Judges overturn 2 gay-marriage bans

Judges overturn 2 gay-marriage bans

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.

Arkansas and Mississippi became the latest two states Tuesday to have their gay-marriage bans overturned by federal judges, but there are no rushes to the altar as both orders are on hold so the states can considers appeals.

Like several states, Arkansas and Mississippi had voter-approved constitutional amendments pass in 2004 that defined marriage between one man and one woman.

Activists: Syria targets IS-held city

BEIRUT

Syrian government warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes Tuesday on the de facto capital of the extremist Islamic State group, killing at least 60 people, shattering shop fronts and setting dozens of cars ablaze, activists said.

Some of the air raids struck a popular market near a museum and an industrial neighborhood in the city of Raqqa along the Euphrates River in northeastern Syria, causing many civilian casualties, they said.

5 children die in Texas house fire

HOUSTON

Five children were killed after their South Texas mobile home caught fire and its roof partially collapsed, making rescue attempts impossible, officials said Tuesday.

Emergency personnel arrived shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday at the mobile home in Edna, a town of fewer than 6,000 residents about 100 miles southwest of Houston.

Edna Fire Department Capt. Nick Strauss said when firefighters arrived at the scene, 60 to 75 percent of the mobile home already was engulfed in flames and the blaze only got worse after that.

Prepared foods to have calorie counts

WASHINGTON

Truth in labeling is coming to a food outlet or vending machine near you.

The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that large chain restaurants, amusement parks, movie theaters — even supermarkets and convenience stores that serve prepared dishes — must provide calorie information about their food and beverage menu items beginning next year.

The new guidelines, which will apply to chains with more than 20 locations, will affect all kinds of eateries: bakeries, cafeterias, coffee shops and food-service facilities in entertainment venues such as bowling alleys. Ice cream shops, mall cookie vendors, candy stores, table-service restaurants and take-out and delivery food shops such as pizza parlors also will have to comply.

Lawyer suspended over hypnosis claim

CLEVELAND

An attorney accused of hypnotizing women for his sexual pleasure was immediately suspended from practicing law by the state Supreme Court.

The Lorain County Bar Association filed an emergency motion last week with the court seeking the suspension of Sheffield Village attorney Michael Fine. The court suspended Fine on Monday. A court spokesman said Tuesday that it’s rare for the court to suspend an attorney before a disciplinary hearing.

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