Greece: refusing to quit | Helena Smith

Man smoking a cigarette. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images
One year and two months ago to this day, I walked into a bar in Athens where, in a haze of smoke and much to my surprise, I was allowed to break the law. A ban on smoking in public places, imposed by the then conservative government, had just come into force.

Kosovo offers to bury differences with Serbia

Hashim Thaci, the prime minister of Kosovo, right, at a meeting in Pristina with (from left) foreign minister Skender Hyseni, German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle and the president of Kosovo, Fatmir Sejdiu. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA
The prime minister of Kosovo, which seceded from Serbia and declared independence two years ago, has offered...

Binyamin Netanyahu opens Middle East talks with two 'pillars to peace'

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, right, at the opening session of peace talks hosted by US secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/AP
Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, opened peace talks with the Palestinians today by saying that two issues – recognition of his country as a Jewish ...

Britain and France will not share aircraft carriers, officials say

Officials have denied reports that Britain and France are to share aircraft carriers. Photograph: Sipa Press / Rex Features
British and French officials engaged in high-level defence talks have denied reports the two countries are considering sharing aircraft carriers, but are paving the way for unprecedented military co-operation, according to sources on both sides of the Channel....

Tibetan nomads struggle as grasslands disappear from the roof of the world

Tibetan nomad Phuntsok Dorje outside his tent. The green prairie that used to surround it has become a brown desert. Photograph: Jonathan Watts for the Guardian
Like generations of Tibetan nomads before him, Phuntsok Dorje makes a living raising yaks and other livestock on the vast alpine grasslands that provide a thatch on the roof of the world.

Jewish director Julian Schnabel brings Palestine to Venice

 

Yasmine Al Masri attends the Miral photocall during the Venice Film Festival. Photograph: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
The American artist and film-maker Julian Schnabel said he felt a "responsibility" as a Jew to tell the story of Palestine when he opened his new movie at the Venice film festival.
Schnabel's film Miral, competing with 22 others for the Golden Lion award, ....

Burger King sold for £2.6bn

Burger King has been sold for the second time in its 55-year history. Photograph: Alex Segre/Alamy
Burger King has been sold to 3G Capital, a private equity firm backed by three of Brazil's best-known businessmen, in a deal worth $4bn (£2.6bn).
The $24-a-share agreement is 46% more than Burger King shares closed at on 31 August, the day before rumours of ......

British man piloted Congo death crash plane

The aftermath of a plane crash in the Congolese city of Goma which killed more than 40 people in 2008. The country has one of the world's worst air safety records. Photograph: Karel Prinsloo/AP
The pilot of a plane that crashed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo killing 20 people has been named as a Briton who had worked as an air steward but loved flying so much he trained as a pilot.

Chief rabbi challenges Stephen Hawking in row over origins of universe

Lord Sacks warns that the hostility between religion and science is equally damaging to both. Photograph: David Sillitoe.
The chief rabbi, Lord Sacks, hit back at Stephen Hawking after the astrophysicist said God did not create the universe.In his new book, The Grand Design, published next week, Hawking concludes that science excludes the possibility of a deity and that it is unnecessary to "invoke...

Breaking News as it happens from around Australia and the world

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Judge: Detroit must turn over cell phone records in slain stripper case

Robert Snell / The Detroit News
Detroit -- A federal magistrate judge today ordered the city of Detroit to produce cell phone records and other documents within 16 days to a lawyer representing the family of a murdered stripper
The city must produce personnel files of six city officials, including ex-Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings and officers who served on ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's security detail. But U.S. Magistrate Judge R. Steven Whalen will let the city redact personal information and details that could endanger the person's safety.

Eminem, Jay-Z fans await 'epic' show | detnews.com

Santiago Esparza / The Detroit NewsDetroit -- Tonight's concert featuring Eminem and Jay-Z, iconic hip-hop stars for more than the last decade, is one of the biggest bills to come through the city in years, and fans were lined up this morning to ensure close access to the stage at Comerica Park.
About 40 people braved the heat, humidity and on-and-off drizzle to make sure they are in a good position to enjoy their beloved rappers for tonight's sold-out show. The stars will perform another concert Friday at Comerica and then again Sept. 13 and 14 at New York's Yankee Stadium.

WWE-TNA News

NXT Season Three Pros and Rookies announced.

If you watched WWE NXT Tuesday, you will have noticed that throughout the show the NXT pros and rookies were announced.

Health Highlights: Sept. 2, 2010

    * Michael Douglas Says He'll Beat Throat Cancer
    * Oregon Children Least Likely To Be Hospitalized For Asthma
    * Botox Maker Pays $600 Million To Settle Marketing Investigation
    * Obama Administration Appeals Judge's Order Banning Stem Cell Research
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Michael Douglas Says He'll Beat Throat Cancer
Actor Michael Douglas says he's treating his recently-diagnosed throat tumor as "a curable disease."
A walnut-sized tumor was found at the base of the 65-year-old actor's tongue in early August and he's now undergoing an eight-week course of radiation and chemotherapy. Doctors say there is no evidence the cancer has spread, the Associated Press reported.

Child’s Ordeal Shows Dangers of Antipsychotic Drugs

Chris Bickford for The New York Times

Kyle Warren, at 6 years old.
OPELOUSAS, La. — At 18 months, Kyle Warren started taking a daily antipsychotic drug on the orders of a pediatrician trying to quell the boy’s severe temper tantrums.Kyle Warren at 6 years old. At 18 months, Kyle started taking a daily antipsychotic drug on the orders of a pediatrician trying to quell the boy’s severe temper tantrums.

Maker of Botox Settles Inquiry on Off-Label Marketing

"Allergan agreed to pay $600 million to settle charges that it illegally promoted and sold Botox for unapproved uses.",
Advertising and Marketing,Suits and Litigation,Allergan Incorporated,Justice Department,Food and Drug Administration",
"More information about Allergan Incorporated">Allergan, the maker of Botox, agreed on Wednesday to pay $600 million to ....

In Alaska, Feud Fueled by Palin Claims Senator Murkowski

“Thank you for your service, Sen. Murkowski,” Sarah Palin wrote on her Twitter account on Tuesday night after Senator Lisa Murkowski conceded to Joe Miller, the political novice Ms. Palin had endorsed in Alaska’s Republican primary. Yet in the same message, Ms. Palin had reveled in Mr. Miller’s stunning upset, writing, “Do you believe in miracles?”

Netanyahu and Abbas to Begin Direct Mideast Peace Talks

Stephen Crowley/The New York Times

President Obama with President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt at the White House. More Photos »

Despite war chest, Fenty trails in poll

Four years of incumbency and an overwhelming fundraising advantage have not translated to public support for D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty in his bid to fend off a Democratic primary challenge, according to poll figures released Wednesday.
A Clarus Research Group survey shows D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray leading Mr. Fenty 41 percent to 36 percent among respondents who say they are "very likely to vote" in the city's Sept. 14 primary. Other candidates collected 2 percent support, and 21 percent of respondents said they remain undecided. Mr. Gray's lead is just outside the poll's margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.

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Miss Mexico Is Crowned Miss Universe 2010

August 2010
Meet overnight sensation Jimena Navarrete.

Less than 24 hours after she was crowned Miss Universe, Mexico's Navarrete has become a top trending topic on Twitter and thousands of fans have flooded her Facebook fan page.

So who is the woman who ousted 82 other competitors for international beauty bragging rights? Here are five things to know about the 22-year-old from Guadalajara.

Yahoo News

• Police: Man holds hostages in Discovery building (AP)
• Island evacuations start as Earl nears East Coast (AP)
• Obama opens Mideast talks: Attacks 'won't stop us' (AP)
• US moves into final military phase in Iraq (AP)
• Official: 3 bombs kill 25 at Pakistan Shiite march (AP)
• Number of illegal immigrants in US now declining (AP)

» More News

Miss USA titleholders come out to support AFAN - Las Vegas beauty

Current and former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titleholders came out to a fundraiser in support of local charity AFAN (Aid for aids of Nevada). The party coincides with the many events celebrating and supporting tonight's Miss Universe pageant on NBC. HIV/AIDS awareness is the official cause of each reigning Miss Universe.The girls lounged around at Liquid Pool Lounge at ARIA, signed autographs and took photos with fans. Proceeds from the event will go to ....

Miss Universe 2010 : Miss Mexico - Jimena Navarrete

Miss Universe 2010 was celebrated with much excitement. It was the 59th edition of the beauty pageant which was held at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada , United States. This special day was organised on August 23rd , 2010 which started in the early hours of Monday morning.

Yahoo News

•  
• Island evacuations start as Earl nears East Coast (AP)
  
• US moves into final military phase in Iraq (AP)
• Obama opens long-shot talks on Mideast peace (AP)
• Official: 3 bombs kill 6 at Pakistani Shiite march (AP)
• New York imam: Mosque fight about Muslim role (AP)
• Sen. Murkowski's defeat marks major tea party win (AP)

» More News

The end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq

President Barack Obama speaks after addressing the nation about the end of the US combat mission in Iraq from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, August 31.
Jim Young/Reuters

Beauty contest

A beauty contest, or beauty pageant, is a competition between people, based largely, though not always entirely, on the beauty of their physical appearance. Almost invariably, competitions for men and women are separate events, and those for men are not referred to as beauty contests except derogatorily. Those for women are more common; for an example of a male beauty contest, see Mr. Universe. There are also beauty contests for children; they are controversial, in particular if the term "sexy" is used and/or the children are dressed in no more than a swimsuit. [1]

Priest to hold nun beauty pageant

Internet users will be able to choose their favourite nun from photographs
An Italian priest says he is organising the world's first beauty pageant for nuns to erase a stereotype of them as being old and dour.
Antonio Rungi says The Miss Sister Italy online contest will start on his blog in September.
"Nuns are - above all - women, and beauty is a gift from God," he told Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper.

How to Form a Beauty Pageant

After watching all the beauty pageants, ending with the Miss World, think how great it would be if you created your own Beauty Pageant, either in your school, or near your own house. Ask friends and family to help, notify the newspapers and ask them to place information about it in their newspapers. Spread the word, and see who shows up.

How to Win a Beauty Pageant

Have you ever wanted to be Miss America? Well, here's your chance! Now you can learn how to beat the competition and get in touch with your inner beauty queen (or king!).

Russia Wins Miss World

Miss Venezuela

The Miss Venezuela contest is the national beauty pageant of Venezuela and has been held since 1952 ^[1]. It is responsible for selecting the country's representatives to the Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International and Miss Earth (beginning 2010) pageants (amongst others).
Under the direction of Osmel Sousa, Venezuela has accumulated more international titles than any other country, including six Miss Universe winners, five Miss World winners, and five Miss International winners. Alexandra Braun Waldeck, who won Venezuela's first Miss Earth title in 2005 was first runner-up at the Miss Venezuela pageant, and received training from the organization, although she was not one of their official titleholders.

New Miss Tahiti pledges to stay in French Polynesia for good

The new Miss Tahiti, Poehere Hutihuti Wilson, was born in Hawaii and grew up in Hawaii as well. But she now pledges to stay in French Polynesia and to be ready for Miss France.
"I am going to stay in Tahiti for good", Ms Hutihuti Wilson told reporters a few hours after the election.

Miss Universe Australia

Miss Hawaii : Miss Hawaii 2010!

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Libyan leader's visit to Italy stumbles into controversy

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (L) gestures next to Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini at the Ciampino airport in Rome last Sunday.Picture: Reuters

ROME

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

LIBYAN leader Muammar Gaddafi's attempt to convert dozens of young women to Islam during a visit to Italy led to an angry reaction from Italian media yesterday.

French foreign minister considers resigning over Roma round-up

French Minister for Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner.Picture: AFP

PARIS
Tuesday, August 31, 2010

FRENCH Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner admitted yesterday that he had considered resigning over President Nicolas Sarkozy's decision to deport thousands of Roma Gypsies.
Kouchner, a former Socialist and renowned humanitarian who was recruited into Sarkozy's right-wing government in....

Rescuers start to drill escape shaft in Chile

 

Rescuers begin drilling a new hole at the San Jose mine, Copiapo, Chile, on August 30, 2010 overnight.Picture: AFP
COPIAPO, CHILE
Wednesday, September 1, 2010RESIGNED to watching his child's imminent birth on video, trapped miner Ariel Ticona waited as rescuers started drilling an escape shaft on Monday to save him and 32 companions 25 days after a cave-in. The bid to rescue the miners, stuck in a hot and....

Russian air crew freed in Darfur

KHARTOUM

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

THREE Russian helicopter crew members kidnapped in Sudan's restive Darfur region have been freed, officials said Tuesday, with one report indicating force was used to secure their release.

Iran paper condemns Bruni over stoning comments

TEHRAN

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

AN IRANIAN newspaper said on Tuesday that Carla Bruni, the wife of France's president, deserved to die after she expressed solidarity with a woman sentenced to be stoned for adultery. The hardline daily Kayhan called Bruni a "prostitute" whose lifestyle meant she deserved a similar fate as the Iranian woman who was sentenced to death for adultery.

Terror threat: Dutch hold two on US flight

AMSTERDAM

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

DUTCH police questioned yesterday two US residents of Yemeni descent arrested after flying into the Netherlands from Chicago in what officials fear may have been a dry run for a terror attack.

Netanyahu heads to US for key peace summit

TEL AVIV

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Washington on Tuesday for peace talks with the Palestinians, leaving up in the air the question of future Jewish settlement construction once a partial freeze ends. The Palestinians have threatened to pull out of the face-to-face peace negotiations, due to begin on Thursday, unless Israel extends the moratorium on new housing starts past its expiration date of September 26.

Libyan leader stirs anger in Italy visit

 

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (L) applauds as Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gestures in the north of Rome on August 30, 2010.Picture: AFP Wednesday, September 1, 2010LIBYAN leader Muammar Gaddafi caused anger yesterday after calling in Italy for Europeans to convert to Islam, and demanding billions of euros to stop migration leading to a "black Europe". The controversial leader ...

US combat mission ends in Iraq

 

(Top) US soldiers listen to instructions as they wait for their flight back to the US at Camp Virginia in Kuwait yesterday. (Above) US Vice President Joe Biden (R) shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during his visit to Baghdad yesterday. Pictures: Reuters
Wednesday, September 1, 2010PRIME Minister Nuri al-Maliki said yesterday that Iraq's own soldiers and police were capable of defending a "sovereign and independent" country as American forces ended seven years of combat operations.