You could hold my umbrella-ella-ella: famous people don’t always hold their own umbrellas, but when they do, they do it with worldly stature and infinite wisdom. 

Pictures by REUTERS - Jason Reed; Caroline Blumberg; Tobias Schwarz; Regis Duvignau; Brian Snyder; Suzanne Plunkett. 

Illinois is likely to be the next state to allow medical marijuana use, after state lawmakers voted to approve legislation. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is expected to sign it into law. Photo: REUTERS/Jerry Lampen
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Illinois is likely to be the next state to allow medical marijuana use, after state lawmakers voted to approve legislation. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is expected to sign it into law.

Photo: REUTERS/Jerry Lampen

Producer Mel Brooks, whose long career in comedy includes writing and directing hilarious films like Blazing Saddles, The Producers, and Young Frankenstein, will receive the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award on June 6. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
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Producer Mel Brooks, whose long career in comedy includes writing and directing hilarious films like Blazing Saddles, The Producers, and Young Frankenstein, will receive the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award on June 6.

REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Roads into White Gold: stunning pictures from Ethiopia’s ancient salt trails

One of the hottest places on earth, northern Ethiopia holds long-used roads for caravans of camels to collect salt through a sun-blasted desert basin. In the “Danakil Depression”, the average temperature is 94 degrees Fahrenheit.

A paved road is being built to make it easier for industrialized companies to access the salt flats, which could put the ancient camel caravans out of business. 

“Most of the people who live here are dependent on the salt caravans, so we are not happy with prospective salt companies that try to set up base here,” said Abdullah Ali Noor.

Read our in-depth report of the salt trails.

REUTERS/Siegfried Modola

David Beckham’s career: David Beckham announced he will retire from professional soccer at the end of the season. (reuterspictures)  REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini
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David Beckham’s career: David Beckham announced he will retire from professional soccer at the end of the season. (reuterspictures) 

REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

Man builds purple robot: Chinese inventor Tao Xiangli made a  500-pound purple robot for about $24,000. It took 11 months to build from recycled scrap metal and wires. (Photos by Suzie Wong)

Things we know about world leaders:  They wear suits to work, even on the weekends. They wave to strangers on the street… a lot. They like alcohol, and like us, they are also victims to having a drink spilled on them at a bar (see below).  Slideshow: World Powers Drink
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Things we know about world leaders: 

  1. They wear suits to work, even on the weekends.
  2. They wave to strangers on the street… a lot.
  3. They like alcohol, and like us, they are also victims to having a drink spilled on them at a bar (see below). 

Slideshow: World Powers Drink

White House releases over 100 pages of emails about Benghazi (PDF)

White House Benghazi Emails

A tour of the Barbie Dreamhouse in Berlin, Germany: 

The life-sized Dreamhouse offers visitors the chance to try on Barbie’s clothes in her walk-in closet an enjoy a tour of the living room and kitchen.

Did we find any parties? Not exactly: the house is a bit quieter than the usual stereotype. 

Photos: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

LIVE COVERAGE: Google I/O
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LIVE COVERAGE: Google I/O