Chilean Beauty wins Miss Earth 2006

Hil Hernandez, from southern Chile’s island of Chiloé, was crowned Miss Earth in the world’s third largest beauty pageant on Sunday in the Philippines. Hernandez, 22, competed against 90 other beauties to win the title that promises to promote environmental causes across the world.

Judges were not solely concerned with the “beauty” aspect of this pageant - contestants took part in tree-planting ceremonies and environmental awareness projects, visiting areas of concern in the Philippines to promote the environmental cause.

“I’m very happy and I believe that now people will really believe in this contest,” said Hernandez from her hotel in Manila yesterday. She now plans to travel back to Santiago, where she has lived for the past four years, before continuing on to promote environmental causes in her role as Miss Earth 2006.

“I wanted to win, most of all because I want people to hear about Chiloé,” said Hernandez. “I know that I can do my share to contribute in several areas. Showing my country to the world, to promote the preservation of the environment and, of course, to be a good host in the International Finals of Miss Earth”

The runners up were from Venezuela, India and the Philippines, winning the titles of Miss Fire, Miss Air and Miss Water respectively.

Not just a pretty face, Hernandez is studying engineering and business administration and plans to continue a career in the environmental field after graduating. By winning Sunday’s award, she becomes Chile’s most successful beauty queen, surpassing Nataly Chilet who came eighth in the Miss Earth 2005 competition.

Chilean supporters of the competition will be pleased that the 2006 crown went to a Chilean national. This year’s event was intended to be held in Santiago until it was rescheduled due to organizational and funding problems.

Miss Earth began in 2001 but first reached notoriety after an Afghan woman caused a stir in her native Islamic country by competing in a red bikini.

Nintendo Wii Outselling Sony PS3

Nintendo winning the battle right now...

Early sales figures have the Wii already selling some 650,000 units since its launch on Sunday, more than twice the number of PS3 units sold since it's launch on Friday. The numbers have a lot to do with Sony being unable to release a larger number of PS3 units, but Wii's sales total remains impressive. Nintendo is also making money on each Wii sold while Sony is losing money on each PS3 sold.

Microsoft has sold seven million 360 units worldwide and is currently making nearly $70 per system. The company lost money on each system sold for awhile before finally getting their production costs down.

Credit: GamesRadar.com

Album Pick: Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing (Keith Urban)

Original Release Date: November 7, 2006
Label: Capitol

1. Once In A Lifetime
2. Shine
3. I Told You So
4. I Can't Stop Loving You
5. Won't Let You Down
6. Faster Car
7. Stupid Boy
8. Used To The Pain
9. Raise The Barn (featuring Ronnie Dunn)
10. God Made Woman
11. Tu Compania
12. Everybody
13. Got It Right This Time

iTunes is where I first got a hold of Keith Urban's songs. I bought 7 songs all-in-all from the "Golden Road" and "Be Here" albums. I am really amazed at the talent of this man. He probably is the first male country artist who can consider me as a fan. ;p

When I first heard back in August that Keith has a new song, for some reason, I didn't have time to listen to it. I always thought that if it would be that good, then I'll probably here it soon from a commercial or somewhere as I walk the streets of Manhattan. And somehow, I think I was right. I heard a snip of the song "Once In A Lifetime" from a commercial while watching one of my favourite shows on ABC. And this happened just days before the actual album release. Couple this with a kick-ass album cover and I was immediately on my computer ordering this album in Amazon.

And I should say I really was not disappointed. This is my first country album from a male artist. And the best way to listen to it is to just let it sing to you. No need to do anything special, just listen, and you'll know its impossible to not like it.

It's hard to pic my favourite tracks but I would have to say these four: "Once In A Lifetime", "Shine", "I Told You So" & "I Can't Stop Loving You".

If you have ever liked any of Keith Urban's songs in the past, then go out now and buy this album. If you have never really liked Keith but would like to find out why this very talented man is selling albums by the millions, then go ahead and listen to this album. You'll see that it's worth it.

iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED - 8GB

The new 8GB Pod Nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition will be out on the market so Apple would meet “outstanding customer demand”, said the company in a public statement. The product, selling for $249, follows the release of the 4GB version, priced at $199.

"Customer response to the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition has been off the charts. We're thrilled to add a second model with 8GB of capacity, enough for 2,000 songs, so customers have yet another choice in supporting this important cause." (Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing)

As expected, there's a catch with this new offer. Apple will donate $10 to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa for each unit it sells. The organization, called (RED), was created by U2 member Bono and philanthropist Bobby Shriver. The organization's aim is to determine business to get involved in the fight against AIDS in Africa. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was established in 2002, to dramatically increase resources to fight the three already mentioned diseases.

Up till now, the Global Fund has committed $5.2 billion to more than 363 programs in 131 countries.

The Prestige

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Obsession, jealousy, and deceit define the tense relationship shared between two turn-of-the-century magicians in Memento and Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan's dizzying tale of slight of hand. Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are London-based magicians of the highest order, both blessed with spectacular powers of deception and both cursed with unrelenting envy for one another's skills. When Alfred performs an awe-inspiring trick for which there seems no logical explanation, the friendly competition shared between the pair turns to deadly rivalry as the enraged Rupert determines to uncover his rival's deepest secrets.

In the world of illusion, however, nothing is ever quite as it seems, and the rules of the physical world simply don't apply. Now, as bitter competition quickly begins to consume the souls of both performers, the firestorm birthed by their anger threatens to consume all who surround them. Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie co-star in a feature that finds director/screenwriter Nolan reuniting with brother and Memento story author Jonathan Nolan to adapt author Christopher Priest's original novel.

Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier

Christian Bale as Alfred Borden

Michael Caine as Cutter

Piper Perabo as Julia Angier

Rebecca Hall as Sarah Borden

Scarlett Johansson as Olivia Wenscombe

Samantha Mahurin as Jess

David Bowie as Nikolas Tesla