The Kardashians

Kim Kardashian is tired of not knowing stuff about the Israeli crisis -- so, naturally, she's jetting straight to NOT-Israel ... to learn stuff about it! Makes perfect sense.

A letter containing a suspicious white powder -- addressed to Khloe Kardashian -- was sent to CBS today where "X Factor" is taped and the FBI is investigating ... TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us ... the letter arrived to the studio this morning ... and we're told the FBI arrived to inspect the mystery substance. Sources tell us ... law enforcement determined the powder was harmless.

We're told a letter was also inside the envelope ... we do not know what was written.

This is the 3rd instance we know of where a suspicious white powder was sent to the CBS studio -- two letters were sent to Bristol Palin, and just as in this case the white substance turned out to be harmless talcum powder.

Kim Kardashian is about to embark on a whirlwind trip to Kuwait and Bahrain ... and TMZ has learned she's hoping to educate herself on the Middle East crisis while she's in town.

Sources close to Kim tell us ... KK initially agreed to the trip to make appearances at some Millions of Milkshakes shops opening in the two countries.

But after her recent Twitter controversy -- centered around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- Kim is telling friends she's determined to use the trip to educate herself about the political situation in the region.

As one source puts it, "Kim wants to be as informed as possible ... so she can use her celebrity to help those in need and raise awareness about important issues in the area."

We're told Kim -- who will be under the constant protection of a private security squad -- has already set up meetings in both countries with local leaders.

Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian received the keys to North Miami yesterday ... in a ceremony that reportedly started AN HOUR after it was supposed to ... because the girls were running late.

When they finally made it to the ceremony, Kim and Kourtney thanked the city for the honor ... and for allowing them to shoot their reality show in town.

North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre introduced the girls ... and remarked, "What can you say about the Kardashians that we don't already know? Three of the hardest working people in the business ... Khloe, Kim, and Kourtney ... we are honored by your presence."

Khloe was not at the ceremony -- she's in L.A. shooting "X Factor."

The Kardashians aren't the only celebs to have the key -- the honor is also shared by Wyclef and Disney star Adam Irigoyen.

11:50 AM PT -- Despite reports to the contrary, sources close to the K-sisters tell us ... Kim and Kourtney insist they were NOT late to the ceremony.

Bruce Jenner is scoffing at a recent story which claims he's fed up with his marriage to Kris Kardashian and headed to divorce court.

Bruce had just arrived at LAX Saturday night when a photog asked him about the story ... and he could barely hide his contempt, saying everything in his marriage was fine and he was heading home to Kris.

Bruce was less forthcoming on the subject of Kim Kardashian's wussy move Friday, when she tweeted her hope for peace in the Middle East and then removed the comments after some people criticized her.

Kim Kardashian actually took a righteous stand Friday when she tweeted that she was praying for peace in Israel. But after people started blasting her, she added she was also praying for the Palestinians.

But when the criticism didn't stop, she deleted both tweets and apologized. So we gotta ask ...

Kim Kardashian threw the armed services a few curves last night ... by rockin' a sultry form fitting dress to the Marine Corps Ball in North Carolina.

Doing what she can for her country, Kim accompanied a very lucky Sgt. Martin Gardiner to the annual prestigious formal gala.

Looks like Kim was the one who ordered the code red.

Here's lovely Vegas magician Criss Angel at some event this weekend (left) -- and Kardashian mastermind Kris Jenner back in March (right).

The resemblance is unbeweaveable.

It may not be an engagement ring, but Kim Kardashian did oh-so nonchalantly flash some gold finger bling with Kanye West's initials as she arrived to the airport in Miami on Tuesday.

Mario Lopez couldn't get enough of that teleprompter on "X Factor" this week, because he was reading Khloe Kardashian's lines and screwing her up in the process ... but sources tell us it wasn't his fault.

Sources connected with the show tell us Khloe got "really upset" because Mario jacked her lines several times, reading his lines and then reading some of hers ... and screwing up her timing in the process.

Khloe forced the issue with producers after Thursday's show, wondering aloud if he was doing it on purpose. After a short discussion, it became clear to Khloe that Mario was on the up and up -- there were glitches in the production that confused everyone and things got a little out of control during the live broadcast.

Now here's what's really interesting. Khloe has heard what we've been saying -- that producers were insane to make her read a teleprompter, because it robs her of her personality. Fact is ... it's hard for a novice to read a prompter.

We're told Khloe is open to leaving the hosting duties to Mario, and taking on the personality-driven interviews without a teleprompter.

The Kardashian family attorney tells TMZ, "The Kardashians value the integrity of trademark ownership and as such they align themselves with partners who do so as well. Their partner in their cosmetics line, Boldface licensing + branding, went through the appropriate legal channels in obtaining the rights to use the name Khroma Beauty by Kourtney, Kim and Khloé in the Color Category with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, making all proper legal filings."

He adds, "As a result, it is the Kardashians' firm belief that Boldface licensing + branding's use of the name Khroma Beauty by Kourtney, Kim and Khloe marketed with the distinctive Kardashian name is appropriate and does not violate the rights of any other entity."

The Kardashian family is now fighting TWO makeup wars at the same time -- TMZ has learned a second cosmetics company has accused the K-squad of trademark-jacking.

As we previously reported ... Kim, Kourtney and Khloe are about to launch a new makeup line which they're calling Khroma (they love the "K" thing).

Problem is ... they've already received legal threats from a Bev Hills makeup company called Chroma over alleged name-stealing ... and now ANOTHER company has entered the mix.

The new company is called Kroma (no "H") ... and according to documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, it already locked down the legal rights to that name back in January.

So when Kroma (no H") found out about the Kardashian line ... sources say the honchos were pissed ... and immediately fired off a cease and desist letter to stop Khroma (with "H").

And get this ... we've obtained official docs which show the U.S. Patent and Trademark office had already REJECTED a trademark request by the Khroma people (with "H") back in September ... because the name was too similar too Kroma (no "H").

We're told Kroma (no "h") recently met with Kardashian reps regarding the trademark -- but were unable to come to an agreement -- so Kroma is now exploring its legal options.

Khloe Kardashian says she can't really blame Simon Cowell for pointing out her nipple situation during a live taping of "X Factor" ... 'cause things would've been even more awkward if he ignored 'em.

As we previously reported, Simon made a couple comments about Khloe's enthusiastic areolas during Wednesday's show ... suggesting the air conditioner was on a little too high.

But on her way out of Boa Steakhouse in Hollywood last night, Khloe told us, "I think if he didn't say it, it probably would have been awkward ... because that was pretty noticeable ... that's live TV."

We also asked Khloe how she felt about working with record producer Damon Thomas -- who happens to be Kim's ex-husband. Awkward, right?

There is NO new Kim Kardashian sex tape being shopped around the porn community -- in fact, a XXX sequel doesn't even exist ... this according to Vivid Entertainment.

Of course, Vivid would know ... besides being the biggest name in porn, it also owns the copyright to the original Kim K sex tape.

Now, Vivid honcho Steve Hirsch tells us ... the company has been investigating the rumors of a 2nd tape ... and has determined that it's total BS.

"We’ve already spoken to the third party that brought the first tape to us," Hirsch says ... "and, a second tape, or additional footage from the first tape isn't being shopped around or even exists."

Kris just called in to "TMZ Live" from Australia (where Kendall is alive and doing a photo shoot) ... and told us she's on a mission to hunt down and punish the person who LIED about her family to the L.A. County Dept. of Children and Family Services.

As we previously reported, officials visited Kris' Calabasas home last month after receiving multiple "tips" from an anonymous caller that the kids were in danger.

Kris says ... besides the LIE about Kendall, the caller had also told officials Kris had beaten Kylie with a belt on a specific date.

But investigators quickly realized it was all bogus ... because when they arrived to the home, Kendall was hangin' out at the house. Kris says Kylie wasn't even in the country on the day of the supposed belt attack.

Now, Kris says ... she's hired people to unmask the bogus tipster ... who she believes is a tabloid reporter.

Khloe Kardashian's boobs stole the show on "X Factor" last night ... this according to Simon Cowell who said he was so distracted by KK's tatas ... he could barely focus.

During Khloe's debut episode as a co-host -- along with Mario Lopez -- it became very apparent that KK wasn't wearing a bra underneath her extremely sheer top.

At one point, Simon pointed out that Khloe was pointing out ... saying, "May I say Khloe, you're looking very sexy tonight ... I think the air conditioning is on high."

Khloe shot back, "You love it" ... Simon, "It's very distracting."

Kris Jenner is on the hunt to find the lying scumbag who called in a FALSE report to authorities that her kids, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, are living in danger ... TMZ has learned.

As we previously reported, the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services launched an investigation into the K-family last week after receiving a tip from an anonymous caller.

The tip was determined to be bogus ... and we're told Kris believes the culprit is a tabloid reporter who was trying to make up a story.

Now, a rep for the Kardashian family tells TMZ the accusations are nothing short of "ridiculous" ... adding, "It's such a shame that anyone can make up such hurtful and hideous untruths especially when children are involved."