Eighty-five candidates from around the world are vying for the Miss Earth title .......

Candidates for the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant display messages as they are presented to the media Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 in Manila, Philippines. Eighty-five candidates from around the world are vying for the Miss Earth title which boasts of the only beauty pageant with a cause to save mother earth. Coronation night is on Nov. 9.

Candidates for the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant display a message while holding tree saplings as they are presented to the media Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 in Manila, Philippines. Eighty-five candidates from around the world are vying for the Miss Earth title which boasts of the only beauty pageant with a cause to save mother earth. Coronation night is on Nov. 9.

Candidates for the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant display a message while holding tree saplings as they are presented to the media Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 in Manila, Philippines. Eighty-five candidates from around the world are vying for the Miss Earth title which boasts of the only beauty pageant with a cause to save mother earth. Coronation night is on Nov. 9.

From right, Akemi Fukumura of Japan, Seo Seol-hee of South Korea, Yllka Berisha of Kosovo, Anita Baltruna of Latvia, and Rudina Suti of Albania, candidates for the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant, prepare to be presented to the media Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 in Manila, Philippines. Eighty-five candidates from around the world are vying for the Miss Earth title which boasts of the only beauty pageant with a cause to save mother earth. Coronation night is on Nov. 9.

Candidates for the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant display a message while holding tree saplings as they are presented to the media Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 in Manila, Philippines. Eighty-five candidates from around the world are vying for the Miss Earth title which boasts of the only beauty pageant with a cause to save mother earth. Coronation night is on Nov. 9.

Elite Thai Leather factory past shuttered storefronts in Bangkok

A Thai worker at the Elite Thai Leather factory cuts handles for crocodile skin handbags in Bangkok on October 27, 2008. At the Elite Thai Leather factory past shuttered storefronts in Bangkok, craftsman whip tough Thai crocodile hides into any style of luxury handbag a fashion designer desires. But despite its many qualities, the tough-skinned Thai reptile is not immune to the global financial slowdown, which has sent stocks markets around the world plummeting and consumers tightening their purse strings.

A Thai manager at the Elite Thai Leather factory carries dyed crocodile skins in Bangkok on October 27, 2008. At the Elite Thai Leather factory past shuttered storefronts in Bangkok, craftsman whip tough Thai crocodile hides into any style of luxury handbag a fashion designer desires. But despite its many qualities, the tough-skinned Thai reptile is not immune to the global financial slowdown, which has sent stocks markets around the world plummeting and consumers tightening their purse strings.


Crocodile skins lie on the floor of the Elite Thai Leather factory in Bangkok on October 27, 2008. At the Elite Thai Leather factory past shuttered storefronts in Bangkok, craftsman whip tough Thai crocodile hides into any style of luxury handbag a fashion designer desires. But despite its many qualities, the tough-skinned Thai reptile is not immune to the global financial slowdown, which has sent stocks markets around the world plummeting and consumers tightening their purse strings.

railway track...Panorama.. at THAILAND...

Early morning mist in Prospect Park in borough of Brooklyn in New York

People with their dogs enjoy Prospect Park in the borough of Brooklyn in New York, Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. A mix of sunshine and clouds were forecast for the day as rain and colder temperatures approached the city.

A man walks through an early morning mist in Prospect Park in the borough of Brooklyn in New York on Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. A mix of sunshine and clouds were forecast for the day as rain and colder temperatures approached the city.

Two people walk through an early morning mist in Prospect Park in the borough of Brooklyn in New York on Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. A mix of sunshine and clouds were forecast for the day as rain and colder temperatures approached the city.

People and dogs walk through an early morning mist in Prospect Park in the borough of Brooklyn in New York on Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. A mix of sunshine and clouds were forecast for the day as rain and colder temperatures approached the city.

A woman and her dog run through an early morning mist in Prospect Park in the borough of Brooklyn in New York on Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. A mix of sunshine and clouds were forecast for the day as rain and colder temperatures approached the city.

Archaeologists at Caral, built by the first civilization in the Americas....Peru'

A general view shows the ruins of the ancient desert city of Caral 110 miles (177 km) north of Lima October 25, 2008. Archaeologists at Caral, built by the first civilization in the Americas, are pressing to make it one of Peru's top tourist attractions. They have made scores of discoveries in 14 years of digging at the sandy site, which dates back some 5,000 years, unearthing evidence of sophisticated engineering and design skills. Picture taken October 25, 2008.

A tourist films video of a stone temple at the ruins of the ancient desert city of Caral 110 miles (177 km) north of Lima October 25, 2008. Archaeologists at Caral, built by the first civilization in the Americas, are pressing to make it one of Peru's top tourist attractions. They have made scores of discoveries in 14 years of digging at the sandy site, which dates back some 5,000 years, unearthing evidence of sophisticated engineering and design skills. Picture taken October 25, 2008.

A view of a stone temple at the ruins of the ancient desert city of Caral 110 miles (177 km) north of Lima October 25, 2008. Archaeologists at Caral, built by the first civilization in the Americas, are pressing to make it one of Peru's top tourist attractions. They have made scores of discoveries in 14 years of digging at the sandy site, which dates back some 5,000 years, unearthing evidence of sophisticated engineering and design skills. Picture taken October 25, 2008.


Tourists walk next to a stone wall of a temple in the ruins of the ancient desert city of Caral 110 miles (177 km) north of Lima October 25, 2008. Archaeologists at Caral, built by the first civilization in the Americas, are pressing to make it one of Peru's top tourist attractions. They have made scores of discoveries in 14 years of digging at the sandy site, which dates back some 5,000 years, unearthing evidence of sophisticated engineering and design skills. Picture taken October 25, 2008.

A view of a stone temple at the ruins of the ancient desert city of Caral 110 miles (177 km) north of Lima October 25, 2008. Archaeologists at Caral, built by the first civilization in the Americas, are pressing to make it one of Peru's top tourist attractions. They have made scores of discoveries in 14 years of digging at the sandy site, which dates back some 5,000 years, unearthing evidence of sophisticated engineering and design skills. Picture taken October 25, 2008.

Tourists walk amongst the ruins of the ancient desert city of Caral 110 miles (177 km) north of Lima October 25, 2008. Archaeologists at Caral, built by the first civilization in the Americas, are pressing to make it one of Peru's top tourist attractions. They have made scores of discoveries in 14 years of digging at the sandy site, which dates back some 5,000 years, unearthing evidence of sophisticated engineering and design skills. Picture taken October 25, 2008.

Actors wait before performing a ceremony in the ruins of the ancient desert city of Caral 110 miles (177 km) north of Lima October 25, 2008. Archaeologists at Caral, built by the first civilization in the Americas, are pressing to make it one of Peru's top tourist attractions. They have made scores of discoveries in 14 years of digging at the sandy site, which dates back some 5,000 years, unearthing evidence of sophisticated engineering and design skills. Picture taken October 25, 2008.

"Malakhov & Friends" on October 23, 2008 in Berlin. ..

Ukrainian-born dancer and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov (C) and members of Berlin's State Ballet rehearse a scene of the play "Malakhov & Friends" on October 23, 2008 in Berlin. The play will premiere on October 24 at the German capital's Deutsche Oper opera house.



Ukrainian-born dancer and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov (R) and a member of Berlin's State Ballet rehearse a scene of the play "Malakhov & Friends" on October 23, 2008 in Berlin. The play will premiere on October 24 at the German capital's Deutsche Oper opera house.

Ukrainian-born dancer and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov (R) and a member of Berlin's State Ballet rehearse a scene of the play "Malakhov & Friends" on October 23, 2008 in Berlin. The play will premiere on October 24 at the German capital's Deutsche Oper opera house.


Ukrainian-born dancer and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov and a member of Berlin's State Ballet rehearse a scene of the play "Malakhov & Friends" on October 23, 2008 in Berlin. The play will premiere on October 24 at the German capital's Deutsche Oper opera house.

Ukrainian-born dancer and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov rehearses a scene of the play "Malakhov & Friends" on October 23, 2008 in Berlin. The play will premiere on October 24 at the German capital's Deutsche Oper opera house.

Peruvian Small Persons Association (ASPEPP by its Spanish acronym)...

Peruvian dwarf Jose Luis Almanza (2nd L) greets colleagues after a performance at a circus in Lima, August 31, 2008. Almanza is a member of the Peruvian Small Persons Association (ASPEPP by its Spanish acronym) whose mission is to work with people suffering from dwarfism, most of whom work as performers in different types of shows, and change their image from that of circus freaks to one of regular people. ASPEPP also works with the families of dwarves giving them psychological support and help in improving their lives. Picture taken August 31, 2008.



Peruvian dwarves Margie Porras (L) and Milagros Montes prepare before their performance at a circus in Lima August 1, 2008. Porras and Montes are members of the Peruvian Small Persons Association (ASPEPP by its Spanish acronym) whose mission is to work with people suffering from dwarfism, most of whom work as performers in different types of shows, and change their image from that of circus freaks to one of regular people. ASPEPP also works with the families of dwarves giving them psychological support and help in improving their lives. Picture taken August 1, 2008.

Entiquity smugglers near a conflict area on the southern island of Mindanao

A local government official shows samples of the broken burial jars with human forms that were seized from antiquity smugglers near a conflict area on the southern island of Mindanao in mid-August are seen on September 2, 2008. Archaeologists say the discovery of 22 sacks of broken anthropomorphic pottery could lead to a long, lost local tribe that existed around 2,000 years ago.

Pieces of the broken burial jars with human forms that were seized from antiquity smugglers near a conflict area on the southern island of Mindanao in mid-August are seen September 2, 2008. Archaeologists say the discovery of 22 sacks of broken anthropomorphic pottery could lead to a long, lost local tribe that existed around 2,000 years ago.

U.S. Postal Service shows the new 2009 Edgar Allan Poe stamp...

These undated images provided by the U.S. Postal Service shows 2009 commemorative postage stamps marking Alaska and Oregon's statehood.

These undated images provided by the U.S. Postal Service shows 2009 commemorative postage stamps honoring a dozen civil rights leaders, which will go on sale Feb. 12 with ceremonies in New York.

This undated image provided by the U.S. Postal Service shows the 2009 commemorative postage stamps marking lunar new year, the year of the Ox .

This undated image provided by the U.S. Postal Service shows the new 2009 Edgar Allan Poe stamp which commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of AmericaÕs most extraordinary poets and fiction writers, who was dubbed by English poet laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson, as Òthe literary glory of America.Ó Poe was born ÒEdgar PoeÓ on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts.

This year's theme is "Pirates, Pundits and Political Party Animals...

Kate Hermit (L), showcases her U.S. presidential election-inspired attire as she walks the stage with other entrants at the Hog's Breath Homemade Bikini Contest in Key West, Florida, October 22, 2008. The competition was a facet of Key West's annual Fantasy Fest 10-day masking and costuming celebration that continues through Sunday, Oct. 26. This year's theme is "Pirates, Pundits and Political Party Animals.

Kelly Gould (R), shows her "Balloterina" entry showcases her politically inspired attire as waits to talk to Bill Hoebee, at the Hog's Breath Homemade Bikini Contest in Key West, Florida, October 22, 2008. The competition was a facet of Key West's annual Fantasy Fest 10-day masking and costuming celebration that continues through Sunday, Oct. 26. This year's theme is "Pirates, Pundits and Political Party Animals," ascribing to the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.

13th International Clown Convention, in Mexico City, on October 20

Mexican clown "Chispin" poses for a picture during the first day of the 13th International Clown Convention, in Mexico City, on October 20, 2008.





A clown poses for a photo during a week long Latin American Clown Convention being held in Mexico City, Monday, Oct. 20, 2008.

The clown "Chispin" shows his tatoo during the first day of the 13th International Clown Convention, in Mexico City, on October 20, 2008.

A clown takes a picture during a week long Latin American Clown Convention in Mexico City, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. The city is hosting the Latin American Clown Convention with seminars and workshops for clowns.

Clowns' shoes are seen as they stand for a group photo during a week long Latin American Clown Convention in Mexico City, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. The city is hosting the Latin American Clown Convention with seminars and workshops for clowns.

A clown poses for a photo during a week long Latin American Clown Convention in Mexico City, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. The city is hosting the Latin American Clown Convention with seminars and workshops for clowns.

Clowns pose for a group photo during a week long Latin American Clown Convention in Mexico City, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. The city is hosting the Latin American Clown Convention with seminars and workshops for clowns.

Clowns pose for a group photo during a week long Latin American Clown Convention in Mexico City, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. The city is hosting the Latin American Clown Convention with seminars and workshops for clowns.

Clowns pose for a group photo during a week long Latin American Clown Convention in Mexico City, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. The city is hosting the Latin American Clown Convention with seminars and workshops for clowns.

A clown poses for a photo during a week long Latin American Clown Convention in Mexico City, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. The city is hosting the Latin American Clown Convention with seminars and workshops for clowns.