The Kardashians

Kim Kardashian's trip to a milkshake shop in Bahrain got us thinking -- do they slap Middle Eastern celeb names on their shakes? If not ... they should ... 'cause we already did.

If you recall, Kim got into some hot water after tweeting about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and vowed to get informed about the political situation in the region while she was in Kuwait and Bahrain ... to open up a couple of Millions of Milkshakes shops.

The least photographed Kardashian was spotted out in public this weekend ... Kourtney Kardashian's newborn baby Penelope Scotland Disick.

Kourtney and her adorable four-month-old daughter were seen during a lunch outing in Fort Lauderdale the other day.

There is definitely a reality TV spinoff in Penelope's future.

Sometimes, but not often ... someone says no to the Kardashians -- just ask super mom-ager Kris Jenner who recently tried to hire "X Factor" finalists Emblem3, but the boys said no.

Sources close to the K-clan tell TMZ ... Kendall Jenner is obsessed with the Cali boy band and wanted them to play a gig at her recent 17th birthday bash. We're told her famous fam stepped in to help -- Khloe (who is hosting "X") got the band's contact info and Kris made the call. Problem is ... the boys declined.

According to our sources, since Wesley, Drew and Keaton are still competing on the show, they couldn't find the time in between rehearsals to do the party ... though we're told they would have loved to.

Despite the set-back, little Jenner still had a great time ... prolly 'cause her super rich parents turned their pool (ya know, at their giant mansion) ... into her own personal ice-skating rink.

What better way to spend the night before Thanksgiving ... than planting a big wet kiss on your man in front of an army of leering photogs -- and that's exactly what Kim Kardashian did last night with BF Kanye West.

Kim and Kanye joined Kim's sisters Kendall, Kylie, and Khloe for dinner at the Crustacean in Beverly Hills -- and on their way out, Kim showed off some shameless PDA in her sheer top and upholstered red skirt.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has made it clear ... he doesn't give a crap about Kim Kardashian.

Panetta was out in D.C. last night when we asked about the question on everyone's mind regarding the Middle East -- is it safe for Kim to visit Kuwait?!!!?

Panetta shook his head at the question ... which either means NO, it's not a good idea ... or WHY THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE ASKING ME ABOUT KIM KARDASHIAN?

Kim Kardashian may be a scaredy-cat when it comes to taking a stand on the Middle East, but she's not afraid to speak her mind on a report that Kourtney and Scott Disick are engaged -- she says it ain't so.

Kim flew in from NYC last night and after telling photogs the story was false, she was peppered with questions about the Middle East -- go figure. Predictably, she had nothing to say.

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.