London - The International Olympic Committee on Thursday heaped praise on London's preparations for the 2012 Olympics.

Denis Oswald, the head of the IOC coordination committee, said he was "deeply impressed" by the progress over the past six months since the last visit and that he expects "excellent Games."

The IOC inspectors travelled venues and met with organizers during a three-day visit which concluded on Thursday.

London - Four-time winner Andy Roddick will polish his Wimbledon preparation at the prestige Queen's Club event, the American said Thursday.

Roddick lifted a trophy hat-trick in 2003 to 2005 and then added a fourth two years ago at the London grass court event. He joins a field led by Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.

World number 1 Nadal has confirmed his hopes of repeating as holder as he returns for a third straight year.

London, Apr. 23: The anti-terrorist operation that led to the resignation of a senior policeman, armed raids, the search of 14 properties but ultimately no charges, is to be the subject of an independent inquiry.

The Times quoted Lord Carlile of Berriew, the reviewer of terrorism legislation, said that he would carry out “a snapshot review” of the detention of 12 men picked up a fortnight ago in Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire, amid claims of an Easter bomb plot. Gordon Brown said at the time that the authorities had foiled “a very big terrorist plot”.

London, Apr. 23 : Facebook has become a breeding ground for racists and far-right extremists, according to immigrant leaders and anti-racism campaigners, who believe the site''s owners are not doing enough to clamp down on cyber hate.

More than 200 million people around the world belong to the social networking site, which attracts thousands of new members every day.

London, April 23 : Web founder Tim Berners-Lee has warned against Internet service providers' plans to show specific advertisements to their clients depending on their browsing habits.

The MIT professor, at a Web conference in Madrid, expressed his concern over the new software, entitled Webwise, which replaced standard online ads with those of the browser's dominating interests.

London, April 23 : Queen Elizabeth reportedly held a “low key” party to celebrate her 83rd birthday keeping in mind the ongoing recession.

The Royal was said to have preferred a meal at her son Prince Edward’s house, in place of a banquet in the state rooms of Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.

The Monarch and Prince Philip allegedly kept their company limited to 16 family and friends at Bagshot Park, Surrey, on April 21.

And the crunched supper purportedly included chicken breast stuffed with red peppers, followed by a simple creme brulee.