UKRAINE’S FLAG (Shutterstock).

The Biden Administration may be willing to agree to Ukraine’s desire to strike at Russian targets in the province of Crimea, seized in 2014 by invasion.

The New York Times is reporting that the United States might agree to provide weapons capable of hitting Russian forces and bases in that province, that both the U.S. and Ukraine maintain is Ukrainian soil.

Crimea is the launching point for some of the devastating aerial attacks made on Ukrainian cities, killing many civilians and knocking out power and water supplies.

Microsoft to lay off 10,000 workers

Ten thousand Microsoft employees will be receiving pink slips this week as the software giant struggles to cope with the impacts of inflation and fears of recession.

According to United Press International, CEO Satya Nadella said that the cutbacks represented only 5 percent of the company’s workforce.

Also in the news …. Jacinda Arden, the prime minister of New Zealand announced on Wednesday that she would be stepping down from that office after six years in office. Her last day as PM will be Feb. 7.

Sports: Lakers and Clippers both lose

Norman Powell scored 30 points and added four rebounds and three assists but it wasn’t enough as the Los Angeles Clippers lost 126-103 to the Utah Jazz Wednesday night.

The loss drops the Clips to below .500 at 23-24. The Jazz evened its record at 24-24.

Meanwhile the Los Angeles Lakers lost another close game, falling 116-111 to the Sacramento Kings. Their record is now 20-25. LeBron James scored 32 points for the team.

Weather:  Mostly sunny, really

There may be partly cloudy skies forecast for the West Orange County area for Thursday (high of 60, low of 41), but sunny weather is foreseen well into the coming week.  Friday is expected to be sunny with a daytime high of 64 and an overnight low of 42. Saturday will be warmer with more sun and a high of 67 (41). Sunday will be “mostly sunny” with a high of 64 (45).