PROTEST AGAINST Russian invasion and Vladimir Putin by Ukrainian expats in Brussels, Belgium (Flickr/Bartosz Brezinski).

Over 5000 civilians have died in Mariupol since the siege of the Ukrainian city began, the mayor has reported.

According to the Associated Press, officials are also gathering evidence of more Russian atrocities in the area of Kyiv. The invaders that had sought to capture the capital city have abandoned their positions and are reportedly moving to new positions for the purpose of refitting and reorganizing their forces.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that the Russian actions were in preparation for a push against the eastern region of Donbas, home to many Russian-speaking people.

According to The New York Times, thousands of civilians are already on the move, fleeing what could be a bloody and destructive struggle.

Five gunmen involved in killings

FIVE KILLED in Sacramento shootings (Shutterstock).

At least five shooters – and perhaps more – were involved in a downtown Sacramento incident early Sunday morning that killed six people and wounded 12 more.

According to USA Today, at least 100 shots were fired in what police say may have been a confrontation between gangs. The gun battle took place in a popular entertainment area in the state capital city.

Three arrests have been made and other suspects are being sought.

Sports: Lakers officially out of playoffs

In what will probably come as no surprise to their followers, the Los Angeles Lakers officially were eliminated from the NBA postseason lineup with a 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

The Lakers, who won the league title in 2020, are mired in 11th place in the Western Conference with a 31-48 record. They’ve lost seven straight games and 11 of their last 13. LeBron James has been out of the lineup for two weeks with a injury.

Weather: The heat is (nearly) on

Shed your sweaters and get out your shorts. The warming trend in the West Orange County area that began on Monday is expected to peak on Wednesday, with a daytime high of 98 (62 overnight) under sunny skies. The heat will remain on Friday with a high of 97 (60) and the sun will remain. A cooling trend will begin on Saturday with a high of 81 (57) and gain momentum on Sunday with a high of 74 (57).

Business: Stocks fall for second day

Wall Street investors retreated for the second consecutive day, somewhat in response to potential moves by the Federal Reserve system. According to Marketwatch.com. all three major stock indexes showed losses on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 144.67 points to 34,496.51 The S&P 500 dropped 43.97 points to 4,481.15 and the Nasdaq Composite retreated 315.35 points to 13,888.82.

Investors are wary – in part – because minutes from the last Federal Reserve policy meeting showed a willingness to increase interest rates by a half-point or more in an effort to tame inflation.