UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT Volodymyr Zekenskyy (Flickr/Ukrainian Govt.)

Russia is “weaponizing” food, energy and the abduction of children in an effort to win its war against Ukraine, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an address at the United Nations in New York City on Tuesday.

The Associated Press is reporting that he warned that similar means might be used againstother nations as well.

“It never stops there,” he said, adding that the goal of the war is to overturn “the international rules-based order.”

Ukraine is in the middle of a counter-attack against Russian invaders and the conflict has complicated political and economic relations.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin and one other person by the International Criminal Court for allegedly abducting children from Ukraine.

Defense spending bill blocked in House

U.S. CAPITOL, seat of Congress (Shutterstock).

A routine funding bill for the Department of Defense was blocked Tuesday by five Republicans who refused to allow the measure to come up for debate.

According to The New York Times, the move delayed action to avoid a government shutdown on Sept. 30. Far-right conservatives are seeking to make big spending cuts and impose tougher border policies.

If House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is unable to arrange a compromise within his party, an alternative would be to strike a deal with Democrats, which could endanger his status as Speaker of the House.

U.S. auto strike may spread

The targeted strike by members of the United Auto Workers against the “Big Three” of automobile manufacturers may soon widen.

United Press International is reporting that the UAW is setting a deadline of noon on Friday for significant progress to be made in reaching a contract settlement.

The union is seeking a 40 percent pay increase, a shorter work week and improved pension plans and working conditions. At present just three plants have been hit by work stoppages.

Angels lose sixth, Dodgers win

Showing the same resilience that helped them win their 10th National League West division title in 11 years, the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied with single runs in the bottom of the eighth and ninth to defeat the Detroit Tigers 3-2 on Tuesday night at Chavez Ravine.

Max Muncy singled in the winning run with two outs. In the eighth, David Peralta’s double drove in Chris Taylor with the tying tally.

Ryan Pepiot (2-1) had a good game for the Blue Crew (93-57), working six innings while giving up five hits and one earned run. He struck out four batters and walked one.

It was the Dodgers’ fifth straight win.  Bobby Miller (10-3) will get the start on Wednesday against the Tigers.

Meanwhile, the Angels (68-83) continued their dreary march through September, falling 6-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays at the Tropicana Field. It was their sixth consecutive loss.

Once again, the bullpen was the culprit. Zach Neto’s home run in the top of the eighth tied the game at 2-2, but the Rays came back with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

The loss went to Aaron Loup (2-3) who gave up three hits, two walks and four earned runs in one inning.

The Halos had just five hits on the night, but two were home runs: the one by Neto (his ninth of the season) in the eighth and one by Logan O’Hoppe (his 11th) in the fourth.

On Wednesday, Reid Detmers (3-10) will get the start against the Rays.

Weather: More autumn for West OC

The leaves aren’t really cascading off the trees yet, but autumn weather is definitely here in our West Orange County area. Wednesday’s daytime high should be 77 with a low of 65 with morning clouds and afternoon sun. Thursday will be cooler with a high of 72 (60) .Friday should be mostly cloudy and 74 (61). Saturday may bring partly cloudy skies and a high of 77 (60).