David Blair's Blog, page 34

Why the struggle for Jerusalem never ends

Analysis: David Blair explains why the holy city forms the epicentre of the Arab-Israeli conflict and asks if we are witnessing the start of a new Palestinian uprising

Turkey's president moves into world's biggest palace costing £384 million

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's new residence is four times the size of Versailles, comfortably exceeding the grandeur of Louis XIV of France

Analysis: Ukraine peace plan lies in tatters after rebel election

The birth of a rebel state in eastern Ukraine means that Vladimir Putin can choose whether to annex the industrial heartland of his neighbour

British-Iranian 'volleyball prisoner' hasn't been told about her one-year jail term

A British-Iranian woman who has been sentenced to a year in prison for trying to attend a men's volleyball match is unaware of her punishment and has renewed her hunger strike while detained in a tough Iranian jail

Suicide bomber kills 20 Shia Muslims in Nigeria

Suspected Boko Haram attack shows Shia-Sunni rivalry is now claiming lives in northern Nigeria

Thousands cheer downfall of Burkina Faso's leader

After 27 years in power, President Blaise Compaore is swept away by the first successful popular revolution in the history of sub-Saharan Africa

Mugabe accused of 'bedroom coup' as he prepares his wife for presidency

After toying with numerous favourites, Robert Mugabe lines up Grace Mugabe for the succession - and vilifies his vice-president

Tens of thousands demand downfall of Burkina Faso president

The besieged leader promises to go next year, but vast crowds demand immediate departure of President Blaise Compaore

African protesters launch 'Black Spring’ in Burkina Faso

The fate of one of Africa's longest-serving leaders hangs in the balance after thousands storm parliament and state TV as uprising sweeps Burkino Faso

Does British aid to Africa help the powerful more than the poor?

As Ethiopia's regime is accused of atrocities, David Blair asks whether British aid might - inadvertently and indirectly - be subsidising repression