Houthis propose full prisoner exchange with Yemeni government
The Houthi group in Yemen has announced its readiness to conduct a comprehensive prisoner exchange with the internationally recognized Yemeni government. According to Reuters, Abdul Qader al-Murtada, head of the group’s prisoner affairs committee, stated that the proposal includes all prisoners from all sides without exception.
Al-Murtada urged Saudi Arabia to push the Yemeni government to accept the offer without conditions. The Yemeni government has not yet responded.
Major prisoner swaps involving about 2,000 inmates were previously mediated by the UN in 2020 and 2023. Yemen's war has mostly subsided after a truce mediated by the UN in April 2022, Reuters reported.
Lee and Trump discuss bilateral ties in phone call
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung held a 20-minute phone call with US President Donald Trump at 10:00 p.m. local time on Friday, according to the presidential office.
Along with other bilateral matters, the two leaders talked about fortifying the alliance between the US and South Korea. President Trump also invited President Lee to visit the United States, Xinhua reported.
UN criticizes US travel ban as discriminatory
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed concern about the United States' new travel restriction, describing it as extremely broad and potentially discriminatory under international law. He highlighted that, while governments have the right to control their borders, they must also provide equal treatment and protection to all individuals, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or migration status, according to UN News.
Turk also warned that harsh rhetoric around the ban could fuel xenophobia and heighten resentment toward impacted populations.
US President Donald Trump signed the proclamation citing national security concerns. The ban, effective June 9, blocks entry from 12 countries, including Iran, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Libya, UN News reported.
Trump confirms China trip after 'very good' call with Xi
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone for the first time since the start of the trade war. The call, focused on trade, was described by Trump as “very positive.”
Both leaders exchanged invitations for official visits, though only China’s invitation to Trump was confirmed by Beijing, BBC reported.
Discussions come after a trade agreement stalled, with China blaming new US tech restrictions and the US accusing China of not resuming important mineral exports.
Trump defended the new Chinese student visa requirements. In order to prevent conflict, Xi cautioned the United States to handle Taiwan carefully, as stated by BBC.
Despite tensions, both sides signaled a willingness to keep talks open.