Anna nicole smith's estate loses oil fortune
Anna Nicole Smith's estate will receive none of the more than £200m she claimed her late billionaire husband had promised her, a US federal appeals court said yesterday. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals is the latest stop in the 15-year legal battle over the £1bn estate that oil magnate J Howard Marshall left after his death in 1995 aged 90. Smith had married Marshall the previous year and argued he meant to leave her more than $300m. She died in 2007.
Leading article: healthcare reform enters its endgame
No one can reasonably accuse Barack Obama of faintheartedness. Whatever the enterprise in hand, he tries, tries and tries again to implement the policies he was elected on. We saw the months and the attention he applied to remaking US policy in Afghanistan, to the point where he was reproached with over-intellectual dithering. We are now witnessing, one more time, his Herculean efforts to persuade Congress to pass a healthcare reform that will really help uninsured, or underinsured, Americans.
Seventh seed Andy Roddick powered his way past Spaniard Tommy Robredo 6-3 7-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Masters for a fourth time.
Kris Meeke will take a 1.4 second lead into the second section of leg one of Rally Argentina after superspecial stage one in Carlos Paz.
Sale beat Wasps 19-8 in their rearranged Guinness Premiership match.
Blackpool bolster their defence with the signing of highly-rated Everton right-back Seamus Coleman on a month's loan.
Harrington holds one-shot lead
Ireland's Padraig Harrington produces a six-under round of 65 to grab a one shot lead at the Tampa Bay Championship at the Innisbrook golf club.
David takes title number seven
Frances Ophelie David confirms her seventh consecutive ski cross crystal globe with silver at the World Cup final in Sierra Nevada.
Soderling trounces murray to reach semis
Sweden's Robin Soderling delivers a tennis master class in the opening set before eliminating fourth seed Andy Murray 6-1 7-6(4) in the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells Masters.
Everton's 'unplayable' anichebe has a bright future if he can sort out attitude
Victor Anichebe has been left in no doubt that his Everton future could hinge on ensuring there is no repeat of the petulance which led to him being escorted off the training ground
Lord coe puts west ham on the right track for london's olympic stadium
If West Ham want to move to London's Olympic Stadium after 2012, they will have to share it with athletics, says Olympic organising committee chairman Lord Coe.
Ex portsmouth defender dusko tosic set to join swansea on loan
Dusko Tosic is expected to join Swansea on loan over the weekend after the FA and Premier League finally granted him clearance to play.
Now carlo ancelotti's eyes are set on chelsea's first ever double
Carlo Ancelotti slept for only two hours after Chelsea’s exit from Europe and has been suffering from Double vision ever since.
Liverpool will never bury us again: united boss fergie eager for his rafa revenge
It is the fixture Sir Alex Ferguson still looks forward to more than any other. Manchester United versus Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Pepe reina is flying the flag for loyalty after signing new contract at liverpool
An improved contract worth £80,000 a week may have had an influence, but Pepe Reina's main motivation for committing his future to Anfield stems from more modest origins.
Avram grant faces increased scrutiny over selection after reserve claims
Portsmouth manager Grant made the claim as he bemoaned the nine-point deduction imposed this week because his club have gone into administration.
German threat to fulham: roy's boys to face wolfsburg in europa league
The Europa League final in Hamburg on May 12 could still be an all-English affair. Fulham meet Wolfsburg and Liverpool play Benfica in next month's quarter-finals.
Wenger given his chance to settle a score as arsenal face barcelona
Previous finals will be revisited in the last eight. United and Bayern in 1999; Arsenal and Barcelona in 2006. The chance for Arsene Wenger to have a proper crack at the classy Catalans.
Des kelly: muhammad ali was a hero but tiger woods is just pants
According to the hype, Tiger Woods’ impending comeback is worthy of comparison to Muhammad Ali’s spectacular return to the ring 40 years ago. Well, it isn't.
Talks over jonathan ross's chat show deal for channel 4 put on hold
The presenter - who began his on-screen career with C4 - has been in discussions with the channel ahead of his BBC contract ending this summer.
Glum victoria beckham leaves injured david's side to jet back to los angeles
David, currently on loan to A.C. Milan, is recuperating at their Hertfordshire mansion after her tore his Achilles tendon on Sunday during the Italian team's win over Chievo.
Pregnant natasha kaplinsky puts a protective hand over her bump with just two weeks to go
She may be just two weeks away from giving birth to her second child. But that didn't stop newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky putting on her glad rags and hosting a charity bash.
Eddie chambers better than david haye, claims vladimir klitschko
Vladimir Klitschko, who defends his WBO and IBF heavyweights titles against Eddie Chambers, insists the American is better than Britain's WBA champion David Haye.
Former emmerdale pin-up adele silva heads to hollywood... and finds work as a shop assistant
The 29-year-old has, in fact, made it in Hollywood - but only as a shop assistant for British fashion chain Ted Baker at their Melrose Avenue store.
Blind war hero to wed his 'florence nightingale' love after being awarded the george cross
Rifleman Paul Jacobs, 21, of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, received the bravery medal for his ‘sheer personal courage and startling determination’, as his fiancee Louse Smith looked on.
Ireland aim to finish on a high with victory over scotland at croke park
Brian O'Driscoll and his Ireland team say goodbye to Croke Park determined to maintain the impressive form at the home of Gaelic sports.
It's the biggest shark you are ever likely to see, poised to take a monster-sized bite out of a bridge packed with commuters heading home. Fortunately for anyone taking a peep into the waters down below, it is just part of an astonishing light show in Tokyo.
Cancer scans delayed in nhs funding crisis as doctors fear 'slash and burn' cuts
Vital scans for patients who may have cancer are being postponed by up to six weeks as the NHS grapples with a major funding crisis.
For days, Mr Saeed had been waiting nervously in the French capital to make the ransom payment that could save Sahil, who had been seized by an armed gang while the pair were visiting relatives in Pakistan two weeks ago.
Yummy mummy slings 'may kill babies': investigation launched into 14 deaths
Endorsed by celebrities, such as Nicole Kidman (left), baby slings can restrict the infant's airway if they are held in a curled position.
£250,000 victory for war vet who sold home to pay care bill that nhs should never have charged him
The payout, which is believed to be the biggest of its kind, was awarded to relatives of Leslie Terry, 86, whose home was sold to pay for his £3,500-a-month care.
Tom prydie the teen tornado is told to have a blast
Tom Prydie appears from nowhere today as the boy wonder of the Six Nations armed with a special message from the last 18-year-old capped by Wales.
Ecb in a spin over central contract spat as england players feel undervalued
England's top cricketers are refusing to sign their central contracts because they feel undervalued in comparison with their Australian counterparts, it has emerged.
Residents are left powerless to remove illegal immigrants squatting in their back gardens
At least six properties, including Ian Treasure's (pictured), have been invaded since November last year, with cider bottles, bags containing faeces and drug needles left scattered across the area.
Builders and driving instructors among one in five workers caught in frenzy of paedophile vetting
Cleaners, prison officers, children’s football referees, weight loss instructors, opera singers and St John Ambulance volunteers are also among the nine million who must pass a new vetting procedure.
Alistair darling set to freeze fuel duty to quell pre-election revolt by motorists
Alistair Darling is poised to impose a temporary freeze on fuel duty in next week’s Budget in a bid to quell a pre-election revolt by motorists over soaring pump prices.
Household bills will rise by £350 over next year as rising fuel costs and even stamps push up prices
Families struggling with rising inflation and pay freezes face rises in the cost of 'must pay' items such as water, phone calls, stamps, council tax and the BBC licence fee.
Martin keown on the big duel at old trafford: vidic must take high ground
There's no doubt that Fernando Torres is a big-game player. He’s scored for Liverpool in their last two games against Manchester United.
The dvd player that censors your movies
The ClearPlay system uses patented technology to skip and mute scenes of violence, blood, nudity, sex, swearing, blasphemy and offensive content.
Alan fraser on the gold cup: no war of the wolds, it's just a fallen star
It had been billed as The Decider, horse- racing's Ali v Foreman and, most excruciatingly, The War of the Wolds. It turned out to be The Anti-Climax. No getting away from it.
Peter scudamore: is it a changing of the guard after imperial triumph?
Connections of Imperial Commander employed a no fear policy which paid off handsomely at Cheltenham on Friday.
Andy murray slumps to defeat against robin soderling in bnp paribas open
A Rampant Robin Soderling moved into the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open with a convincing victory over an out-of-sorts Andy Murray on Friday.
Andy townsend's boot room: news and stats for the weekend's matches
Andy's match features Saturday's clash between Portsmouth v Hull, plus team news, stats, form guide and best bet for every Premier League match.
Blockbuster: arsene wenger says arsenal v barcelona can be the best game for 10 years
Arsene Wenger wants an exhibition of total football in the mouthwatering Champions League quarter-final tie with Barcelona that he hopes will go down as one of the matches of the decade.
Liverpool's big-game kuyt out to hammer manchester united's title tilt
Dirk Kuyt is used to a little pain. After all, he pays a big Dutchman to come over from Holland twice a year and hit him very hard with a mallet.
Manchester city boss roberto mancini tells wayne bridge to make world cup u-turn
Roberto Mancini still hopes Wayne Bridge changes his mind about not going to the World Cup as he believes England can win the tournament.
Phillips has 250 goals in his sight but won't celebrate at sunderland
Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips wants to reach the milestone of 250 career goals on what he admits could be his last Premier League visit to the Stadium of Light.
Now england fret over fitness of defoe as hamstring injury sidelines striker
England striker Jermain Defoe suffered the injury in training. The hot shot is Spurs' leading scorer this season with 23 goals in all competitions.
Why open plan offices are bad for your health
Excessive noise and lack of privacy, as well as constant distraction, cause workers to suffer problems such as stress, say researchers.
Pensioner dies after pricking finger on rose bush
George Emmerson, 73, didn't realise a thorn from the plant he was pruning back had become embedded into his finger and developed blood poisoning.
Why tangy fruit could stop you gaining weight
The secret to staying slim may lie in a tangy fruit. The juice of the blood orange stops mice piling on weight when fed a high-fat diet, research shows.
Texting teenager faces surgery on both wrists after sending 100 messages a day
Annie Levitz, 16, who has lost the feeling in her hands and is unable to pick up some objects, has to wear braces on both wrists and also needs pain-killing injections.
Esther rantzen: i thought tv was a nest of vipers... until i moved into politics
The presenter reveals the bizarre story of the radio shock jock, his (very) close Tory friend and a suspected 'plot' to stop her becoming an MP
Married men are three times as likely to suffer from abdominal obesity - or belly fat - as single men, their report shows.
High street fashion guru 'joseph' dies at 74
Joseph Ettedgui - famed for his perfectly cut and flattering clothes - has died after a long illness. He set up the Joseph label in 1972.
Queen Victoria sometimes penned several letters a day to Abdul Karim - and often signing them 'Your affectionate Mother'.
Two years before Alice was born, her parents fostered Abimbola Babatunde (known as Bim), the British-born son of an impoverished Nigerian couple.
Paddy's mint imperial: jubilant brennan outguns kauto star and denman in cheltenham gold cup
Jockey Paddy Brennan silenced the rival legions of Denman and Kauto Star fans as 7-1 Imperial Commander ripped up the script to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Cheltenham festival 2010: a week to remember
Sportsmail Racing Editor Marcus Townend reflects on the key moments from the Cheltenham Festival this week...
Keep the faith: allan mcgregor snub as neil alexander is given final spot
Rangers keeper Allan McGregor is facing Hampden heartache — with Neil Alexander set to don the gloves against St Mirren in Sunday’s Co-operative Insurance Cup showdown.
Charles sale: watmore on top in fa power struggle
Major tensions are emerging in the relationship between FA chief executive Ian Watmore and chairman Lord Triesman, who worked together in the same government department.
Two singletons, three dates over three weeks, one aim - to see if they're a match made in heaven. Meet this week's potential soul mates...
Move over, nigella... sophie dahl's here with an extra helping of sauce
After toying seductively with an olive and licking her lips lasciviously in the first episode, she puts on an even more coquettish act in the second.
How to look younger by lulu... lesson 1: airbrush the cover of your book
The youthful-looking singer, 61, appears even younger on the cover of her beauty guide.
Why kate winslet called 'cut' on mr ego: he shunned her talk of text messages from her dead lover
She's been suffering panic attacks and getting messages from a dead lover... And he preferred watching sports TV than dealing with her neuroses.
Bel mooney: will i ever lose my virginity?
People say I haven't anything to worry about because I'm handsome with a good sense of humour. But if they're right, why can't I make it work for me?
Hargreaves could make his comeback for united in april, reveals ferguson
Owen Hargreaves could be back for Manchester United at the beginning of next month according to boss Sir Alex Ferguson. The England man made his comeback for the reserves.
How Norway reacted to a case of child murder
Europe 'must act' on greek debt
The European Commission urges eurozone governments to agree a package of loans to help Greece resolve its debt crisis.
Batman takes best game at baftas
British developed Batman: Arkham Aslyum took the coveted title of best game at the 2010 Bafta video game awards.
Testing for a virus linked with cervical cancer during traditional screening does not help identify high risk women, say doctors.
Farc drugs baron jailed in the us
A judge in New York sentences a leading Colombian Farc rebel to 20 years in prison for importing tons of cocaine to the US.
Man charged over 'honour' murder
A man is charged with the murder of a woman whose body was found in a suitcase after a so-called "honour" killing.
Smartphone web use abroad warning
Consumers' association Which? warns of the risk of huge bills for people using smartphones abroad to connect to the internet.
Murder arrest over body in thames
A man is arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a man is recovered from the Thames at Wapping.
Snp seek election 'opportunities'
SNP leader Alex Salmond will tell his party's conference a hung parliament at Westminster would be "redolent with opportunity".
Women describe conditions in the Gaza Strip
Cheesecake, open up! new york police say sorry to elderly couple
New York's police chief has delivered a cheesecake to an elderly couple in Brooklyn, to apologise for dozens of mistaken police visits to their home.
Us moots official data 'youtube'
Countries should be judged on their willingness to open up public data, the US technology chief tells the BBC.
Kosovo row mars eu-balkans summit
Serbian President Boris Tadic boycotts an EU-Balkan integration conference because of a row over Kosovo's status.
Ba cabin crew begin strike action
British Airways cabin crew begin strike action which will cause severe disruption to flights for the next three days.
Mission of the month: dakar has a vibrant history marred by trouble
On the hard-core backpackers' circuit, Mali is regarded as the jewel in West Africa's crown – and an exciting place to travel. The country has a rich history which has produced some dramatic cultural attractions, and the vast majority of people you meet here are ultra-friendly, generous and helpful. Mali bustles with a diverse and fascinating mix of cultures and people. As a result you will find intriguing ceremonies and festivities everywhere you go.
Caught in a culture clash: taiwan is thriving in china's shadow
My favourite fact about Taiwan's capital, Taipei, is this: within two years no resident nor office worker will be further than 50 metres from an entrance to an underground station. It puts the estimate that Londoners are never more than 20 yards from a rat to shame.
America's epic pass offers a jam-packed ski holiday of a lifetime
It was hard not to feel a little disoriented. Powdery sheets of pure, light snow were falling from the sky, dusting both Vail's vast expanse of skiable terrain and the three-inch thick juicy steaks that sizzled on the outdoor hot plates at Belle's Camp Warming Hut. The Hut offers basic food, free barbeques and – at 11,480ft above sea level – views of the vistas of Vail's Blue Sky Basin ski area.
24-hour room service: hospes palacio del, bailío córdoba
The Spanish dramatist and poet Federico García Lorca once described the Andalucian city of Córdoba as "distant and remote". Ninety years on, while it is hardly an undiscovered treasure bereft of tourists, neither is it consumed by the crowds at the two other points on the Moorish triangle, Seville and Granada.
Larry sabato: a moment of truth for the democrats
As the most crucial day of his young presidency approaches, Barack Obama is privately confident that he will prevail on healthcare reform. He has every reason to be.
Logistical problems threaten to leave forces without a vote
Thousands OF British military personnel in Afghanistan risk losing their say in the impending general election because of massive problems in getting their postal votes back in time.
Whether it's served hot or cold, tongue is one of those great under-used cuts of meat – and I reckon that even the kids might consider eating this dish.
The third sex: the truth about gender ambiguity
the greek scholar Diodorus Siculus wrote of the mythical double-sexed Hermaphroditus: "Some say [he] is a god and ... has a body which is beautiful and delicate like that of a woman, but has the masculine quality and vigour of a man. But there are some who declare that such creatures of two sexes are monstrosities, and coming rarely into the world as they do, have the quality of presaging the future, sometimes for evil and sometimes for good."
Courage under fire: afghanistan heroes honoured
There were 160 names in the military awards list yesterday, a record, and poignant reminders of a bloody year in Afghanistan: seven of those honoured did not make it home, writes Kim Sengupta. Others bore the scars of bravery under fire.
Rupert cornwell: never have i witnessed a vote so dramatic
I have spent most of the last two decades in Washington. Never though, do I remember a Congressional vote in which interest has been as intense, the outcome as uncertain, and where there is so much at stake – in this case the management of a sector accounting for a sixth of the entire US economy, not to mention the future of a presidency.
Leading article: smell isn't everything
"You simply cannot bring together a country," as President de Gaulle famously once said, "that has over 265 kinds of cheese." Since then France has added at least 40 more types as their urge to elaborate has taken flight.
Leading article: the bright side of the banks
Alistair Darling is not used to receiving so much good news. Hot on the heels of Thursday's surprisingly resilient government borrowing figures arrives the unexpected revelation from Lloyds Banking Group, in which the taxpayer owns a 41 per cent stake, that it now hopes to turn a profit this year.
Leading article: mr obama's healthcare reform enters its endgame
No one can reasonably accuse Barack Obama of faintheartedness. Whatever the enterprise in hand, he tries, tries and tries again to implement the policies he was elected on. We saw the months and the attention he applied to remaking US policy in Afghanistan, to the point where he was reproached with over-intellectual dithering. We are now witnessing, one more time, his Herculean efforts to persuade Congress to pass a healthcare reform that will really help uninsured, or underinsured, Americans.
Son will not be prosecuted over suicide
courts The son of the conductor Sir Edward Downes will not be charged with assisting his suicide, the Director of Public Prosecutions said yesterday. Keir Starmer said there was sufficient evidence to prosecute Caractacus Downes but it was not in the public interest to do so. Sir Edward died with his wife, Lady Joan Downes, at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland on 10 July last year. The Metropolitan Police launched an inquiry, and found evidence that Mr Downes booked a hotel room in Switzerland for his parents and accompanied them. Mr Starmer said these acts would be sufficient to charge him under the Suicide Act 1961. But he added that there was evidence that Mr Downes's parents reached a "voluntary, clear, settled and informed" decision to take their lives and Mr Downes was "wholly motivated by compassion".
Simon calder: what's the truth about travel? don't ask me
Truth can be elusive, especially in travel. Take the Stansted Express: its timetables have often been compared to works of fiction, but now the creaky old train link to London Liverpool Street has finally been accelerated. "Train to London, 35 minutes," brags the sign at the ticket desk. So how has National Express East Anglia cut 10 minutes from the fastest journey time?
Blunder by jury could see appeal in dog murder case
The question every jury is asked when returning a verdict is: "Is it unanimous?" Not a particularly complicated enquiry, but one which proved confusing for one Old Bailey foreman. On Thursday, the jury in the murder case of Chrisdian Johnson, the 22-year-old who used his dog to maul his victim before stabbing him to death, returned a unanimous verdict.
Blairites win one battle in Labour stronghold but lose another
Andrew grice: there may be no money to spend, but don't expect the budget to be boring
A draft of Alistair Darling's Budget speech next Wednesday has just pinged into my inbox, so I thought I would share it with you: "For a decade since 1997, Britain's economy grew strongly. But the global banking crisis is a stark reminder that growth cannot be taken for granted, and the foundations of the economy must be strong.
Pupils to be sent to china on work placements
A radical new way of teaching Mandarin could open the subject to thousands of state-school pupils. The approach involves teaching the language as part of an engineering diploma – a flagship Government course – and includes a two-week work-experience placement with engineers in China.