AFTER BEING stymied in the north of Ukraine, Russian forces are pressing east and south (Shutterstock).

As fighting continued in the eastern areas of Ukraine, the embattled nation’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said his nation would make all final decisions for his country and the prospect of a cease-fire.

The New York Times reports that Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to battle each other in the Donetsk region.

So far, it appears that neither side has gained the upper hand and the struggle there could descend into World War One trench warfare.

The defenders are vowing to stand their ground, but need more heavy weapons from the U.S and other allies.

Baptist group “stonewalled” abuse victims?

A report from an independent investigator reported that leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention resisted taking action in numerous cases of alleged sexual abuse.

The Associated Press reported Sunday that the investigation by Guidepost Solutions revealed that allegations shared with the SBC’s Executive Committee were met by “resistance, stonewalling and even outright hostility” by some committee members.

SBC President Ed Litton promised sweeping reforms to be submitted to the convention when it meets in Anaheim on June 14-25.

Sports: Dodgers streak ends, Angels win

You can’t win them all. After six straight wins, the Los Angeles Dodgers (27-13) finally lost a game on Sunday, falling to the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 in 10 innings. They still lead the National League West over the San Diego Padres (27-14) by a half-game.

Trea Turner had three hits and drove in a run for the Blue Crew.  The score was tied 1-1 after nine, and the Dodgers went ahead in the top of the 10th. But the Phils snatched the victory with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

The Los Angeles Angels (26-17) defeated the Oakland A’s in Anaheim by score of 4-1. Mike Trout went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBIs and his 12th home run of the season. Shohei Ohtani hit his ninth homer of the year.

Patrick Sandoval (3-1) pitched well, going 7.1 innings and giving up just four hit and one earned run. He walked one and struck out seven.

The Angels remain in second place in the American League West, 1.5 games behind the Houston Astros.

Weather: The hunt for the sun

Partly cloudy again in the West Orange County area Monday with a daytime high of 72 (57 overnight), warming slowly to 74 on Tuesday and then 75 on Wednesday when the sun should finally emerge.