Putin says he hopes to meet with Trump as the WH presses for a Ukraine peace deal

(AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he hopes to meet next week with U.S. President Donald Trump, possibly in the United Arab Emirates, although a White House official cast doubt on the summit occurring unless the Kremlin leader also agreed to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Putin’s announcement came on the eve of a White House deadline for Moscow to show progress toward ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine or suffer additional economic sanctions. The U.S. was still expected to impose those sanctions Friday on Russia, according to a White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Netanyahu says Israel plans to take over all of Gaza in bid to destroy Hamas

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that to destroy Hamas Israel intends to take full control of the Gaza Strip. He said Israel would eventually transfer Gaza’s administration to friendly Arab forces, as the Security Cabinet discussed a widening of its 22-month offensive. Asked in an interview with Fox News if Israel would “take control of all of Gaza,” Netanyahu replied: “We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza.” The Security Cabinet would still need to approve such a decision. Hospitals in Gaza meanwhile said at least 42 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes and shootings.

South Korean investigators seek arrest of wife of jailed ex-President Yoon

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean investigators on Thursday requested a warrant to arrest the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, a day after questioning her over suspicions including bribery, stock manipulation and political influence-peddling. Yoon, for the second time in a week, resisted an attempt to compel him to appear for questioning in his wife’s case, forcing prison officials to abandon their efforts after an hourlong struggle due to concerns of injury, the investigators said. The detention warrant for Yoon expires Thursday. The investigation targeting Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, is one of three separate special prosecutor probes launched under the government of new liberal President Lee Jae Myung related to Yoon, who was removed from office in April and rearrested last month over his brief imposition of martial law in December.

Prosecutors in Thailand issue indictments for dozens in deadly building collapse

BANGKOK (AP) — State prosecutors in Thailand have formally indicted 23 individuals and companies on charges related to the collapse of a Bangkok office building that collapsed after an earthquake, killing at least 92 people. The partially built high-rise, which was to house the new State Audit Office, was the only one in Thailand to completely collapse on March 28 due to the 7.7 magnitude earthquake, which was centered in neighboring Myanmar. Those indicted include the lead contractors for the project, Italian-Thai Development Co., and its Chinese joint venture partner, the China Railway No. 10 company. Charges include professional negligence causing death and use of forged documents.