PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN condemned Russia’s movement of military forces into eastern parts of Ukraine (White House).

The United States and its European allies will impose major economic sanctions on Russia in the wake of its move to send troops into eastern parts of the neighboring nation of Ukraine.

The New York Times reports that President Joe Biden said the move by Russia is “a flagrant violation of international law.”

He added, “Who in the Lord’s name does [Russian President Vladimir] Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries on territory that belonged to his neighbors?”

U.S. and Western allies are rolling out a series of sanctions and other moves intended to punish Putin and Russia for those actions in which portions of eastern Ukraine were recognized by Moscow as new nations into which “peacekeepers” were being sent.

The first major action by the West was the suspension by Germany of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia. Additionally, Associated Press is reporting that the U.S. is sanctioning two major Russian banks and blocking Russia from financial trading in American and European markets.

More severe measures are expected if Russian forces move further into Ukraine.

Trucker convoys headed to D.C.?

Up to 800 National Guard troops are expected to be deployed to Washington, D.C. in anticipation of the possible arrival of trucker “convoys” that are protesting vaccine and mask mandates.

The protests, similar to what’s happened recently in Canada, are planned to converge in the nation’s capital on or about March 1, the date of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address.

The soldiers would be unarmed and would assist local law enforcement in traffic control and preventing possible disruptions.

Sports: Women’s soccer team wins equal pay battle

An agreement worth $24 million was won by members of the U.S. women’s soccer team, concluding a lengthy legal fight over equal pay.

According to USA Today, an agreement was announced Tuesday between the U.S Soccer Federation and the women which – with bonuses – is expected to equal what’s paid to members of the men’s team.

The women’s team is one of the best, having won four World Cups. The men have never gotten as far as the semifinals.

Weather: Cool, but some sunshine

The forecast for Wednesday in the West Orange County is for mostly sunny weather with some afternoon clouds. The daytime high should be 60 with an overnight low of 38. Thursday should be the start of a warming trend with a high of 64 under sunny skies.

Business: Ukraine crisis hits stock market

The invasion of eastern Ukraine by Russian forces, followed by the imposition of sanctions, hit Wall Street hard on Monday. The S&P 500 Index fell 44.11 points, according to the Associated Press, 10.3 percent below the all-time high reached on Jan. 3.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq also reported losses exceeding 1 percent.