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Level 3 Connects New Transatlantic Route at Equinix London International Business Exchange Data Center

July 14, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Direct Backhaul Connection Improves Diversity and Lowers Latency Between UK
and North America
LONDON–(Business Wire)–
Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), a provider of global data center services, and
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT), a leading international provider of
fiber-based communications services, today announced the opening of a new access
node in Equinix`s International Business Exchange (IBX) London 4/London5 (LD4/5)
data center campus located on the outskirts of London. The access node will link
the Equinix LD4/5 IBX campus directly with three of Level 3`s transatlantic
routes to New York, improving diversity and lowering the latency on the route
between the UK and North America.

Level 3`s new access node will offer customers in the Equinix LD4/5 campus
direct connectivity to three transatlantic routes; Yellow, AC-1 and Apollo
North, as well as provide access to its extensive North American footprint via
the Level 3 facilities in New York. In addition, alongside the community of
networks, content and digital media companies, enterprises and financial service
providers already operating within Equinix`s LD4/5 campus, Level 3`s customers
will benefit from a new route that bypasses central London. By locating the
access node on the outskirts of London, Level 3 has improved the resilience and
speed of connection between London and the U.S.

“We live in an increasingly connected world where the speed and reliability with
which information travels – particularly for financial firms – is critical to
successful business operations,” said James Heard, president of European Markets
at Level 3. “Our collaboration with Equinix is the latest example of Level 3`s
commitment to expanding its low-latency offerings across the Atlantic, enabling
more options for transatlantic connectivity independent of central London, and
providing top-quality solutions for the most demanding of international
enterprise customers.”

Level 3 currently serves 20 European countries and operates an extensive and
diverse network footprint across North America and Europe. The new direct
transatlantic routes and on-net connectivity will also provide customers in
Equinix`s LD4/5 campus greater flexibility to scale bandwidth directly connected
to the Level 3 transatlantic network as their demand increases.

“Equinix provides state-of-the-art colocation, interconnection and exchange
services that securely connect the world`s networks, enterprises, cloud
providers and financial institutions,” said Russell Poole, General Manager,
Equinix UK. “The availability of Level 3`s new service at our LD4/5 IBX campus
is a valuable addition to our offering and presents an attractive value
proposition for customers operating within our ecosystems.”

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider
of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and
government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an
industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber
network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including
transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information,
visit www.Level3.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature.
These statements are based on management`s current expectations or beliefs.
These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are
subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are
outside Level 3`s control, which could cause actual events to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors
that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not
limited to, the current uncertainty in the global financial markets and the
global economy; disruptions in the financial markets that could affect Level 3`s
ability to obtain additional financing; as well as the company`s ability to:
increase and maintain the volume of traffic on the network; successfully
integrate acquisitions; develop effective business support systems; defend
intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage system and network failures
or disruptions; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate
acceptable margins; adapt to rapid technological changes that lead to further
competition; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; and
meet all of the terms and conditions of debt obligations. Additional information
concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3`s
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press
release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is
under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update
or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.

About Equinix

Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX) provides global data center services that ensure
the vitality of the information-driven world. Global enterprises, content and
financial companies, and more than 575 network service providers rely upon
Equinix`s insight and expertise to protect and connect their most valued
information assets. Equinix operates 87 International Business Exchange (IBX)
and partner data centers across 35 metro areas in North America, Europe and
Asia-Pacific.

Important information about Equinix is routinely posted on the investor
relations page of its Web site located at http://www.equinix.com/investors. We
encourage you to check Equinix`s website regularly for the most up-to-date
information.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed
in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences
include, but are not limited to, the challenges of acquiring, operating and
constructing IBX centers and developing, deploying and delivering Equinix
services; unanticipated costs or difficulties relating to the integration of
companies we have acquired or will acquire into Equinix; a failure to receive
significant revenue from customers in recently built out or acquired data
centers; failure to complete any financing arrangements contemplated from time
to time; competition from existing and new competitors; the ability to generate
sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds to repay new or outstanding
indebtedness; the loss or decline in business from our key customers; and other
risks described from time to time in Equinix’s filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. In particular, see Equinix’s recent quarterly and annual
reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are
available upon request from Equinix. Equinix does not assume any obligation to
update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

Equinix and IBX are registered trademarks of Equinix, Inc. International
Business Exchange is a trademark of Equinix, Inc.

Level 3
Media Contact:
Alexis Hammack, 720-888-2441
alexis.hammack@level3.com
or
Investor Contact:
Mark Stoutenberg, 720-888-2518
mark.stoutenberg@level3.com
or
Equinix Contact (Global)
Joan Powell, 650-513-7098
joanpowell@equinix.com
or
Equinix Contact (Europe)
Johnson King
Jacqui Depares or Ben Roberts, +44 (0) 20 7401 7968
Equinixteam@johnsonking.co.uk

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: american footprint, Business Exchange, Bypasses, central London, communications services, Equinix Inc, European Markets, Exchange Data, Financial Service Providers, Global Data Center, Ibx, International Provider, Level 3 Communications, Level 3 Communications Inc, london business, London International, nasdaq, Quality Solutions, Transatlantic Connectivity, transatlantic routes

J G Farrell wins another Booker prize – 30 years after death

May 20, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, May 20 (ANI): Renowned litterateur J G Farrell has won another Booker prize, this time for 1970, three decades after his death.

Farrell has been posthumously conferred with the Lost Man Booker Prize for his book Troubles.

The award was instituted to acknowledge novels published in 1970 that did not get recognition because of a change in the award”s rules.

In 1971 a decision was taken to judge books from the current rather than the previous year.

Farrell, who bagged the Booker in 1973 for The Siege of Krishnapur, has now joined the league of J. M. Coetzee and Peter Carey who have won twice.

Richard Farrell, the late author”s younger brother, collected the prize at an event in Central London.

“This is a bitter-sweet moment for me…Sweet because he has won the prize, but bitter because he can”t be here to collect it himself. To his family it is proof-positive that he had overcome his disease, in childhood, of polio,” the Times quoted Richard, as saying.

He added: “To me, the book is a time machine. It takes me back to our childhood – growing up in Ireland, the smell of peat smoke in the air.”

Talking about how his brother would have felt about after winning the Booker again, Richard said: “I don”t think he would have been very surprised. He said that he expected his books to be read in 30 to 40 years” time, and he said that he thought Troubles was his best work.” (ANI)

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It’s a baby girl for Claudia Schiffer, Matthew Vaughn

May 16, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, May 16 (ANI): Claudia Schiffer and her British film director husband Matthew Vaughn have become proud parents of a baby girl.

A spokeswoman for the couple said Schiffer gave birth on Friday at the Portland Hospital in central London.

The German supermodel and Vaughn already have a son Caspar, seven, and a daughter Clementine, five, reports The Telegraph.

A statement from the couple said: ””Claudia Schiffer and Matthew Vaughn are proud to announce the birth of their baby daughter who was born on Friday May 14 in the early afternoon.

””Mother and baby are doing well.””

Schiffer and Vaughn married in 2002 near their home in Suffolk. (ANI)

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Closely observed drains (and secret tunnels)

May 11, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, May 11 — Mahatma Gandhi once described American journalist Katherine Mayo’s book Mother India as the “report of a drain inspector” for its criticism of child marriage and widow burning (“killers of goats,” she grumbles after viewing a Kali worship ritual in Kolkata). Tables were turned briefly when a group of ‘observers’ turned up in Britain from 13 Commonwealth countries – some from the poorest parts of Africa – to observe the conduct of last week’s general election, and left behind their own modern version of a drain inspector’s report. Exciting and smooth as the election was, a few polling booths were unable to cope with a sudden spike in voters. Said to number in their thousands, voters who arrived just before the 10 pm closing were turned away as polling papers ran out. There were unprecedented dharnas at polling booths. “The number of seats the Tories needed for an absolute majority is not that high – this could have made the difference,” said Kenyan MP Ababu Namwamba. Another observer was astonished to discover the absence of identity checks. “It was a massive shock when I saw you didn’t any identification to vote,” said Marilyn Jalloh, an MP from Sierra Leone. “In Sierra Leone, you need an identity card and also to give your fingerprint.” The observers could also have done with a guided tour of the venues that have been hosting post-election political negotiations, including ancient secret rooms, corridors and tunnels. Talks are taking place in the Cabinet Office at 70 Whitehall Street in central London, next to the prime minister’s office-cum-home at 10 Downing Street. Since Friday’s verdict of a hung parliament, hundreds of reporters have camped outside the Cabinet Office. But with their entry barred into a building whose stone steps lead to passages, secret rooms and indoor tennis courts built by Henry VIII, television news channels have deployed helicopters for aerial views – just in case politicians try to escape unnoticed through the many narrow alleyways connecting Whitehall offices. On Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Gordon Brown was seen scurrying out of his office into the foreign ministry building. At around the same time a passerby noticed Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg making his way for what turned out to be a meeting between the two.

The Commonwealth observers may not know this, but English rulers thrive on the preservation of mystique.

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UK talks roll on as support grows for poll reforms

May 10, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, May 10 — Britain’s Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties continued holding secret talks aimed at striking an unprecedented power-sharing pact as a series of polls suggested growing public support for reforms to the electoral system. Aided by three senior civil servants, negotiators for the two parties met on the neutral ground of the Cabinet Office in central London, following a face-to-face meeting between Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrats chief Nick Clegg on Saturday. The two sides described the 70-minute meeting, held after a general election returned a hung parliament, as “constructive and amicable” but gave no other details.

The sticking point in negotiations between the key Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives is likely to be the Lib Dem demand for fundamental reforms to the British electoral system, which is seen as unfair. The Lib Dems want to replace the present first-past-the-post system with proportional representation (PR) but have only been offered an all-party review by the Conservatives.

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British government mum on Musharraf’s security protocol removal

April 27, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, Apr.27 (ANI): The British Government has neither denied nor confirmed reports regarding the removal of expensive security contingent, including three to four Scotland Yard officials and an armoured car, guarding former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf.

The British Home Office denied making any statement on media reports that said that following the UN commission’s report on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, which blamed the then Musharraf government for her death, security cover being offered to him were discontinued.

“We do not comment on security arrangements for individuals and organisations,” The News quoted a spokesman at the British Home Office, as saying.

Musharraf’s spokesman Fawad Chaudhry has also rejected reports, saying the former general is provided with armoured vehicle and security as and when required.

Musharraf, who has been living in London on an unannounced exile since 2009, had brought with him his most trusted Special Services Group (SSG) for a full-time security duty.

According to sources, the SSG men were Musharraf’s most trusted and he would “feel incredibly insecure and paranoid without their protection.”

Highly placed sourced said that the British government has decided not to extend the visas of these SSG guards who form Musharraf’s personal security force.

Musharraf has been spending some exquisite time in the British capital where he had purchased a luxury apartment in the heart of central London on famous Edgware Road, also known as Little Arabia.

Protected by top Scotland Yard officers and his own team of security guards the autocratic ruler is enjoying every moment in the city, spending a lot of time on eating out at high-class eateries and shopping at Harrods. (ANI)

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Madonna arrives in London with 25 pieces of luggage

March 31, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, March 31 (ANI): Madonna landed at London’s Heathrow airport with more than 25 pieces of luggage.

The 51-year-old star looked pale and tired as she stepped off the plane from New York with her two adopted kids, David Banda, four, and Mercy James, also four.

However, the two porters who had to move the enormous pile of luggage looked far more exhausted, reports the Telegraph.

They were photographed struggling to shift two trolleys laden down with bags through Terminal 3.

Among them, there appeared to be a cold box – the singer is notoriously fussy about her food – along with suit bags and a series of Louis Vuitton cases.

Madonna lived in the UK during her seven-year marriage to film director Guy Ritchie, 41. Since their split in 2008 she has been living in Manhattan.

She is thought to have jetted back for six months while she directs her new film W.E. and is rumoured to be living in Marylebone, central London.

The film tells the story of the 1936 marriage of American socialite Wallis Simpson to King Edward VIII, who gave up the throne so they could stay together. (ANI)

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When Amy Winehouse shoved a fan in face for taking her picture

March 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, Mar 17 (ANI): ‘Rehab’ singer Amy Winehouse is said to have attacked a fan of hers as he was trying to take a picture of her.

Winehouse, 26, was seen and photographed lashing out before grabbing the man’s iPhone and shoving it in his face on March 16 outside a supermarket with pals in Marylebone High Street, central London.

She claimed she feared the man was going to attack her and was acting in self- defence.

“This guy lifted his iPhone up to try to take her picture. She tried to take it out of his hand and they grappled with it,” the Daily Star quoted an onlooker as saying.

“Then she got it and open-handedly hit him in the face. She started shouting but wasn’t trying to hide what she’d done,” the onlooker said.

Her spokesman said she was just retaliating because the man had pushed her friend out of the way so he could take her photo.

“She asked him: ‘Why did you do that?’ and then shoved him,” he added. (ANI)

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Lindsay Lohan now dating a man?

March 6, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, Mar 5 (ANI): After her much-publicised stint as a lesbian, Lindsay Lohan is back into boys- and she”s got a new beau to prove it.

The singer, who had a stormy two-year on-off romance with Samantha Ronson, is dating British DJ Gareth Geno.

The ”Mean Girls” star was recently spotted at Sketch nightclub in central London on Wednesday, and she was all over him.

“I have to move to London. He”s so cute,” the Mirror quoted Lindsay as saying.

And Gareth is not the only bloke to have turned her head.

Earlier in the day, Lindsay bumped into Boy George at the ITV studios after filming Alan Carr”s Chatty Man show.

The pair really hit it off, comparing tattoos and headgear. (ANI)

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UK’s James Bowthorpe becomes the fastest cyclist to circle the globe

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Sep.19 (ANI): Britisher James Bowthorpe has become the fastest man to pedal around the globe, while surviving an ambush in Iran, a collision with a wombat in Australia, food poisoning in India and tendonitis in both ankles.

Bowthorpe cycles into Hyde Park, Central London on Friday afternoon, completing an 18,000-mile bike ride across 20 countries in less than six months, beating the world record by 20 days, reports The Times.

“The best thing about the trip was the people. I’ve been shown some amazing kindness – I’ve had free meals and clothes and bike maintenance. The mechanic at Bullmoose Brothers in Kentucky gave me the cranks off his own bike when mine failed. “There have been some idiots but not many – the person who threw a kebab at me out of their car window somewhere in Western Australia definitely isn’t getting an invite to the welcome-home party,” the paper quoted Bowthorpe, as saying.

However for Bowthorpe, 32, beating the record set last year by the Scottish cyclist Mark Beaumont was not uppermost in his mind. After watching his grandfather suffer with Parkinson’s disease, raising money for research into the condition was his main priority.

Before embarking on his challenge in March, Bowthorpe signed up with What’s Driving Parkinson’s, a research clinic at King’s College Hospital in London to raise enough money.

So far, he has accumulated 55,000 pounds out of a 1.8 million pound target.

Bowthorpe set out from Hyde Park on March 29 this year and completed the world record journey on September 18. (ANI)

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Jude Law not to face action over ‘female snapper assault’

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, September 16 (ANI): Actor Jude Law is set to face no further action over allegations that he lashed out at a female snapper outside a restaurant in London.

The ‘Alfie’ star was accused of assaulting photographer Harsha Gopal in July, a claim denied by the star and his lawyer.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Law “had no intention to assault anyone”.

“The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to take no further action against the actor Jude Law following an allegation of assault outside Automat restaurant in central London on July 23,” the Telegraph quoted a spokesman as saying.

“A careful analysis of the specific evidence in this case, which included photographs and eye witness statements, indicates that Mr Law had no intention to assault anyone.

“While Mr Law accepted that he may have come into contact with someone whilst attempting to make his way to his car, it is highly likely that a court would decide his actions were reasonable given that his path was deliberately impeded by a crowd of photographers.

“Accordingly, there is insufficient evidence to charge him with any offence,” the spokesman added. (ANI)

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Asian-origin RAF medic sues British Military for “Paki” and “terrorist” jibe cover up

September 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Sep. 11 (ANI): An Asian origin Royal Air Force medic, who was racially abused and assaulted by senior colleagues, has claimed that British military investigators tried to cover up his complaints.

The British-born medic told an employment tribunal in central London that he was called a “Paki” and “terrorist”, was grabbed around the throat and threatened with a beating while he was serving in Afghanistan in 2007.

The man, referred to as AB, also blamed the military for not dealing with his complaints properly.

The Independent quoted his legal representative Jude Bunting as saying that members of the Army’s Special Investigation Branch had purposely dragged their feet when dealing with the complaints.

However, Captain Gary Ward, who worked on the AB investigation, said the allegations were “absolutely ridiculous”.

The hearing continues, the paper reports. (ANI)

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Ex-Bond Dalton’s voice lands Toy Story role

September 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Sept 11 (ANI): Former James Bond star Timothy Dalton will lend his voice to a cartoon hedgehog toy named Mr Pricklepants in an animation flick titled Toy Story 3.

The announcement came from Disney/Pixar chief John Lasseter at a central London ceremony, where the animated slate of the joint studios was showcased, reports the BBC.ews was also let out that singer Mandy Moore will voice for Rapunzel in a cartoon film of the same name.

Disney/Pixar is roping in well-known names from Hollywood and the music world to voice their animation flicks.

Batman star Michael Keaton, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson and Julie Walters are some of the celebs who be will be heard in cartoon flicks to be released over the next two years. (ANI)

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Queen Victoria’s 52-inch waist knickers go for £600 at auction

September 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Sep 8 (ANI): A bizarre heirloom of the Royal Family has emerged in the form of a pair of oversized knickers belonging to Her Majesty Queen Victoria.

The linen “split drawers”, which had been hidden in a private collection for 100 years, measured 52 inches around the waist, and were sold at auction for 600 pounds to the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection charity.

The bloomers, which are a size 38, were on September 7 displayed by Kensington Palace warder Victoria Wright, 22, reports the Sun.

They have an embroidered crown and VR – Victoria Regina, and may go on show when a 12 million pounds overhaul of royal outfits is completed in 2012 at the Palace in central London. (ANI)

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Brit Army’s Band of the Coldstream Guards marches to Jacko’s ‘Thriller’

July 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Jul 3 (ANI): Brit army’s world-famous Band of the Coldstream Guards left hordes of tourist stunned after they started playing Michael Jackson’s mega hit ‘Thriller’, and even marched to its tune on Wednesday.

As many as 40 drummers, trumpeters, clarinet, and trombone players played out the song, with the band marching in formations almost mimicking the famous choreographed zombie routine from the music video.

“It came out of nowhere,” the Sun quoted Philip Marfleet, 22, a lighting engineer, from Colchester, Essex, as saying.

“We were stunned. They were practising some more traditional tunes and then all of a sudden they started playing Thriller.

“What a moment,” he added.

Marfleet, who managed to capture the show on his mobile phone, had gathered with more than 20 foreign tourists outside The Guards Museum, in Birdcage Walk, central London to enjoy the spectacle.

“It obviously wasn’t the first time they had played it. It was a polished performance,” he said.

“A few foreign tourists asked me what it was all about, but I was unable to give them an explanation. I was as stunned as they were.

“At one point the musicians even appeared to be putting together some moves to go with the music.

“Instead of marching in straight lines they formed a triangle,” he added.

The oldest and best known band in the Army, based at the capital’s Wellington Barracks, have actually been doing the routine for the last two months.

“The piece has been part of their summer repertoire for a number of events and they’ve been playing it publicly for the last eight weeks, including at the Windsor Tattoo,” a MoD spokesman said.

“It is just a coincidence and not a tribute to Jackson,” he added. (ANI)

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Harrods owner plans Michael Jackson memorial statue

June 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, June 27 (ANI): Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed has said that a Michael Jackson memorial statue will be put up at the Knightsbridge store.

Fayed said: “I’m distraught, can’t believe this could happen, it’s a total shock. He was such a great character – a legend.

“I didn’t sleep last night. Some media were saying he was still alive but on the other side they were saying he was dead.”

He said Jackson once asked to have his own statue at the Harrods store in Knightsbridge, central London, which was “one of his favourite places”, reports The Scotsman.

“When I showed him around the store, he liked my statue,” Fayed said.

“He said: ‘can I have one alongside you?’ I said ‘I don’t mind’, so now I’m going to have a Michael Jackson memorial here,” he added

Fayed said he had already discussed plans with an artist for the memorial.

The Harrods owner also paid tribute to the “amazing performer”, and said: “I knew him very well. The last I saw him I was really worried about him but he didn’t listen to anybody.

“I liked his art, his gift, the way he could sing and dance – an amazing performer, his legacy will live on forever, there will never be a man like that again. He had a great gift.

“He enjoyed life and maybe he is up there watching us now.”(ANI)

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Mystery behind Musharraf’s ‘palatial house’ or ‘ordinary flat’ in London

May 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 26 (ANI): Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has rebuked media reports that he has purchased a palatial house in London adjacent to the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s residence.

He said his residence was an ‘ordinary flat’, which he bought with help from his son and a friend, The Daily Times reports.

But some of his close friends in London said that Musharraf is looking around to buy a flat in central London, preferably around Edgware Road area, where most of the property is owned by Arabs, and where a two-bed room flat costs around pounds 500,000 to pounds 700,000.

Others said that he was looking for a villa in Chelsea, where the property was worth between two million pounds to five million pounds.

Musharraf also said that he has no intention of settling permanently in Britain, and was living in London temporarily.

But his detractors are convinced that he has no plans of going back home, at least until the retirement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. (ANI)

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Musharraf buys flat in UK, to be new neighbour of Tony Blair

May 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 25 (ANI): Pakistan’s former president General (retired) Pervez Musharraf has bought a flat in the Edgeware Road neighbourhood where former British premier Tony Blair lives and Interior Minister Rehman Malik possesses a house, sources have said.

Malik’s flat was the venue of the signing of the historic Charter of Democracy between the late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

But some of his close friends in London said that Musharraf is looking around to buy a flat in central London, preferably around Edgware Road area where most of the property is owned by Arabs and where a two-bed room flat costs around pounds 500,000 to pounds 700,000.

Others said that he was looking for a villa in Chelsea where the property was worth between two million pounds to five million pounds.

In London, Musharraf stays at the Richmond house of his old friend and long-standing bridge partner Brigadier Niaz, The Dawn reported.

Musharraf’s close friends also insist that he has no intention of settling down in the UK. But his detractors are convinced that he has no plans of going back home, at least until the retirement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

One of his old friends, a former air force officer, Zafar Iqbal, is said to have approached a number of well-informed persons to get an idea about the various possibilities in store for Musharraf on his return home.

Meanwhile, Musharraf has left for Prague where he is scheduled to deliver a lecture at a defence-related think tank on May 27.

Musharraf arrived in London early last month after having travelled to China and Saudi Arabia on what is being described by his friends as a post-retirement extended holiday. (ANI)

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Premier League players should be allowed to drink alcohol: Gazza

May 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 14 (ANI): Ex-England football star Paul Gascoigne reckons Premier League players should be allowed alcohol, because it is good for them.

The ex-Newcastle and Spurs legend says footballers are under “too much pressure” and their lives should be about more than “just football”.

Gazza, 41, spoke out after helping judge the Miss Great Britain Final 2009 at the Café De Paris, London.

His advice came days after Tottenham and England ace Ledley King was arrested following a night on the tiles.

King, 28, was nabbed outside the Punk nightclub in Soho, central London, at the weekend on suspicion of assaulting a bouncer.

His arrest prompted Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, 62, to call for an alcohol ban at his club.

But Gazza slammed the move, saying: “I haven’t got a problem with players going out and getting drunk.

The Daily Star quoted Gazza as saying: “What does a guy have to do – play football all his life and not have a life?”

But health expert Dr Julian Spinks was less than happy with Gazza.

He said: “It is very sad that Paul hasn’t reached the stage that he can understand the effects of alcohol on the body and the risk that it could be having on his fellow footballers.” (ANI)

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Pakistan will improve relations with India, Zardari promises

May 13, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 13 (IANS) Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday promised to improve his embattled country’s ties with India under the terms of a new ‘strategic dialogue’ between Pakistan and Britain.

The strategic dialogue, to be co-chaired by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Zardari, will rest on four ‘fundamental principles’, Brown said after the two leaders met at his Downing Street office in central London.

Brown listed these principles as: tackling violent extremism and terror; a commitment to sustainable development in Pakistan, especially in its border areas; a renewed commitment from Pakistan to work for stability and promote reconciliation; ‘and of course, of paramount importance, a commitment to normalise relations between India and Pakistan’.

Brown also announced a 12 million pound humanitarian aid package.

Zardari thanked Brown, saying: ‘We have always come to Britain to ask for help whenever a dictator has taken over in Pakistan, and you’ve offered us political asylums.’

‘You have helped us dialogue with the world’s democracies to bring in democracy in Pakistan,’ Zardari added.

This was their first appearance together after Zardari skipped a joint press conference in Islamabad last month in what was claimed to be a snub over the arrest of 11 Pakistanis in an anti-terror raid by British police.

Although all 11 were later released without charge, several are awaiting deportation to Pakistan.

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