• Miss Lebanon 2018 Maya Reaidy crowns Yasmina Zaytoun, winner of the 2022 pageant, in Beirut. EPA
    Miss Lebanon 2018 Maya Reaidy crowns Yasmina Zaytoun, winner of the 2022 pageant, in Beirut. EPA
  • Ms Zaytoun, 20, a journalism student from Kfarchouba, won the modified title of 'We Miss Lebanon', a nod to Lebanon’s prolonged adversity. EPA
    Ms Zaytoun, 20, a journalism student from Kfarchouba, won the modified title of 'We Miss Lebanon', a nod to Lebanon’s prolonged adversity. EPA
  • This was the first Miss Lebanon pageant to take place since 2018. Reuters
    This was the first Miss Lebanon pageant to take place since 2018. Reuters
  • Other contestants celebrate with Ms Zaytoun. EPA
    Other contestants celebrate with Ms Zaytoun. EPA
  • The event was held in collaboration with Lebanon’s Ministry of Tourism. EPA
    The event was held in collaboration with Lebanon’s Ministry of Tourism. EPA
  • Seventeen women competed for a grand prize of $100,000 and the chance to compete in the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions. EPA
    Seventeen women competed for a grand prize of $100,000 and the chance to compete in the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions. EPA
  • Contestants pose in swimsuits during the competition. EPA
    Contestants pose in swimsuits during the competition. EPA
  • The event was coloured by a touch of nostalgia and longing for a return to normality for the struggling nation. EPA
    The event was coloured by a touch of nostalgia and longing for a return to normality for the struggling nation. EPA
  • Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram performs during the pageant. EPA
    Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram performs during the pageant. EPA
  • Ajram started with a rendition of 'Ila Beirut Al Ontha' in a tribute to the Lebanese capital. EPA
    Ajram started with a rendition of 'Ila Beirut Al Ontha' in a tribute to the Lebanese capital. EPA
  • She also performed 'Salmat Salamat' and her new song, 'Sah Sah'. EPA
    She also performed 'Salmat Salamat' and her new song, 'Sah Sah'. EPA
  • A band perform on stage during the contest. AP
    A band perform on stage during the contest. AP
  • The pageant is part of a campaign to bring more tourism to the struggling country. AP
    The pageant is part of a campaign to bring more tourism to the struggling country. AP
  • Contestants pose in their gowns during the contest. AP
    Contestants pose in their gowns during the contest. AP

Who is Yasmina Zaytoun, the journalism student crowned Miss Lebanon 2022?


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

Yasmina Zaytoun was crowned Miss Lebanon 2022 in a glittering ceremony in Beirut on Sunday. The pageant was the first to take place since 2018.

"I did it," Zaytoun, 20, wrote on Instagram, celebrating being declared the winner. She will now compete in both the Miss World 2022 and Miss Universe 2022 pageants, which will take place later this year.

Zaytoun, who is from Kfarchouba, a village in southern Lebanon, is a journalism student, studying at Notre Dame University — Louaize. She is currently in the third year of her course.

As well as doing some modelling, she hosts the With Yasmina Show on Instagram, which she describes as an educational show and on which she interviews notable Lebanese media and sport personalities. Guests have included TV presenter Lana Daoud, politician Paula Yacoubian, and actress and influencer Enjy Kiwan, to name a few. She's also recently created a series on happiness.

"This is the best thing that happened in my life ... my dream has finally come true," Zaytoun said on stage, after being crowned Miss Lebanon. "I dedicate my victory to my parents, for sure."

Zaytoun beat first runner-up, Maya Aboul Hosn; Jacintha Rached, who was named second runner-up; Lara Hraoui who came fourth; and Dalal Hoballah, who took fifth place.

Zaytoun was crowned by Maya Reaidy, who held the Miss Lebanon crown from 2018 to 2021.

For the pageant, her make-up was done by celebrity make-up artist Bassam Fattouh and Wassim Morkos styled her hair.

Fattouh, who has worked with singers Haifa Wehbe and Elissa, shared behind the scenes footage of Zaytoun in the make-up chair before heading to the stage for the final round.

The ceremony was hosted by Lebanese actress and television personality, Aimee Sayah.

Like the beauty queens, Sayah's make-up was done by Fattouh, her hair was styled by Tony El Mendelek and her dress was by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika.

The judging panel included Michel Fadel, musical composer; Karen Wazen, influencer; Mohamad Yehya from IP Studios; Karolina Bielawska, Miss World 2021; Nayla Tueni, general manager, An-Nahar and Annahar Arabi; Ivan Caracalla, dance theatre director; Hilda Khalife, TV host; and Samaya Chedrawi, Miss Lebanon 1993.

All of the Miss Universe 2022 beauty queens crowned, so far — in pictures

  • Miss Universe Turkey 2022 is Aleyana Sirin. Photo: Instagram / Aleyanasirinn
    Miss Universe Turkey 2022 is Aleyana Sirin. Photo: Instagram / Aleyanasirinn
  • Miss Universe Italy 2022 is Virginia Stablum. Photo: / Instagram / Virginia.Stablum
    Miss Universe Italy 2022 is Virginia Stablum. Photo: / Instagram / Virginia.Stablum
  • Miss Universe Kyrgyzstan 2022 is Altynai Botoyarova. Photo: Instagram / botoyarova_altynai
    Miss Universe Kyrgyzstan 2022 is Altynai Botoyarova. Photo: Instagram / botoyarova_altynai
  • Evlin Khalifa, 24, is the second Miss Universe Bahrain. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain
    Evlin Khalifa, 24, is the second Miss Universe Bahrain. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain
  • Miss Universe Spain, Alicia Faubel, comes from Alicante and has lived in Dubai and the Philippines. Photo: Instagram / alicia.aliccia
    Miss Universe Spain, Alicia Faubel, comes from Alicante and has lived in Dubai and the Philippines. Photo: Instagram / alicia.aliccia
  • Divita Rai, 23, winner of India's Miss Diva Universe 2022. Photo: Miss Diva
    Divita Rai, 23, winner of India's Miss Diva Universe 2022. Photo: Miss Diva
  • Sophiya Bhujel was crowned Oriflame Miss Universe Nepal 2022. Photo: Miss Universe Nepal
    Sophiya Bhujel was crowned Oriflame Miss Universe Nepal 2022. Photo: Miss Universe Nepal
  • Ndavi Nokeri, winner of Miss Universe South Africa 2022. Photo: Miss South Africa
    Ndavi Nokeri, winner of Miss Universe South Africa 2022. Photo: Miss South Africa
  • Anna Sueangam-iam was named Miss Universe Thailand 2022. Photo: Miss Universe
    Anna Sueangam-iam was named Miss Universe Thailand 2022. Photo: Miss Universe
  • Balsam Hussein when she was declared Miss Iraq 2022. Azhar Al-Rubaie for The National
    Balsam Hussein when she was declared Miss Iraq 2022. Azhar Al-Rubaie for The National
  • Yasmina Zaytoun after being crowned Miss Lebanon 2022 at Forum De Beirut. EPA
    Yasmina Zaytoun after being crowned Miss Lebanon 2022 at Forum De Beirut. EPA
  • Noky Simbani was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain 2022. Photo: Instagram / Miss Universe Great Britain
    Noky Simbani was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain 2022. Photo: Instagram / Miss Universe Great Britain
  • Miss Ukraine 2022 is Viktoria Apanasenko, first runner-up from last year's contest. There was no pageant held this year owing to the war in the country. Photo: Instagram / Viktoria Apanasenko
    Miss Ukraine 2022 is Viktoria Apanasenko, first runner-up from last year's contest. There was no pageant held this year owing to the war in the country. Photo: Instagram / Viktoria Apanasenko
  • Nguyen Thi Ngoc Chau has been named Miss Universe Vietnam 2022. Photo: Facebook / Nguyen Thi Ngoc Chau
    Nguyen Thi Ngoc Chau has been named Miss Universe Vietnam 2022. Photo: Facebook / Nguyen Thi Ngoc Chau
  • Filipino-Italian beauty queen Celeste Cortesi was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2022 in Manila. EPA-EFE
    Filipino-Italian beauty queen Celeste Cortesi was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2022 in Manila. EPA-EFE
  • Bhutan is marking its pageant debut this year and Tashi Choden is the country's first beauty queen. Photo: Tashi Choden
    Bhutan is marking its pageant debut this year and Tashi Choden is the country's first beauty queen. Photo: Tashi Choden
  • Laksmi Suardana took the Puteri Indonesia 2022 crown, becoming the first contestant from Bali to enter Miss Universe. Photo: Laksmi Shari De Neefe Suardana
    Laksmi Suardana took the Puteri Indonesia 2022 crown, becoming the first contestant from Bali to enter Miss Universe. Photo: Laksmi Shari De Neefe Suardana
  • Miss Universe Ghana 2022 Engracia Afua K Mofuman was one of the first women to be crowned in 2022, in order to compete in the 71st Miss Universe pageant. Photo: Engracia Mofuman
    Miss Universe Ghana 2022 Engracia Afua K Mofuman was one of the first women to be crowned in 2022, in order to compete in the 71st Miss Universe pageant. Photo: Engracia Mofuman
  • Hanna Kim, from Seoul, will represent South Korea in the next Miss Universe pageant. Photo: Hanna Ming
    Hanna Kim, from Seoul, will represent South Korea in the next Miss Universe pageant. Photo: Hanna Ming
  • The first and last time the Seychelles competed in Miss Universe was 1995 and so, after that 27-year hiatus, Gabriella Gonthier, from Mahe, will be representing her home country. Photo: Gabriella Gonthier/ Miss University Africa
    The first and last time the Seychelles competed in Miss Universe was 1995 and so, after that 27-year hiatus, Gabriella Gonthier, from Mahe, will be representing her home country. Photo: Gabriella Gonthier/ Miss University Africa
  • Amelia Tu, from Vancouver, winner of Miss Universe Canada 2022. Photo: Miss Universe Canada
    Amelia Tu, from Vancouver, winner of Miss Universe Canada 2022. Photo: Miss Universe Canada
  • Miss Universe Jamaica 2022, Toshami Calvin, 26, is the cousin of Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh. Photo: Instagram / officialmissuniversejamaica
    Miss Universe Jamaica 2022, Toshami Calvin, 26, is the cousin of Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh. Photo: Instagram / officialmissuniversejamaica
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

The biog

Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6

Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm

Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km

Price: Dh375,000 

On sale: now 

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

If you go...

Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.

Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.

Brief scores:

Toss: Australia, chose to bat

Australia: 272-9 (50 ov)

Khawaja 100, Handscomb 52; Bhuvneshwar 3-48

India: 237 (50 ov)

Rohit 56, Bhuvneshwar 46; Zampa 3-46

Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja (Australia)

Player of the Series: Usman Khawaja (Australia)

Updated: July 25, 2022, 2:22 PM