THE MUSIC FESTIVAL where hundred of Israelis were killed and others taken hostage, starting the current conflict (WIkipedia).

Top leaders of the militant Hamas faction now involved in a brutal war with Israel now face criminal charges from the United States for the death of 43 Americans.

On Tuesday the Justice Department announced charges against Yahya Sinwar, leader of the group and other leaders of the organization that started the war on Oct.  7 that has led to t he death of over 1,500 Israelis and 40,000 Palestinians.

The seven charges filed in federal court in New York City include conspiracy to murder American nationals, conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction and conspiracy to support a terrorist organization.

“The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’ operations,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement. “These actions will not be our last.”

The charges are believed to have been filed – in part – because of the recent execution of five hostages, including one American.

More than 50 killed in Russian strike

At least 50 people were killed and many others injured when a Russian missile struck a military academy building and a hospital in  the Ukrainian city of Poltava on Tuesday.

RUSSIA VS. UKRAINE (Shutterstock).

An estimated 271 persons were hurt in the attack.

White House spokesman John Kirby said the Russian missile strike was an example of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “brutality toward the people of Ukraine and the manner in which he’s trying to punish them for his own invasion of that country.

Also, a university campus in the town of Sunny was bombed on Tuesday. The town is near to the Russian district of Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have been able to seize land and small communities since their unexpected offensive that started in August.

Rescue efforts are reported to be underway

Sports: Georgia Bulldogs in the lead

The first Associated Press poll of the 2024 football season is out and the Georgia Bulldogs (1-0) are ranked in the top spot. The rest of the top five are second place Ohio State (1-0), third place Texas (1-0), fourth place Alabama (1-0) and fifth place Notre Dame (1-0).

SANFORD STADIUM, home of the University of Georgia football team (Wikipedia).

Georgia won its opener 34-3 over Clemson. The Bulldogs will next be in action on Saturday visiting unranked Tennessee Tech (0-1).

This is the first year that the college football field has expanded to 12 teams, so here are the teams ranked sixth through 12th. They all have 1-0 records.

Ole Miss (sixth), Oregon (seventh), Penn State (eighth), Missouri (ninth), Michigan (10th), Utah (11th) and Miami (12th).

Just outside the “field” is USC in 13th place. With its 27-20 victory over LSU, the Trojans rose 10 places in the poll and dropped the Tigers from 13th to 18th.

UCLA received no votes.

Weather: Hot and even hotter

Our West Orange County area continues to head into a late-summer heat wave, with sunny skies every day. The forecast for Wednesday is for a daytime high of 92 with an overnight low of 69. Thursday should be warmer at 97 (70), peaking at 98 (71) on Friday. The thermometer is expected to drop a little to 96 (71) on Saturday.