Amruta Patki

Pond's Femina Miss India-Earth 2006 Amruta Patki won the Miss Earth Air title at Miss Earth pageant in Manila on 26 November.

21-year-old had earlier also won the Evening Gown title wearing a Hemant Trivedi creation.

A combination of dusky looks and loads of confidence helped Amruta overpower other contestants from all over the world.

"It was such a fantastic experience. Over 82 countries had participated in contest. It was my childhood dream to travel all over the world. This has been the most wonderful experience that has brought the world at my feet," said an elated Amruta.

Kiran Desai

Indian writer Kiran Desai was awarded Britain's prestigious Man Booker Prize on October 10 for "The Inheritance of Loss," a cross-continental saga that moves from the Himalayas to New York City.

Desai, daughter of novelist and 3-time Booker Prize nominee, Anita Desai, had been one of the favorites for the 50,000 pound prize.

"To my mother I owe a debt so profound and so great that this book feels as much hers as it does mine," said Desai as she accepted her award.

Judges deliberated for 2 hours before making their decision, hailing Desai's work as "a magnificent novel of humane breadth and wisdom, comic tenderness and powerful political acuteness."

"The remarkable thing about Kiran Desai is that she is aware of her Anglo-Indian inheritance- of V.S. Naipaul and R.K. Narayan and Salman Rushdie- but she does something pioneering," said Hermione Lee, chairman of the judges.

35-year-old Kiran, the youngest ever female recipient of the prize, held off the challenge of 5 other nominees, including the favorite, Sarah Waters, and her novel "The Night Watch," a story of love and loss during World War II. Other finalists were "In The Country Of Men," Hisham Matar's semi-autobiographical first novel about childhood in Moammar Gadhafi's Libya; "The Secret River," Kate Grenville's tale of life in a 19th-century Australian penal colony; "Carry Me Down," the story of an unusual boy, by Irish-Australian novelist M.J. Hyland; and "Mother's Milk," a portrait of a rich but dysfunctional family by English writer Edward St. Aubyn.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson was recently in news for chosen as the "Sexiest Woman Alive" by magazine Esquire.

The 21-year-old actress poses in come-hither garb on the cover of the magazine's November issue, on newsstands October 18.

Johansson, whose screen credits include "The Black Dahlia," "Lost in Translation" and "Match Point," says she would rather be admired for attributes other than sex appeal. "What about my brain? What about my heart? What about my kidneys and my gallbladder?" she asks, addressing all the hoopla about her curves in an interview in the magazine.

Tatana Kucharova

Tatana Kucharova, an 18-year-old student from Czech Republic, won the Miss World 2006 beauty contest on September 30.

Kucharova defeated 103 other women in voting among a panel of judges and from television viewers around the world during a 2-hour finals ceremony in Poland capital Warsaw. First runner-up in the 56th edition of the annual beauty pageant was Joana Valentina Boitor, a 17-year-old from Romania. Australia's Sabrina Houssami, 20, was 3rd.

Wearing a long white dress, a teary Kucharova blew kisses to the 2,500-strong audience in Warsaw's Congress Hall after she received her diamond crown from Miss World 2005, Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir of Iceland.

Kucharova, a tall high-school student with long blond hair, was born in Trnava and grew up in the town of Opocno. She told the judges that she wants to attend university and then become a model. She likes tennis and horse riding and her personal motto is "Always be an optimist."

The organizers of the pageant said this year's finals offered the widest-ever participation of voters around the world via the Internet. Votes were also submitted in text messages sent from mobile phones.

Martina Navratilova

Recently, Martina Navratilova was in news for closed out her competitive career on September 9 in fitting fashion: a mixed doubles championship at US Open for her 59th Grand Slam title.

Navratilova teamed with Bob Bryan to beat Kueta Peschke and Martin Damm by 6-2, 6-3 before an appreciative crowd that stood and cheered throughout the final game. The mixed doubles final was played at Arthur Ashe Stadium right after Maria Sharapova beat Justine Henin-Hardenne for the women's singles title.

At this occasion, Martina said that she thought she could've played another 5 years at a top level, adding, "I'm quitting because I want to, not because I have to." Navratilova left the sport in 1994 after winning 167 singles titles. She returned for doubles in 2000, and insisted before this tournament that it would be her last.

Navratilova won 6 straight Wimbledon singles titles from 1982-87. She teamed with the likes of Billie Jean King and Chris Evert in doubles over the years. Navratilova recalled her first pro win, in singles at a tournament in Orlando in 1974.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was in news recently because of dreaded terrorist, Osama bin Laden's latest lust. Osama bin Laden had a crush on Whitney and wanted to make her his wife after killing her husband Bobby Brown.

Sudanese poet and novelist Kola Boof, who claims to have once been Osama's sex slave, writes this in her autobiography- Diary of a Lost Girl. “He told me Whitney Houston was the most beautiful woman he`d ever seen. He would say how beautiful she is, what a nice smile she has, how truly Islamic she is but is just brainwashed by American culture and by her husband- Bobby Brown,” Page 6 quoted her as saying.

According to her, Osama often talked about killing Brown, and couldn`t stop talking about his favorite singer for whom he had “lofty plans”.

But, she adds, the 9/11 terror mastermind hated Whitney`s hairstyle, saying. "Why do you wear your hair braided? Only monkeys did that.” As he had a liking for the white skin, Osama was also dismissive of black women. According to her, he used to say to her: "African women are only good for a man`s lower pleasures. What need do you have for a womb?"

Bridget Jones

A bedroom scene from 2001 hit 'Bridget Jones' Diary' has topped a poll of UK’s 10 favorite bed scenes.

The moment where hapless singleton, played by Renee Zellwegger, answers the phone, saying "Bridget Jones, wanton sex goddess, with very bad man between her thighs... Dad . . . Hi . . . ” has been voted the best bed scene, beating other memorable favorites from films such as 'Basic Instinct' and 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory'.

Second place went to Basic Instinct’s ice-pick murder scene, while the portrayal of a possessed teenager lying on a bed in 1970s horror film 'The Exorcist' came in 3rd. Fourth in the poll, commissioned by bed manufacturer Silentnight on over 3,000 people, was all four grandparents in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory lying top-to-toe in bed, followed by the Pink Ladies sleep over and the rendition of Sandra Dee in 1960s hit flick Grease.

“The survey results were surprising as none of the bed scenes actually involved sleeping. That goes to show that people are starting to associate their beds with a lot of other activities,” The Sun quoted a Silentnight spokesman, as saying.

Kate Moss

Kate Moss has been voted onto Vanity Fair magazine's top list for the best dressed people in world. 32-year-old graces the cover of forthcoming issue wearing nothing but a white fur hat, long white gloves and over-the-knee leather boots.

Magazine's fashion and style director, Michael Roberts, said Moss was elevated to Vanity Fair's "Hall of Fame" after getting more votes than any other woman for a place on its 67th annual International Best-Dressed List. He said she was "the most followed style icon of our time".

Sexy Vanity Fair cover is the latest move in Moss' career comeback. She entered a drug rehab clinic in Arizona last year after pictures of her allegedly using cocaine were published in a British tabloid. In June, prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to charge Moss. After the cocaine allegations Moss was dropped by Burberry, and the high street chain H&M; and the cosmetic brand Rimmel announced that it was reviewing her contract. Chanel decided not to renew her contract. Moss's response was to apologize, check into rehab and distance herself from Pete Doherty, the lead Baby Shambles singer, who has also had drug problems. The strategy worked: Moss has had her contract renewed by Burberry, remained the face of Rimmel and acquired deals with a list of organizations that include Versace, Calvin Klein, Bulgari, Stella McCartney, Virgin Mobile and Nikon. Her predicted earnings have been put at more than twice the level before scandal erupted.

Zuleyka Rivera

A star-studded panel of judges chose Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Puerto Rico, as Miss Universe for year 2006. 18-year-old Rivera was crowned at conclusion of 55th Annual ceremony in Los Angeles, California.

Miss Universe 2006 was chosen by an international judging panel which included NBC's Las Vegas star James Lesure; NBC's latest winner from The Apprentice, Sean Yazbeck; fashion photographer Patrick McMullan; Project Runway winner Santino Rice; NBC's Deal or No Deal briefcase model Claudia Jordan; Telemundo's Al Rojo Vivo anchor Maria Celeste Arraras; former Miss Universe Amelia Vega; television writer/creator Marc Cherry; former Miss Teen USA, Bridgette Wilson Sampras; comedian Tom Green and former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith. Each contestant from 86 countries around the world judged in 3 categories- swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005, crowned her successor at the conclusion of 2-hour telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 600 hundred million in over 180 countries. Nancy O'Dell and Carlos Ponce hosted the live telecast from the Shrine Auditorium.

Kristin Davis

'Sex and the City' star Kristin Davis has been voted the world's most beautiful woman.

The actress, who played Charlotte York in the hit series, beat a galaxy of stars in the poll conducted for Eve magazine.

3 British women made it into the top ten, with Catherine Zeta-Jones in second place. Kates Beckinsale and Kate Winslet were in 6th and 7th place.

Halle Berry came 3rd and newly-married Nicole Kidman 4th. Charlize Theron, Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie were also named in the top 10.

"Kristin's natural beauty combined with her on-screen presence make her a woman with style and substance", said Eve's editor Sara Cremer. "She exudes sex appeal without compromising her intelligence and independence. All the women in top 10 are in their 30s and 40s, proving women just get better with age."

Liz Hurley

Recently, Liz Hurley crowned as Style Icon at the inaugural Grazia Awards, which celebrate the creative achievements of women.

Hurley was chosen to receive the award after "nearly a decade as a fashionable icon of the entertainment world".

At same event, supermodel Elle Macpherson was honored with Lifetime Achievement award.

Jade Jagger picked up the Fashion award for her jewelry designs.

Grazia editor Jane Bruton said: "The awards have a particular focus on innovation and fresh perspectives."

Scarlett Johanson

Scarlett Johanson has the best cleavage in Hollywood, says a poll conducted by 'In Touch' magazine.

According to the publication's spokesperson, Johansson's "irresistible assets" got more noticed when at this year's Golden Globes designer Issac Mizrahi's wandering hands couldn't control themselves from reaching out to touch the actress' beautiful breasts. "It's not unusual for Scarlett Johansson to receive loads of compliments on her ample breasts but the level of appreciation reached a new high at this year's Golden Globes.

'The Lost In Translation' star beat out competition from Jessica Simpson and Latino beauty Salma Hayek on the best breast list.

Among other top ten Hollywood beauties with best cleavages are: Halle Berry, Jessica Alba, Tyra Banks, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Rebecca Romi Jn., Lindsay Lohan and Brittany Murphy

JK Rowling

Harry Potter author JK Rowling, has been named the greatest living British author, cruising ahead of bigwigs like Salman Rushdie and playwright Harold Pinter.

A poll by 'The Book Magazine' collected 3 times as many votes for Rowling than the second-placed name on the list, fantasy writer Terry Pratchett. Booker Prize winners Ian McEwan, Rushdie, who penned the 1988 book The Satanic Verses and Midnight’s Children came next.

Other top British authors were:

Kazuo Ishiguro
Philip Pullman
Harold Pinter
Nick Hornby
AS Byatt
Jonathan Coe and John Le Carre

Jenna Jameson

Pop queen Britney Spears has got more bad news as she has been replaced by porn star Jenna Jameson as the world's most popular celebrity.

Jameson has been awarded the title of 'No.1 Internet Peach' by Britain's magazine Zoo. Magazine said: "The grand dame of adult entertainment owns a production company, is a New York Times best-selling author and has debated at Oxford University.

Jenna Jameson was born on April 9, 1975 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was raised by her father and by the time she was 18, the bright lights were already drawing her in. She studied ballet as a student, but it was stripping that started Jenna on her road to superstardom.

Jenna's dancing lead her to nude modeling, and by her 20th birthday, Jenna had appeared in all the top men's interest magazines like Penthouse, Hustler, High Society and Cheri.

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts was recently in news for being appointed as the ambassador for UNAIDS, a United Nations' body for global response to the deadly HIV/AIDS. Watts who joined the United Nations-led fight against AIDS, after a 5-day visit to Zambia, said she could "no longer stand and watch people die" and urged people to join the battle against the pandemic. "I urge people all over the world to join this effort because I, too, am learning that there is a role for each and every one of us," she remarked after her appointment.

United Nations has been using high-profile figures in politics, sports, entertainment industry and other fields to place focus on its various programmes. When asked whether she supported the George W. Bush administration's emphasis on abstinence to fight the disease, she tried to play safe. "While it is probably the safest way to avoid it, it is impossible for certain people to practice it. So I am big believer in use of contraception," said the star of films like King Kong, The Ring and Muholland Drive.

"AIDS, she continued, "is not just about facts and figures, but about faces and families." Watts also said she wished to fight stigmatization and discrimination as "that was one of the things that seemed to be hurting everyone in Zambia."

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez recently was in new for suing by a television writer, who filed a lawsuit saying Jennifer Lopez and UPN stole his idea for a series based on his move from Brooklyn to Miami and involvement with modeling and nightclub scenes.

Jack Bunick's lawyer claims South Beach, a TV series executive-produced by Lopez that debuted January 11 on UPN, mirrors a script his client wrote in 1999 for a pilot episode of a show that would have been called South Beach Miami. Bunick's script was about 2 young men from Brooklyn who travel to South Beach, where one of them quickly gets involved with the club and modeling scenes, according to the federal suit.

A recurring theme in his script "is that the main character is from Brooklyn, New York, and that he is, in many ways, out of his element in South Beach, Miami," lawsuit said.

UPN's website says South Beach is about best friends Matt and Vincent, who "abandon their world as they know it and head to the alluring paradise of sandy beaches, beautiful people and hot spots in glamorous South Beach."


Bunick claims his agent spoke to UPN and sent a copy of his script to Lopez in February 2000 but he was never contacted by the network. He is seeking monetary damages.

Angelina Jolie

Pillow-lipped actress Angelina Jolie graces the cover of People's "100 Most Beautiful People" issue. It's her 4th time on the list, but first as cover girl.

"She looks the most beautiful when she's in the field-- natural, no makeup, nothing,"the magazine quotes musician Wyclef Jean, who worked with Jolie on a relief effort in Haiti. "Because you see Angelina, the angel. It doesn't get any better than that."

Magazine didn't forget her boyfriend Brad Pitt, or her 2 children, either. People named the globe-trotting Jolie-Pitt clan the "World's Most Beautiful Family."

Also making the "Beautiful People" list, which until this year was limited to 50: Halle Berry, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Kirstie Alley, Ryan Seacrest and University of Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow was in news recently for her voted as Britain's best-dressed woman by Harper’s Bazaar magazine, although she’s American. 33-year-old actress was praised for her style which judges said had got more daring since she moved to UK.

"She has developed a less polished, more daring style that owes its origins to London street style. Gwyneth has also developed a very healthy appetite for our unbeatable High Street", said Harper’s fashion features editor Sara Buys.

Paltrow lives in London with husband Chris Martin, daughter Apple and newly born baby boy named Moses Martin.

Here is the complete Top 10 best-dressed British women list, which was compiled by a panel of British taste-makers and designers: 1. Gwyneth Paltrow, 2. Kate Moss, 3. Thandie Newton, 4. Liberty Ross, 5. Sienna Miller, 6. Laura Bailey, 7. Peaches Geldof, 8. Yasmin Le Bon, 9. Zadie Smith and 10. Madonna

Shakira & Karolina Kurkova

Latin pop star Shakira and Czech supermodel Karolina Kurkova were in news recently for receiving awards for their humanitarian work and then watched a fashion show featuring clothes from nine developing countries partly made by women trying to escape poverty.

More than 400 fans and fashion Experts joined guests for the 2 events and a panel on Poverty, Women and Human Rights. It focused on the success of small micro-credit loans which hundreds of millions of women have used to start businesses and the need to help the 1 billion people who still live on $1 a day or less.

The nonprofit organization Women Together, which is currently concentrating on providing small loans so that low income women can produce textiles, sponsored the awards and the fashion show.

It honored 10 women and 2 organizations. Kurkova was honored for working for welfare of children through organizations such as The Beautiful Life Fund and Free Arts. She opened fashion show saying the designers were introducing fabrics from traditional weavers to Western world of high fashion.

The audience, which included Nane Annan, wife of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, applauded loudly for the high-fashion clothes from Colombia, Panama, India, Uruguay, Bangladesh, Mexico, Morocco, Peru and Brazil.

In addition, many others winners showed up to accept their awards. These included Ela Bhatt, founder of the SEWA Cooperative Bank in India which has provided micro-credit loans to 800,000 women; former Spanish Red Cross president Cristina Macaya; Brazilian writer Nelida Pinon; and Consuelo Ciscar who has promoted cultural and arts programs in Valencia, Spain.

There was disappointment in the crowd that several famous winners sent representatives to collect their awards including actress Angelina Jolie, Queen Rania of Jordan, US Senator Hillary Clinton, and Kerry Kennedy who founded a human rights center named after her late father, Robert F Kennedy.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson was in news recently for being topped a list of the '100 Sexiest Women in the World', in a poll conducted by an online magazine. According to the website the elated Scarlett remarked, "one of the best things for a woman to hear is that she is sexy".

Known for her performances in films like 'Match Point', 'The Perfect Score', 'The Island', 'Lost in Translation' and the kids' favorite 'Home Alone 3', this 21-year-old has beaten the likes of Angelina Jolie, Helle Berry. The closest competitor to her was Brad Pitt's sweet heart Angelina at No.2 on the list, followed closely by Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, Keira Knightley, Helly Berry, Jenny Mc-Carthy, Maria Sharapova, CarmenElectra and Teri Hatcher

This year's poll results came quite as a surprise as last year the was quite different with Johansson ranking 9th whereas Jolie was the chosen one. "It's remarkable how Scarlett Johansson has caught the attention of our readers," said a spokesperson of magazine. "Her sultry voice and striking beauty certainly have a lot to do with that, but so does the confidence she exudes.

KATE MOSS

Supermodel Kate Moss was recently in news for being topped the "Tatler's Best Dressed List for year 2006". 31 year old beauty Moss' position as a true style icon is assured, as her enduring appeal and her influence over fashion has once again been recognized by Tatler magazine. Looks good in anything she wears whatever the combination. She has an assortment of tastes, like pick 'n' mix, which are always tempting. A true trendsetter" A leading newspaper quoted the magazine's editor, as saying.

King Kong star Naomi Watts ranked second in list, for bringing "natural grace to the red carpet". Other stars who were nominated in Tatler's top 50 best dressed woman of the world included Yasmin Le Bon, Sienna Miller, Peaches Geldof, Thandie Newton, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Camilla is a new royal fashion icon who wowed us in her red engagement dress, Philip Treacy hats, and Robinson Valentine wedding outfit.

MARIAH CAREY

Mariah Carey was recently in news for smashing performance in Grammy Awards. She ended her 16-year Grammy drought as the comeback queen captured 3 trophies, including best contemporary R&B album for "The Emancipation of Mimi" ("We Belong Together" is most popular song of this album). Carey, one of the best-selling artists of all time, had not won a Grammy since her first two as a fresh-faced ingénue in 1990.

This year, she was nominated for a leading 8 and won 3 in the pre-telecast ceremony. No woman had ever won more than 5 trophies in one night. She could become the first female artist to win six in a single evening. Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill and Beyonce each have won five apiece earlier.

NICOLE KIDMAN

Nicole Kidman was recently in news for being appointed as goodwill ambassador for women's issues at United Nations. She is honored to be able to help UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). At this occasion, she said that her efforts would be for raising worldwide awareness of the problems of violence against women, gender inequality and other difficulties faced by women in developing world.

She is already a goodwill ambassador for United Nations children's program UNICEF. Nicole Kidman, who won the best-actress Oscar in the year 2002 for film ''The Hours,'' said she has planned to devote a considerable amount of time to UNIFEM over a long-term.

BRITNEY SPEARS

Britney Spears was in news recently to top an annual Hollywood worst-dressed list of female celebrities compiled by fashion designer, Blackwell, who called her an 'over-the-hill Lolita'. Spears, who gave birth to her first child last year, has been a favorite on Blackwell's list for the past 5 years. He described her as going from 'princess of pop to the ultimate fashion flop.

Self-appointed fashion guru's lists are Hollywood tradition. Over the years they have poked fun at everyone from Queen Elizabeth to Elizabeth Taylor. Blackwell urged women on his list to emulate 'effortless beauty and memorable style' of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Kate Moss and Natalie Portman. Blackwell's worst-dressed women of 2005 are as follow- Britney Spears, Mary-Kate Olsen, Jessica Simpson, Eva Longoria, Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton, Anna Nicole Smith, Shakira, Lindsay Lohan and Renee Zellweger.

QUEEN LATIFAH

Rapper-turned-actress, singer, spokeswoman and producer Dana Elaine Owens, 35, better known as Queen Latifah became the first hip-hop artist crowned with 2,298th star on Hollywood Walk of Fame last days. Born on March 18, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, she is African-American Grammy Award-winning rap artist and actress. 

Queen Latifah debuted in 1989 with seminal hip-hop album 'All Hail The Queen'. Her third album 'Black Reign' earned her a Grammy Award in 1994. Latifah's leap to television in 1993 with sitcom 'Living Single' widened her appeal. She went on to star in such films as 'Set it off,' 'bringing down the house' and 2005's 'Beauty Shop,' which she also produced. 'Chicago' earned her a supporting actress Oscar nomination and brought her singing acclaim. She is also a spokeswoman for 'CoverGirl' and its record label, 'CG Vibes', among other companies. 

Owens' mother and father, a police officer, divorced when she was just 8 years old.

WAFAH DUFOUR

A niece of Osama bin Laden is striking racy poses for a men's magazine, GQ, as she tries to shrug off her connection with world's most wanted man. Aspiring pop singer Wafah Dufour, daughter of a half-brother of Laden, told that she feels most at home in New York. She was born in USA and want people to know her as an American, and she want people to understand that she is like anyone in New York". Dufour, who uses her Swiss mother's maiden name, disclosed. "For me, it's home. "She speaks softly and deliberately. Word 'Wafah' means "faithful one," but 'Dufour' is not her real surname. She changed it after being quoted in New York tabloids as distant niece of one of the most despised terrorists in Western world. "Before 9/11, 'Bin Laden' was like ' Smith' or 'Jones', but after that it had such a terrible connotation that I couldn't keep it," the 25-year-old explains. "I don't even speak Arabic. I don't even have a Saudi passport." She has nothing in common with the Al-Qaida leader and simply wants acceptance by Americans.