NASSAU, Bahamas — Miss Venezuela was the fairest of them all, again.

Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez won the 2009 Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas last night.

Dressed in a flowing red gown, Fernandez embraced runner-up Miss Dominican Republic as the announcement was made, and received the crown from last year's winner, Dayana Mendoza, of Venezuela.

The other finalists in the top five were Miss Kosovo, Miss Australia and Miss Puerto Rico.

Venezuela, a beauty-obsessed South American country, has won the Miss Universe pageant six times.

'BASTERDS' BESTS BOX-OFFICE COMPETITION

LOS ANGELES — The war effort by Quentin Tarantino and Brad Pitt has paid off as their history lesson "Inglourious Basterds" claimed victory at the box office with a $37.6 million debut.

It was Tarantino's best opening ever, exceeding the $25.1 million haul for 2004's "Kill Bill — Vol. 2." Overseas, "Inglourious Basterds" added $27.5 million in 22 countries, giving it a worldwide total of $65.1 million, according to studio estimates yesterday.

"Inglourious Basterds" features Pitt and an international ensemble in a sprawling tale of Jewish commandos and a plot to take out Nazi leaders at a movie premiere during World War II.

The previous weekend's top movie, Sony's sci-fi thriller "District 9," slipped to second place with $18.9 million, raising its domestic total to $73.5 million.

KEYBOARDIST LARRY KNECHTEL DEAD AT 69

YAKIMA, Wash. — Larry Knechtel, a Grammy award-winning keyboardist who accompanied big-name musicians such as Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and the Dixie Chicks, has died at 69.

Knechtel, who moved to Yakima in 2003, died Thursday at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital of an apparent heart attack.

Knechtel performed live and in studio recordings with a wide range of artists, including Neil Diamond, Randy Newman, The Beach Boys, The Doors, Hank Williams Jr. and Elvis Costello.

He earned a Grammy award for his arrangement of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and played keyboard on the Dixie Chicks' Grammy award-winning album "Taking the Long Way."

BURGLARY REPORTED AT LOHAN'S HOME

LOS ANGELES — Police are investigating a reported burglary at Lindsay Lohan's home in the Hollywood Hills.

A Los Angeles police officer said the possible break-in was reported to police early yesterday and that police are still determining whether any property was missing from the home.