Limited edition cognac for Rs 1.25 lakh a peg

New Delhi: Surprised? Well, believe it or not, that is exactly how much a 30ml peg of Remy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl would cost you at the Library Bar at The Leela Palace that opened at Chanakyapuri in the national capital on Monday. Add taxes to that and the amount goes up even further.

"The pricing is in line with the market. We are targeting the niche clientele, people who value that kind of taste," say sources at The Leela Palace. A bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl costs 14.5 lakhs.

Lata Mangeshkar a gay icon now!

Mumbai:It has been noticed that whenever queer issues have to be reported on in India, news channels fall over each other trying to compile the 'ultimate gay package' for prime-time viewing, irrespective of the slant of the story. Footage from pride parades, check. Embracing women, or kissing transsexuals, check. A motley crew of gay activists paraded out, check. A sound-byte from Dolly Thakore, check.

One of the TV channels unearthed a 'gay song' written by Firaq Gorakhpuri, featuring two courtesans in a mujra jugalbandi no less. There was nothing conjugal in their actions, but subtext there was aplenty in the few lines being sung, and the voice was that of Lata Mangeshkar.

Toshiba faces $ 100 million gender bias lawsuit

New York: A senior human resources manager at Toshiba Corp has filed a $ 100 million lawsuit accusing a U.S. unit of the Japanese technology company of "systemic" gender bias against women in pay and promotions.

The plaintiff, Elaine Cyphers, contends that Toshiba America Inc pays women lower salaries and bonuses than men who perform similar work. She says the company steers women into lower-grade positions, and favors men in promotions.

Study finds red light cameras cut fatal crashes

Washington: Red light cameras are helping drivers remember that red means stop and are saving lives, according to a new study out Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The study concludes that the cameras have reduced the rate of fatal crashes by 24 percent in 14 large cities that introduced red light cameras between 1996 and 2004.

Beer goggles make opposite sex look better!

London: It seems beauty lies very much in the eye of the 'beer holder'.

A new survey in Australia has found that "beer goggles" really do make other people look more attractive.

Now, a way to lift fingerprints from fabric!

London: In what could change the face of forensics forever, scientists in Scotland have developed a new technique which they claim could lift fingerprints from cloth and household fabrics such as curtains and couches.

In the past, forensic officers have only been able to take fingerprints from solid objects. But, the new technique means that full sets of prints can now be taken from clothing and fabrics, 'The Scotsman' reported.

Scientists come up with 'artificial petrol'

London: Artificial petrol that costs 19 pence per litre could be available in as little as three years.

Scientists in Britain are refining the recipe for a hydrogen-based fuel that will run in existing cars and engines at a fraction of the cost of petrol.

Parlez vous English? French kids to learn English

London: The French are known to have had a hard-nosed attitude towards the English for long. But, now children in France may be compelled to learn English from as early as nursery school if Nicolas Sarkozy gets his way.

The French President, who has recently come under fire for his own grasp of Francais, has said that he wants France's youngsters to learn "the language of Shakespeare", the 'Daily Mail' reported.

Size means power, babies know by 10 months

London: By 10 months, babies are aware of the fact that size brings with it power.

In the past, this skill might have helped them deduce that a lion posed more of a threat than a kitten.

Love letters are 'a thing of the past'

London: It seems that writing love letters is a thing of the past, for a new study has revealed that people are more likely to send a text message or post a 'Facebook' message than penning the traditional mail.

According to the study, based on a survey, only nine per cent of the respondents had ever sent a letter and most of those were over 50 -- while more than two-thirds prefer to say "I love you" by text.