THE IMPORTATION of Russian oil into the U.S. was banned by order pf President Joe Biden (Flickr/Thomas Hawk).

Ratcheting up the pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday a ban on the importation of Russian oil.

According to the Associated Press, Biden acknowledged that opposing Vladimir Putin’s attack on Russia’s western neighbor would come with a price at the service station pumps.

“Defending freedom is going to cost,” he said.

Petroleum is Russia’s major export and is considered the basis for the fortunes of many of the oligarchs who have supported Putin, president of Russia since 2012.

According to The New York Times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent a note of thanks and praise to Biden for his action, and addressed the British Parliament by video.

He made an appeal for more assistance and paraphrased Winston Churchill’s defiant words to Nazi Germany, saying, “We will fight to the end, at sea, in the air. We will fight in the fields, on the streets.”

First Jan. 6 trial ends in conviction

PROTESTERS seeking to force the eastern entrance to the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6  (Wikipedia).

One of the men who took part in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former president Donald Trump was convicted by a federal jury in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. According to United Press International, Guy Reffitt was convicted on five counts, including entering the grounds of the seat of Congress with a firearm.

Reffit had been turned in to authorities by his son, who he allegedly threatened to shoot. Other evidence included e-mails and text messages in which Reffit bragged about his role in what some people have termed an “insurrection.”

The attack on the Capitol was an attempt to prevent the certification of the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as president and vice president of the United States.

Sports: Historic deal for Aaron Rodgers?

AARON RODGERS (Wikipedia).

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has agreed to a four-year extension on his contract worth $200 million.

According to the report, Rodgers – who was named the league’s Most Valuable Player this season – will be the highest-paid player in pro football history.

He’ll get $153 million guaranteed and $50 million a year.

Weather: Cooler for a while

Temperatures in the West Orange County area will cool for a couple of days, then rise back into the 70s for the rest of the week. The forecast for Wednesday is for a daytime high of 68 (51 overnight) with Thursday’s high also at 68 (44). Skies should vary from sunny to mostly sunny. Friday is forecast for a high of 75 and Saturday at 77.

Business: McD, Coke, Pepsi, Starbucks leave Russia

The Russian consumer economy is about to take another blow as four iconic American brands are pulling out in protest over the invasion of Ukraine.

According to CNBC, Coca Cola, Starbucks and McDonalds are suspending operations. They are the latest of American and other nations’ corporations moving to register their opposition to the war.

While PepsiCo will cut back on most of its operations in Russia, it will continue to sell its baby formula, milk and baby food there for “humanitarian” reasons.