Stocks slip...Bids for Gulf drilling raise $156 million...Supreme Court hears arguments over birth control mandate

NEW YORK (AP) — Energy and mining companies are leading a modest decline on Wall Street in afternoon trading as the prices of oil, metals and other commodities fell. Disappointing earnings from several companies, including Nike, are also weighing on the market.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Government officials say the sale of oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico has raised a total of $156 million -- all in the central part of the Gulf. No bids were made for the eastern region. That's the fourth-lowest total for sales in the central region — traditionally the Gulf's most active territory — since sales started back in 1983. Protesters chanted and waved signs today in New Orleans as officials read bids from companies for the right to explore and develop fossil fuels offshore.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seems deeply divided over the arrangement devised by the Obama administration to spare faith-based groups from having to pay for birth control for women covered under their health plans. A 4-4 tie would uphold four appeals court rulings in favor of the administration. But different rules would apply in parts of the country in which another appeals court has sided with the challengers.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A government report says the web portal for health insurance coverage under President Barack Obama's law logged 316 security incidents between October 2013 and March 2015. The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office says none of the attempted cyberattacks appeared to have compromised sensitive data, including the personal information of millions of consumers shopping for subsidized health insurance. But the GAO says it identified weaknesses protecting sensitive information that flows through a key part of the system.

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon.com is suing its one-time logistics chief after he was hired by Target, saying he's violated a non-compete clause that prohibits him from joining a rival for at least 18 months. The suit filed in King County Superior Court in Washington claims that Arthur Valdez has already shared trade secrets during the interview process. Valdez is expected to start his new job as Target's chief supply chain and logistics officer next week. Target says the suit is without merit.

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