Kidnapped when she was ten, Austria's Natascha Kampusch escaped eight-and-a-half years later. During her captivity she thought carefully about how she wanted to live once free. Now she's a media star and keeping to her script, surrounded by a team of eager advisors.

Read more: Natascha Kampusch - Escape from Prisoner to media star

Martina Hingis was too strong for Tzipi Obziler on Wednesday evening, defeating the Israeli in the second round of the Sunfeast Open in Calcutta, India, 6-2, 7-5.

Read more: Martina Hingis ranked ninth in the world

A leaked intelligence report of Osama bin Laden's death has met scepticism from Western and Muslim governments, but may increase clamour from his followers to show himself on video for the first time in nearly two years. One theory surrounding the mysterious French leak is that it was designed to flush the al-Qaida leader into the open, prompting him to release a new tape that might give a clue to his whereabouts and state of health.

Read more: Osama bin Laden - mysterious surround of his death

For Jennifer Hawkins, winning the Miss Universe contest was a very unexpected boon. Born in the Australian state of New South Wales - in Holmesville, Newcastle to be precise - in 1984, Jennifer was truly shocked when she won the title of Miss Universe, as anyone who watched the 2004 event will attest to.

Read more: Jennifer Hawkins Miss World 2004 helped Miss universe

Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara on September 5th 1946 in Zanzibar, to parents Bomi & Jer Bulsara. Freddie moved to India in 1947. He attended boarding school in Panchgani, just outside Bombay. Whilst there he began his piano lessons, reaching Grade 4 in practical and theory.

Read more: Freddie Mercury Queen Music legend Memorial Statue

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez pledged Thursday that Venezuela will support Iran if it is invaded as a result of the Middle Eastern nation's high-stakes nuclear standoff with the United Nations Security Council.

Read more: Chavez Hugo vows aid for Iran against attack

There's been a bit of a stink in Hong Kong in recent days involving a young pop star, some scandalous paparazzi photos, and yes ... Jackie Chan. Last week, a magazine called EasyFinder published photos of Gillian Chung (one half of the pop duo Twins) that were taken as she was changing out of her clothes backstage during a show.

Read more: Gillian Chung scandalous paparazzi photos in Hong Kong

Ex-James Bond Pierce Brosnan and former Bond villain Christopher Lee have come to the defence of British actor Daniel Craig whose choice as the new 007 is attracting growing criticism.

Read more: Daniel Craig will have "last laugh" says ex James Bond - Pierce Brosnan

The nuclear weapon that North Korea intends to detonate in an underground test is big enough to kill up to 200,000 people were it ever to be used against a city such as Seoul or Tokyo, Russian military experts have revealed.

Read more: North Korea Nuclear Bomb kill up to 200.000 people???

Though winning the Miss Teen USA title has been a dream of 18-year-old Katie Blair?s since she was a child growing up in Billings, Montana, she only entered her state competition 4 days before it took place! Almost a year later, on August 15th, 2006, in front of a live television audience on NBC, her dream became a reality. A recent high school graduate, Katie will attend Louisiana State University, where she plans to major in advertising and marketing and will also pursue an associate?s degree in fashion design. (Her love of design is no surprise given that this intrepid art lover once traveled to Amsterdam to visit Van Gogh?s museum!) She says her dream job is to one day buy, sell and design clothes for her own company off Madison Avenue in New York City.

Read more: Katie Blair Miss Montana Teen USA 2006 art lover