Brighter days ahead: The economic bounce back in 2021

2020 has been one of the worst years in living memory. Worse than 2008. But the global economy should bounce back in 2021 as the pandemic fades thanks to the new vaccines

Iranian prosecutors pledge to pursue Trump for Soleimani killing even after he leaves White House

Statement comes as supreme leader seeks “definitive punishment” of those involved in assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist.

Israel out to provoke war in dying days of Trump says Khamenei’s adviser after assassination of Iran’s nuclear mastermind

Tehran sees killing as effort to derail Biden’s move for diplomacy.

Tehran says foreign companies ‘in touch to explore Iran return in Biden era’

Tony Blinken, nominated by US president-elect to serve as his secretary of state, is an outspoken proponent of the nuclear deal. If Washington rejoins the accord, heavy sanctions on the Iranians would be lifted.

Iran admits centrifuge move that raises fears of Trump strike

Iranian foreign minister, meanwhile, suggests Biden could swiftly return US to nuclear deal by simply signing “three executive orders”.

In Karabakh deal, as many questions as answers

The deal left unmentioned critical issues like the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh and Turkey’s role in implementing the ceasefire.

Protesters flood Yerevan demanding Armenia’s “traitor” PM quit over Nagorno-Karabakh surrender

Parliament attempts to meet but can’t establish quorum. Russian peacekeepers start to arrive. Ethnic Armenian head of enclave urges inhabitants not to flee, saying it will be possible to still live in territory.

Who emerge as the real winners from the bloody Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

The six-week war has reshaped the geopolitical scenario in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan has its yearned for victory, Armenia has been pushed aside. Moscow will now try to run the show while keeping Turkey at arm’s length.

Protesters storm government buildings in Yerevan as Pashinian concedes defeat in Nagorno-Karabakh war with Azerbaijan

Armenian PM agrees deal to end Karabakh war after rapid Azerbaijani advance

Baku’s forces confirm capture of Shusha and seemed poised to move on to main city Stepanakert.

Azerbaijan shoots down Russian helicopter over Armenia killing two servicemen

Baku reportedly apologises, says it was an accident. Aircraft brought down with shoulder-launched missile near Azerbaijani border while fighting continued to rage over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Iran only cautiously wonders if Biden spring is in the air after Trump bitter winter

Next occupant of White House should “make up for past mistakes” of predecessor says Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Azerbaijan, Armenia ‘close to striking meaningful ceasefire’, Baku claims capture of Shusha

Truce would reportedly require Armenia to cede large chunk of territory while placing Turkish and Russian peacekeeping mission in area.

Karabakh war “may be moving towards potentially bloody battle for city of Shusha” says analyst

Azerbaijani forces reported to be 3-4 km from mountain fortress city of great symbolic cultural significance to Baku.

Armenians flee fighting in Karabakh

About 40,000 civilians have fled from Karabakh into Armenia, where they are being accommodated in schools, hotels and volunteers’ homes.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict shelling of civilians could amount to war crimes says UN human rights chief

Armenia’s PM, meanwhile, calls for international investigation into presence of “foreign mercenaries” in Azerbaijan’s ranks after ethnic Armenian forces say they captured two fighters from Syria.

Azerbaijan’s next move awaited as its troops close on Nagorno-Karabakh’s second largest city

Analyst warns Stepanakert could “become like another Sarajevo”.