Free Republic

A MELBOURNE Muslim girl condemned by Islamic leaders for entering a beauty pageant has defied protests to be shortlisted for the Victorian final. Ayten Ahmet, 16, advanced to the top 26 of Miss Teen Australia yesterday despite an outcry from some of Victoria's senior Muslims. The year 11 student said she entered the pageant to fulfil her modelling ambition, and was surprised by the objections. Parents Salih and Sarah Ahmet said their daughter was a typical teenager, and her faith was irrelevant to the contest. Ms Ahmet, from Craigieburn, beat hundreds of hopefuls at an open casting session at Federation...

KYLIE'S tiny golden hot pants may bring some extra festive cheer to fans as an exhibition of the pop diva's costumes opens in Sydney. More than 40 outfits - including the hot pants worn by Kylie in her Spinning Around video in 2000 - are on display from today at the Powerhouse Museum in inner-city Ultimo. The Australian pop princess reportedly bought the 1970s hot pants from a charity store in London for 50 pence. The exhibition includes costumes from Kylie's early videos such as I Should Be So Lucky, and Better The Devil You Know, to the more recent...

A PHOTOGRAPHER who took steamy photographs of actress Cameron Diaz before she was famous went on trial today for what prosecutors said was an attempt to blackmail her for more than $US3 million ($4 million). John Rutter, 42, is charged in Los Angeles Superior Court with forging the Charlie's Angels actress's signature on a May 1992 model release form and of attempted grand theft. An earlier charge of extortion was dropped against Rutter, who is alleged to have tried to sell Diaz the photos in 2003 before shopping them to others. Diaz is expected to testify at the trial that...

In a nod to the Live 8 rock benefit generation, maybe to meet U2 frontman Bono or perhaps just because she is on summer vacation, first daughter Jenna Bush is accompanying her parents to the Group of Eight summit in Scotland and is wowing the Europeans. "The girls are not there to do anything official," a White House spokesman said yesterday, speaking of Jenna and Barbara Bush, 23, who will join first lady Laura Bush on an educational trip to Africa later this week. Nevertheless, the blond first daughter, who has become the object of fascination among the VIPs, was...