NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. federal judge on Friday delayed a $657.5 million settlement for workers who suffered health problems after the September 11, 2001, attacks, saying the process must be transparent and lawyers fees should not be drawn from the funds.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Los Angeles-area sushi restaurant that made international headlines after it was charged with serving endangered whale meat will close forever as a "self-imposed punishment," according to a statement on its website.

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) - As the Congress once again rallies to pass healthcare reform legislation, momentum is growing in many states to pass laws to block the changes -- a move that could lead to a legal battle over states' sovereignty.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc will cut food prices and mount a new ad campaign over the next six weeks, a threat to other U.S. grocers that sent an industry shares index down more than 2 percent on Friday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. liberal grass-roots group ACORN is on the brink of bankruptcy and its leaders will hold a teleconference this weekend to discuss the group's future, The New York Times reported on its website on Friday.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and an inspirational Web site on Friday gave $30,000 toward the college education of a teenage lesbian whose high school prom was canceled when she asked to attend with a girl.

(Reuters) - A government watchdog faulted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for allowing Southwest Airlines Co to fly jets that had not undergone mandatory maintenance work, violating stipulated safety rules, the Wall Street Journal said.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers became the youngest player to score 15,000 career points in the NBA on Friday, bettering Kobe Bryant's record by more than two years.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Most Americans believe the healthcare reform plan in Congress would help the poor and the uninsured, but say it would be less likely to benefit other groups including themselves, according to a poll released on Friday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Unemployment rates in 363 U.S. metropolitan areas rose in January, and 346 areas reported year-on-year declines in their number of jobs, the Labor Department said on Friday.