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1 Russia Wants Full Country of Eastern, Southern Ukraine
American officials are finally confirming the reported meeting that took place between Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Ukrainian leaders. It's the highest level American visit since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. It also comes as the Russians have moved most of their forces towards the eastern part of Ukraine as they focus their efforts on that part along with the southern part of the country and comes on the heels of a senior Russian military official saying the Russian army will try to take full control over eastern and southern Ukraine. The deputy commander of Russia's central military district said Russia wants to establish full control over the Donbas and southern Ukraine as part of the second phase of its invasion. The plan is to carve out a land corridor from Russia to Crimea. The control would also give Russia access to Transnistria, a breakaway part of Moldova.
2 New Mexico, Arizona Wildfires Continue To Burn
Wildfires in New Mexico and Arizona continue to rage. State authorities say two wildfires east of Santa Fe have merged to over 54-thousand acres with just 12-percent containment. Five counties remain under a state of emergency. Gusty winds have been fanning the flames. Meanwhile, a wildfire burning on the outskirts of Flagstaff, Arizona has tripled in size. At last check, it has destroyed over 21-thousand acres and is just three-percent contained. There are no longer mandatory evacuations in place for any neighborhoods involved, but residents are encouraged to stay alert. On a related note, a retired fire chief is dead and more than a dozen firefighters are hurt battling a wind-whipped blaze in Nebraska. Authorities said Sunday the fatality was the retired fire chief of the community of Cambridge. That town was evacuated Friday because of the fire, and by Sunday it had charred nearly 80 square miles in three Nebraska counties. Blazes have been reported in 14 counties in Nebraska since Friday.
3 Jon Stewart Honored With The Mark Twain Prize For American Humor
We all know that Jon Stewart’s a funny guy. We know that he’s passionate when it comes to topics he cares about. Now? He’s officially a legend – as he’s now the 23rd recipient of the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. In accepting his honor, Stewart noted that comedy is a great indicator of a healthy democracy. “When society is under threat, comedians are the ones who get sent away first,” he noted. “It’s just a reminder to people that democracy is under threat. Authoritarians are the threat to comedy, to music, to thought, to poetry… comedy doesn’t change the world, but it’s the bellwether.” The long list of stars saluting Stewart included Jimmy Kimmel, Dave Chappelle, Steve Carell, Pete Davidson, Olivia Munn and a performance by Bruce Springsteen. The ceremony is set to air June 21st at 8pm on PBS