GIORGIA MELONI, perhaps Italy’s next premier (Shutterstock).

With what could be echoes of the Mussolini era, voters in Italy appeared to have put a far-right political group in position to choose the next premier of the nation.

Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party polled 25.7 percent of the vote in the historically fractured political landscape of Italy.

o become the first female premier of her nation, Meloni would have to form a coalition with another party, possibly a center-right group, according to The Associated Press.

Concerns about high energy prices and immigration from Africa have allowed Meloni’s party to grow from a performance of 4.4 percent in the 2018 election to the current quarter of the electorate, reports The New York Times.

Putin moves to shore up military

Faced with a variety of problems with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin signed laws over the weekend to discipline his nation’s forces and bring in more troops.

RUSSIAN tanks and other military vehicles wrecked by Ukrainian forces.

According to United Press International, the laws were aimed at discouraging desertion, surrender and failure to follow orders with a penalty of 10 years in prison.

Additionally, new legislation will make it easier for foreigners to win Russian citizenship if they volunteered to enlist.

The Ukrainian government pointed to these moves as evidence that Russia was unable to win on the battlefield.

Sports: Rams hang on, Chargers tumble

The local NFL teams for Southern California went different ways on Sunday as the Los Angeles Rams bested the Arizona Cardinals on the road by 20-12 and the Los Angeles Chargers were defeated at home 38-10 by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Rams (now 2-1) were led by Matthew Stafford with 249 yards passing with no touchdowns, but no interceptions, either. Cam Akers and Cooper Kupp each rushed for TDs.

Kyler Murray passed for 314 yards but no TDs for the Cards.

The Chargers (1-2) were overpowered by a strong performance by Jaguar QB Trevor Lawrence, who passed for 262 yards and three scores. James Robinson rushed for 100 yards and one score.

Justin Herbert passed for 297 yards and one score and one interception. He also lost a fumble. The rushing attack was largely ineffective with Sony Michel leading with 22 yards gained.

BASEBALL: It was a good Sunday for both area MLB teams. The Los Angeles Angels (67-86) scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to blow open a tight game and win 10-3.

Mike Trout had a stellar night with two doubles and a home run – his 37th of the season. Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

Jose Suarez (7-8) got the win, going 5.2 innings and yielding eight hits and two earned runs. He struck out six and walked one.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (106-47) beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 at home. Michael Grove (1-0) pitched five strong innings, yielding three hits and one run. He walked one and  struck out three.

Albert Pujols had one unsuccessful at-bat as a pinch-hitter  for the Cards.

Weather: Hot, then cooler

Check your air conditioner … stock up on cool drinks. The National Weather Service’s forecast for the West Orange County area for Monday is sunny with a daytime high of 94, with an overnight low of 69. Tuesday will be warmer with a high of 96 (69) under sunny skies. The heat wave should recede a bit by Wednesday with a high of 90 (68) and on Thursday with a high of 86 (65).