“We're the No. 1 nuclear power, which I hate to admit because it's so horrible. It's such a horrible situation if it ever has to be used,” he said. “Russia's second. China's a distant third. But they'll catch us within four or five years. They want to catch us, and they'll be able to catch us.” 

“We're maybe working on a plan to denuclearize the three of us. We'll see if that works,” he added.

Recently, Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume the testing of nuclear weapons, which, if it is pushed through, will be the first to be conducted since 1992. 

This move came amid an informal global moratorium on nuclear testing, and after Trump accused Russia and China of covert underground nuclear testing. 

While watching out for its competitors, the US has never lost a war , Trump said. 

“Never lost a war. We still don't lose wars. We just sometimes don't fight to win,” he said. 

“We'll stay around the country for 15 years, just bomb the hell out of everybody, make everybody miserable. Nobody knows why we're there.”

The Ministry of Justice has drafted sweeping amendments to Ethiopia’s Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Proclamation, sparking alarm among rights advocates. The proposal would grant the Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organisations (ACSO) new powers to suspend organisations on mere suspicion of “a serious legal violation” or when it “believes irreparable harm will occur if the organisation is not suspended,” Addis Standard reports. Belayihun Yirga, State Minister for Government Legal and Justice Service Sector, said Proclamation No. 1113/2011 was among the laws “significantly reformed,” and the changes are based on “extensive studies.” Addis Getnet, Director General of Legal Research, Drafting, Revision, and Codification, stated, “The draft amendment has been prepared in a way that reduces challenges encountered during implementation in recent years and incorporates new rights to further strengthen the sector.”  

PM Abiy reaffirms peaceful pursuit of sea access with Eritrea

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to securing sea access “peacefully,” while rejecting the notion of imminent conflict with Eritrea. “Ethiopia does not have existence without its neighbours, and its neighbours do not have existence without Ethiopia,” he said, adding, “Our desire is to sow good seeds. We want access to the sea based on the principle of mutual benefit, not by force.” Addressing concerns over potential war, Abiy emphasised, “To those who raise the spectre of war with Eritrea, it should be known that we do not desire any conflict on our part; they should also do the same.” He stressed that “in the past seven years, we have not had a single conflict with neighbouring countries,” even as Eritrea accused Ethiopia of “provocative sabre-rattling,” Addis Standard reports.

Debt relief deal under G20 framework

Ethiopia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its Official Creditor Committee, unlocking over USD 3.5 billion in debt relief. Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance, stated, “Ethiopia remains confident that the collaborative and pragmatic spirit that has prevailed so far will help expedite the process of finalising bilateral agreements.” He added, “We continue to engage in good faith with all other external creditors, including bondholders, to secure restructuring terms that align with our debt relief needs and the principle of comparability of treatment,” Capital Ethiopia quotes.

Ethiopia investing in nuclear science for peaceful purposes

Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh announced Ethiopia’s commitment to using nuclear science for peaceful purposes, especially in healthcare. “We are bringing life-saving technologies closer to our communities and strengthening regulatory systems to ensure the safe use of radiation,” he said at the Rays of Hope Forum 2025. “Through these efforts, we aim to save lives and promote public health,” he added. Temesgen also highlighted broader achievements: “Our Health Extension Program has trained tens of thousands of community health workers, extending healthcare access to every corner of the country.”

IMF approves Ethiopia review, unlocking $262m

The IMF executive board has approved the third review of Ethiopia’s $3.4 billion loan program, releasing $262 million to support economic reforms. “The authorities have made strong progress in implementing their economic reform agenda in the first year of their Fund-supported programme. Growth has been resilient, and inflation has fallen,” the IMF said . The review follows Ethiopia’s recent debt restructuring agreement, which aims to provide $2.5 billion in debt service relief during the program period through 2028.

Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held a phone call on June 14, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments. During the call, the Amir reaffirmed Qatar’s strong condemnation of the recent Israeli strike on Iranian territory, calling it a clear violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international law. He also emphasised the importance of de-escalation and the pursuit of diplomatic solutions to achieve lasting peace in the region.

Iran tells Qatar it won’t negotiate under fire

Iran has informed Qatari mediators that it will not engage in ceasefire or nuclear deal negotiations while under attack, according to a source familiar with the talks, reported by PressBee . The message, also conveyed to Oman, makes clear that Tehran will only consider diplomatic discussions, whether related to a truce with Israel or the revival of the nuclear agreement with the U.S. after it completes its military response to recent Israeli strikes.

Qatar to support the establishment of Islamic medical school

Ghana’s Minister for Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has requested support from the Qatar Education Foundation to establish an Islamic Medical School in the Northern Region. The proposed institution, intended to serve as a teaching hospital for the University for Development Studies, aims to expand access to medical education and improve healthcare delivery in underserved areas. Mr. Iddrisu made the appeal during a meeting in Accra with Qatar’s Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Khalid Bin Jabor Al-Mesallam.

Qatar and France deepen bilateral ties

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, and France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, co-chaired the third Qatar-France Strategic Dialogue in Paris on June 12. The meeting reviewed progress made since the Amir of Qatar’s state visit to France in February 2024, highlighting new cooperation across security, defence, economy, trade, investment, and education. Both nations reaffirmed their strong bilateral relations and committed to further expanding their strategic partnership.

Qatar records over $2.7 billion in FDI in 2024

Qatar attracted more than $2.7 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, according to the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) , marking a 110% year-on-year increase in project numbers and a 123% rise in job creation. A total of 241 new projects were established, generating over 9,000 jobs. Key investment sectors included electric power generation, data processing and hosting, retail and wholesale trade, scientific research and development, and water and sewage systems.

“We ratify once again Cuba's unwavering commitment to peace, to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and to the non-performance of nuclear tests,” Díaz-Canel said during the meeting.

The Cuban leader praised the long-standing relationship between Cuba and the CTBTO, and expressed gratitude for the organization's support in developing the country's scientific and institutional capabilities in nuclear monitoring and disarmament efforts.

Díaz-Canel also commended Floyd’s personal dedication to building what he described as a “robust, armored, effective, and efficient verification system” for nuclear weapons testing, Granma reports.

He also acknowledged the CTBTO's support in training Cuban experts, facilitating access to international data, and enhancing Cuba’s scientific programs and comparative studies related to nuclear monitoring and policy .

Reflecting on global nuclear tensions, Floyd noted the continued relevance of Cuba’s role, especially in light of its early commitment to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Cuba was among the first five nations to ratify the treaty, doing so in January 2018—just months after signing it at the UN in September 2017.

“Even in these dark times for global disarmament efforts, our organisation remains a flame,” Floyd said.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons officially entered into force on January 22, 2021, as part of global efforts to eliminate nuclear arms.