One hundred days after revolution altered everything, the new Egypt is a story of unfinished business.
Optimism and chaos can be found in equal measure on Cairo's unruly streets. Egyptians know history is being made. They dare to dream, but face an uncertain future. We look at the new Egypt mostly through the eyes of the Guardian's Middle East editor, Ian Black, in a special report. Having just returned from a few days in Cairo myself, I found Black's writing moving, mindful and bang on the mark.
Is the Arab Spring shifting northward? We take you to Spain, where corruption and cuts bring angry protesters onto the streets before local and regional elections, in which the ruling Socialists were routed. Still in Europe, Portugal begins to feel the pain of change as economics force a societal overhaul. And a move for amnesty for Nazi collaborators widens a political rift in Belgium.
In Asia, China admits "urgent problems" related to the people and the land from its Three Gorges dam project, while palm oil producers in Indonesia and Malaysia join forces on a charm offensive. Also on the environment front, Brazil forms a crisis cabinet in response to a sudden surge in deforestation, while in India farmers bond together to battle industrial land grabs.
In African news, trouble flares as Sudanese troops seize an oil-rich border town in what southern Sudan says is a declaration of war. It's being described as the biggest threat yet to a peaceful separation of north and south. This is one story to watch.
Away from fast-paced news, Gary Younge considers why Europe is still infatuated with Barack Obama, who's visiting this week.
Our Review section reflects on the meaning of age. Is it really just a number? Culture gives its verdict on the completion of Gaudi's La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, and our book reviews take a grand tour of our most illuminating neighbour. I hope these pages leave you feeling moonstruck.
As always, your feedback is appreciated.
