Ukraine says it has taken more ground and prisoners during its advance

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian forces are pushing on with their major cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk region for a second week. On Wednesday, they claimed to have taken more ground, captured more Russian prisoners and destroyed a jet bomber. The commander of the Ukrainian military said that since the start of the day, assault troops had advanced 1-2 kilometers (miles) in some parts of Kursk. He also said that Ukrainian troops took more than 100 Russian soldiers prisoner. The surprise Ukrainian charge onto Russian soil that began Aug. 6 has rattled the Kremlin. The ambitious Kursk operation is the largest attack on Russia since World War II and could involve as many as 10,000 Ukrainian troops backed by armor and artillery.

Hamas official says group is losing faith in US as mediator in Gaza cease-fire talks

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — A top Hamas official says the Palestinian militant group is losing faith in the United States’ ability to mediate a cease-fire in Gaza ahead of a new round of talks scheduled for this week. They come amid mounting pressure to bring an end to the 10-month-old war with Israel. Osama Hamdan told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday that Hamas will only participate if the talks focus on implementing a proposal detailed by U.S. President Joe Biden in May and endorsed internationally. Hamas is especially resistant to Israel’s demand that it maintain a lasting military presence in two strategic areas of Gaza after any cease-fire. Those conditions were only made public in recent weeks.

Mpox outbreaks in Africa declared a global health emergency

LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization has declared the increasing spread of mpox in Africa a global health emergency, warning the virus might ultimately spill across international borders. The announcement came Wednesday after a meeting of the U.N. health agency’s emergency committee. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared mpox a public health emergency on the continent a day earlier. WHO says there are more than 14,000 cases in Africa. So far, more than 96% of all cases and deaths are in a single country: Congo. Scientists are concerned by the spread of a new version of the disease there that might be more easily transmitted among people.

Ernesto becomes a hurricane after pummeling northeast Caribbean

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Ernesto has strengthened into a hurricane and is dropping torrential rain on Puerto Rico, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power in the U.S. territory. Ernesto threatens to strengthen into a major storm en route to Bermuda. It’s forecast to move through open waters for the rest of the week and make its closest approach to Bermuda on Saturday. The storm is forecast to become a major Category 3 hurricane in upcoming days. Ernesto was located about 225 miles northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico and was moving over open waters. It had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was moving northwest at 16 mph.