Nine injured as fire engulfs Marriott hotel Islamabad - National News Updates

ISLAMABAD: The five-star Islamabad Marriott hotel, located at the footsteps of the famous Margalla Hills, has caught fire on Thursday.

According to details, the fire engulfed two floors of the building. Rescue workers have shifted nine injured persons to Polyclinic hospital. Eyewitnesses said that explosions were heard before the fire broke out in the hotel.

Four fire tenders of Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other departments are trying to extinguish the fire.

The Marriott hotel was completely destroyed on September 20, 2008 when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden truck into barriers at the Marriott hotel's main gate. The hotel was reopened after construction last month.

Source:Geotv

Fire erupts in Pakistan Marriott hotel - National News Updates

ISLAMABAD - A fire erupted at the luxury Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on Thursday, two months after it was reopened following a suicide truck bombing that killed 60 people, the management said.

Firefighters rushed to the area as thick black and smoke billowed out of the flagship building, frequented by wealthy businessmen and expatriates, close to the seat of government in the Pakistan capital.

The blaze broke out on the second floor, where repair work was underway, Jamil Khawar, spokesman for the owner Sadruddin Hashwani, told AFP.

"The fire erupted during the repair work on in the old wing. We are trying to bring it under control," he said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, Khawar said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

A suicide bomber rammed a truck packed with 600 kilogrammes (1,300 pounds) of high explosives into the outer gates of the hotel on September 20, sending shockwaves through the capital, especially in the expatriate community.

Source:channelnewsasia

Fire at Islamabad's Marriott hotel five months after bomb - National News Updates

ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Fire broke out at the Marriott Hotel in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, on Thursday, five months after a suicide truck bomber killed 55 people there.

"We got a phone call that there's fire in two storeys of the hotel. We alerted the fire brigades and they have sent fire engines," said police official Zahid Jan.

The cause was not known, he said.

A receptionist at the hotel said he could see smoke but declined further comment.
The hotel reopened in late December, just over three months after the Sept. 20 bomb attack blamed on Islamist militants. (Reporting by Zeeshan Haider; Editing by Robert Birsel and Sanjeev Miglani)

Source: Reuters

Chennai row: SC orders judicial probe, transfer of cops - National News Updates

New Delhi, Feb 26: Terming the Madras High Court violence as "serious" and "sad", the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the state government in Tamil Nadu to transfer four top cops responsible for the police’ excesses against Lewyers while ordering a judicial probe.

A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan also appointed a retired apex court judge Justice B Srikrishna to inquire into the clash between lawyers and police in Madras High Court.

The B Srikrishna committee will submit its interim report within two weeks to the apex court.

The apex court, while trying to restore calm among the agitating lawyers’ community, directed the state government to transfers the Joint Commissioner of Chennai and three Deputy Commissioner of Police for their role in the clashes.

However, the bench stopped short of ordering the suspension of the top cops citing that it would be against the morals of bureaucracy.

The bench allowed the two committees set up by the High Court to assess the damage to the vehicles and the properties of the Court and to look into the injuries caused to the lawyers to function.

The Supreme Court asked the lawyers, who are on a strike since January 29, to withdraw their agitation at the earliest.

The court posted the matter for further hearing on March 3.

Appealing to the agitating lawyers to maintain decorum and discipline in the court, the Bench said they should not hold meetings and shout any slogans in the Court corridors.

The apex court had on Wednesday given a 24 hours deadline to the Tamil Nadu government to inform at whose instance the police had entered the Madras High Court premises on February 19.

The advocate body from Chennai had objected to the setting up of the committee by the Tamil Nadu Government.

The court had earlier ruled out setting up of a judicial inquiry under a sitting judge.

The bench said the incident was serious in which the judges and lawyers became victim of the clash and there was a lot of destruction of property.

The apex court said that the state should generously consider offering financial assistance to the lawyers whose vehicles were damaged by the police in the court premises.

The court said that for those lawyers who were injured in the clash, the state will bear the expenses for their treatment.

The judges also asked the government to remove the police station inside the court premises.

DA raised by 6% for govt employees - National News Updates

On last day of the Parliament just before the elections, the government has gift for its employees. The Cabinet has announced a six per cent hike in the Dearness Allowance for all its employees.

This increase will become effective from Jan 1 2009. There is also a possibility of a cut in fuel prices that could be announced later in the day.

So the UPA is clearly in the election mode now.

End of factionalism will help Congress: Sonia - National News Updates

With elections around the corner, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said on Wednesday that there will be no problem within the party if factionalism ended.

"If factionalism comes to an end, there is no problem at all," she said addressing party MPs in the last meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party of the 14th Lok Sabha,

Gandhi also said the party ran a coalition government successfully and asked the party MPs to spread the message of achievements of the government all across the country.

Congratulating the UPA government for completing its full term of five years, she said the government has fulfilled the promises which it made during the last polls.

"Having fulfilled the promises, the party will be back to power in the 15th Lok Sabha," she said.

Gandhi also praised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his leadership besides complimenting External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

I am completely elated, says Rahman - National News Updates

After receiving a huge reception in Mumbai and Chennai, Speaking exclusively to Dhanya Rajendran, the music maestro expressed joy and said that there are many more things to come his way.

Dhanya: How does it feel now that you are back in Chennai?

Rahman: I am completely overwhelmed and touched. The kind of people who have gathered here and the kind of reception I received was amazing. They almost killed me with their love. But it feels great to be back.

Dhanya: Has the whole feeling sunk in?

Rahman: For me, I was rehearsing three days on stage so it felt like a rehersal and reharsal and finally a take thing. By the time you are exhausted. I knew that millions of people were watching this and I thank all of them for their great love and having embraced my music.

Dhanya: When you won the Golden Globe, you said I would now wish to bag an Oscar. When you on the second Oscar, what went through your mind?

Rahman: Well I won the second Oscar. I wanted to give a biggers message that we go through so many things and we have this love and hatred, whether its people state, language or religion. When I gave the message that I was given a choice to choose between hate and love and I chose love, I did not know that all the actors and directors in Hollywood would love that statement so much.

It is a great starting point in my career for making a lot of difference in music and the way people think about music.

Dhanya: What is your message to hundred of people who have gathered here?

Rahman: Message is very clean. It is to choose love over hate. In anything, be it music or life. That is what makes life bareable.

(Interviewed by Dhanya Rajendran)

Advani, Rahul fight for youth - National News Updates

If you're less than 35, then over the next few months, you're going to feel very wanted. Both the Congress and the BJP have discovered your vote power and they're using their stars to woo you.

BJP leader Sudheendra Kulkarni says: "There are 100 million first time voters in these elections and 18,000 collegs We want to highlight Advaniji's appeal to them."

The A-team feels that his age, 81, is just a number.

But when they reach campuses, they might have to chew on this: Rahul's appeal may be difficult to beat.

The Congress points out that it extends to students not just in smaller towns but elite ones like St Stephens.

Youth Congress member Netta D'Souza says: "His transparency his clean image it gets them all. That's what attracts people."

How's this for coincidence: Campaign managers for both L K Advani and Rahul Gandhi work in the same vicinity in Delhi --Tughlaq Road area. While Rahul has his young team, Advani's is working for a young campaign.

Tata Motors to launch Nano on March 23 - National News Updates

Tata Motors on Thursday said it will launch Nano, touted as the world's cheapest family car on March 23 in Mumbai and bookings will start from April this year.

The car was unveiled at the auto expo in Delhi in January 2008 and a function on March 23 would mark the car’s commercial launch.

"The cars will be on display at Tata Motors dealerships from the first week of April 2009. And bookings will commence from the second week of April 2009," the company said in a statement.

The company said that the booking process and other details of the Rs 1 lakh car would be announced on the day of the launch.

"Tata Motors is making arrangements for the widest possible network to book the car, so that prospective customers can conveniently avail of booking facilities at their locations, across the length and breadth of India," the statement said.

The company had also displayed the Nano at the Geneva Motor Show last year and had triggered competition, including Nissan-Renault, to announce plans for building low-cost family

cars. The economic crisis has, however, forced them to put the plans on hold.

Lalu, Paswan meet to discuss seat sharing - National News Updates

As election fever hots up, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav met Union Minister for Steel, Chemicals and Fertilisers Ramvilas Paswan. During the meeting, the two exchanged seat sharing formulas.

"The party has said that we will contest in 16 seats. A formula has come from their side also. Now we will discuss this and then the matter will be taken forward," Paswan said.

However, Lalu has said there's no question of contesting less seats.

"It is in your mind and it is your creation. No party enters into an alliance by sacrificing its interests. It is your creation," the RJD chief said.

Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan have known prime ministerial ambitions but still, Paswan acknowledged that at the moment, the UPA had no other choice but Manmohan Singh for the post.

Failure to analyse the situation cost us, says Dhoni - National News Updates

Christchurch: M.S. Dhoni, the Indian captain, cited his side’s failure to analyse the situation while batting as the reason for the seven-wicket defeat in the first Twenty20 International here on Wednesday.

“One area we need to improve upon is analysing the situation,” said Dhoni. “I think most of the batsmen batted well and were looking in good nick. But the mistake we committed was that we went with the momentum. At times you have to analyse whether you are happy with the extra 25 runs or get to a total your bowlers can defend.”

Added Dhoni: “It’s very important to realise where the game is going and what your contribution can be. Whenever you go after the bowlers for big shots there is risk involved. It looks very good but you have to realise what a safe score is on that kind of wicket.”

Dhoni, however, stressed that his side would learn from the error.

“One thing for sure is we have learnt a lot from our mistakes,” he said. “We are a good side that learns very quickly. ”

Dhoni also had praise for his bowlers. “The bowlers did a fantastic job, especially Harbhajan Singh, who played after a long time. Same way, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma contributed and bowled well.”

Pleased

Daniel Vettori was understandably chuffed with New Zealand’s day. “There are number of aspects I was pleased with,” said Vettori.

“Obviously we were put under immense pressure at the start. The way bowlers responded to it, and the way they restricted a destructive team like India to 160-odd was excellent. And then in the chase, Brendon McCullum was the rock, and Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram played around him.”

Another cut in diesel price? - National News Updates

NEW DELHI: The government could be thinking of slashing diesel price as a relief to farmers and the transportation sector.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora, however, said: “We have neither prepared any note on this issue nor there is a demand from any quarter for such a move. There is no move to cut prices at present.”

Informed sources said there was a talk of price cut within the corridors of power and the matter informally came up for discussion at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Monday.

Officials said the price cut had to come in the next two or three days as there was a possibility of polls being announced anytime. But, no price cut was being mulled for petrol or LPG.

26/11 chargesheet filed in Mumbai court - National News Updates

New Delhi: The Mumbai Police on Wednesday filed a 5,000-page chargesheet in the 26/11 terror attacks case before metropolitan magistrate MJ Mirza.

Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam along with officers from the Mumbai crime branch were present in the court room.

The chargesheet is against Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist who was caught during the Mumbai terror attack, and 19 others.

Besides Kasab, the only terrorist nabbed alive, the chargesheet names at least 19 others, including some Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) activists like Fahim Ansari and Salauddin Mohammed, for their role in the Mumbai carnage. However, Kasab was not produced in court.

The chargesheet doesn't include the confessional statement of Kasab on the Mumbai terror attacks of November 26-29 since the police have not yet got it from the court, Joint Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria was quoted by IANS as saying.

According to sources, the chargesheet has been written in seven languages including Urdu which will also be handed over to Kasab.

Kasab will reportedly be tried under India's toughest anti-crime law.

Presently in police custody, Kasab is facing charges in at least 12 different cases. He is lodged in the high security precincts of the Arthur Road Jail in south-central Mumbai.

The chargesheet provides evidence of the involvement of elements from Pakistan in the Mumbai terror attacks.

Legal experts say that once the chargesheet is filed, the trial can commence. However, there is no particular time-frame for the trial to commence against the accused.

Gunbattle in the heart of Dhaka, Army called in - National News Updates

Dhaka: A gunbattle is on in and around the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in Dhaka. Reports suggest it is a mutiny by the BDR jawans. According to agency reports one person is confirmed dead.

Officials said the army was called in to crush the rebellion as witnesses reported movement of military convoys and hovering of air force helicopters over the sky of the Pilkhana barracks.

Smoke could be seen coming from the complex, with security forces sealing the area.

Minutes after the gunbattle began, Editor-in-Chief of Bdnews24.com, Toufique Imrose Kalidi told CNN-IBN, “There have been civilian casualties. Senior official of BDR have been killed. No one can put a number on the casualties as of now. The BDR headquarters has been surrounded. The army is using helicopters. The prime minister is holding an emergency meeting. The government spokesperson has conferred there was a mutiny within the BDR. A curfew is being imposed, probably around BDR headquarters.”

"The army troops are now chalking out plans to enter into the barracks where heavy exchanges of gunshots were still underway," an army source told a news agency but officials inside the BDR Headquarters could not be reached as they kept their phones switched off.

Junior minister for local government Jahangir Kabir Nanak and a local MP, who were sent to the BDR headquarters, will be meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with 14 BDR soldiers to negotiate a settlement.

Earlier the defence ministry's media wing had issued an appeal to the violent soldiers to put down their guns. "Please end the indiscipline and violent activities immediately, drop your guns and return to the barracks," it said.

"Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) will herself listen to your demands and meet them as much possible," it added, without saying what the demands are. "You please resume order and end violence. Otherwise you will face (punitive) actions," it added.

After independence from Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh has had a history of coups and counter-coups.

Meanwhile, a high alert was sounded along the Indo-Bangladesh border in the Northeastern region following rebellion by paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles, the Border Security Force said.

Turkish airliner crashes, breaks into 3 pieces - National News Updates

Amsterdam: A Turkish airliner crashed at Amsterdam's main airport about 1500 hours (IST) on Wednesday Dutch airport officials said.

There were conflicting reports about whether anyone was killed on the plane, which had 135 people onboard.

An airline official told CNN sister station CNN-Turk that at least one person was confirmed dead, but Turkish transportation minister Binali Yildrim said no one had died but that there were injured.

Journalist Ivan Watson in Istanbul said Turkish media quoted one crash survivor saying people were able to walk away from the crash.

"He said the back of the plane hit the ground first. He said it was not an extremely horrible situation, it was like being in turbulence. He said it was more like a sudden impact, then we stopped."

CNN's Matthijs Spits said from the Netherlands that local footage showed "10s of people" walking away from parts of the plane. He said the plane had not reached the runway but there had been no fire.

The Boeing 737-800, which originated from Istanbul, Turkey, was trying to land at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol when it went down.

Pictures from the crash site showed the plane split in three parts.

Greg Crouch, a journalist for RTL at the scene of the crash, told CNN that the weather was very reasonable at the time of the incident, with no wind or rain. He added that the plane came down close to the A9 highway, one of the Netherlands' major road routes.

Kieran Daly, of Air Transport Intelligence, said the pictures indicated there had not been a widespread fire.

He said the impact had been severe but it could have been survivable because of the lack of fire.

Daly said there had been vast improvements in the materials used to build airplanes, meaning they did not burn as easily.

He added that the airline had a good safety record, was successful, modern and well thought of in the industry.

Maharashtra Government gifts flats to Slumdog kids - National News Updates

Mumbai: Slumdog Millionaire child actors Azharuddin Ismail and Rubina Rafiq can now leave the squalor of their slum homes, courtesy the Maharashtra government which on Tuesday night announced that both would be given a flat each.

Azharuddin Ismail Shaikh Usman and Rubina Rafiq Asghar Ali Qureshi are residents of Garib Nagar slum in Bandra East, Mumbai. They played the youngest version of the lead characters in the Oscar-winning film and were flown to the US for Hollywood's biggest awards ceremony on Sunday.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan announced gifting the two a flat each from the chief minister's quota.

Slumdog Millionaire won eight Oscars at the 81st annual Academy Awards -- almost following the fairytale journey of its hero in the movie.

The Mumbai unit of the Congress party had approached Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Tuesday evening on the matter.

Rubina's father Rafiq is a casual carpenter while Azharuddin's father Ismail trades in old furniture.

Lankan troops enter last LTTE-held town - National News Updates

Colombo: Sri Lankan troops entered the last rebel-held town in the island's north after heavy clashes overnight, military officials said on Tuesday. Troops entered Pudukudirippu, 385 km north-east of the capital and were consolidating positions on Tuesday morning, the army said.

Work out evacuation of civilians: India to Lanka

It said Tamil rebels sustained heavy casualties in combat on Monday and lost a large amount of weapons in the area. The army said its forces suffered minor damage, but did not give any casualty figures for either side. There was no independent confirmation of the military operations.

The latest offensive push came a day after the government rejected a rebel offer to negotiate a ceasefire. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had called for a truce, but refused to surrender any weapons. Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella dismissed the proposal as "hilarious", and said it came just as the LTTE was "all but defeated militarily".

LTTE seeks truce, Sri Lanka says 'no'

Rambukwella was reacting to a letter sent by P Nadesan, leader of the rebels' political wing, to the UN and international monitors from the US, Norway, Japan and the European Union. Nadesan said the rebels were ready to cooperate for an immediate ceasefire and work towards a political settlement.

"The country and the world are quite aware of the nature of the LTTE. It is a ploy used by the LTTE over two decades when it is about to be militarily defeated," Rambukwella told the state-run newspaper Daily News. "Every time the LTTE is on the verge of defeat militarily and losing weapons and equipment, then it calls a truce."

Special: Trouble in Paradise

He called on the rebels to surrender and to release all civilians under their control. "There will be no ceasefire until terrorism is defeated," he said. About 70,000 civilians are estimated to be trapped in the conflict zones of the north-eastern Mullaitivu district. The military claims the rebels are confined to an area of less than 80 square km.

The government said it has entered the final phases of a military drive launched in August 2006 to recapture rebel-held areas in the north and eastern parts of the country.

Chargesheet against Kasab by 3 pm today - National News Updates

Mumbai: The chargesheet against the lone captured terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Mohammed Ajmal Amir alias Kasab, will be filed before the court of the metropolitan magistrate by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, said Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.

"The chargesheet against Kasab will be filed in the post-lunch session. I think we should do it by around 3 pm," Nikam, who will represent the state in the case, said.

He added that the chargesheet will first be filed before the metropolitan magistrate and later committed to the Special Court headed by Judge M L Tahilyani.

Kasab booked for entering CST without ticket

Besides Kasab, the only terrorist nabbed alive, the chargesheet names at least 11 others, including some Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) activists like Fahim Ansari and Salauddin Mohammed, for their role in the attacks.

The mammoth chargesheet, reportedly running into over 5,000 pages, marks the end of the first stage of police investigations into the dastardly terror attacks that left over 170 dead and more than 300 injured.

Special:Mumbai Terror Attack

However, the chargesheet will not include the confessional statement of Kasab on the Mumbai terror attacks of November 26-29 since the police have not yet got it from the court, said Joint Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria.

Even the 30 questions raised by Pakistan about the Mumbai terror attacks probe would not be included since the "Mumbai police has not got those questions".

The chargesheet will be filed simultaneously in English, Marathi and Urdu, he said.

What should we do?

Presently in police custody, Kasab is facing charges in at least 12 different cases. He is lodged in the high security precincts of the Arthur Road Jail in south-central Mumbai.

No special security measures were evident since Wednesday morning either around the jail or the metropolitan magistrate's court.

Election Commission split over dates of general polls - National News Updates

New Delhi: The suspense over when the next general elections will be held will be over by the weekend.

After holding meetings with the Defence Secretary and the Home Secretary, the commission is likely to announce the poll schedule in the next five days.

But the dates will not be declared before going through its usual tug of war over decisions.

CNN-IBN has learnt that the polls are likely to be held around April 10 and will be conducted in five phases.

There are differences within the commission on the date of the first phase.

The outgoing CEC Gopalaswamy wants to conduct at least one phase before he retires on the 20th April.

His successor, the current Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla is equally keen to organise all the phases under his own captaincy.

It's become second nature for the Election Commission to be a divided house. Given the recent spate of controversies surrounding the Commisison, sources now say that even the decision on the dates for the general elections has fallen prey to a difference of opinion.

While for some parties it doesn't matter who runs the show at the EC.

Prakash Javadekar of BJP said, “For us that (when the elections are held) is not important. They have already consulted all political parties and we hope they will declare the elections on time.”

Others are already preparing to rope in cricketers and film stars as contestants.

Manish Tiwary of the Congress party said, “Film stars and cricketers are also achievers.”

Whatever dates the commission chooses, it will find it tough to control the criticism that’s bound to be launched by either of the two sides.

“Multipurpose ID cards” to check illegal migration - National News Updates

The government has said that multipurpose identity cards will be issued to all citizens to check illegal migration into India.

Replying supplementaries in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram said that the process for preparing a register of National Population is on and it is likely to be completed by 2010-11.

The Minister asserted that strict vigil is being maintained on the India - Bangladesh border to check illegal migration.

Mr. Chidambaram said, enough forces are posted on the border and more are being sent but due to difficult terrain and some other reasons, it is sometimes impossible to stop the illegal migration.

The Minister said, government is aware of the cross border infiltration from Bangladesh and has adopted to a multi-pronged approach to curb this.

Home Ministry, EC discuss security deployment for - National News Updates LS polls

Issues related to deployment of security personnel for Lok Sabha polls were discussed at the meeting between the Home Ministry led by the Secretary Mr. Madhukar Gupta and the Chief Election Commissioner Mr. Gopalaswami and two other Election Commissioners.

According to Home Ministry, the requirement of forces for the Lok Sabha polls and their deployment were discussed at the meeting on Tuesday. The Election Commission is reported to have conveyed its requirement of the security forces for the Lok Sabha elections.

NASA Investigating Satellite Failure - National News Updates

NASA's plans to study the Earth's carbon dioxide were dealt a setback this week when a satellite failed to reach orbit.

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite lifted off around 4:55 a.m. Tuesday, from Vandenberg Air Force Base. NASA officials said it appeared that the satellite failed to separate from its Taurus XL launch vehicle. They believe that the satellite crashed in the Pacific Ocean near Antarctica. The rocket contained hydrazine fuel, but NASA officials said they did not believe the fuel posed any risks to humans.

NASA said it would immediately assemble a team of investigators try to determine the cause of the failure after several rounds of thorough testing indicated the satellite and booster were ready for launch.

Had the launch been successful, it would have sent one of Orbital Sciences' LEOStar-2 spacecraft about 400 miles above Earth to measure carbon dioxide around the clock with a single instrument. The observatory would have helped collect information that could have helped scientists learn more about global warming by pinpointing areas where the gas builds up.

Scientists believe that carbon dioxide is concentrated in the atmosphere at about 380 parts per million and rapidly increasing. Ground base stations and aircraft collect some information about the sources and areas of highest concentration, but NASA hoped to map concentrations around the globe every 16 days over the next two years.

The spacecraft weighed nearly 1,000 pounds and was protected by a clamshell-shaped cover that was supposed to separate but apparently did not.

Microsoft seeks refund from some laid off workers - National News Updates

Washington: An accounting error by Microsoft Corp has reportedly led the world's largest software maker to notify some laid off employees last week that they would need to give back part of their severance pay.

The company laid off 1,400 workers last month, the first of 5,000 jobs Microsoft has said it plans to cut over the next 18 months.

The error is believed to have overpaid some former employees and underpaid others.

Those that were overpaid were sent letters requesting them to refund the company by sending a check or money order.

"An inadvertent administrative error occurred that resulted in an overpayment in severance pay by Microsoft," a letter obtained by the technology blog TechCrunch reads.

"We ask that you repay the overpayment and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to you."

A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the letter was authentic.

The company has not disclosed how many former employees were affected or the total amount that was overpaid, calling the incident "a private matter between the company and the affected people."

Pride at stake but Delhi not ready for 2010 games - National News Updates

New Delhi: The national capital is not prepared for hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2010, a parliament committee has said.

The games would give India the chance to prove that it is capable of organising a world-class sporting event, but there have been persistent doubts whether the infrastructure is ready in Delhi.

A Parliament Standing Committee headed by CPI-M Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechury says the biggest hurdle would be adequate infrastructure for guests for the games.

The committee says the Delhi government submitted proposals for expanding infrastructure to the Tourism Ministry only in November 2008.

The committee has expressed grave doubts over whether Delhi Development Authority, the government agency responsible for building infrastructure for the games, can speed up allotting sites for new hotels. Of the 39 additional hotels envisaged, work is only on in 19 sites.

The Delhi government has not made any proposal to the Union Tourism Ministry for developing infrastructure, hosting guests and renovating tourism sites, said Yechury, chairman of the standing committee on transport, tourism and culture.

The committee, in a report, said the Tourism Ministry had funds for the Games. "Since the 2010 Games are drawing near, so many projects have yet to be initiated, let alone completed. In such a situation, absence of any proposal from Delhi surprised the committee," the panel noted.

"There are a large number of civic and other agencies like DDA, CPWD, MCD, NDMC, ASI, Delhi Jal Board engaged in the task but there is an absence of a coordinating mechanism," said Yechury.

Tourism Minister Ambika Soni rejected fears that Delhi would not be able to accommodate guests and assured that were would be hotels by 2010.

Commonwealth Games organisers are under pressure because of delays in several projects for the games, which are scheduled to take place from October 3-14 next year, reports Reuters.

India has requested a postponement of this year's Commonwealth boxing championships because the venue, being built for the games may not be ready in time. Construction delays also forced this year's world badminton championships to be moved to Hyderabad

The government, in its interim budget for 2009-10, has allocated Rs 964.42 crore for the games. The money would be used to renovate stadiums and venues, improve players’ training and for other purposes

Advani hails Rahman; UPA takes credit for Slumdog's win - National News updates

Mumbai: Political parties are quick to pile on to a winner. The BJP started a party convention in Mumbai on Tuesday with the Oscar-winning songJay Ho!.

At the meet, BJP's prime ministerial candidate LK Advani was handed over a cheque of Rs 11 crore as election fund by the Mumbai unit of the party.

The Jai Ho effect was so strong that the song was played on the dais when Advani was felicitated with a silver conch and a bronze statue of Shivaji.

"After the 26/11 terror attacks, Mumbai, the commercial and entertainment capital of India, is once again in global focus. But this time, it is for a happy moment," Advani, a film buff, said at a party function.

"But, I am sure, its global success is an important landmark in the history of Indian cinema. I was sure that AR Rahman will achieve much more success at international level. I am happy that the day has finally come,” he added.

It's not just BJP that has been trying to cash in onSlumdog Millionaire's success.

The Congress, too, lost no time in taking credit forSlumdog’s success at the Academy Awards.

The Government has given itself credit for the "conducive atmosphere" that's contributing to an "achieving India".

Oscars 2009 SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Kids

CLB to hear Govt petition on Maytas board take-over today - National News Updates

The Company Law Board will hear the government's plea on Tuesday to take over the board of Maytas Properties, a firm promoted by the kin of former Satyam Computer Chairman B Ramalinga Raju.

The CLB earlier rejected Maytas Properties' prayer for some more time. It was opposed by the government saying it will delay the whole process.

On February 18, the government had moved CLB requesting to remove the existing directors of Maytas Infra and Maytas Properties, alleging that current management of the companies had conducted the business with fraudulent intent and breach of trust of stakeholders.

However, the CLB had refused to pass any ex-parte order over government's plea and directed to serve the copies of the petition to the companies and listed the matter for today's hearing.

It's a bridge for Indian cinema: A R Rahman - National News Updates

For a man who's just become the first Indian to win two Oscars, A R Rahman couldn't be any more humble. His first reaction is to thank all those who have prayed for him and supported his music. Rahman takes out a few minutes to tell us what it feels like to win the most prestigious award in world cinema and what it means for India's film industry.

When the evening kicked off, did you think you would end the night with two Oscars?

I had very little expectation to win anything so I was concentrating on the performance. When the first award was announced I was almost mute and then I went on to perform. After the performance when the second award was presented, that’s when I realised the enormity of the occasion. I'm very grateful to all the prayers and wishes of the people in India and the world who have appreciated my music.

What was your favourite moment at the awards?

I really loved having the kids who acted in Slumdog there. The way the kids came in was wonderful and it was so moving. In fact, they were so touched, it was such a big moment for them too that they were all crying in the end.

Are there any plans for a celebration back here in India?

Yes, absolutely. I actually want to host a celebration honouring all the musicians, singers, lyric writers and everyone else from the music industry who has worked with me from the time of my first film Roja. I’ve had this in mind for a while now and since the Oscars have happened, I think its apt to have it now.

The song Jai Ho has become the anthem of the nation. What does it mean to you now?

I always believe that words have a power and that's the reason I sometimes fight with lyricists and tell them not to put negative words in songs. Words mock the action and intention of real life according to me. Subhash Ghai was the one who suggested that I should have a song with the words Jai Ho. So when I read the script of Slumdog I thought it would fit in well. Danny loved it too. There was another song in the contention but I believe it was the destiny of this song to be felicitated.

This success opens many doors for you, will Bollywood continue to be the main focus for you?

Well, I've taken advances and spent them already. [Laughs] So I need to do those films. I'm coming back to India very soon to work on the films that i've commited myself to and I'm a man of my word so I will be back there soon.

According to you, how will Resul Pookutty’s and your triumph impact the film industry and its professionals here?

It is a good starting point. I see this as a bridge for the Indian industry to go truly global. Earlier, there was an aversion when a different kind of cinema was played in America and this actually led to a collusion. Now that Hollywood has accepted Slumdog, I think it sets a trend. If we make more films that can appeal to a global audience then many more Indians can cross over to the international film industries.

What are the perceptions about India in Hollywood and how will this change now?

Everyone treats each other as equals here. think this is a great start and a great time to do some original and credible work and push the envelop to take the Indian film industry to a great height.

Sources From Economic Times

Lawyers boycott talks with govt in Chennai - National News updates

Chennai: Striking lawyers on Tuesday boycotted their first round meeting with the Tamil Nadu Government.
State Law Minister Duraimurugan had called for two meetings with DGP K P Jain and Madras Police Commissioner K Raadhakrishnan also in attendance.

Chennai lawyers to file case against police

On Monday, around 300 lawyers went on a day-long fast in front of the Madras High Court, a day after their associations decided to indefinitely boycott courts to press for their demands.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had also advanced the hearing of Madras High Court lawyers strike from February 25 to 27.

Police told not to arrest lawyers: Judges

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan decided to hear the matter on Wednesday after the Court was informed that subsequent developments, including a clash between the lawyers and policemen, have taken place.

Over 150 lawyers were arrested on Friday for participating in a protest march outside the Tamil Nadu secretariat. They were agitating against the violence in the Madras High Court complex on Thursday.

TN govt seeks CBI probe into lawyers' clash

Over 100 lawyers were injured outside the Madras High Court after police baton charged them for attacking Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy.

The agitation has led the Supreme Court to issue separate notice to the Registrar General, Madras High Court, the Bar Council of India, the Bar council of Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court Advocates Association and the Madras Bar Association to explain their decision to boycott high court proceedings.

Sources From News Websites.

‘Some clarity on Satyam sale process by week-end’ - National News Updates

New Delhi: The Satyam board Chairman, Kiran Karnik, expects the Expression of Interest (EoI) for a strategic investor, to be invited by the end of this week.

“I hope that by the end of this week, we will be able to come out with something, either an EoI or inviting an initial bid. Of course, as per the Company Law Board order, we have to obtain the approval of the CLB,” Karnik told Business Line on Monday.

Asked what process would be adopted for Satyam stake sale, and whether the entire 51 per cent equity would be on the block through preferential allotment, Karnik declined to comment. “I have no comments at this point, as the process is sensitive,” he said.

PriceWaterhouse quits as Satyam auditor

Media reports have suggested that the board could look at selling up to 31 per cent through a preferential allotment, and another 20 per cent through an open offer.

Satyam likely to announce mode of choosing partner

However, at least one potential suitor, Dr B. K. Modi, Chairman of Spice Corp, has made it amply clear that his company will be interested in Satyam only if the entire 51 per cent stake is offered through the preferential route.

“The entire money should go into Satyam…The CLB has already laid down the broad framework of the process to be followed. They have also recognised that any strategic investor would like to have adequate equity shareholding, which would enable the investor to constitute its own board. If there is deviation from this, we will reconsider our position,” Dr Modi had said last week.

Satyam board approves process to invite offers from suitors

Maytas hearing: Meanwhile, the hearing on Maytas Properties at CLB is slated for Tuesday. Maytas Infra Ltd, promoted by the family of B. Ramalinga Raju, has already been granted two days’ additional time, till February 26, to submit its reply, by CLB.

The 30 questions that Pak posed to India on 26x11 - National News Updates

After Pakistan admitted last week that Mumbai attacks were planned on its soil, it sent India a list of 30 questions, which it said were essential to be answered before it could take further action against the guilty. The ball is now inIndia's court.

Pak fires 30 questions on 26/11 to India

Since then there has been a slew of meetings in the home ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs to decide on the response. The urgency arises asIndia doesn't want Pakistan to either divert attention from the terror issue or for it to say that India is not cooperating in the probe.

India Today has obtained exclusive details of Pakistan's note verbale, including the 30 posers, sent to India. Most of the questions are specific and seek details of the Indian probe, including Ajmal Amir Kasab's confessions in court, recent photographs of the nine dead terrorists, DNA samples, fingerprints and other identity particulars.

Pak admits links to Mumbai terror attacks

Pakistan, however, has also raised some tricky questions about the circumstances related to Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare's death. This, besides hinting at the role of Indians in the Mumbai attacks by seeking to know how the attackers managed to get Indian SIM cards and why the Indian Navy could not intercept them.

The note says that based on the information provided by India and its own investigations into the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan had filed FIR No 01-2009 in the special investigation unit of the Federal Investigation Agency against eight suspected terrorists. It says these clarifications and information are essential for Islamabad to complete the investigations and to get the accused convicted in a court of law.

The global link in Mumbai terror attack

Pakistan also said six of the eight accused of the Mumbai plot belonged to the now defunct Lashkar-e-Toiba, had been taken into custody and were being interrogated. It also said links to the conspiracy were found in other nations, including the US, Austria, Spain, Italy and Russia. Sources say, the Indian response, which is currently being drafted, may ask Pakistan to allow Indian investigators to question those eight suspects and piece the missing links together. Pakistan, meanwhile, has indicated that it may want to question Kasab.

Indian experts view Pakistan's posers seeking details on the circumstances leading to the death of Karkare as not without political motive. Islamabadhas also sought interrogation reports of two Indians, Tausif Rehman and Mukhtar Ahmed Sheikh, who were arrested in Kolkata for allegedly providing SIM cards to the attackers.

Special: Mumbai terror attack

Besides, the poser on how they got Indian SIM cards is being viewed as an attempt by Pakistan to strengthen the theory that there may have been strong Indian links to the attacks. Not satisfied with the transcripts of the conversation Delhi had given, Islamabad is also insisting on tapes of recordings of the conversation of the Mumbai attackers and those of the conversations they had with their Pakistan-based handlers. Sources say this could be a complicated process as giving actual tapes that run into more than 60 hours may not be feasible. Besides, it may also compromise the source of interception.

Analysts question Islamabad's motives. If they are not capable of probing the assassination of their former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, how do you think they will hold a fair trial into the Mumbai attacks? These questions have been sent as part of a tactical shift by them, and I don't think anything will come out of it, says Ajit Doval, former director of the Intelligence Bureau.

Another glaring omission in Pakistan's response is that it avoids any mention of the role played by Pakistani state actors, including the ISI. For instance, in the transcript that India had provided to it there was a reference to a major general who issued instructions to the attackers, butIslamabad has maintained silence on his identity.

The Pakistani response is not without its fallout in Islamabad. Intelligence inputs suggest that there is a growing rift between Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani over the Mumbai investigations.

While Gilani, under the influence of ISI and the army, wanted to soft-pedal the probe and delay it, Zardari has been pressing for a time-bound probe, partly under the US pressure and also because he realises that it was a similar cocktail of jihadi groups that killed his wife Benazir.

India realises that its diplomatic pressure has worked and that it has madeIslamabad admit to its complicity, which has never happened in the past. So, in the coming days it will only mount more pressure. And the indications were there, during the week, when US special representative for Pakistanand Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The message was also conveyed to Washington that while India had noted that Pakistan had taken the first step, the international community had to ensure that Islamabad followed it with action against the Mumbai attackers and dismantled the terror infrastructure.

India will have to ensure that global heat is maintained on Pakistan so that the Mumbai investigations do not become just another tactical ploy byIslamabad to buy time and instead, some real and credible action is taken against the masterminds of 26/11.

PAKISTAN'S POSERS

30 queries on 26/11 and India's likely response.

Q1. What has Ajmal Kasab said in his confession before the court?

Response: Yet to give a statement

Q2. Give his recent clear photographs

Response:Will send

Q3. Give his DNA samples and forensic analysis report

Response:They are a court property

Q4. Report of marks on his clothes

Response:Court has to authorise

Q5. Details of his national identity card

Response: Not recovered

Q6. Record of the items recovered from the culprits

Response: List already provided

Q7. Log details of GPS

Response: Shared with Pakistan

Q8. Details of call logs and forensic analysis of Thuraya satellite phone?

Response: Already given

Q9. Details of forensic analysis of the cell phones used by the attackers

Response: Court has to authorise it

Q10. DNA samples from the boats

Response:Court has to authorise it

Q11. The complete tapes of the intercepted conversation

Response: Selected tapes may be given

Q12. Seizure memo of items recovered

Response: Court has to authorise it

Q13. Complete tapes of intercepted conversation with the handlers

Response:Only relevant excerpts may be shared

Q14. Forensic analysis of SIM cards

Response:Court has to authorise it

Q15. Interrogation report of Tausif Rehman and Mukhtar Ahmed Sheikh arrested for providing SIM cards

Response: Details may be shared

Q16. Howthey got Indian SIM cards

Response: Smuggled to Pakistan

Q17. Details about the markings on the recovered weapons

Response: More details may be given

Q18. Photos of weapons seized

Response: Already provided

Q19. Clear photo of attackers

Response: Already provided

Q20. Complete details of all the culprits and their identity proofs

Response: No such documents found

Q21. Details of events leading to Karkare's death

Response: In public domain

Q22. Eyewitnesses'statements on Karkare's death

Response:Court has to authorise it

Q23. Howthe attackers reached Mumbai without refuelling?

Response: Boats had 2,200 litre of fuel

Q24. Did boats refuel in India?

Response: No

Q25. Whywere the culprits not intercepted by the Indian Navy?

Response: Culprits hijacked Indian boat to avoid detection

Q26. Fingerprint samples of attackers with forensic analysis

Response:Court has to authorise it

Q27. Howdid Kasab recognise Zakir-ur Rehman Lakhvi?

Response: Met him during training

Q28. Source of Lakhvi's photo

Response: Can't be revealed

Q29. Howdid attackers reach Mumbai with arms and ammunition?

Response: Carried from Karachi

Q30. Details and forensic report of the digital diary recovered

Response:Court has to authorise it

Sources From India Today.

No chance of being PM: Rahul - National News Updates

Banaskantha: Congress General secretary Rahul Gandhi has said he has "no chance" of becoming the Prime Minister if the party returns to power in the coming Lok Sabha elections but added he "cannot say anything about distant future".

"No chance. Since Congress has decided on present Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as its prime ministerial candidate of the UPA, the question does not arise," he said, while interacting with tribals here on Sunday.

"As to whether I will be prime minister candidate in 2014, I cannot say anything about distant future," the 38-year-old replied when a youth in Sanali village of Danta taluka here asked him when he would become the prime minister. Gandhi ended his two-day whirlwind tour of Gujarat on Monday evening.

He started the second day of his tour by visiting Ambaji temple in North Gujarat early this morning. Then he went to Gandhinagar where he inspected an enrolment drive by youth Congress.

AR Rehman - The Precious Daimond of the World

Election Commission gears up for Lok Sabha polls; to hold series of meetings - National News Updates

Gearing up for the Lok Sabha elections and simultaneous assembly polls in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Sikkim, the Election Commission will hold a series of meetings, begining on Monday.

The three-member Commission will hold discussions with the Home Secretary Mr Madhukar Gupta on the law and order situation across the country and availability of Central paramilitary forces, to ensure free and fair polls.

The Chief Election Commissioner Mr N Gopalaswami and two Election Commissioners Mr Navin Chawla and Mr S Y Quraishi will also meet the Telecom Secretary on Monday to augment communication networks, a crucial input for better election management.

List of Oscar Award winners

Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:59am GMT
(Updates with full list of winners)

LOS ANGELES, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Following is a complete list of winners at the 81st annual Academy Awards, held in Hollywood on Sunday.

BEST PICTURE:
"Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight) A Celador Films Production, Christian Colson, producer

LEAD ACTOR:

Sean Penn in "Milk" (Focus Features)

LEAD ACTRESS:
Kate Winslet in "The Reader" (The Weinstein Company)

DIRECTOR:
Danny Boyle for "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
"Departures" -- Japan (Regent Releasing) A Departures Film Partners production

SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros)

SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Penelope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (The Weinstein Company)

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
Dustin Lance Black for "Milk" (Focus Features)

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Simon Beaufoy for "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)

ANIMATED FEATURE:
Andrew Stanton for "WALL-E" (Walt Disney)

ANIMATED SHORT FILM:
Kunio Kato for "La Maison en Petits Cubes" (A Robot Communications Production)

ART DIRECTION:
Donald Graham Burt for art direction and Victor J. Zolfo for set decoration on "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros)

COSTUME DESIGN:
Michael O'Connor for "The Duchess" (Paramount Vantage, Pathe and BBC Films)

MAKEUP:
Greg Cannom for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros)

CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Anthony Dod Mantle for "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)

LIVE ACTION SHORT FIRM:
Jochen Alexander Freydank for "Spielzeugland (Toyland)", a Mephisto Film production

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
James Marsh and Simon Chinn for "Man on Wire" (Magnolia Pictures) A Wall to Wall production

DOCUMENTARY SHORT:
Megan Mylan for "Smile Pinki", a Principle production

VISUAL EFFECTS:
Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros)

SOUND EDITING:
Richard King for "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros)

SOUND MIXING:
Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty for "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)

FILM EDITING:
Chris Dickens for "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)

ORIGINAL SCORE:
A.R. Rahman for "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)

ORIGINAL SONG:
"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight), music by A.R. Rahman, lyrics by Gulzar
Walt Disney Pictures and Miramax Films are units of Walt Disney Co (DIS.N).
Universal Pictures and Focus Features are units of General Electric Co's (GE.N) NBC Universal.
Warner Bros, New Line Cinema and Picturehouse are units of Time Warner Inc (TWX.N).
Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage and DreamWorks are units of Viacom Inc (VIAb.N).
Fox Searchlight is a unit of News Corp (NWSA.O).
Sony Pictures Classics is a unit of Sony Corp (6758.T). (Compiled by Edwin Chan; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

Nominee's of Oscar Awards - 2009

246 commentsBest Picture	My pick	Y! Users
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button		39%
Frost/Nixon		4%
Milk		6%
The Reader		4%
Slumdog Millionaire[ EXPERT PICK ]		48%

38 commentsBest Director	My pick	Y! Users
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire[ EXPERT PICK ]		54%
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon		10%
Gus Van Sant - Milk		5%
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button		27%
Stephen Daldry - The Reader		3%

141 commentsBest Actor	My pick	Y! Users
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor		2%
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon		4%
Sean Penn - Milk[ EXPERT PICK ]		19%
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button		45%
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler		31%

104 commentsBest Actress	My pick	Y! Users
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married		14%
Angelina Jolie - Changeling		21%
Melissa Leo - Frozen River		2%
Meryl Streep - Doubt		13%
Kate Winslet - The Reader[ EXPERT PICK ]		50%

137 commentsBest Supporting Actor	My pick	Y! Users
Josh Brolin - Milk		3%
Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder		8%
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight[ EXPERT PICK ]		84%
Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road		2%
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt		4%

63 commentsBest Supporting Actress	My pick	Y! Users
Amy Adams - Doubt		10%
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona[ EXPERT PICK ]		22%
Viola Davis - Doubt		5%
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler		22%
Taraji Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button		41%

Best Original Screenplay	My pick	Y! Users
Courtney Hunt - Frozen River		2%
Mike Leigh - Happy-Go-Lucky		3%
Martin McDonagh - In Bruges		8%
Dustin Lance Black - Milk[ EXPERT PICK ]		26%
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon and Pete Docter - WALL-E		60%

Best Adapted Screenplay	My pick	Y! Users
Eric Roth and Robin Swicord - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button		50%
John Patrick Shanley - Doubt		4%
Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon		6%
David Hare - The Reader		4%
Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire[ EXPERT PICK ]		36%

Best Animated Feature	My pick	Y! Users
Bolt		5%
Kung Fu Panda		21%
WALL-E[ EXPERT PICK ]		74%

Best Animated Short	My pick	Y! Users
La Maison en Petits Cubes		5%
Lavatory — Lovestory		6%
Oktapodi		4%
Presto[ EXPERT PICK ]		79%
This Way Up		7%

Best Foreign Language Film	My pick	Y! Users
The Baader Meinhof Complex		3%
The Class		15%
Departures		7%
Revanche		3%
Waltz With Bashir[ EXPERT PICK ]		71%

Best Art Direction	My pick	Y! Users
Changeling		3%
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button[ EXPERT PICK ]		20%
The Dark Knight		71%
The Duchess		3%
Revolutionary Road		3%

Best Cinematography	My pick	Y! Users
Changeling		2%
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button		12%
The Dark Knight		65%
The Reader		2%
Slumdog Millionaire[ EXPERT PICK ]		18%

Best Costume Design	My pick	Y! Users
Australia		9%
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button		58%
The Duchess[ EXPERT PICK ]		25%
Milk		3%
Revolutionary Road		5%

Best Documentary Feature	My pick	Y! Users
Man on Wire[ EXPERT PICK ]		75%
The Garden		4%
Encounters at the End of the World		11%
Trouble the Water		4%
The Betrayal		5%

Best Documentary Short	My pick	Y! Users
The Conscience of Nhem En[ EXPERT PICK ]		14%
The Final Inch		60%
Smile Pinki		7%
The Witness — From the Balcony of Room 306		20%

Best Editing	My pick	Y! Users
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button		11%
The Dark Knight		64%
Frost/Nixon		3%
Milk		2%
Slumdog Millionaire[ EXPERT PICK ]		20%

Best Live Action Short	My pick	Y! Users
Auf der Strecke (On the Line)		3%
Manon on the Asphalt		3%
New Boy		11%
The Pig		67%
Spielzeugland (Toyland)[ EXPERT PICK ]		15%

Best Makeup	My pick	Y! Users
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button[ EXPERT PICK ]		51%
The Dark Knight		42%
Hellboy II: The Golden Army		7%

Best Original Score	My pick	Y! Users
Alexandre Desplat - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button		16%
James Newton Howard - Defiance		4%
Danny Elfman - Milk		5%
A.R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire[ EXPERT PICK ]		55%
Thomas Newman - WALL-E		19%

Best Original Song	My pick	Y! Users
"Down to Earth," Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman - WALL-E[ EXPERT PICK ]		69%
"Jai Ho," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar - Slumdog Millionaire		25%
"O Saya," A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam - Slumdog Millionaire		6%

Best Sound Editing	My pick	Y! Users
The Dark Knight		66%
Iron Man		8%
Slumdog Millionaire		12%
WALL-E[ EXPERT PICK ]		12%
Wanted		3%

Best Sound Mixing	My pick	Y! Users
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button		5%
The Dark Knight		65%
Slumdog Millionaire		13%
WALL-E[ EXPERT PICK ]		14%
Wanted		4%

Best Visual Effects	My pick	Y! Users
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button[ EXPERT PICK ]		18%
The Dark Knight		47%
Iron Man		35%