newsmakers

newsmakers

Angola has its first Miss Universe

S £O PAULO

Newly crowned Miss Universe Leila Lopes wants to help her native Angola further escape a history of war and impoverishment and said she plans to focus on combating HIV around the globe.

Speaking in a timid voice early Tuesday shortly after taking the crown in South America’s largest city, the 25-year-old Lopes said that “as Miss Angola, I’ve already done a lot to help my people.”

“I’ve worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids; I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly, and I have to do everything that my country needs,” she said. “I think now as Miss Universe, I will be able to do much more.”

Lopes is Angola’s first winner. She beat out 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the world’s biggest beauty pageant. She replaces last year’s winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

British Pop artist Hamilton dies at 89

LONDON

Richard Hamilton’s gallery says the British Pop Art pioneer has died. He was 89.

The Gagosian Gallery says Hamilton died early Tuesday. It did not disclose the cause.

Hamilton often was called the “Father of Pop Art,” a movement marked by its ironic and iconic use of pop-culture imagery.

He made his name in the ’50s with “Just What Is It That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing?” — a collage showing a naked couple in a product-strewn home.

‘America’s Got Talent’ winner enters politics

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.

Neal Boyd got the votes to win on the TV show “America’s Got Talent” in 2008. Now, the southeast Missouri native will seek voter approval again — this time in a run for the state Legislature.

The Southeast Missourian reports that Boyd said he has formed an exploratory committee and plans to run as a Republican for the Missouri House of Representatives seat being vacated by Republican state Rep. Ellen Brandom.

Rapper pleads guilty, will serve 6 months

DECATUR, Ga.

Authorities in suburban Atlanta say rapper Gucci Mane will serve six months in jail after pleading guilty to battery and other charges.

DeKalb County Solicitor-General Sherry Boston said Tuesday that Mane, whose real name is Radric Delantic Davis, pleaded guilty to two counts of battery, two counts of reckless conduct and one count of disorderly conduct.

A police report said Davis pushed 36-year-old Diana Graham out of his Hummer as it rolled down a suburban Atlanta street on Jan. 28.

Winehouse charity targets at-risk youth

LONDON

Amy Winehouse’s family has launched a youth charity in her name to mark what would have been the singer’s 28th birthday.

Winehouse, who had long fought drug and alcohol problems, was found dead at her London home July 23. Her family says toxicology reports indicated there was alcohol in her bloodstream, but it was unclear whether this had contributed to her death.

The soul diva’s father, Mitch, says the Amy Winehouse Foundation will support organizations that help young people who are vulnerable, including those with addictions.

Vindicator wire services