Oil services companies were waiting on Tuesday to see if their legal bid would succeed in overturning a six-month ban on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico as more fishing areas were closed in response to the worst oil spill in U.S. history.The ban by President Barack Obama’s administration was imposed in response to…

A federal judge could decide as early as today whether to block the Obama administration’s ban on deep-water drilling, responding to a legal challenge mounted by drilling companies and backed by Louisiana state leaders worried the ban will cost jobs and tax revenue.U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman said he would rule no later than noon…

Crude oil declined for the first time in three days as optimism faded that China’s plan to add more flexibility in the yuan’s fixed exchange rate would strengthen the global economic recovery.Oil gave up yesterday’s gains as equities fell on renewed concern that Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis will affect economic recovery. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. reduced…

One poor start by Burnett was a blip, two were an anomaly and three were a disturbing trend. Four in a row, then, is a downright problem, and the Yankees now have to solve a pressing identity crisis: Who replaced the confident strike-thrower that thrived in April with the erratic guy who has a 10.35…

Eight innings at the Coliseum on Monday night went quietly as the Reds and A’s managed a run apiece. Each team produced a run in the ninth to send the game to extra innings at 2-2.Ah, then came the 10th. Nothing quiet about three homers in an inning.Long balls by former Oakland catcher Ramon Hernandez,…

As Spain (second) and Switzerland (third) are only on three points after a loss and win apiece, there is still a slight chance for Honduras to advance to the second round if they produces a big win over the Swiss and Spain go down to Chile.But Rueda is worldly enough to know such results are…

Panjiva, a company that tracks international trade, has calculated that the Pixar picture has moved more merchandise than any other recent movie — and that it’s not a terribly close contest.Toys, furniture, scooters, calculators and other such stuff emblazoned with images from the $110 million weekend champ Disney/Pixar’s latest hit was packed into 724 massive…

Fox said in a statement Monday that the age eligibility to audition for the upcoming 10th season of the singing competition would be lowered from 16 to 15 years old. The maximum age to audition remains 28.“American Idol” executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz said in a statement that “a lot of young, talented people are now…

If Miley Cyrus’s career can be measured in Britney Years, she is now in Phase Two, after the teasing but wholesome debut but before The Era Of K-Fed. With her adolescence and starmaking vehicle “Hannah Montana” both coming to an end, the 17-year-old Cyrus must ready herself for adulthood, and “Can’t Be Tamed,” her third…

The Supreme Court yesterday upheld a federal law that forbids providing training and advice to terrorist organizations even about entirely peaceful and legal activities, saying it does not violate the free speech rights of those who want to help.Discuss COMMENTS (1) The court ruled, 6 to 3, that Congress and the executive branch had legitimate…

Residents of a small city in eastern Nebraska voted Monday to banish illegal immigrants from jobs and rental homes, defying an earlier decision by the city’s leaders and setting off what is all but certain to be a costly and closely watched legal challenge.In Fremont , a meat-packing town of about 25,000 people, unofficial results…

The convoys are attacked if payments are not made, according to allegations in a US military document.The congressional report follows a six-month investigation.The document states that trucks carrying food, water, fuel, and ammunition may be supplying up to $4 million (£2.7m) per week to the firms.A US congressional committee is expected to hear the evidence…

As head of the Office of Management and Budget, Orszag has been one of Obama’s top lieutenants on two of the president’s signature legislative efforts: the stimulus bill, passed early in the administration, and the health care overhaul passed this year.He also generated some headlines of his own, with the news that he had fathered…

Calling himself a Muslim soldier, a defiant Pakistan-born U.S. citizen pleaded guilty Monday to carrying out the failed Times Square car bombing and left a sinister warning that unless the U.S. leaves Muslim lands alone, “we will be attacking U.S.”Wearing a white skull cap, prison smocks and a dark beard, Faisal Shahzad entered the plea…