Jelena Markovic crowned Miss Serbia

Jelena Markovic crowned Miss Serbia

Jelena Markovic takes part in the the Miss Serbia beauty contest in Belgrade late July 6, 2009. Markovic will represent her country during the Miss World final in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December.

Jelena Markovic poses for the photographers after winning the Miss Serbia beauty contest in Belgrade late July 6, 2009. Markovic will represent her country during the Miss World final in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December.

Jelena Markovic reacts after winning the Miss Serbia beauty contest in Belgrade late July 6, 2009. Markovic will represent her country during the Miss World final in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

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Fans in costumes to watch "Half-Blood Prince"

Fans in costumes to watch "Half-Blood Prince"

Fans in costumes pose with their tickets as they wait for the opening of the world's first premiere of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" in Tokyo July 6, 2009.

Fans in costumes pose before the screening of the world's first premiere of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" in Tokyo July 6, 2009

Fans in costumes walk to a photo session as they enter the movie theatre for the world's first premiere of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" in Tokyo July 6, 2009.
(Xinhua/Reuters photo)

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Phelps keeps low key in U.S. swimming championships

Phelps keeps low key in U.S. swimming championships

WASHINGTON, July 6 -- Beijing Olympics eight-time winner Michael Phelps set a modest goal of making the U.S. world championship team this week.

Fourteen-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps, of Baltimore, waits on the blocks during a media availability before the start of the ConocoPhillips USA National Swimming Championships in Indianapolis, Monday, July 6, 2009. The meet starts Tuesday.

The U.S. Swimming Championships, selection meet for the World Championships in Rome July 26-Aug 2, will kick off on Tuesday.

In order to book his ticket to Rome and his fifth world championships, Phelps must place among the top two in each event at the Natatorium in Indianapolis.

"It doesn't matter to me if I'm the favorite or I'm not," Phelps told reporters on Monday.

Michael Phelps speaks to the media before the start of the U.S. National Championships and World Swimming Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana July 6, 2009.

"I have to make the team before I decide anything. Bob (coach Bob Bowman) and I just wanted to get here and see where we stand," he said.

Phelps will contest in the 100 and 200 meters freestyle and 100 and 200m butterfly.

Michael Phelps practises in the pool before the start of the U.S. National Championships and World Swimming Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 6, 2009.
(Xinhua)

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China's Hong Wenwen wins bronze in women's 50m butterfly at 25th Universiade

China's Hong Wenwen wins bronze in women's 50m butterfly at 25th Universiade

Hong Wenwen of China waves to the audience after the women's 50m butterfly in the 25th Universiade in Belgrade, capital of Serbia, July 6, 2009. Hong Wenwen won the bronze medal with a time of 26.66 seconds.

Hong Wenwen of China applauds in the awarding ceremony of women's 50m butterfly final in the 25th Universiade in Belgrade, capital of Serbia, July 6, 2009. Hong Wenwen won the bronze medal with a time of 26.66 seconds

Hong Wenwen of China competes in the women's 50m butterfly final in the 25th Universiade in Belgrade, capital of Serbia, July 6, 2009. Hong Wenwen won the bronze medal with a time of 26.66 seconds.
(Xinhua Photo)

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Real Madrid presents Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid presents Cristiano Ronaldo

MADRID, July 6 -- The Spanish soccer club Real Madrid presented on Monday its new player, Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo as part of the club, during an event in Santiago Bernabeu stadium with 80,000 soccer fans.

During the event the fans sang "Yes, yes, yes, Ronaldo is already here!"

Real Madrid's new Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo greets the crowd during his presentation at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, July 6, 2009.

Real Madrid's president Florentio Perex told Ronaldo, "Cristiano, welcome to Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, welcome to your house, the one of Real Madrid."

Ronaldo said that "I'm happy of being in Reald Madrid, I can not believe the stadium is so full as it is, I'm very excited... I've fulfilled my dream."

Ronaldo costs 94 million euros, being the most expensive player in the world.

On Monday Ronaldo went to a medical check up and later he signed the contract with the club for six years for nine million euros each season.

According to sports experts, Ronaldo will compensate his price with the marketing of his image, since he already has contracts with Nike, Blanco Espirito Santo, Shampoo Clear and Castrol.

In 10 days, the Real Madrid will sell 100,000 t-shirts with the number 9 of Ronaldo for 85 euros each one.
(Xinhua)

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Paris Hilton parties in Lebanon

Paris Hilton parties in Lebanon

U.S. socialite Paris Hilton poses at a party in downtown Beirut July 3, 2009. Picture taken July 3, 2009

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French actress Huppert receives award at Czech film festival

French actress Huppert receives award at Czech film festival

Jury president and French actress Isabelle Huppert attends a news conference at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival May 13, 2009. The 62nd Cannes film festival opens on Wednesday and 20 films compete for the prestigious Palme d'Or which will be awarded on May 24.

PRAGUE, July 5 -- The famous French film and theater actress Isabelle Huppert accepted the Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the 44th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on Sunday.

Huppert was awarded the prize before the screening of the film Villa Amalia by French director Benoit Jacquot in the festival's main competition. In Villa Amalia she played the main role.

56-year-old Huppert has appeared in over 80 films and held more than 30 acting awards. She is highly acclaimed by critics for her playing the parts of complicated, often ambiguous characters.

In 1978 she won the best actress award at the Cannes International Film Festival for the role of a young murderess in the film Violette Noziere. In 2001 she repeated her success in Cannes with the main role in The Pianist directed by Michael Haneke and based on the controversial novel by Austrian writer Elfriede Jelinek.

Huppert chaired the Cannes festival's grand jury this year.

There are 24 French films in total which will be screened at the festival.
(Xinhua)

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108 dishes of Man-Han Banquet made of rare stones

108 dishes of Man-Han Banquet made of rare stones

Photo taken on July 3, 2009 shows a stone-made "Man-Han Banquet" at a household exposition in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province. All of the 108 vivid dishes of the banquet are made of colorful rare stones, which becomes a special view of the expo.

Visitors watch stone-made "Man-Han Banquet" at a household exposition in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 3, 2009. All of the 108 vivid dishes of the banquet are made of colorful rare stones, which becomes a special view of the expo.

Visitors watch stone-made "Man-Han Banquet" at a household exposition in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 3, 2009. All of the 108 vivid dishes of the banquet are made of colorful rare stones, which becomes a special view of the expo.

Visitors watch stone-made "Man-Han Banquet" at a household exposition in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 3, 2009. All of the 108 vivid dishes of the banquet are made of colorful rare stones, which becomes a special view of the expo.
(Xinhua/Zhang Peijian)

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Asian elephant, endangered species, born in Sydney

Asian elephant, endangered species, born in Sydney

A one-day-old male Asian elephant calf walks with its mother Thong Dee at Taronga Zoo in Sydney July 5, 2009.

BEIJING, July 6 -- A male Asian elephant was born in Sydney's Taronga Zoo early Saturday and is healthy, according to media report Monday.

The 265-pound (120-kilogram) calf, big-eared and long-nosed bundle of joy is welcomed in Australia as an important step in helping to save the endangered species. The calf was born to Thong Dee, one of a group of elephants brought to the zoo from Thailand in 2006.

The calf is generating many curious responses from among its herd. They're reaching into Thong Dee's pen to try to touch the little elephant with their trunks.

The group of elephants is part of an international breeding program that aims to preserve the genetic diversity of the Asian elephant.

The species is listed as endangered in the wild, with only an estimated 34,000 animals left across the continent.

Two other elephants in the Taronga Zoo group are also pregnant and are due to give birth next year and in 2011. Elephants' 22-month gestation period is the longest of any mammal.

A one-day-old male Asian elephant calf stands next to a zookeeper at Taronga Zoo in Sydney July 5, 2009

A one-day-old male Asian elephant calf stands close to its mother Thong Dee at Taronga Zoo in Sydney July 5, 2009.
(Agencies)

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The Milky Way make up of 10,000 lights

The Milky Way make up of 10,000 lights

A light display of the Milky Way is reflected on a window as skyscrapers and the Tokyo Bay area are seen in background from a viewing deck of Tokyo Tower July 5, 2009. The Milky Way Illuminationis made up of 10,000 blinking blue lights to resemble the Milky Way.

A light display of the Milky Way is reflected on a window as skyscrapers and the Tokyo Bay area are seen in background from a viewing deck of Tokyo Tower July 5, 2009. The Milky Way Illumination is made up of 10,000 blinking blue lights to resemble the Milky Way.

Visitors look at Tokyo's skyscrapers at a viewing deck of Tokyo Tower in Tokyo July 5, 2009.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

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Federer's 15th grand slam title fulfilled

Federer's 15th grand slam title fulfilled

Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during his Gentlemen's Singles finals match against Andy Roddick of the U.S.. Federer beats Andy Roddick of the U.S. 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14, in the Men's Singles Final of the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Tennis Club, in southwest London, on July 5, 2009.

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his victory after beating Andy Roddick of the U.S. 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14, in the Men's Singles Final of the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Tennis Club, in southwest London, on July 5, 2009.

Switzerland's Roger Federer holds the Wimbledon Trophy after beating Andy Roddick of the U.S. 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14, in the Men's Singles Final of the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Tennis Club, in southwest London, on July 5, 2009.

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his victory after beating Andy Roddick of the U.S. 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14, in the Men's Singles Final of the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Tennis Club, in southwest London, on July 5, 2009.
(Xinhua Photo)

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Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa wins at U.S. MotoGP

Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa wins at U.S. MotoGP

Maisie Hill, 3, of Burlington, Washington, waits to see Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy after warm up before the final round of the U.S. MotoGP at Laguna Seca Raceway near Salinas, California July 5, 2009.

Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain motors out of turn 11 on his way to a first place finish during the final round of the U.S. MotoGP at Laguna Seca Raceway near Salinas, California July 5, 2009.

Race winner Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain leads second place finisher Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi (46) of Italy and other riders down the corkscrew during the U.S. MotoGP at Laguna Seca Raceway near Salinas, California July 5, 2009.

An unidentified award presenter runs away as second place finisher Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi (C) of Italy and race winner Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa (R) of Spain spray Champaign at the end of the U.S. MotoGP at Laguna Seca Raceway near Salinas, California July 5, 2009.

Race winner Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa (L) of Spain fights off second place finisher Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy at turn 11 on the final lap of the U.S. MotoGP at Laguna Seca Raceway near Salinas, California July 5, 2009.

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain turns into the corkscrew on his way to a third place finish during the U.S. MotoGP at Laguna Seca Raceway near Salinas, California July 5, 2009.

Second place finisher Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi (L) of Italy congratulates race winner Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain at the end of the U.S. MotoGP at Laguna Seca Raceway near Salinas, California July 5, 2009.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

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Serena Williams beats Venus to clinch third Wimbledon title

Serena Williams beats Venus to clinch third Wimbledon title

Serena Williams of the U.S. (L) holds her winners trophy and Venus Williams of the U.S. holds her runners-up trophy after their Ladies' Singles finals match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, July 4, 2009. Serena Williams clinched her third Wimbledon title and 11th Grand Slam crown with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 victory over sister Venus, the defending champion, on Saturday.

Serena Williams of the U.S. holds her trophy after defeating Venus Williams of the U.S. in their Ladies' Singles finals match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, July 4, 2009.

Serena Williams (R) and her sister Venus Williams of the United States pose for pictures before their ladies' singles final at the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the Centre Court in Wimbledon of London July 4, 2009.

Serena Williams of the United States reacts during the ladies' singles final against her sister Venus Williams at the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the Centre Court in Wimbledon of London July 4, 2009.

Venus Williams of the United States trips during the ladies' singles final against her sister Serena Williams at the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the Centre Court in Wimbledon of London July 4, 2009.

Venus Williams of the United States serves during the ladies' singles final against her sister Serena Williams at the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the Centre Court in Wimbledon of London July 4, 2009.

Serena Williams of the United States returns the ball during the ladies' singles final against her sister Venus Williams at the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the Centre Court in Wimbledon of London July 4, 2009.

Venus Williams of the United States returns the ball during the ladies' singles final against her sister Serena Williams at the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the Centre Court in Wimbledon of London July 4, 2009.

Serena Williams of the United States reacts during the ladies' singles final against her sister Venus Williams at the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the Centre Court in Wimbledon of London July 4, 2009.

Serena Williams of the United States competes during the ladies' singles final against her sister Venus Williams at the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the Centre Court in Wimbledon of London July 4, 2009.
(Xinhua/Wang Lili)

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