News: Disqualified for being a boy.

Transgender beauty queen “disqualified for being born.”

A transgender Canadian beauty queen has been kicked out of a Miss Universe pageant after it was discovered she was born a boy. The Miss Universe Canada beauty pageant said 23-year-old Jenna Talackova “did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form.” Apparently, pageant rules state all contestants must be a “naturally born female only.” The contestant has not made an official comment – she’s in talks with her lawyer, but she did tweet: “I’m disqualified, however I’m not giving up,” she wrote. “I’m not going to just let them disqualify me over discrimination.”

Opposition’s appeal to working mothers.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he will extend the childcare rebate to include subsidies for nannies if he wins government in next year’s federal election. He said there needs to be greater flexibility in childcare options and that funding for nannies would make it easier for women to juggle careers and family. ‘We want as many women as can be to have challenging and demanding careers rather than having to fit a bit of work in around the edges,” he said to the Sydney Morning Herald. ”Parents with young kids don’t work the standard nine to five hours, five days a week, and the childcare sector still caters overwhelmingly to people in that position,” he said.

Mr Abbott said he would consult the Productivity Commission to see if funding for nannies was economically viable. The opposition has previously announced a paid parental leave scheme, which would pay a woman’s full wage for six months after she gives birth, up to $75,000.

Mamamia will soon be publishing a Q&A with the Opposition Leader about his new plan to help working families. Got a question for Mr Abbott? Leave it in the comments section.

Gallipoli anniversary could divide Australia

ANZAC day celebrations could cause diversions in multicultural Australia, the Federal Government has been warned. A 2010 report found centenary celebrations of the Gallipoli landing in 2015 could be a “potential area of divisiveness” because of multiculturalism, according to news.com.au.

The paper states: “Commemorating our military history in a multicultural society is something of a double-edged sword….While the 100th anniversaries are thought to provide some opportunity for creating a greater sense of unity, it is also recognised as a potential area of divisiveness.”

But the RSL has slammed the report, saying enthusiasm for the day is as strong as ever and that ANZAC day holds a special place in Australia.

What does ANZAC day mean to you?

UV manicure lamps are “mini tanning beds”

UV lamps used in nail salons may pose a skin cancer risk, according to a melanoma researcher from the University of Sydney. Professor Graham Mann said the lamps – for gel and shellac nails – use the same kind of long-wave ultraviolet radiation present in tanning beds, which were recently banned in NSW (the law will come into effect in 2014). But he said more research into the lamps was required to know for sure. ‘I suspect it is a concern,” he said. ”It’s hard to know exactly how much extra risk it would produce but I am sure it produces some. There’s not been much research done to link up the use of these nail ovens with skin cancer, although it’s definitely something worth exploring.”

Anna Bligh loses election, quits politics.

Former Queensland premier Anna Bligh has announced her resignation from politics after the Labor party suffered an “absolutely shattering” loss in the Queensland election over the weekend. “I simply don’t believe that Labor can develop an effective opposition…if it has me as part of its public face,” she said yesterday. “The size of the loss and the loudness and clarity of the message sent by the people of Queensland is unmistakable… And in fairness to Queenslanders I don’t believe I should ignore it.”

Bligh’s resignation – which opens the road for a by-election in her seat of South Brisbane – means Labor could have as few as seven MPs in the 89-seat parliament.  Campbell Newman will be sworn in as the premier of Queensland this afternoon.

Angelina Jolie responds to the leg meme.

It first appeared on the red carpet in a black Versace gown, and in the weeks after this year’s Oscars, Angelina Jolie’s leg was everywhere; on the Statue of Liberty, crossing Abbey Road with The Beatles, and at the moon landing. It even had its own Twitter account.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Jolie has responded to the meme that went viral on the internet. She said: “I honestly didn’t pay attention to it. You know what I mean? I don’t watch those TV shows and if I go online and see something about myself, I don’t click on it. And the people I surround myself with don’t really talk about that kind of stuff. I heard something, but I didn’t pay any attention. It’s as simple as being a woman picking a dress you like and having a night, and not really thinking about anything else.”

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