Supreme Court delays action on gay marriageThe Supreme Court delayed action Friday on its most closely watched deliberation -- whether to rule this year on states' remaining bans against same-sex marriage.

After considering petitions filed by gay and lesbian couples in five states that still prohibit gay and lesbian nuptials, the justices did not agree to hear any of them. Their decision could come next week.
If the issue is to be resolved during the court term ending in June, the justices must choose to hear one or more cases before the end of the month. That would allow time for briefs to be filed, oral arguments heard and a ruling rendered by late June.