clearly contradicts the notion that women cannot park a car, has found female drivers are better at finding spaces and also more adept than men at manoeuvring a vehicle into a space -- though they may take longer to park.

BMW launches remodeled 3 series

Tokyo: BMW Japan Corp said today it began selling in Japan its fully-remodeled series of BMW 3 sedans, which will qualify for tax breaks as well as planned subsidies for environment-friendly vehicles.

The new 328i models, equipped with 2-litre engines and auto-stop functions, have a fuel economy of 15.2 kilometre per litre, the company said, adding that it is the first full remodeling of the 3 series in seven years.

Bajaj unveils new Pulsar 200NS in India

It's finally here! The Pulsar we've all been eagerly waiting for has just been unveiled. The prices are yet to be announced but as of now we know that the commercial launch will happen sometime around April this year. The engine is based on the 200cc mill from the KTM 200 Duke.

The surprise is that unlike we expected the engine is not aircooled, but is in fact a liquid cooled SOHC number using not two but three spark plugs – Digital Triple Spark ignition they call it, a world’s first.

Men are most often the first to say I love you?

London: Have you ever wondered why young men are almost always the first to tell a woman: "I love you"? This is because males often try to smooth-talk their partners in a blossoming romance into bed, a new study has claimed.

"Any strategy serving as the means to a sexual end would be beneficial to men, including declarations of love," the 'Daily Mail' quoted as saying researchers at Pennsylvania State University who carried out the study.

Audi plans to launch A8 L Security in India

New Delhi: German auto major Audi is eyeing to enter the high-end armoured car market in India with its A8 L Security model that could cost around Rs 5 crore, and the first vehicle is likely to be delivered this year.

The company, which had showcased the car that can withstand attacks from AK-47s and hand grenades to select guests during the recently concluded Auto Expo here, is understood to have already received about 20 enquiries from the government and top corporate honchos of the country.

Delhi at 100: Creating a healthy new city

87-year-old Brahm Dutt Saigal, a resident of New Delhi, never took a leave in his entire career. He exercised regularly and went on long walks. Nowadays, the working population seems to be too busy or too stressed to take care of its health.

Sex, politics, beer topped life in Mesopotamia

Washington: Sex, politics and beer-drinking appear to be among the top day-to-day activities of people in ancient Mesopotamia, according to a newly translated tablet dating back more than 3,500 years ago.

The tablet, which seems to be written by an inexperienced hand, possibly a student, reveals a series of riddles about the lifestyle of Mesopotamian civilisation widely considered to be the cradle of civilisation.

Maruti launches the 2012 A-Star

Maruti's small car offering, the A-Star gets a refresh for the New Year. The company now offers the A-Star with new alloy wheels and an integrated rear spoiler.

On the interiors front, the 2012 A-Star gets dual tone beige and black upholstery. Maruti has also put in 50:50 split rear seats and more cubby holes in the cabin.

Roadtest: 2012 Tata Nano is cheap and cheerful

The world's cheapest car has had an upgrade. Inflammatory jokes apart, the 2012 Tata Nano is Tata Motors' first refresh of the iconic car since its launch in 2009. It looks identical, but has had some changes made under the hood, or the rear seat, in this case. Tata has bumped up the power to 38PS, up from the original 35PS, putting it on an equal footing with the Maruti 800. Even with the aircon on, it's evidently enough for the featherweight four-wheeler.

The car doesn't feel short on power around the city, and I was often surprised to see the speedo needle planted at 100kmph with no preceding drama. The engine has the feel of a heavy flywheel – a bit like an old Yezdi, for those of you old enough to remember.