David Blair's Blog, page 59

How Ariel Sharon has been kept alive for eight years

Ariel Sharon has been kept alive for the past eight years by a complicated network of ventilators and feeding systems

Civilians 'going without food' in South Sudan UN camp

Vulnerable orphans among thousands of civilians who have fled violence in Bor, as fighting intensifies around contested town

Jack Straw to pay official visit to Iran with British delegation

The former Foreign Secretary praises a 'strong desire' to improve relations as he prepares for his first visit to Tehran for 10 years

Captured twice and looted twice, a state capital in South Sudan fears third battle

At least 15,000 vulnerable civilians have gathered at the UN base in Bor, where food is running out and the town is threatened once again

Saved: Liberia's rainforests win reprieve from logging

Britain's ambitions in the Gulf suffer blow as UAE rejects Typhoon deal

David Cameron's ambition to revive Britain's ties with the Gulf, involving 230 ministerial visits to the region since 2010, is in disarray after the UAE decided against a multi-billion pound deal to buy Typhoon fighters

America's secret diplomacy with Iran was in Saudi Arabia's best 'interest', says US official

As Saudi Arabia vents its fury over being kept in the dark, the State Department says that breaking the impasse over Iran's nuclear ambitions justified the secrecy.

RAF evacuates Britons as South Sudan conflict escalates

A C-17 takes British nationals to safety as the deposed vice-president calls for the downfall of South Sudan's leader

South Sudan crisis explained

The violence in South Sudan has raised questions about the viability of the world's newest country. David Blair explains what lies behind the crisis

Renegade vice-president denies South Sudan coup after fighting claims 400 lives

Riek Machar says he made no attempt to overthrow South Sudan government and a 'misunderstanding' caused the fighting