Miss Puerto Rico crowned Miss Universe

LOS ANGELES, July 24 (Reuters) Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, the youngest of the five finalists, was crowned Miss Universe.

The first runner-up to Mendoza, 18, was Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana, 24.

The 55th Miss Universe contest was held last night at the fabled Shrine Auditorium near downtown Los Angeles. It was a homecoming of sorts. The first Miss Universe pageant was held about 40 km away in Long Beach, California, in 1952.

Ending her year as Miss Universe was Canadian Natalie Glebova, who was born in Russia. Among the issues she helped herald during her reign was the need for assistance to people with HIV/AIDS in Africa.

REUTERS SRS VA KN0853