By Philippe Aghion and Benedicte BernerThe French government has just announced the guidelines for a new labour code, its first major reform to boost France’s economy by giving more flexibility to companies to adapt to the marketplace.The second major reform sought by President E

By Wendy Kopp and Dzingai MutumbukaThis month, heads of state and senior officials from all 193 United Nations member states are gathering in New York City to try to make progress on some of the world’s thorniest development challenges — including ensuring quality education for a

By Hans Joachim Schellnhuber and Bambang SusantonoIt is monsoon season in Asia — marking an end to months of scorching temperatures.

By Seife Ayele, Samir Khan and Jim SumbergWith two thirds of Africa’s population under 25 years of age, the continent’s youth may be its biggest competitive advantage.After all, countries’ long-term economic prospects are typically linked to the availability of a young, mobile la

In recent years, the world has become increasingly preoccupied with the catastrophic potential of global warming and other human-induced environmental changes, and rightly so.But one of the most serious risks has been all but ignored: the threat to human health.To be sure, concer

Food shortages are a distant memory for many people in Asia.

The debate about global macroeconomic imbalances is increasingly focusing on Germany’s current-account surplus and economic policy.Despite the vitality of the German economic engine, and the role it plays in fuelling growth and maintaining stability in the eurozone, criticism of

As someone who was born in 1948, the risk of a nuclear World War III was a very real part of my childhood.

Science fiction has long explored the terrifying possibility that we are devoid of free will, and that some unpleasant creature could control our minds or turn us into plodding zombies.But mind control is not just a literary trope.