Jimena Navarrete, a 22-year-old brunette from Mexico, was named Miss Universe in Las Vegas on Monday.

The first runner-up was Miss Jamaica, Yendi Phillipps, while Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell, was second runner-up.

Navarrete, a nature enthusiast from Guadalajara, defeated favorites from Ireland, the Philippines and Venezuela to become the 59th winner of the crown in a show broadcast live around the world.

She received the crown from reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez, Venezuela’s second winner in as many years. In a major shock, this year’s Miss Venezuela failed to make it past the first cut, when the 83 contestants were whittled down to 15. Miss USA, another favored contender, was also eliminated at the outset.

In the news

• A series of bomb attacks in Kampala, Uganda, kills dozens of people and injures over 100 others.
• The FIFA World Cup concludes with Spain defeating the Netherlands 1–0 in extra time (match ball pictured).
• The head of Noongar leader Yagan is ceremonially buried near Perth, Australia, after more than a century in British collections.
• A suicide attack in the Mohmand Agency, Pakistan, kills 104 people and injures more than 100 others.
• The United States and Russia exchange prisoners accused of spying, in one of the largest “spy swaps” since the Cold War
• courtesy :Wikipedia

2010 FIFA World Cup

Andres Iniesta dramatically fired Spain to World Cup glory for the first time in their history with the only goal of the game deep into extra-time in a 1-0 win over Netherlands at Soccer City.

Spain  in a 1-0 win over Netherlands at Soccer City.

Mueller wins Golden Boot, best young player

Johannesburg: Germany midfielder Thomas Mueller has won the Golden Boot award for top scorer at the World Cup and was also named best young player of the tournament. Mueller was one of four players to finish on five goals, but won by virtue of his three assists, two more than his nearest rivals- Spain`s David Villa and Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands, who each had one assist. Mueller, 20, has spearheaded a new generation of players that include Mesut Oezil, Sami Khedira, Jerome Boateng and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in a German team that finished third. Uruguay`s Forlan named player of World Cup Johannesburg: Uruguay`s Diego Forlan won the best player of the tournament award on Sunday after lighting up the World Cup with some wonderful goals that helped his team become South America`s only semi-finalist. The blond-locked striker won legions of admirers — not least among South African women — for his fantastic play on the pitch and courteous attitude off it where he always made time to sign autographs and chat with fans or journalists. Forlan took 23.4 percent in the “Golden Ball” poll organised by world soccer body FIFA and voted for by journalists. Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder was second with 21.8 percent and Spain`s David Villa third on 16.9 percent.

In the news

* U.S. General David Petraeus formally takes command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
* At least 230 people are killed and 196 others injured in an explosion caused by a fuel truck overturning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
* Pierre Nkurunziza (pictured) is re-elected President of Burundi with more than 91% of the vote.
* Senegal begins eight days of national mourning upon the death of Serigne Mouhamadou Lamine Bara Mbacké, Grand Marabout of the Mourides.
* Collaborating astronomers confirm the orbital motion of the first directly imaged exoplanet near a pre-main sequence star.
* At least 41 people are killed and 175 others injured in a series of suicide bomb attacks in Lahore, Pakistan.