Gerard Butler takes to playing ‘cat and mouse game’ with paparazzi

Washington, Aug 31 (ANI): Scottish actor Gerard Butler is so harried by the paparazzi following him that he has taken to playing a cat and mouse game with them.

Butler, 39, has become a well-known star, and with rumours of a romance with actress Jennifer Aniston, he has become the hot target for celebrity photographers.

But the actor has revealed that he is not happy with the attention he is getting, especially because the photographers try to catch him in compromising positions.

He was recently caught dining outside a restaurant by a photographer determined to get a snap of him eating, and Butler was equally determined not to let the photog succeed.

“It was almost like holding out a (stick) for a dog. Every time I got my fork, he picked his camera up, so I put it down again and he put his camera down. Then I’d pick it up again,” Contactmusic quoted him as saying.

“The only time I could eat was when a bus went past or a truck. Then literally the truck would stop and I go boom, boom, boom and I’d shovel the food in,” he added. (ANI)

Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler spotted ‘holding hands’ in New York

Washington, Aug 25 (ANI): Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler have fuelled rumours they are dating.

The co-stars, who are currently filming comedy ‘The Bounty’ in New York, were seen ‘hand in hand’ at The Jane Hotel.

“They had cocktails and… they were hand in hand,” Contactmusic quoted a source as telling People.com.

However, the former Friends star’s publicist, Stephen Huvane, insists gossips are taking the couple’s friendship too far, insisting Butler and Aniston were not dining alone; they were out with friends including Kirsten Dunst.

“They were not holding hands and Gerry was one of the many people there,” Huvane said. (ANI)

Phil Spector thinks he will die in “snake pit” jail

Washington, Aug 20 (ANI): Jailed music magnate Phil Spector fears other inmates so much that he has asked his lawyers to get him shifted to a “better prison.”

The record producer was sentenced to life imprisonment in May this year, for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. He is currently lodged at Corcoran Prison in Los Angeles.

Spector, 69, shares the jail with murderer Charles Manson and Sirhan Sirhan, who shot U.S. Senator Robert Kennedy.

Spector is so terrified by others around him that he doesn’t step outside his cell, reports Contactmusic.

The music mogul described the jail as a “snake pit” in letters to his friend, musician/journalist Steve Escobar.

He wrote: “Imagine sending me to the same prison – shows how low they can go.

They’d kill you in here for a 39-cent bag of soup! I know it is a chance to get out of my cell going to the dining room but the less I see of the inmates, the better and safer I feel. Even though 24/7 lockdown in a 3′ by 7′ cell is very tough.”

Spector also mentioned that he had instructed his lawyers to “get a better prison with people more like myself in it during the appeal process instead of all these lowlife scumbags, gangsters and Manson types…” (ANI)

Almost 40pct Oz family dinners end up in rifts

Melbourne, July 2 (ANI): For many, having dinner with the family is spending quality time with their loved ones, but a survey of Aussie mothers has revealed that over 40 percent of sit-down meals end in arguments, acrimony and tears.

In the survey, 16,579 Australian mums were asked what they normally did during dinner, 26.22 per cent said that they discussed the day’s events or talked about topical issues, while 15.59 per cent quietly watched TV.

The latest Voice of Aussie Mums survey conducted for Nestle found that almost eight per cent (7.74 per cent) of mums said that they told stories.

However, for 40.45 per cent of families, dinner is an unpleasant experience, with the meal usually ending in an argument.

But, despite the friction, former netball champion and Nestle spokeswoman Liz Ellis has said that families should make efforts and try to eat together at the dinner table.

“Our fast paced lives leave us little time to communicate as a family,” the Courier Mail quoted Ellis as saying in a statement.
She added: “Eating dinner together regularly can be a fantastic source of quality time and a way to keep the family in contact during a hectic week. “

While over 76 per cent of mums said that sit-down meals strengthened their family’s communication, 47.28 per cent believed that it helped foster family traditions.

A total of 61.84 per cent said that they usually ate dinner at the dining room table, 17.85 per cent in front of the TV, and 15.41 per cent at the kitchen bench or table.

A small percentage, 4.9 per cent, eat on a sofa, reading the news or in other informal ways. (ANI)

Welcome to the posh prison restaurant where inmates prepare, serve food!

London, May 10 (ANI): A restaurant with a pan-European menu, mood lighting and contemporary design will soon have its official launch – in a Brit jail.

The Clink at High Down prison in Surrey is expected to become one of the most talked-about restaurant openings of the year.

The plush eatery, which has a private dining area with 20 seats and serves as the staff canteen, has razor wire on the roof and uses plastic cutlery.

Inmates are learning to prepare and serve dishes as part of a new project to rehabilitate offenders and help them gain qualifications that can prove handy when they look for a job in the outside world after their release.

“We wanted a realistic, contemporary restaurant so that prisoners who are trained here can go into the real world,” the Telegraph quoted Alberto Crisci, catering manager at the prison, as saying.

“Yes, we do have plastic cutlery but this is a prison. We would have preferred metal knives and forks but this is a unique dining experience,” Alberto added.

Peter Dawson, the prison governor, said: “I will be interested in hearing from people who have a legitimate interest in prison to come in and visit The Clink.

“For example, we have already had an expression of interest from the local Rotary Club and I believe that would be legitimate because we will be able to ask those people if they are interested in employing former offenders.”

David Hanson, the prisons minister, added: “The Clink is an example of our commitment to ensure that prison is about more than locking offenders in cells and must also be about providing opportunities for offenders to gain real life, valuable skills and qualifications that will be of genuine use on their release.” (ANI)

Queen’s Senior Under Butler demoted for ogling at gay porn

London, May 5 (ANI): Just a few days after the sex scandal on the Queen’s front lawn came to light, a second one has been reported involving the Senior Under Butler of the Monarch.

Robert Wilson, who held the job title Senior Under Butler to the Silver and Gilt Pantry, was discovered ogling at gay porn on his laptop, just minutes after he served Her Majesty and Prince Philip their afternoon tea at their Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

“The Queen will no doubt feel more than a little bit perturbed by the recent sex stories involving her homes,” the Sun quoted a senior Palace source as saying on May 4.

The Queen was only a few yards away when a Sergeant Footman caught out Wilson, who is in his early 30s, and he was reported to the Queen’s Palace Steward and an official complaint was lodged.

“Wilson was one of the most respected butlers at Sandringham and had almost daily contact with Her Majesty,” the source said.

“He features in the book At Home With The Queen and was seen by TV viewers on the BBC series The Queen’s Castle, a documentary about the goings on at Windsor Castle.

“He was one of her favourites and was due to get promoted even higher – then this happens,” the source stated.

After the complaint, Wilson, who had worked his way up to the senior position, is understood to have been disciplined by Palace top brass.

“His disciplinary was given by the Deputy Master to the Household Edward Griffiths and also Air-Vice Marshall David Walker, the Master of the Household,” the source revealed.

“However, instead of sacking him on the spot they gave him the option of taking a huge demotion and pay cut.

“Before this happened he had a grace-and-favour apartment overlooking the gardens at Buckingham Palace.

“But he agreed to give that up and live in far more modest accommodation in the Royal mews at the rear of Buck House.

“And besides being stripped of his prestigious job title, he was demoted to dining room assistant serving meals to cleaning staff, kitchen porters and others.

“Before this happened he enjoyed daily contact with the Queen and senior members of the Royal Family. He has gone from one of the best jobs – and rooms – in the Palace to one of the worst,” the source added.

A royal spokesman has refused to comment on the matter. (ANI)

Two Players Hit It Big Playing New Bad Beat Blackjack Progressive Jackpot at Barona Resort and Casino

SAN DIEGO, CA, Apr 14 (MARKET WIRE) —
The holiday weekend proved lucky at Barona Resort and Casino as two big
winners hit the right beat playing one of Barona’s most popular games
featuring an exciting new way to win even bigger jackpots — Blackjack
Bad Beat Progressive Jackpot. Barona is the only casino in the country to
offer a progressive Bad Beat jackpot on high-end blackjack games.

On Saturday, April 11, Lisa L. of Ramona was playing Blackjack Bad Beat
Jackpot, when it hit at $33,058. Eight other lucky players who were in
Barona’s Parlor 32 high-limit area when the progressive hit each won $500
for a total of $37,058. Lisa was the first player to win a major jackpot
so far on the new progressive jackpot which debuted only two weeks ago at
Barona. Then, less than 24 hours later, on Sunday, April 12, Henry T. of
San Diego was playing the same game when the progressive jackpot hit
$25,157 and 10 other players in the high-limit area also won $500 each for
a total of $30,157.

“We’re excited to add Lisa and Henry to our list of jackpot winners at
Barona,” said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Resort and Casino. “We
are always looking for new and exciting ways to provide more opportunities
for our players to win at Barona and that is how we created the Bad Beat
progressive jackpot. While we just barely introduced this new progressive
jackpot on our casino floor we already have two big winners! It is great
to see that a new twist on an old favorite can create even more winning
moments for our guests.”

Barona’s Blackjack Bad Beat Progressive Jackpot debuted earlier this month
in addition to several other exciting games including Rapid Baccarat,
Video Craps, and Perfect Pairs Blackjack.

While playing Blackjack Bad Beat Jackpot, guests have a chance to win even
if the dealer gets 21. Adapted from the concept of Bad Beat Jackpot in
poker, Blackjack Bad Beat Jackpot is available in Barona’s Parlor 32
high-limit area with the one-of-a-kind progressive bonus that does not
even require an additional side wager. The Blackjack Bad Beat Jackpot
starts at $25,000 and grows about $275 a day until it is hit.

Ranked “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Gaming
Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Southern California
Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Resort and Casino blends the
best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las
Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400
luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning dining options, the
AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center, and the 18-hole
championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in
California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and
Barona Resort and Casino reservations and information, visit
www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Resort and Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos
with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and
Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction
Study(SM). Study based on 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited
an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June
2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions
of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit
www.jdpower.com.

CONTACT:
Audrey Doherty/Jordan Cole
(619) 236-8397

Kelly Jacobs Speer
(619) 933-5013

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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Fortune Hotels opens Fortune Inn Grazia Hotel in Noida

Noida, Apr 10 (ANI/Business Wire India): Fortune Park Hotels Ltd., today announced the opening of its property, ‘Fortune Inn Grazia’, in the centrally located Sector 27 of Noida.

Fortune Inn Grazia is the second operational Fortune Hotels property in the NCR region after Gurgaon and there are five more to open in the near future.

The Fortune Inn Grazia is located next to the commercial and shopping hub of Sector 18. With the Fortune Inn in Noida, the total number of l Fortune Inn category hotels in the country now stands at four with Jammu, Pune and Visakhapatnam hotels already operational.

Targeted at businesses travelers, the hotel offers a choice of 42 well appointed rooms including 30 standard rooms and 12 Fortune Club Rooms, equipped with all modern amenities to ensure pleasant stay for travelers.

Other offerings at Fortune Inn Grazia include a gym, spa, swimming pool and two restaurants, Earthern Oven and Fortune Deli for the perfect dining experience. It offers free Wi-Fi connectivity in the lobby, restaurant areas and also in the rooms.

Speaking on the occasion, Pawan Verma, Senior Executive Vice President, ITC Ltd.-Hotels Division, said, “We currently have 26 operational Fortune Hotels in India and 52 alliances across the country and our Noida property is placed to strategically serve the NCR region. We will be expanding our presence in key markets with our different brands of Fortune Hotels in accordance to market demand. We are all set to launch our new properties in Mussoorie, Jaipur, Bangalore and Manipal in the next two months.”

Suresh Kumar, President, Fortune Hotels, said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of Fortune Inn Grazia in Noida and expect to bridge the existing gap with our excellent service and hospitality commitment. We will be able to redefine service standards available to the business traveler in this region. With a large number of corporate and other institutions based in the region we are sure of receiving good response for our hotel. Overall, the responses to all our properties have been excellent. We are looking forward to taking our services to other cities across India.”

“Fortune Inn Grazia is an effort to reinvent the experience of hospitality for the corporate segment and the new age travelers in this region,” said Rahul Agarwal, Director, Angel Baby Products Pvt. Ltd..

“Our variety of services caters to the evolving needs of the guests. We are committed to offer excellent services at good value proposition to the business and leisure travelers. Also since our hotel is centrally located we expect it to become an ideal place to host business meetings and in-house conferences,” he added. (ANI)

French company takes a stake in Hong Kong’s historic tram lines

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French company takes a stake in Hong Kong’s historic tram lines Hong Kong – A half share in Hong Kong’s historic tram network has been sold to a French multi-national company in a surprise deal, operators announced Tuesday.

The tram system’s operators Wharf Holdings said it had sold a 50 per cent stake in the 105-year-old network crisscrossing Hong Kong island to the French company Veolia.

The two companies will jointly operate the service although there was speculation Tuesday that the move will lead to a complete takeover of the Hong Kong tram system by the French company.

At a joint press conference Tuesday afternoon, both Wharf and Veolia declined to reveal the cost of the deal but said it ran to “double-digit million euros.”

Veolia said it had no immediate plans to raise fares and said it would study the route and the network before deciding on what changes if any would be made to the existing network.

However, the company confirmed it had already applied to build a new line on a harbour-front reclamation area where new government offices and other buildings are under construction.

Hong Kong’s iconic trams, which have run from the east to the west of the island since 1904, carry around 230,000 passengers a day for a flat fare of just 2 Hong Kong dollars (25 US cents) per journey.

Along with the Star Ferry that crosses Victoria Harbour, they are a huge attraction for tourists and the Hong Kong Tourism Board is this year launching a guide to dining along tram routes, which have stops every 250 metres.(dpa)

A Transport Bureau spokesman said Veolia had assured the Hong Kong government it would “preserve the tradition” of the tram service and consult passengers before any changes to the system were made.

Kylie Minogue and beau spotted by holidaymakers at Port Douglas

Melbourne, Mar 18 (ANI): While Kylie Minogue is holidaying with new beau Andres Velencoso at Port Douglas, a large number of people have reported spotting the duo as far south as Palm Cove.

Many readers have phoned and texted about their own encounters with the Australian singer and her Spanish model beau.

According to reports, Minogue is staying at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas after flying into Cairns on March 15 straight from Melbourne, where she performed at the Sound Relief concert.

One guest at the hotel, Tom Fife, from Wagga Wagga, said that he and his sons spotted Kylie on the resort’s championship 18-hole golf course.

“We were driving through the resort and my youngest said, ‘that’s Kylie Minogue on the golf course’,” News.com.au quoted Fife as saying.

He added: “As she and her boyfriend came across the road on their buggy, she smiled and waved.”

He also said that Minogue looked very relaxed.

Another sighting was of Kylie dining at Port Douglas’ five-star Nautilus restaurant on the night of March 16.

One witness reported spotting the singer and her man at Palm Cove’s beach.(ANI)

Jade Goody takes last glimpse of sun-kissed fields

London, Mar 17 (ANI): Jade Goody, who reportedly has just hours to live, caught one last glimpse of the sun-kissed fields yesterday.

The former Big Brother star gathered all her strength to lift her head and enjoy the view from her dining room bay windows.

Jackiey, 50, and Goody’s 21-year-old hubby Jack Tweed were at the exhausted star’s side.

Jade asked Jack: “Sit me up and let me look out over the fields.”

She managed a smile as she enjoyed the sunshine at her home in Upshire, Essex.

However, the moment was short-lived and went back to sleep.

Jade is insisting that her children Bobby, five, and four-year-old Freddie -should not be present when she dies.

“Jack and Jackiey are waiting for the end. The boys may come over again if Jade wakes up, but she made it very clear she didn’t want them to see her die,” the Sun quoted a family friend, as saying.

“Jade has always been strong and will be fighting even in her sleep. But her body has been ravaged and is now succumbing completely,” the friend added. (ANI)

Clicking your fingers at waiter voted Biggest First Date Faux Pas

London, Mar 14 (ANI): Going for a date tonight? Well, make sure that you don’t treat the waiter at the restaurant badly, for a new study has found that clicking fingers at a maître d’ is the biggest first date faux pas.
A poll of 3,000 people found 63 per cent of people could not bear to see the waiter being treated badly.

The rude, attention-grabbing gesture pipped drowning a dish in salt before even tasting it and getting drunk at the table to land the first spot.

Other inappropriate acts which will insure the first date is the only date were licking the plate clean, burping, picking teeth with fingers, the study conducted by internet market research company www.onepoll.com found.

“There are basic rules of etiquette which should be adhered to when eating out – and they’re not hard to remember. The majority of respondents only expect basic good manners from their dining companions – so burping, coughing, breaking wind and obscenities are definitely off the menu,” The Telegraph quoted a rep, as saying.

Around 46 per cent of the participants did not like watching someone nearby licking the knife instead of using their fork. And 38 per cent said someone slurping soup was not on.

Top 10 first date faux pas:

1. Clicking fingers at the waiter

2. Adding salt to the meal before tasting it

3. Getting drunk

4. Licking the plate clean

5. Burping

6. Picking teeth with fingers

7. Licking the knife

8. Slurping soup

9. Talking about sex or bodily functions

10. Not leaving a tip (ANI)

Traditional apple crumble named ‘Britain’s favourite school pudding’

London, Mar 4 (ANI): Traditional apple crumble and custard is Britain’s favourite school canteen pudding, says a new research.

According to the survey, carried out by online independent education guide www.tom-brown.com, the second most popular choice was chocolate sponge with chocolate custard and third most popular was jam roly-poly.

To reach the conclusion, experts asked volunteers about their memories of childhood dining.

As per the survey, two thirds said they would be disappointed to see traditional British puddings like chocolate sponge and jam roly poly disappear from school canteens.

In other findings, one in five adult women said they still eat their favourite school puddings for comfort.

Cary Cooper, professor of psychology at Lancaster University, reckons people carry on eating their favourite school foods because it reminds them of ‘a happier time’.

“We rely on foods that were our favourite in our school years because this was a time when, in general, we were happy and life was less complicated. It’s really for nostalgic reasons – the food is symbolic of a happier time so we eat it for comfort,” The Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

“Whenever I go to the cinema I still buy the same kind of sweets as I did when I was a child even though now I don’t even like them. But they remind me of my childhood,” he added.

Tom-Brown.com editor Gail Dixon said: “In a time when the focus lies so heavily on diet and nutrition, we were surprised to see that some nostalgic old favourites still have a place in our hearts.

“We are always talking to parents and teachers about how children can get the greatest benefit from their time at school.

“We think that health and happiness play an important part in this.

“Despite the ongoing food debate, it’s clear parents feel that there is still a place for the likes of jam roly poly on school menus. They want to see more children enjoying this element of school life without worrying too much about putting on weight.”

Favourite puddings:

1 Crumble with custard

2 Chocolate sponge with chocolate custard

3 Jam roly poly

4 Treacle Tart

5 Bread and Butter Pudding

6 Spotted Dick

7 Sticky Toffee pudding. (ANI)

Traditional apple crumble named ‘Britain’s favourite school pudding’

London, Mar 4 (ANI): Traditional apple crumble and custard is Britain’s favourite school canteen pudding, says a new research.

According to the survey, carried out by online independent education guide www.tom-brown.com, the second most popular choice was chocolate sponge with chocolate custard and third most popular was jam roly-poly.

To reach the conclusion, experts asked volunteers about their memories of childhood dining.

As per the survey, two thirds said they would be disappointed to see traditional British puddings like chocolate sponge and jam roly poly disappear from school canteens.

In other findings, one in five adult women said they still eat their favourite school puddings for comfort.

Cary Cooper, professor of psychology at Lancaster University, reckons people carry on eating their favourite school foods because it reminds them of ‘a happier time’.

“We rely on foods that were our favourite in our school years because this was a time when, in general, we were happy and life was less complicated. It’s really for nostalgic reasons – the food is symbolic of a happier time so we eat it for comfort,” The Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

“Whenever I go to the cinema I still buy the same kind of sweets as I did when I was a child even though now I don’t even like them. But they remind me of my childhood,” he added.

Tom-Brown.com editor Gail Dixon said: “In a time when the focus lies so heavily on diet and nutrition, we were surprised to see that some nostalgic old favourites still have a place in our hearts.

“We are always talking to parents and teachers about how children can get the greatest benefit from their time at school.

“We think that health and happiness play an important part in this.

“Despite the ongoing food debate, it’s clear parents feel that there is still a place for the likes of jam roly poly on school menus. They want to see more children enjoying this element of school life without worrying too much about putting on weight.”

Favourite puddings:

1 Crumble with custard

2 Chocolate sponge with chocolate custard

3 Jam roly poly

4 Treacle Tart

5 Bread and Butter Pudding

6 Spotted Dick

7 Sticky Toffee pudding. (ANI)

New bride Jade Goody left bed-ridden by cancer

London, Feb 26 (ANI): Wedding preparations left cancer-stricken Jade Goody so weak that doctors visited her at home after being told she was in too much pain to make hospital out-patients’ appointment.

The former Big Brother star was due to see specialists at London’s Royal Marsden hospital for an out-patients’ appointment.

However, she was in so much pain, doctors visited her at home instead.

“She knew this was going to happen and that she would be this tired and ill,” the Mirror quoted a source, as saying.

“It was the price she was always going to pay for putting so much into Sunday’s bash.

“She feels terrible – but wouldn’t change a thing.

“She is still on a high and thrilled with the memories of her wedding. It was such a perfect day she is more than happy to suffer for it now,” the source added.

Goody has had a hospital bed moved into the dining room of her Essex home and is hooked up to a morphine drip in a bid to ease her agony.

She had planned to spend this week organising christening of sons Bobby-Jack, five, and Freddy, four.

However, the latest setback has prevented her from getting involved and she’s handed the reins to new hubby Tweed, mum Jackiey Budden and close pals while she rests. (ANI)

Obamas host their first formal White House dinner

Chicago, February 24 (ANI): U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle hosted their first formal White House dinner on Sunday night.

According to reports, the glittery black-tie evening for the Governors was organised in the State Dining Room.

“Even Axelrod has cleaned up pretty well,” the Chicago Sun-Times quoted Obama as saying, referring to senior adviser David Axelrod.

The report further revealed that 130 guests dined on Chesapeake crab, Wagyu beef, a winter citrus salad and an Obama family White House favorite, huckleberry cobbler.

Obama was in a tuxedo with a black bow tie, while Michelle was seen clad in a silvery plum beaded gown. (ANI)

Miranda vows to raise money for Victoria bushfires’ victims

Melbourne, February 12 (ANI): Aussie model Miranda Kerr has been so devastated by the Victoria bushfires that she has promised to arrange financial help for those affected.

“I am going to try to raise as much money as I can for these people,” the Daily Telegraph quoted her as saying.

Her comment came when she came off the catwalk for David Jones’ autumn/winter season launch in Sydney.

The newspaper report suggested that the usually lavish fashion event was a shadow of former years, reflecting the tougher retail climate.

Instead of an evening event dripping in champagne, exclusive dining and costly after-party, 350 relatively young guests slipped into Hordern Pavilion for tea, coffee and small sandwiches at an 11am show.

However, the event marked the first time film star Orlando Bloom saw his girlfriend on an Aussie catwalk.

Bloom was seated in the front row with his arm around Kerr’s grandmother Anne Kerr. (ANI)

Lewis Hamilton prefers pizza to fine dining

London, Jan 20 (ANI): Racing ace Lewis Hamilton has revealed that fine dining at posh restaurants is not his cup of tea – and would rather prefer pizzas.

The Formula 1 star who moved to Switzerland for tax reasons said that he doesn’t like splashing out big bucks at high-class eateries.

“I don’t like fine dining at high-end restaurants. It is very rare I go to these places because they are just not my thing,” The Sun quoted him as saying.

The 24-year-old multimillionaire racer, who is dating Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, 30, added that he’d rather gorge on a pizza.

“My favourite restaurants are Pizza Express and Wagamama,” he said. (ANI)

Obama welcomed by all living past, present US presidents at White House lunch

London, Jan 8 (ANI): US President-elect Barack Obama met with all living past and present presidents of the country for lunch at the White House.

The meeting, which has been dubbed as an “extraordinary gathering” by Obama, saw George H W Bush, George W Bush, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and the President-elect himself standing together in the Oval Office of the White House for a photo opportunity.

The US presidents showed their unity and offered their welcome to Obama, who stood out from the rest for his youth and his race.

“One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed,” the Telegraph quoted George W Bush as saying.

“We wish you all the very best, and so does the country,” he stated.

Obama in return thanked his predecessors for joining him and said that he valued the opportunity to “get advice, good counsel and fellowship from these individuals” and learn “from their successes”.

Not much is known about the conversation that went on between the presidents, but Clinton was heard making idle talk with President George W Bush before they headed into the adjoining dining room.

“I just love that rug,” Clinton said to Bush, as he looked down at the pale gold rug with sunbeam design.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said that all were curious as to what they talked about.

“All of us would love to be flies on the wall and listening to that conversation,” Perino said. (ANI)