SARAJEVO, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The Research Center on Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) was inaugurated earlier this week in Sarajevo, the capital of BiH.

The center, an independent research institution with an advisory board, aims to study, explain and promote the concept of a "community with a shared future for mankind," advance academic exchanges and dialogue among civilizations, and foster friendship and cooperation between China and BiH.

Safet Softic, chairman of the Committee on Foreign and Trade Policy, Customs, Transport and Communications of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, said BiH, drawing on its own experience, understands the value of national peace and social stability and therefore appreciates the importance of the concepts and initiatives proposed by China.

He expressed confidence that the center would help enhance mutual understanding among different countries and civilizations through dialogue.

Faruk Boric, chairman of the center's advisory board, said the establishment of the center is of great significance not only to the academic community in BiH but also to the development of BiH-China relations.

He said the center is committed to building an open platform for exchanges, promoting research on the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and major international issues, and contributing to deeper friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Edin Hadzihafizbegovic, adviser to the BiH foreign minister, said the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, which emphasizes a people-centered approach, common development and a shared future, carries positive significance for BiH society and bilateral ties.

Wang Shiting, secretary-general of China's Research Center on Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity, said the establishment of the BiH center provides a new platform for exchanges of ideas, academic cooperation and people-to-people interactions between the two countries.

Chinese Ambassador to BiH Li Fan said the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, proposed by China, is rooted in the belief that humanity is one global family with intertwined interests and shared destinies.

She added that the establishment of the center marks an important milestone in China-BiH relations and reflects the deepening exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

MELBOURNE, June 13 (Xinhua) -- From the perspective of countless Australians, the costly AUKUS security partnership targets a fictional foe, relies on opaque decision-making, abandons Australia's nuclear-free position and triggers global concerns.

The first hearing of the AUKUS Public Inquiry was held on Thursday in Melbourne, where more than a dozen attendees voiced their doubts and opposition to the trilateral security partnership signed by the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia in September 2021.

Earlier this month, an independent inquiry into AUKUS was launched in Australia by a group of Labor Party veterans and public figures. Within 72 hours, more than 100 written submissions have been received.

Being the first to speak at the hearing, former Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans told the inquiry commissioners and the audience that he believed AUKUS is one of the worst defense and foreign policy decisions ever made by an Australian government.

"Any frank articulation of the security advantage that flows from AUKUS has to frankly acknowledge that it's all to do with ensuring American capability (in the Pacific)," Evans said.

The submarines Australia is about to acquire under AUKUS will only "play the role which the United States manifestly wants them to play... primarily as supplementary assets, effectively embedded into U.S. military command," said Evans.

"The reality is we're always the junior partner (in the Australia-U.S. alliance)," he said.

John Lander, who was Australian Deputy Ambassador to China between 1974 and 1976, reminded the hearing that China is not and has never been a threat to Australia.

The China Threat narrative is entirely the product of some countries' propaganda, he said, adding, "A mutually beneficial relationship is the only guarantee of security for any country with any other country."

To Joseph Camilleri, a professor of international relations at La Trobe University, AUKUS stands as "a decision made for the wrong reasons, in the wrong way, with unfortunate outcomes in the last five years and dire consequences in the years ahead."

Camilleri said it was an "Anglo" decision made without consulting Australia's million-plus Chinese Australian residents.

He said what Australia needs is a key security framework based on three principles, namely common security, cooperative security and comprehensive security, which deals with all kinds of challenges, including economic and environmental ones.

"China is making considerable headway in reducing its carbon emissions. Australia and China should be discussing how to do better collaboratively in dealing with environmental and economic problems and other issues around the world, which are of mutual interest."

The AUKUS deal obliges Australia to spend 368 billion Australian dollars (257 billion U.S. dollars) on eight nuclear-powered submarines -- equivalent to a daily expenditure of more than 30 million Australian dollars (21.3 million U.S. dollars) across three decades.

Rod Campbell, an economist at the Australian Institute, warned that as resources are directed to AUKUS, ordinary Australians will have to bear the opportunity cost in healthcare, education, public services and other sectors.

Dave Sweeney, a renowned environmental activist, voiced worries about the disposal of nuclear waste. Meanwhile, Barbara Jackson, a resident of Melbourne, fears the growing erosion of Australia's national sovereignty under AUKUS.

According to the schedule of the AUKUS Public Inquiry, five more hearings will be held in five different cities across Australia before a report is produced by Oct. 30.

FRANKFURT, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The European Central Bank (ECB) decided on Thursday to raise all three key interest rates by 25 basis points.

The deposit facility rate through which the ECB steers the monetary policy stance will be lifted to 2.25 percent and the rates on the main refinancing operations and marginal lending facility will stand at 2.4 percent and 2.65 percent, respectively, the ECB said in a press release.

"The war in the Middle East is generating inflation pressures, and the decision to raise rates is robust across a range of scenarios mapping out how the shock might evolve and affect the medium-term outlook for the euro area," the ECB said.

The ECB's rate hike came at a time when inflation in the euro area was on the rise, driven mainly by energy price hikes due to the Iran conflict.

In its latest projections released on Thursday, the ECB raised its inflation forecasts for both 2026 and 2027 compared with its March outlook. Headline inflation is now expected to average 3.0 percent in 2026 and 2.3 percent in 2027, up from the previous projections of 2.6 percent and 2.0 percent, respectively.

"The outlook remains uncertain, with upside risks for inflation and downside risks for economic growth," the ECB said.

Inflation in the euro area rose to 3.2 percent in May from 3 percent in April as energy prices soared by 10.9 percent. The ECB believes the energy price hikes will push inflation even higher over the summer, noted ECB President Christine Lagarde.

The ECB also lowered its economic growth projections for 2026 and 2027 compared with the March forecast, as it said the euro area economy is expected to grow at 0.8 percent in 2026 and 1.2 percent in 2027.

The interest rate hike on Thursday is the first time that the ECB has lifted its key interest rates since September 2023. The central bank has put interest rates on hold since June last year.

"With today's decision, we remain well positioned to navigate the uncertainty caused by the war. We will closely monitor the situation and follow a data-dependent and meeting-by-meeting approach to determining the appropriate monetary policy stance," Lagarde said.  

WASHINGTON, June 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States had "just made a great settlement of the war with Iran," with an agreement expected to be signed "over the next few days."

Trump told reporters at the White House that he expected a signing ceremony, attended by Vice President JD Vance, to be held in Europe over the weekend.

He said the documents were in "final shape" and that the deal would be completed "pretty quickly."

Asked if Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had agreed to the deal, Trump said: "I understand the answer is yes."

While describing the possible deal as "a little conceptual," Trump said it is "a very strong memorandum of understanding" and "something that's going to get done."

Tehran has not yet confirmed whether it has agreed to terms with the United States on a settlement to end the war that the United States and Israel launched against Iran on Feb. 28.

Earlier on Thursday, Trump vowed to strike Iran for the third consecutive day but announced hours later that he had canceled the plan.

LONDON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A leading British business representative on Wednesday expressed confidence in deeper cooperation between Beijing and London, citing strong complementarities in finance, technology, healthcare and innovation.

Peter Burnett, chief executive of the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), made the remarks at a Beijing investment promotion event in London, where he described the two cities as "natural partners" for future growth and cooperation.

Burnett said Beijing has evolved into one of China's leading centers for research and innovation, with strengths in advanced technology, healthcare, the digital economy, green development and modern financial services.

He noted that Beijing's focus on high-quality development offers British companies access to talent, research institutions, policymakers and major Chinese enterprises. Financial services and healthcare, in particular, present significant opportunities for cooperation, he added.

According to Burnett, British companies possess strong capabilities in financial and professional services, life sciences, education, technology, clean energy and creative industries, areas that closely align with Beijing's development priorities.

Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global environment, businesses are seeking markets that are open, predictable and innovative, Burnett said, adding that stronger cooperation between Beijing and London could create new opportunities for shared growth.

The event, organized by the Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau and supported by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and the CBBC, showcased Beijing's investment environment, key development zones and cooperation opportunities.

BOGOTA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday rejected a new show of support by U.S. President Donald Trump for right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella and urged him not to interfere in Colombia's presidential campaign, days before a runoff vote.

Petro's remarks came after Trump reiterated earlier in the day in a social platform post his endorsement for De la Espriella, a candidate holding dual citizenship of Colombia and the United States.

He runs against Ivan Cepeda of the governing Historic Pact coalition in the June 21 election.

In a post on X, Petro said Colombian law bans foreign interference in elections and warned against attempts to influence public opinion through foreign funding or disinformation campaigns.

"I inform President Donald Trump that Colombia's Constitution prohibits foreign support and foreign money," Petro wrote, adding that any attempt to alter voters' will with resources from abroad is illegal.

"I ask you, as president of Colombia, not to interfere in the campaign that the Colombian people, not you, will freely decide. Whoever wins will maintain the friendship of more than two centuries between Colombia and the United States," he said.

WASHINGTON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told U.S. Congress on Wednesday that his extramarital affairs "had nothing to do" with his interactions with Jeffrey Epstein and the late financier tried to blackmail him with information about them.

"Based on what has been released in the files, Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities -- in addition to many lies that he layered on top -- to pressure me to re-engage with him," Gates said in a prepared statement before the House Oversight Committee.

Gates said he regretted having any association with Epstein but maintained that he had "never victimized anyone."

"I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct. I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home," Gates said.

According to U.S. media reports, Gates first met Epstein in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to a state charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution. The two met multiple times through 2014.

Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and was found dead in his jail cell the following month.

According to The Wall Street Journal, more than 1,000 communications related to Gates, his foundation, or people who worked for him were identified in the roughly 3-million-pages of Epstein files released by the Justice Department.

Wednesday's closed-door hearing, in which lawmakers questioned Gates about his interactions with Epstein, is part of the committee's investigation into the Justice Department's handling of cases against Epstein and people connected to him.

The committee has already questioned former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about Epstein. Additional witnesses are expected to testify in the coming weeks.

UNITED NATIONS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel to reopen humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip after the closure of key aid crossings, a UN spokesman said Monday.

Following waves of Iranian missile attacks on Israel late Sunday, the Israeli authorities closed several crossings, including the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing and the Rafah crossing, on Monday.

The secretary-general is "deeply concerned" by the decision to close the crossings and suspend the entry of supplies into Gaza, said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for Guterres.

"He (Guterres) calls for the immediate resumption of humanitarian movements at scale into and throughout Gaza and urges all parties to facilitate the rapid, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law," said Haq.

Guterres underscored that humanitarian assistance is "indispensable" for the survival and well-being of civilians in Gaza, noted Haq, adding that "humanitarian needs remain immense and access must remain predictable, sustained, and unimpeded."

The spokesman said it was not known when Israel intended to reopen the crossings.

The Kerem Shalom crossing was the only crossing into Gaza that had been operational for cargo over the past two weeks, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, adding that while no aid was allowed to enter Gaza, humanitarian organizations were permitted to collect cargo on the Palestinian side of the crossing.

"OCHA stresses that people in the Gaza Strip rely on a steady flow of humanitarian and commercial goods from outside," the office said. "The UN and its humanitarian partners work hard to maintain a sustained and predictable flow of supplies despite restrictions. Such efforts cannot be sustained if crossings remain closed."

OCHA also noted that Israeli airstrikes, shelling and gunfire continue to affect civilians and civilian infrastructure across the strip, resulting in reported casualties and damage. It reiterated that civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected under international humanitarian law.

In the West Bank, the office warned of risks posed by debris from missile interceptions, as seen during previous regional escalations.

"Violence affecting Palestinians across the West Bank persists," OCHA said, citing a shooting incident last Friday when Israeli forces killed a 7-month-old Palestinian infant in Hebron city and injured both parents.

The office said that raids, search-and-arrest operations and other operations by Israeli forces have become a regular occurrence, with more than 20 raids or other operations on average each day across the West Bank during the first five months of 2026, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

"Palestinians in the West Bank must be protected, as required by law, and perpetrators of violations must be held accountable," OCHA said.

GENEVA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expanding rapidly, with rising case numbers, wider geographic spread and cross-border transmission to Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

In its latest update, WHO currently assesses the risk as very high for DRC, high for Uganda and neighboring countries sharing land borders with affected areas, and low for the rest of the African region and globally.

As of Sunday, DRC has reported 515 confirmed cases, including 91 deaths. Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths and one probable fatal case. All cases in Uganda remain epidemiologically linked to the outbreak in DRC, with evidence of both imported infections and secondary transmission among contacts and healthcare workers.

National authorities, working with WHO and partners, are implementing a range of response measures. On 5 June, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO launched a joint continental Ebola preparedness and response plan, seeking 518 million U.S. dollars to support African countries in preparing for, detecting, and responding to the outbreak.

The outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a severe and often fatal form of Ebola disease. The virus is believed to originate in fruit bats and can spread through close contact with the blood or secretions of infected animals or the bodily fluids of infected people.

The incubation period for BVD ranges from two to 21 days, and infected individuals are not contagious until symptoms appear.

LONDON, June 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have "no choice" but to accept any agreement reached between the United States and Iran, the Financial Times reported late Sunday.

Washington, not Israel, would determine the outcome of negotiations with Tehran, Trump said during a telephone interview with the British daily shortly after Iran launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel.

"He won't have any choice," Trump was quoted as saying. "I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn't call the shots."

Asked whether Iran's missile strikes on Israel would affect Washington's willingness to continue negotiations with Tehran, Trump said the attacks would have no impact on a potential agreement.

"I think the deal is going on. We'll see what happens," he said, adding that any agreement would succeed or fail on its own merits and that the strikes would not alter his calculations.

Trump also downplayed the attacks, saying they "did not kick at all," and described the conflict between Iran and Israel as "one of those things that's been going for 3,000 years, or 47 years, depending on how you count."

When asked what would happen if negotiations ultimately failed, Trump outlined two possible options. One would involve military action to address what he described as unfinished objectives in Iran, and the other would be to maintain a blockade on the country.

"The blockade has been probably more powerful than any attack that was ever made on that country," he said.

Trump's remarks came after U.S. media outlet Axios reported details last week of a heated telephone conversation between Trump and Netanyahu.

According to a U.S. official cited in the report, Trump told the Israeli leader: "You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this."

Trump confirmed to the Financial Times that the call had taken place and did not challenge the characterization of the exchange.

Despite several U.S.-brokered ceasefires between Israel and Lebanon, Washington has been unable to prevent Israel from carrying out near-daily strikes inside Lebanon. Israel on Sunday launched another strike on a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut.

Iran said its latest missile attacks on Israel were carried out in retaliation for that strike.

LOS ANGELES, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Paramount's horror-comedy "Scary Movie" took the top spot at the North American box office in its opening weekend with an estimated three-day cume of 55 million U.S. dollars, figures from measurement firm Comscore showed on Sunday.

The R-rated film is the sixth installment in the "Scary Movie" series, following 2013's "Scary Movie 5."

Internationally, the film grossed an estimated 50.5 million dollars, bringing its global opening-weekend haul to 105.5 million dollars.

Despite its strong commercial debut, "Scary Movie" was poorly received by critics, earning an approval rating of 26 percent based on 94 reviews on review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. It earned a "C+" grade on CinemaScore's "A+" to "F" scale.

Another newcomer, Amazon MGM's live-action film "Masters of the Universe," opened in second place with an estimated 29.3 million dollars.

Rounding out the top three was A24's horror film "Backrooms," which collected 25.9 million dollars in its second weekend, lifting its North American cume to 135 million dollars.

MOSCOW, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he does not see the point in a personal meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky published a letter on Thursday proposing a face-to-face meeting with Putin, with the participation of Europe and the United States, to discuss the peace process.

"I don't see the point yet," Putin said, answering a question about whether he would meet with the author of the "open letter."

He added that he never refused to meet with Zelensky, but is against "beating around the bush."

Putin said Russia does not need short-term agreements, but rather ones "for a long historical perspective" and solutions in place before such a meeting can take place.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Zelensky can come to Moscow any time if he wishes to hold talks with Putin.

VIENNA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for maximum military restraint and full adherence to the localized ceasefire on Friday, after Russian personnel were reportedly injured near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

The IAEA said it has been informed that some Russian military personnel were injured during Friday's de-mining phase of the agreed localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Earlier on Friday, the IAEA announced the start of a localized ceasefire it brokered on the front line near the Zaporizhzhia NPP, enabling repairs to the plant's crucial power line.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the restoration of the off-site power line would be an important and positive step for nuclear safety, which is in everybody's vital interest.

Grossi once again underscored the urgency and necessity of repairing the plant's main 750 kilovolt power line, which has been disconnected for more than two months. The Zaporizhzhia NPP had to rely on emergency diesel generators for the electricity it needed to cool its six shutdown reactors in the event of a power outage during military conflicts.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe's largest nuclear power facilities, has been under Russian control since March 2022.

Alexey Likhachev, director general of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, reported Ukrainian drone strikes on the Zaporizhzhia NPP on Friday afternoon. "Three of our engineers were injured, two of them are in serious condition," Likhachev was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Interfax.

According to the IAEA, the incident is currently being investigated, and the Ukrainian side said it remains committed to the ceasefire.

BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- China's business community has expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to a proposed U.S. tariff measure targeting dozens of economies, including China, over allegations related to forced labor, according to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

The U.S. investigation and proposed tariff measure essentially seek to extend U.S. domestic standards and unilateral rules to other economies, which lack a basis in international law and run counter to the rules of the multilateral trading system, the trade promotion body said.

Noting that the U.S. conclusion that the targeted economies' policies undermine efforts to eliminate forced labor or distort market competition is not supported by sufficient evidence, the CCPIT said the proposed measure uses tariffs as a tool of policy pressure and bears the clear hallmarks of unilateralism and protectionism.

Differentiated tariff arrangements are in clear violation of the principles of non-discrimination and fair competition, the CCPIT said.

China's business community urges the United States to respect the facts, stop overstretching and abusing trade restrictions, return to a rules-based multilateral trading system, properly address trade and economic disputes through dialogue and consultation, and jointly safeguard the stability of global industrial and supply chains, it said.

YANGON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The award ceremony of the 2026 "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college, secondary school and primary school students in the Yangon zone was held here on Friday.

The event attracted over 300 representatives from various sectors of both China and Myanmar.

Shen Dan, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, said in his speech that the "Chinese Bridge" competition plays an important role in promoting the development of Chinese language education in Myanmar and enhancing cultural exchanges between the two countries.

He expressed hope that students would understand a real, multidimensional and comprehensive China through learning the Chinese language, and learn about the new opportunities brought by Chinese modernization to the joint development of neighboring countries and the world, thereby contributing the power of youth to inheriting and developing the traditional friendship between China and Myanmar.

Launched in April this year, the competition attracted over 1,000 contestants from dozens of schools in the southern part of Myanmar.