Author: Vahram Arzumanian

Chinese leader Xi Jinping told US President Joe Biden that China would not interfere in the 2024 US presidential election when the two men met in November — an assurance reiterated by the Chinese foreign minister to Biden’s national security adviser this past weekend, two people familiar with the conversations told CNN. The previously unreported exchange between Xi and Biden took place during a high-stakes, hourslong meeting in California that was aimed at easing historically high military and economic tensions between the two superpowers. It was Biden who raised the issue, according to one of the sources, who described the exchange as brief. In a meeting this past weekend in Bangkok with Chinese Foreign Minister…

There have been 30,601 confirmed cases of measles in Europe and Central Asia between January and 5 December 2023, up from 909 throughout 2022, marking a 3266 per cent increase in cases of the vaccine-preventable disease, warns UNICEF. Data also point to a more recent worsening trend as the rate of measles cases in Europe and Central Asia nearly doubled between October and November 2023. Cases in the region are expected to rise further due to gaps in immunity. “There is no clearer sign of a breakdown in immunisation coverage than an increase in cases of measles. Such a…

Novo Nordisk  will launch its hugely popular anti-obesity drug Wegovy in Japan on Feb. 22, its first launch in Asia, the company said on Thursday, even as it struggles to keep up with demand in existing markets. The Danish company has picked Japan as the sixth country in which to launch Wegovy despite obesity being a much smaller problem in the Asian country relative to the West. Most patients in Japan will pay 30% of medical expenses for Wegovy, in line with reimbursement for other drugs, said Novo, which is trying to convince some governments to pay for Wegovy for the…

Armenia and Azerbaijan did not exchange prisoners as of Wednesday noon almost a week after the agreement was reached. Azerbaijan has to release 32 Armenian prisoners in exchange for Armenia’s release of two Azerbaijani servicemen under the agreement. Asked to comment, a senior Armenian lawmaker on December 13 declined to give specific timeframes of the exchange. “First of all, I wouldn’t want to mention specific timeframes,” Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs Sargis Khandanyan said at a press briefing when asked on the delay and whether Azerbaijan has breached the deal. “The logic and perception is that…

The Gay Games Hong Kong (GGHK) kicked off on Saturday, its first time in Asia, despite opposition from anti-LGBTQ lawmakers and human rights activists. The opening ceremony began with a march-in by the GGHK, Federation of Gay Games, and delegations from around the world, followed by performances including the Hong Kong lion dance. “The vision of the Gay Games has always been to create a sports, arts, and culture festival that celebrates participation, inclusion, and personal best,” said Lisa Lam, co-chair of GGHK. Lam said GGHK was proud to introduce an all-genders category in multi-sports for the first time, so…

Saudi Aramco has kept its December Arab Light grade official selling price (OSP) for Asian customers unchanged from the prior month, pausing a five-month price hike cycle, a company statement showed on Monday. The Middle Eastern oil kingpin set the OSP for Arab Light at $4 a barrel over the Oman/Dubai average, the same premium as November. The price change for the Saudi flagship grade is in line with market expectations, as refiners weighed weak oil processing margins and supply uncertainties. Top oil exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia confirmed on Sunday they would continue with additional voluntary oil output cuts until the end…

RJ Sigurdson, minister of agriculture and Highwood MLA, is visiting South Korea and Japan to promote Alberta’s agricultural industry. Highwood MLA and Minister of Agriculture RJ Sigurdson is looking to boost trade in Asia. Sigurdson is on a week-long trade mission to South Korea and Japan to promote Alberta’s agricultural industry and agri-food products.  During the visit from Sept. 15 to 23, he will discuss investment and trade opportunities for Alberta’s agricultural industry and meet with agri-businesses, government officials and media, said a press release from his office. “Alberta has a welcoming business climate and commitment to supplying innovative, reliable and safe agricultural products,” Sigurdson…

For every meal, Hovig Asmaryan eats potatoes. “We fry them. And then we boil them,” he said. “It’s a healthy lifestyle for me and my family. We consume vegetables, walk on foot and get around by bike. But it’s by force.” In his home city of Stepanakert a barter system has sprung up. “We have a fruit tree in the garden. I give fruit to my neighbours. They pass us carrots,” he said. Asmaryan lives in Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian enclave in the territory of Azerbaijan, in the South Caucasus. It is home to about 120,000 ethnic Armenians. Supplies of basic foodstuffs,…

The picture becomes clearer when you realize that the Armenian provocations on the Lachin road and the chaos in Yerevan, as well as in Khankendi, are the work of the internal policy of the authorities and their patrons and that the alleged actions aimed at helping the Armenian minority to be an igniting element of this conflict. It is a proven fact that Armenian government, the officials and separatist forces do not care about the society in Khankendi. This once again confirms the fact that the Armenian minority living in Garabagh are citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan and their…

Rain or shine, Mohammad Shukkur Ali, a rickshaw puller in his 50s, shows up for work on the streets of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka. The work is already punishing as it requires massive physical effort. But this year, the heat has made things even worse. Temperatures in the city hit 40.6C (105.8F) in April – a record high. But Mr Ali, who lives with his wife and two children in a rented room, says he has no choice but to endure the discomfort. “I need to work because we are poor,” he said. Mr Ali works eight-hour shifts every day…