David Blair's Blog, page 113

Greece sinks to its knees

The recent bail-out, which imposes strict new austerity measures on the Greeks, will deepen a crisis that has already driven up the suicide rate by 40 per cent. David Blair reports from Athens on a nation that eyes the future without hope.

UN: Iran is enriching uranium at secret site

Iran must address "serious concerns" about "possible military dimensions" to its nuclear programme after significantly escalating its ability to enrich uranium, the International Atomic Energy Agency said yesterday.

Tunisia: tourists slow to return after Arab Spring

One year on from the Arab Spring, the country is calm and prices are low – so why haven't British tourists returned?

Chavez 'preparing for the worst' as he flies to Cuba for emergency cancer surgery

President Hugo Chavez is expected to leave Venezuela on Friday for emergency cancer surgery in Cuba saying he was 'preparing to face the worst'.

A country in decay: Greece's youth pay bitter price for the wisdom of their elders

Greek youths will be victims for years to come thanks to the austerity being demanded in return for a 130 billion euro bail-out being hammered out. David Blair reports from Athens.

Zimbabwe: how we aid profligacy

As Robert Mugabe turns 88, David Blair asks if our aid to Zimbabwe is funding the dictator's excesses

Libyan leaders cautious amid celebrations marking Gaddafi uprising

LIbya's interim leader warned of threats to the country's "stability" as its population commemorated the first anniversary of the onset of the uprising that toppled Col Muammar Gaddafi.

Arab Spring: the impact on holidaymakers, one year on

What do the upheavals of the Arab Spring mean for the traveller? One year on, David Blair offers an overview.

Iran retaliates over international pressure with threat to stop selling oil to the EU

Iran has sought to retaliate for mounting international pressure over its nuclear ambitions, threatening to stop selling oil to the European Union and claiming a big expansion of its ability to enrich uranium.

Analysis: Iran decides to give its Western adversaries a taste of their own medicine

Journalists call it "sticks and carrots"; diplomats prefer "pressure and engagement". Whatever phrase is used to sum up the West's approach towards Iran, the Islamic Republic's leadership has clearly decided to respond in kind and give its adversaries a taste of their own medicine.