Trust politicians to claim credit, even for something they have not contributed to. And if it happens to be an election year, everything is game, including the Oscars. On Monday, the Congress claimed credit for some of the country's recent achievements, including Slumdog Millionaire's success. "All this has been possible because of the conducive environment and good governance of the UPA," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

"We do not believe in the chimera of Shining India, but we are proud that we have laid the bedrock of achievements, be it first gold at the Olympics, the Chandrayaan moon expedition, 9% rate of growth, 123 nuclear deal or the fact that we are the second-fastest growing economy," he said.

London, Feb 24: Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet's director husband Sam Mendes has credited UK''s arts industry for Britain''s success at this year''s Oscars.

Mendes complimented all British winners at the Oscars but insisted that their success was down to the theatre in England.

"I started 20 years ago with Danny (Boyle) in the theatre - the arts in England are incredibly strong and that''s where Kate started as a child actor," Sky News quoted Mendes, as saying.

Washington, Feb 24 : Sir Anthony Hopkins has confessed his love for `American Idol', insisting that he wants to turn the reality show into a movie and star as the show''s sharp-tongued British judge Simon Cowell.

The `Hannibal' star has admitted that he and his family are huge fans of the singing contest, and he would like the opportunity to play Cowell on the big screen.

"We watch American Idol. We are American Idol addicts," Contactmusic quoted him, as telling MTV. com.

"Simon (is my favourite) because he''s so brutally honest. There''s no political correctness with him. He says it as it is," he added.

Cowell''s fellow judge, producer Randy Jackson, has already given the idea the thumbs up.

Washington, Feb 24 : Beyonce Knowles has invited fans to participate in an online dance contest.

Washington, Feb 24: When actress Jennifer Aniston made her presentation at the Oscars, it looked as if it had been choreographed. Aniston was seen slightly signalling with her head, not once but twice, directly towards the front-row where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were sitting.

But it seems that both Pitt and Jolie were prepared for the spotlight to be turned on them, as they sat throughout the presentation with smiles on their faces.

New York, Feb 24: After giving a glimpse of her new beau, Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend Bridget Marquardt has now launched a preview of her new Travel Channel series.