RUSSIAN FORCES are seizing Ukrainian border towns (Shutterstock).

Four border villages in northeastern Ukraine have been seized by Russian forces, the Associated Press is reporting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin several days ago spoke of establishing a “buffer zone” between the two warring nations.

Ukrainian troops are reported as “trying to hold the line,” and civilians are evacuated from combat zones.

The AP is also reporting that Russian aerial attacks – using missiles and drones – has slowed overnight, cutting back on some of the heaviest such assaults in months.

Plans for direct talks – urged by the United States – between Ukraine and Russia – have not advanced. Possible sites for such negotiations mentioned have been Vatican City, Geneva, Switzerland and Turkey.

President Donald Trump has spoken of Russia’s attacks with the suggestion that Putin had gone “gone crazy.”

Another judge rebuffs “coercion”

For the third time, a federal judge has rejected efforts by the Trump administration to punish a law firm associated with a special counsel who investigated President Donald Trump’s connections with Russia.

ANOTHER JUDGE rejects sanctions again law firms (Shutterstock).

According to The New York Times, Judge Richard J, Leon of the federal District Court for the District of Columbia wrote that the actions against WilmerHale were attempts at coercion to force the firm to the bargaining table

Two other federal judges have also rejected similar moves for sanctions against firms who chose to fight the White House. Some of this targeted did settle for a cash payment or pro bono work for conservative causes.

Among the actions in executive orders approved by Trump are barring lawyers from federal buildings – which could include courthouses – or taking their security clearances away.

King Charles speaks to Canadian parliament

In a rare move, British King Charles III spoke to the Canadian parliament, telling its members that “The True North is indeed strong and free.”

According to United Press International, the king’s remarks echoed a line in the Canadian national anthem.

Charles said “Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and once which the government is determined to protect.”

His remarks appear to be aimed at suggestions by President Trump – perhaps in jest – of making Canada the 51st state of the U.S.

While Canada is an independent nation, its “head of state” is still the British monarch and that person’s image appears on Canadian currency.

Weather: A glimpse of the 80s

Here in our West Orange County cities, we will get a quick glimpse of summer later this week. The forecast for Wednesday is for a daytime high of 71 with an overnight low of 60. Thursday will warm to 75 (59) and both days will have clouds in the morning and sun in the afternoon. Friday will peak to 80 (62) with partly cloudy skies and Saturday will cool slightly to 79 (64) with mostly sunny conditions.

Great Thoughts:

“Imagination is more important than knowledge, for while knowledge defines everything we know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create”
– Albert Einstein, physicist and writer

“Many people would sooner die than think. In fact, they do.”
– Bertrand Russell, philosopher and writer

“ A good plan implemented today is better than a perfect plan implemented tomorrow.”
– Gen. George Patton