Short Messages | US & World

Texas Sen. Cruz says the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision on same-sex marriage was wrong

WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Cruz joins a host of conservatives in saying the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage was wrong and excessive, raising concerns that the Roe v. Wade could influence other previous decisions.

In a clip posted to his podcast YouTube channel on Saturday, the Texas Republican discussed the “weak point” of the Obergefell v. Hodges.

“Obergefell, like Roe vs. Wade, ignored two centuries of our nation’s history,” Cruz said in the clip. “Marriage has always been an issue left to the states.”

Before the decision, 37 states and Washington, DC had legalized same-sex marriages, while Texas and nine other states had constitutional provisions barring union recognition. Cruz argued it should have been left up to the states to decide.

– The Dallas Morning News

The Orthodox Christian Church opens a national conference in Baltimore

BALTIMORE — A jurisdiction of one of Christianity’s oldest churches will hold its national convention in Baltimore this week, marking the second time this month that a prominent Christian faith tradition has held its premier regular gathering in the city.

The Orthodox Church in America — one of the largest Eastern Orthodox Church jurisdictions in the United States — inaugurated its All-American Council Monday at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor.

More than a thousand officials, bishops, ministers and parishioners from the 228-year-old branch of the worldwide church are expected at the five-day conference, where they will address business issues, network and where delegates from the 14 dioceses could discuss resolutions on issues such as the ongoing war in consider Ukraine.

The Very Rev. Alexander Rentel, chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, says delegates will delve into such mysteries as pension plans and the election of new officers, but more broadly they will “examine closely” a continuing shortage of priests and encourage the inclusion of young people people and making sure to hear from some of the “farther away” dioceses of jurisdiction, including those in Alaska and Mexico.

– The Baltimore Sun

Cones “unfit for human consumption,” California lawsuit alleges

Skittles, the colorful fruit-flavored candy, has come under fire after a lawsuit filed in Northern California says people taste more than the rainbow.

Although most people can identify Skittles flavors like lemon, strawberry, and orange, few can probably name titanium dioxide, a coloring additive that helps give the candies their bright hue.

This ingredient is a “known toxin” and “unfit for human consumption,” according to a lawsuit filed last week against Mars Candy in the Northern District of California. She argues that US consumers are unaware of the health risks associated with artificial food colors.

Titanium dioxide — or TiO2 — is listed as an active ingredient in Skittles sold in the United States, although according to the lawsuit it has been removed from the candy’s recipe in several European countries and banned in several other countries.

-Los Angeles Times

Russia orders forces to attack Ukraine’s long-range weapons

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered part of his armed forces to focus on destroying Ukraine’s long-range missile and artillery systems during a troop visit to the occupied territories.

Shoigu “directed the commander to prioritize countering the enemy’s long-range missiles and artillery with high-precision weapons,” Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday at a meeting with the military’s Vostok group.

It wasn’t clear how much change this would mean, given that Russian troops have been trying for months to destroy Ukrainian weapons in a “demilitarization” campaign that has had mixed success as the US and its European allies step up shipments of equipment to to help the government in Kyiv.

Ukraine has received eight advanced US-supplied long-range HIMARS artillery systems in recent weeks, capable of hitting Russian targets up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) away. This has enabled him to hit logistics centers, supply lines and ammunition depots deep behind the front lines and mostly out of reach of Russian artillery. The US has promised to send four more HIMARS to Ukraine, while Britain has also pledged to supply long-range missile systems.

– Bloomberg News

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