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Barack Obama makes surprise visit to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan

Roy Siemens
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Barack Obama makes surprise visit to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan

President Barack Obama was cheered by soldiers during a surprise visit to Bagram Airfield outside Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul.

Barack Obama has told US troops in Afghanistan that America’s longest war will come to “a responsible end” at the end of 2014.

It comes on the eve of Memorial Day, when Americans commemorate troops who have died in service.

Barack Obama was cheered by soldiers during a surprise visit to Bagram Airfield outside Kabul
Barack Obama was cheered by soldiers during a surprise visit to Bagram Airfield outside Kabul

Foreign combat troops are due to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of the year.

The US is seeking to keep a small number of troops there to train Afghan security forces. But that plan depends on the next Afghan president – due to be elected next month – signing a bilateral security agreement that incumbent Afghan President Hamid Karzai has refused to authorize.

Barack Obama had invited his Afghan counterpart to the base but Hamid Karzai refused, saying he would only meet the US president at his palace in Kabul, officials said.

Instead, Barack Obama called the Afghan leader from Air Force One on his way back to the US, officials said, saying he would be in touch before announcing any decision on the planned US troop presence after 2014.

To cheers from the assembled troops, Barack Obama thanked them for their service, and promised to improve treatment for wounded veterans.

“By the end of this year… Afghans will take full responsibility for their security and our combat mission will be over. America’s war in Afghanistan will come to a responsible end.”

Barack Obama said the US would remain committed to Afghanistan provided the incoming president signed the security agreement.

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Elliot Rodger: CCTV video shows moment gunman opened fire in grocery store

Nancy Clayson
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Elliot Rodger: CCTV video shows moment gunman opened fire in grocery store

A CCTV footage released by CNN showed the moment terrified shoppers threw themselves to the ground as gunman Elliot Rodger burst into Santa Barbara grocery store and opened fire.

Elliot Rodger, 22, left six people dead in a knife and gun rampage in the Californian university town of Isla Vista on Friday night, before apparently shooting himself in the head after a firefight with police.

His killing spree began after he posted a chilling video on YouTube, titled Elliot Rodger’s Retribution, in which he threatened to “slaughter” women who had rebuffed him.

It’s believed that at sometime on Friday Elliot Rodger stabbed three men to death at his apartment, before driving to a sorority house near the University of California at Santa Barbara and shooting dead two women – Veronica Weiss and Katherine Cooper.

Elliot Rodger left six people dead in a knife and gun rampage in the Californian university town of Isla Vista
Elliot Rodger left six people dead in a knife and gun rampage in the Californian university town of Isla Vista

At 9.30 PM Elliot Rodger entered a grocery store, shooting and killing his sixth victim – Christopher Michael-Martinez.

After the killing at the grocery store, Elliot Rodger fled and exchanged fire with officers.

At 9.37 PM Elliot Rodger crashed into a police car, and was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head.

Also in the car were three legally purchased semiautomatic guns – two Sig Sauers, a Glock, and more than 400 rounds of ammunition.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown told a news conference that the killings were “obviously the work of a madman”, and it was “very very apparent he was severely mentally disturbed”.

The community college student had been seen by a variety of health care professionals, and Bill Brown said his department had been in contact with him three times before Friday.

In July 2013, police spoke to Elliot Rodger while he was in hospital where he claimed to be the victim of an assault, but officers thought later he could have been the aggressor.

On January 15 this year, Elliot Rodger called police and accused a room-mate of stealing three candles worth $22, and made a citizen’s arrest for petty theft.

On April 30, police contacted Elliot Rodger at home after his family asked authorities to check on his welfare, but found him to be “polite and courteous”.

Bill Brown said: “He downplayed the concerns for his welfare and the deputies cleared the call.”

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Elliot Rodger convinced Santa Barbara deputies he was not a threat

Nancy Clayson
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Elliot Rodger convinced Santa Barbara deputies he was not a threat

Santa Barbara deputies were convinced that Elliot Rodger, who killed six innocent people and himself during a shooting rampage in Isla Vista Friday, wasn’t a threat following a welfare check last month, Sheriff Bill Brown revealed.

Concerned family members of Elliot Rodger contacted mental health professionals in April, Bill Brown said. When his agency was notified, deputies were sent to check on Elliot Rodger.

“He convinced them that it was all a misunderstanding,” Bill Brown told NBC4.

Elliot Rodger killed six innocent people and himself during a shooting rampage in Isla Vista
Elliot Rodger killed six innocent people and himself during a shooting rampage in Isla Vista

Though Elliot Rodger told deputies that he was having social problems and was likely going to leave school, “he was able to convince them that he was not a threat to himself or to anyone else at the time”.

On Friday, Elliot Rodger stabbed three people in his apartment and then killed three more in a killing spree that stretched for several blocks in the small beachside community.

Prior to the rampage, Elliot Rodger recounted his life in detail, dwelling on rejection by women and laying out his plans for vengeance. His plans for the rampage are detailed in the manifesto, including steps to kill people first at his apartment, then throughout Isla Vista before taking his own life.

Authorities hope to learn from the miscues between Santa Barbara County’s mental health services and law enforcement to prevent tragedies like this from happening again, Bill Brown said.

“Certainly in hindsight, we wish that had happened, but unfortunately in this case it didn’t,” he said.

Bill Brown said another key in stopping situations like Friday’s shooting before they occur rests with mental health professionals who have a deep insight and can identify potentially dangerous issues.

“It’s a delicate balance that has to be achieved because you want to be able to intervene, you want to be able to prevent something like this,” Bill Brown said.

“You also want to encourage people to seek mental health treatment, and if you stigmatize people by placing restrictions on them…that actually serves as a deterrent for people seeking mental health treatment.”

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EU elections 2014: France’s National Front heading for victory

Diane A. Wade
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EU elections 2014: France’s National Front heading for victory

France’s National Front has come first in the country’s elections to the European Parliament according to exit polls in what PM Manuel Valls has declared a “political earthquake”.

Eurosceptic parties also made big gains in other European countries – also coming first in Denmark.

The centre-right EPP looked set to be the biggest bloc in parliament.

Marie Le Pen’s National Front has come first in France's elections to the European Parliament
Marie Le Pen’s National Front has come first in France’s elections to the European Parliament

Turnout in the election was 43.1%, according to provisional European Parliament figures – up on last time.

That would be the first time turnout had not fallen since the previous election – but would only be an improvement of 0.1%.

In France, the National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen said after seeing exit polls: “Clearly we are in the lead.”

A statement by her party accused the French government of “massive fraud” and “industrial scale” vote-rigging, saying PM Manuel Valls had tried to prevent the National Front winning “by the most odious means”.

It said in many polling stations voters were given incorrect papers or did not get ballots that included the National Front.

The election is the biggest exercise in multi-national democracy in the world.

The 751 seats are allocated in proportion to each country’s population.

The vote will affect the lives of the EU’s 500 million citizens, and the chamber has much more power than it used to.

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Ukraine elections 2014: Petro Poroshenko claims victory with more than 55% of votes

Diane A. Wade
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Ukraine elections 2014: Petro Poroshenko claims victory with more than 55% of votes

Petro Poroshenko has claimed outright victory in Ukraine’s presidential election.

Billionaire Petro Poroshenko, known as the “chocolate king”, won more than 55% of the vote in the first round, exit polls suggest.

Announcing he had won, the 48-year-old businessman promised to forge closer links with the EU and restore peace in restive eastern regions.

Pro-Russian separatists severely disrupted voting there. Some 20 people have died in fighting in recent days.

No polling stations were open in Donetsk city, and across the region only seven out of 12 district electoral commissions were operating. The separatists are in control of large areas of the Donestk and Luhansk regions.

Four hours before polls closed, at 16:00, unofficial estimates put the turnout nationwide at 45%.

Petro Poroshenko has claimed outright victory in Ukraine's presidential election
Petro Poroshenko has claimed outright victory in Ukraine’s presidential election

Addressing supporters in Kiev, Petro Poroshenko said he would support a parliamentary election later this year.

He also said he would never recognize Russia’s “occupation of Crimea”, annexed by Moscow in March. Asked about relations with Russia, he said the “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Ukraine mattered most to him.

Petro Poroshenko is the billionaire owner of the Roshen chocolates group, a TV station and several manufacturing plants.

President Barack Obama hailed the election as an “important step forward in the efforts of the Ukrainian government to unify the country”.

Sunday’s poll was called after President Viktor Yanukovych was deposed in February, amid mass protests against his pro-Russian policies.

Local elections were also held on Sunday in Ukraine. Former boxer Vitaliy Klitschko – again quoting exit polls – claimed he had been elected mayor of Kiev.

Vitaliy Klitschko, a pro-Western politician, withdrew his own presidential bid and announced his support for Petro Poroshenko.

On Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would respect the outcome of Ukraine’s election.

Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking separatist sentiment – a claim Vladimir Putin denies.

Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after referendums on May 11, a move not recognized by Kiev or its Western allies.

The two regions took their cue from a disputed referendum in Crimea, which led to Russia’s annexation of the southern peninsula.

Eighteen candidates were competing in the presidential election, seen as a crucial to unite the country.

The exit polls suggest ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko came a distant second, with over 12% of the vote.

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Wojciech Jaruzelski dies aged 90

Diane A. Wade
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Wojciech Jaruzelski dies aged 90

General Wojciech Jaruzelski, Poland’s last Communist leader, has died aged at the age of 90 after a long illness, Polish media say.

Wojciech Jaruzelski led Poland from 1981, when he declared martial law and ordered the arrest of the pro-democracy Solidarity leader Lech Walesa.

He lifted martial law two years later and after growing unrest was forced to negotiate with Solidarity in 1989.

General Wojciech Jaruzelski led Poland from 1981 to 1990
General Wojciech Jaruzelski led Poland from 1981 to 1990

He had been in ill health for some time.

Lech Walesa said that a “great man from a generation of betrayers has gone”.

Wojciech Jaruzelski fought in a Polish unit of the Russian army during World War Two and rose up the military ranks after the war to become chief “political officer” of Poland’s armed forces.

He was defense minister at the time of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, in which Polish soldiers took part.

Wojciech Jaruzelski denied ordering the fatal shooting of dozens of shipyard workers in the northern cities of Gdansk and Gdynia in 1971, for which he was later put on trial.

He was also tried in 2008 by Poland’s post-Communist authorities for his December 1981 decision to impose martial law. Tanks rolled on to the streets and thousands of opposition activists were arrested overnight.

Dozens of people died in the military crackdown, which the general insisted he ordered to avert invasion by Moscow.

His trial was suspended in 2011 after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Wojciech Jaruzelski resigned as president in 1990 and was succeeded by Lech Walesa.

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Pope Francis prays at Bethlehem wall during Middle East tour

Diane A. Wade
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Pope Francis prays at Bethlehem wall during Middle East tour

Pope Francis has prayed at Bethlehem wall during his three-day tour of the Middle East.

The unscheduled stop came after he called for an end to the “increasingly unacceptable” Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Speaking in Bethlehem, Pope Francis invited the Israeli and Palestinian presidents to the Vatican to pray for peace.

The tour’s official purpose is to improve ties with the Orthodox Church.

Pope Francis has prayed at Bethlehem wall during his three-day tour of the Middle East
Pope Francis has prayed at Bethlehem wall during his three-day tour of the Middle East

Pope Francis is to meet Bartholomew I, the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, in Jerusalem later – to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a historic meeting of Catholic and Orthodox leaders who moved to end 900 years of division between the two churches.

The Pope’s visit comes just weeks after peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down, and his invitation to Rome for Presidents Peres and Abbas – quickly welcomed by both – is an intriguing development.

Following the Mass in Bethlehem, Pope Francis flew by helicopter to Tel Aviv where he was formally welcomed to Israel by President Shimon Peres and PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The time has come to put an end to this situation which has become increasingly unacceptable,” the Pope said on Sunday as he met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Pope Francis talked of the “tragic consequences of the protracted conflict” and the need “to intensify efforts and initiatives” to create a stable peace – based on a two-state solution.

He later held an open-air Mass for 8,000 local Christians by Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, during which he said he wished to invite Mahmoud Abbas and Shimon Peres to join him at the Vatican “in heartfelt prayer to God for the gift of peace”.

According to Pope Francis’ spokesman, Federico Lombardi, the move was papal peace initiative and believed to be the first of its kind.

Pope Francis has insisted the purpose of his Middle East trip is purely religious, but his first speech on his arrival in Bethlehem showed he is also willing to address pressing political issues, correspondents say.

On his way to Bethlehem, Pope Francis stopped to pray at an 8 m concrete wall that is part of the barrier Israel is building in and around the West Bank.

The Pope rested his head against the wall – which Israel says is needed for security, but the Palestinians see as a land grab – near graffiti reading: “Free Palestine.”

Palestinian officials have noted that Pope Francis is the first pontiff to travel directly to the West Bank rather than enter via Israel: Many Palestinians see that as a recognition of their push for full statehood.

The Pope’s tour began on Saturday with a visit to Jordan.

On Monday Pope Francis is due to visit the al-Aqsa mosque complex in Jerusalem’s Old City followed by the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall.

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Ant-Man loses director Edgar Wright

Sonia Pantiss
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Ant-Man loses director Edgar Wright

British filmmaker Edgar Wright has decided to pull out of directing Marvel’s Ant-Man.

Edgar Wright said in a joint statement that he and the studio had differences over their vision for the film and had made an “amicable” decision to part ways.

Marvel announced in 2012 that it had asked Edgar Wright to bring its smallest superhero to the screen.

Edgar Wright has decided to pull out of directing Marvel's Ant-Man
Edgar Wright has decided to pull out of directing Marvel’s Ant-Man

Edgar Wright’s credits include The World’s End, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

The change in director for Ant-Man won’t affect the film’s release date, which is set for July 2015.

Marvel says a new director will be announced shortly.

Michael Douglas, 69, confirmed he had a role in Ant-Man earlier this year.

He will play Henry “Hank” Pym, the creator of the technology used to shrink a human to the size of an insect.

Hank Pym first appeared in the 27th issue of Marvel Comics series Tales to Astonish in January 1962.

Anchorman star Paul Rudd, 44, is playing the part of Scott Lang, Ant-Man‘s alter-ego.

Marvel, which is owned by Disney, has had success at the box office in recent years with films such as Avengers and Iron Man 3 making $1 billion worldwide.

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Pope Francis calls for ending of Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Diane A. Wade
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Pope Francis calls for ending of Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Pope Francis has urged for an end to the “increasingly unacceptable” Palestinian-Israeli conflict during a visit to the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

The Pope’s comments came as he met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as part of a three-day tour of the Middle East.

The pontiff is holding an open-air mass for 8,000 local Christians by Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity.

The tour’s official purpose is to improve ties with the Orthodox Church.

Later, Pope Francis will travel to Tel Aviv and then Jerusalem where he will meet Bartholomew I, the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople.

However, correspondents say Palestinians are hoping for a show of support as his visit comes just weeks after peace talks with Israel broke down.

Palestinian officials have already noted that Pope Francis is the first pontiff to travel directly to the West Bank rather than enter via Israel.

Speaking in Bethlehem on Sunday, the Pope said: “The time has come to put an end to this situation which has become increasingly unacceptable.”

Pope Francis is holding an open-air mass for 8,000 local Christians by Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity
Pope Francis is holding an open-air mass for 8,000 local Christians by Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity (photo AFP)

He talked of the “tragic consequences of the protracted conflict” and the need “to intensify efforts and initiatives” to create a stable peace – based on a two-state solution.

Pope Francis has insisted the purpose of his Middle East trip is purely religious.

However, the first speech on his arrival in Bethlehem showed that he is also willing to address pressing political issues.

On his way to Manger Square where he is holding an open-air mass, Pope Francis stopped to look at a high concrete wall that is part of the barrier Israel is building in and around the West Bank.

Israel says it is needed for security but the Palestinians see it as a land grab.

During the afternoon, Pope Francis will take a short flight to Tel Aviv where he will be formally welcomed to Israel by President Shimon Peres before flying on to Jerusalem.

Israel has issued restraining orders against several Jewish right-wing activists this week over concerns that they could try to disrupt the visit.

Twenty-six people were arrested overnight for throwing stones and bottles at police during a protest at a holy site on Mount Zion, reports say.

In Jerusalem, the Pope will commemorate the 50th anniversary of a historic meeting of Catholic and Orthodox leaders who moved to end 900 years of division between the two churches.

Pope Francis’ tour began on Saturday with a visit to Jordan.

He was welcomed by King Abdullah II. In a speech at the royal palace, he stressed the need for an “urgent” solution to the Syrian conflict.

Pope Francis praised Jordan for its “generous welcome” to Syrian refugees.

On Monday, Pope Francis is due visit the al-Aqsa mosque complex in Jerusalem’s Old City followed by the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall.

Pope Francis will be the fourth leader of the Roman Catholic Church to visit Jerusalem, after Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, who went there in 2009.

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Ukraine elections 2014: Eighteen candidates are competing in presidential poll

Diane A. Wade
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Ukraine elections 2014: Eighteen candidates are competing in presidential poll

Ukraine is in the presidential polls after months of unrest following the ousting of former President Viktor Yanukovych.

Eighteen candidates are competing in the contest, which is widely seen as a crucial moment to unite the country.

But pro-Russian separatists in the east who oppose the election have threatened to disrupt the voting process.

Some 20 people have been killed amid an upsurge of fighting between insurgents and government forces in recent days.

The violence in the east, particularly Donetsk and Luhansk, has seriously disrupted preparations for the polls.

Eighteen candidates are competing in Ukraine’s presidential poll, which is widely seen as a crucial moment to unite the country
Eighteen candidates are competing in Ukraine’s presidential poll, which is widely seen as a crucial moment to unite the country

Seven out of 12 district election commissions have opened across the region of Donetsk, and none in the cities of Donetsk or Horlivka.

Two district commissions are open in Luhansk.

The presidential elections were called after the last elected President, Viktor Yanukovych, was deposed in February amid mass protests against his pro-Russian policies.

Confectionary tycoon Petro Poroshenko, known as the “chocolate king”, is the favorite to win.

Former PM Yulia Tymoshenko is lagging behind Petro Poroshenko in opinion polls.

In order to win outright, one candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote, otherwise a second round of voting will be held on June 15.

Interim PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk urged people to vote and “defend Ukraine” in a televised address on Saturday.

“This will be the expression of the will of Ukrainians from the west, east, north and south,” he said.

In an unprecedented move, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he would respect the outcome of the election and was prepared to work with whoever was elected president.

It comes after months of tension with Russia, which has been blamed by Kiev and its Western allies of stoking separatist sentiment in eastern parts of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has denied the claims.

Over 1,000 observers for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have been deployed nationwide at polling stations.

But the OSCE has pulled out most of its observers from the eastern Donetsk region over fears for their security.

Some pro-Russian separatists have warned people against voting, with reports of election officials and voter lists being been seized at gunpoint.

“If necessary we will revert to the use of force,” Denis Pushilin, a leader of the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic, is quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence from Ukraine after holding referendums on May 11, a move not recognized by Kiev nor its Western allies.

The two regions took their cue after a disputed referendum in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March.

More than 75,000 police and volunteers are said to have mobilized to ensure security during the vote.

Polling stations will remain open until 20:00, with definitive results expected on Monday.

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What is Asperger syndrome?

Kathryn R. Bown
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What is Asperger syndrome?

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism – a condition which affects how people make sense of the world, and interact with other people.

People with Asperger syndrome tend to have particular difficulty in communicating and interacting socially.

People with Asperger syndrome tend to have particular difficulty in communicating and interacting socially
People with Asperger syndrome tend to have particular difficulty in communicating and interacting socially

They can also have problems understanding or interpreting other people’s thoughts, feelings and actions.

For instance, they have trouble picking up subtle meanings contained in facial expressions and body language.

They tend to like routines, and can sometimes develop obsessive interests.

However, they are often of above average intelligence, and do not have the learning difficulties associated with autism.

It is thought a combination of genetic and environmental factors cause Asperger syndrome, which together impact on brain development.

There is no cure for the condition, but therapy can provide significant help.

Elliot Rodger confirmed as Santa Barbara gunman

Nancy Clayson
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Elliot Rodger confirmed as Santa Barbara gunman

The man who killed six people in a rampage in Santa Barbara, California, was 22-year-old Elliot Rodger, police confirmed.

The student was the son of Hollywood filmmaker Peter Rodger, who was assistant director on The Hunger Games.

At a news conference, police said Elliot Rodger had stabbed three male room-mates to death at his apartment.

He later went on a rampage through Isla Vista in a black BMW, shooting at people at random.

After exchanging gunfire with police, Elliot Rodger was found dead inside his crashed vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head, police said.

After exchanging gunfire with police, Elliot Rodger was found dead inside his crashed vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head
After exchanging gunfire with police, Elliot Rodger was found dead inside his crashed vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said Elliot Rodger apparently killed himself during a shoot-out with police officers.

At a press conference, Bill Brown called it a “chaotic, rapidly unfolding convoluted incident” that involved multiple crime scenes.

Investigators are analyzing a YouTube video in which a young man who identifies himself as Elliot Rodger sits in a car and says he is going to take his revenge against humanity.

In a so-called manifesto published online, Elliot Rodger said he was born in London and spent the first five years of his life in Sussex.

“This was a time of discovery, excitement, and fun. I had just entered this new world, and I knew nothing of the pain it would bring me later on,” he wrote.

Sheriff Bill Brown said that after leaving his apartment, Elliot Rodger had gone to a sorority house, which houses female students, and hammered loudly on the door.

They did not open the door but Elliot Rodger had then shot three women in the street, killing two of them, Sheriff Bill Brown said.

Elliot Rodger then drove his car through the beachside community – which is near the University of California-Santa Barbara campus – targeting people at random, and the sixth victim was shot dead in a delicatessen.

Seven other people were wounded.

Sheriff Bill Brown said it was “very apparent” that the gunman was “severely mentally disturbed”, adding: “It’s obviously the work of a madman.”

He said authorities had recovered three semi-automatic handguns after Friday’s shooting.

All the weapons were bought legally and were registered to Elliot Rodger, the sheriff said.

Earlier, Peter Rodger’s lawyer, Alan Shifman, said that the “family believes the child was the perpetrator”.

He said Peter Rodger’s son had Asperger syndrome, had trouble making friends and had been receiving professional help.

Alan Shifman added that the family had contacted police about “recent posts on YouTube” by Elliot “regarding suicide and the killing of people”.

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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West wedding: First picture revealed

Lisa.Felice
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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West wedding: First picture revealed

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West married at sunset in front of 200 guests at Fort Belvedere in Florence, Italy.

Kim Kardashian, 33, and Kanye West, 36, exchanged their vows with Miami Pastor, Rich Wilkerson Jr., reportedly conducting the ceremony organized by long-time Kardashian family friend and celebrity event planner Sharon Sacks.

Sharon Sacks who also planned Kim Kardashian’s second wedding to Kris Humphries in 2011.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West married at sunset in front of 200 guests at Fort Belvedere in Florence
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West married at sunset in front of 200 guests at Fort Belvedere in Florence (photo Twitter/Glam Com)

According to Us Weekly, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West said their vows in front of a giant wall of white flowers, a larger version of the gift Kanye sent his wife to celebrate Mothers’ Day earlier this month.

A source told the publication: “It’s very hot at the moment so they’ll have to spray them with water until the wedding starts to stop them from wilting.”

The website reports that guests will dine together on a 70-metre-long marble banquet table which had to be hoisted up in pieces over the side of the fortress walls, while a huge dance floor has been created in the garden of the fort.

A source told Us Weekly: “Kim and Kanye’s style team are freaking out about getting there on time.”

“They were all on really early morning flights from Paris and everyone’s spread out on different flights and in different hotels.”

Sources say that Kim Kardashian’s plans did have to be changed last minute – she was supposed to get ready for her big day at the villa, but organizers of a dog marathon almost thwarted the plan, an eyewitness claims.

Those involved in the event planned to block the road outside the villa for a few hours to make last minute arrangements. The wedding party was therefore forced to get out of the villa in a rush – or risk getting blocked in the site.

According to the Telegraph, Prince Ottaviano de’Medici di Toscana, a modern descendant of the once-powerful Medici family, is incensed by the bash in Fort Belvedere his ancestors built.

“The city is renting out our palazzi for small change to be used as dance halls,” said the prince, who heads a conservation society in Florence with 40,000 members.

“Events like this represent a danger to the cultural integrity and historical authenticity of the city, which is protected, and could mean a possible loss of UNESCO status or being placed on UNESCO’s danger list,”Prince Ottaviano de’Medici di Toscana said of the venue which has never been used for a wedding before.

Vladimir Putin describes Prince Charles’ Hitler remarks as unacceptable

Diane A. Wade
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Vladimir Putin describes Prince Charles’ Hitler remarks as unacceptable

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Prince Charles’ alleged comparison of him with Adolf Hitler as “unacceptable”.

Former Polish war refugee Marienne Ferguson, who met Prince Charles during a royal tour to Canada, said he had likened some Nazi actions in Europe to those of Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin, who has faced criticism in the West over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, said if Prince Charles had made such comments they were “wrong” and “not royal behavior”.

Clarence House declined to comment.

Vladimir Putin has described Prince Charles' alleged comparison of him with Adolf Hitler as unacceptable
Vladimir Putin has described Prince Charles’ alleged comparison of him with Adolf Hitler as unacceptable

Asked about Prince Charles’ reported comments during an interview with international news agencies, Vladimir Putin said: “In such cases, I am reminded of a good expression: If you’re angry, you’re wrong.

“Pass this on both to the prime minister and Prince Charles. He has visited our country many times. I did not hear him say that.

“If that is so, then of course it is unacceptable. I think that he himself understands this. He is a well-brought-up man. I am acquainted both with him and members of the royal family.

“This is not royal behavior.”

Despite criticism from the UK of Russia’s recent actions, Vladimir Putin played down a worsening of relations between the countries.

He added: “I think that if our partners in Great Britain, just as I am, are guided by national interests rather than some other considerations, then all this will pass quite quickly and we’ll continue to co-operate as we have done before.”

Prince Charles was speaking to 78-year-old Marienne Ferguson, who left Poland for Canada shortly before the Nazi occupation, at an immigration museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

They had been discussing Hitler’s takeover of countries. Marienne Ferguson said the prince said “something to the effect of ‘it’s not unlike… what Putin is doing'”.

Prince Charles and Vladimir Putin are both due to attend a D-Day anniversary event in France next month.

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Santa Barbara shootings: Peter Rodger’s son kills six people in pre-planned mass murder

Nancy Clayson
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Santa Barbara shootings: Peter Rodger’s son kills six people in pre-planned mass murder

Filmmaker Peter Rodger believes his son carried out drive-by shootings that killed six people in Santa Barbara, California, late on Friday, a family lawyer says.

Peter Rodger, who was assistant director on The Hunger Games, thinks the attacker was his 22-year-old son Elliot, the statement said.

The gunman died of bullet wounds after going on a rampage near Santa Barbara.

Police are investigating a video in which Elliot Rodger complains of rejection by women, threatening revenge.

Police are investigating a video in which Elliot Rodger complains of rejection by women, threatening revenge
Police are investigating a video in which Elliot Rodger complains of rejection by women, threatening revenge (photo YouTube)

Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the gunman, or that of the young man seen in the YouTube video.

However, Peter Rodger’s lawyer, Alan Shifman, said on Saturday that the “family believes the child was the perpetrator”.

Alan Shifman said Elliot Rodger had Asperger’s syndrome, had trouble making friends and had been receiving professional help.

The lawyer added that the family had contacted police about “recent posts on YouTube” by Elliot Rodger “regarding suicide and the killing of people”.

The family is “devastated” and co-operating with police, he said.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown told reporters on Friday that police were treating the incident as “premeditated mass murder”.

It occurred in the area of Isla Vista, near the University of California-Santa Barbara campus.

Witnesses described seeing a black BMW speeding through the streets, with shots being fired at people.

Police say they were alerted around 21:30 on Friday. Six minutes later, the suspect and responding officers exchanged gunfire.

The suspect fled. But after a second exchange of fire with police, he eventually crashed into a parked vehicle.

The gunman was found dead in his car with a bullet wound to the head. Although police say it is not yet clear whether the wound was self-inflicted.

A semi-automatic handgun was recovered from the vehicle.

Seven other people are in hospital, and being treated for bullet wounds.

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Cannes Film Festival 2014: Winter Sleep wins Palme d’Or

Sonia Pantiss
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Cannes Film Festival 2014: Winter Sleep wins Palme d’Or

Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan has won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for his film Winter Sleep.

Timothy Spall was named best actor for his portrayal of the British artist JMW Turner in Mr. Turner.

Winter Sleep, a domestic drama telling the story of a family running a hotel in the snowy Turkish mountains, beat 17 other contenders to the top prize.

Winter Sleep has won the Palme d'Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival
Winter Sleep has won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival

Nuri Bilge Ceylan dedicated the award to “the young people in Turkey and those who lost their lives in the last year”.

Mr. Turner, directed by Mike Leigh, had been tipped for an award after being lauded by the critics at Cannes.

Timothy Spall has said he was ideally cast to play the artist because “he was a funny-looking, fat little man and so am I”.

The best actress award went to Julianne Moore in David Cronenberg’s Hollywood satire Maps to the Stars.

Leviathan, a Russian film about corruption, was named best screenplay, while Bennett Miller won the award for best director for his wrestling drama Foxcatcher.

Nuri Bilge Ceylan, who noted that his award came on the 100th anniversary of Turkish cinema, had previously won awards at Cannes for his films Uzak, Climates, Three Monkeys and Once Upon a Time in Anatolia.

Winter Sleep, which runs for more than three hours, stars Haluk Bilginer as a wealthy retired actor living with his younger wife and his recently-divorced sister.

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Pope Francis starts three-day visit to Middle East

Diane A. Wade
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Pope Francis starts three-day visit to Middle East

Pope Francis arrives in Jordan at the start of a three-day visit to the Middle East which will also take him to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The Pope Francis is traveling to Amman, where he will celebrate Mass in a stadium, and later meet Syrian refugees.

The official purpose of the visit is to improve ties with the Orthodox Church.

However, correspondents say many will expect Pope Francis to use his influence to try to ease tensions in the region.

Pope Francis arrives in Jordan at the start of a three-day visit to the Middle East which will also take him to Israel and the Palestinian territories
Pope Francis arrives in Jordan at the start of a three-day visit to the Middle East which will also take him to Israel and the Palestinian territories

Pope Francis will be accompanied by a rabbi and an imam – friends from his native Argentina – and hopes to improve relations between Christians, Muslims and Jews in the Holy Land.

His journey comes only a few weeks after the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed.

Israel has issued restraining orders against several Jewish right-wing activists this week over concerns that they could try to disrupt the visit.

Police said offensive “anti-Christian graffiti” was discovered on the wall of a church in the southern city of Beersheba on Friday.

Pope Francis’ journey marks the 50th anniversary of the historic meeting in Jerusalem between Pope Paul VI and the head of the Orthodox Church, Patriarch Athenagoras.

The meeting ended 900 years of separation and enduring antagonism between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity.

On Sunday, Pope Francis will travel to Bethlehem in the West Bank and preside over Mass in Manger Square, near the site where Jesus is believed to have been born.

He will also meet the current Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch, Bartholomew, and they will sign a declaration of friendship.

The pontiff’schedule on Monday is set to include a visit to the al-Aqsa mosque complex in Jerusalem’s Old City followed by the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall.

Pope Francis will be the fourth leader of the Roman Catholic Church to visit Jerusalem, after Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, who went there in 2009.

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Miley Cyrus obtains temporary restraining order against Devon Meek

Lisa.Felice
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Miley Cyrus obtains temporary restraining order against Devon Meek

Miley Cyrus has been granted with a temporary restraining order against Devon Meek, the Arizona man who was recently detained by police while trying to meet the star.

Miley Cyrus has been granted with a temporary restraining order against Devon Meek
Miley Cyrus has been granted with a temporary restraining order against Devon Meek (photo People)

A Los Angeles judge granted Miley Cyrus the order against 24-year-old Devon Meek on Friday. Miley Cyrus’ court filing states that the Sierra Vista man believes the singer is communicating to him through her songs.

According to the documents, Los Angeles police took Devon Meek into custody on May 16 and he was placed under a psychiatric hold. The docs say Devon Meek was arrested outside a property he believed is owned by Miley Cyrus, but the documents don’t specify the location.

A police detective wrote in a sworn statement that Devon Meek told officers they should shoot him in the head if he couldn’t meet Miley Cyrus.

Devon Meek remains in protective custody.

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Mali: Tuareg rebels agree to ceasefire after talks in Kidal

Roy Siemens
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Mali: Tuareg rebels agree to ceasefire after talks in Kidal

Mali’s Tuareg rebels have agreed to a ceasefire, two days after clashes with the army threatened to throw the country back into chaos.

Three Tuareg rebel groups occupying the key northern town of Kidal signed the agreement after talks with African Union chairman Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz.

Some 20 Malian soldiers have died since Wednesday in fighting over who holds the town.

The separatists have gained control of much of northern Mali in recent days.

Tuareg rebels have agreed to a ceasefire, two days after clashes with the army threatened to throw Mali back into chaos
Tuareg rebels have agreed to a ceasefire, two days after clashes with the army threatened to throw Mali back into chaos

In 2012 a Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali triggered a military coup in the capital, Bamako and an Islamist takeover of the north.

Civilian rule was re-established in 2013, but Islamist and separatist forces remain active in some areas.

Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, the president of Mauritania, flew to Kidal on Friday to meet rebel groups including the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).

Minister for Internal Security General Sada Samake signed the ceasefire on behalf of the Malian government at 21:30 GMT on Friday.

The ceasefire agreement includes a pledge to revive talks and the release of 300 Tuareg prisoners held in the capital.

Violence broke out in Kidal on Saturday when Malian PM Moussa Mara visited the town to show support for government forces based there.

The rebels seized government buildings, killed at least eight civilians and took around 30 hostages, who were later released.

The separatists said they defeated government forces the town on Wednesday.

MNLA fighters have also taken control of several other towns in the north, including Menaka, Agelhok, Anefis and Tessalit. They said earlier on Friday that they were close to the key city of Gao.

The government has accused the Tuaregs of being backed by al-Qaeda militants, and called for an immediate ceasefire.

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Jacob Zuma to be sworn in for second term as South Africa’s president

Diane A. Wade
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Jacob Zuma to be sworn in for second term as South Africa’s president

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma will be sworn into office for a second term, following the African National Congress’ victory at the polls.

The ANC won a commanding victory in the country’s general election on May 7.

More than 4,000 guests are expected at the ceremony in Pretoria, including Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

Neither the US or UK are sending a representative but officials from Russia, China and India are attending.

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma will be sworn into office for a second term
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma will be sworn into office for a second term

President Jacob Zuma was officially elected for a second five-year term on Wednesday by the ANC-dominated parliament.

The expected formality of the re-election was disturbed only by lawmakers from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who turned up at parliament in red overalls and hardhats.

The EFF, led by former ANC member Julius Malema, said they dressed as maids and miners to show they intend to represent the interest of workers.

South African media say Saturday’s inauguration ceremony will be as much about celebrating Nelson Mandela and 20 years of democracy as about officially sealing Jacob Zuma’s re-election.

Jacob Zuma will take the oath of office shortly after prayers open the ceremony at 11:00 local time.

Several heads of state will be in attendance, including Robert Mugabe, Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

The US is not sending a representative but a White House statement said President Barack Obama spoke to Jacob Zuma on Friday to congratulate him on his re-election.

The centrepiece of the event is a 90-minute cultural show, with performances from local musicians, dancers and a youth choir.

Proceedings will be broadcast at 45 public viewing sites across the country as well as being shown live on television and radio.

Around 20,000 people are also expected to descend on the Union Building in Pretoria, the site of the ceremony, to watch on large TV screens.

Jacob Zuma will get back to work immediately after the national celebrations and is expected to announce his cabinet on Sunday.

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John Kerry to testify in front of House panel about Benghazi attack

Diane A. Wade
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John Kerry to testify in front of House panel about Benghazi attack

Secretary of State John Kerry will testify in front of a House of Representatives panel about the deadly Benghazi terror attack in Libya less than two years ago.

State department officials say John Kerry’s appearance at the oversight panel should mean he will not need to testify in front of the recently-formed Benghazi select committee.

John Kerry will testify in front of a House of Representatives panel about the deadly Benghazi terror attack
John Kerry will testify in front of a House of Representatives panel about the deadly Benghazi terror attack (photo Reuters)

John Kerry is scheduled to testify on June 12.

US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others were killed after an assault on the Libyan diplomatic post in September 2012.

Republicans have argued the Democratic Obama administration misled the public on the nature of the attack.

Democrats in the US Congress have named five representatives to a special panel on the Benghazi attacks despite arguing it is motivated by Republican politics.

John Kerry, who was not secretary at the time, had previously been subpoenaed by the oversight committee to appear in late May, but could not attend due to the Ukrainian crisis.

A separate select committee on Benghazi with the authorization to operate until the end of the year was approved on a largely party-line vote.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z divorce rumors 2014

Lisa.Felice
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Beyoncé and Jay-Z divorce rumors 2014

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are reportedly on the verge of divorce after months of explosives rows and years of infidelity.

The singer and her husband no longer love each other and are keen to keep their split a secret, Life & Style magazine reported.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are reportedly on the verge of divorce after months of explosives rows and years of infidelity
Beyoncé and Jay-Z are reportedly on the verge of divorce after months of explosives rows and years of infidelity

A source told the publication that Jay-Z’s infidelity is a big issue and Beyoncé will no longer put up with him “spending nights with other women”. Her jealous streak is thought to have led to ‘explosive arguments ‘in recent months.

Although Beyoncé is allegedly keen to call it quits, she wants to protect her “perfect family” image until the financial aspects have been worked out.

Beyoncé, 32, and rap mogul have a combined net worth of $900 million and according to some divorce experts, their split could leave both parties out of pocket.

Their relationship, which has been blighted by rumours of illuminati affiliation and infidelity, was propelled the spotlight after footage emerged of Beyoncé’s sister Solange Knowles attacking her brother-in-law after the Met Gala.

Fans were not only shocked to see Solange Knowles violently kicking and punching Jay-Z in an elevator at the Standard Hotel, but they were even more surprised that Beyoncé did not intervene.

Meanwhile some celebrity watchers noticed that Beyoncé appeared to have had her wedding tattoo removed from her ring finger.

Kim Kardashian wants to copy Kate Middleton’s royal wedding

Lisa.Felice
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Kim Kardashian wants to copy Kate Middleton’s royal wedding

Karen Houghton, Kim Kardashian’s aunt, has revealed that the reality star is set to rip off Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding with her multi European city bash.

She revealed that Kim Kardashian even attempts to out-dress the Duchess of Cambridge.

Karen Houghton said: “Kim loved the British royal wedding and is a huge fan of Kate Middleton. She was just so caught up in that day and very impressed by it, and how it played out on TV around the world.”

She added that Kim Kardashian could be sporting a crown.

Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and their 150-strong wedding party jet out to Italy today for the ceremony at the 16th-century Forte di Belvedere in Florence
Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and their 150-strong wedding party jet out to Italy today for the ceremony at the 16th-century Forte di Belvedere in Florence (photo Splash News)

“She really loves Kate and the princess has been a huge inspiration as far as her wedding plans are concerned.

“Kim saw how visually stunning the royal wedding looked and wants to replicate that. Kim and Kanye want something just as traditional and classy.”

“Kim saw how the fashion world has reacted to Kate and wants to be just like her. She could wear a crown or tiara made from real diamonds.

“Kim wore a crown with her wedding to Kris Humphries and I believe she’s thinking of doing it again.”

Karen Houghton will not attend the wedding after a fallout with Kim Kardashian’s mother – her elder sister, Kris Jenner. She said: “I wish I could be there, but I don’t think it’s fair to go when there’s a cloud of unrest hanging over Kris and I.

“This is Kim’s big day and she doesn’t need any distractions in that sense.”

Meanwhile, over in Paris, where the Kardashian clan has gathered, 33-year-old Kim had a pretty sedate hen party on Thursday night.

With 20 friends and her sisters, it was hosted in Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s favorite hangout, Hotel Costes. Afterwards the ladies took a tour of Paris by night, stopping to pose for pictures and selfies by the Eiffel Tower and the famous pyramid at the Louvre.

Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and their 150-strong wedding party jet out to Italy today for the ceremony at the 16th-century Forte di Belvedere in Florence.

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Si Robertson releases Me and My Smokin Hot Honey EP

Sonia Pantiss
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Si Robertson releases Me and My Smokin Hot Honey EP

Duck Dynasty’s Si Robertson has released a new country EP with an assist from Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn.

Si Robertson recorded Can’t Take the Swamp Outta the Man as special gift to his wife Christine as part of the couple’s recent wedding vow renewal after 43 years of marriage
Si Robertson recorded Can’t Take the Swamp Outta the Man as special gift to his wife Christine as part of the couple’s recent wedding vow renewal after 43 years of marriage

Me and My Smokin Hot Honey, the six-song EP, features Kix Brooks teaming up with Si Robertson on the song, Can’t Take the Swamp Outta the Man, which was recorded as special gift to his wife Christine as part of the couple’s recent wedding vow renewal after 43 years of marriage.

Christine Robertson is big Kix Brooks fan.

The finished product was played as Uncle Si and Christine Robertson walked down the aisle.

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Harper Lee’s lawsuit against Monroeville museum reinstated by federal judge

Sonia Pantiss
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Harper Lee’s lawsuit against Monroeville museum reinstated by federal judge

Harper Lee’s lawsuit filed against a museum in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, has been reinstated by a federal judge.

Harper Lee sought the reinstatement of the lawsuit after her attorneys said settlement talks with the Monroe County Heritage Museum failed
Harper Lee sought the reinstatement of the lawsuit after her attorneys said settlement talks with the Monroe County Heritage Museum failed

Judge William Steele signed an order Thursday granting To Kill a Mockingbird author’s request to reinstate her suit.

Harper Lee, 88, sought the reinstatement after her attorneys said settlement talks with the Monroe County Heritage Museum failed.

The author sued in 2013, accusing the museum of taking advantage of her work by selling souvenirs and using the title of her book as its website address without compensating the author.

Harper Lee and the museum filed notice of a settlement in February. That was never signed and the time for completing it ran out. Meanwhile, the museum did change its website address.

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