Choosing our family members, wasn't, you would have thought, a matter for the high courts, not in a democratised world anyway. But it seems judicial teams in the most unlikely of places are taking on these new roles, attempting to define our marital nirvana. Last week, a Californian judge ruled that the state's ban on gay marriages was unconstitutional, leaving thousands of people free at last to choose who they marry.

A schoolboy who took revenge for being dumped by killing his ex-girlfriend and her older sister in a house fire in south London has been jailed for life.

A taxi driver convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting women passengers had a conviction appeal bid thrown out by top judges today.

A right-wing critic of David Cameron is favourite to be elected today as the "shop steward" for Conservative backbenchers.

In 2002 Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska noticed a swelling on her left arm. "As I was preparing for a tour involving some difficult Liszt pieces, I thought perhaps it was to do with overwork." The truth was different. It was an aggressive tumour, 12cm in diameter, which required immediate removal of a large section of arm muscle. The operation also severed a nerve.

A 16-year-old boy stabbed to death outside a birthday party was named tonight by police.

A scuffle erupted on the streets of Croydon today as the British National Party presented some of its candidates for the forthcoming local and Westminster elections.

A nursery manager spoke today of the "hell" she has endured after she was cleared of shaking, dropping and force-feeding babies in her care.

A nursery manager force fed babies in her care until they were sick and then made them eat their own vomit, a court heard today.

A man who killed an intruder and seriously injured another after they broke into his house armed with a gun was cleared of murder yesterday.

Crystal Palace midfielder Darren Ambrose admits losing manager Neil Warnock would be a massive blow for the club.