Putin agrees in principle with proposal for Ukraine ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he agrees in principle with a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. But he emphasized that the terms are yet to be worked out and noted that any truce should pave the way to lasting peace. Putin spoke Thursday at a news conference in Moscow. He said more discussions are needed with the U.S., including President Donald Trump. In Washington, Trump offered guarded optimism about Putin’s statement and reiterated that he stood ready to speak with him. The Russian leader made the remarks just hours after the arrival of Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow for talks.

Duterte refused fingerprinting and threatened lawsuits during chaotic arrest

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine general says that ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened him with lawsuits, refused to be fingerprinted and told law enforcers “you have to kill me to bring me to The Hague.” The police official on Thursday recounted the tense confrontation after Duterte’s arrest in Manila that was ordered by the International Criminal Court. Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre provided details for the first time of Tuesday’s 12-hour standoff at a Philippine air base before he and other police officers managed to bring the 79-year-old former leader onto a government-chartered jet that took him to The Hague and detained by the global court on charges of crimes against humanity.

Belgian prosecutors arrest suspects in Huawei bribery probe targeting EU Parliament

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian federal prosecutors say they’ve arrested several people as part of a corruption probe linked to the European Parliament and Huawei. The Chinese company is suspected of bribing EU lawmakers. Prosecutors said on Thursday that suspects were arrested for questioning in “connection with their alleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries.” Lobbyists working for Chinese telecoms giant Huawei are suspected of bribing current or former lawmaker Huawei didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Top diplomats from G7 countries meet in Canada as Trump threatens more tariffs

LA MALBAIE, Canada (AP) — Top diplomats from Group of 7 industrialized democracies have gathered in Canada as U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade and foreign policies have thrown the bloc’s once solid unity into disarray. The meeting began Thursday, just minutes after Trump threatened to impose 200% tariffs on European wine and other alcohol if the European Union doesn’t back down from retaliating against U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs with a levy on American whiskey. The escalating trade war adds to uncertainty over relations between the U.S. and its closest allies. It also likely means U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hear a litany of complaints as he meets with the foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.