US-Russian crew of 3 blasts off to the International Space Station

MOSCOW (AP) — A U.S.-Russian crew of three has started a mission to the International Space Station aboard a Russian spacecraft following a successful launch. A Soyuz booster rocket lifted off at 2:27 p.m. Thursday from the Russia-leased Baikonur facility in Kazakhstan. It docked at the station approximately three hours after liftoff. The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft carried NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian crewmates Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov. All three are expected to spend about eight months at the orbiting outpost. NASA says this is the first spaceflight for physicist Williams and military pilot Mikaev. This is the second flight for Kud-Sverchkov.

Guinea-Bissau soldiers announce general as junta leader, cementing coup days after election

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have announced a new junta leader for the country, cementing a forceful takeover of power that began days after the country’s presidential election. The military high command said Thursday it has inaugurated Gen. Horta Inta-A as the head of the military government. The political opposition in Guinea-Bissau has accused deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of staging the coup to avoid defeat in Sunday’s presidential election. The Associated Press has not independently verifed the claims. The coup is the latest in a surge of coups in West Africa where democracy has recently been challenged by disputed elections that analysts say could embolden militaries.

At least 75 dead as Hong Kong firefighters battle burning towers for a second day

HONG KONG (AP) — Firefighters in Hong Kong have been battling a deadly blaze at a high-rise apartment complex for a second day. The fire has claimed 75 lives, making it one of the deadliest in the city’s history. The blaze started on Wednesday at one of the towers and spread across seven buildings in the Wang Fuk Court complex. Rescuers are still going from apartment to apartment searching. Hong Kong leader John Lee said earlier Thursday that contact had been lost with 279 people. Authorities have arrested three men from a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter. The fire’s rapid spread is believed to be due to non-compliant materials.

Putin sees US peace plan as a starting point as he warns Ukraine’s army to withdraw

Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged U.S. proposals to end the war in Ukraine as a starting point for talks. He insists Ukrainian forces must withdraw or face Russia’s larger army. Putin made these comments after a visit to Kyrgyzstan. He views U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan as a discussion framework, not a draft agreement. The Kremlin has been mostly silent on the peace plan. Analysts believe Putin is trying to outlast Western support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, fighting continues, with Russian attacks in Ukraine’s Sumy, Odesa, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Ukraine is also dealing with a corruption scandal and financial challenges.