STYLELIST - Stars Reveal Their Moms' Beauty Advice: Mother Knows Best, Dec 24, 2011

"Growing up, how many times did my mom remind me to reapply sunscreen? Or drink more water? Honestly, more times than I care to remember. However, what may have seemed overbearing at the time was pretty solid advice instilled at a fairly early age -- and I'm certainly appreciating it all these years later. I know I'm not the only one: Mothers have been bestowing their tried and true beauty tips since the dawn of time -- whether we listened to it or not. Be it an introduction to makeup (or rather a strict ban until a specific age), relentless reminders to moisturize or a favorite fragrance passed down, our mothers' insight was incredibly important during those formative years and beyond...
Inspired by our own moms' advice, we decided to round up the best tips that celebrities got from their mothers. And we want to hear what kind of wisdom your mom imparted on you. Let us know in the comments!"

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FOCUS TAIWAN - Taiwanese star Shu Qi among world's top 100 beautiful faces, Dec 24, 2011

"
Taipei, Dec. 24 (CNA) Taiwanese actress Shu Qi has been ranked among the world's top 100 beauties and the country's only one on the Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Faces, according to movie website TC Candler published earlier this weekend.
Shu, a Best Actress winner of the Golden Horse Awards, Taiwan's equivalent of the Academy Awards, came in 29th on the chart, which was dominated by Harry Potter actress Emma Watson"

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THE GUARDIAN - Switzerland's 'world's best Father Christmas' competition, Dec 24, 2011

"The sun is high over snow-capped peaks, breath freezes on the air, and between the trees, darting, dashing, dancing – I can see Santa Claus.

In fact, I can see a hundred of them. I'm at the Santa Claus World Championships in Samnaun, Switzerland, where competitors sledge, sprint, and sing their way through a gruelling programme of Christmas-inspired tasks as they fight to be crowned the world's best Father Christmas."

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Top 10 Players at the World Jr's, Dec 24, 2011

The best time of the year is upon us. No, not Christmas. It is the hockey tournament that is played over the holiday. The glorious World Juniors that captures the imagination of every Canadian, and maybe a dozen other people.
Many stars of the NHL have got their big start in this tournament, so here is a look at some of the top players in this year’s tournament. Take note of each and every name."

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TMZ - Mel Gibson & Wife Robyn Gibson -- Officially Divorced, Dec 24, 2011

"Mel Gibson and Robyn Gibson are officially single -- a judge signed the divorce decree moments ago.
The only big change -- Robyn is going back to her maiden name ... so from now on it's Robyn Moore.
As we reported, the couple's been negotiating a financial settlement for over a year ... and we're told, it's finally a done deal. There is no prenup.
The couple's reported net worth is in the $900 million range -- but sources tell us, it's actually less."

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NZ HERALD - North Pole confirms Santa on his way - Asia, Dec 24, 2011

"The North Pole has confirmed Santa Claus has departed for his trip around the globe this evening and is now en route to New Zealand.
The red-suited man can expect to have a busier night than ever, as 2011 marked the year the world's population surpassed 7 billion.
Children in New Zealand, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji and the far east of Russia will be among the first in the world to get a visit from the jolly fat man."

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NZ HERALD - 6kg ball drops on Namibia - Strange But True, Dec 24, 2011

"A large metallic ball has fallen out of the sky on a remote grassland in Namibia, prompting baffled authorities to contact Nasa and the European space agency.
The hollow ball with a circumference of 1.1m was found near a village in the north of the country some 750km from the capital, Windhoek, according to police forensics director Paul Ludik.
With a diameter of 35cm, the ball has a rough surface and appears to consist of "two halves welded together".
It was made of a "metal alloy known to man" and weighed 6kg, said Ludik."

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- TongaLuger Bruno wins America-Pacific bronze medal, Dec 24, 2011

"Tongan luger, Bruno Banani, came in to win a surprise Bronze Medal at the inaugural America-Pacific Championship, held in Calgary, Canada on December 17.
The ranking was part of the Viessmann Luge World Cup contest, in which Bruno competing for the first time, finished in 26th place out of 32 lugers."

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FIJI LIVE - Queen praises family in Christmas speech, Dec 24, 2011

"Queen Elizabeth II will use her Christmas Day message, recorded before her husband Prince Philip was rushed to hospital and underwent heart surgery, to praise the institution of family.
The prince, who celebrated his 90th birthday in June, underwent a procedure to correct a blocked artery late Friday after being taken to hospital with chest pains.
He was to remain for a "short period" in hospital in Cambridge, eastern England, near the Sandringham estate where the royal family traditionally gathers to celebrate Christmas, a statement from the royal family said.
The health scare for her husband of 64 years was a low point for the queen in a year in which the wedding of her grandson Prince William to Kate Middleton gave the royals an enormous boost."

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FIJI LIVE - Kim Jong son hailed as 'supreme commander, Dec 24, 2011

"North Korean media today hailed the youngest son of late leader Kim Jong-Il as "supreme commander" of the powerful military, in the latest sign that the untested successor is cementing his hold on power.

"We will uphold Comrade Kim Jong-Un as our supreme commander and general and we will bring the Songun (military-first) revolution to a completion," the ruling communist party's Rodong Sinmun said in an editorial.
It is the first time that one of the North's mouthpieces has used the title supreme commander -- a post previously held by his father -- for the new leader, already a four-star general though still in his late 20s."

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FIJI LIVE- Pope prepares for marathon year, Dec 24, 2011

"Suva, Fiji , Pope prepares for marathon year
Pope Benedict XVI embarks Saturday on a busy few days ahead of a packed 2012 looking visibly weary though his aides insist he is not ill and ascribe the pontiff's tiredness to his advanced years.
The 84-year-old German pope has appeared thin and drawn at recent public appearances and bishops who met him have commented on his weary appearance.
He has to be helped up and down stairs due to mild arthritis.
"It's just his age," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told AFP.
"The pope has no particular illness," he said, adding: "For an old man, he's in excellent shape."

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Cook Islands News - Family values run deep, Dec 24, 2011

"About 50 people from the Ahkeau and Mireka family reunion put down the genealogy books yesterday and helped clean up an old relatives overrun resting place.

Descendants of the Ahkeau and Mireka family came from around the Cook Islands and as far as New Zealand, Australia and the United States to gather in Rarotonga this week for the reunion.

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SAMOA News - This Christmas last one celebrated same day as Samoa, Dec 24, 2011

"A peaceful American Samoa will join Christians around the world on Sunday to celebrate Christmas 2011 and this will be the last time the territory will celebrate Christmas on the same day with Samoa, who is moving to the other side of the dateline next week.
Residents of the territory as well as those throughout the United States and its territories are celebrating this Christmas with an extra special occasion, as the war in Iraq has finally ended and U.S. troops have returned home or are en route back to the U.S."

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