20-year-old brunette wins Miss Venezuela, receives crown from Miss Universe

September 19th, 2009 Miss Universe celebrates historic win in VenezuelaCARACAS, Venezuela — The newly crowned Miss Universe returned to her native Venezuela on Saturday to celebrate her historic selection, saying the nation would go for its third consecutive win at next year's pageant. Stefania Fernandez, 18, was welcomed at the airport with a red carpet and flowers.

August 24th, 2009 NASSAU, Bahamas — Heidi Montag jumped onstage in tight sequined pants and a matching bra Sunday at the Miss Universe pageant, and gave her first live performance, singing "Body Language" from her debut album. Fans cheered on the blonde star of MTV's "The Hills," although NBC, which is broadcasting the event in the Bahamas live, blocked out more than half of her performance as they introduced the 15 finalists.

June 20th, 2009 Puerto Rican pageant fires petite beauty queenSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Miss Puerto Rico Petite competition stripped the reigning queen of her crown Friday, accusing the young woman of "intolerable conduct" that included threatening and assaulting pageant staff. Keishla Villafane Rivera also used "coarse language" and violated the terms of her contract by agreeing to use her image in an advertisement without the consent of the pageant, the organizers said in a statement.

May 12th, 2009 Trump to make announcement about Miss CaliforniaNEW YORK — Donald Trump plans to make an announcement regarding Miss California USA Carrie Prejean (pray-ZHAHN'). Trump, who owns the Miss USA pageant, will make the announcement Tuesday at Trump Tower in New York City.

May 12th, 2009 Trump says Miss California USA can retain crownNEW YORK — Miss California USA can retain her crown even though she failed to reveal she had posed in her underwear as a teenager, pageant owner Donald Trump said Tuesday. Carrie Prejean appeared by Trump's side as he made the announcement at New York's Trump Tower.

May 11th, 2009 Miss Calif. to learn whether she'll keep crownBEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The Miss California USA pageant is expected to announce its decision over whether Carrie Prejean should keep her state crown amid allegations of contract violations.

May 11th, 2009 Miss California keeping title ... for nowBEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

May 9th, 2009 Miss Calif. pageant to decide on violationsLOS ANGELES — The co-director of the Miss California USA pageant says the fate of current title holder Carrie Prejean will be decided by Monday. Keith Lewis said Friday that he, fellow co-director Shanna Moakler and Prejean's representatives are close to a resolution.

May 9th, 2009 Miss Calif. pageant to address contract violationsLOS ANGELES — The Miss California USA pageant says its co-directors plan to address whether current title holder Carrie Prejean will hold onto her crown amid allegations of contract violations. Keith Lewis said Friday that he and fellow co-director Shanna Moakler will make their case public Monday.

May 8th, 2009 Statue of Liberty crown to reopen July 4NEW YORK — Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the crown of the Statue of Liberty will reopen July 4. Salazar made the announcement Friday morning from in the statue's crown on NBC's "Today." The statue was closed to the public after 9/11 because of security concerns.

April 7th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Ekta Choudhury, crowned the Pantaloons Femina Miss India Universe 2009 Sunday, says that apart from the month-long rigorous classes in grooming, fitness and diction for the event, her honesty and never-say-die attitude helped her in winning the title. 'I always believed in myself.

April 5th, 2009 MUMBAI - Ekta Choudhury, a 22-year-old from New Delhi, was Sunday night crowned Pantaloons Femina Miss India Universe 2009. She will represent the country at the global beauty pageant later this year.

March 31st, 2009 DHARAMSALA - The Miss Tibet Pageant 2009 will be held in this Himachal Pradesh town, home to the Tibetan government-in-exile, from June 5 to 7. Since its inception in 2002, the pageant has been held anually in October.

February 23rd, 2009 LONDON - Why do people gamble if they know that the house always wins? Researchers argue that near-misses, where the gambler narrowly misses out on the jackpot, may provide part of the answer. Although the gambler loses the bet on a near-miss, where the slot machine reel stops one position from the 'payline', researchers found that near-miss outcomes make people want to carry on gambling and caused brain activity in areas that normally process winning money.

January 14th, 2009 CHANDIGARH - Covering the US presidential elections and signing up for a Bollywood Hindi film may not be in the same line of action for even a 'Miss Congeniality'. And when it is done by a blonde who already has the Miss UK title under her belt, it makes you sit up and notice.