THE M777 towed howitzer has been effective in stopping Russian advances in Ukraine (Wikipedia/USMC).

Ukrainian forces may have been forced out of the city of Bahkmut, but the battle for that strong point isn’t over.

The Associated Press is reporting that from positions at the western fringes of the city, Ukrainians have been fighting back with mortars, drones and more.

That stubborn resistance comes as Ukrainian forces – fortified with powerful high-tech weapons supplied by the U.S. and Western allies – seem poised to launch a major counter-offensive aimed at driving Russian troops back and perhaps reclaim all the land now occupied by the invaders, including Crimea, taken in 2014.

Signal failure cause of India’s train crash?

FLAG OF INDIA

Investigators into the railway crash in eastern India on Saturday that took at least 275 lives believe the cause may have been a failure in the signaling  system.

According to The New York Times, all the derailed cars have been removed and service along the affected lines has been restored. While problems with the signal system are considered the likely cause, human error and sabotage have not been dismissed as possibilities.

Also in the news …China’s top military leader accused the U.S. of “provocation” and warned that “anyone” who tried to “separate Taiwan from China” would run the risk of war, according to United Press International, quoting Gen. Li Shangfu, minister of defense.

Angels avoid a sweep; Dodgers fall to Yanks

Shohei Ohtani’s double in the eighth inning drove in what proved to be the game-winning run as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Astros in Houston and avoided a sweep of their series.

With the victory, the Halos edged back over .500 at 31-30 and reclaimed third place in the American League West. 

Trailing 1-0, Luis Rengifo tied it for the Angels with a home run in the top of the sixth. Ohtani’s key hit came with two out in the eighth, bringing home Zach Neto with what proved to be the winning run, racing all the way from first.

Chris Devenski (3-0) got the win in relief. The Angels have the day off on Monday, then open a series in Anaheim against the Chicago Cubs.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost 4-1 to the New York Yankees at home on Sunday, but they should nevertheless send a “thank you” card to the Atlanta Braves. They defeated the surging Arizona Diamondbacks 8-5, keeping the Blue Crew (35-25) in a tie for first place in the National League West.

J.D. Martinez hit a home run (his 14th of the season) in the bottom of the seventh to account for Dodgers’ only run. That tied the game up briefly but the Yankees (36-25) scored once in the eighth and twice in the ninth to pull away and win.

It wasted a very good pitching performance by starter Bobby Miller (2-0), who worked six innings giving up one hit and no runs. He struck out seven Yankees and walked two.

The Dodgers have Monday off, then travel to Cincinnati to begin a series with the Reds on Tuesday.

In the NBA Finals, the Denver Nuggets (1-0) are hosting the Miami Heat  (0-1) in Game Two.

Weather: In the cooler for a bit

It’s not exactly a return to spring, but daytime temperatures will be in the high 60s for the next few days for our West Orange County area. Monday’s afternoon high should be 67 with an overnight low of 59 with partly cloudy skies. Tuesday will be 69 (59) with partly cloudy skies and a 16 percent chance of rain. The 70s will return Wednesday with a high of 70 (58) with the same skies.