THIS MAP of the war situation shows in red areas held by Russian forces (Wikipedia).

Russia’s war in Ukraine is turning into genocide, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. According to the Associated Press, he made those remark in Des Moines, Iowa where he was focusing on the increase of gasoline prices prompted by the war.

“Yes, I called it genocide,” he said. “It’s become clearer and clearer that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.”

In Moscow, Putin proclaimed that negotiations with Ukraine toward a peaceful solution have reached a “dead end,” according to The New York Times. He claimed that evidence of Russian atrocities was “fake” and vowed that the invasion of Ukraine would continue despite setbacks on the battlefield.

Police seek gunman in subway shooting

Twenty-nine people – perhaps more – were hurt in a violent incident Tuesday morning in a subway station in Brooklyn.

United Press International reports that 10 people were hit by gunfire when a man ignited a smoke grenade around 8:24 a.m. and began shooting from inside a train.

So far, the gunman has escaped and an intense search is on by police.

“This person is dangerous. We’re asking individuals to be very vigilant and alert,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Sports: Angels’ pitching to soar?

The Los Angeles Angels are off to a 2-3 start, so what’s to cheer about? The Halos have got three quality starts from their pitching staff, the latest being a strong effort Monday by Michael Lorenzen. He pitched six innings and allowed just one run and two hits as the Angels defeated the Miami Marlins 6-2 in Anaheim.

The Angels squared their season record at 3-3 with a dramatic walk-off 4-3 win over the Miami Marlins Tuesday night. In the bottom of the ninth, Tyler Wade scored from third on a ground ball hit by Max Stassi with the winning run.

Weather: Windy and sunny

Hang on to your hat! The breezy weather that wrapped flags and pushed the trees back and forth on Tuesday will continue on Wednesday in somewhat lesser force. The forecast for the West Orange County area is for a daytime high of 71 (overnight low of 51) with winds of 11 miles an hour. Thursday should be similar (72/54) with more windy days. We’ll get a few more clouds on Friday and a high of 72 (55).

Business: Cost of living is more costly

Inflation hit a 40-year high in a report issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday.

CNN is reporting that the consumer price index rose by 8.5 percent in the year ending in March. That’s a faster climb than February’s figure of a 7.9 percent increase. The last time the CPI exceeded 8 percent was in December 1981 at 8.9 percent.

Big movers in the index were prices for food and gasoline, both influenced by the war in Ukraine.