PRO-RUSSIAN rally in eastern Ukraine in 2014 (Wikipedia).

Russia applied pressure in its invasion of Ukraine in two ways, but some Russians are pushing back.

According to Associated Press, referendums seeking to legitimize Moscow’s conquest of portions of Ukraine began on Friday and continue. At the same time, shelling by Russians killed at least three people and injured others.

In Russia, however, hundreds more people were arrested in protests against mass mobilizations of reservists and civilians to fight in Ukraine. Flights out of Russia were reported packed with young men fleeing from conscription.

The referendums, being conducted in areas in the east and south of Ukraine occupied by the invaders, have large Russian-speaking populations. Ukraine and its allies, (including the United States) according to The New York Times, have termed the elections “shams” and not legally recognized.

Anti-govt. protests spread in Iran

As many as 80 cities in Iran have been engulfed by protests against the theocratic government of that nation.

The New York Times reports that 50 or more people have been  killed by authorities and many arrests made.

Iran is run by a fundamentalist Islamic regime that has imposed strict behavior and dress regulations, especially affecting women.

A depressed economy and a shortage of jobs have contributed to the unrest, according to reuters.com . 

Sports:  Top teams have tough wins

It was a taxing Saturday for the nation’s top college football teams. Top-ranked Georgia got a strong battle from Kent State but prevailed 39-22.

SATURDAY COLLEGE football (Shutterstock).

Fourth-ranked Michigan got by Maryland by 34-27 and fifth-rated Clemson pulled out a 51-45 win over Wake Forest in overtime. Oregon (15th) rallied to edge Washington State 44-41.

Unranked UCLA improved to 4-0 with a 45-17 win over Colorado (0-4). Zach Charbonnet ran for three touchdowns and Dorian Thompson-Robinson passed for three more in the win.

USC (3-0) hosted Oregon State (3-0). The Trojans rallied to pull out a 17-14 win with two fourth quarter touchdowns.

BASEBALL

The Los Angeles Angels are on the road playing the Twins in Minnesota and lost 8-4. Mike Trout knocked in two runs with a double.

Despite the loss, the Halos remained in third place in the AL West as the Texas Ranger fell 4-2 to the Cleveland Guardians. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers are at home and defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2. Clayton Kershaw picked up his 10th win and three home runs.

Weather: Thermometer stuck at 88

The forecast for the West Orange County area is easy to remember. From Sunday to Wednesday, the daytime high is predicted to be 88, with overnight lows in the 66 to 68 range. Sunday should be sunny, as should Wednesday. In between the sky should be partly cloudy.