U.S.

WASHINGTON - A U.S. court on Friday struck down a rule limiting a cable company to no more than 30 percent of the subscription television market, a victory for companies like Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O) that could spark a wave of consolidation in the industry.

NEW YORK - The number of rigs drilling for natural gas in the United Stases rose four this week to 699, the sixth straight weekly gain after sinking in mid-July to the lowest level in more than seven years, according to a report on Friday by Baker Hughes in Houston.

NEW YORK - U.S. copper futures surged to prices unseen in 11-months after robust U.S. consumer spending data suggested demand for the metal might increase, then closed off that peak at still-lofty levels as many players squared their books at month's end, analysts said.

The New York Federal Reserve said on Friday it bought $1.945 billion of U.S. agency debt with maturities ranging from March 2016 to July 2032.

U.S. copper futures advanced to levels not seen in 11-months on Friday as a robust U.S. consumer spending report suggesting demand for the metal might increase going forward, but later pulled off that peak when consumer sentiment eased slightly in August, traders said.

* Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average DJc1, the S&P 500 SPc1 and the Nasdaq 100 NDc1 stock indexes are up from 0.2 to 0.4 percent, pointing to a higher start when the U.S. markets open on Friday.

WASHINGTON - U.S. drug reviewers questioned a Genzyme Corp (GENZ.O) study meant to back wider use of the company's Clolar leukemia drug, according to documents released on Friday ahead of an advisory panel review.

NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures rose on Friday after a better-than expected quarterly performance from computer maker Dell Inc (DELL.O) boosted the technology sector ahead of key U.S. consumer data.

NEW YORK - Cash crude differentials mostly firmed for a second day on Thursday on renewed refinery buying, but pared gains late in trade as the discount narrowed for prompt crude on futures markets.

NEW YORK - U.S. stocks closed higher on Thursday as investors turned back an early sell-off, thanks to a rebound in oil prices.

PHILADELPHIA - U.S. government scientists have for the first time found chemical contaminants in drinking water wells near natural gas drilling operations, fueling concern that a gas-extraction technique is endangering the health of people who live close to drilling rigs.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military wants to speed production of 10 to 12 huge bunker buster bombs, the Air Force said on Thursday, amid concerns over suspected underground nuclear sites in Iran and North Korea.

A unit of energy giant Edison International (EIX.N) on Thursday was charged with violating U.S. clean air laws at its coal-fired power plants in Illinois by releasing massive amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere.

NEW YORK - Chemical shipments on U.S. railroads fell 10.1 percent last week, according to a report from the Association of American Railroads on Thursday.

SEATTLE - U.S. retailers could see sales in the 2009 holiday season decline from last year's dismal results or show only a slight increase, even in the best scenario, according to a new forecast.

NEW YORK - U.S. copper futures dipped into negative territory Thursday morning as a weaker open on Wall Street and lingering concerns about Chinese demand sapped earlier strength and pulled prices back down from the $2.90 a lb level.

U.S. motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG.N) is optimistic about a recovery in the U.S. economy but would continue to tread carefully by adopting cost-saving measures, a senior official said on Thursday.

U.S. motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc is optimistic about a recovery in the U.S. economy but would continue to tread carefully by adopting cost-saving measures, a senior official said on Thursday.

NEW YORK - Interest rates on U.S. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose 0.02 percentage point in the latest week, according to a survey released on Thursday by home funding company Freddie Mac (FRE.N).

BANGALORE - Garmin Ltd (GRMN.O) has chosen a wireless carrier for its long-awaited navigation-enabled smartphone set for a fourth-quarter launch in the United States, but the navigation device maker stopped short of naming the company.

MILLIS, Mass. - As he finished packing corn, tomatoes and blueberries into shopping bags at a Massachusetts farm, software engineer Alex Lian said his new shopping habits had changed his attitude to food.