A student wearing a dark suit and a ski mask and armed with an assault rifle began shooting at the University of Texas campus this morning before fleeing into a library and shooting himself dead.

Charlton Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing Ben-Hur and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other figures in Hollywood epics of the 1950s and 60s, has died at 84, his family said today.

Charlton Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing Ben-Hur and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other figures in Hollywood epics of the 1950s and 60s, has died at 84, his family said today.

Neighbours who live down the hill from Charlton Heston’s home are suing the actor, alleging their property was damaged two years ago when heavy rain sent hillside debris pouring into their home.