19 Sep 2016, 14:47

Unique and unconventional beauty contests from around the globe

On this day in 1888, the world's first modern beauty contest is thought to have taken place in Belgium

Photo 1 from 10

A beauty pageant involving female soldiers of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in Donetsk, Ukraine, 2015

© AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda

The contestants modeled in both dresses and military fatigues

© AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda

Russian contest for servicewomen called 'Makeup with Camouflage', 2016. The contest of beauty and professional skills among female soldiers was held on the territory of the Strategic Missile Forces training center in the town of Pereslavl

© Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

One of many beauty contests held in women's prisons around the world, a beauty contest titled Miss Spring held in Russia's Prison Colony No. 10

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

Beauty pageants for disabled people exist in many countries. Photo: Participants of the 5th Miss Self-dependence beauty contest for disabled women, 2014

© Pavel Smertin/TASS

Romanian Gypsy contestant, receives instruction from a director on stage positioning in Bucharest, Romania, 2011, during a rehearsal of a Gypsy beauty and traditional dance contest

© AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda

The World Muslimah is an annual international beauty pageant for young Muslim women who are judged to have shown dedication, reputation and concern for Islamic values. Photo: Participants of the World Muslimah 2013 in Subang, Indonesia

© EPA/MAST IRHAM

Child beauty pageants are beauty contests featuring contestants under 16 years of age. Photo: Participants of 'Little Miss Hungary' beauty contest in Budapest, 2010

© AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky

In 2013, France became the first western country to ban child pageants, on the grounds that they promote the "hyper-sexualisation" of minors. Photo: The Mini Miss model beauty contest in Paris

© AP Photo/Thibault Camus

The Jumbo Queen Contest is organised to search for well-rounded ladies (weight 80 kilos up) with outstanding interpersonal skills to lead the annual Jumbo Banquet and promote elephant conservation in Thailand. Photo: Finalists of 'Jumbo Queen' Beauty Pageant, 2003

© EPA/VINAI DITHAJOHN

It’s hard to tell exactly when beauty contests began. But the world's first modern beauty pageant is thought to have taken place on September 19, 1888 at the Belgian resort of Spa. Each year, Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Earth attract a lot of attention to its beautiful contestants from various countries. Below is a selection of pictures from not so common beauty pageants.

Moscow prosecutors ask that American Tater be committed after hotel disturbance

TASS learned via Joseph Tater’s case file that doctors had examined him and diagnosed him with a mental disorder

Russian forces gain fire control over roads to Kursk Region monastery — officer

According to the report, assault teams are fighting to liberate the monastery

Ecuador's head of state calls his victory in presidential election uncontested

According to data released after processing 92.65% of the ballots, 55.87% of voters supported him, while Luisa Gonzalez received 44.13% of the vote

Two days ago, 09:31

Kellogg’s idea on division zones in Ukraine may lead to new escalation — Russia’s diplomat

It is one of the options for freezing the conflict, Rodion Miroshnik said

US to take control of Gazprom pipeline in Ukraine — Reuters

US and Ukrainian officials met on the draft proposal in Washington on Friday, the source said

Yesterday, 10:38

Kremlin spokesman says Russia, US make good progress in re-establishing relations

According to Dmitry Peskov, talks between the two counrtries have a lot of "nuances" related to the resumption of normal operation of their diplomatic missions

Yesterday, 17:49

Nearly 130 violations of Belarus’ airspace reported in 2025

18 drones were shot down

Yesterday, 10:25

Russia says its forces liberated Yelizavetovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Russian forces hit a Ukrainian storage site of tactical missiles, an airfield and a training center for drone operators, the Russian Defense Ministry added

Kremlin mum on Turkish media reports about potential Black Sea security talks

The Turkish Defense Ministry said earlier that it planned to organize a meeting on safe navigation in the Black Sea in Ankara on April 15 and 16

Yesterday, 16:24

OSCE degraded, no reasons for Russia to continue working with it — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik stressed that Russia will not withdraw from this organization not to let the West use it to "tell its own truth and build its own reality"

Blast outside mosque reported in Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif

According to preliminary reports, the blast was caused by a pre-planted explosive device

Air defenses down 52 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight — top brass

According to regional authorities, there was no damage or casualties

Ukrainian army running low on supplies in Gornal settlement in Kursk Region — officer

As soon as the enemy’s infantry and equipment come within the sight of Russian artillery, it immediately delivers a strike and the "adversary runs back to its territory," he added

Ecuador's National Electoral Council declares Daniel Noboa winner of presidential election

According to Council head Diana Atamaint, the results of the vote count "are an accurate reflection of the will of the people"

Next round of Iran-US talks won’t be held in Vienna — envoy

Mikhail Ulyanov confirmed the publication of Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies

Second round of US-Iran talks may take place in Rome — news outlet

According to the news outlet, the meeting between US and Iranian officials is likely to take place in a face-to-face format in one room, unlike the indirect talks in Muscat, Oman

Yesterday, 12:46

Russia says its forces struck 8 Ukrainian brigades near Gornal, Oleshnya in Kursk Region

Over the past day, Ukraine lost up to 190 servicemen, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored fighting vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, three mortars and a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system

Ukrainian army leaving positions in Gornal community in Kursk Region — officer

The artillery of Russia’s 30th Motor Rifle Regiment has cut off all the supply routes for the Ukrainian combat group in the village of Gornal, he said

Two days ago, 00:22

Kellogg suggests Ukraine could be divided between West, Russia like postwar Berlin

UK and French troops could adopt zones of control in Ukraine’s west, forming a "reassurance force" for allegedly preventing the resumption of combat operations whereas Russia could control the east of the country, US Presidential Special Envoy said

Yesterday, 17:48

Incumbent head of state wins presidential election in Gabon, preliminary results indicate

The voter turnout was more than 70%

Merz indicates willingness to supply Taurus missiles to Kiev if agreed with EU allies

According to Friedrich Merz, even as Ukrainian troops have been in the defensive position, the German-Swedish air-launched cruise missile could be used to strike the Kerch bridge and other targets

Extension of moratorium on energy strikes depends on Putin's decision — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that "the moratorium has essentially not been observed by the Ukrainian side"

Deal between Trump, Zelensky impossible, Medvedchuk believes

He said that Washington's greed is clouding its judgement in the Ukrainian conflict

Russian envoy inquires Rubio about Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilians

Mikhail Ulyanov commented on Marco Rubio’s statement expressing condolences to Ukrainians over strikes on Sumy

Trump calls Ukrainian crisis 'Biden’s war' that he wants to stop

The US president said that he is "just trying to get it stopped"

Ukraine’s military attacks Russia’s Belgorod Region with over 80 UAVs in past day

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that a civilian was wounded after a Ukrainian UAV dropped an explosive in the area of the settlement of Glotovo

French expert sees signs of Ukraine's military exhaustion

Colonel Herve Carres also pointed to "a noticeable decline in the morale of Ukrainian society"

Trump says decision on Iran to be made soon

The second round of the consultations between representatives of Tehran and Washington on the settlement of the situation around the Iranian nuclear program will take place on April 19

The Times says UK deeply involved in Ukrainian conflict

The newspaper said that the country’s military specialists were secretly deployed to Ukraine in order to equip airplanes with the missiles and train Ukrainians in their use

Yesterday, 04:58

Number of Ukrainian servicemen who surrendered in Kursk exceeds 500

"There was one foreign mercenary, a Colombian citizen," sources in Russia’s law enforcement said

Little chance of direct confrontation between Russia, EU, NATO — Russian diplomat

According to Mikhail Ulyanov, European countries "are used to live in comfortable conditions and can hardly imagine themselves as a party to a conflict"

Yesterday, 03:02

Russian ambassador to London denies any Russian threat to UK

"I am not going to deny it, but I wonder whether we really have an interest in following all the British submarine with very old outdated nuclear warheads," Andrey Kelin said

Acting German chancellor still resolute in refusal to provide Taurus missiles to Kiev

German Defense Ministry Spokesperson Natalie Jenning, in turn, noted that the ministry preferred not to speculate on the subject

Israel pushes US to consider military option if talks with Iran fail

According to the sources, US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff has briefed Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on the outcome of the first round of talks with Iranian officials

22 Jan 2022, 07:29

Plane with US weapons arrives in Kiev, US Embassy says

This shipment includes close to 90 tonnes of lethal aid

Lavrov advises Central Asian countries to 'outlast' Kaja Kallas in her position

"It will probably be much easier than tolerating damage to their own people," the top Russian diplomat noted

Referendum on Ukraine's EU accession kicks off in Hungary

Voting will continue until the end of May, and its results will be summarized under strict control with the participation of a notary

Two days ago, 04:49

Chinese citizens not fighting in Ukraine — Russian MFA

"China’s position on settlement in Ukraine is quite balanced, and we are grateful to our friends for that," Andrey Rudenko noted

24 Aug 2022, 05:10

Turkey believes Crimea should be returned to Ukraine if agreement signed with Russia

According to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the return of Crimea to Ukraine, of which it is an inseparable part, is essentially a requirement of international law

Hungary to speak against continued military aid to Ukraine at EU meeting — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto is confident that "all that needs to be done is supporting peace efforts"

Trump says CBS News should lose license over reports on Ukraine, Greenland

Even before winning the 2024 US presidential election, Trump sued CBS News for editing an interview with his Democratic rival Kamala Harris

Russian army prevails in Sumy due to being better trained than Ukrainian servicemen

The Russian serviceman noted that the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment deployed to the Kursk Region in August 2024 and had been involved in all key operations there alongside a neighboring unit

Yesterday, 23:38

Ovechkin updates his own record for goals scored in regular NHL championships

The meeting with Columbus is Washington's 80th of 82 in the current regular season

Berlin to provide Kiev with 500,000 shells under EU initiative — acting foreign minister

The arms delivery is part of a broader EU effort to bolster Ukraine’s defense amid the ongoing conflict with Russia

Kiev says more discussions needed on minerals deal with United States

The latest proposal demands all of Ukraine’s revenues from natural resources as repayment for aid worth some $120 billion that Washington has provided to Kiev

Yesterday, 07:55

Russia-China ties could get stronger amid global trade wars — senior Russian diplomat

The countries could reach a new high in bilateral trade, Andrey Rudenko said

Two days ago, 21:51

Certain types of Western weapons proved to be useless in Ukraine — lawmaker

Yegor Chernev, who heads the Ukrainian parliament’s national security committee, said some of Western weapons were nothing but "partners’ money going to waste"

Zhuravka liberation brings Russian troops closer to Ukrainian army’s hub in Sumy Region

Yunakovka is a logistics hub for the Ukrainian army to supply its combat group in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Two days ago, 17:16

Trump extends package of anti-Russian sanctions for another year

On April 15, 2021, the Biden administration introduced executive order 14024, imposing sanctions on Russian individuals and entities that may have allegedly been engaged in cyber-enabled activities against the country

Chinese neural network DeepSeek to remain open-source to benefit the world — ambassador

According to Zhang Hanhui, China believes that artificial intelligence "should be a technology accessible to all, not a privilege for the few"

Moldovan national detained in Crimea for plotting terrorist attack — FSB

According to the security service, in April 2024, the man established contact with a Ukrainian intelligence officer on the Internet

Polar Lithium may use concession to build road to deposit

The mining and concentration plant at the deposit is planned to be built and put into operation by 2031

Ecuador's head of state leads in presidential election — preliminary results

Daniel Noboa was supported by 57.16% of voters, while his rival Luisa Gonzalez was backed by 42.84%

Germany's defense minister 'surprised' by reports weapons sent to Kiev not good enough

Boris Pistorius pointed out that he was "in constant contact with Ukrainian partners" and was not aware of complaints about German combat systems

Russia invites 19 countries to Victory Day parade on Red Square — minister

According to Andrey Belousov, solemn events involving military personnel will be held in 370 settlements

Algeria expels 12 French diplomats — foreign ministry

Barrot noted that Algeria's move will not go without a response

Ukraine sustaining `colossal casualties’ in Oleshnya in Kursk region — security officer

The Ukrainian army has been struggling to control sectors of the settlement of Oleshnya toward which a group of paratroopers from near Yunakovka had been dispatched

Russia expected renewal of sanctions by Trump — Kremlin

Moscow and Washington are only at the start of normalizing bilateral relations and Russia therefore had no exaggerated expectations as regards US actions, Dmitry Peskov noted

Yesterday, 12:57

Russia-US talks not expected to bring swift results — Kremlin

"The problems are too complicated and they have been neglected too long," Dmitry Peskov told

Yesterday, 23:00

China proposes to create global management system for AI development — envoy to Russia

According to the ambassador, the modern world is going through an era of profound technological transformation

Russia may take Kharkov, Odessa if Ukraine conflict continues — French expert

Colonel Herve Carresse added that the Europeans have suffered a lot from the conflict

Yesterday, 22:02

Hamas ready to provide mediators with details on all remaining hostages — TV

According to the Al Arabiya, the radicals have tentatively agreed to release 'more hostages than originally agreed upon'

Yesterday, 13:49

Hamas insists on ceasefire, hostage exchange as part of deal with Israel

Hamas delegation is currently in Cairo to discuss with the mediators "prospects for ending the war and opening checkpoints on the border with Gaza" to resume humanitarian deliveries to the enclave

Press review: Russia, US move past Biden’s legacy as Kiev assures NATO of fight readiness

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 11th

Storm Shadow manufacturer to increase missile production amid pressure from military

The concern has already invested tens of millions of euros into the modernization of its production line, including by adding more robotic machines and expanding shifts

Uncontrolled AI growth in US could doom humanity — Chinese ambassador

Zhang Hanhui stressed that China regards security as a fundamental principle of AI development, "emphasizing the priority of ethical norms and the need to keep AI under control"

Two days ago, 10:52

Russia-US negotiations progress towards lifting American sanctions — expert

Jeffrey Sachs added that he saw no pressing risks for Russia at the moment regarding US President Donald Trump's policy on customs duties

Yesterday, 18:23

Israeli military dismantle 1.2-km long Hamas tunnel in northern Gaza

According to the IDF, during the operation, an IDF drone "identified several terrorists planting an explosive device near the troops," who were eliminated by a precise strike

Kremlin believes Germany’s Merz wants Ukraine conflict to escalate

"We are seeing the same approach in other European capitals as well," Dmitry Peskov added

Yesterday, 21:42

Trump says US makes no exceptions on tariffs for China

US president noted that his administration will investigate whether trade tariffs on the entire electronics supply chain are consistent with US national security interests

FSB detains Moldovan national recruited by Kiev to deliver explosive devices to Russia

According to the report, the man was recruited by a GUR officer in December 2023

Yesterday, 02:30

Given hostile rhetoric, Vienna’s idea to host Ukraine talks is ridiculous — diplomat

"Austria is a solid part of the European Union’s anti-Russian paradigm," Dmitry Lyubinsky said

Yesterday, 22:19

Putin’s Direct Line Q&A session to be held this year — Kremlin

According to presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, this is a format that has repeatedly confirmed its demand, its informational value

Yesterday, 12:19

Russia says its air defenses shot down Ukrainian F-16

Russian army also shot down more than 200 drones over the past day

What we know about Russia’s Iskander strike on Ukrainian military command in Sumy

The strike on the target eliminated more than 60 Ukrainian army personnel, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

China to impose visa restrictions on US citizens over Tibet issue — foreign ministry

Tibetan issues are exclusively part of China's internal affairs, Lin Jian stressed, adding that China welcomes tourist visits and business contacts by friendly foreigners in this Chinese southwestern region

Yesterday, 19:59

Houthis say they attacked Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, Sdot-Micha military base

The Israeli police said earlier in the day that sirens had sounded in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and a number of other localities in the central part of the country due to a missile attack from Yemen

Trump promises to announce tariffs on semiconductors next week

Earlier, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that the US administration has temporarily exempted shipments of smartphones, computers and other electronics from the reciprocal tariffs

5.3-magnitude earthquake rocks Myanmar

There were no reports of damage or casualties

Yesterday, 20:14

UAE ready to help Syrian government in post-war restoration

The sides discussed a number of issues on the regional and international, agenda, including the situation in Syria

Press review: Russia-US Ukraine talks continue as Iranian-US Oman meeting makes headlines

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 14th

Opposition figure Gonzalez refuses to recognize defeat in Ecuador's presidential election

According to the politician, Ecuadorian citizens had witnessed 'blatant electoral fraud'

Yesterday, 14:28

Russia has more tools to respond to Japan’s unfriendly policy — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko recalled that Moscow had already taken "a lot of steps" in response to Tokyo’s unfriendly actions

Ukrainian army concentrates forces in Krasnoarmeisk area, DPR leader says

Denis Pushilin added that Russian forces were also advancing in the South Donetsk area near the settlement of Bogatyr and in the Krasny Liman area

21 Dec 2024, 04:29

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Zelensky admits inability to regain lost territories

At the same time, he noted his distrust of Russian authorities and continued to demand security guarantees from the West

Denmark may terminate defense agreement with Washington if US leaves NATO

Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated that the treaty "may well be terminated by means other than denunciation or mutual agreement" if "very special circumstances" arise

Two days ago, 23:12

Russia’s import-substituted SJ-100 plane rises to 12,200 meters during test flight

The flight lasted about three hours

Iranian Foreign Ministry rules out changes to procedure of negotiations with US

On April 12, Oman hosted discussions between representatives from Tehran and Washington aimed at resolving issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program

Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region deflated, actively surrendering — Russian officer

Army General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and first deputy defense minister, said on March 12 that around 430 Ukrainian soldiers had been captured in the Kursk Region

Ukraine’s fleet of F-16s is comparable to drop in the sea — expert

On April 13, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that one of the Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 aircraft had been shot down by Russian air defenses

Yesterday, 01:13

Russian diplomat says results of US-Iranian talks in Oman reassuring

"On the outcomes of today’s meeting in Oman, both the Iranians and the Americans described the negotiations as positive and constructive," Mikhail Ulyanov said

Russian forces only hit military targets — Kremlin comments on Sumy strike

Earlier, Igor Korotchenko, military analyst and editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, told TASS that the Russian missile strike had targeted an administrative building in Sumy hosting an awarding ceremony for Ukrainian service members who had distinguished themselves in fighting against the Russian Armed Forces

Russian government approves energy strategy until 2050

The updated strategy expands the planning horizon and takes into account existing challenges, which should allow the oil, gas, coal, electric power, power engineering and related transport sectors to more accurately meet the changes taking place in the world

Navarro denies tensions in relations with Musk — TV channel

The adviser also praised the work that Musk is doing with the DOGE effort

Yesterday, 00:52

US forces deliver multiple strikes on tech college in southwest Yemen — TV

No information on casualties is available at this point

Talk on appointing EU special envoy for Ukraine talks stalled — source

The Brussels-based Euractiv news website, citing its sources, reported that EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas had emotionally rejected the proposal during the EU summit

Yesterday, 21:22

Houthis down another US MQ-9 drone over Yemen — spokesman

Yahya Saria said it was the fourth such drone destroyed by the rebels in Yemeni airspace in two weeks, and the nineteenth since the conflict in the Gaza Strip escalated

Russia’s oil reserves sufficient for over 65 years at current output rate

According to the strategy, Russia's coal reserves stand at 272.7 billion tons, ensuring more than 500 years of output

Ukrainian defense minister announces electronic warfare coalition

The new coalition is the 9th created by the contact group, after the air defense, F-16, drone, maritime and other coalitions

Russia to continue increasing LNG exports — deputy PM Novak

According to the deputy prime minister, the strategy also provides for the diversification of resource supplies, the development of new logistics routes, including the Northern Sea Route