Maya Gallery

Golden girl Jessica Ennis sprints to heptathlon title with dominant victory in the 800m

2010-07-31T22:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKYn_py3KiEendofvid

[starttext]
By Sportsmail Reporter

No sign of flagging: Jessica Ennis stormed to the heptathlon title with a dazzling two laps of the track

Jessica Ennis claimed gold for Britain on the penultimate night of competition in the European Championships in Barcelona.

Ennis added the European heptathlon crown to the world title she won last year with a hard-fought victory over Olympic champion Nataliya Dobrynska of Ukraine, winning by just 45 points.

Ennis led from start to finish over two gruelling days of competition, as she had done in Berlin last year, but this time was pushed all the way by Dobrynska.

The 24-year-old from Sheffield only had an 18-point lead (or cushion of around 1.3 seconds) going into the 800m, and Dobrynska briefly tried to wipe that out as she took the lead with 250m to go.

But Ennis was having none of it and quickly reclaimed the lead before powering to victory in two minutes 10.18 seconds.

A time of 2:09.59 would have been enough to see Ennis break the 10-year-old British record of 6,831 points held by former Olympic champion Denise Lewis, but she came up nine points short on 6,823.

No doubt: Jessica Ennis blitzed the field on her way to victory in the 800m

The haul was a new personal best and championship record for Ennis, who said: 'It's unbelievable to have won this event again.

'I had to raise my game at every level today and yesterday so to come out on top is unbelievable.

'It would have been good to have broken the record but before the 800 I just wanted to win, do everything I could to stay in the lead and get the gold medal - and I have.

Personal best: Jessica Ennis raised the bar in Barcelona with a personal best of 49.25m in the javelin

'There's a lot of pressure and expectation but I'm so happy with myself for dealing with it.

'Watching the team get so many medals has been inspiring and put me under a lot more pressure.'

source: dailymail

[endtext]

Russia burning: Army sent in to battle wildfires that left at least 28 dead

2010-07-31T21:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLJ2Ck0tLxIendofvid
[starttext]
By Mail Foreign Service

Helpless: Residents can only watch their homes and burn in the town of Vyksa

Russia sent the army on Saturday to battle wildfires that have killed at least 28 people and were threatening dozens of towns and villages.

Thick smoke and ash slowed firefighting efforts and thousands of people were being evacuated.

Half of the 300 homes in the village of Maslovka, half a day's drive south of Moscow, were reduced to cinders.

Decimated: A burnt-out car sits in front of a destroyed house in the village of Mokhovoye

Stunned locals sifted through the ash for possessions to salvage and people pooled what little food they had - mainly potatoes and carrots - to ensure no one starved.

'This is a catastrophe,' Maslovka resident Yevgeniya Yuzhina said as she waited in a hotel lobby in the nearby city of Voronezh filling out a form to receive cash compensation.

All 300 of the army's fire trucks have been dispatched, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said,
Many regions of the country are suffering their hottest summer since records began 130 years ago.

Officials said Friday over 214,136 acres (87,000 hectares) of parched woodland and peat bog were burning in at least 14 of the country's 83 regions, mainly in western Russia

Stripped bare: Only the tree trunks survived the flames in this forest where all the foliage has been burnt away

Destructive: Dry grass burns near the town of Voronezh around 294 miles south of Moscow

State television reported Saturday that the death had risen from the last reported figure of 25, without providing details.

#Fire and wind have no days off, so we can't take any days off,' Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in a videoconference with emergency officials, where he announced 3 million rubles ($100,000) would be allocated for each of the 1,200 homes destroyed so far. He pledged that all would eventually be rebuilt.

Yuzhina said her house had been worth half a million rubles more than the amount Putin pledged and her husband, daughter and elderly parents now had no place to go.

'We're placing all our hopes on Putin,' Ivan Kosinov, an unemployed 46-year-old, said as he waited in line.

Surveying the damage: A man crosses a smouldering field at the edge of Voronezh, central Russia

Desperate: People whose houses was destroyed by the forest fire stand in a queue for a handout of government money in Voronezh

In the industrial city of Togliatti, in central Russia, 2,000 children were evacuated from a summer camp as a state of emergency was declared, the state ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

The rural Voronezh and Nizhny Novgorod provinces were the worst-affected, Rossiya-24 TV reported.

The Nizhny Novgorod region's governor, Valery Shantsev, said in televised remarks Saturday that the situation there remained grave because thick smoke was preventing firefighting planes from dumping water on the blazes.

Burnt out: There was little left in the village of Mokhovoye after fire tore through it

Fires that had encircled Voronezh, a city of 850,000 people about 300 miles (475 kilometers) south of Moscow, this week were not visible Saturday, and officials reported they had been brought under control.

Thick plumes of smoke from distant blazes were drifting into the city centre, where some refugees were staying in hotels.

Five people, including one firefighter, were killed by wildfires in Voronezh, and six residents and a firefighter died when a fire swept through the village of Mokhovoye in the Moscow region, officials said.

The other deaths occurred south or east of Moscow.

Putin visited Verkhnyaya Vereya, a village in the Nizhny Novgorod region where all 341 homes were burned to the ground and five residents were killed on Friday.

source: dailymail
[endtext]

Cub's curiosity ends in a joint rescue between man and bear

2010-07-31T21:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22JKO5_OAQAendofvid
[starttext]

By Mail Foreign Service

Out in the open: The hapless bear cub is pulled along as Dave Havard drags his fishing net from long reeds near his home in Anchorage, Alaska

It was just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Two bear cubs were out with their mother recently in Anchorage, Alaska, when one spotted a fishing net lying in tall reeds.

The mischievous cub was curious and decided to investigate - inevitably getting tangled in the net and crying to mum for help.

Come with me: The mother bear tries to take her cub back into the reeds but the poor little thing is hopelessly tangled up in the strong fishing net

But the cub's cries were also by fisherman Dave Havard, who came out of his nearby home to see what all the fuss was about.

Havard tried to free the poor cub from the twisted net but didn't want to get too close, just in case the mother misinterpreted his helping hand as a bid to harm the youngster.

Finally, both grown-ups decided to work together.

As an amatuer photographer captured the unfolding (or is that untangling?) drama, Havard got his truck and hooked up the net, dragging it and the poor cub out of the reeds and into the open - with mother bear in hot pursuit.

Now you've done it: The mother looks momentarily perplexed until she decides to tear through the netting with her teeth and claws

Wait till your father hears about this: Mother and the now-freed cub head for the wild - as the cub's bemused sibling follows along behind

Then, as Havard pinned the net to the ground with his truck, mother bear tried to simply carry the cub away. Realising that this was not going to work, she then used her teeth, claws ans sheer strngth to tear through the strong netting and carry the wailing bear back into the wild.

Like all siblings everywhere, the other bear cub didn't lift a furry finger to help during the ordeal - watching from a safe distance with a mixture of curiosity and bemusement.

Both mother an cub were unhurt in the incident , although the little one will be leaving nets alone frrom now on.
[endtext]

It's official: Bill and Hillary Clinton 'so happy' as they see their daughter Chelsea marry in front of 500 guests

2010-07-31T20:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6hR0fdld9Iendofvid
[starttext]
By Laura Collins

Idyllic setting: Chelsea Clinton and new husband Marc Mezvinsky pose for photographs after getting married at Astor Courts, in New York state

Chelsea Clinton has finally become a married woman, saying her vows in an idyllic gazebo decked with white roses under the late afternoon summer sun.

The groom was ‘a bundle of nerves’ and the father of the bride ‘so emotional’ he considered just getting his daughter down the aisle was ‘a major accomplishment’. As for the bride, she had, she told friends jokingly, rather hoped for a small wedding.

But it’s hard to be low-key when your big day is hailed as America’s ‘Royal wedding’, and last-minute preparations include shutting down a chunk of federal airspace, with the secret service making sure access roads to the venue are secure.

Proud father: Bill Clinton leads his daughter down the aisle in front of 500 guests who had gathered in Rhinebeck for the occasion

Happy family: (left to right) Marc Mezvinsky with Hillary Clinton, his bride Chelsea and father-in-law Bill Clinton after the couple's wedding

Chelsea, 30, married childhood friend, financier Marc Mezvinsky, 32, in a ceremony that took place at 5pm local time in Astor Courts, the former home of millionaire businessman John Jacob Astor IV, set in 50 acres of land overlooking the Hudson River in Rhinebeck, New York state.

Shortly afterwards her proud parents released a statement saying: 'Today, we watched with great pride and overwhelming emotion as Chelsea and Marc wed in a beautiful ceremony at Astor Courts, surrounded by family and their close friends.

'We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together, and we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family. On behalf of the newlyweds, we want to give special thanks to the people of Rhinebeck for welcoming us and to everyone for their well-wishes on this special day.'

Flower bower: The couple had an interdenominational service as Marc is Jewish and Chelsea is a practising Methodist

Perfect day: Chelsea and Marc's big day is said to have cost around £3.2million while her Vera Wang dress came in at around £20,000

When it came down to it, the ‘hoopla’, as Chelsea described it, that comes with being the daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, was worth it.

President Obama had reportedly offered the White House as a venue, while actor Ted Danson, a family friend, suggested his home on Martha’s Vineyard. But the couple opted for a small town 90 miles north of Manhattan and the relative seclusion of the Astor estate.

Residents inconvenienced by the circus surrounding the wedding were given a bottle of wine from Clinton Vineyards – coincidentally the name of the wine producer that neighbours the Astor estate

The bottle came with a handwritten note of apology from the couple’s wedding planner and offered a telephone number to call if there were any problems.

Sacred spot: The gazebo with a horseshoe of white flowers where Chelsea and Mark are saying their vows this afternoon

Here comes the bride: The rows of white seats for the wedding guests neatly set out in the sunshine, with a white carpet leading up to the gazebo

The night before, wellwishers lined the streets of Rhinebeck as the wedding party enjoyed a rehearsal dinner at the local Beekman Arms Inn. But though they smiled and waved, Chelsea and Marc’s parents were silent about the details of yesterday’s ceremony, which is estimated to have cost £3.2million.

With a guest list of 500, it could hardly be described as intimate but, according to one source, ‘Chelsea actually has a very small circle of friends.

Of course she understood that, her parents being who they are, she didn’t have much choice but to have a big do.

Glammed up: A wedding guest makes her way through to one of the buses in Rhinebeck which was ferrying the exclusive congregation to Chelsea's wedding

Glittering: Guests wait for a bus to depart from the Delamater Inn to go to the wedding

So her one stipulation was that she and Marc had to have at least met everybody who was invited.’

Who received an invitation has been the subject of much speculation, but Steven Spielberg, producer Steve Bing, Barbra Streisand and Oprah Winfrey were expected to attend.

Tony Blair was believed to have been invited, but was unable to go.

Chelsea has been a vegan for more than ten years and instructed society caterer Olivier Cheng to provide vegetarian and vegan dishes for the wedding feast.

Her £7,000, five-tier wedding cake was gluten-free. But the meat-eaters among her guests would have been relieved to see that organic beef was also on the menu.

Protection: A team of security patrol the Rhinebeck streets ahead of the ceremony which took place at 5pm

Line up: Limousines wait outside a hotel in Rhinebeck before yesterday's service

The scale of the wedding has been made clear by the small army of workmen employed over the past week to construct pavilions and marquees at a cost of £400,000.

Tables and crockery are believed to have added another £75,000 to the bill.

But though Chelsea’s dress – thought to be designed by Vera Wang – reportedly cost between £16,000 and £20,000 and she was expected to wear £160,000 worth of jewellery (as well as her £600,000 engagement ring), her own style, according to one friend, is, ‘low-key and modest’.

She is currently studying for a masters degree at Columbia University’s School of Public Health.

And though she may be a far cry from the awkward, curly-haired 12-year-old who stood with her parents on the steps of the White House in 1992 when Bill was first elected President, Chelsea has no desire to follow her parents – mum Hillary is the US Secretary of State – into public office.

The couple met as teenagers and their friendship gradually turned into romance. According to a friend of the couple: ‘Chelsea adores Marc and her parents do, too’.

It's all for our girl: Former U.S. president Bill Clinton and his wife, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary arrive for the rehearsal dinner at the Beekman Arms Inn in Rhinebeck, New York
[endtext]

A quiet wedding Chelsea? Dream on! With 500 guests, a £3.2m bill and even a flight ban above the venue, that was NEVER going to happen

2010-07-31T15:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2wdnxoyOMYendofvid
[starttext]
By Laura Collins

Sacred spot: The gazebo with a horseshoe of white flowers where Chelsea and Mark are saying their vows this afternoon

The groom was ‘a bundle of nerves’ and the father of the bride ‘so emotional’ he considered just getting his daughter down the aisle was ‘a major accomplishment’. As for the bride, she had, she told friends jokingly, rather hoped for a small wedding.

But it’s hard to be low-key when your big day is hailed as America’s ‘Royal wedding’, and last-minute preparations include shutting down a chunk of federal airspace, with the secret service making sure access roads to the venue are secure.

Here comes the bride: The rows of white seats for the wedding guests neatly set out in the sunshine, with a white carpet leading up to the gazebo

Yesterday afternoon Chelsea Clinton, 30, married childhood friend, financier Marc Mezvinsky, 32. And when it came down to it, the ‘hoopla’, as Chelsea described it, that comes with being the daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, was worth it.

The ceremony was due to take place at 5pm local time in Astor Court, the former home of millionaire businessman John Jacob Astor IV, set in 50 acres of land overlooking the Hudson River in Rhinebeck, New York state.

Glammed up: A wedding guest makes her way through to one of the buses in Rhinebeck which was ferrying the exclusive congregation to Chelsea's wedding

Fit for a wedding: A girl is seen carrying a dress outside the Beekman Arms Inn in Rhinebeck, New York State, this morning

Guest list: Bill Clinton's half brother Roger strolls with his son Tyler this morning, while Ted Danson arrives for the nuptials in Rhinebeck

President Obama had reportedly offered the White House as a venue, while actor Ted Danson, a family friend, suggested his home on Martha’s Vineyard. But the couple opted for a small town 90 miles north of Manhattan and the relative seclusion of the Astor estate.

Residents inconvenienced by the circus surrounding the wedding were given a bottle of wine from Clinton Vineyards – coincidentally the name of the wine producer that neighbours the Astor estate.

The bottle came with a handwritten note of apology from the couple’s wedding planner and offered a telephone number to call if there were any problems.

Glittering: Guests wait for a bus to depart from the Delamater Inn to go to the wedding

Protection: A team of security patrol the Rhinebeck streets this morning

Line up: Limousines wait outside a hotel in Rhinebeck this morning

The night before, wellwishers lined the streets of Rhinebeck as the wedding party enjoyed a rehearsal dinner at the local Beekman Arms Inn. But though they smiled and waved, Chelsea and Marc’s parents were silent about the details of yesterday’s ceremony, which is estimated to have cost £3.2million.

With a guest list of 500, it could hardly be described as intimate but, according to one source, ‘Chelsea actually has a very small circle of friends.

It's all for our girl: Former U.S. president Bill Clinton and his wife, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary arrive for the rehearsal dinner at the Beekman Arms Inn in Rhinebeck, New York

Green team: Bill and Hillary Clinton wave to the crowds as they arrive for the rehearsal dinner

He fits the bill: Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky are set to wed tomorrow

Of course she understood that, her parents being who they are, she didn’t have much choice but to have a big do.

So her one stipulation was that she and Marc had to have at least met everybody who was invited.’

Who received an invitation has been the subject of much speculation, but Steven Spielberg, producer Steve Bing, Barbra Streisand and Oprah Winfrey were expected to attend.

Tony Blair was believed to have been invited, but was unable to go.

Chelsea has been a vegan for more than ten years and instructed society caterer Olivier Cheng to provide vegetarian and vegan dishes for the wedding feast.

Her £7,000, five-tier wedding cake was gluten-free. But the meat-eaters among her guests would have been relieved to see that organic beef was also on the menu.

Party guy: Businessman Steve Bing leaves a party in honour of the happy couple on Friday

With gratitude: A bottle of wine and a note sent by Chelsea Clinton's wedding planner thanking the neighbour for putting up with road closures

The scale of the wedding has been made clear by the small army of workmen employed over the past week to construct pavilions and marquees at a cost of £400,000.

Tables and crockery are believed to have added another £75,000 to the bill.

But though Chelsea’s dress – thought to be designed by Vera Wang – reportedly cost between £16,000 and £20,000 and she was expected to wear £160,000 worth of jewellery (as well as her £600,000 engagement ring), her own style, according to one friend, is, ‘low-key and modest’.

She is currently studying for a masters degree at Columbia University’s School of Public Health.

And though she may be a far cry from the awkward, curly-haired 12-year-old who stood with her parents on the steps of the White House in 1992 when Bill was first elected President, Chelsea has no desire to follow her parents – mum Hillary is the US Secretary of State – into public office

The couple met as teenagers and their friendship gradually turned into romance. According to a friend of the couple: ‘Chelsea adores Marc and her parents do, too’.

So thoughtful: A note sent by Chelsea Clinton's wedding planner thanking the neighbor for putting up with road closures on the day of the wedding

Royal wedding: Well-wishers line a street across from the Beekman Arms Inn in Rhinebeck

Catering crews work on the sprawling grounds and under the tent at Astor Courts in Rhinebeck in preparation for the wedding

source: dailymail
[endtext]

Miss Universe Hungary 2010, Babinyecz Tímea, 19

2010-07-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

Miss Universe Hungary 2010, Babinyecz Tímea, 19

Miss Universe Hungary 2010, Babinyecz Tímea, 19

Miss Universe Hungary 2010, Babinyecz Tímea, 19

Miss Universe Hungary 2010, Babinyecz Tímea, 19

Miss Universe Hungary 2010, Babinyecz Tímea, 19

PERSONAL DATA:

Birth Name: Timea Babinyecz
Birth Date: (age 19)
Birth Place: Szeged
Height: 5' 8" (1.72m)
Hair Color:
Eye Color:
Title(s):
Major Competition(s): Miss Universe 2010

Miss Haiti Universe 2010, Sarodj Bertin, 24

2010-07-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

Sarodj Bertin crowned Miss Haiti Universe 2010 at a hotel in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sarodj Bertin, a 24 year old law student, studying in Dominican Republic, was crowned the new Miss Haiti Universe on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at the Miss Haiti beauty contest in Port-au-Prince

Sarodj Bertin crowned Miss Haiti Universe 2010 at a hotel in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sarodj Bertin, a 24 year old law student, studying in Dominican Republic, was crowned the new Miss Haiti Universe on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at the Miss Haiti beauty contest in Port-au-Prince

Sarodj Bertin crowned Miss Haiti Universe 2010 at a hotel in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sarodj Bertin, a 24 year old law student, studying in Dominican Republic, was crowned the new Miss Haiti Universe on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at the Miss Haiti beauty contest in Port-au-Prince

Sarodj Bertin crowned Miss Haiti Universe 2010 at a hotel in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sarodj Bertin, a 24 year old law student, studying in Dominican Republic, was crowned the new Miss Haiti Universe on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at the Miss Haiti beauty contest in Port-au-Prince

Sarodj Bertin crowned Miss Haiti Universe 2010 at a hotel in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sarodj Bertin, a 24 year old law student, studying in Dominican Republic, was crowned the new Miss Haiti Universe on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at the Miss Haiti beauty contest in Port-au-Prince

Sarodj Bertin crowned Miss Haiti Universe 2010 at a hotel in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sarodj Bertin, a 24 year old law student, studying in Dominican Republic, was crowned the new Miss Haiti Universe on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at the Miss Haiti beauty contest in Port-au-Prince

Sarodj Bertin crowned Miss Haiti Universe 2010 at a hotel in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sarodj Bertin, a 24 year old law student, studying in Dominican Republic, was crowned the new Miss Haiti Universe on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at the Miss Haiti beauty contest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti officials said. She will represent Haiti this summer at the prestigious Miss Universe Pageant to be held next August in the United States of America and at the Miss World 2010 beauty pageant.

In an interview with Yahoo.fr, Sarodj says “This is the best time to climb the world behind the suffering and poverty, we also have nice things like beauty”.

Sarodj currently lives in the Dominican Republic, stands 5’11” and represented Haiti in Miss Intercontinental 2005. Sarodj Bertin beat out 18 other candidates vying for the Miss Haiti 2010 title.

Haiti has not participated in the Miss Universe competition since 1989, or 21 years and the Miss World for 36 years.

Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas, 24

2010-07-31T07:03:00.000-07:00

Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas. 24 year old Alejandra Barillas from Zacapa (Guatemala) is the winner of Miss Universe Guatemala 2010. Alejandra Barillas will be participating in The Miss Universe 2010 which will held at Las Vegas (USA).

Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas. 24 year old Alejandra Barillas from Zacapa (Guatemala) is the winner of Miss Universe Guatemala 2010. Alejandra Barillas will be participating in The Miss Universe 2010 which will held at Las Vegas (USA).

Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas. 24 year old Alejandra Barillas from Zacapa (Guatemala) is the winner of Miss Universe Guatemala 2010. Alejandra Barillas will be participating in The Miss Universe 2010 which will held at Las Vegas (USA).

Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas. 24 year old Alejandra Barillas from Zacapa (Guatemala) is the winner of Miss Universe Guatemala 2010. Alejandra Barillas will be participating in The Miss Universe 2010 which will held at Las Vegas (USA).

Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas. 24 year old Alejandra Barillas from Zacapa (Guatemala) is the winner of Miss Universe Guatemala 2010. Alejandra Barillas will be participating in The Miss Universe 2010 which will held at Las Vegas (USA).

Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas. 24 year old Alejandra Barillas from Zacapa (Guatemala) is the winner of Miss Universe Guatemala 2010. Alejandra Barillas will be participating in The Miss Universe 2010 which will held at Las Vegas (USA).

Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas. 24 year old Alejandra Barillas from Zacapa (Guatemala) is the winner of Miss Universe Guatemala 2010. Alejandra Barillas will be participating in The Miss Universe 2010 which will held at Las Vegas (USA).

Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas. 24 year old Alejandra Barillas from Zacapa (Guatemala) is the winner of Miss Universe Guatemala 2010. Alejandra Barillas will be participating in The Miss Universe 2010 which will held at Las Vegas (USA).

Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas. 24 year old Alejandra Barillas from Zacapa (Guatemala) is the winner of Miss Universe Guatemala 2010. Alejandra Barillas will be participating in The Miss Universe 2010 which will held at Las Vegas (USA).

Personal Details:
Name: Alejandra Barillas
Age: 24
Height: 180cm / 5′11″
Place of Origin: Zacapa, Guatemala

Background:
Despite strong showing in the past Miss Universe pageants, Guatemala has never won any title since its inception. This year they have a very strong representative in the pageant through Alejandra Barillas, an accomplished model and a practicing lawyer in her home country. Can this very exotic Latina bring the bacon home for Guatemala this year? We can only guess. Watch Miss Universe 2010 online as it happens on August 23, 2010 at Las Vegas, Nevada.

Miss Greece Universe 2010, Anna Prelevic, 20

2010-07-31T06:19:00.000-07:00

Anna Prelevic was crowned Star Hellas 2010 (Miss Greece Universe 2010) at the Finale of the Star Hellas-Miss Hellas-Miss Young pageant in Athens and broadcasted on Antenna TV. Anna Prelevic stands 1.82m and she will represent Greece in Miss Universe 2010 Pageant in Las Vegas.

Anna Prelevic was crowned Star Hellas 2010 (Miss Greece Universe 2010) at the Finale of the Star Hellas-Miss Hellas-Miss Young pageant in Athens and broadcasted on Antenna TV. Anna Prelevic stands 1.82m and she will represent Greece in Miss Universe 2010 Pageant in Las Vegas.

Anna Prelevic was crowned Star Hellas 2010 (Miss Greece Universe 2010) at the Finale of the Star Hellas-Miss Hellas-Miss Young pageant in Athens and broadcasted on Antenna TV. Anna Prelevic stands 1.82m and she will represent Greece in Miss Universe 2010 Pageant in Las Vegas.

Anna Prelevic was crowned Star Hellas 2010 (Miss Greece Universe 2010) at the Finale of the Star Hellas-Miss Hellas-Miss Young pageant in Athens and broadcasted on Antenna TV. Anna Prelevic stands 1.82m and she will represent Greece in Miss Universe 2010 Pageant in Las Vegas.

Anna Prelevic was crowned Star Hellas 2010 (Miss Greece Universe 2010) at the Finale of the Star Hellas-Miss Hellas-Miss Young pageant in Athens and broadcasted on Antenna TV. Anna Prelevic stands 1.82m and she will represent Greece in Miss Universe 2010 Pageant in Las Vegas.

Name: Anna Prelevic
Age: 20 (28 April 1990)
Height: 1,82
Sign: Taurus
Studies: Media Communication graduate
Languages: Greek,Serbian,English,Italian
Interests-hobbies: theatre-musical,tennis,horse riding,water sports,figure skating

Tokyo Sky Tree is the tallest building in Japan

2010-07-31T05:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3-GWxKkCrMendofvid
[starttext]
Just 1km east of Asakusa, the tallest building is being built. The Tokyo Sky Tree stands as of now stands at whopping 408m on Friday. The plan for this building is expected to reach 634m by 2012. The tower is located in the Narihirabashi/Oshiage are of Sumida Ward in Tokyo. Construction for the tower starting in July 2008.

The reason for this tower? Japan wants to have the tallest stand alone tower in the world. They believe that this will show Japan’s cutting edge technology and introduce their culture to the world.

Don’t know about you, but I’d be kind of freaked out and excited at the same time to go in that thing.

If you’re awake, Japan time, you can watch a live feed from their cameras at SkyTreeLiveCam.com

Watching the video kind of reminds me of Jenga with all the parts being lifted and placed on top.

[endtext]

Smileage uses AR on their new single again!

2010-07-31T04:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vnPF2bS-8Mendofvid
[starttext]
Smileage released a new single “OO ganbaranakutemo ee nende!!!” on the 28th, and they used AR (Augmented Reality) on their jacket cover again. They have been actively using AR since their debut single “Yume miru 15 sai”.

The way to enjoy the AR is to connect your Webcam on the AR maker, and then Smileage will pop up and start dancing.

You can experience the AR on Smileage’s Official Site!

It has also been announced that they will be regulars on one of the corners of “Hanasaka Disney” on “Hanasaka Times”.

[endtext]

Tiffany and Yuri perform MC farewell stage on Music Core!

2010-07-31T04:27:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiQYNcx2RNkendofvid
[starttext]

As you guys know, it was revealed that SNSD’s Tiffany and Yuri would leave their positions as MC on MBC Music Core after 484 days due to SNSD’s upcoming Japan activities.

The two girls therefore decided to give us viewers a beautiful farewell gift as they performed a harmonious stage of Baby Baby, a song from artist 4men, on today’s Music Core.

Although it is sad to see them go, don’t be too disappointed. Even though the SNSD members are stopping their fixed program activities in Korea (other than Seohyun), the girls will still be making guest appearances on various shows so it’s not like we won’t be seeing them for a long while.

Also, don’t forget to congratulate Tiffany on her birthday August 1st (tomorrow)!

Without further ado, check out Tiffany and Yuri’s farewell performance below and a SNSD reunion!

As she began to cry, Tiffany’s last words were, “I thank everyone at MBC and those who have shown love towards Music Core.” She later added, “We promise that we’ll be returning.”

As Yuri gave her last bow, she said, “Because of Music Core, I was happy every day…We’ll return as SNSD so please wait for us.”

The word from Music Core is that special MCs would be employed while they look for permanent replacements so stay tuned to allkpop to find out who’ll be replacing the two girls as MCs!

[endtext]

Se7en makes his comeback on Music Core!

2010-07-31T04:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut0BHU39pPUendofvid
[starttext]

Veteran solo artist Se7en finally made his return to the k-pop industry with the release of his comeback album and two MVs of his title track Better Together.

Then a couple of days ago, Se7en won #1 on Mnet’s M! Countdown after his first comeback performance, beating out last week’s winner miss A by 39 points.

With Se7en’s title track dominating various music portal sites, his success didn’t end there as he was praised by the fans and netizens for his live vocals during his first comeback stage.

On today’s episode of MBC Music Core, Se7en returned to perform his second comeback stage of the week. He performed his title track Better Together as well as Digital Bounce with Big Bang’s T.O.P. Check out his hot performances below!

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Performances for the July 31st episode of Music Core

2010-07-31T04:11:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh8gNFJCC5cendofvid
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Another episode of MBC Music Core returned today, July 31st, filled with k-pop performances from various artists.

Artists who performed today include; DJ DOC (Run To You + I’m This Kind of Person), SHINee (Lucifer), Taeyang (I Need A Girl), Son Dambi (Queen), miss A (Bad Girl Good Girl), Chae Yeon (Look Look Look), SISTAR (Push Push), Gilme feat. K.Will (Sorry I Loved You), Rottyful Sky (No Way) and G.NA feat. Doojoon (I’ll Back Off So You Can Live Better).

Check out all the exciting and awesome performances below!

source: allkpop
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BoA reveals Hurricane Venus MV teaser on Music Core

2010-07-31T04:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOdyyQPVZQoendofvid
[starttext]

SM Entertainment has really prepared BoA’s long awaited comeback well, first with the release of the epic photos, and then having a small teaser of her song played on Music Bank.

A second teaser, this time revealing 10 seconds of the music video for upcoming title track Hurricane Venus, was also revealed on Music Core further proving that her song is going to be incredible and definitely catchy.

If you missed out on the full broadcast, be sure to check out the preview below. If you were tuning in…well, it doesn’t hurt to watch a few more times.

source: allkpop

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Homme (Changmin & Lee Hyun) make their debut on Music Core!

2010-07-31T03:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsBwfxnlAb0endofvid
[starttext]
2AM’s Changmin and 8Eight’s Lee Hyun have been promoting their latest hit I Was Able To Eat Well as seen on this week’s episode of M! Countdown and Music Bank, and did an incredible job.

The boys are back on Music Core with their special project entitled Homme to sing I Was Able To Eat Well once again, displaying their powerful vocals and good looks while doing so.

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Whoops! Tour bus falls into the river Seine after driver forgets to put hand brake on

2010-07-31T02:37:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAS2IBS41Xkendofvid
[starttext]
By Mail Foreign Service

Wrong turn: Fire fighters attend the scene at the Siene river in Paris after an Austrian tour bus rolled into the water

The promenade along Paris's famous Seine river came to a standstill today when an Austrian tour bus plunged into the water just metres from the Eiffel Tower.

The bus, which was parked in a car park, rolled backwards along the promenade and mounted the curb before falling into the river.

Nobody was hurt and it's believed the bus driver had forgotten to put the hand brake on.

Tour gone wrong: Fortunately nobody was hurt when the bus mounted the curb and plunged into the water

Witness Michael Ambrosia captured the aftermath of the incident on camera, and recalled his shock at seeing the bus fall into the river.

'I heard a noise and we saw this bus jumping the curb right here,' he said in a video posted on CNN.

'The bus was parked right there and all of a sudden I could hear a noise and saw the bus jumping the curb right here and it went right down there to the river.'

Heavy going: Fire fighters, police officers and and divers prepare to lift the bus from the river

Success: Bemused spectators look on as the bus is hauled from the Seine

'That was the most bizarre thing I've seen.'

Within 15 minutes fire crews and divers had arrived and begun working to salvage the wreckage from the river.

With the assistance of dozens of people, the bus was finally pulled back to dry land as hundreds of tourists and locals watched on.

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Missing me yet, Mike? Carrie Underwood wears thigh-high stockings and shorts (as her new husband plays hockey)

2010-07-31T02:10:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mASeLnUw5jMendofvid
[starttext]
By Daily Mail Reporter

Thighs the limit: Carrie Underwood performed on the Today show in New York in shorts and over-the-knee stockings

They've been married less than three weeks but Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher are already

Carrie Underwood showed her hockey-playing husband Mike Fisher what he's missing during a performance on the Today show in New York.

American Idol winner Underwood, 27, worked a 'naughty schoolgirl' look, in short shorts, a fitted blazer and a loose tie, along with a pair of sexy thigh-high stockings and studded shoe-boots.

These boots were made for walkin': The country singer kept her balance in incredibly high heels

Later she changed into the more casual ensemble of denim shorts and a T-shirt, which showed off her sun-kissed legs.

During the performance of Cowboy Cassanova, Underwood could not resist flashing her new wedding ring at the crowd.

It has been only 19 days since Underwood and Fisher got married, but they have already been parted.

Happily married: Underwood flashes her wedding ring at the crowd

Arriving at LaGuardia airport in New York yesterday in advance of her appearance on The Today Show, Underwood was accompanied by her dog, Ace.

Work commitments mean her hockey player husband Mike Fisher, is in Toronto with his team Ottawa Senators.

American Idol winner Underwood, 27, looked tanned and relaxed in skinny jeans and heels after her honeymoon in Tahiti and didn't seem too concerned that her husband was across the border.

Newlyweds: Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher on honeymoon in Tahiti earlier this month

At least she has a sense of humour about the situation.

Blogging on her official fan club website on Wednesday she wrote: 'Married life is pretty much like dating life.

'My husband is back in Canada...story of my life!'

Fisher has opened up about their wedding to Canadian newspaper the Ottawa Sun.

He told the newspaper: 'The whole weekend is almost like a blur.The ceremony was really nice, the pastor did a great job, the reception was a lot of fun.

'The whole day was great - it was everything we both wanted it to be.'

He added: 'Just to have everyone close to us around was a big deal.

'A wedding's not nearly as much fun without those close family and friends with you.'

The 30-year-old said he didn't suffer from nerves before the ceremony because he was too busy thinking about his wife-to-be, and despite currently being hundreds of miles from Underwood he is enjoying life as a newlywed.

Flying solo: Underwood is currently separated from her hockey player husband who is in Toronto with his team, the Ottawa Senators

He described it as: 'Awesome...I'm with my best friend and I love her to death.
'There's nothing better, for sure.'

Underwood and Fisher married in front of 230 guests at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia on July 10, before heading to the island of Bora Bora on July 12.

At the wedding ceremony Underwood wore two gowns by designer Monique L'Huillier

source :dailymail
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'I like him very much': Father of the bride Bill Clinton gives Chelsea's groom the seal of approval on eve of nuptials

2010-07-30T23:41:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0O9Ldj_Lnwendofvid
[starttext]
By Daily Mail Reporter

Father of the bride: Bill Clinton emerged in Rhinebeck, New York, today ahead of his daughter's highly anticipated wedding

Former President Bill Clinton gave his future son-in-law a public seal of approval today.

The 63-year-old spoke to fans as he arrived for lunch in Rhinebeck, New York, where his daughter's lavish nuptials are expected to take place tomorrow.

When quizzed about his thoughts on Chelsea's groom, investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, he said: 'I like him very much. I really do. I admire him. Hillary feels the same way.'

Hilary, the secretary of state in President Barack Obama's Cabinet, sat the trip out this morning, presumably to focus on last minute preparations ahead of the ceremony.

The popular Democrat looked relaxed in blue jeans and a black knit shirt as he walked with security a few blocks north from the picturesque village's main intersection.

He also said his daughter, who was photographed looking exhausted in New York yesterday, is 'doing well'.

Between 400 and 500 guests are expected to attend Saturday's ceremony at the grand Astor Courts, an estate on the scenic east bank of the Hudson River.

Rumors had abounded for weeks leading up to Friday, including one that Rhinebeck was an elaborate decoy planned by the media-shy Chelsea, and that the wedding would be elsewhere.

Man of the people: The former president happily greeted fans

Prosecutors called him ‘a one-man crime wave’. After six years in prison, Ed was released in 2008 but remains on parole.

He fits the bill: Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky are set to wed tomorrow

Divorced from Marc’s mother Marjorie, he is expected to attend the ceremony but not the reception. Relations between the prospective in-laws are said to be ‘cool’.

The no-expense-spared ceremony is expected to cost the Clintons a cool £3 million.

Around £400,000 has been spent on erecting the marquees on the 50-acre former estate, while a further £75,000 has been spent on the tables and crockery.

The bride has also ordered a £7,000, five-tier, gluten-free wedding cake.

Chelsea and Mezvinsky were friends as teenagers in Washington, and both attended Stanford University.

They now live in New York, where Mezvinsky works at G3 Capital, a Manhattan hedge fund, and Clinton is pursuing a graduate degree at Columbia University's School of Public Health.

Mezvinsky worked previously at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker.

Bride-to-be: Chelsea Clinton looked as if wedding pressure had taken its toll and appeared exhausted as she caught a cab in New York yesterday

Last minute preparations: Chelsea's big day is rumoured to have cost around £3million and has been described as the biggest wedding of the year

Chelsea has long sought a life away from the spotlight. She lives quietly in a Manhattan apartment and is described as casual, modest and friendly.

She has blossomed from the gawky corkscrew-curled 12-year-old who entered the White House in 1992 into an assured young woman who has a strong relationship with both parents, even in the storm of her father’s adultery with Monica Lewinsky.

Ferociously bright, Chelsea studied history at the Ivy League Stanford University before taking a masters in International Relations at Oxford — where she reinvented herself with a sleek makeover, being named by Tatler as one of the world’s most eligible females.

In 2003 she returned to New York to work for management consultancy McKinsey & Company, and later a small hedge fund run by one of her father’s major supporters.

She’s now studying for a master’s degree in Public Health at New York’s Columbia University.

Despite hitting the campaign trail for her mother’s Presidential bid in 2008, Chelsea has made it clear she has no intention of following in her parents’ political footsteps.

No expense spared: A small army of workmen have been on site all week to erect pavilions in the grounds where the wedding will take place

The marquee where Chelsea and Marc will say their vows: Workers have already started setting up chairs

source: dailymail
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Christina Hendricks reduces ANOTHER presenter to a gibbering wreck with bath story

2010-07-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsKype77L6oendofvid
[starttext]
By Emily Sheridan

Flustered: Brian McFayden tries to get his words out as he interviews Christina Hendricks on Los Angeles breakfast show KTLA News

As sexy secretary Joan Holloway on Mad Men, Christina Hendricks' curvy figure has driven many men to distraction.

But it appears even when the actress is covered up, she is still able to reduce men to a quivering wreck.

Los Angeles news anchor Brian McFayden found himself lost for words when the redhead made a throwaway comment about the bath.

The Tennessee-born beauty, 35, was appearing on breakfast show KTLA to promote the new season of Mad Men, which started in the U.S. last weekend.

Starting the interview, McFayden brought up Hendricks' recent Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

As the nomination is her first ever Emmy nod, McFayden asked her to relive the moment she learned she was up for an award at the September ceremony.

She said: 'I had to be at work really, really early that morning and I was running my bath. I had everything timed out to get every last minute of sleep because it was 5.30 in the morning.'

Awkward: Hendricks laughs politely when McFayden struggles to speak to her

Alluring: Despite covering up her curves in a black blazer, Hendricks still reduces McFayden to a bumbling man

She went on to explain how her publicist phoned her to inform her she had received a nomination and how 'pleasantly surprised' she was.

As McFayden's female co-anchors took over the interview, the 33-year-old remained suspiciously quiet and when it finally came for him to speak, he found himself struggling to get the words out.

After one of his co-hosts mentioned the male and female response to Hendricks' famous curves, MacFayden said: 'I was just gonna say that... I wasn't gonna be like, "Oh, I'm hitting on you," but you've got an amazing body.'

Curvy: Hendricks as Joan Holloway in Mad Men

After she accused him of flirting with the previous guest, he continued: 'I'm saying you're a beautiful woman and I would like... the bath... the way you made... I mean, I'm stumbling on my words... what I'm trying to say, is you were drawing a bath, you're making a bath for yourself and I was just thinking... wow, that's just awesome.'

Hendricks left him further embarrassed when she said: 'That was two conversations ago, but thank you for remembering.'

When one of his female co-hosts jumped in and asked her if she felt a lot of pressure being a sex symbol, he interjected: 'That was what I was trying to say.'
Last week, Hendricks's presence on another TV show got a female presenter all flustered.

Alexandra Wentworth, who was a guest host on The View (the U.S. version of Loose Women), sidled up next to married Hendricks and told her she was her 'girl crush'

Entertaining: Hendricks starts laughing as McFayden attempts to form a sentence

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Team GB have golden (and silver and bronze) day at European Championships... and there's more to come

2010-07-30T21:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4duaXheF4Yendofvid
[starttext]
By Neil Wilson in Barcelona

Golden touch: Andy Turner hits the line first to win 110m hurdles in Barcelona

Gold for Andy Turner, silvers for Christian Malcolm and Michael Bingham, bronzes for Martyn Rooney, Jenny Meadows and Perri Shakes-Drayton - last night was one of those nights for Britain that athletes dream of.

Saturday promises to be another at the European Championships when the spirits soar and thoughts turn to another Olympic arena in London in two years with Mo Farah, hurdler Dai Greene and heptathlete Jessica Ennis all likely to add to the 11 medals Britain have now. Only Russia have more.

Turner, a couple of months shy of 30, was the great surprise. He had been taken off National Lottery funding because he had fallen so short of expectations during the past two years.

Yet he grabbed his chance after a mistake by Czech favourite Petr Svoboda and executed his 10 flights of hurdles with near perfection.

Svoboda, leading to seven, hit it hard, wobbled and never recovered. ‘I made less mistakes. That was the key,’ said Turner.

‘I walked round the stadium the other day and I stood by the rostrum and looked at the gold medal position and I thought “I want to stand on that so bad”. I’ve dreamed of doing that, just crossing the line and winning.

‘It’s been a tough two years but all those lows have been worth it. I can forget about them now. I’m lost for words.’

Turner’s gold and Malcolm’s silver was evidence that the withdrawal of Lottery funding for poor performances works.

Both lost it - Malcolm has yet to have it restored - and both are hungrier as a result.

Triple victors: Michael Bingham (L), Perri Sakes-Drayton (C) and Christian Malcolm (R) all won medal on a memorable day for British athletics

Malcolm,31, led Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre, winner of the 100metres, for all but the last two strides. Lemaitre won it on the line.

‘I missed the dip because I really thought I’d got it. I didn’t even hear him coming,’ said Malcolm, who provided a second medal of the Championship for Dan Pfaff, the American imported at great expense to direct the training centre at Lee Valley in London.

Lemaitre won his second gold by one-hundredth of a second, 20.37 to 20.38sec. It was hard to know whether to be disappointed or ecstatic.

Malcolm has had a modest two years since his fifth place in Beijing and few would have tipped him to be runner-up here.

The men’s 400m brought two more medals. Not a return to the glory days when Britons won the title at four straight championships but a close run thing given that Rooney had drawn the nightmare inside lane and Bingham the next worst, lane eight.

They were beaten by the Belgian Kevin Borlee and it was the first time for 35 years that his country has won a gold.

Borlee clocked 45.00sec, while Bingham and Rooney shared the same time of 45.23sec.

‘It was difficult to run in eight. I couldn’t see anyone until I got to the finish line,’ said Bingham, who was born in the US but qualifies because of a British father who lives in Nottingham.

In the medals: Jenny Meadows celebrates her bronze in the 800m

Bronze medals came in rich profusion. Shakes-Drayton, 21, is a real prospect at 400m hurdles. From the end of her street in Bow, East London, you can see the Olympic Stadium being built.

She managed to change legs on each of the first four hurdles and was well beaten by the Russian Natalya Antyukh in a championship record of 52.92, the fastest by a European this year, and by Bulgarian Vania Stambolova.

Yet her time of 54.18sec was her best yet, and it represented a big improvement.
‘This is wicked,’ she said. ‘I said fifth would be great. I did loads wrong hurdling-wise but still got a bronze. If I continue the progress I have made every year since I was a junior, then I should be there or there abouts in that stadium in 2012.’

The final bronze of the evening went to Jenny Meadows, a silver medallist in the world championships last year but not in that form all summer.

‘Even three days ago before the heats it was not something I was expecting,’ she admitted after finishing a little more than a second behind the winner Mariya Savinova in 1:59.39.

‘It’s confirmed that I can start believing in myself. I’ve got two world medals and now a European. Maybe now I have to take myself seriously.’

Hanging on: There are more medal hopes to come for Team GB on Saturday

The one great disappointment was the failure of all three Britons in the 1500m final to win anything, a failure made worse in the presence of the greatest of all British middle distance runners, Sebastian Coe.

The locals had something to cheer. Spain’s team captain made a public apology for their performances 24 hours ago but Arturo Casado won gold and Manuel Olmedo bronze as the British challenge faded, Tom Lancashire finishing 10th, Colin McCourt ninth and Andy Baddeley sixth.

As the last event it took some of the shine off the night but with two days of these championships to go, Britain have exceeded the bottom line of 10 medals set by their paymasters at UK Sport.

source: dailymail

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Miss Great Britain 2010, Tara Hoyos-Martinez, 19

2010-07-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM_dNxzWFtgendofvid
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Tara Hoyos-Martinez from London, England was crowned Miss Great Britain 2010. This medical student, majoring Medicinal and Biological Chemistry intends to pursue an advanced degree in Medicine and someday hopes to specialize in surgery. She’s currently attending Manchester Metropolitan University.

Tara Hoyos-Martinez from London, England was crowned Miss Great Britain 2010. This medical student, majoring Medicinal and Biological Chemistry intends to pursue an advanced degree in Medicine and someday hopes to specialize in surgery. She’s currently attending Manchester Metropolitan University.

Tara Hoyos-Martinez from London, England was crowned Miss Great Britain 2010. This medical student, majoring Medicinal and Biological Chemistry intends to pursue an advanced degree in Medicine and someday hopes to specialize in surgery. She’s currently attending Manchester Metropolitan University.

Tara Hoyos-Martinez from London, England was crowned Miss Great Britain 2010. This medical student, majoring Medicinal and Biological Chemistry intends to pursue an advanced degree in Medicine and someday hopes to specialize in surgery. She’s currently attending Manchester Metropolitan University.

Personal Details:
Name: Tara Hoyos-Martinez
Age: 19
Height: 168cm / 5′6″
Place of Origin: London, England

Background:
Tara Hoyos-Martinez from London, England was crowned Miss Great Britain 2010. This medical student, majoring Medicinal and Biological Chemistry intends to pursue an advanced degree in Medicine and someday hopes to specialize in surgery. She’s currently attending Manchester Metropolitan University. Though Tara was born and bred in England, both of her parents are Colombians; thus her winning is history making as she’ll be the first Latina (in terms of her bloodlines not citizenship) to ever win Miss Great Britain. She is fluent in both English, being her native tongue and Spanish, her parents’ native language. She can also speak French. Tara will be the official representative of Great Britain in the Miss Universe 2010 pageant to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Miss France 2010, Malika Menard, 22

2010-07-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

Miss Normandie Malika Menard, a 22-year old student from Caen, was crowned Miss France 2010 during the annual gala held in Nice, France, on December 4th.

Miss Normandie Malika Menard, a 22-year old student from Caen, was crowned Miss France 2010 during the annual gala held in Nice, France, on December 4th.

Miss Normandie Malika Menard, a 22-year old student from Caen, was crowned Miss France 2010 during the annual gala held in Nice, France, on December 4th.

Miss Normandie Malika Menard, a 22-year old student from Caen, was crowned Miss France 2010 during the annual gala held in Nice, France, on December 4th.

Miss Normandie Malika Menard, a 22-year old student from Caen, was crowned Miss France 2010 during the annual gala held in Nice, France, on December 4th.

Miss Egypt 2010, Donia Hammed

2010-07-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Q: What do you get when you combine a zebra and a donkey? A: Zedonk (and this one's got her father's legs)

2010-07-30T05:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m5-Bo-ArtUendofvid
[starttext]

By Mail Foreign Service

Why do I look different, mum? Pippi Longstockings stands next to her mother at a reserve in Georgia, U.S.

From above the haunches, this six-day-old foal looks every bit a donkey as she plays with her mother.

But the striped legs are a sure giveaway that something is a bit different about her.

In fact the youngster - already named Pippi Longstockings after the children's books is a zedonk. With its zebra father, she joins the likes of mules (horses and donkeys) and ligers (lions and tigers) as the latest hybrid.

The newborn, who has black stripes prominently displayed on her legs and face, was born at Chestatee Wildlife Preserve at Dahlonega in the southern U.S. state of Georgia.

C.W. Wathen, the sanctuary's founder and general manager, told The Times of Gainesville, Georgia, that the foal has a zebra's instincts.

He said she sits up instead of lying on her side, as if she's staying alert for predators.

Donkeys and zebras don't usually mate, but zedonks turn up occasionally.

Wathen says that in about two weeks, the foal will begin roaming the property with the rest of the animals.

But don't expect Pippa to breed - hybrid animals are usually sterile.

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